Exodus 31

"Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death... It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’” vv.15,17

Read chapter 31
Scripture is key to scripture. Verse unlock mysteries of other verses and here is one of my favorites on a very debatable subject: How long was a day during the creation week? Many believe the world is millions or billions of years old, some believe that Genesis 1 isn't literal but figurative and a day could've meant 1,000 years. Here in Exodus when God's giving Moses the commandments for working and the Sabbath day of rest, He refers tot eh creation week. Now if each day represented 1,000 or 1,000,000 years is God saying in Exodus you must work 6,000 or 6,000,000 years and then you can rest? Of course not! I believe that the days in the creation week were a literal ~24 hour day (one being and one morning) and this passage helps prove that. The other cool thing about the Sabbath was that it wasnt because the Lord got tired and needed rest like man does, but "the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). What are your thoughts on the time of the creation week? When God provides you rest, do you take it?

Exodus 30

“Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning; when he tends the lamps, he shall burn incense on it. And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations." vv.7-8

Read chapter 30
I was talking to someone about what it'd be like to be a priest with all the sacrifices you'd have to make and she made a comment that she couldn't stand the smell of all the dead animals. Maybe that's why there was the command to have incense always bring, both morning and at twilight? It's called a SWEET incense too, maybe to accommodate the sour odor. Parts of Aaron's job was tending the lamps and being the incense. This seems like simple task anyone could do, but this was more than just a janitorial but but a privilege in serving God. Especially when not just anyone was allowed in the Tabernacle. What tasks in your life do you take for granted where you could serve the Lord or someone else? I'm a Housekeeper at a camp and take all sorts of people/volunteers to help clean- a job almost anyone can do. But I keep a note on my desk that says, "If housekeeping isn't your ministry, I'll burnout." So how can you make a mundane thing in your life a ministry?

Exodus 29

"Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood all around on the altar. " v.20

Read chapter 29
Anointing Aaron and his sons as priest was not a "tidy" consecration. The killing of a ram, a large animal, surely had much blood. This consecration of blood signified that they were entirely under the blood that atoned for sin. This blood was then put on different parts of their bodies representing different meanings. Possibly the ear for hearing the word of God, the thumb as accomplishment of the will of God, the toe of the journey of the walk with God. This was ta disgusting ceremony but a glorious one. Today blood is seen as impure and carrying disease and dirty. It's hard for us to grasp and picture this not as some cultic ritual but a holy work. Christ's blood is what covers our sins and this is literal not just a verse. So how as the Lord set you apart as holy to hear the word of God, to accomplish His will, and to walk the journey of God?

Exodus 28

"They shall bind the breastplate by means of its rings to the rings of the ephod, using a blue cord, so that it is above the intricately woven band of the ephod, and so that the breastplate does not come loose from the ephod...And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually." vv.28,30


Read chapter 28
So there's some new vocabulary in this chapter that I had to look up as I couldn't quite picture it from all the descriptions. The ephod was like a mid-drift vest (in my vocab) made of fine linen (by an artisan) and precious stones with eh names of the twelves tribes of Israel. Only the High Priest wore the ephod, not the levitical priest we learn about later. Then we learn about the Breastplate of Judgment attached to the ephod that carried the Urim and the Thummim. These words translated mean "lights" and "perfections" and were for knowing the Lord's judgements on a matter. They were two stones that were carried in a pocket of the breastplate by the heart and drawn out as a lot of Jehovah's judgment. These could be like a "yes" stone and a "no" stone when the priest asked a question. This wasn't just some old time Ouji board or magic 8 ball but the way God revealed His judgement and decisions to Israel. We don't have these stones or precious vest today or a high priest, but can ask the Lord ourselves our questions and have the Bible to know His decisions on judgments. Although it'd be nice to ask Him very specific stuff to our day's decisions and have the answer as simple as yes or now, we do have prayer and the Holy Spirit directing us, we just need to learn how to listen or obey. What questions of judgment do you need to ask the Lord today?

Exodus 27

"Also, you shall make its pans to receive its ashes, and its shovels and its basins and its for and its firepans; you shall make all its utensils of bronze."  v.3 

Read chapter 27
Here we have the instructions for building the altar of burnt offerings.  This was inside the Tabernacle but outside the Holy Place and Holiest of Holies - so the courtyard.  Everyone that God commands them to build for the Tabernacle is very detailed and for a purpose.  Every thing has rings on it so that poles can fit in and it can be carried and easily transported.  Here with the altar of burnt offerings, God supplied them the instructions for overeating they'd ned when offering burnt sacrifices.  Pans to receive the ashes, shovels to clear away ashes that scattered, basins for receiving the blood of the sacrifice, forks for adjusting pieces of the sacrifice, and firepans to carry burning embers from the brazen altar to altar of incense.  The Lord thought of everything!  How often I have a plan to build a simple fire on a camping trip and cook dinner and bound to forget something.  Also, all utensils are to be made of bronze - no common tool was to be used for holy tasks.  Things set apart specifically for serving God.  God cares about the details in your life and provides.  So how do you use too in your life the Lord's provided for you to worship Him?  Are you using your "finest" tools for Him or your "leftover" stuff?  God's not vague in His plan for the world.  Search His word for those details and se how He's provided.

Exodus 26

“Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them." v.1

Read chapter 26
These beautiful, intricate curtains that were made for the inside of the tabernacle were hidden from the public, since only certain people entered the tabernacle. Not only was the curtain skillfully weaved of these beautiful colors that signified royal and were expensive but it was artistically designed with images of cherubim. Cherubim are a type of angel (most likely Satan was a fallen cherubim)- see Genesis 3, Ezekiel 1 for more. How exactly the Israelites knew what the cherubim looked like, I don't know, it could be what Moess saw to make as a pattern and dictated that to the men that made the curtain. How interesting that this beautiful artwork is hidden from the public eye, but for the Holy Place where God would dwell. God didn't need to make a public display of this to show off. Sometimes things kept hidden are the most precious. What in your life is most precious to ou that doesn't need to be on display or shown to the world to get its glory? How do you imagine/ draw the tabernacle based on the descriptions in this chapter?

Exodus 25

“And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them." vv.10-14

Read chapter 25
What is an ark? First thought is usually of Noah's ark in the worldwide flood, but this isn't referring to a boat that size here yet could resemble a ver mini version of its shape. This ark is a box that held the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments (v.16). A cubit isn't a dimension we use today but was a measurement taken from the length of a man's arm, from elbow to extended middle finger, so commonly about 18 inches. Therefore the ark was about 4' long x 2 1/4' wide x 2 1/4'high. Poles were made for it to carry as the Israelites traveled and also as it continually moved among homes. The ark was not to be touched and we see Uzzah die when David has him transport the ark and it falls (2 Samuel 6). Everything was overlaid with gold that would've made it resplendent and costly, not to be made an idol but to preserve His words and show its great importance and value. We don't have the ark anymore today, but have the Bible as His word and testimony to us. Do you treat it as valuable as it is, worth far more than gold?

Exodus 24

"Now He said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. And Moses alone shall come near the Lord...So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God." vv.1-2, 13

Read chapter 24
From this verse we learn how many elders Moses appointed to help with governing the people by Jethro's advise in chapter 18. Here we also meet Nadab and Abihu who are two of Aaron's sons. They'd been given such a place of honor and opportunity, yet despite this we see the tragic decision they make that led to there death in dishonoring the Lord later in Leviticus 10. How often does it seem like people in these exalted, privileged positions take it for granted r don't truly know God that fall to rebellion? How do yo see children of Godly parents never make their desire for God their own? These 75 people go and worship together to God from afar yet closer than the rest of Israel to God. Then we see Joshua accompany Moses up the mountain of God. Most likely no the whole way, but probably as help up the mountain. What an honor to be Joshua and how we see his following before becoming great leader. Who are you following that you may lead one day?

Exodus 23

“Three times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year: You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread...and the Feast of Harvest...and the Feast of Ingathering." vv.14-16

Read chapter 23
God likes a part and makes it part of the law to hold at least three each year. These parties have meaning to it and that honor the Lord. The Feast of Unleavened Bread also called the Passover as remembrance of the Lord bringing them out of Egypt and how the Angle of the Lord passed over the Israelite house when killing all the firstborns in Egypt. The Feast of Harvest also called Pentecost. It was calculated that the grain harvest would be completed 50 days after it'd begun and were then o offer the first to this festival of God's provision. The Lord Jesus sent the Holy Spirit at Pentecost- 50 days after He'd risen as the first fruit from the grave. Thirdly the Feast of Ingathering or more commonly Feast of Tabernacles. This has reference to the booths set up during harvest time and also later the meaning of how the Israelites lived in booths during the wilderness. We aren't commanded to keep these feasts today, but what ways do you celebrate what the Lord's done in your life? Are parts you throw God-honoring?

Exodus 22

"If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious." vv.26-27

Read chapter 22
This chapter gone in to moral principles, not just laws. God has concern for the poor and makes sure they're not subject to abusive practices of money lenders nor their items needed for survival taken from them as interest or collateral. The Lord reveals one of His characteristics, that is grace. Grace and forgiveness are the same word (one's a noun, one's a verb). Bot undeserved favor. Not just a new testament command but an old one too that we are to forgive as the Lord forgives. When the Lord hears his cry, it's not just a listening to the poor man's prayer but hearing with action and response to either care for him in the night or avenge the mistreatment done. What moral codes do you see abused today?

Exodus 21

"But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever." vv.5-6

Read chapter 21
There's ear pricing in the Bible! Piercing one's ear was a sing of ownership to a master. It was a slave wanting to stay in that position forever under his master. Notice that it's the slave's choice and no the master's. This was a voluntary lifelong servitude. There were many laws by God on how to treat slaves and were cared for (if master did according to the law). Because of indebtedness or other crisis, people had to go in to slavery, but Moses put a time limit on it- 6 years. A slave that is married and has children all in slavery, might not want to leave them, especially if he loves his master. So too in our lives we serve only one master whom we love, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are not slaves to Him, but desire to be yoked with Him and serve Him forever! We don't need to get our ears pierces a as mark, but have the seal of the Holy Spirit that we're His. Do you love The Master? What earthy "masters" are hard/easy to love? How long are you committed to earthly masters? How long to God?

Exodus 19

"Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled...And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up." vv.16,20

Read chapter 19
This epiphany, or blazing forth, of the Lord was a spectacular event. There's fire, smoke, thunder, lightning and trumpets. This wasn't just some firework show on one side of the camp, but an event that all 2-3 million Israelites saw, smelled and heard. No wonder they trembled for never hearing or experience anything like it. So will also be the day of the epiphany of the Lord again that we're waiting for (2 Thess. 2:8). Moses was the only one allowed to approach the Lord on Mt. Sinai, anyone or any animal even that set fool on it would die. When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush he was to take off his shoes because where he was standing was hold ground and now this was the mountain the Lord descended upon. Why did the Lord choose Moses apart from everyone else? Why do you think this mighty display was fearful? How do you tremble at God's display of Himself? (See 20:20) What do you imagine His next epiphany will be like?

Exodus 17

"But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword." vv.12-13

Read chapter 17
This is the first time we meet Joshua. Here battling against the Amalekites while Moses is up on a hill with his arms raised to God with the rod in view that God controlled the battle. This was still a pretty intense and long battles as it mentioned it went till sunset. Even though God is fighting for us it's not always a quick win but an enduring victory. It can cause us to grow tired and weary in our daily battles as we see here with Moses. Thankfully he had amazing friends and family who help through this battle in keeping his arms raised to the Lord; Aaron (Moses' brother) and Hur, the architect of the tabernacle (Ex.31:2). The strongest arm or man grows weak, but only God's outstretched arm is held out still. Do you have friends who are accountable and lift your hands up to God? What battle are you fight right now and how have you let the Lord's arms uphold you or how have you grown weary?

Exodus 18

"So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God." vv.17-19

Read chapter 18
JETHRO. He was not an Israelite, called a priest of Midian (Ex. 2:16) and Moses' father-in-law. He and Moses must have had a special relationship, definitely one of honor towards each other. God gives Jethro wisdom in the counsel given to Moses. Now we know Jethro just came to believe and honor Moses' God in verses 8-12, and we don't know what kind of priest he was in Midian, yet it seems his experience and wisdom he gained throughout like and his new act of faith allowed God to use him to organize Israel. Moses seemed to be one drive by desire and perfectionism but his responsibilities were far too consuming and this is clearly seen by Jethro. Moses takes this counsel as a way of willing to improve how he was doing things, an amazing characteristic to a good leader. What kind of leader are you? Do you delegate? Do you have someone that leads your leading? How do you respond to counsel from others?

Exodus 16

"And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground. So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was." vv.14-15

Read chapter 16
Manna, meaning "what." Manna, bread from heaven. Manna, spiritual food (1 Cor. 10:3). Manna was food for the Israelites during their 40 years in the wilderness provided directly by God. This wasn't some naturally growing food that God just allowed to grow well fro them in their travels, but food straight from God- spiritual food. This helps us define the word spiritual as something direct from god and not by natural means. The description in this verse also helps in the details that doesn't match with anything that could've grown there and why they named the bread "what." God commanded them to take just enough for the day and no more (two portions on day six since no gathering on the Sabbath). If they tried to take more or even save just a little it would rot and show doubt in God's provision. Jesus replaces the manna and is our bread from heaven of whom we can have unlimited amounts of and gorge ourselves on. Do you eat your daily bread? Do you doubt God's provision and try to "save" something just in case?

Exodus 15

Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them:

“Sing to the Lord,
For He has triumphed gloriously!
The horse and its rider
He has thrown into the sea!” vv.20-21

Read chapter 15
Miriam is the first woman named a prophetess in scripture. In all the Bible we see nine women specifically named a prophetess (Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Isaiah's wife, Anna, and the four daughters of Phillip). God isn't prejudice between men and women, but has a divine order and reason who He positions. So yes there were women as prophets and not only men even though the male prophets are more well known ones. Also Miriam and the women seem to be the ones leading this first music worship with all Israel singing, dancing, and playing music. Interesting that it says "Miriam, the sister of Aaron" and not the sister of Moses. Aaron was the firstborn even though Moses is known through history as this intimacy with God more than his brother and sister. This song is singing truth of what God did. Not just "good" words, but mentioning killing of men and animals as a praise. It is true and was their deliverance by God. We don't need to pretty up God but share all His characteristics and doings. What's your view on women in important roles like Miriam as a prophet? How do lyrics of a song affect you both the good and the ugly but most importantly the truth?

Exodus 14

"And Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.'" v.13

Read chapter 14
The very same day that they are freed form slavery in Egypt they complain about dying in the wilderness and wishing they would've stayed in slavery. How often do we do the same thing? Once we are free from our slavery to a specific sin, we're quick to think it wasn't "that bad" or "something bad is now going to happen, " that "its too good to be true." Yet Moses doesn't respond to their complaint in anger but in the Lord's comfort. And the most comforting thing to be comforted within the Saving Grace of the Lord. Jesus Christ has paid our sins to save us from everlasting death that we may be free indeed and no longer slaves to sin once and for all. So why do we turn back? Fear? Doubt? Distrust? So what have you turned back to in slavery? When can you learn to respond like Moses when met with complaining and comparison?

Exodus 13

"Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt." vv.17-18

Read chapter 13
When freeing them from slavery in Egypt, God doesn't take them the easy way to the promised land but through the wilderness. His reason for this is so that they won't turn back when faced with trouble. Sometimes when things are too easy for me I'm not as devout to that decision, but when something is difficult that I have to push through, it is more satisfying to my soul and makes me stronger in the Lord, through weakness and battle. When have been some easy and difficult paths that Lord has guided you in your life and how did you respond or learn from that?
I like the detail that they left Egypt in "ordinary ranks." This was some mad chaos of everyone running away, nor a hidden sneak out, but a huge miracle often overlooked. Israel's population at this time was around 2-3 million and would normally take days/weeks to move that many people out of Egypt considering traveling with women, kids, articles of silver, gold and clothes they got from the Egyptians. Only a miracle could move this amount of people as far as they went in this short amount of time. God is the God of order, not of disorder (1 Cor. 14:3).

Exodus 12

"Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it... And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover." vv.8, 11

Read chapter 12
The passover meal wasn't some big nice Thanksgiving meal but more of a bitter meal. To have bread without leven is like eating cardboard and bitter herbs sounds like something that's gone bad and fermented (although I love fermented foods and have loved this). Notice it's even described how they're to eat the meal by wearing their belt and shoes with with a staff in their hands. This reason being that they were to eat it fast and to be ready. Way unlike a Thanksgiving meal today that is slowly throughout the whole day while wearing sweatpants and sitting around vegging for a few days after even. This is the Lord's Passover meal and the same meal celebrated in the New Testament when Jesus pastas with His disciples, typically called the Lord's Supper. That wasn't a new tradition started but a tradition to be kept in remembrance of Israel's delivery out of Egypt by the Lord. Jesus is the One who ultimately is the Passover lamb who save us from everlasting death.

Exodus 11

"Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.” v.2

Read chapter 11
When the Israelites leave Egypt they don't leave as poor as they were in Egypt but rich with silver and gold given them by the Egyptians. This seems like a crazy thing to have happened assuming the Egyptians hated the Israelites, let alone give them riches. For one, God ordained it as He says in 3:20-21 this will happen where He also adds articles of clothes - which I think seem more useful for traveling through the desertion just having a ton of money. Also it could be that the Egyptians feared God, respected and honored Moses as we see in the next verse that the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. What a provider is our God! It might have been hard of the Egyptians to act contrary to their leader Pharaoh in finding favor and providing for the Israelites but they still acted. When have you done or desired to serve or love someone contrary to what others do?

Exodus 10

"Now the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him...But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go." vv.1,27

Read chapter 10
I always seem to get confused and wonder why it says that God hardened Pharaoh's heart (and others throughout scripture). Some may argue predestination of salvation or not here, yet I can't believe that according to God desiring all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). Yes God predestines people for His use but not unto salvation. Well, here's not that argument totally. In Ex. 9:34 we see that Pharaoh hardened his won heart after sinning all the more. How often do we do that to ourselves when we continue in a sin that we make our own heart hard, all because of our choices, not God's. God is working in absolute grace today to believers and nonbelievers a like but during Exodus He was working justly too. Grace is what gies us a soft heart, so God could've taken away His grace, undeserved favor, so that Pharaoh's heart couldn't soften. Also by Hebrew idiom of active verbs of doing are used of suffering or permitting a thing to be done. Because of Pharaoh's previous decisions of not turning to the Lord, God permites his heart to be hardened. "it was in each case God's forbearing goodness which produced the harding...just as the same sun which softens the wax hardens the clay." (The Companion Bible note on Exodus 4:21). In what ways have you hardened your heart towards God? How has God's grace softened it?

Exodus 9

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: “Let my people go, so that they may worship me.” v.1

Read chapter 9
Three of the ten plagues happen without warning. Yes He tells Moses and Aaron what to do and whats about to happen, but three times (once in this chapter with the boils) Pharaoh and the Egyptians get a plague sent by God. Also all these plagues are noted that it doesn't happen to the Israelites even thought they're living in Egypt. How obvious is that, that their God is the God! Pharaoh starts to call on Moses and Aaron to stop the plagues than his magicians and sorcerers. He realizes God's power yet continues to harden his heart.
We know God doesn't act without revealing to one of his prophets (Amos 3:7), but that destine mean we're no surprise or understand always God's workings, even if we did know. How I wish God would tell me certain things (like who I'm going to marry) thinking I'll be less anxious or make better decisions. Yet there can be joy in the surprise (not so much here with the surprise of boils) but how we choose to respiring in faith rather than by sight. Which plague would have beneath worst for you? What is something you wish to have know or know before it happened? Would that have changed or will change your response?

Exodus 8

"But the magicians did the same things by their secret arts; they also made frogs come up on the land of Egypt. Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the Lord to take the frogs away from me and my people, and I will let your people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.”..but when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not." vv.7-8,18 

Read chapter 8
How these machines were able to bring all these frogs we don't know, but it hardly helped and actually made it worse with even more page of frogs. The Pharaoh dissent even call on the magicians to stop this plague and make the frogs die or leave but he calls on Moses and Aaron. He asks them to intercede to God for him and all Egypt realizing there's something different about this God than all their gods. The next plague of lice the magicians are not able to perform likewise. God allowed them to be able to mimic the first couple of miracles but not another to show their limits and God's unlimitedness. God can do so much more than we can imagine. No one is like our God. Theres' no formula to His miracles . The magicians finally give in and finally attribute God as God in verse 19. Some people say if only they'd see God do a miracle they'd believe, yet it took many outward miracles for these magicians to believe and even more for Pharaoh and eve by the end of his life didn't honor God as the Only God. So what does tit take for you to believe with our without miracles? In what ways are you limiting God in His power?

Exodus 7

Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh. v.7

Read chapter 7
They both had already lived a lifetime before they event started their principle work that God called them to. And even from this age and beginning they both live another forty years (Numbers 33:38-39). What a team these brothers are. As God tells them in verse one of this chapter that Moses will be as God to Pharaoh and Aaron as his prophet. A prophet is the "mouth" of the one who sent him, just as Moses was the prophet or mouth of God to the Israelites. We see these brothers obedience to the Lord together and also when they don't obey- yet seeing their accountability toward one another even when it gets tough. Through both of them God displays himself so that Pharaoh and all Egypt will know that I AM is God. Later the priestly line through Aaron is how God speaks. So don't let age be a factor to doubt God using you no matter how young or old you are. And find that "brother" or "sister" to live a godly life with for God's glory, remembering your'e both sinners saved by grace.

Exodus 6

"God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them." vv.2-3

Read chapter 6
Whenever you see capital letters L.O.R.D. in the Old Testament it's the name Yahweh. Yahweh was there in the beginning, Genesis 1. In this verse alone we see God is Yahweh, connected to the name I AM. Yahweh or Jehovah shows the character of the God of relationship. The intimacy between God and His people. The Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew God as God Almighty or the all-sufficient one but they didn't live to see the accomplishment of His promises, not experiencing all the powers in His hand he would display over nature. We see Jesus in the New Testament fulfill prophesies and truths of who Jehovah is. Jesus is Jehovah. And how great that we can have an intimate relationship with Jehovah. Do you know God intimately?

Exodus 5

And they said to them, “Let the Lord look on you and judge, because you have made us abhorrent in the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us.” v.21

Read chapter 5
The Israelites are mad and blame Moses and Aaron for their even now more harsh work by the Egyptians. They have to work longer hours or in their free time to meet their quota that the Pharaoh laid on them without any Egyptians provisions. Seeing Moses and Aaron pleading with Pharaoh for the people to go worship and resolute in harder labor is easy to see the cause/blame and effect. The people don't see the greater work the Lord's about to do. How do they view this man Moses and his brother Aaron? As lunatics? As phonies? The people use harsh words when they speak to Moses and Aaron because of their anger. How often do you say harsh, rash things in your anger? They didn't even give Moses and Aaron a chance to explain God's plan which He spelled out for Moses saying that Pharaoh's heart would be hard and not let them go. This shouldn't have been a surprise. Neither should Satan's schemes to a surprise to us today for what the Lord has told of him.

Exodus 4

"Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The Lord has not appeared to you.’..Then Moses said to the Lord, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue"...But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” vv.1, 10, 13

Read chapter 4
Three times Moses doubts his ability to what the Lord had called him. Staring of with "what if..." I always play the what if game instead of trusting in the Lord which reveals my lack of trust in God, not believe Him. The he speaks of his physical unfitness for the job, his insecurities even at the age of 80. How often do we let our own insecurities get in the way of doing the Lord's work and doubting our usefulness? Lately he pleads to have someone else do it, the miracle of bringing out millions of people out of Egypt and slavery. Is he relying on his own strength over God's hand who said He'd do it through Moses? How often do we doubt that we're a useful vessel for the Lord and assume someone else is better cut out for the job? The Lord's anger burns toward Moses yet provides for him in this doubt of himself and the Lord by having his brother Aaron be the mouth of Moses and ultimately of God. God's ways are foolish to man because we loot at the outward appearance. Let us trust God even when we're unsure!

Exodus 3

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” v.11

Read chapter 3
"Who am I?" A thought of unworthiness by one of the most amazing men. Yet also a thought of humbleness. Moses being the most fit man for this still knows his wickedness as a chase from knowing more of God and of himself. When he first thought he could save his people, he failed and fled. Now forty years later at the age of eighty, he's called to deliver this people with would seem like a disqualification to most on top of the change of life he'd lived for the past forty years as a shepherd and stranger to his brethren and they wisdom and ways of the Egyptians no more practiced. Yet he also had a huge reason why he was best for this job: Egyptian training and learning, familiarity with eh courts, knowledge of both languages and nations. Ultimately we shouldn't ask the question who's more capable for the task, God calls one to say YES as God chooses and directs. "So detective are the strongest graces and best duties of the most eminent saints" (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary). Where do you find yourself incompetent for the tasks God calls you too? And how do you respond?

Exodus 2

"Now it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out to his brethren and looked at their burdens. And he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his brethren. " v.11

Read chapter 2
Although Moses was a Hebrew, adopted by Pharaoh's daughter and raised like an Egyptian, he still knew he was a Hebrew and didn't quite "fit in" with the Egyptians. From the movie The Ten Commandments, we see Moses as a child growing up in the Egyptian place and oblivious to who he really was. Scripture doesn't record what his childhood up to about age 40 (in this passage) was like beside what Stephen mentioned of Moses in Acts seven that he was "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and deeds." When Moses sees his Hebrew brother, he's upset to the point of killing the Egyptians taskmaster as there was probably no legal procedure or justice for this. Can you imagine what it would've been like for Moses to group up this way? What he was oblivious to? What he was torn up about? How he chose still his family of slaves over a life of luxury?

Exodus 1

"Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of whom the name of one wasShiphrah and the name of the other Puah;..Therefore God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied and grew very mighty. 21 And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them." vv.15, 20-21

Read chapter 1
These women are all stars! And what an horn to eve be named in scripture with the descriptions that they feared God. These midwives who seem to play a small role in scripture have their names written in the Book of Life; even this King of Egypt isn't names as a great person in the worlds eyes yet the "nobodies" are named. Households were established by men then so for these women to be provided by God for households is a huge gift! Why the hate toward Israel by the Egyptians? Because of misjudgment and hatred and fear of being thrown over. God blessed those who blessed Israel, but the next generations of Egyptians didn't know Joseph and his God that they turned into getting a punishment from God. The harder the Egyptians made the Israelites work, the more they seemed to multiply. What would your name be written about if there was one sentence of you in the Bible? How has misjudgment caused hatred in your life?

Ezekiel 48

"...and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.” v.35

Read chapter 48
The book of Ezekiel comes to a close with a most fitting verse saying the name of the city in the future eon of his visions from God will be called Jehovah Shammah- the Lord is present.  The Lord will no longer be afar off, but ever present.  You have probably noticed in scripture that things are called by what describes them.  Calling this city isn't just a cool sounding name, but the reality of the character of that city- Jehovah truly is there.  And with His presence there is protection, peace, blessings, joy, all good things!  
Jesus Christ is ever present within us who believe and one day He will be ever present in the Holy City and all citizens of the world.  There will be no doubt that He is there.  Lord bring the day!
This chapter finished describing the land around the sacred district, hard to visualize but here's a couple possibilities:

Ezekiel 47

And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.  v.9

Read chapter 47
Any great city has a source of water and the old Jerusalem did not have a mighty river or great water source, yet what we cannot see by sight we see by faith in the new Jerusalem where the temple will be.  Ezekiel is now brought to the back door of the temple and sees a river that flows from under the temple to the sea.  Sounds familiar from Revelation 22, "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb."  This water brings healing to every living thing wherever it flows.  It'll allow salt water fish to become freshwater fish.  Life is brought by because of this flow.  Just as Jesus said of himself, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."  This living water is of Christ flowing out to all to bring life and healing, He is the source of the out flow, He is the head of the river just as He is the head of the church, the Greek word ekklesia which means out called or called out of.  Oh how we wait for the out flow of God to heal the world in our land and in our hearts.  How do you allow Christ to flow through you today?  And what healing of the land and all living do you desire most for this outflow of God to one day be in the earth?