In chapter 4 we see Moses giving God all the reasons He should choose someone else. God had already made his choice. He did agree to let his brother Aaron speak for him, but He did not let Moses off the hook. How many times has God been angered at our excuses? Then He equipped Him with power for the assignment. God made good on his promise to prepare tha Israelite leaders to believe them and they worshipped the Lord for his concern for them.
In chapter 5 we see Pharaoh rejecting God's plan for He did not know Him. We cannot expect others to respond to God the way we should if they do not know Him. Pharaoh then increased their work load and was harder on them than before. This may have been allowed to prepare the Israelites for leaving. They even wished for God's judgement upon Moses for starting this whole thing. Moses then took this to the Lord and said "you have not rescued your people at all". (NIV)
In chapter 6 we see God promise to deliver them from Egypt. The Israelites were so discouraged they did not listen. Then the Lord spoke to Aaron and Moses about the Isaelites and He commanded them to bring them out of Egypt. Then the Lord commanded Moses to deliver the words of the Lord to Pharaoh. That was a tough assignment. Why would Pharaoh listen now? What difficult tasks have we been given? The closer we get to the Lord, the more He confirms His ability to accomplish the task at hand. Why do we worry and fret? I believe the more we experience him, the more confident we become. Our daily walk is so important as we give Him our concerns and He handles them. He may reveal how he wants us to respond, He may just handle it himself. He may command us to take action as He tells us what to do and say. The importance of letting God lead cannot be overstated. That is true Lordship. We should all strive for that.
Tomorrow I intent to read Exodus 7-9
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Exodus 1-3
In chapter 1 we see Gods promises being fulfilled by making Abraham's descendants numerous. The new king did not know Joseph or anything that had taken place. His decision to oppress them was fear driven. That always puts us out of God's will. He then made the mistake of picking on God's chosen people by oppressing them and making them slaves. The more they oppressed them, "the more they multiplied and spread." a common thread throughuot the bible is the more God's people are picked on, the more He increases and blesses.
The midwives were blessed by fearing God more than the King. The Moses was born and
Pharaoh's daughter found him. She raised him as her own.
We then see Moses defend His people as a young man. He flees to Midian after killing the Egyptian. Being discovered, God obviously met His needs and then brought those into His life to bring comfort. The Lord looked out for the Israelites during that time and was concerned about them.
His compassion for them was followed with action. Real love requires a response on our part. Understanding that was important for Moses to see how God wanted Him to respond to His plan. His plan is always best, and was the answer to their trouble. He also promised to make the Egyptians favorably disposed to the Israelites. How will our relationship with God change hearts towards us? He will always prepare others for us when we ask.
Tomorrow I intend to read Exodus 4-6
The midwives were blessed by fearing God more than the King. The Moses was born and
Pharaoh's daughter found him. She raised him as her own.
We then see Moses defend His people as a young man. He flees to Midian after killing the Egyptian. Being discovered, God obviously met His needs and then brought those into His life to bring comfort. The Lord looked out for the Israelites during that time and was concerned about them.
His compassion for them was followed with action. Real love requires a response on our part. Understanding that was important for Moses to see how God wanted Him to respond to His plan. His plan is always best, and was the answer to their trouble. He also promised to make the Egyptians favorably disposed to the Israelites. How will our relationship with God change hearts towards us? He will always prepare others for us when we ask.
Tomorrow I intend to read Exodus 4-6
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Genesis 48-50
Today in Genesis 48 we see Jacob’s last days. The family is called in and Joseph introduces his two sons born in a foreign land by an Egyptian. Jacob loves them as his own son and adopts them. He gives them his blessing as sons. He blessed Ephriam first and said He would be greater than His older brother Menasseh. These priestly blessings in Genesis were coveted by sons and considered prophetic. Ephriam and Menasseh became two tribes of Israel and Joseph became the father of those tribes.
In 49 He then blessed the rest of his sons (or spoke truth about their future). Jacob describes the immense blessings of God to his sons who had pure Godly hearts. The message was different to the ones whose behavior in life revealed a heart problem. We must all examine ourselves and see how our response to God has impacted on our life.
“Jacob breathed his last breath and was gathered to His people.” (NIV)
In Chapter 50 we see him being embalmed for 40 days and being returned to be buried in Canaan as Jacob has requested. All of Pharaoh’s officials and dignitaries accompanied them. Then we get a true picture of forgiveness as Joseph’s brothers begged for it out of fear. Joseph had no reason to forgive them for what they had done. They certainly did not deserve it, yet He chose forgiveness. It takes a close walk with the Lord to understand real forgiveness, and to look at the trials and suffering as God’s providence. Sometimes it’s hard to look back and admit that. True forgiveness brings healing. In chapter 41 God helped to comfort Joseph by giving him a family and allowing Him to forget his father’s family. We see here where God healed the hurt and allowed his entire family to be reunited. Only God can do that. To bring true healing we must start by forgiving ourselves and then the ones who God shows us.
Tomorrow I intend to read Exodus 1-3
In 49 He then blessed the rest of his sons (or spoke truth about their future). Jacob describes the immense blessings of God to his sons who had pure Godly hearts. The message was different to the ones whose behavior in life revealed a heart problem. We must all examine ourselves and see how our response to God has impacted on our life.
“Jacob breathed his last breath and was gathered to His people.” (NIV)
In Chapter 50 we see him being embalmed for 40 days and being returned to be buried in Canaan as Jacob has requested. All of Pharaoh’s officials and dignitaries accompanied them. Then we get a true picture of forgiveness as Joseph’s brothers begged for it out of fear. Joseph had no reason to forgive them for what they had done. They certainly did not deserve it, yet He chose forgiveness. It takes a close walk with the Lord to understand real forgiveness, and to look at the trials and suffering as God’s providence. Sometimes it’s hard to look back and admit that. True forgiveness brings healing. In chapter 41 God helped to comfort Joseph by giving him a family and allowing Him to forget his father’s family. We see here where God healed the hurt and allowed his entire family to be reunited. Only God can do that. To bring true healing we must start by forgiving ourselves and then the ones who God shows us.
Tomorrow I intend to read Exodus 1-3
Genesis 46-47
We have caught a glimpse of what it was like to be Joseph’s brother after selling Him. They were relieved He forgave them and welcomed them back. They were probably amazed when Joseph told them the Lord had allowed that to happen to rescue them. I wonder how times the Lord has rescued us that we may not realize. He always provides a way out when we ask. Pharaoh then provided the best they had for Jacob’s entire family, another family that was blessed by Joseph’s obedience.
In Genesis 46 we see the entire family and their livestock moving to Egypt with Jacob. He then received a vision from God confirming what he had begun. That came after beginning the journey and honoring God through sacrifice. Pharaoh treated Joseph’s family well and Joseph was able to buy all of the livestock and land for him in Egypt (except for that of the priests.)
God walks through life with each of us and knows what is best, even if it is unfamiliar territory. Trusting Him and following him will always allow us to be in a position to receive His blessing He has planned for us.
In Genesis 46 we see the entire family and their livestock moving to Egypt with Jacob. He then received a vision from God confirming what he had begun. That came after beginning the journey and honoring God through sacrifice. Pharaoh treated Joseph’s family well and Joseph was able to buy all of the livestock and land for him in Egypt (except for that of the priests.)
God walks through life with each of us and knows what is best, even if it is unfamiliar territory. Trusting Him and following him will always allow us to be in a position to receive His blessing He has planned for us.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Genesis 38-40
Genesis 38 starts out by showing us what can happen when we separate from God's people. Today God's people are the body of Christ. Jacob's son Judah did that and started out right, but started doing things his own way without consulting the Lord. Sometimes we don't understand the danger in making decisions on our own, even if we don't get caught. Intimate fellowship with the Lord will lead to good, wise choices. Our children will do in excess what we do in moderation. Serve the Lord with all your heart and see what they do.
In chapter 39 we see how God took care of Joseph during real trying times. He was sold to Potiphar an Egyptian official to Pharaoh, Ruler of Egypt. God's blessing was on Joseph and all of Potiphar's house was blessed because of Him. Joseph was then faced with a huge dilemma, He was unjustly accused by Potiphar's wife and thrown into prison. Instead of complaining, he sought the Lord and was given the highest job in the jail. All that happened to Joseph was because God was fulfilling the first dream he had given him to rule over his brothers. the Lord knew there was going to be a famine in Canaan and Egypt. When things don't make sense, we should ask the Lord what He knows about where He has us and not fret or worry. He always knows what's best for us. Like Joseph, we will be given success where He has placed us.
Chapter 40 shows Joseph being aware of His surroundings and noticing even the demeanor of those He was put over. Even in prison as a kidnapped slave in a foreign land, he understood His daily service was to the Lord and was not overcome by these circumstances. This will ultimately lead to him being placed in a position of authority over all of the land. He interprets dreams that lead to that. What task may be put before us that will lead to that in our life? What is God telling us about where God has placed us today? How could this help us and others we know who may be struggling?
In chapter 39 we see how God took care of Joseph during real trying times. He was sold to Potiphar an Egyptian official to Pharaoh, Ruler of Egypt. God's blessing was on Joseph and all of Potiphar's house was blessed because of Him. Joseph was then faced with a huge dilemma, He was unjustly accused by Potiphar's wife and thrown into prison. Instead of complaining, he sought the Lord and was given the highest job in the jail. All that happened to Joseph was because God was fulfilling the first dream he had given him to rule over his brothers. the Lord knew there was going to be a famine in Canaan and Egypt. When things don't make sense, we should ask the Lord what He knows about where He has us and not fret or worry. He always knows what's best for us. Like Joseph, we will be given success where He has placed us.
Chapter 40 shows Joseph being aware of His surroundings and noticing even the demeanor of those He was put over. Even in prison as a kidnapped slave in a foreign land, he understood His daily service was to the Lord and was not overcome by these circumstances. This will ultimately lead to him being placed in a position of authority over all of the land. He interprets dreams that lead to that. What task may be put before us that will lead to that in our life? What is God telling us about where God has placed us today? How could this help us and others we know who may be struggling?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Genesis 35-37
We begin in Genesis 35 with God telling Jacob to go reside in Bethel to build an altar to God. Jacob was listening and obedient. He told His family and friends to get rid of all false gods and jewelry that they had worn that they had worn in honor of any other god. This is where God first revealed himself to Him while He was running from His brother. They were obedient, worshiped God as He instructed and God blessed them for their obedience. He showed Jacob what His blessings for Jacob were. I believe God knew Rachael was about to die in childbirth and His father would die next. God knew Jacob needed to know Him more to get through that without rocking His faith. We should always work on knowing God more because we do not know what tomorrow holds. He will prepare us for what is ahead if we will grow in Him.
We then see the life Esau (also called Edom) and his descendants. God had blessed, and their possessions were so abundant that they had to move away so the land would support their livestock. We see Esau had a full life and many descendants even though He had given His birthright to his brother. God will restore things in our life. He made Him onto a nation of the Edomites. When He was reunited with His brother He was not resentful or bitter. I think forgiveness is key to our blessing. What is God doing in your life? He loves you and has a plan.
Then we see how jealousy brought much grief to Jacob's family. God gave Joseph dreams and His whole family could not believe He would rule over Him. His brothers were already upset that their father loved Him more, and then there was that coat of many colors. Reuben did talk them out of killing him, but He did join in by selling Him into slavery. Then they lied to their father by faking His death and Jacob has one more thing to mourn.
Do you think our deception and plans made without God grieves Him? They will always bring hurt to our lives. God knows sin hurts those He loves and their loved ones. He has blessings in store and will always bless those who will give Him thier hearts.
Dan Holley
We then see the life Esau (also called Edom) and his descendants. God had blessed, and their possessions were so abundant that they had to move away so the land would support their livestock. We see Esau had a full life and many descendants even though He had given His birthright to his brother. God will restore things in our life. He made Him onto a nation of the Edomites. When He was reunited with His brother He was not resentful or bitter. I think forgiveness is key to our blessing. What is God doing in your life? He loves you and has a plan.
Then we see how jealousy brought much grief to Jacob's family. God gave Joseph dreams and His whole family could not believe He would rule over Him. His brothers were already upset that their father loved Him more, and then there was that coat of many colors. Reuben did talk them out of killing him, but He did join in by selling Him into slavery. Then they lied to their father by faking His death and Jacob has one more thing to mourn.
Do you think our deception and plans made without God grieves Him? They will always bring hurt to our lives. God knows sin hurts those He loves and their loved ones. He has blessings in store and will always bless those who will give Him thier hearts.
Dan Holley
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