Exodus 11-14
Yahweh Wins;
Let's Party
Psalm 12:1-5 Who Owns Your Lips?
1.“Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men.2.Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.3.May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that boasts,4.who have said, "With our tongue we will prevail. Our lips are our own. Who is lord over us?"5."Because of the oppression of the weak and because of the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says Yahweh; "I will set him in safety from those who malign him."“Observation
12:1-5.Self-centered speech isn't pretty. Even worse when it oppresses others to gain worth and value. God knows how to protect His servants when others malign and slander the faithful.
Matthew 12:36 "I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment."
Application
When you encounter evil and lying people, groan to God, who will protect you.
Prayer
Lord, I trust in Your protection, set a guard over me and my mouth. Amen.
Proverbs 4:1-4 Selling Life Assurance
1.“Listen, sons, to a father's instruction. Pay attention and know understanding;2.for I give you sound learning. Don't forsake my law.3.For I was a son to my father, tender and an only child in the sight of my mother.4.He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.Observation
4:1-4.A parent/father always has to sell their kids on what's right. With a reasonable faith based on God's revelation, and rules that are in the child's best interest, that's easy (especially when compared to the heartbreak of the alternative). The appeal is not just to the mind, but the heart, the place where values reside and decisions are made.
Application
What are you passing on to others? Pious sounding platitudes or Truth that gives the abundant life?
Prayer
Heavenly Father thank You for communicating Your law to me, may I be faithful to communicate it by my words and life to others. Amen.
Exodus 11-14 Final Plague, Passover, Exit
Exodus 11 Favor and Firstborns
1."Yahweh said to Moses, "Yet one plague more will I bring on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go...2...let them ask every man/woman of his/her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold."3.Yahweh gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh`s servants, and in the sight of the people.4.Moses said, "This is what Yahweh says: `About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt,5.and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne...servant...cattle.7.But against any of the children of Israel a dog won`t even bark...that you may know that Yahweh makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel.9.Yahweh said to Moses, "Pharaoh won`t listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt."10.Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and Yahweh hardened Pharaoh`s heart, and he didn`t let the children of Israel go out of his land."Observations
11:2-3.Even though you'd think the Egyptians would hate the Israelites, God changed their hearts to enrich His people (so they could enrich Him in the building of the Tabernacle).
11:9.
God is intent about glorifying Himself for the benefit of the world, not just about making our lives comfortable. In fact, as His servants, we will be uncomfortable (count on it) but enriched
Application
If you don't obey and ask, you don't get.
Prayer
God, thanks that You can change hearts, so I can do what You require of me to accomplish Your purposes. Amen.
Exodus 12 Preparing for the Passover
1."Yahweh spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,2."This month shall be to you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you...5.Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep, or from the goats:6.and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at evening.7.They shall take same of the blood, and put it on the two side-posts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they shall eat it.8.They shall eat the flesh in that night, roasted with fire, and unleavened bread. They shall eat it with bitter herbs.11.This is how you shall eat it: with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste: it is Yahweh`s Passover.12.For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am Yahweh.13.The blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and there shall no plague be on you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.15.Seven days shall you eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away yeast out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.24.You shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever.26.It will happen, when your children ask you, `What d o you mean by this service?`27.that you shall say, `It is the sacrifice of Yahweh`s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.`"The people bowed their heads and worshipped.28.The children of Israel went and did so; as Yahweh had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.29.It happened at midnight, that Yahweh struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.31.He called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, "Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve Yahweh, as you have said!32.Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also!"35.The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing.36.Yahweh gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They despoiled the Egyptians.37.The children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot who were men, besides children.38.A mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much cattle.40.Now the time that the children of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years.41.It happened at the end of four hundred thirty years, even the same day it happened, that all the hosts of Yahweh went out from the land of Egypt.46.In one house shall it be eaten; you shall not carry forth anything of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall you break a bone of it.47.All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.48.When a stranger shall sojourn with you, and will keep the Passover to Yahweh, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one who is born in the land: but no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.49.One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who sojourns among you."Observations
12:12.It's not just about the Israelites, but about God's glory.
12:13.
No blood, no judgment Pass-over. Obedience was needed to apply the blood as specified.
12:15.
No obedience no blessing (even in something as insignificant as bread). Yeast is a symbol of sin which spreads and takes over its host.
12:29.
The firstborn of Pharaoh was the next god in line to protect Egypt.
12:32.
Pharaoh finally agrees to all God's stipulations, and asks for a blessing!
12:41.
God had this planned to the day, to keep His word to Abe. How did He know that? The Scriptures don't tell us. It probably has something to do with being Omniscient and outside of time. The Scriptures do tell us that Pharaoh was responsible for his choices and reaped the consequences of His stubborn, rebellious choices. That is abundantly clear.
Application
Despite "delays" God's timetable was to the day.
Prayer
God who delivers and is never late, help me focus on what You've told me to do, and leave the timing to You. Amen.
Exodus 13 Remember to Remember
1."Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,2."Sanctify to me all of the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine."5.It shall be, when Yahweh shall bring you into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which he swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month.9.It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the law of Yahweh may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand Yahweh has brought you out of Egypt.14.It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, `What is this?` that you shall tell him, `By strength of hand Yahweh brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage;15.and it happened, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that Yahweh killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of animal. Therefore I sacrifice to Yahweh all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.`17.When Pharaoh had let the people go, God didn't lead them by the 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 they return to Egypt;"18.but God led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt.19.Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you."21.Yahweh went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night:22.the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, didn't depart from before the people."Observations
13:9.The purpose of the ritual is to memorialize (keep in memory) what God had done (delivered and judged rebellion and disobedience to His will) so that Israel would obey. It was also a perpetual reminder that God owns it all, including us.
13:16.
To redeem was to buy back from the slated sacrifice/destruction.
13:17.
Sometimes God's will is the long way around for our protection. He knows what's best; do it His way.
13:19.
Joseph's faith was vindicated and serves as a reminder that God keeps His promises.
13:21.
God protects (cloud) and guides (fire) so we can follow Him, day or night.
Application
How do God's promises affect your behavior?
Hebrews 11:28 By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.
Prayer
O God who keeps His promises, I promise to always remember what You have done, and give You all that is Yours. Amen.
Exodus 14 God Washes Problems Away
3."Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, `They are entangled in the land. The wilderness has shut them in.`4.I will harden Pharaoh`s heart, and he will follow after them; and I will get honor over Pharaoh, and over all his host; and the Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh." They did so.5.It was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, "What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?"8.Yahweh hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel...10....The children of Israel cried out to Yahweh.11.They said to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us this way, to bring us forth out of Egypt?12.Isn`t this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, `Leave us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?` For it were better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness."13.Moses said to the people, "Don`t be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of Yahweh, which he will work for you today: for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall never see them again.17.I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall go in after them: and I will get myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his host, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.18.The Egyptians shall know that I am Yahweh..."19.The angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them, and stood behind them.20.It came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud and the darkness, yet gave it light by night: and the one didn`t come near the other all the night.21.Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Yahweh caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all the night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.22.The children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.23.The Egyptians pursued...25.He took off their chariot wheels..."Let`s flee from the face of Israel, for Yahweh fights for them against the Egyptians!"26.Yahweh said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen."27.Moses stretched out his hand over the sea...28.The waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even all Pharaoh`s army that went in after them into the sea. There remained not so much as one of them.29.But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand, and on their left.30.Thus Yahweh saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.31.Israel saw the great work which Yahweh did to the Egyptians, and the people feared Yahweh; and they believed in Yahweh, and in His servant Moses."Observations
14:5.Note Pharaoh's self-serving value system which caused him to change his heart. God then hardened it.
14:12.
Note the people's self-serving/protecting value system. They didn't value freedom nor serving God. Yet God still graciously hears them and saves them. The people also failed to believe all of God's promise, that they would serve Him. (But then they do provide comic relief 14:11 -no graves.)
14:13.
They just had to stand (not run away) and then walk.
14:31.
About time; Israel fears and believes God. Let's see how long this lasts.
Application
Fear of man and faith in God don't walk together. Fear causes us to do stupid things. Faith causes God to save us and bless us, the better choice.
Hebrews 11:29 "By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up."
Prayer
O God who triumphs gloriously, keep in my memory who You are and what You do, so I will never doubt Your ability to protect and bless me. Amen.
Digging Deeper
God in a nutshell: God wants His people to worship Him, and will display His glory to the world in the process. He has a plan and a timetable, and works all things together for the good of His people, even the bad and the ugly, the mundane and the miraculous; He uses our obedience as the means of providing protection and prizes (Egyptian gold).Us in a nutshell: To experience God's benefits, we must do what He says, as revealed in His word. We forfeit blessings and peace when we fear anything other than God, and fail to obey. We tend to focus on immediate relief, preferring even slavery to the far more beneficial sonship.
Where to go for more
If Moses Had Google
Passover and the Lord's Supper
Route of Exodus and Chariot Wheels in the Sea
I realize there is controversy surrounding one of the individuals cited in the article, but on the whole, it is well reasoned.
More scholarly commentary on the above link