MOSES AND AARON

A COMPASSIONATE HEART

 

Read Exodus 32:1-33:17

     So Moses went back to the LORD and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin–but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written." Exodus 32:31-32 NIV

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     During the 40 days that Moses was on Mt Sinai receiving God's commandments, the people talked Aaron into making them a golden calf. Then they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." (32:4b)
      The next day the people sacrificed burnt offerings to the idol and began to dance and engage in revelry. The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen these people… Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them.” (32:9-10a)

     Moses pleaded for the people saying that if God would not forgive Israel's sin, Moses was ready to be blotted out with them. Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened. (32:14)

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     Lord, give me a compassionate heart for those who are living disobedient lives. Teach me your ways so that I will know You better, and be an example of obedience to my family and friends. I know that I cannot do this without your daily presence in my life.

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     "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us?"   (Exodus 33:15 16)

WISE ADVICE

JETHRO AND MOSES

Read Exodus 18:1–27

     "The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you."   Exodus 18:18b–19a NIV

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     When Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt, he sent word to him: "I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons." (18:6) As Jethro settled in, he quickly noted that Moses was trying to do everything himself.

     If this man was going to keep going, Jethro observed, he would need help. His advice was to seek out capable, godly men to judge the simple matters, who would then bring the difficult cases to Moses. He said, " If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied." (18:23)

     Just like Moses, we often think we have to do everything ourselves. It is important, not only for our own benefit, but also our children's, to give them age appropriate responsibilities.

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     Lord, help me to learn to delegate responsibility and to train my "child in the way he should go, so that when he is old he will not turn from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

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     Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved them.    Exodus 18:8 NIV

THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH

YOU NEED ONLY TO BE STILL

Read Exodus 13:17–14:31

     The LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.    Exodus 14:21–22 NIV

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     When Pharaoh finally let the Israelites go, God instructed Moses to take them the long way around so they wouldn’t face war with the Philistines because, "If they face war,” He said, “they might change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. (13:17–18) When they came to the Red Sea with the Egyptians pursuing them, it was no surprise that they were terrified.

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     Thanks be to God, their salvation was not dependent on their great strength and courage. Moses told the people "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." (14:13–14)

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     Thank You Lord, that victory does not depend on my own strength. When I am overwhelmed by life’s circumstances, I need only to be still and watch what You are going to do. Like Moses and Miriam I can sing, “The Lord is my strength and my song. He has become my salvation.” (Exodus 15:2a)

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"In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them …"   Exodus 15:13a NIV

PASSOVER

THE LAST SUPPER

Read Exodus 11:1–12:42

     "I am the LORD … when I see the blood, I will pass over you.”    Exodus 12:12b–13 NIV

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     After nine plagues and refusals by Pharaoh to let the descendants of Jacob leave Egypt, in the tenth and final judgment, God sent His angel to strike the firstborn male of every family in that country. Only those who put the blood of a lamb on the two doorposts and the lintel of their homes would be spared.

     The Lord promised them, "… when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." (12:13b) This event came to be known as the Passover. God commanded, "This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance."(12:14) So even today the Jews observe this feast.

     Over fourteen hundred years later, Jesus sat down to the Passover meal with His disciples and said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." ...That very night in the Garden of Gethsemane, being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.   (Luke 22: 20b,44 NKJV)

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     Thank You Lord, for giving Your Son for us, that we might enjoy eternal life in Your presence. Help us to tell the story of the cross to our children, just as the Israelites taught their children through this annual feast. May our lives radiate the message of Jesus the Passover Lamb.

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     "In days to come, when your son asks you, 'What does this mean?' say to him, 'With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out … out of the land of slavery.' "   Exodus 13:14 NIV