Pastor Billington's Blog

Exodus 18

The exact reason we had for the way God brought His people out of Egypt is echoed by Moses’ father-in-law.

Exodus 18:11 (WEB) “Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods.”

This is either the beginning of Jethro’s faith or the strengthening of it!

Jethro reminds Moses (and us) that trying to do everything on our own is a recipe for disaster. In fact, the way God gives spiritual gifts reminds us that we need to cooperate with and help one another.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (WEB) “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.”

And the plurality of elders set forth for the local church in the New Testament reminds us that leadership should be shared.

Titus 1:5 (WEB) “I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you.”

But we also need to understand that those in leadership positions need to meet certain requirements.

Exodus 18:21 (WEB) “Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men which fear God: men of truth, hating unjust gain…”

Thought for the day: We need to cultivate humility in our lives, because humility allows us to accept help!

Proverbs 11:2 (WEB) “When pride comes, then comes shame, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Exodus 17

The people complain to Moses, and Moses complains to God. Spoiler: God will eventually get tired of it!

Paul uses the Israelite wanderings in general, and the event at Meribah in particular, to point to God’s provision and salvation through Christ!

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (WEB) “Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.”

The story of the rod and the Amalekites is both a foreshadowing and a reminder. Moses needs help, and that’s something Jethro (his father-in-law) will talk to him about in the next chapter.

Thought for the day: Yesterday our text mentioned that some of the manna should be stored as a reminder of God’s faithfulness (16:33), and here we see that they were to write down the victory as a memorial. What do you do to remind yourself of how God has been faithful to you?

Psalm 105:5 (WEB) “Remember his marvelous works that he has done: his wonders, and the judgements of his mouth…”

Exodus 16

The Israelites reveal their faithlessness again. And God has mercy on them, again!

There have been many attempts to liken the manna to known events. One is the falling of lichen, and another is the resin of the tamarisk tree. However, no attempt quite fits, and all of them ignore the supernatural aspects of the manna (like it lasting for two days to cover the Sabbath). While there may be some similar real-life events, the manna itself was something special from God. But it actually foreshadows something/someone even more special!

John 6:32-35 (WEB) “Jesus therefore said to them, ‘Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn’t Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.’ “

Thought for the day: God has done something special for us through Jesus Christ. Hopefully we exhibit more appreciation than the Israelites!

Exodus 16:28 (WEB) “How long do you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws?”

Exodus 15

From praise to complaint! We should always praise God for what He has done for us, but it can be a challenge to remember His care and salvation when things aren’t going well. The Israelites had just experienced the seabed turning into dry land so that they could cross – it stood up like a wall! They had just seen Pharaoh’s army destroyed as the water came roaring back. They had just recognized the Lord as their strength and their song! But three days in the desert without water, and then finding bitter water is enough to start them grumbling and complaining.

Thought for the day: How often do we let current circumstances steal our joy?

Proverbs 17:22 (WEB) “A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Exodus 14

If we take the word seriously, there is no way to misunderstand or massage this passage. “The waters were a wall.” This is not a reed sea, or a swampy marsh. “The waters returned and covered the chariots.” This was God’s final revelation of His glory, sovereignty, and protection. Do you think that this could also have been a test and a lesson for His people? They’re encamped by the water and Pharoah is closing in. Do they trust? No, they cry out in fear and turn on Moses. They’d rather be slaves!

Thought for the day: We too have been saved and set free. Do we really understand and appreciate that?

Romans 6:22 (WEB) “But now, being made free from sin and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification and the result of eternal life.”

Exodus 13

The Levites become the fulfillment of the firstborn requirement.

Numbers 3:11-13 (WEB) “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Behold, I have taken the Levites from amongst the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn who open the womb amongst the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine, for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They shall be mine. I am the LORD.’ “

Exodus 13:14 says, “It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him…” This passage reminds us that parents need to be actively involved in the spiritual training of their children. Too often we let others fulfill that role, and in addition to neglecting the command of God, we miss out on the wonderful blessing of being a part of our children’s spiritual growth and maturity. And beyond that, it’s a reminder that we have a responsibility to pass on spiritual truth from one generation to another, regardless of whether or not they’re our biological children!

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (WEB) “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

There is little doubt that the Israelites journey took them by the Red Sea (which is the unanimous understanding of the phrase everywhere it is used in the Bible). They didn’t go by the normal highway which would take them along the Mediterranean. God miraculously led them, and they were faithful to bring Joseph’s remains with them.

Thought for the day: Just as God provided guidance for His people by leading them with the pillars of fire and cloud, so he guides us by giving us His Word!

Psalm 119:105 (WEB) “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.”

Exodus 12

The Passover is still celebrated to this day. It commemorates God’s miraculous acts and the salvation of His people. However, there was an initial requirement for the protection of their firstborn. Blood. It takes the blood of a perfect sacrifice to save them from death. It points ahead to Jesus Christ as the Passover lamb who will be sacrificed for our salvation!

1 Corinthians 5:7 (WEB) “Purge out the old yeast, that you may be a new lump, even as you are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, has been sacrificed in our place.”

1 Peter 1:18-19 (WEB) “knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things like silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ”

Revelation 5:6 (WEB) “I saw in the middle of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the middle of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.”

Thought for the day: The Passover was sacred. Not only were there strict instructions regarding how to keep it, not everyone was supposed to participate. You had to be a participant in the congregation (12:48). Does this speak to our understanding of communion?

1 Corinthians 1:16-17 (WEB) “The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.”

Exodus 11

The Egyptian people understand that something miraculous is going on. My guess is they’re a little scared! They are more than willing to provide resources to the Israelites, just as God predicted.

Exodus 3:21-22 (WEB) “I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and it will happen that when you go, you shall not go empty-handed. But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, and of her who visits her house, jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and clothing.”

Once again, this final miracle is to show God’s glory, but is it more than that? There is a reckoning coming for the death of the Hebrew children. It’s brutal, but we’ll see that even the Israelites won’t necessarily be saved from it.

Thought for the day: People are supposed to see God’s glory in/through us too, and it should cause them to react!

Matthew 5:16 (WEB) “Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

Exodus 10

Pharoah continues his pattern. He starts out being repentant but then recants. At first, it’s because the Israelites want to take their children with them, and then it’s because they want to take their herds.

Pharoah’s response in verse 28 almost seems over-the-top. Has he simply reached his limit? Or is there more to it? There’s a good chance that Moses tells him about the death of the firstborn here, and we have the recap in chapter 11. That would explain his outburst, and Moses’ response: “You have spoken well. I will see your face again no more.”

Thought for the day: It’s quite the spiritual image: darkness all around, but not with those that know the Lord!

Isaiah 9:2 (WEB) “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death.”