Exodus 21

Some people classify the Jewish law into three categories: ceremonial, civil, and moral. The tendency then is to simply bring the moral parts forward and claim that the civil and ceremonial parts aren’t for us today or have been fulfilled by Jesus Christ. While some of that is certainly true, there are eternal principles behind both the ceremonial and civil portions of the law that speak to us today. Here are some of the principles we can take from this chapter:

1. The way we treat people is important (Romans 13:8-10).
2. Cases of personal injury and property are settled according to the severity of the incident (Matthew 7:12).
3. The death penalty is legitimate (Romans 13:4).
4. Exodus 21:22-25 implies that damage done to either the unborn or the mother should be treated in the same way (Luke 1:41).

Thought for the day: All of God’s Word is important. All of it.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (WEB) “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Exodus 20

We see again that the awe of God is good, and it’s something that’s supposed to help keep us from sin.

Exodus 20:20 (WEB) “Moses said to the people, ‘Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won’t sin.’ “

The 10 commandments help us to understand what sin is. 9 out of the 10 are repeated in the New Testament, so they are good guidelines for us. The 10th, regarding the Sabbath, shows us the importance of both rest and worship. The end of the chapter also shows us the importance of worship. The Sabbath itself, as formulated in the Old Testament, was designed specifically for Israel.

Exodus 31:12-13 (WEB) “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, “Most certainly you shall keep my Sabbaths; for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” ‘ “

Thought for the day: Jesus reminds us that keeping the commandments isn’t just a matter of physical obedience. Sin begins in the heart.

Matthew 5:21-22 (WEB) “You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgement.’ But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgement. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.”

Exodus 19

Israel is God’s special people, set apart and chosen by Him (19:6). The church inherits that same promise through Christ!

1 Peter 2:9-10 (WEB) “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. In the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”

Even though they are God’s, the Israelites have difficulty following Him. They agree to serve (19:8), but God knows that they need constant reminders and reassurances of His presence and protection.

Exodus 19:9 (WEB) “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.’ “

Thought for the day: We should get an overwhelming sense of God’s holiness throughout the passage. That vision of God should spur us on to follow Him!

1 Peter 1:15-16 (WEB) “but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior, because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’ “

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.”