pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: Israelites


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God IS There

Reading: Exodus 14:22-31

Exodus 14:31 – “The people were in awe of the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.”

Photo credit: Diego Gennaro

The exodus story continues! The Israelites walk through where the sea had been. The dry ground under their feet and the walls of water to the left and right must’ve been amazing. Many must have walked through eyes wide open and jaws hanging down. Meanwhile, the Egyptian army was in hot pursuit. They probably didn’t even notice the amazing things that God was doing. If so, maybe they’d have stayed on their side of the sea.

God drew the army in and then threw them into a panic. The slow movement allowed Israel to finish crossing the sea. At this point, the Egyptians realize that God was fighting for Israel. It was too late. Moses stretched out his hand and the sea returned to its normal place. The whole army drowned. God rescued Israel. It happened right there before their eyes. The outcome? “The people were in awe of the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses.”

In the possible God moments, are you more like the Israelites or more like the Egyptians? Do you notice when God shows up to rescue? Or to redeem or to reconcile or to renew? When we are open to or even seeking God, we see that God is there. I’ve noticed encounters with God in a church balcony, in an ER room, in a prayer room at an event, and in a hospital room more than once. But I’m sure I’ve missed others. Yet in the moments when we need God to be present, God is there. Always. Be open to it. Seek the Lord. God is there.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for making a way for Israel. And thank you for showing up in amazing ways during our times of need. Help us to notice, to see, and even to seek you. Open our eyes to see the times that you part the sea, and the times when your touch is gentle and small. In all things, may we encounter you, O God. Amen.


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One Person at a Time

Reading: Exodus 1:15-22 and 2:1-10

Exodus 1:17 – “Now the two midwives respected God so they didn’t obey the Egyptian king’s order.”

Coming back to Exodus 1, we read the rest of the story today. The Israelites continue to grow in number, in spite of Pharaoh’s attempts to lessen them. In today’s reading Pharaoh calls in two Hebrew midwives and tells them to kill all babies born male. They do not follow orders: “Now the two midwives respected God so they didn’t obey the Egyptian king’s order.” Called back in and questioned, Shiphrah and Puah outsmart Pharaoh. They trusted in God’s power and God made a way.

Pharaoh comes up with a new plan: incite the Egyptians against the Israelites. He instructs his people to throw every Hebrew boy baby into the river. Pharaoh counts on those feelings of disgust and dread, stirring them up and giving them an outlet with his cruel edict. For at least one Hebrew baby boy, this plan fails too.

At the start of chapter 2 a boy is born. His mother hid him for three months. No longer able to do so, she places him in a tar-coated basket and puts it in the river. His sister watches over it and when Pharaoh’s own daughter sees the baby, Miriam offers to find someone to nurse the baby. She risks much, offering a plan that goes against the edict. The princess, moved by compassion, agrees to the plan, also risking much. Moses’ life is saved. These women who used the power available to them stood for life. Through their bold actions, they thwarted Pharaoh’s plan – at least for one boy. In most of our lives, this is how we use our power too. With our words and actions we can make a great difference – one person at a time. May it be so for you and for me.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for these examples of women who risked much for what was right and good. Give us the same faith, the same compassion. Help us to see the opportunities you give us to stand and speak for all that is good and right and just. Empower us just as you empowered these women. Amen.


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Our Chosen Walk

Reading: Genesis 37:1-4

Genesis 37:4 – “When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of his brothers, they hated him and couldn’t even talk nicely to him.”

Returning to the opening verses of our Genesis 37 passage, we focus today on the larger picture. Overall, the Old Testament is the story of God’s chosen people – the descendants of Abraham, the Israelites, the Jews. Within this story, Joseph is like many others: the chosen among the chosen. Others also suffered at times because of their chosen status: Moses, David, Elijah… Whether an individual or the nation, at times each could relate to verse 4: “When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of his brothers, they hated him and couldn’t even talk nicely to him.” When the people grumbled against Moses, when Saul hunted David like an animal, when Elijah fled into the wilderness, when Edom attacked Israel, when Joseph was sold into slavery or was thrown into prison – the chosen suffered on God’s behalf.

This story line continued into the New Testament. The Christians were singled out, harassed, stoned, beheaded, crucified. It begins in the story with John the Baptist losing his life. Then Jesus suffers the cross. Stephen was the first of many followers to die for their faith in Jesus. This story line has continued down through the ages. The chosen people of God, whether Jew or Christian, are still persecuted, targeted, and even killed for their faith. To be the Father’s favorite can be a hard path to walk – individually and as a nation.

We are invited to walk this path. We’ve chosen to be called a Christian, to live a life of following Jesus’ words and example, picking up a cross at times. Now and then, we will be hated by the world and by people living in the ways of the world. In these moments, may the Holy Spirit give us the strength, faith, and hope to walk in Jesus’ footsteps.

Prayer: Lord God, “chosen” has always carried a weight with it – whether in faith or in athletics or politics or family. In our chosen walk of faith, O Lord, be close to us in the difficult moments, when that weight becomes a cost. And when we need it, please shoulder some of that weight. Amen.


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Obedience and Faith

Readings: Exodus 1, Exodus 2, Exodus 3, and Exodus 4

Genesis 2:24-25 – “God heard their cry… God remembered his covenant… God looked at the Israelites, and God understood.”

Today we begin the story of the Exodus! It is the story of God’s deliverance from oppression and it is the story of the formation of God’s people. The story begins with the fulfillment of part of the covenant – Abraham’s descendants become numerous. Seventy quickly grows to be thousands upon thousands. Pharaoh fears them then enslaves the Hebrews. Growth continues. Faith is demonstrated by Shiphrah and Puah, thwarting plan A. Plan B is to drown all Hebrew baby boys in the Nile River. Moses is born and goes into the Nile – in a tarred basket. Providence has him rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter. He grows up largely as an Egyptian.

Turning to adulthood, Moses defends a slave, killing an Egyptian. Moses then flees to Midian where his rescue of some shepherdesses connects him to Jethro and family. Moses marries, settles down. The Israelites cry out. At the end of chapter 2 we read, “God heard their cry… God remembered his covenant… God looked at the Israelites, and God understood.”

Out tending the flock on Mount Horeb/Sinai, Moses is drawn to a burning bush. It is holy ground – God is present. God asks Moses to rescue the Hebrews. Moses has lots of excuses. Sound familiar?! The excuses: Who am I? Who are you? How will they know you sent me? But I can’t talk well! Can’t you just send someone else?! Only the last one angers God. Yet God relents and sends a long Aaron to help. Pharaoh’s stubbornness is foreshadowed, as is the final plague.

Obediently, Moses goes. Yet obedience must be complete. On the way, God appears and tries to kill “him.” Is Moses or his son Gershom? Either way this is about circumcision – the symbolic act that identities the Israelites as God’s people. Zipporah reads the scene correctly and she acts quickly. The chapter closes with Moses and Aaron’s initial meeting with the Hebrew elders. They believe and then they worship the Lord their God.

Prayer: Lord God, oh how we are like Moses! Raised in two worlds – yours and this place we call home. We too can be confused about who and whose we are. And when you come to us, we can make excuses with the best of them. Yet, in love you lead and guide us. You desire relationship. You are not a tyrant. You invite us to be co-creators with you, loving and caring for your intended world. Thank you for the invitation. May we respond with both obedience and faith. Amen.


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Resisting the Urge

Reading: Exodus 32:1-10

Verse 7: “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.”

Moses was the Israelite’s connection to God. God spoke to Moses and he spoke to the people. The people spoke to Moses and he spoke to God. The speaking sometimes was crying out; it was sometimes grumbling; it was sometimes quarreling. The relationships between God and Moses, between Moses and the people, and between God and the people all had their ups and downs.

Way back in chapter 24 God calls Moses up the mountain after leaving Aaron and Hur in charge. Moses spends 40 days on the mountain, receiving instructions and the Ten Commandments from God. In today’s passage the people approach Aaron. They wonder what has happened to Moses. He has been gone a really long time. Without Moses, the people’s relationship with God has a missing part. So they take matters into their own hands, saying to Aaron, “Come, make us gods who will go before us.” Aaron collects jewelry and makes an idol shaped like a calf. The people worship this idol. Looking down upon the scene, God says to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.” The Israelites are now “your people.” If they were truly God’s people, there would be no idol, right?

When I’ve gone to God asking for some guidance on a project or for relief from some situation or for healing for a loved one and the answer seems like a long time coming, I want to take matters into my own hands. I want to just fashion my own solution. I can be tempted to think that I know best. I can ponder becoming my own person, not God’s person. In these moments, may we remember today’s lesson. Even though it may not feel like it, God is right there. May we hold onto the relationship, resisting the urge to quickly abandon our God. And may we trust into our relationship with God, leaning even deeper into God’s love and care.

Prayer: Lord God, when I am tempted to elevate self or some other idol above you, remind me of the lesson learned in this Exodus story. Use that to remind me of your constant love and your sure care. Guide me to turn once again to you. Amen.


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Without These Things

Reading: Exodus 17:1-3

Verse 2: “So they quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.’”

Photo credit: Mukund Nair

As the Israelites wilderness journey continues they come to a place with no water. You’d think that after witnessing the 10 plagued – oh the Passover! – and the parting of the sea – oh the Egyptian army! – after all this you’d think they knew a God who could provide water. But wait – God did that at Marah and again at Elim. And… God provided manna and quail when they ran out of food and became hungry. After all of this, you’d think they’d trust God and Moses at least a little bit. But have you ever lived in scarcity?

The Israelites are living with a scarcity mindset. They have no crops, no place to call home, no money in the bank. They are relying on God and Moses for absolutely everything. It’s a lot of faith and trust to hold in just one source. When you’re wondering if you’ll ever eat again, when you’re worried about where you’ll sleep that night, when you are dying of thirst – it’s hard to see anything but that one thing. Logic often goes out the window. Faith and trust usually aren’t far behind. So the people quarrel with Moses (and they test God), demanding, “Give us water to drink.” In such moments of want and desperation it can be hard to see or to believe that God has a plan.

For the Israelites, their relationship with God runs through Moses. He is their one intermediary. We have a personal relationship with God. We have the constant indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We can turn to the Bible and remind ourselves of God’s love and promises. Imagine trying to live out your faith without any of these things. That’s where the Israelites were. That’s where people without faith are today.

Prayer: Lord God, I cannot imagine life without you. You’ve provided so many ways to connect, to lean in, to hold on. Thank you. And, Lord, take my gratitude and turn it into fuel to lead others into a saving relationship with you, into faith and trust and hope. Use me today to build your kingdom here on earth. Amen.


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Room to Grow

Reading: Exodus 16:1-5

Verse 3b: “There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted.”

Just 3 days after witnessing the amazing miracle at the Red Sea, the grumbling begins. The first instance is because the water is bitter and they’re thirsty. Through yet another miracle, their thirst is quenched. A short while later, in today’s passage, the grumbling returns. This time they are in the Desert of Sin. I wonder if that is an actual physical place or if it is just a metaphor.

The Israelites are hungry. They are without food in the desert. They grumble to Moses: “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt!” Are they longing to live once again under heavy oppression? Do they want to return to slavery? No, no, and no! When there is a want gnawing at us, we too can grumble. Yet the Israelites still say to Moses (and to God), “There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted.” When we look at that shiny new car next to our 2021 model or when we long for the good old days when the pews were full, we too can grumble in ways that don’t really make a lot of sense.

God doesn’t smite us down. God doesn’t say to the Israelites, ‘Fine, then, just go ahead and die out there in the desert.’ Just the opposite! God says, “I will rain down bread from heaven.” It’s not just a morsel. It’s not just enough to tide them over. God rains down bread. It is God’s loving and generous response to the peoples’ grumbling. There are some instructions too – a “test.” God has been faithful. Now that they have been provided for, will they too be faithful? This too is a question that we frequently wrestle with. The Israelites aren’t the only ones with room to grow.

Prayer: Lord God, in my heart of hearts I know that you are faithful. And loving and generous. Yet in my mind, I can go where the Israelites went. Wants and desires can creep in and I find myself grumbling – or complaining. My inner Eeyore rises up – woe is me! In these moments, whisper into my heart how much you love me. With these whispers, lead me back to a place of faith and trust. Amen.


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God Will Deliver

Reading: Exodus 1:8-22

Verse 11: “They put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor.”

Time in Egypt rolls on. Joseph, his brothers, and all of their generation passes on. A new ruler comes to power. There is no connection to Joseph or his family or his people. All the new leader knows is that the Israelites are growing in number. Fear rises up. The Egyptians enslave the Israelites. In verse 11 we read, “They put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor.” But the more they worked them, the more the Israelites grew in number. The labor ramped up and “made their lives bitter.” The Pharaoh then tries to force the midwives to kill the baby boys. God guides them. The Israelites increase in number. A new law is passed as fear continues to rise. Even through this, God will deliver God’s people.

At times we can experience negative attention. It can be because of our faith or simply because of how we act. Both can be seen as a threat to the powers that be or to people we know. Other times our faith calls us to stand up for someone or to call out an injustice. These actions will surely draw fire as well. In these moments, God’s presence remains with us. The Spirit leads and guides us; it gives us courage and the words to speak. In Spirit, God walks with us. If we, like the people of God in Egypt, choose to trust into God’s plan, then the Lord will deliver us again and again. May it be so for us all.

Prayer: Lord, in this life you said we would find trouble. Our faith – when lived out loud in the world – it will draw fire. You promise to always be with us, to never forsake us. You’ve walked a long, long time with your children. Continue to walk with us. Amen.


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Fit for Service??

Reading: Isaiah 6: 1-8

Verse 5: “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips… and my eyes have seen the King”.

Photo credit: Michal Matlon

Today and tomorrow we read of God’s call on Isaiah’s life. In the opening chapters of the book of Isaiah the case is laid out for why the Israelites desperately need a prophet to speak God’s word to them. They are the “people of unclean lips” that Isaiah lives among.

As the story of his call opens in chapter six Isaiah finds himself face to face with God Almighty. The Lord is on the throne and “the train of his robe fills the temple”. The Lord is a very big presence in Isaiah’s vision. All around the Lord are seraphs, amazing creatures with six wings. Covering their faces and their feet in reverance to the Lord, they sing of God’s holiness and glory. Their worship is so powerful that the heavens shake and smoke fills the temple. Isaiah’s response is honest and raw. He is both humbled and afraid to be in God’s presence.

In verse five we hear Isaiah’s response: “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips… and my eyes have seen the King”. If I were to come face to face with God, I don’t think my reaction would be much different. When the imperfect encounters the perfect, when the limited encounters the limitless, it is natural to want to shrink back, to want to become invisible. The contrast is just so great. And yet God chose to bring Isaiah into his presence. God saw Isaiah not as imperfect or limited or as sinful but as one worthy of service in the kingdom of God.

Like Isaiah, you and I are people of unclean lips. You and I live among a people of unclean lips, in a nation that has drifted from the Lord. God does not look at us and see failure or sin or imperfection. He looks at you and me and sees another fit for service in building the kingdom of God. Draw into his presence, how will we respond?

Prayer: Lord God, I marvel that you can use even me. Long a man of unclean lips and one that still stumbles now and then, you still chose me. You drew me into your presence, you began to work in me. Thankfully you saw more within me than I did and you’ve been drawing that out. Please continue to work in me and to use me as you will. Amen.


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Known by Love

Reading: Jeremiah 31: 31-34

Verse 33: “I will be their God, and they will be my people”.

The new covenant that God is speaking of in today’s passage is different than the old covenants established through Noah, Abraham, and Moses. These older covenants were with the Israelites. They were God’s chosen people, set apart for God. The new covenant will come into being through Jesus’ final sacrifice – the one we read about yesterday. The new covenant is like the old in these ways: it is centered on God’s unconditional love and we cannot reciprocate it. Unlike the old covenants, the new one is not limited to the Israelites. The new covenant extends to all people.

God declares, “I will be their God, and they will be my people” and “all will know me”. The new covenant extends to rich and poor, slave and free, Jew and Gentile, male and female, young and old, saint and sinner. All are invited to the table of grace and to a place in God’s family. Jesus invited all people into the covenant of love. Called to model Jesus to the world, the charge is to love all people. Instead of holding onto our anger or judging others, we are called to be a people of forgiveness and reconciliation. Instead of categorizing and stereotyping, we’re to be people of hospitality and grace. Instead of competition and accumulation, we are to be people of generosity and community.

Each day may we be people of the new covenant, loving all people with all that we are. May all we meet know the love of God that is in us. May it flow out into all the world.

Prayer: Great God of love, your love is both unconditional and unlimited. Help me to love more like you. Give me eyes that see all as worthy of your love and of my love. Bind my heart to the least and the lost. Fill me with your love today as I go into the world. Amen.