Posts that reference the book of Exodus

Sinai and Pentecost

Last week we looked at the connection between the Tower of Babel and the Day of Pentecost. This week I want to show you a link between Sinai and Pentecost as another example of God’s complete, amazing redemption.

Sinai

In Exodus 32, we can read the account of the golden calf. According to Exodus 24:18, Moses had been up on Mount Sinai for forty days. When he left he never said how long he’d be gone – he didn’t know. All he said was that Aaron was in charge. The people, clueless when it came to following Yahweh, were much more familiar and comfortable with idolatry like they had known in Egypt. Let’s face it, when we’re pressed, we go with what is comfortable and familiar. But God did not choose them, redeem them, call them His, and enter into a covenant relationship with them only to stand by and watch them go back to worshipping idols.

God was justifiably angry. You can read the details and Moses’ intercession for the people in verses 7-24. Note that when Moses saw with his own eyes what was going on, he was angry as well. In verse 20, Moses ground the calf to powder and dispersed it through the Israelites’ water supply. Then he issued a judgment.

Then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, “Whoever is on the LORD’S side–come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. And he said to them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.’ ” So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day. Exodus 32:26-28

The people were given an opportunity to repent and identify themselves with Yahweh and His covenant. The Levites immediately did. (Remember Aaron was from the tribe of Levi. They weren’t blameless, just wise.)

Those who didn’t repent received God’s justice instead of His grace. One of my favorite commentaries offers some insight into why God responded so decisively at this moment.

“God revealed to [Moses] that a fight was underway over saving truth. If the idolatry were allowed to continue, many people in ancient Israel would turn from saving truth to condemning falsehood, from the promise of eternal life with God to destruction in hell—and since Israel was the repository of God’s saving truth at this time, allowing the idolatry to continue might have affected the potential for eternal life of countless future generations of Israelites and Gentiles alike.”
New American Commentary – Volume 2: Exodus.–

So the Law came. The people were given a chance to repent and chose not to and 3000 were put to death.

Pentecost

As the book of Acts opens, Jesus goes back to heaven and leaves the apostles in charge, with instructions to wait in Jerusalem. Unlike Aaron and the Israelites, they didn’t get frustrated and impatient.

In Acts 2, after the miraculous manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s coming, Peter and the other apostles made their way to the Temple grounds where a crowd was gathered. Each of them began to preach in a different language, ensuring everyone there heard and understood.

Then Peter preached his famous sermon. Its essence was simply the Messiah came and you crucified Him.

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:36

Worshiping and following anyone or anything else now was idolatry.

Unlike the Israelites at Sinai, this crowd understood exactly what Peter meant.

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:37-39

See the similarities? Repent and identify yourself with the new covenant in Christ.

Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. Acts 2:41

Three thousand were rescued from death.

God is the only one who redeems like that. Have you repented and identified yourself with His new covenant in Christ?

The Call

By Paula Wiseman

[God] has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 2 Timothy 1:9

It’s easy to dismiss the call of God as something only for preachers or missionaries or other A-list Christians, but God has called each of us. In one sense, answering the call is fulfilling the purpose God had in mind for us when He saved us. In another sense, it’s an expression of our obedience.

The call is unmistakable. (Judges 6:22)
Everyone in Scripture knew they had heard from God. Admittedly they may have been reluctant to answer. They may have stalled or delayed. But they knew it was God calling.

The call is according to God’s purpose. (2 Timothy 1:9)
God never calls us to busywork. Everything He involves us in is fulfilling His kingdom purposes.

The call leads to being sent out. (Mark 6:7)
I’ve yet to find an example of someone God ordained and equipped who was not immediately put to work. There is no orientation period, no job shadowing, no time to research the pros and cons. Part of the reason for this is that we are sent out in His strength, not ours.

The call often comes in answer to prayer, but usually not our own. (Esther 4)
Israel prayed for deliverance, God calls Moses. The people prayed for rescue from Midian, God raised up Gideon. Jesus prayed all night, then called the right guys to be His disciples.

The call comes when God is ready to act. (Exodus 3:7,10)
We don’t have to wait on God’s timing. By the time He has called, it is His timing, and we need to respond.

What has God called you to? How did you respond?

When Listening to God Is Hard

By Paula Wiseman

So Moses told the people of Israel what the LORD had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery. Exodus 6:9 NLT

I’m sure you’re familiar with the story of Israel’s bondage and deliverance. Moses has made his first appearance because Pharaoh and the response was an intensification of the burden placed on the people. In Exodus 5:22-23, Moses returns to God with questions, nearly accusations. In summary, Moses said, “I did what you said, and things are worse, not better.”

God responds with seven amazing promises He had committed Himself to:

“I will bring you out.”
“I will rescue you from bondage.”
“I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.”
“I will take you as My people.”
“I will be your God.”
“I will bring you into the land which I swore to give.”
“I will give it to you as a heritage.”

When Moses relayed God’s message, the people of Israel wouldn’t listen. You can almost hear them– No Moses, we dared to hope things would change, and look what happened. It’s worse now. I don’t have the emotional energy to believe anymore. It takes everything I have just to get through each day.

Perhaps we hear them so vividly because we echo them.

We sometimes reach the place where, because of the challenges and struggles we face, we no longer hear the promises of God. We bring jaded cynicism with us to worship. We respond to Scripture with doubt and distrust.

So how do we get from a place of discouragement to a place of peace and trust?

Remember that Pharaoh determined to set himself in opposition to God’s plan and the freedom of God’s people. We, too, have an enemy who constantly works to frustrate the revealed intentions of God, and who tirelessly works to keep us enslaved, at least emotionally and mentally through discouragement, frustration, and despair.

Remember that God was doing something much bigger than Israel understood. Yes, He was bringing them out of slavery, but He was demonstrating His power over Egypt and their false gods. He was acting out in type, breaking the power of sin over mankind and the finale deliverance Christ would bring. He was revealing to His people truth about His character and His ways. He was teaching them patience and dependence, which is far, far easier said than done. God works in our lives in ways we don’t understand, doing things we haven’t imagined, laying foundations for the future, revealing Himself, teaching us.

Yes, sometimes listening to God is hard, especially when our circumstances fly in the face of His promises. Waiting for Him to act is hard. Not knowing what He’s doing or when He intends to do it is hard. God never denied or minimized the suffering of His people as His plan moved forward. And the time DID come. When the waiting was over, Israel experienced the manifest presence of God and displays of His power in ways that defy description. His words to us are just as certain.

Priests

By Paula Wiseman

“You shall put [the garments] on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him; and you shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve Me as priests. Exodus 28:41 NAS

If you read Exodus, the level of detail describing the office and function and duties of the Old Testament priests is usually enough to make our eyes glaze. It can take on extra significance when we consider that Jesus is our Great High Priest and all of the points Moses addresses point to their fulfillment in Christ.

However, if you read 1 Peter, he refers to believers as priests.

You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

If that’s the case, then what can WE take from those Old Testament descriptions?

Far more than I can get into in one quick post. But it’s worth looking at three points God makes at the installation ceremony for the Aaron and his sons.

1. Anoint them – Moses poured oil on the heads of the priests. Any time you see oil used, think of the Holy Spirit. We as believers are indwelt and empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out our tasks. This also connects us to Jesus. Messiah and Christ are the Hebrew and Greek words for Anointed One.

2. Ordain them – This carries the idea of investing with some authority to carry out our task. You might think of it as commissioning. Remember when Jesus gave us our commission in Matthew 28:18-20, He began by establishing His own authority. In John 20:21 Jesus says, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

3. Consecrate them – This comes from the Hebrew word for holy. We are set apart, sanctified for service. God told Israel, “And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.” (Leviticus 20:26 ) Besides calling us a holy priesthood, Peter admonishes, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”(1 Peter 1:15) We are to be different, held to a higher standard of conduct that reflects both the God we serve and our devotion to Him.

We are empowered, set apart, and commissioned.

Now it is our responsibility to be diligent, committed, and obedient.

Fear Makes You Forget

By Paula Wiseman

Fear makes you forget.

Consider Israel. Fear certainly made them forget.

And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. Exodus 14:10

Israel had just witnessed God’s care of them.

He had protected them through ten devastating plagues.
He had displayed his mighty power on their behalf.
He had delivered them from the bondage of slavery.
He had called them His very own and committed Himself to them.

But because they were afraid of the Egyptians, they forgot that God stood to defend them.
They forgot the promises He had made to them.
They forgot who they were.

What Egyptians are marching after you?

Don’t be afraid. Don’t forget what you know about Jehovah.

He cares for you.
He has protected you.
He has displayed His power on your behalf.
He delivered you.
He called you His own and committed Himself to you.

Stand still and watch what God does next.

He Would Have Passed By

By Paula Wiseman

Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. Mark 6:48

Jesus would have passed them by.

This statement always jarred me. Was Mark saying Jesus intended to leave the disciples struggling and straining, oblivious and unconcerned? I don’t think so.

Did he mean that Jesus had other plans, like going on across the lake, but He had to stop and bail the disciples out again? Like they were a bother or a hindrance? That doesn’t sound like Jesus.

But the Old Testament, I think, sheds some light on Jesus passing by. In Exodus 33 and 34, Moses asks for reassurance and reaffirmation from God and God graciously obliges. Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Exodus 33:19

Then again, for Elijah. Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 1 Kings 19:11

In both cases, the Lord passing by included a glimpse of His glory and power, designed to encourage and empower His people.

What if…

What if … with the disciples frustrated, exhausted and at the end of themselves … Jesus intended to pass by, meaning to show them His glory just like Jehovah had done for Moses and Elijah? What if, in the same way Israel was not ready to recognize Jesus as Messiah, the disciples were not ready to see Him as He truly is? So He didn’t pass by.

The disciples had just watched Jesus create food. The bread and fish from feeding the crowd of five thousand plus hadn’t even digested yet. But as amazing as that miracle was, they didn’t get it. Mark says in verse 52 that their hearts were hard. Too hard to take it in. Their minds were closed. Why?

They were afraid.
They were distracted.
They were unbelieving.

Have there been times when Jesus “would have passed by” but I was too afraid of what was happening around me to take it in? Or too distracted by whatever crisis I was trying to manage on my own? Or too unwilling to believe that He is the great I AM?

I’m not sure I want to know.
Actually, I’m pretty sure I already do.