When God Whispers

These passages give God’s laws regarding crime and punishment.  While in today’s society, they may seem cruel; God’s laws were not.  God addresses a variety of crimes with punishment according to their severity.  It is the very idea behind our criminal justice system today.   Is God justifying ‘an eye for an eye’ in these passages? Did God make provisions for intention and accidental harm to other...

It is important to understand that slavery in the Old Testament is different from what we are familiar with.  The slavery of the Israelites was debt related and intended to be temporary to help families correct their financial situations.  Here God offers directions for protection of families and female slaves.  Thank God there was a New Master coming.      God is a God of protection.  How has He...

Here we see God expressing ideas of idols and graven images.  He shares how to honor and love Him.  He says,” I have talked to you from Heaven.”  God spoke to the Israelites and through the Israelites He continues to speak to us.  Something to think about:  The God of the Universe still speaks to us today.  Praise Him!   We may not have graven images in your home.  Yet, think about how you spend y...

Here we see the Israelites are fearful and stand away while Moses draws nearer to God.  Moses understands fearing God with reverence and drawing closer to Him.  Growing up I had a healthy fear of my parents because I respected them and knew they wanted the best for me.   I never doubted their love.  God is the same.  I pray that you never doubt Gods love for you.   Think about the nature of this e...

Just as parents have expectations for children to lead to a safe, fulfilled, and successful life, God did the same for his people.  This isn’t surprising when we consider God’s love for us.  He always wants the best for us and when you review these particular commandments you can see God was wanting us to live fulfilled lives that honor Him as our guide, while treating others with respect.   ·    ...

This commandment is so often misunderstood, I believe.  The leaders of that day took it to an extreme where it was unlawful to help people who were in desperate need of help.  I believe God gave them this commandment not only to remind them to take one day a week to worship and praise Him, but they had come out of Egypt where they were working 7 days a week and God wanted them to take time to rest...

This one verse says so much in so few words.  I don’t know many people that haven’t crossed the line with this one.  It doesn’t even mean using His name as profanity, but using His name when it isn’t in reverence.  Anytime we misuse His name or use it in a lighthearted manner, we take His name in vain.  This one is often a heart issue.  How reverent and serious are we about who God is and how we r...

Now that God has reminded Moses of who He is and what He has done not only for Moses, but for the Israelites, God is ready to give Him the ten simple commandments for them to follow.  The first commandments God gives them is about their relationship with Him.  Then He goes into how they should treat and respect each other.  These first two commandments are extremely serious, and I know we break th...

I know it might seem like there are just a few words in our verses today, but how profound those words are.  The fact that God spoke to Moses at all is a miracle in itself.  He reminded Moses who He was and what He had done for the Israelites.  My first thought it that Moses could look around and see they weren’t in Egypt, but it was more than that.  It was a reminder that what Moses might at time...

Why do you think God wanted Moses to tell the people again the guidelines He had set up for them regarding the mountain and trying to come up the mountain? Why do you think He would not let them even touch the mountain?  Do you ever find yourself tempted to take just a little more and a little more until you have totally gone against what you intended?  God knows us better than we know ourselves. ...

God gave the people many rules about what they could do and couldn’t do to prepare for Him to speak to Moses as well as what to expect when He was speaking to Moses and what was allowed during that time. Why do you think He was so specific with His instructions to them? What would have happened to those who chose not to obey? What significance do you see in the reference to “the third day”? I have...

God took them to Mount Siani to talk to them.  Do you see God moving you to a place where He can talk to you?  Sometimes we are too distracted to listen, and God has to move us for us to hear Him.  Have you ever felt God moving you to a place where You can listen better to His instructions? In verse 5 we see we are considered a treasured possession of God when we obey Him and keep His covenants. ...

Moses made a mistake by attempting to take on more than he was able to do.  Have you ever been tempted to do that? God sent suitable people to help him.  They had always been available, but until Moses was willing to accept help, he didn’t see it.  Who has God placed in your life who would help you in any way you asked?

Moses protected his family while he was in Egypt by sending them to be with his father-in-law. How do you see your Heavenly Father protecting you daily?  What do you see He has protected you from? Moses’ father-in-law was thrilled to hear about the work of the Lord in Moses’ life.  Do you celebrate when you see God working in someone’s life?  In what ways can you celebrate with them?

God is always the one to win our battles for us.  It’s nothing in us that is truly capable of winning because we are fighting an enemy that is a very conniving and strong enemy.  I’m grateful that our God is stronger.  There are many times I’m weak in my fight and I reach out to God and He sends me help by way of a friend.  That is what He did here.  He had Aaron and Hur hold up Moses arms when He...

Once again, God tested the Israelites. They arrived at Rephidim and there was no water to drink. They did not call out to God for provision. Instead, they grumbled to Moses and blamed Him. God spoke with Moses and water was provided when Moses followed specific instructions from God. God has had a plan all along to provide us with the living water through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. Th...

God is a good, good God. Imagine how much manna He provided. This provision lasted for the full forty years. Daily he rained down manna and on the sixth day He rained down a double portion. God’s provision to His chosen people is mind boggling. God knew that this history of His amazing provision needed to be passed on to future generations. This was accomplished by placing a jar of the manna befor...

God has blessed us with a day of rest just as He blessed the Israelites. They did not have a day of rest as they labored in Egypt. God explained what His expectations were. We, too, have a day of rest. As we live in such a rushed, demanding society, do we always observe this day of rest? I know that when I was a mom and a wife and a teacher, days of rest were few and far between. Forgive me, Fathe...

Why is it so hard for us to be obedient to God? Here we see that the Israelites who gathered an excess of manna and this excess of manna bred worms and stank. God had a plan for His people and Moses made it very clear how to collect the food and survive.  I, too, find myself being disobedient to God so I can certainly identify with His chosen people. I also find myself doubting God’s provisions at...

This passage always makes me smile. They were slaves in Egypt. It is very doubtful they were sat by “meatpots and ate bread to the full”. How many times have I grumbled when the situation does not suit my fancy? What does my grumbling say about my relationship with God? When we grumble, we show our dissatisfaction with God’s provisions. Instead of grumbling, perhaps we should take our concerns to...

How soon they forget. The Israelites traveled for three days. They needed water and none was to be found. At Marah, the water was bitter. Moses cried out to God and he instructed Moses so that the water could be made drinkable. Once again, God’s provisions were more than adequate. Our God is so good. As you go through your day today, be mindful of the provisions of our God. It is so easy to take f...

The journey through the Red Sea is complete and now it is time to praise God and celebrate the victory God provided over the Egyptians. How sweet this time must have been. Think of a time when God provided a sweet victory for you. Perhaps it was a restoration of a relationship, the birth of a long-awaited baby, a salvation experience for a loved one you have been covering in prayer for a long time...

How wonderful to see God continue to protect His chosen people. Not only does God protect the Israelites, He destroys their enemies. Egyptians were rendered helpless, and God triumphed again. Take a look at your life. Are you being pursued by a frightful army? Probably not but if you are like me, it sometimes seems like an army when Satan is after you.  Satan has pursued people since Adam and Eve...

Once again, we see God preparing the way of the Israelites. He used a strong east wind to divide the sea and dry the land so that the Israelites had sure footing as they made their way on dry land. God caused panic to be present in the Egyptian forces. He clogged their wheels, so movement was hard. God prevailed and the Egyptians were afraid. Think about your life. Have you personally experienced...

It’s sometimes hard to understand fear.  Think of a time your children were frightened.  It may not have made sense to you, but you were there to console, comfort and offer support.  God does the same.  Frankly, I think,  “how ridiculous the Israelites acted having just been freed from the Egyptians in a miraculous way and then suffering what seemed to be amnesia, not trusting or having faith in G...