I heard two themes crying out in today's reading. Themes that I never really noticed before. I've always focused on the plagues. Sometimes I can read this text and hear the frogs croaking, see the gnats and flies flying and smell the stench of dead livestock. God opened my eyes to new perspective today. I love when He does that, don't you? The Word of God is alive and active and might I add fresh.
Pharaoh said something in 5:2 yesterday that stunned me however in light of one of the themes of today makes sense. He said that he did not know the Lord. I found that strange. I mean who could not know the LORD, Yahweh. But I as read commentaries on this it seems to support Pharaoh's claim. The signs and wonders of the covenant LORD had not been discussed and the traditions and practices of the Hebrews had not been observed so how would he know the LORD. There were also many false gods being worshiped at the time. Why should he feel threatened by the words of this God?
It was the LORD's intention to hardened Pharaoh's heart and then wow him with his power. Then he would know who the LORD was. In fact God repeated these words throughout our reading. The LORD was going to make sure that Pharaoh and the Egyptians knew the LORD. Because of space and time I need to move on but I did a word search on the Hebrew meaning of know as it is used in 5:2. The word is yada. Check it. It is really enlightening.
The hearts of God's people had become hard as well. They had become numb to the LORD. Can anyone besides me identify with that? God wanted to wow them also but not for them to know him but for them to worship him. Five times in our reading Moses is instructed to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go not to be free from the yoke of slavery but so they could worship Him. Oh how He longs to have our worship even in the numbness with the yoke of slavery around our necks! This is the hardest time to worship. It is called a sacrifice of praise.
They Israelites hearts became numb toward the Lord because they felt they had been abandoned. Remember in our earlier readings when the LORD was talking to Moses. He said He had heard the cries of His people. They had been crying out to the LORD and it seemed to them their God had forgotten them. I wonder if anyone reading has ever felt that way or feels that way today. You have cried out to the LORD to be rescued from the yoke you are wearing but you feel ignored and abandoned. He wants your praise. Offer a sacrifice of praise and exchange your yoke for His yoke. It is light and easy. His yoke is one sized fits all and never goes out of style.
Blessing sweet sisters. I love you!
Pharaoh said something in 5:2 yesterday that stunned me however in light of one of the themes of today makes sense. He said that he did not know the Lord. I found that strange. I mean who could not know the LORD, Yahweh. But I as read commentaries on this it seems to support Pharaoh's claim. The signs and wonders of the covenant LORD had not been discussed and the traditions and practices of the Hebrews had not been observed so how would he know the LORD. There were also many false gods being worshiped at the time. Why should he feel threatened by the words of this God?
It was the LORD's intention to hardened Pharaoh's heart and then wow him with his power. Then he would know who the LORD was. In fact God repeated these words throughout our reading. The LORD was going to make sure that Pharaoh and the Egyptians knew the LORD. Because of space and time I need to move on but I did a word search on the Hebrew meaning of know as it is used in 5:2. The word is yada. Check it. It is really enlightening.
The hearts of God's people had become hard as well. They had become numb to the LORD. Can anyone besides me identify with that? God wanted to wow them also but not for them to know him but for them to worship him. Five times in our reading Moses is instructed to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go not to be free from the yoke of slavery but so they could worship Him. Oh how He longs to have our worship even in the numbness with the yoke of slavery around our necks! This is the hardest time to worship. It is called a sacrifice of praise.
They Israelites hearts became numb toward the Lord because they felt they had been abandoned. Remember in our earlier readings when the LORD was talking to Moses. He said He had heard the cries of His people. They had been crying out to the LORD and it seemed to them their God had forgotten them. I wonder if anyone reading has ever felt that way or feels that way today. You have cried out to the LORD to be rescued from the yoke you are wearing but you feel ignored and abandoned. He wants your praise. Offer a sacrifice of praise and exchange your yoke for His yoke. It is light and easy. His yoke is one sized fits all and never goes out of style.
Blessing sweet sisters. I love you!
12 Comments:
Amen to that my friend! Thank you for ALL your words and your many investments!
how cool is it that the lifting of the hand/staff brought and ceased some of the plagues... it isn't that moses held up his hands to say "stop," he just lifted in simple flexion *i would imagine* you think his palms were open to the heavens? that would have been a beautiful thing to see... like a painting from the 16th century masters
i am pretty sure that i would have dropped my arms from the heavens to bring the plagues if it had been my idea. it just makes more sense to me that way. you know, hail falling from heaven- let me trace the pattern of that hail so everyone can understand its coming from Him *good thing God works in ways that i don't, eh?* but it was the LIFTING of the hands to bring and clear them, an act that we still recognize as a worshiping stance... i looked 9:33 up in some different translations because it hit me square in the nose= moses spread his hands, he lifted his hands, he stretched out his hands, he spread abroad his hands- he opened himself to vulnerable positions while calling to God... i have found myself like that a lot recently. comforting to know it is natural among those seeking to respond to God in the only way they know how. thanks Friend~
Other times when I have read this passage, I pridefully wonder how he could continue turn his back on God--and not see that He is all powerful. It seems so foolish in this context--why doesn't he just realize that God is God and he is not.
Then, I remembered times where God has done mighty works in my life--and just a short time later, I am trying to live my life my own stubborn way.
Convicted...
I shared all these similar thoughts yesterday. I'm just loving the continuity of God's Word.
In searching out your question concerning who appointed Jethro as priest of Midian, I found info that said his position of office would have been heritable, but can't find anything about who appointed him either.
The verse that took my attention today was "But I have spared you for a purpose - to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth." Exodus 9:16
As the Dr's gave no hope for my survival, born at 25 weeks, a twin, and only weighing one pound, I know He truly spared me for a purpose and I pray my life is testimony to His power and renown.
For Him,
Joy
First of all...I am so excited to have been going along on this journey with all of you for the past month.
Like, Luanne, I just kept thinking about Pharoah's stubborness. Are you kidding?? How much does God need to show you before you give in?? How true in my own life...I can be so stubborn at times. What could I have been spared if I would just give in to my stubborn ways! Just like 9:16 says though...God is going to use it all for his purpose!!
Love reading all of your comments everyday! :)
Missy in Auburn, WA
Wendy, Your insight helps make today's reading so rich!! I love journeying with you.
Joyful, I saw that too and in light of my post yesterday had to ponder that for awhile.
I also saw how God kept saying the hardness of Pharaoh's heart was so that he would see God...I pondered a lot about Pharaoh today. I always have felt so much compassion for the Israelites as I studied the plagues but today I saw myself and other prideful people in Pharaoh...I just can't stop pondering...
A quick question, when you are reading and decide to do a word study, tell me where you start. Do you just study the word that pops out? What's the first place you go? Just wondering what others do and if I am missing out on anything. Love your insights.
Hey ladies,
Wendy thanks for sharing your words today.
Hugs,
Diane
Lisa
The Lord just makes a word jump out. I chase that rabbit and it leads me down another trail and another. It is one of my favorite things to do. The Word really comes alive. I use blueletterbible.com. The Bible study tools are on the lower left hand side of the homepage. Then I go to Lexicon and choose Old or New Testament. Next type the word. Try it..it is contagious.
Hi Wendy and all,
Thanks for the Yada, I've noticed I really like digging into Hebrew words. I've heard it was God language and Greek came later. Don't know for sure. You know in some ways I think wow Moses was arguing with God but then I realize I have done that too. When ever I don't feel like doing something, funny how we look at others differently.
Now question time, God made Paroahs heart hard so they would see His (the Lord's) glory, but at the end of the reading after the people left he was hard hearted again, was that just his sin or did God harden it again? Maybe I need to re-read that.
Have a great day or night :)
Lynn - OR
In Exodus 8:10 it says, when asked by Moses when he wanted the plague of frogs to stop, Pharaoh says tomorrow. Did anyone find this strange? Why not today? Do you think Pharaoh found them cute and wanted them around one more day?
I feel sometimes I am like Pharaoh and my sins are like the frogs. I can ask Moses (Christ) to help me get rid of them now, but I want to hold onto them until later.
Lord, help me to see my sin for what it is and put it under the blood today!!
Joyful...that is a beauti-mous testimony. God Bless You! I love to read your "thinkings" each day.
Erin Grey...you are So Correct!...we Lift Our Hands in Worship "it is natural among those seeking to respond to God in the only way they know how. thanks Friend~".. Brilliant!!!
For my part, I have come to understand that God works on us inch by inch...little by little...for His Glory! Can we not All relate to Moses?! "But God...Why Me?!"
Good, good study!
In reverance,
Liz
Alaska
I love reading your posts. I read my Bible readings and then come here find something deeper. Oh how I wish I could do more than just read the words on the page. I am so thankful that you have shared what you see in these passages. It helps me dig deeper too. Thanks!
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