Heavenhigh

Called To Account!

# 49 2024 Dev. Isa.5.1. Called to Account! Read all of chapter five first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isa.5:1 “I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard: My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside.”

Isaiah 5 is a commentary on the short comings of God’s people that we today need to pay attention to. It lays out what God has and is now doing for His church. Further it lays out where the Israelites have gone wrong and where we can go wrong today. Yet, there is also hope of God extending His grace.

V.1-7 “The song of the Vineyard.” The first two verses look back at the Song of Songs “My beloved had a vineyard…” The bride is speaking of her beloved—the Christ. These verses are a parable in song, telling of God’s grace to His people, “but it yielded only bad fruit.” God asks a rhetorical question. What more could have been done for my vineyard? Today we ask: What more must God do after giving His Son, Jesus? We answer, nothing, what is being done is adequate!!! When we answer God’s call, and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, heaven erupts in celebration! Praise the Lord!

V.8-15 The excessive seeking after wealth God rejects. Excessive running after drinks, excessive banquets, every excess is unacceptable to God. There will be consequences, exile, hunger thirst and death. Today we understand that as the Second Death.

V.16-17 There is hope! “But the Lord Almighty will be exalted by his justice, and the holy God will be proved holy by his righteous acts. Then sheep will graze as in their own pasture; lambs will feed among the ruins of the rich.” Those righteous, true followers of Jesus (sheep) and their children (lambs) will be blessed.

V.18-25 Four Woes. Woe to those who seek earnestly to sin and challenge God “who call evil good and good evil”, those “who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter, those who are wise in their own eyes…” woe to those who indulge in excessive alcohol and those who adulterate justice with bribes convicting the innocent. Vs .24-25 There will be a reckoning. These verses (18-23) we read here could be written today in our own country. When will we wake up?

Vs.26-30 “He lifts up a banner for the distant nations, he whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come, swiftly and speedily!” This chapter ends with God sending nations against Israel as punishment, nations that are powerful, confident, and intent on destruction. God is in control, He decides what will happen to Israel and He decides what will happen to us, here in this country. Are we getting back on track? I hope and pray. Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Wise Leadership!

# 48 2024 Dev. Ex.18:5. Wise Leadership! “Read all of chapter eighteen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex.18:5 “Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, together with Moses’ sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God.”

Ex.18 While the Israelites were camped near Mt. Sinai, Moses’ father in law came to visit him and returned his wife and sons, who Moses sent back to him before he entered Egypt. Jethro was the priest of Midian. Some commentators think Jethro was a Kenite, but others think he was a Midianite, which makes sense given his priesthood. In passing he is also known as Reuel. It is commonly accepted that he was known by seven names and he is the main prophet of the Druze religion practiced in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel. Jethro offered advice to Moses that released him for the more important work of teaching the Israelites how to worship and how to live.

Vs.1-6 Here we learn that Moses had sent his wife and children back home from their trip to Egypt. We also learn the meaning of the names of Moses’ children. The first born Gershom, “I become a foreigner in a foreign land.” The second son was named Eliezer, “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.” Moses led Israel out of a foreign land and he is leading them into a foreign land. Hebrews 11:9-10 teaches us what Israel’s situation foreshadows and sets direction for us, the church today. Abraham; “By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” What Hebrews is talking about is the “New Heaven and the New Earth.”

Vs.7-12 “Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him… Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians… Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses’ father-in-law in the presence of God.”

Vs.13-27 “The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening.” The problem with Moses’ method is that all of his time was taken up with people with problems or disagreements. If a leader or pastor spends all his time with people with chronic problems less assertive people with problems will fall through the cracks. Jethro gives Moses the method of distributing the responsibility of leadership that does not overwhelm the leaders. Jethro gives this advice but he defers to God, ‘If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied. Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.”’ A word to the wise, thanks be to God!

The Branch!

# 47 2024 Dev. Isa.4.2.The Branch! “Read all of chapter four first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isa.4:2 “In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.”

Isaiah 4 continues the vision of chapters 2 and 3 the encouragement of the “Mountain of the Lord”, the vision of the future Church in the last days that began with Jesus’ birth and “the judgment on Jerusalem and Judah.” And now also restoration.

V.1 Ends the judgment on Jerusalem. The results of judgment is highlighted in vs. 18-26 in Chapter 3. There is devastation of the land, removal of all the finery they are used to, there is war, “Your men have fallen by the sword.” The problem was that they worshiped, they sacrificed as the law required in those days but their hearts were far from God. It was a pretense, worship was insincere, they had confidence in themselves, in their possessions. With the disruption of war and so many men killed, normal life was no longer possible.

What about today? How do you see worship and church attendance? Is our country subject to judgment?

Vs.2-6 “The Branch of the Lord”. “In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.” There will be a cleansing. “The Lord will wash away…” every stain “by a (the) Spirit of judgment and a (the) Spirit of fire.” Who or what is the “Branch” Zachariah 6:9-14 “Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord.” This foreshadows Jesus, the two men mentioned in Zachariah are named Josiah, meaning God heals and Joshua, meaning God is salvation. Jesus’ name means God saves.

Verse 5 defines God’s grace; “Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory[c] will be a canopy.” This harks back to God’s people coming out of Egypt and traveling in the desert. God led them and protected them, Jesus was and is in the cloud and in the fire. It is the glory of heaven, the power of the Holy Spirit that hovers over the church today, those who are the true followers of Jesus. Amen! Praise be to God.

Water and War!

# 46 2024 Dev. Ex.17:2 Water and War! Read all of chapter seventeen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex.17:2 “So they quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink.”’

Ex.17 has two very different kind of events. God was leading them from place to place with His cloud, all they had to do was follow. God had taken care of them, a string of miracles, getting them out of Egypt, protecting them from Pharaoh, giving them food and water up to this point. How quickly they forgot all that God had done for them.

The second event was that they were attacked, unprovoked, by the Amalekites. The Amalekites were dependents of Esau, Esau had sworn to kill Jacob, they reconciled, not so his offspring, memories were long in the Middle East as they are today.

Vs.1-7 The people quarreled with Moses over water, the lack of it. “Moses replied, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the Lord to the test?”’ This was a not a passive situation; “Then Moses cried out to the Lord, ‘What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”’ God instructed Moses to take his staff and hit the rock, God said to Moses, “I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb.” Horeb is the place where Moses saw the burning bush, and it is the mountain of God where the Ten Commandments were given to Moses. But The Rock means much more, The water came out of it like a river, in great abundance. It foreshadows, Jesus, the Rock of spiritual abundance. How weak our faith is sometimes! Life is a series of tests along the way, tests by God and some of our own making. How quickly we forget God’s grace and Jesus’ love!

Vs.8-16 The Amalekites, Amalek was one of Esau’s grandsons. They attacked the people of Israel, a large group of about three million people. We are not told how it all started but Moses appoints Joshua as commander, this is the first time we hear about him. “Moses said to Joshua,‘Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”’ This was another test, the water situation caused the people to say “ is the Lord among us or not?” Not only was God among them but God used Moses in a powerful way to impress upon the people that God picks leaders, as he does today. Many of us have forgotten that truth. Rm.13 is a good reminder of how we must live!

As long as Moses held up his arms with God’s rod, the Israelites were winning but when tired he put his arms down the Amalekites were winning. Every leader needs help so Aaron and Hur held up Moses arms, one on each on a side. That is our job to come along side our church leaders in fervent prayer and to come alongside the leaders of our land and hold them up in fervent prayer. Amen!

“Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. He said, “Because hands were lifted up against (to) [c] the throne of the Lord…” How important is unity right now? Let us all lift up each other’s hands by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are all Prophets, Priests, and Kings!

Disturbing News!

# 45 2024 Dev. Isa.3.1. Disturbing News! “Read all of chapter three first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isa.V1 “See now, the Lord, the Lord Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water…”

Isaiah 3 continues the vision of chapter 2, the encouragement of the “Mountain of the Lord”, the vision of the future Church in the last days that began with Jesus’ birth. We are in the last days now, we have seen and experienced the Church of Christ. But the day of the Lord is coming. The faithful do not fear that day, we pray for its coming. “Come quickly Lord Jesus!”

Vs.1-7 This ch. seems to be a big let down by the judgment on Jerusalem and Judah. There appears to be a complete breakdown of society, whether this is the result of war, or the result of sin taking over with no accountability. In any case, peace, harmony, diligence and commerce all seem to have disappeared among them.

Vs.8-9 Gives us some answer, “their words and deeds are against the Lord… they parade their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it.” This is starting to sound familiar to us in this country. What has happened to godliness, where are the impartial judges, where is the accountability that holds down evil, where is basic decency, modesty and propriety? This is the result of kicking God out of schools, out of society, out of politics and out of our lives.

Vs.10-12 “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.” This speaks to the future, which is reassuring, but while all this is happening they suffer as well. The prophet goes on; “My people, your guides lead you astray; they turn you from the path.” Don’t we know it! But it falls on deaf ears today!

Vs.13-15 “The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people.” He judges the leaders, “It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses.” That is the way it is today as well. How do our leaders get so rich?

Vs.16-23 “The women of Zion are haughty…” the Lord condemns their alluring ways… “In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery…” Where is the woman of Proverbs 31:10-31? “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” I trust there still are such women today and faithful men as well.

Vs.24-26 paints a disturbing picture. This is in fact what happened to them, and it could happen to us. The leaders, the elite, the proud and arrogant, paid dearly for their disobedience. If we do not change direction in this land vs.16-26 is heading our way. We thank God that here we also are told: “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.” Thanks be to God!

God Provides!

# 44 2024 Dev. Ex.16. God Provides! “Read all of chapter sixteen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex.16:9 “Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’”

Ex.16: Dissatisfaction. “The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.” By this time they had run out of whatever food they had brought with them. But God had planned to provide for them. He planned to send quail and manna from heaven. This chapter is about trusting God.

It reminds me of Romans 8:28-29 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

Note:[a] “Or that all things work together for good to those who love God, who; or that in all things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good—with those who…”

Vs.1-12 “In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”’ This sets the tone for the entire journey to the promised land. Whenever there was a problem, or things did not go to their liking, the people rebelled. Not much different today is it? Yes, God tests our faith, but all that is for our good and for the good of the work God has given us, that is to serve God by worship, promoting goodness and peace though the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That also was the work of the Israelites beginning with God choosing Abraham. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” The Lord our God is in control.

Vs.13-30 God brought quail that evening and manna in the morning. They were to gather an omer, about three pounds, for each person in the tent. “The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed.” This was God’s provision. They were to gather just enough for everyday. Of course some people lacked the faith to follow the instruction, do not keep any for the next day. Those who did found it full of worms and putrid in the morning. But on the sixth day they were to gather double for the Sabbath and that did not spoil overnight. They rested on the Sabbath. God set the tone for many of us, the weekend is for rest and worship, to prepare for the next week. Also, this is a lesson for us, we all have earned less than what we thought we needed, and sometimes more than what we thought we needed but it has been enough, God is faithful. Like the Israelites we must be diligent and follow the rules. God provides but we must work for it. Amen.

Vs.31-36 “The people of Israel called the bread manna.[d] It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.” God told Moses to preserve an omer for generations to come as a remembrance of His faithfulness. “The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.” It took forty years to root out the rebellion, only two men of the generation that left Egypt, Joshua and Caleb, the two spies who trusted God, were allowed to enter the Promised Land. Praise the Lord

Blessings and Warnings!

# 43 2024 Dev. Isa.2. Blessings and Warnings! “Read all of chapter two first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isaiah 1:1 “The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, Kings of Judah.” (That is the title of this book) These four kings reigned from 792 BC to 680 BC. But Isaiah’s work started in the last year of Uzziah’s reign, 740 BC. In ch. 2 we have a different vision that goes on into ch.3 and 4. Chapter 2 is a vision of the last days,a and a vision of the Day of the Lord.

“The Mountain of the Lord.”

Vs.1-5 “This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: in the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.” This certainly is Christianity being described here. God gives His people of that day, all who would listen to Isaiah and kept covenant with God a vision of the future. We understand them to be the Old Testament church that became the church of Jesus Christ by the covenant of His blood.“And all the nations will stream to it.” This will be a time of God’s grace and peace “He will teach us his ways, so that we walk in his paths.” Isaiah is addressing us as well. Here all the nations are welcome as well as the “descendants of Jacob, let (all of) us walk in the light of the Lord.”

“The Day of the Lord”

Vs.6-9 The Last day describes the blessings of the faithful. “The Day of the Lord” describes those who have abandoned the Lord. The first four verses describe the shortcomings and the Inscincerty of the people.

The prophet could be describing our society today, the superstitions, the lust for gain and for power, the idols, the graft and corruption, the crime and the unaccountability.

Vs.10-11 “the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.”

Vs.12-18 describes what will happen to “all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted. (and will be humbled)…” This includes nature, the work of man’s hand, and all that are arrogant and proud, “the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and all idols will totally disappear.” Idols? Yes, we have many today.

Vs.19-22 “People will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from the fearful presence of the Lord and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.” This is describing the second coming of Jesus. We are warned! Stop trusting in yourself or other humans, trust in God and Jesus, your salvation! Amen and Amen.

We Trust God!

# 42 2024 Dev. Ex.15. We Trust God! Read all of chapter fifteen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex.15:2 “The Lord is my strength and my defense [a] he has become my salvation.”

Ex.15 Here “ Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:” A song of praise, and describing what God has done and how He saved them from the Egyptians now intent on destroying them instead of enslaving them. Satan knew what would happen but after empowering the Egyptians he had no way to stop them. Here also they run into their second big problem, 1st the water of the sea, now, no water to drink, for 3 million people. God also brings them to a place of Refuge.

Vs.1-11 is a psalm. v.1 “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.”

This is the introduction and the conclusion of the song. V.2 gives us the result of God’s actions and the reason for praising Him. “The Lord is my strength and my defense [a]he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him,my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” The rest of the Psalm continues in that same manner, what God has done interspersed with praise.

Vs.12-17 is still the song but as a positive story of their upcoming journey, culminating in verse 17 “You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance—the place, Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, your hands established” picking up on God’s promise to the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

It ends in verse 18 with what we know and confess; “The Lord reigns for ever and ever.”

Vs. 19-21. tells us Miriam, Aaron’s sister and the all the women lead the singing.

“The Waters of Marah and Elim”

Vs. 22-27. Some commentators indicate Moses had a hard time to get the people to move on. That is possible, it was a great victory for them. Like us they may have been reluctant to move on to the wilderness of life, move into the unknown. “Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur,” meaning “wall”. They travelled for three days to Marah, meaning bitter. They had traveled 50 Kl. with no water and here it was undrinkable. “ So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?” It seems to be a simple question but it is intensified with, “they grumbled against Moses.” This bordered on rebellion, especially after they had been saved by the mighty hand of God. “Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.” God, of course, is faithful.

“There the Lord issued a ruling and instruction for them and put them to the test. He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”’

This is also for us, we do our best to adhere to what God tells us. Not in order to be saved but because we are already saved, we live in obedience because we are thankful to God for His love and grace to us.

“Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there near the water.” After Marah, God gives them a place to recover, to rest in comfort. God does that for us as well, places to recover in the wilderness of life. Thanks be to God!

God Calls for Righteousness!

# 41 2024 Dev. Isa.1. God’s Call for Righteousness! “Read all of chapter one first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Isaiah 1:1 “The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.” (That is the title of this book)These four kings reigned from 792 BC to 680 BC. But Isaiah’s work started in the last year of Uzziah’s reign, 740 BC. Uzziah was a king who reigned righteously. He did a lot to fortify Jerusalem and Judah, promoted agriculture and defeated the Philistines. But he did not remove the high places of Baal and he burned incense in the temple, only the priests can do that, he was stricken with leprosy.

Isaiah “repeatedly warned the people that Jerusalem and Judah would be judged because of their wickedness. But he also held to the hope that the kingdom would be restored again. Beginning in Ch. 40 Isaiah offered comfort with these promises of God: (1) Babylonian exiles would be allowed to return to Jerusalem; (2) a righteous suffering servant would bring salvation; (3) God would set up a new righteous kingdom.” We see from God’s promises that, even though Isaiah was written 3000 years ago, this is still relevant for today. What is happening in Israel is starting to happen to our country right now. We are to apply this to our towns, cities, and to ourselves!

Vs.1-9 is the introduction to the book. It tells who, it tells us the date, it tells us what is happening to God’s people and that there is hope. Heaven and earth are called to witness, “for the Lord has spoken.”

There is rebellion and animals are smarter than the people. “They have forsaken the Lord…” The prophet asks a rhetorical question; “Why should you be beaten anymore?” You are full of open sores and there is no one to treat your pain. Not only are the people hurting the “country is desolate, your cities burned with fire.” Yet there is hope: “Unless the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. Isaiah, like Abraham wants to have hope. We also need hope today.

Vs.10-15 “Hear the Word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the instruction of our God, you people of Gomorrah!” They are equated with Gentile cities that God destroyed because of the great wickedness of the people. Abraham interceded for them but not even ten righteous people could be found. Those were gentiles but Jerusalem and Judah, these are God’s people. God says: ‘I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals.’” God hates their insincerity, in their worship and their festivals ‘they have become a burden to me… I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood!”’ How is our worship today? How is your sincerity?

Vs.16-17 “Wash and make yourselves clean.” How? “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

Vs.18-20 Here God’s grace gives the opportunity to repent. ‘“Come now, let us settle the matter, says the Lord ‘Though your sins are like scarlet,they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”’ How? ‘If you are willing and obedient…”’ This goes for us as well. “For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Vs.21-23 God calls Jerusalem to account; “See how the faithful city has become a prostitute! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her but now murderers!”

Vs.24-26 God promises change. “Therefore the Lord… ‘I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”’

Vs.27-31 Hope for the righteous and punishment for the wicked. “Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness. But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the Lord will perish.”

The problem with the Israelites at that time was that they knew themselves to be the people of God; they knew that God had chosen them out of all the nations on the earth. His Temple was among them, therefore, God dwelt among them. He would never destroy them, would He? Is that our thinking today? Ask yourself? Does your church “ seek justice. Defend the oppressed.[a] Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” The homeless, the poor and the disenfranchised? Think about these things! Praise be to God, there are churches and people who do.

We are Saved!

# 40 2024 Dev. Ex.14:9. We Are Saved! “Read all of chapter fourteen first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.

Ex.14:9 “The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen[a] and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon.”

Ex.14 Here God tells Moses to turn the Israelites toward the sea “and encamp directly opposite Baal Zephon. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart…” That is a troubling issue to many people, how can God condemn when he hardens one’s heart? From the beginning of Moses’s work in Egypt, Pharaoh increasingly refused to listen to God’s command, He had to choose to listen to the Holy Spirit and he refused to respond. In that sense he still had free will. That is how it is with us, the Holy Spirit does not force us, He points us to Jesus again and again, if we fail to respond to Jesus’ love He leaves us. There is this tension in God’s will and our own will, we make a choice but in the end we find that the Holy Spirit was helping us to make that choice. Given many opportunities, Pharaoh did not submit to God’s will and he paid the price.

Vs.1-4 God tells Moses to move the people into a compromising position causing Pharaoh to think they were trapped between the desert sea.

Vs.5-9 “Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about” letting the Israelites go. He mustered his army to go after them. The Israelites “were marching out boldly”, but “the Egyptians …overtook them as they camped by the sea…”

Vs.10-14 When the Israelites saw them “they were terrified and cried out to the Lord.” But wouldn’t you know it, they blamed Moses for it.!“Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us out to the desert to die…It would have been better for us the serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert.” People still do that today, they make a decision to do this, to do that and when there is opposition we lash out and blame others. But Moses took no offense, a real leader, he, “stand firm…the Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still.”

Vs.15-18 “Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. 16 Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the waters so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.” Again we see; “I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians…” The Holy Spirit had left Pharaoh long ago, he was not able to respond to God’s will. He was under the control of Satan who, up to this day, wants to destroy the Israelites.

Vs.19-20 “Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them,” A reference to the Angel of the Lord is a reference to Jesus Christ. Jesus and the Holy Spirit (the cloud) were protecting them. No one could get near the camp that night.

Vs.21-22 “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land.” The Israelites started to cross the sea on dry land.

Vs.23-25 “The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea.” God not only dried up the sea, when He saw the Egyptian army pursuing them He “threw it into confusion. He jammed the wheels of the chariots” to slow down the army.

Vs.26-28 “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen.’” The entire army was destroyed.

Vs.29-31 “That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians. Pharaoh, like some leaders and people today absolutely refused to see God’s hand at work in the world and that He is with the righteous, with His People. “When the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord…the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him…” Do we see God’s hand at work? And do we put our trust in Him? In today’s world, I pray that we do. Amen and Amen!