The biggest impact the book of Daniel has on me as a bible student is: Unfailing character, faith, and resolve cannot be removed no matter what the circumstances are or who rules the world.

Judgement came to Israel and the fate of the people resulted in either captivity, famine, or death by the sword. Daniel is one of the captives taken to Babylon and entered into the king’s service. He and three of his friends have their names changed, learn a new language, and are taught the customs and laws of a new nation.

Since he is held accountable to the “chief of Eunuchs” I can assume he and his friends have also been made eunuchs. Just imagine the fear, trauma, and anxiety of leaving literally everything you knew as a young man and entering the service of this pagan ruler.

“Daniel resolved he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. And God gave him favor and compassion in the site of the chief of Eunuchs.” Daniel 1:8

Daniel has no control over his life except in the area of food. All the choices of study, how he lives, the language he speaks, and even his name is dictated by a new king.

As followers of Christ, we can relate, can’t we?

We live in a culture that wants to dictate right and wrong with an evil lens. We can choose to go along with it or take a stand. The massively greedy retail giants control the airwaves and try to pollute our view of what’s good.

Daniel and his friends, made up their minds they would not defile themselves.

Later, God honors the three friends in one of the most spectacular displays of grace I’ve ever seen in the bible! You know this story from when you were a little child in Sunday School. The fiery furnace.

King Nebuchadnezzar creates a statue of himself and expects everyone to bow down and worship him.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. ¹⁴ Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? ¹⁵ Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. ¹⁷ If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Daniel 3:13-18

Daniel 3 ESV – Nebuchadnezzar’s Golden Image – Bible Gateway

Character, faith, and resolve in the face of death and being burned alive is before the three young friends of Daniel. Making a choice against everything honorable and holy takes extreme courage and faith. They are resolving in their hearts not to bow down to idols.

At the risk of death, they are not giving in to evil, and their core values shine a light on what really matters in life.

Remaining faithful to God.

It reminds me of Jesus in Luke 12:8-12 telling the disciples not to deny him before the authorities. He tells them “everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God”. He tells them not be anxious about what they will say, because the Holy Spirit will teach them what to say.

Time and again God is there for faithful believers. Daniel and his three friends escaped famine and sword and were shown favor.  Today is no different.  It is exactly how we as Christians can have bold faith and respond when we are attacked for our convictions.

We can graciously and respectfully refuse to bow down as evil rages in our culture and Christ will show up to strengthen us.

He was in the fiery furnace with Daniel’s three friends and he will be there for our fiery trials too.

What encouragement do you find in this today?

How is God using your circumstances to draw you closer to Him?

Daniel and The Writing on the Wall

Moving through the book of Daniel we see his life is long as her serves four kings of the Medo-Persian empire. In Daniel chapter 5, we meet Nebuchadnezzar’s son:

 ^“Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought, that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. ⁴ They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.⁵ Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. ⁶ Then the king’s color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him; his limbs gave way, and his knees knocked together.”

Daniel 5:2-6

Daniel 5 ESV – The Handwriting on the Wall – King – Bible Gateway

The queen mother remembers Daniel and his ability to interpret visions. I’m sure the picture of her deceased husband succumbing to his pride and eating grass like a wild animal is still etched in her memory.

I infer Daniel is put aside in this king’s court because the queen mother has to remind him who Daniel is. Nebuchadnezzar made him chief of the magicians, enchanters, Chaldeans and astrologers because of his ability to interpret his dream.

Here is what we can gather from the text:

1. Belshazzar is in active rebellion against our holy God by purposely defiling the instruments used in the worship of God. His life is one of disbelief, revelry, and worship of wealth and false gods.
2. When he sees the writing on the wall his merriment fades and the color drains from his face as his knees knock.
3. He doesn’t even know what it says, but he is terrified to see a human hand appear and write on the wall.
4. His mother remembers Daniel and urges for him to be called.

Friend, God sees the heart of everything we do. Daneil may have even felt forgotten when Nebuchadnezzar passed, but God still has plans for him. The unwavering favor of God over his life, I believe, is a result of his prayer life and unflinching character.

It is an example of faithful living I cherish and hope to live out myself.

The queen mother remembered the light and wisdom found in Daniel. May we too be remembered for trusting God humbly for answers.

How does Daniel’s vision make you think about our culture’s attitude towards God today? Are there similarities? How so?

What does the picture of revelry then fear in this king show you about his character?

What stands out to you in Daneil chapters 5 and 6?

Daniel, the Angels, & His Visions

In Daniel chapters nine, the aging prophet begins to reflect on the exile of his people and the time elapsed in captivity. He begins to pray, earnestly, fervently, and with great remorse for the sins of his nation.

If you’ll notice as we read the Bible in a Year, Daniel’s prayer is much like each prayer of his contemporaries. The prayer pattern of the prophets looks like this:

1. They acknowledge the authority, love, and power of our mighty God and pay him the reverence and respect he is due.
2. Then they confess their sins and the sins of their leaders and people. The lack of obedience, the greed, the idolatry, and intentional following their way instead of God’s way.
3. Lastly, they ask for God to hear their prayer, listen to their pleas, and grant forgiveness, mercy, and redemption.

As he was speaking, the angel Gabriel came to him and assures him he is greatly loved. I did a three-day Bible lesson on this for the YouVersion Bible app a few years ago. It just amazed me the level of care and concern God showed Daniel.

I am convinced it is because of his unfailing character and unflinching faith.

Don’t you want that for yourself and your family today?  I sure do. Fear can consume us if we take our eyes off the Lord and all he’s done for us.

Daniel 9:20-11

At the end of chapter nine and beginning of chapters ten and eleven, Gabriel explains to Daniel the spiritual battle taking place in the heavenly realms and gives him a vision of how this long battle will end. Kings and kingdoms will rise and conquer, and their power grows to plunder and spoil the lands they take over, but only to fall to the next king and kingdom.

Daniel is trembling and troubled for weeks at the site of this future vision of destruction and devastation. But low and behold, the final King, the messiah Jesus Christ will come to rule and reign forever!

Daniel Chapter 12

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation until that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.” Daniel 12:1

The good news of the gospel is not good news until you and I understand the bad news. I think if people could just wrap their minds around their own sinfulness and falling short of our holy God, then they would understand why they need a Savior.

Jesus says, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Mathew 10:28) There is a promise from Him encouraging us not to focus so much on this life and our bodies, but to really think about our souls and eternity.

In chapter twelve we see this promise come to life, for the people of Israel and for us, who place our trust in the Lord.

“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. “ Daniel 12:2-3

If your walk with God and my walk with God, meaning our faith, words, action, and writing, turns others from their sin and towards the righteousness of Jesus, seeds of faith are sewn.

God waters them to make them grow! Someday, long after we leave this earth, those who listened and obeyed are wise and will shine like the brightness of the sky above.

Summary

Wow! Daniel’s life of unfailing character and unflinching faith is rewarded in a beautiful way. The assurance to go his way until the end is locked into place. He shall rest and stand in his allotted place at the end of days. (vs. 13).

Enjoy the book of Daniel this week my friend and let me know what nuggets you find there!

What do you learn about God in chapters 9-12?

What do you learn about the future?

How does knowing the future draw you closer to God?

What dos placing your faith and trust in God look like in your daily life?

I look forward to serving you here and on my podcast, Family Focused Health, where we tackle health topics each week and what God provides in His Word and the garden to sustain us body and soul, check it out on the podcast page!

Moving through the book of Ezekiel you and I will see the glory of heaven and the Spirit of God in motion. Ezekiel is called to prophecy to the house of Israel but is also warned by God about their hard hearts. They will not listen to what he has to say about the coming judgement and their idolatry.

We see this resistance in ourselves and the ones we love, don’t we?

Does anyone want to hear about their lifestyle and habits that don’t honor God or themselves? It’s just not what we want to hear! The people of Israel are no different.

Ezekiel has a mountain of resistance before him and some really bad news to share. So, what does God do? God gives him a picture of the throne of glory and how the hosts of heaven worship and honor God.

The stark comparison of heaven’s glory and proper worship to Israel’s confused mix of a little of God here, and a little pagan there is striking.

The half-hearted loyalty and stiff-necked people are stubborn and resistant to the only true Deity who can give them peace and contentment.

So, I think of Ezekiel as the heart of stone prophet. Not that his heart was hard but that his message was a plea for people to tear down the wall around their hearts that shuts God out. You know that wall all of us carefully build to protect ourselves from emotional turmoil and further disappointment.

Much like Israel, our culture places too much trust in the world around them. They get sucked into the mainstream of life and its ways and before they know it, the principles of God’s law are forgotten. As a society, they depend on jobs, finances, or the government for security and even guidance.

Ezekiel is saying to Israel, and I believe to us, wake up.

He becomes the watchman to warn the people of their wickedness—even though God’s already told him they won’t listen. God puts it this way:

“If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.”

 Ezekeil 3:18-19

Judgement came to the house of Israel, and the people were scattered. Yet God’s plan to redeem and restore them is a beautiful shadow of how He will send His son Jesus, a few hundred years later, to save us.

God tells Ezekeil the exiled people of Israel will be given a new heart!

They will realize their sin and repent of their idolatry.

“And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people and I will be their God.”  Ezekiel 11:19-20

Questions to Ponder:

• Why do you think the Holy Spirit put theses verses in the bible?
• How does it move you to think, speak, or live for God in a different way?
• Are you a watchman for the lost people within your influence?

The hope of the gospel is to surrender our entire way of thinking to the Lord Jesus Christ and confront the broken awful blackness of our soul. As we lay it before him and ask Him to redeem and restore us, a new regenerated soul is born. We have a one heart with Christ, a new heart and a new spirit.

Gone is the heart of stone with its cracked wall of feeble protection that allows loneliness, jealousy, envy, and greed to seep in and corrupt our souls. In its place is a pliable, open softness towards ourselves, our past, and those around us!

It’s a heart willing to forgive generously, love unconditionally, and move excitedly to honor and please God.

Glory to you, God for the message of freedom to face our sin, confess our sin, and lay it before you for our healing.  A new life here and for eternity!

God bless you, today. I am praying for you as you read this and listen to the message God has for you! You’ll find more encouragement, recipe devotions, and health tips on the blog, so look around and let me know what you think!

I’m expanding my physical and spiritual health ministry into a podcast too; it’s called Family Focused Health and it’s on Spotify! I would be so grateful if you can join me there each week for health topics, scripture, and ways to implement healthier lifestyle habits into our lives.

I am reviewing “Everyday Theology, What You Believe Matters” by Mary Wiley, today because it’s so good you’ll want to add it to your list of must do studies! It is not only foundational, encouraging, and biblically solid, it will prepare you to articulate solid truth for the world.

Why is that so important?

Well, because the world is really busy filling my mind, my kids’ minds, and your mind with its views!

I notice this every day in media, marketing, articles, and even health promoting sites. However, I experienced it yesterday through casual conversation, meeting a new person for the first time. The person was so adept at incorporating his worldview into everything he said, I left the encounter knowing exactly where he stood on every frontline issue.

His choice of words to describe his role at a previous school gave a brief view of what he taught. However, the Hillbilly antics of the people who lived there filled his conversation and expressed his perception of the racial divide. By the time we were ready to leave, I knew his views on marriage, abortion, and conservatives.

My friend, I want our radically different views of life, marriage, and family to roll off our tongues in casual conversation too! Mary Wiley’s, “Everyday Theology” is going to help us do that! More importantly, it will show us how to do it in a non-confrontational or negative way.

Sessions Covered in Everyday Theology

We will start the study learning about the following topics:

• Scripture
• God
• Jesus
• The Holy Spirit
• Humanity
• Salvation
• The Church
• The End Times

In this eight-week study, you will get a clear view of everyday theology and how to talk about your beliefs with others. If you want a study guide to follow, you can order it with her video teaching sessions at Lifeway.com.

A sneak peek for the study is also available if you want to check it out too.

In our introduction and the following weeks reveal the importance of forever. When we examine scripture and see God’s plan for order and protection, we see love and guidance for a more peaceful way to live. I want that for myself and my family, and I want it for you!

Let’s take a look at the term “forever”.

What does forever mean to you?

To me, it means to the end of the age and beyond death. Our scripture memory verse today in Isaiah 40:8 describes God’s Word as standing forever.

I invited a lady to bible study yesterday because this day of study helped me clarify my purpose.

Sharing with her how studying the bible has changed my life for the better just rolled off my tongue. The thought provoking questions that make me think about what I’m reading has transformed my life more than just sitting down to read a chapter or listening to a sermon ever could.

However, even though I’ve enjoyed bible study for personal growth over the years, it’s never been something I wanted to keep secret.

The urge to share it with you and others just kind of took over my life. It has nothing to do with me being a good person, but evidence of the transforming Word of truth hitting a humbled heart. I want everyone I know to experience this!

My friend, God’s Word is forever, because it’s relevant, meaningful, and purposeful. It is everyday theology coming alive is us as we share his living and active Word that is sharper than a double-edged sword to pierce the thoughts and attitudes of every heart!

Spend some time in the following Psalm to understand a heart longing for God and understanding how important it is to communicate with our heavenly Father.

Psalm 119:89-91

Psalm 119:92

Psalm 119:97-104

Mary Wiley says, “If we love God without loving God’s Word, we don’t really know the object of our affection.

Pray for a desire to seek God in His Word over every other desire in your life. He’ll gladly answer this prayer and give you the true desire of your heart…Him.

I look forward to walking alongside you in your journey, please check out the blog for recipes and the devotions for encouragement.

Mysty

Simplifying Health God’s Way

Week 1 of Jesus and Women by Kristi McLelland.

Our Tuesday study group is beginning the first week of, “Jesus and Women” by Kristi McLelland. Her approach is that of a college professor comparing the Middle Eastern way of learning to the Western way.

So, I am already hooked and loving the study!

One big difference we’re taught in the two cultural approaches to scripture is they encounter the text expecting to be fed a feast; while for us, it is to acquire knowledge (2019).

However, as much as that may be true, “generally “I don’t like blanket generalizations. It happens in medicine far too often. Besides, that is not my, or my study groups, approach to scripture.

My deepest desire (and I think, theirs’ too) is to know my Father in heaven better and relish his presence, his plans, and his Word. Like, the Psalmist, I take delight in his laws. Why? They keep me straight. I have a clear picture of God and his holiness and my need for his mercy every day.

Therefore, when McLelland states, “We tend to stare at our lives and glance at God. We want to stare at God and glance at our lives,” I am immediately convicted (McLelland, 2019). Although, an hour or two is spent reading and studying His word every morning, I must ask myself through the rest of the day, “Am I a woman who glances at God?”

I hope not. However, I often find myself longing for more time with grandchildren, getting caught up in the latest news headline, or getting preoccupied with starting a new career. Then I realize, staring at my life is not helpful in building up others. Therefore, the “staring at my life” statement is a timely reminder to keep my eyes toward heavenly things and not earthly things.

McLelland further states, “We want to live like rivers, not lakes. We want the Word to travel to us, through us, to others (2019).”

It is a natural flow of renewal and hope that we carry with us and are excited to share. When we are set free of sin and death, we want others to be free as well. Furthermore, when there is sickness and disease surrounding us, we have a picture of a day with no illness. A day when all death, destruction, and evil is conquered.

Although we don’t see it yet…it’s coming!

When my girls were in nursing school, I always reminded them, “Keep your eye on the prize” meaning it will all be worth it in the end, and you’ll have valuable skills to help you navigate the rest of life.

 How true is that for people of faith too? When we have a biblical perspective of health, disease, difficulty, distance in relationship, or trials; we can embrace those times as opportunities to draw closer to God and make what we are studying real and personal.

I pray you have that opportunity today! Get your book at Lifeway.com and study with us!

Exodus Chapter 18

“If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”

We are finishing Exodus chapter 18 today and learning about how to endure with God’s direction. It’s a wonderful lesson, friend, so hang in there as we trudge through scripture with our hearts open to receive God’s word.

There will be a short break in the Exodus study until Jen Wilken’s second half of Exodus is released in January 2022. This way, the ladies stay on track with our study plans and I can keep you updated on what we learn from studying each chapter.

Please take a moment to read Exodus 18.

Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, heard of all God had done for Moses and Israel in Egypt. He brings Zipporah and her two sons to Moses and greets him with profound respect and admiration. Moses shares the miraculous feats of the Lord to Jethro and how describes how the Lord delivered them. Jethro responds with a newfound understanding of who God is,

“Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.”

We don’t know what kind of “priest” Jethro was, but we can ascertain from this statement, He believed in more than one god, and was not a priest of the One True God. However, he becomes a believer, doesn’t he? He makes a sacrifice to God, and the elders of Israel come out to eat bread with him before God.

Jethro’s Direction Mirrors God’s in Numbers 11

The next day, Jethro witnesses Moses judging disputes between the people from sun-up until evening. We already know from reading Numbers chapter eleven the other day, that Moses had cried out to the Lord because of the burden of the people. At that time, they were given manna and quail to eat.

Furthermore, the Lord told Moses to gather seventy elders at the tent of meeting and said, “I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.” 

He was not meant to bear the burden alone, and neither are we! Moses was to listen to the direction of God and endure with the help of the elders. A lesson we could learn too.

Moses’ newly believing father-in-law agrees. The New Testament writers also agree. Please look at the following verses.

Hebrews 10:24-26

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Acts 1:13-15

13 And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

Acts 15: 32-33

And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.

The apostles gathered together in prayer, met in counsel to discuss disputes, and encouraged one another with their words. They would never have endured persecution without that treasured time together. We need our time together too, as we face an anti-Christian and challenging culture.

Christ unites us in faith and purpose; to lead the nonbelieving to him and to strengthen one another in service to Him. We know he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Col. 1:17). Not only that, but when we live as God directs, we will be able to endure whatever trials come upon us…together.

It’s a hopeful promise, friend, and one to remember as we face the days ahead. I look forward to completing Exodus 19-40 with you in January 2022 with the release of Jen Wilken’s next study! Until then, we will explore Jesus and Women by Kristi McLelland for a few weeks.

Exodus Chapter 17-

Have you ever been so angry you lashed out and hit another person? Understanding our anger can be a challenge. My sister and I got a thorough lesson in a boy’s need to wrestle, banter, and fight growing up with an older brother. Throughout our childhood, he picked at us until we lost our cool and retaliated… or cried and complained to mom.

 Now that I have six grandsons and see they cannot keep their battling hands to themselves, I understand why.  God’s way of protecting the family and preparing men for battle starts very young. It is instilled in a boy’s DNA, because God knows there will be bigger battles ahead.

Israel’s Anger

We see this for Moses today in Exodus chapter 17, as his battle in the wilderness intensifies. Please take a moment to read this chapter before the discussion below.

“All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for them to drink. Therefore, the people quarreled with Moses and said, ‘Give us water to drink’. And Moses said to them, ‘Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?“
Exodus 17:1-2)

The dry, uninhabitable land has smacked around Israel as they wander from the bitter water of Marah to the 12 Springs of Elim, and set out for Rephidim. They’re angry, and the target of their anger is Moses. The quarreling begins because they are not getting what they want.

Once again, the weakness of their flesh has caused them to forget the Lord’s hand of provision.  His power in parting the Red Sea, the (dead) water of Marah made sweet, and the 12 springs of living water at Elim is fading in their eyes as thirst invades their tongues. However, with their bellies full of manna from the morning provision, they have energy to quarrel with Moses to the point of stoning him (vs 4).

Moses says, “Why do you test the Lord?”  (vs.2)

Testing the Lord in Our Anger

In the matter of anger, we too, test the Lord every day. It is evident in our sarcasm, sins of omission (knowing we need to talk to someone and we don’t), in our attitudes and tone of voice, and most of all in our lack of praying for Him to take it away.

James, the brother of Jesus, says, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” (James 4:1-2)

Picture this, a million people on their knees humbling asking God for water in a dry and parched land. He smiles regarding their reverence and need, as every rock in the wilderness begins to spray water for their parched tongues to be saturated.

But that is not what happens, is it? No. Much like you and I, the Israelites are ready to go to war and start blaming the closest person within proximity. However, the better response is to get down on our knees and ask God for help.

Brian S. Borgman, in his book, “Feelings and Faith, Cultivating Godly Emotions in the Christian Life” talks about sinful anger. He asks this powerful question, “What am I not getting that I am elevating to idol status and willing to go to war over?” (2009).

I’ll admit, it takes courage to ask and find the answer to this question. But, my friend, how wonderful would it be to finally put it to rest? Borgman suggest an anger journal to record times of struggle, and placing scripture beside it to pray through the process. Please take heart, God’s compassion and mercy is available to you and I, the same as it was to Israel. Let’s see what happens next.

“Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink’ And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.” (Exodus 17:6).

I have such an appreciation for the completeness of scripture and God’s plan! We honor God and draw closer to Him knowing and understanding the books of the Old Testament, just like the writers of the New Testament did. Paul says,

“For I do not want you to be unaware; brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. “ (1 Corinthians 10:1-4).

Do you see the mercy of God in scripture? God did not strike Israel in their anger and unbelief any more than he does us in ours. Instead, he struck the rock. The rock of Christ, as Paul describes it in Corinthians. He, who took our thirst upon his shoulders in the wilderness, just as he took our wrath on the cross. He who satisfies the physical thirst of our bodies is the only one who can quench the ever-longing thirst of our souls. And He has no problem understanding anger.

Consequently, being God, he also gives Israel an outlet for their aggression. We see them flex their physical muscles against the Amalekites in verses 8-16. If Moses holds up his hands, Israel is victorious, if his arms fall, defeat sets in. Wilkin attributes this posture as a picture of Christ on the cross (Lifeway, 2021).

Furthermore, it’s a picture for us. We can stand with our hands outstretched to God in confidence of victory over the sin of anger or we can put our hands down and be defeated by it. The choice is ours. Bold faith is a picture of humble remorse and repentance for anger to those who we have wronged, and more powerfully, forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

In the meantime, let your little boys battle out their aggression on one another. They need an outlet for energy and training for being the protectors God designed them to be. The girls can go cry to momma.

Love you, all. God bless you all as you too begin understanding anger. If you need further assistance working through anger, consider Christian Wellness Coaching with me.

References:

Lifeway.com, Exodus 1-18, God of Deliverance by Jen Wilken (2021) Video Session 9.

Review of Exodus Chapter 16

What do you hunger for?

We learn in our study of Exodus the wilderness is not a place of wild terrain, trees, and roaming animals. Instead, the picture is of dry barrenness and scarce resources. It is uninhabitable, with very little water or food.

The estimated million-people march through this territory causes the whole congregation of Israel to grumble against Moses and Aaron.

“Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger. “(16:3)

What Does Hunger Make us Forget?

Does an empty belly and not getting what they want blind them to their past slavery? Is the harsh labor from sunup until sunset so easily forgotten? Losing their newborn sons in the Nile’s murky waters is no longer a threat, but lack of food and water is. But is the past preferable? We’ll never know… until we’re that hungry.

The miracle of the Red Sea parting is fading fast in the presence of fatigue, thirst, and discouragement. As doubt sets in, the evil one whispers convincingly, “He doesn’t really care about you”. The same whisper familiar to our ears in times of spiritual famine.

Oh, but he is wrong, because God does care!

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. (16:4)”

Although, seemingly ungrateful with the grumbling mentioned seven times in this chapter, I feel sorry for the Israelites. Looking back at the known and not-so-comfortable is easier sometimes than floundering in a new kind of difficult and unknown. God is peeling those psychological layers of false identity back like an onion, one layer at a time. It is something I can identify with easily, because he has to do it for me quite often.

It’s a hard concept to accept when they’re hungry and dehydrated. And it’s hard for me when I’m prideful.

What happens next is something they will continue to see, “The glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.” He provides the amazing bread from heaven (manna—what is it?) that tastes like honey and coriander seed. Flocks of quail also begin to encircle their camp to provide meat to eat.

It appears, instead of wrath for ungratefulness and unbelief, they majority of them are shown mercy and grace. However, that does not mean there are no consequences. Numbers chapter eleven describes God’s fury and the punishment of the “rabble” rousers as they consume the quail and a plague falls, killing many.

It is now clear, testing God is a very unwise course of action for the unbelievers of their day; however, may it also be a warning in ours.

What if We Hunger to Be More Like Christ?

It makes me wonder what we as Christians hunger for when our needs are so readily met. There is plenty to eat and drink, and we have choices that are filling and nutritious. But we often choose artificial and man-made items over God’s provision many times. If it’s not a lifestyle of convenience, it is sometimes materialism.

What if we just rested in His care and stopped reaching for things that temporarily satisfy?

I can’t help but think of Jesus telling his disciples when they returned from Samaria with food, after he spoke to the woman at the well. He said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” I have to ask myself sometimes, “When will God be enough?” The world, as you and I know it, is fading fast and freedom is changing dramatically. It’s time to look heavenward more often than earthly for my satisfaction.

Today, may we say together, “You are enough, Lord, and I hunger be more like you, every day.”

Thank you, for joining me on this journey! You can read further posts on our study of Exodus with Jen Wilkin on this site.

Review of Exodus Chapter 14 & 15

When I study profound passages like this one, I have to wonder, “What is God teaching me in this moment? Of course, He is showing me new things on a biblical level, but even better, a sharper view of Him!

The first part of our Exodus study, chapters 1-18, by Jen Wilken, is wrapping up this week. Israel has survived the ten plagues and a new nation is born. The institution of Passover takes place as the firstborn is delivered from death with the blood of the lamb splayed over the doorpost.  God is faithful and true to his word, not only in the passing over of the death angel, but also in Abraham’s descendants multiplying and becoming a great nation.

Exodus 12:37 says, “And the people of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.”

.” It is reasoned there were about a million people leaving Egypt at the time of the Exodus. As this multitude faces the tremendous Red Sea with Pharaoh and his army in hot pursuit, they feel trapped.  If you want a fresh word on how earthly circumstances look bleak and impossible to us, yet well under control in the hands of God, take a moment to reread Exodus 14, and revel in the glory of God’s power and provision.

We see they are not trapped at all!  I love how the glory of God shines in the darkest of times for them and us!

“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry to me? Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.’ (vs 15)

I pay close attention to how God works in the darkness at this point, because the Israelites, feeling desolate and defeated with a slave mentality, are terrified.  However, God shows his glory!

“Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. (vs 19-20).

They survive the night and are led into the wilderness. The Song of Moses in chapter 15 is a beautiful song of worship and thanksgiving for they see The LORD will reign forever.

Unfortunately, three days of traveling without water get to them and they start grumbling. When they do find water at Marah, it is bitter.  We learn from Jen Wilkin in the teaching time, this water is stagnated. The ancient people called it “dead water”.  This is contrary to the twelve springs of Elim that provide “living water.” Anything flowing and abundant is considered alive (Wilken, Lifeway, 2021).

Sound familiar?

Don’t you love how the bible uses the ancient culture’s understanding of their surroundings to bring home the lesson of spiritual renewal? I sure do!

God is testing them and says, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer. (vs 26)

There are times when you and I will be tested too. The question I often ask myself when things don’t go my way is, “What is God teaching me in this moment?” Do I truly trust him to take care of me and love me when I am scared or doubtful?

 I may not understand why someone I love distances themselves from me, because it hurts too much.  But I can take comfort knowing God is working on them, the same as He is working on me. All I must do is keep praying and be watchful as he removes the earthly things (and people) I’ve loved above him all these years, to the status beneath him where they belong.

I pray he does the same for you! Stay tuned as my small group finishes the first part of Exodus with Wilken, through chapter 18. Then we will finish chapter 19-40 as her second part of the Exodus study is released in January 2022.

Week 4 Exodus God of Deliverance

The Patience of God

Proverbs 16:32 says, “Patience is better than power and controlling one’s temper than capturing a city” (HCSB). When I read this week’s passage of Exodus 5:1-6:27, I realize the patience of God is long-lasting. He knows the wicked heart of Pharaoh will not bend to His will. But He also knows the hearts of the Egyptian and Israelite people need a thorough cleansing from idolatry.

Therefore, stubbornness and holding onto ingrained ideas is no surprise to God…, and He controls his temper.  

As we will see in later chapters, people of both cultures are open to following the One true God. However, convincing people to die to self is something God knows is done layer by layer and trial by trial. The Egyptians who turn to Him do so in awe of His mighty hand, while the Israelites see the fulfilled promise of their heritage.

Although Israel is eager to be rid of their bondage, the process of tearing down the cultural influence ingrained in them is going to be painful. Would you please read Exodus chapter five to see how this process begins to take place?

Moses approaches the proud Pharaoh as he begins the bargaining with, “Thus says the LORD, let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness (vs1). Pharaoh responds, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I don’t know the LORD.”

When Things Don’t Go as planned

Pharaoh accuses Moses and Aaron of distracting the slaves from their work. So, he makes the arduous task of the brick makers even harder. They must begin to gather their own straw to make the bricks and continue the same quotas. Call me stretching the concept a little bit here, but do we not see this same principle infiltrating our own economic state?

After all, the average workweek now is fifty-sixty hours with half the workforce and resources. However, the same amount of work and outcomes are expected. The underlying evil behind this is Satan. He resists God and every attempt to put Him first and puts more tasks on people to distract them from seeking Him. Pharaoh’s refuses to allow his grip on Israel’s loyalty to be tested. We see, instead, any attempt to alter their dedication crushed. He scatters them so they cannot talk about worshiping the One true God.

Israel cries out from their increased burdens, and their Hebrew foremen (taskmasters) are beaten when the quotas are not met. A situation making everyone mad at everyone else! The foremen blame Moses and Aaron, as Moses approaches God to say, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you send me? (vs22)

When things get hard and don’t go the way we plan, we blame others and God too, don’t we?

God Moves Outside of Comfort

Please don’t miss this interaction, especially in our time of ease and comfort. We turn on our faucets in the morning and bathe with clean water. The clean water fills our showers for bathing, pots for cooking, and our glasses for drinking, sometimes without a thought to thank God above for providing us with such blessings.  The lights come on at the touch of a switch. There is no gathering wood for a fire, finding kindling, and keeping it stoked to light candles at night. Physically, for most of us, life, in general, is ten times easier than previous generations. Therefore, we tend to mistake inconvenience for a trial.

But what if God begins to show us what he can do through discomfort, just as he begins to show Israel?

He says to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand, he will send them out” (6:1a). In chapter six, God reminds Moses of the promise and the covenant made with Abraham. We are also given the genealogy of Moses and Aaron. His response to, “Why did you send me?” is answered clearly by God.

We may question, why me, God? Do you really want to send me to these people suffering from physical discomfort? Or share the gospel with people digging deep into their stubborn idolatry? The answer is YES! He sure does. And we are to do it with patience while also controlling our temper. God gives us the perfect example, doesn’t he? He lets history unfold in a manner that will create lasting change rather than swooping in and making an exit from slavery as easy as turning on a switch.

The one sure way to endear the people’s hearts to follow Him and let go of their idolatry.

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Exodus Week Four

Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be your mouth and teach you what you shall speak?

Exodus 4:11-12

Exodus Chapter 4

Today’s reading for our text is Exodus chapter 4, we will see God’s patience with Moses and the signs he is to preform. Moses is still in the presence of God before the burning bush. Please take a moment to read this chapter before it is discussed in the post below.

Last week we learned about covenant and how Abraham’s descendants would never be able to fulfill their end of this powerful agreement between God and man. The penalty of which eventually falls on God in flesh, Jesus.

However, this week we see the loving patience of God giving signs to Moses as proof He will be by his side as he presents the plan to the elders of Israel with his brother Aaron. Moses’ response in verse one is classic of us as we hesitate to present truth to the skeptical, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, “The Lord did not appear to you.”

God Will Teach Him to Speak

The Lord is such a masterful teacher, isn’t he? He says to Moses what is that in your hand?  Moses replies the obvious, it is a staff. He is commanded to throw it on the ground as it becomes a serpent. We learn in the teaching time, that the snake represents “Wadjet” the snake God and protector of Pharaoh. God is showing He has power over the natural order and all other false gods.

God proceeds to show Moses His power over diseases as he places his hand in and out of his robe; normal to leprous, to normal again. Lastly, God tells Moses to take some water from the life-supporting Nile River and pour it on the ground as it becomes blood. Proof to Moses and Israel God is in control of life and death.  

Poor Moses, he tries to wiggle out of this commitment three different times in this chapter alone. His next objection is that he is not eloquent of speech. God assures him, “Who made the mouth?  It is not I? He promises to be Moses’ mouth and teach him what he will speak. (vs. 11-12).   Finally, Moses just says, “’Oh my Lord, please send someone else.”

Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses. I wonder if the bush, at this point, shoots a billow of fire above as the Lord convinces Moses he is the chosen deliverer. Aaron, his brother, is on his way to be his mouthpiece. Therefore, Moses is convinced and asks Jethro’s permission to take his family and leave for Egypt because all those seeking his life are dead.  We get a glimpse of how difficult this plan will be as God warns him about the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart. Keep in mind, Pharaoh’s heart is already hard because he thinks he is a god.

The Risk of Not Taking God Seriously

The historical account takes a sudden turn in verses 24-26 at a lodging place along the way back to Egypt. The Lord met Moses and sought to put him to death (vs. 24). We understand from last week’s study Moses was born in a Hebrew home, nursed there until he was weaned, then sent to Pharaoh’s daughter to be raised in the palace. Although he understood he was a Hebrew, when he became a father in his forties in the land of Midian, he failed to adhere to the covenant of circumcision ascribed to his people (See Genesis 17:1-14).

We do not know if Zipporah was for it or against it at the time of her son’s birth. Nor do we see circumcision as a custom her priestly father practiced with his own family. All we see is that Zipporah, took a knife to her son’s foreskin to save the life of her husband. The inference here is understood, she did not do it happily.

God’s command to circumcise every male on the eighth day as a sign of the everlasting covenant in the flesh of his offspring is to be obeyed! However, when not obeyed, they shall be cut off from his people for breaking the covenant (Gen. 17:14).  We see the seriousness for Moses, and us for that matter, of obeying God’s commands. When he calls us to follow Him and carry out his plans, it’s time to listen.

Reunited and Ready to Deliver

As Moses’ life is spared, and Aaron arrives to meet him at the mountain of God. They leave to gather all the elders of Israel to speak the words that the Lord spoke to Moses. “And the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshipped (Exodus 4:31).

The beauty of trusting God is stepping forward in what he calls us to do, despite our lack of eloquence, or ability. When we submit to Him, He will teach us what we are to speak. Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness and patience in our hesitancy and doubt. May we overcome the fear and trepidation in such a volatile culture and speak the truth as we remember your signs of wonder and glory through Moses, and later Jesus. 

Get your workbook for our Exodus Study, God of Deliverance by Jen Wilkin at Lifeway.com/deliverance.