Exodus 37:1-39:31.  “Lost in the Details” I recently returned from a retreat with some middle school boys.  While at this retreat, I discovered that they can easily get lost in the details of a story and totally miss the point.  I hope that isn’t the case for you as you read this passage today.  I say that because, in the middle of all those details, is a simple phrase “just as the Lord had comman...  Read More

This week’s readings continue in the detail of the covenant that God established with Israel.  You will read about the building of the tabernacle and the details associated with it.  Following the construction of the tabernacle, the Lord gives instruction as to how He is to be worshipped.  In all of these instructions we find an underlying need for us to do things God’s way.  Whether it is a willingness to give or submit, it is dependent upon a heart that is willing to do things God’s way.  Read More

This week’s readings continue in the detail of the covenant that God established with Israel.  You will read about the building of the tabernacle and the details associated with it.  Following the construction of the tabernacle, the Lord gives instruction as to how He is to be worshipped.  In all of these instructions we find an underlying need for us to do things God’s way.  Whether it is a willi...  Read More

Exodus 32-34.  “A Man of Great Character” Moses was an amazing individual.  He was the instrument God used to change the heart of Pharaoh.  He was the man who led God’s people out of Egypt.  He held his staff over the water and the Red Sea opened up.  He talked with God and met Him on the mountain.  Through the LORD, he provided water and food.  Moses counseled, and judged, and led.Moses was gone ...  Read More

Exodus 29-31.  “Conviction” Eric Liddell was the “flying Scotsman.”  He set an Olympic record in the 400-meter run at the 1924 Olympic Games.  Although favored at 100 meters, he had withdrawn from that race because the qualifying heats were to be run on a Sunday, a day he had firmly set aside for worship and rest.  Instead, he spent the next several months training for the 400.  Incidentally, he a...  Read More

Exodus 25-28.  “Symbolic Significance” “The old system in the law of Moses was only a shadow of the things to come”, evident in how “we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:1,19).  The detailed instructions for the tabernacle had purpose even beyond the immediate usable purpose for the Israelites.  There was great symbolic purpose as God looked ahead...  Read More

Exodus 22:16-24:18.  “Short Term Dedication” This is an important passage to remember, because we will reflect on it again in just a few days.  Think about what they have just seen.  God’s angel is before them leading the way (23:20).  He will also go before them and destroy their enemies (23:23), but in a manner so organized that the land will not be harmed (23:27-31).Furthermore, the people prof...  Read More

Exodus 20-22:15.  “Rules and More Rules” Rules.  It’s not just the Ten Commandments.  We will see that there are literally hundreds of rules as our readings continue.  Furthermore, it is not just the Old Testament, although some people have that idea.  In the New Testament Jesus expounded on the commandments.  He added statements of generosity to a rule about stealing (Mt. 5:40).  He added stateme...  Read More

Exodus 16-19.  “The Wilderness” The Hebrews had just traveled two months, and over 100 miles out into the wilderness.  What the wilderness was to them I believe is something we can relate to well.  Their physical wilderness was also their spiritual and emotional wilderness.  It was the place where God continued to test them (see 16:4 and 17:7).What is the wilderness?  It is a place where things ar...  Read More

  In the wilderness.  This week’s passage covers the Hebrews “exodus” from Egypt, and their commencement into the wilderness.  There are several terrific accounts revealing the power of God, as well as His evident concern for His people.  We will observe the numerous “wilderness experiences” of the Israelites.  Furthermore, we will see parallels with our “wilderness experiences.”    Read More

In the wilderness.  This week’s passage covers the Hebrews “exodus” from Egypt, and their commencement into the wilderness.  There are several terrific accounts revealing the power of God, as well as His evident concern for His people.  We will observe the numerous “wilderness experiences” of the Israelites.  Furthermore, we will see parallels with our “wilderness experiences.” Exodus 13-15.  “Wh...  Read More

Exodus 10-12.  “A Bigger Perspective” Exodus 10:1-2 really sums up the whole theme for this week’s devotionals.  The hardness of Pharaoh’s heart allowed God to demonstrate His power through miracles among the Egyptians.However, during this time I would imagine that Moses and Aaron experienced some frustration as Pharaoh would repeatedly change his mind about letting them go.  Moses and Aaron had t...  Read More

Exodus 7:14 - 9:35.  “Working on Multiple Levels” In sending the plagues, God demonstrated His great power over all creation.  In spite of all these demonstrations of power, I think there is something that reveals God’s power even more in this story.  After every plague that takes place, we read that Pharaoh hardened his heart.  That is, until you come to the plague of boils.  If you notice, follo...  Read More

Exodus 4:18 - 7:13.  “Is God Really Powerful?” The Israelites had lived under Egyptian oppression for a long time, so it was not difficult for Moses and Aaron to convince the leaders of Israel that God had sent them to free His people (4:31).  They were convinced, that is, until things got difficult.  Following Moses’ and Aaron’s first request for freedom, Pharaoh ordered their workload increased....  Read More

Exodus 1:1 - 4:17; 1 Chronicles 6:1-3a.  “Roadblocks” Have you ever done something that can only be explained as the power of God working in your life?  One experience of the power of God in my life was on a mission trip to Alaska, when our group was witnessing to members of the Bahai faith.  While I recognize that God was speaking through me, I also recognized that I had a part in the experience....  Read More

Job 40:6-42:17.  “Political Power?” About this time of year we sometimes receive our voters’ pamphlets in the mail, giving us details on all the candidates involved in the upcoming election.  I don’t know about you, but I am becoming a bit of a political cynic.  Every candidate promises to have the solutions to all the problems we face, but once their term is up, the problems remain.  I am so than...  Read More

Job 38:1-40:5.  “Creator” The work of creation is one of the greatest evidences of God’s power.  He uses it here to help Job understand how great the Almighty One is.On the first day of this month you read the biblical account of creation.  Many of us take God’s creation for granted and have lost sight of the magnitude of what God did.  Mankind has become quite skilled at creating different things...  Read More

The theme for this week is God’s power.  As you read this week, you will be challenged to consider the power of God in your life.  The lives of Job and Moses will serve as the backdrop for your personal reflection.  May you, this week, be confronted with the reality of God’s power in your life. Job 35-37.  “Omnipotence” Elihu makes the statement in 36:22 that God is all powerful.  Theologians refe...  Read More

The theme for this week is God’s power.  As you read this week, you will be challenged to consider the power of God in your life.  The lives of Job and Moses will serve as the backdrop for your personal reflection.  May you, this week, be confronted with the reality of God’s power in your life.  Read More

Job 32-34.  “Consistency” Job’s three friends were absolutely convinced that he had some hidden fault which would explain why he had to suffer.  Job affirms his innocence in chapter 31, which incidentally, I would challenge you to read that chapter with the intent of asking how you would measure up.  I imagine very few could honestly claim what Job could.Yet after Job and his three friends are don...  Read More

Job 30-31.  “Trials” It is supposed to be; “It’s always darkest just before the dawn”, but my aunt, who has been through an amazing number of trials in her life, has said, “It’s always darkest just before it goes totally black.”  Job stated nearly the exact thing, “I waited for the light, but darkness fell” (30:26). Job defines trials for us in chapter 30.  A trial is not some mild irritation, but...  Read More

Job 26-29.  “Where to Find Wisdom”          Mankind can achieve great things.  Does that make him wise?  Do years of schooling and academic degrees make a man wise?  If a man is worth millions of dollars does that make him wise?         The answer to all of these questions is no.  True wisdom is found in one realization, and Job and many other Bible writers give the same answer.  It is found in th...  Read More

Job 22-25.  “Is It Fair?” God “gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:45).Eliphaz, for the third time, tells Job his suffering is because of his wickedness.  Job answers Eliphaz with a philosophical observation when he asks Eliphaz why the wicked are not always being punished.  He says they can steal and harm without penalty.Howe...  Read More

Job 19-21.  “Job’s Pillar of Hope” At this point Job has no idea what had transpired in respect to God and Satan’s discussion about allowing the testing of “righteous Job.”  Although he feels as though God’s hand is against him (which truly was not the case), he clearly believed God was fully on his side.Job’s trust in God remained faithful.  Job is a pillar of hope for us as we go through life an...  Read More