Category: OTC

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Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart; the Passover

Exodus 10-12

Pharaoh’s hardened heart reads more like insanity than simply being hard-headed. His officials urge him to comply, “How long will this man be a snare to us? …Do you not yet realize that Egypt is ruined?” (Exodus 10:7). Pharaoh’s response to Moses’ threat of an eighth plague is: No! Moses and Aaron are driven out from his presence.

The ultimate penalty for Pharaoh, the Destroyer passes through Egypt and kills every firstborn that is not part of God’s people. If there ever were any doubt, it is now erased, “for there was not a house without someone dead” (Exodus 12:30).

Six hundred thousand men, plus women and children and many other people with livestock, gold and silver, all left Egypt.

After 430 years, to the very day, all the Lord’s divisions left Egypt.

The masses leaving Egypt is hard to imagine. Movies have tried to capture the moment, but it’s really hard to wrap my mind around the concept. Over a million people packed up and walked out. Egypt’s entire brick-making industry: Gone! (my guess of course).

One thing I’ve noticed this time around is the detailed instructions for every step. Later on, when Moses strikes the rock in anger, this comes into play. God is very explicit in giving instructions to Moses so there’s little room for misunderstanding.

The danger for us is to decide that we must all live in such a way as to establish rigid rules that must be followed as part of our walk with Christ. If we read Psalm 15 all by itself, we could come to the conclusion that we have a checklist to complete each day. Again, this is the trap of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Jesus came as the Christ, the Messiah, to set us free from this kind of thinking. Not that we shouldn’t create and obey rules, such structure provides a framework within which we may live in peace, but that we should not worship the rules or hold on so tight as to miss the point of the entire story. Even in the Exodus, it was all about an opportunity to worship the One true God. Sure, the Israelites wanted to be free from slavery, but that was simply what they were being freed from–they were being freed to worship God.

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Knowing God Leads to Obedience

Exodus 7-9 and Psalm 15

Ironically, today’s Our Daily Bread referred to Matthew 16:1–4 that begins, “The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.” As I read Exodus 7, I have a little empathy for these leaders. God gave Moses the ability to perform signs for Pharaoh, why wouldn’t Jesus do the same? It’s a shallow question since those around Jesus, certainly by the time of Matthew 16, have seen miracles that are far greater than the signs Moses performed, but I’m trying to understand how the Jewish leaders of their time were so blind to the Messiah that stood in front of them. I think we need to wrestle with this or risk becoming 21st century Pharisees today! It’s easy to stand behind our doctrine, dogma, Systematic Theology and advanced degrees, but perhaps this has blinded us to Matthew 22, 25 & 28 callings that Jesus clearly provides. (end of rant…back to Exodus).

Why all the signs and wonders? Why the plagues and swarming insects?

For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Exodus 9:15-16

I learn many things by reading this narrative: 1) God is faithful, 2) God is mighty and 3) God desires to have a relationship with us. Two plagues were recreated by the magicians with whatever “arts” they could wield (blood and frogs), but by the third (gnats) they were finished. After the plagues of flies and livestock, “those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the Lord hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside” (Exodus 9:20) when they hear Moses and Aaron speak of the plague of hail. Pharaoh doesn’t relent as we know, but hearts inside Egypt are being changed, albeit rather forcefully. For their culture, perhaps, this is appropriate. The Pharaoh rules with an iron fist, commanding life and death for his subjects, so my guess is this is the language they can understand.

God’s ways are indeed mysterious and many times not easy to comprehend until we have the privilege of looking back. If history teaches, we should learn from these stories. Teach me, Lord. I sit here listening.

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God Promises Deliverance

Exodus 4-6

I love how this dialog begins, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me…??” This has been my theme song far too many times. Draw close to God. When He tells me to go, he will not do so without support. Have faith.

God uses what Moses has with him, in this case, he starts with a staff, then his hand. Moses quickly points out that he’s not a good speaker, so God gives him Aaron. One excuse after another is toppled down.

Moses to God: “Please send someone else.” Exodus 4:13

Moses and Aaron address Pharaoh, but the forced-labor only intensifies as a result. Pharaoh calls the Hebrews “Lazy, that’s what you are–lazy!” (Exodus 5:17). Moses and Aaron are ejected from Pharaoh’s presence and the Israelites begin their whining as the overseers force them to work.

Moses doubts his calling. He doesn’t doubt God or God’s ability to do anything, he doubts himself. So many times I’ve asked for confirmation about my own calling in this life. Even though I am nothing compared to Moses, I doubt that even this little thing I feel compelled to do is God’s calling in my life. How do I know? There’s no burning bush, no staff/snake, no audible voice.

There is this assurance: Christ is in me.

Simple words, but the depth and height of that phrase are indeed deeper and wider than anyone can imagine. “Further up and Further in,” explains C.S. Lewis. Kris Kilgore did a masterful job of laying out this idea on Sunday (Nov 6, 2106).

Moses was at a great disadvantage compared with those of us who have met Jesus Christ. For hundreds of years, he and the Israelites practiced their faith without seeing any evidence. Now God appears and calls Moses to take a stand. The people have questions and Pharaoh essentially calls him a sloth.

God’s example with Moses provides great depth to the story of Christ and shows his consistent, relentless pursuit of his people. Reading this narrative provides insight into the fullness of Christ and implores us to be strong in this country where we are on the verge of falling completely out of favor. The gap between Joseph and Moses was wide. The Journey from those loving and serving God as being acceptable to irrelevant is before us now. Our task is to hold firm to that which is freely given, to be the remnant in this dying world and take as many as possible to the great banquet that we know full well is before us.

My words don’t express my sense for the morning. May God be glorified anyway!

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God’s Covenant

Exodus 1-3 and Psalm 13-14

See also John 8:56-59

Israel (Jacob) and his descendant grew in great numbers as the years progressed and of course, Joseph and his brothers eventually died. Time passes. “Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt” (Exodus 1:8). Now things begin to change…for the worse: “…so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly” (1:12). Pharaoh demands that the Hebrew midwives are to kill newborn males, but the midwives who had great respect for God (feared God more than Pharaoh) refused to obey this command and convince Pharaoh that the Hebrew women were simply “vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive” (1:19). So the male children survived, the midwives honored by God and the Israelite population continued to grow.

Pharaoh’s edict transformed into, “Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile” (1:22) when Moses was born. Thus the theme is set for the eventual Passover. Repeatedly we read this notion of killing infants, those who have no ability to protect themselves. Sadly, this ultimately becomes the event that will turn Pharaoh’s heart (for a moment) and lead to the release of the Israelites, but that’s getting ahead of the story at this point.

To escape this rule, Moses is placed in a basket and floated down the Nile. His basket gets caught up in some reeds and is collected by one of Pharaoh’s daughters. She is drawn to the infant, so she keeps the baby. Moses’ mother just happens to be in the area, so she is hired to nurse the baby. God’s great providence.

Moses grew up in the household of Egyptian royalty, but no doubt knew of his true heritage. When he witnessed an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, his anger flared up and Moses killed the Egyptian, hiding his body in the sand. When he discovered this was known, he escaped to Midian to hide.

In Midian, Moses sat by a well and defended some girls who had come there to collect water. It seems some shepherds were keeping them from the well…don’t know much about this, but Moses was probably a formidable man at this point and sent the shepherds running. I picture an intelligent, well dressed, strong man chasing the boys away without much of a fight. So the daughters of the Priest of Midian (Jethro, one of my favorite characters) are able to draw water and Moses finds a wife. Good deal.

Eventually, the king of Egypt dies, but the slavery continues to worsen so the people cry out to God.

God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. Exodus 2:24-25

The stage is set for Moses to receive God’s call. His life will never be the same at this point. The stories of The Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) and Joseph and now of Moses have a common thread: each had some transgressions, but they continued to honor God in spite of their shortcomings and over a great deal of time, God transforms them into the heroes of the Bible we know. They all answered, “Yes” to the call. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob kept their businesses and families. Joseph was radically changed on many levels; Moses is about to have his own turn in the transformation machine. Yet they were all faithful to God.

Moses and the Burning Bush

And Moses said, “Here I am.”

God provided very specific instructions for Moses when he approached the burning bush: “So now, go.” Moses has been in hiding for years, enjoying his time in Midian, hanging out with Jethro, tending the flocks. “So now, go…I will be with you,” says the Lord God himself. The “I Am” has spoken.

I wonder how many times God speaks to me and I just keep walking? Not today, Lord. Help me to answer “Yes” to you and have the faith and confidence that you will do what is right in your timing.

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Joseph and Jacob Reunited; Final Blessings

Genesis 45-50 and Psalm 12

Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and completely forgives them all. It’s interesting that Joseph presents his family to Pharaoh and “Pharaoh and all his officials were pleased” (Genesis 45:16). Joseph’s service to Egypt was one with such integrity and honor that all those in power, the royal dynasty if you will, are pleased to see him overjoyed with the reunion of his family. Truly remarkable.

Jacob (Israel) finally gets to see his lost son, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive” (Genesis 46:30). Joseph arranges a meeting with Pharaoh, with a bit of prompting. It’s an interesting conversation. Jacob is certainly respectful of Pharaoh, his position and prestige, but the sense I get from the narrative is not one of pauper vs king. Jacob is introduced and “after Jacob bless Pharaoh…” the conversation begins.

Pharaoh didn’t “need” Jacob’s blessing, yet he receives one at the beginning of the conversation and one at the end as Jacob departs.

After 17 years, Jacob is prepared to die, so he gathers his sons to give them his blessing (Genesis 49). So the twelve tribes of Israel are blessed and the stage is set for the coming years.

One of the most famous verses comes after all of the drama of this story is played out. Though it’s difficult to appreciate the magnitude of the power, here is the simple text from a humble servant of God:

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

For some reason my mind saw one of the closing sequences in The Lord of the Rings, the conversation between Frodo and Sam. Perhaps this was Tolkien’s attempt to portray the incredible journey that Joseph was required to take in order to save his people. Through battles, deception, greed, anger, lust, etc., Frodo survives and accomplishes his mission. Much the same for Joseph and his family endures. I rather like the comparison, but then again, I rather like the LOTR.

The big takeaway for me: humble obedience. Both Jacob and Joseph show incredible strength and humility at the same time. These are characteristics I pray I can learn from, traits I pray for. May all the honor and glory be directed at the God who watches over all and may we never forget how he loves us and desires to see his family reunited.

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The Famine

Genesis 42-44 and Psalm 11

Joseph’s dream becomes a reality some 20 years in the making:

So when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. Genesis 42:6

To disguise himself, Joseph uses an interpreter to employ his scheme to hold his brothers and teach them a lesson. Deep inside it seems Joseph’s longing for his family never faded. Twenty years of living through incredible highs and lows, yet still he has a heart for those who despised him. Amazing.

Reuben’s told you so response is humorous, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen!” (42:22). There is much debate at the camp when the brothers return (less Simeon). Jacob doesn’t want to lose Benjamin, even though Reuben assures him of safety. Judah adds his name to the list of those who will ensure Benjamin’s safety and Jacob relents and sends them all on their way with twice the silver and other gifts.

Joseph prepare a banquet to receive his brothers, but the story is not over yet. They enjoy the food and are released the next day with provisions and a surprise: a silver cup is hidden in Benjamin’s sack. The penalty is set: Benjamin is to become a slave, but Judah’s plea breaks Joseph’s heart (next chapter).

One of the greatest stories in the Old Testament, replayed in many ways. There is much to learn from the entire story, but what lesson should I take from this today? Judah’s sincere commitment to his father gets my attention. Judah was the one who devised the plan to sell Joseph (Genesis 37:26) and it was his plea to Jacob to take Benjamin to Egypt as required. In reading the narrative, it may be true that Judah has the most to lose from amongst the brothers. Though he’s not the oldest, he left them and built his own family (Genesis 38). Yet he is willing to become Pharaoh’s slave for the sake of his brother, perhaps for the sake of his brothers. Perhaps there is deep regret for his original plan to sell Joseph. Now he is put to the test and he does not disappoint. We don’t hear his prayers of confession, nor his admission of guilt in the first offense. It’s hard to say if Judah (and his brothers) ever mentioned the fact that they conspired against Joseph–perhaps that is the point.

Christ forgives our sins. He doesn’t lay them on the table and require that we recant them one by one, he simply forgives them all. We are released from the past.

Let go of the guilt and lay it all before Jesus. He completely forgives all.

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Joseph the Interpreter

Genesis 40-41 and Acts 7:9-10

Stephen’s speech, just before his stoning (with Saul as a witness), succinctly summarizes how God provided for our ancestors in the darkest of hours. My present uncomfortable circumstance pales in comparison, but I know that God will provide for me and my family and so I pray that I will learn even more today than yesterday, that I will grow in faith and obedience as I read about Joseph’s rise from prison to leader.

Genesis 40 begins with: “Some time later…” This reminds me of Hebrews 12:10-12 — no one really appreciates being disciplined during the act, but “later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness.” I’m not sure Joseph was thinking all of this was about discipline or producing anything positive. He interprets the dreams of the cupbearer and baker, but apparently receives no recognition. Chapter 41 starts with “when two full years had passed…” Both of these chapters implore us to be patient, to walk with integrity on the path before us, even when it’s challenging or confusing.

Finally the cupbearer remembers Joseph and he is retrieved from the dungeon and brought to Pharaoh to interpret the dream. I love Joseph’s response:

“I cannot do it, Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:16

Not only does God inspire Joseph to interpret the dream, but he lays out a detailed plan for how to respond to the years of plenty and the years of famine. Pharaoh was impressed, “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders.” And so it came to pass as Joseph prophesied.

What did Joseph do during his time in the dungeon? Somehow, he appeared before Pharaoh on a moment’s notice and skyrocketed to fame. Or did he? Day after day in the dungeon, there was no sign for relief. Whatever the routine, there was no margin for release, much less blessing and promotion. So how did Joseph spend this time? I like to think that he rise to fame was consistent with his daily preparation. In my imagination, Joseph was tending to other prisoners, praying for God’s provision and thanking God each day for another opportunity to serve. He knows he’s done nothing to deserve the punishment inflicted, yet he can’t deny its existence.

The choice is before him: focus on the dire circumstance, whine and complain, tell and retell the story of how horrible your family is, how they sold you, blah, blah, or choose to see the day as an opportunity. I think Joseph was thankful every time he awoke. These are just my thoughts, but based on Pharaoh’s immediate acceptance of Joseph, I think they aren’t far from accurate.

Lord help me to practice my faith daily, hour by hour, minute by minute. When the time comes, let my integrity be worthy of your honor. Discipline me Lord so that “later on…” I will be your effective ambassador.

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Joseph

Genesis 37-39 and Psalm 10

Psalm 10 is incredibly timely as our presidential election cycle builds to a crescendo.

The Lord is King for ever and ever;
the nations will perish from his land.
You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted;
you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,
defending the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.Psalm 10:16-18

Today we begin the story of Joseph, one of the most compelling characters in the Old Testament. Joseph is the Jacob’s first son with Rachel, the wife he desired most and work for 20 years to earn. It’s a bit difficult to imagine the culture of those days, so many children through multiple wives and concubines, honestly hard to get my mind around. Takes some time to switch gears mentally.

Within the clan, Joseph is despised by his brothers because Jacob treats him differently, “they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” Joseph had a dream, one where he prospered over his brothers, a dream he choose to tell them about, “they hated him all the more.” Joseph appears to be taunting his brothers while feigning innocence (since he was only 17). He even includes Joseph and Rachel as characters bowing to him:

“What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

Joseph Sold by His Brothers

One fateful day, Joseph was sent to check on his brothers as they tended the flocks. When he finally found his brothers, “they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.” But Reuben spoke into this plot and convinced them to simply “throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness.” They toss Joseph in the empty cistern, then sit down to enjoy dinner (my embellishment). Judah has an idea, “let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay our hand on him; after all, he is our brother, our own flesh and blood.” So Joseph was sold and taken to Egypt. Apparently, Reuben was not part of this conspiracy because when he went back to the well, Joseph was not there, and he said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?”

They took Joseph’s special robe, dipped it in blood from a slaughtered goat, and told Jacob that “Some ferocious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces.” Understandably, Jacob is heart-broken, distraught with grief.

Judah and Tamar — Side Story

Meanwhile, Judah moves out and starts a family with the daughter of a Canaanite. They had three sons, Er, Onan and Shelah. Er and Onan are wicked, “so the Lord put [them] to death.” Er’s wife was Tamar. Judah wanted to protect both Shelah and Tamar, so he told Tamar to live as a widow in his household why Shelah grows up. Tamar has a plot of her own and gets pregnant by Judah when she disguised herself as a prostitute. Strange story indeed. Ultimately, she has twins: Perez and Zerah. Perez, as in Matthew 1:3, in the lineage of Jesus. End of side story.

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife

“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master” (Genesis 39:2). Potiphar put Joseph in charge of everything, so all prospered because of God’s blessing on Joseph. Potiphar’s wife lusted after Joseph and kept asking him to “Come to bed with me!” but Joseph refused. “And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.” Eventually, she gets aggressive, but Joseph runs away, leaving his cloak in her hands. She makes up a story that suggests he was “making sport” of her and he gets thrown in prison. Joseph, once again, flourishes in prison, “he was made responsible for all that was done there.”

It’s hard to imagine that Joseph kept a positive spirit during all of this turmoil. I really wonder how his diaries read during those days, yet God continues to bless him and prepares him for the next phase.

What is my struggle today? Could it be that God is preparing me for a blessing? Or perhaps my actions will bless another Joseph? I don’t think the point of this story is to be faithful and get blessed, I think the point is simply to be faithful. Trust that God has a plan beyond what we can see. That’s hard to do in the midst of troubles–that’s why it’s called faith.

Lord, teach us to be faithful, always trusting in your ways above ours.

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Safe Return Home

Genesis 35-36

“God appeared to him again and blessed him. God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.”

Reaching the end of their days on earth, Rachel dies delivering Benjamin, the 12th tribe of Israel. Jacob died at 180 years, full years to say the least!

The bulk of these chapters include names and references to relatives as the family of Jacob and Esau grew and populated the land. While the reading isn’t exciting, the references play tribute to our ancestors and serve to tie the pieces together. Esau is not forgotten, even though Jacob received his birthright and Isaac’s blessing.

I noticed one particular caveat assigned to “Anah who discovered the hot springs in the desert while he was grazing donkeys of his father Zibeon” (Genesis 36:24). Seems interesting…so I’ll look for hot springs later. He was one of the Hitites, not in the family of Esau like everyone else in the chapter, so I had to do some research.

This genealogy is given partly because it contains that of Aholibamah, but chiefly because the Horites were in time fused with the descendants of Esau, and together formed the Edomites (see Link).

In our culture, the concept of tribes and clans is all but lost; not so in the Middle East (as my wife can attest). These details are significant and form important links to wealth and rites. I honestly don’t understand all of these intricacies, but I hope to learn a bit more each pass through these stories.

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Jacob Wrestles With God

Genesis 32-34 and Psalm 9

“So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.” More than a dream, the one who wrestled with Jacob “touched the socket of Jacob’s hip…and he was limping because of his hip.” Something happened to be sure, but the important point is Jacob is blessed by God and his name is now: Israel.

Jacob is seriously afraid of Esau, constantly uses, “my lord” when addressing him. Seriously sucking up to the brother he deceived. Esau, however, is content with his station in life, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.” Eventually, Esau takes what Jacob offers and they part company amicably. The whole affair seems to be characterized by Jacob cowering to Esau and Esau simply going about his business. Interesting.

Dinah, Jacob’s daughter with Leah was raped by Shechem, the son of Hamor (from whom Jacob recently purchased the property they possessed). Jacob is furious. Hamor does think it’s an issue and suggests that Jacob should intermarry with them, “live in it, trade in it, and acquire property in it.” They are seriously upset, but devise a plan by agreeing with Hamor and Shechem if they will all be circumcised. “All the men who went out of the city gate agreed…and every male in the city was circumcised.” The stage is set. “Three days later, while all of them were still in pain, two of Jacob’s sons, Simeon and Levi…attacked the unsuspecting city, killing every male.”

What do we do with this story? What lesson do we draw from these words? At the very least we must understand that Simeon and Levi acted without God’s approval and inflicted punishment that was far greater than the unacceptable treatment of Dinah. In my imagination, I can see Jacob watching his sons brew over the affair, knowing they were extremely angry and perhaps even sensing that they were devising a plan to kill the men of Hamor–yet he did not know the extent of their plan. Since God certainly blesses Jacob, this seems to be the proper interpretation. Their reputation is now cast among the neighboring nations. Rumors will spread. “You have brought trouble on  me by making me obnoxious to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land.” So they would have to leave.

How many times do we act in anger? How many times do I react in anger? Do I not believe that God has a plan, that he wants only the best for me? Yet, I demand revenge and take it on my terms when I insist. Lord help me to learn these lessons and lean on you fully.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name,
O Most High.

Thank you, Lord, for speaking clearly to me this morning. May I remember this moment and teach others the same.

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