The Crow's Nest

Thursday, July 20, 2023

“The Apostasy of Israel”

“And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.” (Numbers 25:1)

The Old Testament begins with the creation of the universe. The first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) are a history of the relationship between God and Man.

Genesis details the beginning journey that God leads Man. Each step in the journey is more detailed than the one before. God demonstrates how he loves us, even when we don’t love him.

The story of The Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham and Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph is about failing to follow God. Everyone in these stories sinned, to include the heroes and heroines. The whole point is to demonstrate to us what sin is, and what the consequences are for sinning.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength”

(Deuteronomy 6:5)

The journey through Genesis brings us to the consequence of sin in Exodus.

In Exodus we see the consequence of sin with slavery in Egypt. The book begins with the story of the birth and rescue of Moses. Moses learns who God is, and what God expects. It is not just a lesson to Moses and Israel, but a lesson for everyone.

The books of Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are more detailed descriptions of the incidents in Exodus after Israels rescue from Egypt. It goes beyond the 10 Commandments.

Leviticus goes into great detail on the consequence of sin. The first thing you will learn is that you can’t live a sinless life. We all know that we will physically die, it is our spiritual death that has the greatest consequence. Our souls are condemned to eternal misery separated from God’s love.

Numbers is a book of violence, deceit, and false prophets. The people of Canaan, God’s promised land for Israel, were worshiping every idol available. The people of Canaan believe Balaam could manipulate God. Balaam thought he could both appease God and get some money and political power at the same time. He couldn’t.

The people of Canaan entices and deceives Israel into the pleasures and promises of the world. God destroys not just the Canaanites, but Israelis as well.

Deuteronomy is a review of God’s law and total commitment to God.

Stay Tuned…

“Balaam’s Blessing”

“And Balaam said unto Balak, Build me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven oxen and seven rams.” (Numbers 23:1)

Balak, the King of Moab, and his conspirator Balaam, the prophet, worked together to curse Israel. It didn’t work out the way they planned.

Balaam was a wicked prophet, he wanted fame and fortune from Balak. God had forbidden Balaam to go with Balak’s messengers, but Balaam continued to press God for permission to go. People make that mistake.

If you ask your parents permission to go to a concert and they say no, you will continue to beg them to let you go. Eventually you might break them down and get permission. Worse yet, you will scheme to find a way to go around your parents. God doesn’t work that way.

When God says no, he means no. If you continue in sin, God will warn you. Just as God warned Balaam by blocking his way with the angel of the LORD. Balaam, like a child, said, “I didn’t know you meant I couldn’t go with the messengers”(paraphrased). Balaam lies to God, he knew full well that God had said no.

“And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:12)

Balak builds many altars for Balaam’s curse on Israel. Every curse Balaam attempts to use on Israel come out of his mouth as blessings for Israel. We might be able to manipulate people to get what we want, but God always gives us what we need.

“Balaam’s Folly”

“And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.” (Numbers 22:21)

The Bible tells the story better than I.

“22And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

23And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

24But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.

25And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.

26And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.

27And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.

28And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?

29And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.

30And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.

31Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.

32And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:

33And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.

34And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

35And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.” (Numbers 22:22-35)

“Balaam’s Curse”

“And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.” (Numbers 22:3)

Balak was the king of the Moabites. He realized Israel was strong after watching them destroy the Amorites. Balak needed a higher power to help him destroy the Israel. (Numbers 22:1-4)

The Great and All Powerful Diviner Balaam, was a man who said that he and God were constantly talking with each other. Balak King of Moab conspired with the Elders of Midian to convince Balaam to curse Israel. Balak sent princes to negotiate with Balaam.

Balaam told the messengers from Balak to stay the night while I talk to God about this, and I’ll let you know what God says tomorrow. But that is not what happened. God came to Balaam and asked who are these men? (Numbers 22:9)

Balaam replied to God, “Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.” (Numbers 22:11)

God said to Balaam, “Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” (Numbers 22:12)

Balaam sent the messengers of Balak back into their land. Had Balaam stood his ground and obeyed God’s command he would have found grace from God, but he didn’t.

Balak sent a better bunch of princes to Balaam. Balaam once again asked the messengers to stay the night. Balaam did not ask the messenger to wait for God to talk to him; Balaam wanted time to decide what he should do.

Balaam, like so many in this world was not wanting God, he was wanting fame and fortune. God has already told Balaam to not go with these men, to no curse Israel, but Balaam wanted God to do Balaam’s bidding.

” And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.” (Numbers 22:20)

When God tells you to do or not do something, obey God. God does not negotiate. Asking God the same question looking for a different answer is arguing with God. God will be done. If you choose to not obey, God is patient, God will show you the way you should go.

God will show Balaam the way he should go.

Stay tuned…

“Once Bitten, Twice Shy”

“And when king Arad the Canaanite, which dwelt in the south, heard tell that Israel came by the way of the spies; then he fought against Israel, and took some of them prisoners.” (Numbers 21:1)

A nation, every nation, has five instruments of power. The acronym D.I.M.E. is used to explain what they are.

Diplomacy. The ability of a country to use diplomatic means when dealing with hostile forces is important. The children of Israel faced that problem with the Kingdom of Edom.

Moses sent diplomats to the Kingdom of Edom to obtain permission to cross the nations borders. They promised to not damage or take anything and go only by the King’s highway.

The King refused them. The children of Israel asks again, but promises to pay of any water that their cattle may take. The King not only refused, but he sent a great army. The children of Israel retreated.

Intelligence. The ability of a country to find out information about other nations is key to planning defensive and offensive operations. The children of Israel face that problem when they sent spies into Canaan.

King Arad had detected the spies in Canaan. The King then went out and fought Israel capturing prisoners. The spies had brought back information about the land of Canaan. Which would be used in their favor.

Military. Armed forces are closely connected to Diplomacy and Intelligence. Military power, whether used or not, increases the ability of any nation to tip the scales in Diplomatic negotiations.

Israel responded to the threat of King Arad by vowing to God that if God would deliver their enemies to them; they would destroy them. God delivered, and King Arad was destroyed.

Economic. Without Diplomacy, Intelligence, and Military power; Economic power, great or small, makes you a target. Israel’s enemies were militarily strong, but Diplomatically and Intelligence weak. They were also lacking in a very important power…that is the power of God.

Without God none of these Instruments of Power have any power.

“Moses’s Sin”

“Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.” (Numbers 20:1)

Moses was not a perfect person. He had grown into a man with the family of the Pharaoh and learned that he was not an Egyptian. Moses lost his self-control when he saw an Egyptian beating one of he brethren. Then Moses ran off into the land of Midian.

It was in Midian that God spoke to Moses and instructed him on how to deal with the Pharaoh. Moses listened to God and followed his instructions. At Mount Sinai Moses received the laws from God. Not in a dream, but in a personal conversation.

The constant complaining to Moses and to God was like children asking, “are we there yet”, to the point of nausea.

It was the pressure of leading the children of Israel that was Moses’s downfall.

“Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.

And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.” (Numbers 20:8-11)

God told Moses to speak unto the rock, not to beat it. Moses didn’t say to the people, “Watch how God provides you water”. Moses puffed himself up as being God, “Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?”

As punishment to the children of Israel, to include Moses and Aaron, they would die in the wilderness. Their children would continue into the promised land.

People are like that. They ignore God and substitute themselves as God.

“Spies”

“Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.” (Numbers 13:2)

Twelve men, one from each tribe, is sent to spy out the land of Canaan and return a report.

The report is much like that of a military recon using the acronym, S.A.L.U.T.E.

Size. What is the size of the territory, cities, armies, fauna, flora, etc…

Activity. What are the people doing, farming, flocks, trade, etc…

Location. Where are the cities, trade routes, communication routes, topography, etc…

Uniform. How do you identify the people or cities by their clothes, flags, markings, etc…

Time. What time determines the most activity, the least, special gatherings, patrols, etc…

Equipment. How are the cities defended, weapons, implements, water, food, etc…

When the spies return they have observed that the land was flowing with milk and honey as God had said.

“And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.” (Numbers 13:27)

The spies had also reported that the people in the land were strong and their cities were walled.

The spies identified the different organized people.

“The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.” (Numbers 13:29)

The children of Israel hearing about the strength and numbers of the forces in Canaan were afraid.

Eleven of the spies were against entering Canaan, because they thought they were not strong enough. How crazy is that? God had already defeated a Pharaoh for them, defeated an army for them, promised to give them the land of Canaan. Yet, they still lacked faith. With the exception of one.

Caleb, the spy from the tribe of Judah said, “Lets roll”.

“And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30)

Be like Caleb, have faith that God will provide.

“Miriam, Aaron, Moses”

“And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.” (Numbers 12:1)

The complaints of the people did not stop among the followers, it included the leaders. Miriam and Aaron knew Moses, before he knew them. Miriam and Aaron had also grown up together as Hebrews. Miriam and Aaron had 40 years of experience being a Hebrew.

Moses, though born a Hebrew, was raised as an Egyptian. Moses had 40 years of experience being an Egyptian. When he left Egypt he ended up with a priest of Midian, his father in law.

The Midianites were descendants of Abraham’s concubine Keturah. They had intermarried with many people. Midinites, if we recall, had bought Joseph from his brothers. Was Zipporah Ethiopian? Probably, we have to take Miriam and Aaron’s word for it.

Miriam and Aaron were in revolt, along with the people against Moses. Their argument against Moses marrying an Ethiopian is followed with the lies they accuse Moses of.

“And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.” (Numbers 12:2)

God replies,

“6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.

8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:6-8)

God makes it clear that Miriam and Aaron are not prophets; God didn’t send them messages in their dreams or visions. He goes further to tell them that he speaks to Moses as he would talk directly, with his voice, as he would speak to a friend.

Miriam and Aaron made a poor argument. God leaves without another word. Aaron looks at Miriam and sees she is covered in Leprosy.

When we argue with God’s instructions, he leaves us alone; to face the world alone. Moses asked God to not kill Miriam, and God agreed. Miriam still had to be sent out of the camp for seven days as punishment.

The sin of Miriam and Aaron delayed the children of Israels march toward the promised land.

“The Sorrows”

“And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.” (Numbers 11:1)

God had provided the children of Israel with manna, all that they needed. All they had to do was go pick it up off the ground (Exodus 16). Yet they continued to complain.

They complained that in Egypt they had fish, cucumbers, and melons that they could eat freely. God knows a real problem, from a whine about what you want. In Egypt nothing was free. The children of Israel were under extreme burdens to eat. Nothing in Egypt was free.

With the manna from Heaven they had what they needed, but worried themselves about what they wanted. A discontented spirit will seek any reason to quarrel. They failed to spend their time listening, learning and worshiping God.

God was angry at how the children of Israel were mad at God for saving them. God turned their inward anger to an outward fire that consumed their bodies.

Historically, it is the failure of mankind to give people what they want without any work for it. Without work there is no struggle; without struggle there is no growth.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) Jesus didn’t say, “Blessed are the poor in finances”, how much money you have, or do not have is not an issue. Your spirit is what is of concern.

Yet, God provided them with flesh. Quails were sent by a wind from God.

“But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?” (Numbers 11:20)

The sorrows of the children of Israel begins along with our’s, which continues until this day. Trust in God to provide what you need. Complaining to God about what you want is an insult to God.

“God Leads Israel”

“And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” (Numbers 10:3)

From the very beginning of time God was intent on training us. He picked Israel as a model for us. Not because they were the most powerful, but because they were the least powerful. When God sends the least capable it is a message that God can make the least of men into the mightiest (See The Battle of 9 Kings.)

In Numbers, God is building an army. Not to destroy the world, but to save it. Because we, as people, are free to make our own decision here on Earth, we require a long time in training.

To lead his chosen people God needed a signal that they could see and understand. God used a pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night to lead them out of Egypt. At Mt. Sinai he added silver trumpets to call the congregation to the tabernacle, or to arms.

God had created a covenant with the children of Israel that they would be a mighty nation in the land of Canaan. To achieve that goal God’s wrath would extend not just to Egypt and Canaan, but to the disobedient children of Israel.

Stay Tuned…

“In The Desert”

“And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,” (Numbers 1:1)

The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Bible. Its Hebrew name, bemidbar, means “in the desert”. It begins 2 years after escaping Egypt and are now in the shadow of Mt. Sinai.

Moses and Aaron has been busy building the tabernacle. They have also been busy building a military force. Understanding the book of Numbers begins with understanding numbers.

Lets begin with those numbers.

It begins with the ages of the troops. Obviously people who would be leaders are in an age range of 40-80+. this is because they are the leaders of their family. Draft age begins at 20 (“From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel:” Numbers 1:3). In today’s manning strength the average age of a U.S. Army enlisted personnel is just under 21. As with any military service disabilities can keep you out of service, or allow you to stay based on the needs of the service.

There is an issue with Numbers, and that is, numbers. If you add up the numbers of military aged men there are in each tribe you can expand on that and suppose there are two million plus people in total. Its called, Guesstimation.

Although it can be argued that a huge army will defeat a small one, that is just not how ground combat works in either modern or ancient times. We’ll talk about all that later.

What is about to happen in Numbers is war and rebellion in the journey to the promised land.

“The Annual Day of Atonement”

“And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;” (Leviticus 16:1)

Once a year the children of Israel offered a sacrifice of atonement. In Mosaic law, every sin you commit requires a sacrifice. Under that law, we would need to sacrifice everyday for every sin. God gave them and us these lessons that point to a future means of atonement.

The “Scape-Goat” has been a lexicon since the time of Moses. What was the “Scape-Goat”?

It all starts with the sacrifice. A goat is taken into the tabernacle, “Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:” (Leviticus 16:15)

The goat that is killed takes the wages of the sin of the human. The wages of sin is death.

The “Scape-Goat” is then brought before the altar alive.

“And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.” (Leviticus 16:21-22)

This is the model of Jesus Christ. He accepts the sin of the world onto himself, he dies for that sin. Sending the goat into the wilderness is a symbol of Christ’s remission of our sin.

Jesus forgives us our sins.

“When a Priest Becomes a Rock Star”

“And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.” (Leviticus 9:24)

The duties of a priest were many and detailed. In didn’t just include the perfection of the animals for sacrifice, but every step the priests must take. (Leviticus 1-9)

The priests were Aaron and his sons. The process of a sacrifice was to be solemn and intended to bring glory to God. These sacrifices were done with the children of Israel being present at the door to the tabernacle.

“And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” (Leviticus 10:1)

What did they do wrong?

Nadab and Abihu had been appointed by God to be priests (Ex 28:1) with a perpetual honor as priests (Ex 29:9). Everything about the sacrifice had been done perfectly. Their error was to add incense and then light the censer (a fire pan for the altar) by using fire of their own addition. In haste they made their own decision. Their sin was to not wait for God. When adding a “strange fire” to the censer was profane. They lost their patience.

The wages of sin is death.

Remember Nadab and Abihu, their sin is easily our sin.

The bajillion* laws in the Bible are there for a reason.

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

*bajillion is not a real number.

“Leviticus”

Leviticus is the third book of the bible.

Leviticus was the translation of pre-Christian Greek meaning “relating to the Levites”. The Hebrew title is wayyiqra’, which means “and he called”, an obvious reference to God called.

Leviticus is a manual for how Israelites are to be holy and worship God in a holy way. Israel is expected to be separate from sin and to perform their daily duties in a way that honors God.

The regulations given to the Israelites are extremely tough. Leviticus requires perfection in animals used for sacrifice. Priests are to be without deformity, men and women have personal issues concerning bodily deformations, fluids, and skin diseases.

Leviticus is broken into distinct parts.

Five types of offerings

The installation and ministry of Aaron and his son’s as priests

The distinction between clean and unclean

The annual day of atonement

Holy living

Regulations and offerings vowed to God

Stay Tuned…

“The Old Testament”

The following video is a quick introduction to the Major books of the Old Testament.

I plan on more detailed videos of select books of the Old Testament.

“A Fist Full of Straws”

Life is full of pain and struggle. Jesus provides what you need. Jesus provides Eternal Life.

I had to get blood taken for a test my Doctor insisted on. I was sitting in the lab office full of other people in the same boat. None of us were happy.

As the office became all gloom, suddenly a blood curdling scream came from the direction of the main door. It jolted everyone in the room. A lady was pulling in a large stroller backwards through the narrow door. We could tell she was struggling, but there was no way we could reach around the stroller to make it easy. The screams continued.

As the occupant of the stroller came into view, still screaming, was a girl about 12, or 13. Her face was contorted in a strange way. In her left hand she was clutching a fist full of straws. You could tell her mother was embarrassed by the screaming.

The only thing I could think of was to say, as calmly as possible, “Hey there beautiful”. Immediately the little girl stopped screaming and her face lit up like a warm light and full of love. All of the stress in that room just melted away. She had the smile of an angel and would not take her eyes away from me. So, I just kept talking.

“What a beautiful smile”, I said. She just kept smiling and looking at me.

As I talked with her I felt an unbelievable calm come over me. I looked around at the others there and I could tell they were affected by it as well. A song popped into my head, no I didn’t sing it.

This little light of mine

I’m gonna let it shine

It just kept going through my head. On the way out the little girl was sitting with her mother across the office. She looked at me with that same smile. Clutching a fist full of straws.

The next week I had appointments with three doctors. The month before all three had nothing good to say. The first doctor was my kidney doctor.

My kidney doctor was surprised by the lab results. He said, “Well, things are no worse, but I expect they will get worse in the next 30 days.”

My diabetes doctor was surprised by the lab results. He and I had never spoken of Jesus, but this time he said, “Jesus was with you, your A1C is 5.5” I will order another test just to be sure. He did, it also came back at 5.5. That is a great number.

My heart doctor said, “I understand what your kidney doctor is thinking, but keep in mind those results are just labels. Keep doing whatever it is you are doing.”

That was almost a year ago. My numbers about my kidneys are above the danger levels from before. Just don’t be too happy, they can change in a minute, but I am ready for that.

The diabetes doctor is constantly asking what I did to keep my numbers low, but not too low. I just said, “Jesus did it.”

My heart doctor and I have checkups. Normally 5 minutes talking about fishing. I guess my ticker is ticking.

My health is not the issue for me. At least not physical health. Spiritual health is the most important. I know that I am a sinner and through the grace of God and the salvation of Jesus; I’m just passing through this life. When God is done with me, I’ll be out the door to eternity.

Monday, July 17, 2023

“Lost Patience, Lost Faith”

“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” (Exodus 32:1)

Moses had spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai. Before heading up the mountain God had spoken to them all. He gave them word for word the 10 Commandments that would result in a covenant between the children of Israel and God.

After just a few days of Moses heading up the mountain, the children of Israel’s incessant complaining convinced Aaron to make them an idol of gold.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:” (Exodus 32:7)

Just like when the parents leave their children at home, a party will ensue, and the house will be trashed. The children of Israel are having a party and breaking the commandments they promised to follow.

God, the father, is full of anger and tells Moses that he will consume them.

“Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.” (Exodus 32:10)

Moses intercedes with God to save the children of Israel from certain destruction.

“Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.” (Exodus 32:12)

Abraham had interceded with God to save some of the people in Sodom. Now Moses has interceded to spare the lives of the righteous. This is a look to the future, Jesus.

Moses began to return from the mountain with the two tablets. As he came to Joshua, Joshua told Moses that it sounded like there was a war in camp. Moses dismissed it as singing.

When Moses saw the Golden Calf, the people dancing, and worshiping the idol, he was angry.

“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.

And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.” (Exodus 32:26-28)

Moses went back up into the mountain to ask God for forgiveness of their great sin.

“Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.

And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.” (Exodus 32:32-35)

Stay tuned for a short intermission…

“40 Days and Nights on the Mountain”

“And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.” (Exodus 20:18)

Over the next 40 days and night Moses is with God, not just about the 10 Commandments. God gives Moses the judgments that directly connect to the 10 Commandments. Each judgment comes with the detailed crime and detailed punishment.

He also gives Moses in great detail how to build a temple to God, how to dress the priests, how to sacrifice and worship God, and who can enter the temple.

The 10 Commandments in Exodus are a reminder of the Commandments in Genesis. The difference is the material used. The 10 Commandments in Exodus are set in stone by the finger of God. They were already set in our hearts by God.

Breaking one Commandment, in thought or deed, condemns you to eternal separation from God. Repenting, under Mosaic Law is so complex that missing one step is also resulting in damnation.

There is only one way to Repent of your sins and receive Eternal Life.

“1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?

11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:1-21)

All you have to do is: Admit to God that you know you have Sinned. Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That he died on the Cross; that he rose from the Dead for our Sins. Then Follow Him.

From Exodus Chapter 20 to Exodus Chapter 31 Moses spends 40 days and nights communing with God.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17)

Its called Greed. To want what someone else has is a combination of Jealousy and Greed. We want these things which will hurt our neighbors and only gratify ourselves.

Someone who has faced tribulation becomes something others want as well. Someone who has faced poverty and others want to be poor to bring special feelings to themselves.

People covet love to excuse their inability to love. They need others to love them, but can’t give love.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16)

Bearing False Witness, is Lying.

A partial lie is a complete lie.

A partial truth is a complete lie.

Lying to convince someone to Christ is a destructive lie.

The list of lie’s are as the number of stars in the sky.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus 20:15)

Got your hand in the cookie jar? It is stealing if those cookies are not yours. This includes taking charity when you no longer need charity. Creating a charity to take from others to promote yourself. To pay someone a small amount of money, when you know the service or goods are much more expensive.

We are commanded to be honest.

A simple honesty test I have used is as follows:

The Story, you go to a local doughnut shop and buy 12 doughnuts. as you are headed home you reach into the box to get a doughnut. Instead of a nice warm doughnut, you find that there is $10,000 in the box.

The Question, what do you do?

The Answer, is in your heart.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)

It is not just about cheating on a spouse. It includes anything that pollutes the mind. From pictures to conversation. Our eyes are wicked and prone to fill our minds with wicked ways.

“And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:” (Mark 9:47)

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13)

Oh the number of arguments that surround a simple commandment! We are to protect others lives as we protect our own. Self-defense and the defense of others is lawful. This is not just deeds, but thoughts.

To allow the killing of someone that may pass the judgement of men, it is Murder in the eyes of God.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12)

This commandment is to how we treat our relations. The destruction of the family has been going on for a very long time. However, people still have access to a mother and father figure. It might be someone in a town, school, job, there are many who provide guidance to us. Our job is to obey the lawful commands, and counsel of our family leaders.

In the old age of a Mother and Father we are to take care of them. In their old age it is clear that they do not want to be treated like children. Treat them with love and care.

“The First Four Commandments”

“And God spake all these words, saying,” (Exodus 20:1)

Thou shalt have no other gods before me, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain, and Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

These first four commandments are how we should worship God.

The first commandment is the Object of worship. God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Is the only God. He made you and if he wanted he could disappear you. It is his Grace alone that keeps you existing.

The second commandment is the worship we give to God. Whether it is a person, place, thing, or thought everything we do must be worship to God.

The third commandment is how we worship God. Profanity is easily found in our daily lives, whether in thought or deed. Swearing an Oath to anything that is not God, is blaspheming God.

The fourth commandment is telling us to remember the Sabbath. Although tending a garden may look like work to some, it is a great way to commune in God’s love. There are things done out of necessity and God knows what those things are.

The first four commandments are not about us to judge others, it is about us to worship God, in-spite of the judgement others may proclaim.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” (Exodus 20:8)

“9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:9-11)

I’m sure you have heard people of the world ask? How can a godly man mow his yard on the sabbath? I will let Jesus answer that.

“24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?

25 And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?

26 How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?

27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

This is beyond the typical use of profane words. Taking an Oath, even one that does not use the word God is serious. An oath is a promise to fulfill some action. The promise of an action that is not God’s will is blasphemy.

Even words that are considered mild are a violation of this commandment. For instance, you stub your toe and say “darn it”, although that is what you say, you actually are thinking “Damn it”. Unless you are God, you can’t damn anything.

“The 10 Commandments”

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:” (Exodus 20:4)

Obviously making images of God, for any reason, or purpose, or creature things such as cars, cats, dogs, food, or jewelry is a violation of this commandment. It is not the making of images that is wrong, it is the worshiping the images that is wrong.

This commandment goes much deeper than the things above, it extends to superstition. Like the medallion of a saint for safe travels, or a preacher in the pulpit. These are human failures. When a thing or person is lifted out above us, then they become a separation of God from us.

None of us have kept this commandment.

God put a penalty on this commandment.

“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” (Exodus 20:5)

Stay Tuned…

“The 10 Commandments”

“I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” (Exodus 20:2)

The first commandment is the greatest commandment. Before your enemies, your friends, or yourself, there is your maker.

Jesus said it best, “36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.”(Matthew 22:36-38)

Everything we do must pass God’s judgement, before ourselves. We know that that is not how people work. Oh we know that many say they put God first, then read their statements and realize that put themselves and feelings above God.

The 10 Commandments are a framework to be like God. 10 rules that everyone has violated. They do not change. EVERYONE has come short. That is why Jesus has paid the wages of sin. If only you believe.

Stay tuned…

“Mount Sinai”

“For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mount.” (Exodus 19:2)

Mount Sinai is a holy site. God makes this evident when he sets about statutes as to how close people may come to the mount.

” And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:” (Exodus 19:12)

God directed that when the trumpet sounded, the people may come to the edge of the mount.

“And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.” (Exodus 19:16)

God presides on the Mount of Sinai to impress on the hearts of Israel a new covenant. Not in stone, but on their hearts. The laws that God is about to repeat had already been in their hearts and they had turned away.

Stay tuned…

“Jethro”

“And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 18:9)

Moses’s father in law Jethro, came to visit. Jethro watched Moses as he sat from morning to night judging and teaching the people God’s statutes. Moses judged every complaint, from large to small. Moses answered questions, from simple to complex. There was no way he could do this alone.

“17And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

18Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.” (Exodus 18:17-18)

Moses was certainly a workaholic.

Jethro counseled Moses on how to organize a nation.

“20And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

21Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

22And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.” (Exodus 18:20-22)

Moses understood this organization. He only had to judge big problems and teach to a few. The few would spread the weight of judgment and teaching down. Communications goes faster and understanding goes faster.

“And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.” (Exodus 18:25)

“Amalek”

“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.” (Exodus 17:8)

Amalek arrives at Rephidim to do battle with the children of Israel. Moses selected Joshua as his commander in the field. Moses, Arron, and Hur went to the top of a hill.

At the top of the hill Moses raised the Rod of God above his head toward the heavens. As long as Moses kept the Rod above his head, the children of Israel were winning. But Moses was not a young man. When his arms could no longer hold up the Rod then Amalek was winning. Aaron and Hur supported Moses by holding his arms up. Amalek is defeated.

It sounds like a simple short story, but it isn’t.

Moses promotes Joshua to be his commander in the field. Joshua alone can not win this battle. Moses calls on God to prevail, but Moses alone is not strong enough to hold the Rod of God above the battle. Aaron and Hur can not hold the Rod of God. They can only hold Moses’s arms above him.

Without God, the children of Israel are doomed to destruction.

With God, the children of Israel are triumphant.

Without God, no matter how hard you work, we are doomed to destruction.

With God, though we struggle, God supports us and gives us eternal life.

“Murmurs”

“And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?” (Exodus 15:24)

The children of Israel is an analog to things that happen today. They had left the tribulations of Egypt, celebrated their liberation, then fell into despair of no water. Despair is easy.

When you are troubled by life’s knocks, God provides what you need, when you need it. The children of Israel arrive at Marah. They couldn’t drink the water because it was bitter. God shows Moses a tree that when cast into the water made the water sweet.

Here God gives them the instructions for them to follow.

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” (Exodus 15:26)

No sooner had they had water, then they began to murmur against Moses and Aaron. This was not just a few, the entire congregation began to murmur. Apparently they have no idea on how to pray to God directly, instead they speak out against Moses and Arron.

“11 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

12 I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.” (Exodus 16:11-12)

In the evening quail appear right when they need it. The next morning, all over the ground were small round loaves of bread. Manna from heaven.

God makes it clear that over the next 6 days you will have all the bread you want. Take it and eat it, but don’t leave any. Of course, they left some and in the morning it was full of worms and stank.

People do people things and as often as not ignore rules. Moses was angry about it. Over the coming days the people got a handle on how much they should gather. If they waited until the heat of the day the manna would melt.

On the sixth day Moses tells the people to gather a double portion and hold it until the seventh day, because there will be no manna available on the Sabbath.

God teaches the children of Israel about the Sabbath. They will be fed manna for the next 40 years and rest every Sabbath.

The murmurs continue at Rephidim for water. God has Moses take his rod and strike a stone in front of the elders, and water flowed from the rock.

Then comes war…..to be continued stay tuned.

The Song of Moses

“The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name” (Exodus 15:3)

The children of Israel have been delivered from the Egyptians by the power of God. Moses is 80, his brother Aaron is 83. The children of Israel are now in the wilderness.

Moses sang this song.

"the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him.

The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.

Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.

The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.

And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.

Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.

Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestine.

Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.

Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.

The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.

For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea." (Exodus 15:1-19)

“And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.” (Exodus 15:20)

Miriam and the women answer Moses’s song.

"Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea." (Exodus 15:21)

This is the first song in the Bible. The Song of Moses.