Exodus

 

1

 

vs. 19-21 “deceit rewarded by God?”

            Many consider the midwives to have lied to Pharaoh about their involvement in the birth of the Israelites.  It’s important to note before jumping to conclusions that the Bible does not state that the midwives lied. 

Consider, therefore, the following possible causes for these women actually speaking the truth.  Firstly, the Israelite women may have heard of the decree and refused to send for the midwives and trust solely on their own experience and the providence of God.  Secondly, as the midwives feared God, they may have purposely taken their time in order to have an excuse when questioned by Pharaoh.  So although they may have not told the whole truth as to why they wouldn’t kill the baby boys, they were not obliged to and God rewarded them for it.  Thirdly, Some believe that in their labour they called out to God who brought the babes before the midwives could get there and they told the truth.

Why were the daughters spared? So they could inter-marry with the Egyptians and thus lose their identity.

 

2

 

v. 2 “a fine boy”

            If the boy wasn’t a fine boy what would have the mother done?  What could she do?  This was the only babe who did live in those days and here is the reason why.  Acts 7:20 and Hebrews 11:23 relates that there was something very remarkable about this child.  The word is more than fine, (exceedingly fair, proper child) it denotes that there was something very uncommon and beautiful in this babe.  All mothers think their babies are beautiful, this one was remarkable in some extraordinary way, so much so that the parents knew God had selected him for some special purpose.  Acting on this in faith they then hid the child for three months.

            The mother made an ark. There were some that still knew the history of the world and their people (as recorded for us today).  We know they were Godly by their trust in Him with their actions.  She followed Noah’s example as she prepared her ark in the same way and committed it into the hands of God as she placed it into the waters of death.  These same waters consumed their children, but she believed that God would bring her child through the waters of death as He had Noah.

            If the child had not been a good, proper, exceedingly fair = extraordinary child it begs the question whether the Princess would have kept him? We see God’s hand in it all, even the timing of the teardrop.

                       

v. 24 “had God forgot?”

            According to this verse God heard the Israelites groaning and remembered His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Does this mean that for the past four hundred years God had forgotten His promise until He was reminded by their groaning?  Not at all. This is a figure of speech and in God’s omniscience knew when the time would come to relieve the Israelites of their burdens. In Genesis 15:16 God tells Abram that his people would return in the fourth generation.

            Another example is in Genesis 8 when God remembered Noah.  Did that mean he was forgotten?  He might have thought so after all that time, but it denotes a specific time when God was planning and ready to intervene on his, and in this case their behalf.

            Now in Genesis 15:13 God tells Abraham that his people would remain enslaved for 400 years and yet in Exodus 12:40it states that they were held captive for 430 years.  Moses took matters into his own hands and spent 40 years in the desert as a result of it.  One could therefore come to the conclusion that had he waited on God and His timing then 10 years later he would have been used of the Lord to bring His people forth instead of 40 years later.  God knows the future, He has a purpose and plan, but when we intervene on our own it does rather mess things up.  Some would say this is speculation, yet this is quite probable and a serious warning to ever be guided by God and His timing in everything.

 

 3

 

vs. 2-6  “the burning bush”

            The burning bush is indeed interesting.  Firstly, Moses must have wondered how the bush could have caught fire in the first place and secondly why it didn’t burn up.  Moses obviously didn’t realize that Christ Himself was in the flames as his fear only overtook him when God announced Himself.  We know that it was not merely an angel as angels throughout the Bible announced themselves along the lines of “I am sent from God” or “I am thy fellow servant.” 

            Throughout Genesis we have seen that although the author(s) of the book didn’t not use symbolism, God Himself did on many occasions.  Take God’s curse on mankind and His promise or Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac for example.  This situation also has possible significance.  It has been said that the fire represented God’s purity, power, holiness and grace. As the bush was not consumed, it represented the fact that although the Israelites were under affliction, they would not be consumed because God was with them.  Our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29).  While He does not consume us, His children, He does consume that in and around us which is contrary to His holiness.

 

4

 

v. 16 “as you were God to him”

            This does not mean that Moses became God to Aaron, but the words spoken by Moses would be coming from the mouth of God. 

           

v. 20 “on a donkey”         

            It seems strange that Moses only needed one donkey to transport both his wife and sons but this theoretically is possible as one child for certain was young (v.25).  What may also be the case is that there was more than one donkey as the Bible often changes donkey for donkeys (ass for asses). 

 

v. 24 “sin uncovered”

            What seems to have happened here is that Moses fell into a serious illness and he was about to die.  Because Moses had not circumcised his son he was in direct disobedience to God (Genesis 17:10).  Moses could not act as God’s instrument while he was disobedient to God’s covenant.  His wife, Zipporah, who circumcised their son, saved him. 

            They both knew why it had happened, and what had to be done.  Zipporah was not an Israelite and probably the reason this had not already been done, however she is also a type of the church.

-         Circumcision is important today (Colossians 2:10-12).

-         How can you preach the will of God if you do not practise it first?

-    God brought first a stroke, and then complete recovery.

 

7

 

vs. 11,22; 8:6,18 “the magicians”

            How did the magicians duplicate what God had done?  There is, of course, the possibly of illusion but more likely it was the work of Satan.  Ironically, if they were so good at what they did, why didn’t Pharaoh command them to get rid of the plagues instead of duplicating them?  2 Timothy 3:8 informs us that the main two sorcerers were Jannes and Jambres. 

            Yet we see later on in 8:18 that the magicians were unable to copy the feats of God and admit failure.  So why did God allow them to replicate them in the first place?  God probably did it to show them that they could only do what He permitted and to show Pharaoh the folly of trusting in magicians. He allowed this to show that He is All Powerful, His Power is greater than Satan’s (Aaron’s serpent swallowed all the others) and He is the Creator with power over all life.

            Satan has always tried to imitate God; he has always wanted to take His place and position.  When violence does not work the next plan always seems to be imitation.  Here we see the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.  This is to be seen all the more towards the end times and is demonstrated in the resisting of the truth.  The Anti-Christ and his prophet will also imitate God and perform miracles.

                        Do not forget that Moses too was instructed in all the arts of Egypt so why would he not perform magical arts too?  Although he had been a Prince there, this was God Himself now at work in the midst of them.

 

vs. 13,22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 12, 35; 10:20, 27 “the hardening of a heart”

            There are three types of ways that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened.  In 7:13 his heart became hard, in 8:15 he hardened his heart, and in 9:12 God hardened his heart. The hardening of the heart, is it’s worth noting, a progression. The individual in question said, "Who is the Lord . . . . ?" and refused to listen, accept, or obey His Words, in a very rebellious manner; in fact he hardened his heart totally against God. Thus he was to see, and hear, and feel the Almighty power of God, and instead of a softening there was
a continual hardening against Him to the point where God said ok and confirmed that hardening. By then there was no return, but God knew there would not and could not be. Some would say he was born for and to just that, as was Judas. Contentious this may be but although these people might have been in place for a specific purpose, everyone is given the opportunity for repentance.  Jesus did not just come into the world to save a select few. Everyone has an opportunity for repentance, but there comes a time when they pass it by their own hard hearts towards God.  Pharaoh’s situation runs parallel to the people in Revelation 16:10-11 who refused to acknowledge God and instead of turning to Him in their suffering, they curse God and worship the beast.  Even though He will send vials and wrath far worse than the plagues they will harden their hearts even more
to the point of no return. They will receive the mark of the beast and will be eternally condemned, as was Pharaoh.

            The Word Hardened had different meanings as noted: “heavy” “slow to move” or “strong or firm”.  God hardens only those who begin by hardening themselves.

            As to Pharaoh, he seemed totally unaware of the damage, or insensible to it.  One wonders whether it could be due to his position since he was aloof from the people, but we know that even the King’s Palace was not exempt from the plagues.  Therefore it must really have been the state of his heart.  In his “pride” he set himself to resist the Sovereign will and cause of the Most High God which results in this hardness.

Everyone has opportunity, whosoever will may come, but there are those who chose not to and deliberately turn their backs on God, refuse to listen to Him, and finally, as Romans 1 says, "He gave them over...." to their own lusts, own desires, own life and so on. Their end is perdition and a serious warning.

 

vs. 14; 8:25, 28; 10:11, 24; 12:32 “bargaining”

            Note the way that Pharaoh is slowly compromised from his flat refusal in 7:14 to allowing sacrifices in Egypt (8:25), followed by sacrifices close by in the desert (8:28), only the males being allowed to go (10:11), all the people but not livestock (10:24), and finally complying to all the demands stipulated by Moses following the final plague.  It’s important to note that although Pharaoh was willing to compromise, albeit because of his suffering, God never did. This is a prime example of how Satan works and also a prime example of how we need to completely separate ourselves from the world without compromise.

            God calls for all or nothing.  Complete separation and nothing less will do.  For salvation there has first to be redemption and then separation, leaving the world’s system completely behind.

 

9

 

v. 7 "the livestock"

What's interesting here is that no livestock died on that day. There were hundreds of thousands of Israelites in Egypt and probably this many livestock and yet not one of them died? Definitely the hand of God.

10

 

v. 14 “the locusts”

 

            It states that there never was nor will ever be anything like this plague of locusts.  Yet a similar statement is also made in Joel 1:1-4.  Which statement is correct?  In fact, they might both be correct because each has different occurrences.  For example, in Egypt the locusts lasted but a short while whereas in Joel’s time they lasted three or four years.  Other aspects might also be specific like their quantity, size and quality.

 

vs. 28-29 “heard but not seen?” 

If you compare these verses with 12:31-32 it doesn’t seem to fit as Moses was summoned in the later to Pharaoh when he had previously been warned of death if the same occurred.  Either Pharaoh had a change of heart or his instructions were not given personally but through a messenger.

 

11

 

vs. 5, 22, 46 “the Passover”

            This particular chapter is full of symbolism.  The lamb spoken of here is reflected in Christ’s death on the cross.  Here the lamb’s blood saved Israel from death and also it was without blemish and no bones were broken just as no bones in Christ’s body were broken.  The purpose of this exercise?  To demonstrate that the shedding of blood is needed t avoid the wrath of God and it also gave the people a reminder of what God had truly done for them in the coming centuries.  

 

vs. 6-7 “a contrast in fortunes”

There would be crying throughout the land, but even the dogs would be silent in the camp of the Israelites.  There must have been a stunned silence, worship, and adoration at the significance this was to them, and how they were both spared and  redeemed by the lamb.

 

13

 

vs. 12-14 “redemption of a son and a donkey”

            Because many of the animals appropriated by God (all the firstborn) were unclean, they could not be sacrificed (Numbers 18:15).  The donkey is the example set forth here probably because of its wide use and usefulness.  Therefore there was no other way of offering them to God except through redemption, or a price paid for them.

            God spared every firstborn son of the Israelites even though he had a rightful claim to them.  The ritual of buying back a firstborn whether son or animal did serve its purpose.  It reminded the Israelites of how God had spared them from death and slavery and it also gave a promise of the Firstborn who would one day buy us back buy paying the price of our own sin once and for all.

            Further insight into this passage is provided by Macintosh.

 

“The destroying angel passed through the land of Egypt to destroy all the first-born; but Israel’s first-born escaped through the death of a divinely provided substitute. Accordingly, these latter appear before us in this chapter as a living people, dedicated to God.  Saved by the blood of the lamb they are privileged to consecrate their ransomed life to Him who had ransomed it.  Thus it was only as redeemed that they possessed life.   The grace of God alone had made them to differ and had given them the place of living men in His presence.  In their case, assuredly, there was no room for boasting; for, as to any personal merit or worthiness we learn from this chapter that they were put on a level with an unclean and worthless thing. (v. 13)

            “There were two classes - the clean and the unclean, and man was classed with the latter.  The lamb was to answer for the unclean; and if the ass were not redeemed, his neck was to be broken; so that an unredeemed man was put on a level with an unclean animal, and that, moreover, in a condition than which nothing could be more worthless and unsightly.  What a humiliating picture of man in his natural condition. O that our poor proud hearts would enter more into it...

            “Christ was the lamb… we were unclean… He took our position on the cross, was made sin, and treated as such… He bore all that was due to us there… He got our desserts that we might get His.  The clean took for a time the place of the unclean, in order that the unclean might take forever the place of the clean….

            “It is interesting to see that by nature we are ranked with an unclean animal; by grace we are associated with Christ the spotless Lamb.  There can be nothing lower than the place that belongs to us by nature, nothing higher than that, which belongs to us by grace.  Look, for example at an ass with his neck broken; there is what an unredeemed man is worth.  Look at the “precious blood of Christ;” there is what a redeemed man is worth.  (Notes now taken from I Peter 2:4-7, precious and living stones who get their life and preciousness from Him) May the people of God know more fully their place and privileges on Christ.”

 

v. 21 “the pillar of cloud and fire”

            Bear in mind when considering this miracle that the Israelites consisted of 600,000 men alone (Genesis 12:37).   Therefore the fire must have been of some size to guide them all.  Also note in Genesis 14:19-20 that the cloud went behind them and blocked the path of the Egyptians.

            It was big enough in fact to keep them warm by night and cool by day since we all know the desert to be unbearable by day and really freezing cold at night.

            The pillar would also be above the tabernacle indicative of the presence of God within.  He dwelt amongst them and though they could not behold His glory within they could know His presence always abiding with them.

It was a real training area for the Israelites. When the cloud moved, so did they. When the fire moved so did they. It might be after one day, one hour, or many weeks or months. It could have been morning, noon, or night (Exodus 40:34 – 38).

 

14

 

v. 24 “the last watch”

            Although we now divide the night into hours, but during this time the nights were broken up into either three or four watches with the morning watch being the last one before dawn.

 

16

 

v. 34 “the Testimony”

            The Testimony is another word for the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments given by God (Exodus 25:16 and 31:18).  So how could the manna be placed before the tablets before they were created?  This text only informs us that Aaron placed the manna there but it does not specify when.  The following verse also suggests time differences to their present situation as it speaks of future happenings in the next forty years. 

 

17

 

vs. 11-12 “the hand of God and Moses”

            Although this might actually sound a strange method of winning a battle, God used it as a means of teaching the Israelites that it was He not they that won their battles for them.  A rod is not normally held in two hands so what was likely is that Moses held the rod in one hand until it became tired and then switched it to the other hand.  Anyone who has tried to hold out their hands like this will know that it’s a very painful and tiring exercise and thus Moses was able to receive help from Aaron and Hur, each on one side of him.

 

18

 

vs. 2-5 “Zipporah’s reappearance”

            What seems to have been the case here is that after the incidents of Exodus 4:24-25 Moses had sent Zipporah and his two sons back to her father.  This was probably, although there is no real explanation, because Moses felt that she might be a distraction to the work God had set him.

 

v. 5 “a transposal in time”

            This chapter seems to have preceded itself in terms of chronological order.  From other portions of Scripture it is evident that the Law had already been received.  Firstly, they had arrived at the mountain of God which doesn’t happed until Exodus 19:2.  Secondly, the laws concerning sacrifices had already been in place before Jethro’s arrival (v12).  This, however, as previously shown is not an unnatural occurrence in the Bible. 

 

20

 

v. 5 “punishment for the 3^rd and 4^th generation”

            Was this far for God to rule that an adult’s children should be punished for the things that they did?   It is important to note that this was temporary punishment not eternal damnation.  Although God punishes us, He does so for the purpose of disciplining and correcting us.  There is the exception to the rule, however, when a child is penitent.  Ezekiel 18 explains that if the child refuses to walk in the evil ways of their father, they will be credited as righteousness.

????

 

21

 

v. 13 “God’s providence”

            Does this therefore give us the opportunity to blame God for some of the things that have happened to us or we have done?  There is no question that God does let things happen in our lives, not to punish us, but to instruct us and bring about His divine plan.  Jesus did no wrong and yet God allowed Him to fall into the hands of Judas.  Instead of always asking God “why” and “it’s not fair” try remembering that God is the One who knows all and sees all and would never do anything to hurt His own children (Romans 8:28).

 

22

 

vs. 2-3 “the thief”

            The question arises why is the defender guilty of bloodshed after sunrise and not before?  This seems to be a common sense answer.  During the night, anyone entering the house is probably there by evil design.  Secondly, a defendant might not be able to receive assistance during the night like during the daytime.  Thirdly, attacking someone in the night cannot be as controlled as during the daytime simply because they will not be able to see as well.

 

23

 

v. 19 “cooking a goat”

            It is possible, although no such evidence is known, that heathen tribes as a form of sacrifice used this process.  The word seethe signifies roast as well as boil.  A goat “in its mother’s milk” has two different meanings. 

The first is that the kid was still suckling from its mother. The kid would be used for either personal use or perhaps the Passover or sacrifice.  Although suckling animals could be used for sacrifices (Exodus 22:30), God might have ordained this to avoid cruelty or because it was unwholesome food. 

The second is that the kid is very tender or young and is described as still have its mother’s milk in it.  What seems to be the case here is God telling the Israelites not to kill a goat while it is still very young or before it is eight days old.  This is further supported when both commandments not to kill a kid in its mother’s milk (Exodus 23:19 and Exodus 34:26) are preceded by the Law of the Firstfuits. 

v. 4 “the Book of the Covenant”

            This is what Moses had just written in v. 4 (NIV).

           

v. 10 “the God of Israel”
            Although they did not actually see God (Deuteronomy 4:15; I Timothy 6:16), they saw some glorious appearance of what we can only speculate. It is possible that they saw Christ because it mentions they saw His feet and also His appearance was not uncommon (Genesis 18 for example).  A sapphire stone is of a clear sky colour that is mixed with golden spots like stars. The clear sky signifies God’s favour as opposed to a dark and cloudy one signifying His anger.

            With defiled camp below and majesty above they could only approach through the blood as a shadow of things to come.  The NT tells us to draw nigh (Hebrews 7:19); whilst in the OT they were afar off.  The blood of bulls and goats would not permit them to draw nigh to God.  The 1^st covenant was denoted with blood with which the people were sprinkled. Then God was manifest to them in light and purity, majesty and holiness.

Even though He was unapproachable, yet they could eat and drink by His mercy and the provision of blood.  One may feast in the presence of God and enter His presence, only because of the altar, blood and sacrifice.  All these are types and shadows of Christ our sacrifice who calls us to draw nigh (Hebrews 10:19 – 22).

 

25

 

vs. 10-23 “the Ark”

            The tabernacle’s design is full of symbolism.  The ark was a type of Christ.  The ark contained the Law, a pot of manna, and the almond rod or Aaron that budded (Numbers 17).  Firstly, the Lord carried the law of God in His heart.  Secondly, Christ is the true Manna (John 6:25-59) and thirdly, the budding of Aaron’s rod demonstrates Christ’s own resurrection after His death.

            The cherubim rest above the mercy seat and look down on it as in admiration on the blood sprinkled on it by the high priest (Leviticus 16:14).

           

vs. 23-30 “the table”

The bread of the Presence consisted of twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes of Israel.  The gold moulding was probably to ensure that the bread never slipped off the table.  Every Sabbath the priests ate the bread and replaced them with new loaves.  As previously mentioned (John 6:25-59) Jesus is the Bread of Life and we now feed on Him through His Word.

 

vs. 31-40 “the lampstand”

            The candlestick represents Christ as the light of the world (John 9:5).  The lamps were filled with olive oil (Exodus 27:20), which is a type of the Holy Spirit (Zechariah 4:1-6).  We also can spread the light of Christ but only with the help of the Holy Spirit. 

 

26

 

vs. 1-36 “the Tabernacle”

            As a researcher or scientist will tell you, carrying out an experiment or test requires an enormous amount of attention to detail.  This is so that if the experiment works it is possible for someone else to copy the experiment and get the same results.  The attention to detail here is incredible and because of it, the Tabernacle could be re-produced.

            The three colours mentioned here are blue, purple and scarlet.  The blue represents heaven (I Corinthians 15:42), the purple riches and scarlet something that is precious.  Incidentally, in Scriptures, purple is seen mainly outside of Israel in relation to kings and yet scarlet is usually connected with Israel.  Christ wore a scarlet robe in Matthew 27:28.

            Three curtains are designed for the Tabernacle.  One was in the curtains surrounding the court, the second closed off the Holy Place and the third closed off the Holy of Holies.  All the curtains were of the same design except that the third curtain had cherubim embroidered into it signifying its importance over the other two.  Notice as well that the size of the entrance becomes narrower the closer to God you go (Matthew 7:13). 

 

27

 

v. 1 “acacia wood”

            Acacia wood is mentioned frequently in the construction of the Tabernacle because of its availability in the desert.

 

28

 

vs. 6-14 “the ephod”

            Two onyx stones with the twelve tribes of Israel engraved on them were mounted on the shoulder pieces of the ephod demonstrating the priest’s representation of the tribes to God. 

 

vs. 15-30 “the breastplate”

            Here we have a similar situation where stones are engraved with the tribal names of Israel.  They are placed where they are so that Aaron would bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart (v. 29).  Aaron bore the names on his shoulders, the place of strength, and on his heart, the place of affection.

 

v. 30 “Urim and Thummin”

            Urim and Thummin signify light and perfections.  Their composition and usage have resulted in some discussion.  What is clear is that God used the stones as a means of making decisions for the people of Israel (Numbers 27:21) 

Some simply believe that they were the twelve stones on the breastplate and God’s answers were determined by which stones glowed most brightly at that time.  Hence from the stones selected, words could be derived, but this seems somewhat unlikely as not all the letters of the alphabet were represented and the Urim and Thummin were designed to be shut up within the breastplate and not seen.  There is no mention of any commandment to take them out and look at them. 

It is more likely that the Urim and Thummin did not consist of the twelve stones because the stones were set and engraved (vs. 17, 21) whereas the Urim and Thummin were only placed, and also because the twelve stones were set by workmen and yet Moses placed the Urim and Thummin on the breastplate (Leviticus 8:8).

 

v. 33 “gold bells and pomegranates”

            There are two possible meanings to the significance of the bells and pomegranates.  Firstly, they might represent to the people the qualifications of the priest and secondly, the glorious achievements of Christ whose doctrine was heard by all men.

            The practical purpose of the bells was so that the people might know whether he lived upon entering the Holy of Holies.  If the sound of the bells ceased, the people pulled the priest out by a rope attached to him. 

 

29

 

v. 20 “sprinkling of the blood”

            Each part of the body that was touched with the blood has a purpose.  The ear is used for hearing God’s word in conversation; the hands execute an action upon hearing God’s word.  The blood was sprinkled on the right side because ???  The act of sprinkling the blood on these body parts was to demonstrate that only Christ’s blood could sanctify them for their respective offices.

 

30

 

v. 20 “a ransom?”

            It seems that God is actually blackmailing the people into paying a ransom in order to remain plague free.  The purpose of this exercise was to remind the Israelites that they were under God’s grace and mercy.  The money is not something God needed having created it in the first place, but He used it for the building and the upkeep of the Tabernacle (v 16). 

            Atonement is for all, as in the matter of souls rich and poor are all alike to Him.

It is interesting to note that the privilege of having the tabernacle bears the responsibility for its upkeep.

 

31

 

v. 18 “the finger of God”

            This figure of speech means that it was not written by the physical finger of God, but by His own will and power and not by man.

 

32

 

vs. 5-6 “hypocrisy”

            It is unbelievable how Aaron merged both traditional beliefs and God’s own instruction to create a mixture of religion.  And yet it’s seemingly mix-mash of ideas are found in society today where parts of the Bible are integrated into human’s own thinking.  Just a few examples include the Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses and Catholics.  The book of Jude warns us about the dangers of this.  Another important lesson here is that those who are spokespeople need to be in touch with God.  Moses was but obviously Aaron relied on him to instruct his speech without using his own ability to converse with God. 

            Within a matter of days they had broken the first 2 commandments.  The Egyptian Apis and Phoenician Baal both were pictured as bulls, which were common in that day to represent fertility and strength. Sensual and lewd dancing as well as orgies would also accompany idolatry.

It is hard to fathom why Aaron did this.  Was it crowd pressure?  There is some conjecture that Hur, who was never mentioned again, opposed it and was killed although this is purely speculation it must be emphasised.  On the other hand did Aaron really think this was just something visible to represent God and keep them happy until things got out of hand?  We cannot say for we were not there but it seems likely that if he had done this from any source of a rebellious heart though he would have been killed with thousands of others and certainly not lived to fulfil the office of High Priest.

            The human heart always prefers what we can see than the “Immortal, Invisible God….” The last words of John in I John 5:21 were, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”  He was talking to children of the Lord.  Do we also have them and do we get tired of waiting on God?

                       

vs. 10-14 “the example of Moses”

            I don’t know about you, but if God offered to make me one of the greatest men to ever live I’m not sure I could refuse.  Moses was placed in this position, but chose not to take up this offer.  Maybe God was testing Moses.  It also begs to question whether Moses would have said the same thing once he had descended the mountain and actually seen what the Israelites were doing.

            Moses knew that God must and always will keep His Word.  Prayer honours God and of course God knew Moses and how he would pray. God knows each and every heart.  Moses is known as the meekest man in all the earth (Numbers 12:3).  His was true humility, strength under restraint, which is why he was hand picked in the first place.

            God always looks for men to stand in the gap and make intercession for others.  There has to be a mediator and of course there is but one between God and man.  “The purpose of prayer is not to change the mind of God, but that God may change us.”

 

 

vs. 31- 33 “blotting from the book”

           

This is an interesting topic which causes some debate and remains a little controversial.  The Book of Life as seen in Exodus 32:33, Daniel 12:1, Luke 10:20, Philippians 4:3, Hebrews 12:23, Revelation 3:5, 20:12, 21:27 & 22:19 could be the book of life of all the world in which everyone that is born is entered into.   As they die/perish/reject God completely once and for all their names are blotted out of this book.  The reasoning is that everyone is included and names that remain in the Book receive eternal life. 

The other point of view is that there is another Book of Life in which people are entered when they become saved.  Those people that are not written in it will perish (Revelation 13:8, 17:8, 20:15).

 

33

 

v. 11 “Joshua”

            Joshua seems to have been given the task of taking care of the tent (not the Tabernacle as it had not yet been built).  The job was given to Joshua most likely because the elders and Aaron especially had failed God in their idolatry.

            He was most likely guarding it as he could not enter it because he was not a Levite.  It is likely he was chosen for this task also because he was to be the future leader of the people after Moses.  God was preparing him for the future ministry He had for him to do.