Saturday, July 4, 2009

Day 21 (Saturday) - Exodus 12:1-14:20

The whole point of the Passover meal was to remember what God had done for his people. Over and over God says for them to repeat this meal every year to remember that God redeemed them. This meal became a long standing tradition and the Jewish people kept God’s commandment. The meal was so much more special than just a memorial for it also foreshadowed the Messiah. Communion is this same meal. Jesus and his disciples were sitting down for the Passover meal when he revealed the meaning behind some of the elements in the meal, pointing to him and the work of the Messiah.

Next time we have communion (5th Sunday), participate in a new way, realizing that you are joining with God as his people in the long tradition of remembrance and celebration of God’s redemptive work through history with his people and specifically you.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Day 20 (Friday) - Exodus 8:16-11:10

God is building up a crescendo to his shock and awe finale. Each of the plagues result in Pharaoh coming to some sense of understanding about who God is and what he is up to in the world, but just before he lets them go, he reverts back to his sinful ways and his heart becomes hard again. These events are being repeated. God's entire story of redemption is a replay of the Exodus. The book of Revelation with its bowls and cups are the final plagues that crescendo to the finale of God’s redemptive work.

In some ways, we are like Moses to our world but in other ways we are like the Pharaoh. God calls out to each of us with an invitation to join him in his redemptive work. We are moving towards the Grand Finale and we need to make choices that effect our heart condition. For it is the condition of our hearts that will decide our fate.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Day 19 (Thursday) - Exodus 5:10-8:15

Following God’s plan is usually a difficult task. Here Moses makes matters worse by doing the exact things God asks him to do. The people have to gather their own supplies and continue their quota of brick making. They are brutally treated and things are worse as a result of following God than they were before. Even the miracles of plagues don’t seem to get the job done. Why follow this Moses character who talks to a God that just makes matters worse?

If you have followed God for any amount of time, I mean really followed him, you get this story. It is harder to follow God than not. It’s true that God’s ways work out towards his Kingdom values and purpose in the end, but that does not mean roses for those involved. It’s true. Most people think that becoming a Christian means life will be easier, but they ignore Jesus’ words when he says, “Count the cost before becoming my disciple” or “Pick up your cross and follow me”. It’s harder!

I felt the depth of this when Jenny and I were in Egypt last year. We came upon a dig where they uncovered mud bricks that dated back to the time of Moses. I wondered who made that brick and what they must have been feeling and the story of God’s redemption that cost them and God so much. I stood on the other side of the story and could see God’s mercy and grace. But I lose site when I find myself in the trials and oppression of life. Brick making is a part of God’s redemptive story…so you and I need to keep making the bricks!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Day 18 (Wednesday) - Exodus 2:1-5:9

This is obviously a very popular passage, the burning bush story (I love this photo!). The whole point of the passage is a call that God has on the life and person of Moses. God is choosing Moses to be the redeemer of his people. Moses is not worthy (murder) and he lacks faith (needs miracles and makes excuses about his speech). We see that God will do what he wants to do and will use flawed people in the process. Neither Moses nor Aaron do a great job of doing exactly what God says and cause more difficulty as a result, but God still uses them.

God does want to use you. Reading through the bible like this is not a rite of passage that makes you righteous in God’s eyes, but it is a bit of a burning bush experience. God will speak to you about your life and his plans for you as you commit to listening to his words each day. Our goal is to limit the amount of excuses or “signs” we need to see to agree and make the changes or do the things God is asking us to do.

The bush is burning…what are you going to do? You too are a redeemer…who are you to redeem?

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Day 17 (Tuesday) - Genesis 48:8-50:26; Exodus 1

It really is amazing how time flies when you’re in slavery…NOT! The close of Genesis has references to knowing that they are to return to the Promised Land, but no one makes the move. Egypt is so good, maybe better than home! The details that take place between Genesis and Exodus are for the most part guess work, but we do learn that the new Egypt didn’t know about Joseph or what he did for Egypt. As a result, the people became slaves. It is true that the people were in Egypt for 400 years, but not all of that time was deep slavery…how much we may never know, but it was probably over 200 years.

I am often tempted to choose the easy road, especially if it seems to achieve my perception of the main goal anyway. I like Egypt; it’s easy and has all I need. I know the Promised Land is out there, but it’s hard to get there and it might not have everything I need and may not be as comfortable. Land is land, so I chose Egypt. What a fool I am! I just find myself in slavery and the work to get out and find my way to the Promised Land is harder than ever. How about you? Are there any places in your life where you’re sticking around Egypt? Careful, you just might find more than you bargained for!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Day 16 (Monday) - Genesis 45:16-48:7

It took me a while to catch what was happening in these verses. It wasn’t until I was teaching on the entire book of Genesis a few years back that it hit me. Do you remember what God’s covenant promises have been to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? It was about land. The Promised Land is called that because God promised it to them and it was their possession. Here Jacob finds himself in a famine, right there in the Promised Land, and God has provided a way to survive it. Jacob’s son Joseph is in a position to give as much grain to his family as they need but instead of continuing in God’s provision, Jacob leaves the Promised Land behind and moves to another land. This is so devastating as this move will eventually put the people in slavery under their new god, Pharaoh, and it will take the great exodus to free them.

I wonder how many times I run away from God’s plan for me because I don’t like the inconvenience of walking to receive the grain that will save my life? How embarrassing. The truth is as long as we walk with God the grass in never greener on the other side and it doesn’t matter what color the grass is under our own feet. God is God and he has us in his care. We need to stay in the place he promises us!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Day 15 (Sunday) - Genesis 42:29-45:15

Family reunions that happen after a long time of not being together are the best. To see loved ones that you’ve lost touch with and to see new additions to the family through marriages and births, reunions are great. My family does an annual reunion and though it’s just my sister and I, I don’t get to see her any other time in the year. I love it, we laugh and talk about the deeper issues of life and faith. I cherish those times.

The reunion of the sons of Israel was a great event. Joseph could have turned them all away but he stuck in there and taught them a lesson when it comes to family and forgave them for their foolishness, jealousy and evil acts against him. We all need to be a bit more like Joseph. Some families or family members can’t come to a reunion because of the grudges they hold against other family members. Unless your situation is worse than plotting to kill you, tossing you in a pit and selling you into slavery and going home to tell your family you had been eaten by dogs…maybe you could forgive like Joseph did.