Leprosy, The Sin Dis-ease

Leviticus 13:1-59


Leprosy in Leviticus is a picture of “sin” and how we should deal with it in our lives. WE are not to take prisoners and leave a little bit behind. Identifying sin takes a community and not just ourselves because we would more than likely excuse it away.
 ¹ And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: ² “When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling, a scab, or a bright spot, and it becomes on the skin of his body like a leprous^[a] sore, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests. ³ The priest shall examine the sore on the skin of the body; and if the hair on the sore has turned white, and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a leprous sore. Then the priest shall examine him, and pronounce him unclean. (Leviticus 13:1-3, New King James Version)

Footnotes:

1. Leviticus 13:2 Hebrew saraath, disfiguring skin diseases, including leprosy, and so in verses 2–46 and 14:2–32

The passage even deals with an environment of sin we may choose to live within our relationships and homes, the sin we cloak ourselves with.
   
⁴⁷ “Also, if a garment has a leprous plague^[a] in it, whether it is a woolen garment or a linen garment, ⁴⁸ whether it is in the warp or woof of linen or wool, whether in leather or in anything made of leather, ⁴⁹ and if the plague is greenish or reddish in the garment or in the leather, whether in the warp or in the woof, or in anything made of leather, it is a leprous plague and shall be shown to the priest. ⁵⁰ The priest shall examine the plague and isolate that which has the plague seven days. ⁵¹ And he shall examine the plague on the seventh day. If the plague has spread in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, in the leather or in anything made of leather, the plague is an active leprosy. It is unclean. ⁵² He shall therefore burn that garment in which is the plague, whether warp or woof, in wool or in linen, or anything of leather, for it is an active leprosy; the garment shall be burned in the fire.
⁵³ “But if the priest examines it, and indeed the plague has not spread in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, or in anything made of leather, ⁵⁴ then the priest shall command that they wash the thing in which is the plague; and he shall isolate it another seven days. ⁵⁵ Then the priest shall examine the plague after it has been washed; and indeed if the plague has not changed its color, though the plague has not spread, it is unclean, and you shall burn it in the fire; it continues eating away, whether the damage is outside or inside. ⁵⁶ If the priest examines it, and indeed the plague has faded after washing it, then he shall tear it out of the garment, whether out of the warp or out of the woof, or out of the leather. ⁵⁷ But if it appears again in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, or in anything made of leather, it is a spreading plague; you shall burn with fire that in which is the plague. (Leviticus 13:47-57, New King James Version)

Footnotes:

1. Leviticus 13:47 A mold, fungus, or similar infestation, and so in verses 47–59

No matter how we try to hide it no matter how we try to filter it, sin is just that, sin.

The Burning Book

Leviticus 6-7:27

Haven’t posted in a couple of days and probably will not post much while going through the book of Leviticus.  Although this book is packed with ritual laws and ceremonies, I think it probably deserves its own blog just to go through the laws and rituals that directly point to New Testament principals and most importantly, point to Jesus Christ revealed in the New Covenant.  One of the Sacrifices that directly point to the New Testament is the Burnt Offering that was to be done before any other offering mentioned in Leviticus could be done or else nothing else that was offered up would be accepted. 

The Burnt Offering where everything of the sacrificial bull was placed on the alter and burned up completely is paralleled in,

Romans 12:1-2 NIV  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.  (2)  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Burning up for Jesus!

The Glory of the Lord

Exodus 39-40:38

To see Aaron dressed up in his High Priestly clothing must have been a glorious sight.  But we must remember that the clothing was not about Aaron but it was all about God.  In some way the covering to be worn in ministering to the people was a reflection of God.  We are suppose to see aspects of God’s Glory; His Character; His Omnipotence; His knowledge and Wisdom and all the other facets of God I have probably left off.  The engraved names of Israel on the stone and stones of the headpiece and chest piece represents how God always has us on His mind and His heart.

What is God’s Love, Really?

Exodus 34-35:9

Yesterday a co-worker sent me a devotional entitled, God's Love and Lemonheads The Writer was attempting to write down all the synonyms she could think of for Love, trying to describe God’s Love without using the word Love.  There is one big problem with that, we cannot compare man’s love, or even equate God’s love with what man describes as love no matter the language used (see Isaiah 55:8-9).  In today’s passage I saw something that might give us a clue of What God’s Love is:

        Exodus 34:5-7 NLT  Then the LORD came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and He called out His own name, Yahweh.  (6)  The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.  (7)  I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected--even children in the third and fourth generations."

Within this passage is something that appears to break away from love and it is something I have wrestled with for years, the laying/visiting/punishing upon the children/grandchildren the sins of their parents: It doesn’t sound like love to us humans, at least to me it doesn't.  In The Hebrew, as in the King James, that particular word is translated “Visiting”. According to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary, the Hebrew word is.

[H6485 –פּקד - pâqad - paw-kad' - A primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.: - appoint, X at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up look, make X by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember (-brance), set (over), sum, X surely, visit, want.]

When someone comes to visit, you don’t have to let them in.  But if you’re living in a house under the tutelage of your parents their guests, their sins, are brought into the space you live in thus that visitor, that “sin,” becomes Familiar to you, which is how it gets passed down from one generation to the next.  Unless the children reject that sin and/or sins, it will truly move down the line from one generation to the next.  

The passage also states, God forgives, but doesn’t overlook the guilty.  Guilt, true guilt, in this context means the person never sought forgiveness from God.  They may have sought forgiveness from others, but they never stood under the cleansing Stream of God’s Forgiveness. 

In the New Testament Passage for today, we can see the –Cause-Effect-Cause, of our sins, our family sin  being  passed down one generation to the next in the following statement.  [Jesus is before the crowd at his trial.  Pilate’s wife has sent him a message about her bad dread and she warns him to leave Jesus alone.  The warning shakes Pilate up and he ceremonially washes his hands in front of the crowd and states he is not responsible for what is about to happen (As if shirking your responsibility to lead somehow gets rid of your responsibility) - The conversaton bewteen Pilate and the crowd]:

Matthew 27:24-25 NLT  Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood. The responsibility is yours!"  (25)  And all the people yelled back, "We will take responsibility for His death--we and our children!"

Further down in the Matthew passage we see the “world” trying to strip Jesus of His Covering, His Favor with God which is keeping with my overall theme of Cloaks and Favor,

Matthew 27:27-31 NLT  Some of the governor's soldiers took Jesus into their headquarters and called out the entire regiment.  (28)  They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.  (29)  They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on His head, and they placed a reed stick in His right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before Him in mockery and taunted, "Hail! King of the Jews!"  (30)  And they spit on Him and grabbed the stick and struck Him on the head with it.  (31)  When they were finally tired of mocking Him, they took off the robe and put His own clothes on Him again. Then they led Him away to be crucified.

God is still God; Jesus is still God as well as the son of God.  no matter what we do or don’t do. Even if we attempt to strip God verbally of his awesomeness and His power, He is still God and Jesus is still His son. 

Luke 19:11-27 NIV  While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once.  (12)  He said: "A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. (13)  So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work,' he said, 'until I come back.' (14)  "But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.' (15)  "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. (16)  "The first one came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' (17)  "'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' (18)  "The second came and said, 'Sir, your mina has earned five more.' (19)  "His master answered, 'You take charge of five cities.' (20)  "Then another servant came and said, 'Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. (21)  I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.' (22)  "His master replied, 'I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? (23)  Why then didn't you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?' (24)  "Then he said to those standing by, 'Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.' (25)  "'Sir,' they said, 'he already has ten!' (26)  "He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away. (27)  But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them--bring them here and kill them in front of me.'"

Mixing Faith With Hearing

Exodus 32-33:23

Today the following passage became real and alive to me:

Hebrews 4:1-3 NIV  Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.  (2)  For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.  (3)  Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in my anger, "They shall never enter my rest.'" And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.

Although a little off-center of cloaks and favor, with today’s Old Testament passage, I better understand the passage about missing God’s rest if faith is not combined with God’s Word. In the desert, Israel heard and saw the works of God, yet, when they didn’t get their quick fix, their spiritual fast food, they quickly took off the accessories that went with their “cloaks” of favor and turned them into an idol, a golden calf.   The making of idols is an effect of a cause, unbelief.

Mark Twain said, “Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society,” which is truly stated but is not true.  Clothes cover up and give the appearance of what the man is trying to convey to society; however, God sees the heart. It is possible, having some familiarity and experience with human nature, which is man’s behavior outside the influence of the Holy Spirit, the clothes given to Israel by the Egyptians right before the Exodus, caused the wearers to believe their outside appearance in their newly acquired finery, made them who they were, gave them their favor with God, and so acted accordingly.  Maybe they coveted after the garments that were being made for Aaron and his sons and wanted to compete with God, Hmmm.

What do I need to do to make sure I mix what I’ve heard, what I’ve read, what I’m Blogging about now with faith and fail to enter my rest?

In the reading of a New Testament passage, once more something I’ve read over and over again, was seen in a different light:

Matthew 26:69-75 NIV  Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.  (70)  But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.  (71)  Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."  (72)  He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"  (73)  After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."  (74)  Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.  (75)  Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Once you’ve been with Jesus, whether you deny Him or not, whether you open your mouth or not, whether you call down curses of denial or not, whether you sit or stand, people know you have been with Jesus.  

Am I Reading and Willing Despite Being Able

Exodus 30:11-31:18

As today’s Old Testament reading goes through what God requires in his Tabernacle, what to make, how to make it and by whom, I was going to focus on something I read in Psalms because I couldn’t connect anything about Favor or Covering, but then I did.  God, in His Favor, and within the Covering of His people, gave “gifts” to some craftsman, Bezalel, son of Uri, and Oholiab son of Ahisamach., and other “gifted” craftsman;  however Bazalel was the leader and Oholiab, his assistant.  But there was an organizational hierarchy, a chain of command.

Although we may desire someone’s position or think we can do better, it is appointed leadership who must take their instructions from God, to the letter, or face the consequences.  More times than not we look at those in charge and declare we can do better, but can we.  And even if we can do better, are we willing to accept the responsibility for getting it wrong if we don’t follow directions.  Not only do we have to be “gifted” in an area, we also must be willing to do what needs to be done even if we don’t get the recognition.  The Tabernacle is almost always called Moses’ tabernacle even though Moses did not do any of the building or construction.  In reality it was God’s doing, His structure, but it is still called even today, Moses’ Tabernacle. 

Am I willing, in my pursuits and work, ready, willing and able to give up the Glory to someone else?  I can make all kinds of posturing and say, well I’d do it for God, I give Him all the glory.  Yet it reality, if I cannot let another man get the recognition, someone who I can see, am I really in my heart ready to give up recognition to someone, God, who I cannot see? 

.

And now on to what I picked up in my reading of Psalms:

Psalms 32:5-7  NIV  Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah (6)  Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.  (7)  You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

Godliness does not equate to sin-less-ness or guiltlessness.  How often have I used the word “godly” to describe someone especially relating to their character and integrity?  It appears I am wrong.  The term “godly” is usually used by me or others to defend someone from a charge or accusation, “They couldn’t do that because they are godly folks.”  Looks like I have some rethinking and reevaluating to do.

Reading through the Bible and searching for “Truth” always shakes up bad and erroneous thinking.  

Does the Outside Match the Inside?

Exodus 29-30:10

I

In this passage we are told of the ceremony and the sacrifices and the offerings that are to accompany Aaron’s ordination into the Priesthood.  The instructions for sanctifying the alter and the tabernacle also included ceremony and specific instructions for the seven day ceremony, as well as what Aaron and his sons were to do every day at the beginning of each day.  So many things, so much stuff, all this was needed to stand before a Holy God so the High Priest and the helpers would not get wiped out.  The work involved, the animals, the noise, the smells the time needed to insure the presence of a Holy God would not wipe out the sinful men standing before Him.  All this was “covering” to cover sin and sinful people even though those sinful folks were the Favored ones. 

Today, the Great Sacrificial Lamb was slain for us so the work, the arduous work of keeping pure, on the outside, while staying dirty on the inside, does not have to be done day in and day out.  Our covering, our Cloak, is the Son Of God’s blood which we are seen through.  The work we must now do is accept the Son and allow the Holy Spirit, by act of our will and yielding ourselves to the Spirit, to do the Cleansing on the inside, through Love.  It all begins with meeting our Sacrificial Lamb at the cross, allowing His shed blood to pour over us as a cover, and then getting up and going out into the world filed on the inside with the Holy Spirit who continuously cleans repairs, restores and sanctifies.

When Jesus uttered these words,

Matthew 23:25-29 NLT  "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy--full of greed and self-indulgence!  (26)  You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.  (27)  "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs--beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity.  (28)  Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.  (29)  "What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed, and you decorate the monuments of the godly people your ancestors destroyed …”

He wasn’t insulting them; He was telling them their true state.  The laws they followed, the offerings and sacrifices made in the Temple, the sacrificial meals they partook of, if they were of the priestly order, only cleaned the outside, it only kept their cloaks, their covering clean.  Inside was vile, putrid, and smelly. I have been reading that passage wrong for years.  I too will be vile, putrid and smelly if I don’t allow the Holy Spirit inside of me to do the work of cleansing the inside of the Temple, my body.    

Work'in Our Assignment

Exodus 28:1-43

Even within community of Favored people, God still assigns positions and He also assigns Cloaks for each position which He clearly gives instructions on how that “cloak” should be designed. To the untrained or to those who are not using discernment by reading the entire context of these instructions, it would appear God was showing favor to a specific family or group.

Within a community of faith there are roles or “gifts” that are given but they are not for self-edification nor are they to place one person over another. Just like every part of a clocks movement is necessary in order for that clock with many parts to work as a clock, so the “Body of Christ,” the people God has placed His Favor upon, each person must use their gift wearing the cloak God has designed for them within the purpose God has called them to. How we use those gifts and what we do with them will be called into question by the One who gave them.  Like the model on the catwalk, we must learn how to “work it” when we walk down the runway in whatever cloak we have been assigned to wear.  

God Is In The Details of Our Lives

God is in Our Stuff

Exodus 23-27:21

In the New Living Translation, we come across a lot of “You must nots…” in the texts.  “You must nots” are only told when the propensity to Must do abounds.  However, within the multitude of must nots lie three conspicuous musts and they have to do with celebrations, Festival of Unleavened Bread (Passover) and the two Harvest Festivals (One at the beginning and the other at the end), Party Time. And the other “must dos” belong to building things.  God is a God of joy, celebration, hope and resurrection (bringing back dead things – dead people – dead relationships to life). 

God is also a God of protection when we follow His Words, in other words when we are obedient.   He, God, is also a jealous God and not willing to share the people who wear his clock of Favor with anyone or anything else.  No rabbit’s feet, no crossing fingers and toes, no relying on our own strength, wisdom and cunning.  God’s counsel is the only counsel we should seek and that counsel is found in His one and only book, The Bible, The Word, His Son, and Jesus Christ. 

I’ve heard this statement,” The devil is in the details,” hundreds of times.  But that is somewhat true.  The Devil is in the details of worrying, doubt, and fear.  However, God is in the little bitty details of building our lives.  He is in the details of the things that add value to His people of Favor.  Thus the Cloak of His Favor never wears out, it only appreciates in value and never depreciates. 

When we read about what went into the building of the Tabernacle, God never asked Moses for his opinion, He gave Moses instructions.  Remember Moses was trained in all the arts and wisdom of the Egyptians.   Within those arts and wisdom was the mathematical knowledge and sciences that laid the foundation of the Egyptians building projects: Pyramids, Tombs and Great Buildings.  Moses knew a thing or two about building and construction.  No matter how much we are trained in any given task, God knows more.  

It's God's Law: Shalom

Exodus 21:22-23:13

Just because we have been tapped by God to be shown throughout the world that we have His Favor, doesn’t mean we can walk around and not take into consideration everyone else around us.  Value, God sets down His values for life, limb and property and expects, us, His people, those He has covered under the Cloak of His Favor; mirror the same values He has.

We are to go about our daily business thinking of others and being aware of how our actions, or non action, can harm others.  It’s called due diligence.  And when we error, we are to compensate.  Just saying sorry doesn’t cut it with God we must make the injured party whole. 

Making someone whole is one of the many facets of the Hebrew word for Peace, Shalom. Without restitution there is no peace and if you fail at what is required by God, you are a peace breaker.

From Vine’s Complete Expository of Old Testament Words,

A. Nouns.

shalom (H7965), "peace; completeness; welfare; health." The root is a common Semitic root with the meaning "peace" in Akkadian, Ugaritic, Phoenician, Aramaic, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic.

Shalom is a very important term in the Old Testament and has maintained its place in Mishnaic, rabbinic, and Modern Hebrew. In Israel today, people greet the newcomer and each other with the words mah shlomka, ("what is your peace," "how are you doing,") and they ask about the "peace" ("well-being") of one's family.

The use of shalom is frequent (237 times) and varied in its semantic range. The first two occurrences in Genesis already indicate the changes in meaning: "And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace [shalom in the sense of "in tranquility," "at ease," "unconcerned"]; thou shalt be buried in a good old age" (Gen 15:15); and "that thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace [shalom with the meaning of "unharmed" and "unhurt"]..." (Gen 26:29). Yet, both uses are essentially the same, as they express the root meaning of "to be whole." The phrase ish shelomi ("friend of my peace") in Psa 41:9, "Yea, mine own familiar friend [literally, "friend of my peace"], in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me" (cf. Jer 20:10), signifies a state in which one can feel at ease, comfortable with someone. The relationship is one of harmony and wholeness, which is the opposite of the state of strife and war: "I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war" (Psa 120:7). Shalom as a harmonious state of the soul and mind encourages the development of the faculties and powers. The state of being at ease is experienced both externally and internally. In Hebrew it finds expression in the phrase beshalom ("in peace"): "I will both lay me down in peace [beshalom], and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety" (Psa 4:8).

B. Verbs.

shalem (H7999), "to be complete, be sound." This verb occurs 103 times. The word signifies "to be complete" in 1Ki 9:25 : "So he finished the house."

Another verb, shalam, means "to make peace": "When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him" (Pro 16:7).

C. Adjective.

shalem (H8003), "complete; perfect." This word is found in Gen 15:16 with the meaning of not quite "complete": "But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." The word means "perfect" in Deu 25:15.

Now a question for me, am I a person of Shalom, do I diligently operate in Shalem , and do I work at making others Shalem just like my Father, God?

Meeting With God

Exodus 19:16-21:21

On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud covered the mountain. A trumpet gave out a very loud blast. Everyone in the camp trembled with fear. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God. They stood at the foot of the mountain.

(Exodus 19:16-17 NIrV)

Getting our Cloak of Favor doesn’t seem to be based on our “righteousness” but on God Himself and His desires.  But there is an action on our part after we receive that cloak, obedience to His Word. Arrogance (an attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumption) is what happens when we think we are all that and a bag of chips and that is God's peoples stumbling block. We believe there is something within us that makes us great but it is not.  It is Favor, God's Favor.  It is our fellowship with God that is predicated on our obedience and not our relationship or Favor.

It is our obedience to the laws of God, that precedes our specific blessings because the Word says the rain falls on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45; Psalm 145:9),so it is our obedience to the general instructions,or Word of God, and then the specific personal Words God speaks into our lives that proceed our blessings. This past Sunday (Jan 31, 2010), I heard a message on Cause and Effect, basically stated God created the Universe to work based on Cause and Effect and He, God, is the first cause.  Then effects within themselves become a cause. So it is Cause – Effect—Cause.  

Trying to Study and get this down “pat” is impossible so the only hope, my only hope is to meditate on God’s Word and have it become a part of me so I’m not trying to think of what comes next. 

No Lone Rangers in This Kingdom

Exodus 17:8 – 19:5

The cousins (Amalek – Esau’s descendents) came out to attack and despite Moses’ Authority, despite his cloak of Favor, folks still challenged him, so too for us Believers.  The relatives came to wipe him out (There goes the gathering ‘round the table at Thanksgiving with the folks).  But Moses needed the support and help of many people; he didn't just wave his arms and wipe out all those attacking him and the people he led,  there is a message/sermon in this.  On the other side, the Father-in-Law, who was not traveling with him, was protecting his wife, the daughter, and the kids while Moses tangled with Pharaoh, came calling with great advice, yet he was not part of the group.

We never truly know, without God’s guidance, who has our best interest.  And our best interest may be misunderstood by those who think they are looking out for us if they don’t have the heart of God and are listening to his voice.  Usually we give or get advice, before and not after we have sought the counsel of God, we give and get advice based on the reputation of the non God advisors as well as using our past experiences and five senses.   When in doubt, seek God. 

And again the battle is not ours, but the Lords but we must be obedient and do it God’s way not ours even if it seems silly by human thinking. 

Exodus 19:5,6 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,  (6)  you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

I am offered, we are offered, the cloak of Favor and given instructions on what we need to do to wear it.  Will I keep those instructions, will I even do the work of reading the book that tells me what I need to do, or will I try to “wing it” and just pretend I did. Will I read them and then walk away and forget what I’ve read?  It’s something for me to think about and be truly honest with myself.  

What kind of god is God?

Exodus 15:19-17:7



What do I really believe about God? Do I think, like these folks wandering in the Desert after seeing God’s deliverance, after escaping from slavery with the “wealth of Egypt,” after complaining for water, and food, and having my needs met, that God is a sometimes God? The only way you would really believe that God is compartmentalized, like the gods of Egypt, is if your concept of a god was like those in Egypt. Trust seemed to be a big issue and lies, and telling of lies must have been rampart because we lie when we are 1) afraid and in fear, or 2) because we are trying to get something we think we won’t get unless we use deception.  Yet, these folks actually saw those little gods destroyed and obliterated by God. So what's up? I too know and have seen how God intervened in my life and in the life of others and I also have the same problem.


Israel definitely didn’t believe this Word when they heard it, “…, If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God and will do what is right in His sight, and will listen to and obey His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord Who heals you”( Exo 15:26 AMP ) The question for me is, “Do I really believe this?” Going by my past actions, “No.” Why not? It’s not God holding back it’s me that pushes back and refuses to think that God is talking to me, cares about me, wants to take care of me. I put caveats on Him helping me I have to be good enough, or thinking He’s already done enough for me.


So Moses and Aaron said to all Israel, At evening you shall know that the Lord has brought you out from the land of Egypt (Concerning Manna –This God said before he gave them Manna (means: What is it) And in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, for He hears your murmurings against the Lord. For what are we, that you murmur against us? Exo 16:6,7 AMP


Upon reading this I realize that I have the mantel of God’s favor on me, it is my clock, but I murmur and complain against the leadership He has set before me and thus, I’m murmuring against God. This is not just an “Old Testament” concept because Jesus mentions it in Matthew






So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble AMP, Mat 6:34. (Matthew 6:11/Luke 11:3)


When I worry about sufficiency for the coming days, I hoard and become greedy, and Lord knows we have too many greedy folks in the Kingdom proving we do not rely on the One we claim we serve.


Exo 16:16-21 AMP This is what the Lord has commanded: Let every man gather of it as much as he will need, an omer for each person, according to the number of your persons; take it, every man for those in his tent. (17) The [people] did so, and gathered some more, some less. (18) When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack; each gathered according to his need. (19) Moses said, Let none of it be left until morning. (20) But they did not listen to Moses; some of them left of it until morning, and it bred worms, became foul, and stank; and Moses was angry with them. (21) They gathered it every morning, each as much as he needed, for when the sun became hot it melted.


Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

No Lord, It's This Way

EXODUS 13:17-15:18


The first think that struck me in today's reading is the route God took Israel  on upon their escape because it wasn't the one I would take.  The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, or the straightest line you can make considering the obstacles in your way.  But God considers the obstacles in our minds, the ones that cause us to want to return to our "vomit."  I can see myself in these loop-de-loop journeys, the ones I've been on in the past.  Not knowing my own quirks and character flaws, or better stated, not wanting to recognize them and call them out, my thoughts turn to how really inadequate I am but I think I can handle the route I want to take, but God has me on this thing, this crazy journey.  He even baits my enemies making me meet them face to face while I'm shaking in my boots.  The battle is really for my mind.  Will I believe what God has said about me, "You're free and clear of the enemy's grasp," or will I believe what the enemy says, "You're still my slave."


It all comes down to trust.  Will I trust my five senses, which fail, and lets me know I'm walking by sight, sense and circumstance and not by faith, or will I trust that God's Word is His Word and He doesn't lie.  Because in the end it is not me that saves my behind but God.  He is the one who will protect me from my enemies.  And let's be really clear here, most of the time I really don't know my enemies from my friends, I need to get that list from God 'cause I'm too dumb to come in from the rain.


I think right about now I should be asking what Solomon asked for, Wisdom.  Though Solomon asked for wisdom so he could lead the people, I need to ask for Wisdom so I can lead my life.


2 Ch 1:7-12 AMP That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, Ask what I shall give you.  (8)  And Solomon said to God, You have shown great mercy and loving-kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place.  (9)  Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.  (10)  Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this Your people who are so great?  (11)  God replied to Solomon, Because this was in your heart and you have not asked for riches, possessions, honor, and glory, or the life of your foes, or even for long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may rule and judge My people over whom I have made you king,  (12)  Wisdom and knowledge are granted you. And I will give you riches, possessions, honor, and glory, such as none of the kings had before you, and none after you shall have their equal.