Exodus 6

Exodus 6: 9-12 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country.” But Moses said to the Lord, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips.

"One of these things is not like the other" goes the old saying. We see that here in this section of Scripture. Moses goes to God to say that since Israel didn't listen Pharoah won't because of his faltering speech. However, the reason Israel did not listen had nothing to do with Moses' speech. It was Israel's discouragement that kept them from hearing Moses not his way of speaking.  The connection that Moses is making is a false one. However, he is bringing it to God as if it is perfectly logical. It isn't but then how often do we use false logic to keep us from doing what is right? 

God doesn't point out Moses' faulty logic he deals with Moses' complaint by giving him a helper, his brother, to speak for him. How merciful of God. 

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Isaiah 27

 In verse four it speaks of the day to come that God will have no anger towards his people. Throughout the Old Testament, we see God angry at his people because of their disobedience and the wicked in particular. God is going to know in this time not going to have any anger. The problems/sin in His people will be gone and now the blessing that God prepared for man in the garden of Eden will be lived out. What a day that will be, as the song says. 

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Job 22

 At the beginning of this chapter, Eliphaz asks Job if God needs a person. Though this is given as a rhetorical no, I have to wonder if he is wrong. Yes in the Psalm the Psalmist asks what is man that God would be mindful of him but then goes on and says that God has decorated man with glory and honor. Jesus gave his life to save mankind. God does many a wonderous work just to save a single person which Jesus illustrates in the parable of the lost sheep. 

In the purest sense. Eliphaz is correct. God doesn't need people. He doesn't need to have them be righteous to uplift Him in any way. He definitely doesn't need us to give out judgment. The amazing thing is that God wants us. He is pleased when we live right and he does promise Hid faithful that they will help Him judge and rule.   

I have been saying that most of what Job's friends say is true but applied incorrectly. Here however I have got to say that No, Eliphaz you got it wrong. 

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Acts 2

 What did the early church do? In verse 42 it sums up that they learned doctrine, had fellowship, took communion (breaking of bread), and prayed. Nowhere in the rest of Scripture do we hear that these four things are not important. In fact, these four things are spoken of often. If ever a person claims to be a Christian stops participating in these four things then I believe there is a spiritual problem in their life. It is interesting that though two of these can be done on our own, prayer and doctrine, the early church did these activities as a group. Nowhere do we get the idea of solo Christianity in the New Testament. This is one of the reasons John Wesley believed in social holiness. We need each other if we are going to be all God wants us to be. 

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Psalm 21

 Here in this chapter as is mentioned and in other places it says that God will wipe out the descendants of the wicked. If for anyone who reads the Bible, knows God promises not to hold the sins of the fathers against their children. So what's going on here. 

In the pure sense of the word a descendant is the biological child of the parent. However in the past and still in many places today a descendant is not just the biological child but the one who carries on the actions and attitudes of the parent. In fact, in many cultures when a child deviates from the actions and beliefs of the parent the child is considered no longer part of the family. Considering this a descendant of the wicked is one that continues to carry on the wickedness of their parents. They continue to cause trouble and continue to bring evil into the world. God is saying that those descendants in other words those who continue to do those things will be stopped. God is saying wicked this will not continue forever. God isn't saying that genocide is the right attitude but that those who live wickedly like those who came before them will be dealt with. 

When looked at this way, what is promised is Hope. It is the hope of a better day where the wicked will not continue. When we get to the Gospels we'll see God will wipe out the descendants of evildoer, in a different way by changing them and making them children of God. He will make them his descendants and no longer the descendants of evildoers.

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Exodus 5

It isn't clear if that was his intent but Pharoah's command to take away the straw brought division between Moses and his people. I believe that was his plan but this reaction is common. Bring division between the people and their leader and you have probably ended that leader's influence. The lesson I want to learn from this is don't complain against the leader if they are taking you where you ought to go. Change is difficult and if the leader God has given is leading it then there will probably be times that are harder at least at the beginning.

 I like something Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments says about the Israelites' complaint against Moses. It pointed out that the one called by God should expect not just complaints from enemies but from "unthinking friends."

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Exodus 4

 For one to be a part of the tribe of Israel at this time was circumcision for the man. The sons of Abraham understood this and used it to enact a plan of revenge. This practice was passed down through the Abraham family and was most probably known by Moses as well. How could God send him to be His lawgiver when he wasn't even obeying this command. The reason some scholars believe this happened at this time was because it was the eighth day after his second son was born. Whatever the reason God relented bringing death to Moses when the child was circumcised. 

For most modern readers, it seems that there should be more explanation. However, for the Israelites who understood the importance of this act, it would have been very clear. Moses was going forth to try and lead Israel without making his child part of Israel.