The LORD Bless You and Keep You1
Genesis 49:1-15
1Then Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you what shall happen to you in days to come.
2 “Assemble and listen, O sons of Jacob,
listen to Israel your father.”
Jacob was about to speak by inspiration. The blessing of a parent whose tongue is taught by God is more precious than can be imagined.
3 “Reuben, you are my firstborn,
my might, and the firstfruits of my strength,
preeminent in dignity and preeminent in power.
4 Unstable as water, you shall not have preeminence,
because you went up to your father’s bed;
then you defiled it--he went up to my couch!”
Though he was the firstborn Reuben missed the birthright, because he was immoral and not serious. Whatever good points may be in a person, if they are not levelheaded, steady, and true, they will come to nothing. To be unstable like the waves of the sea is one of the worst faults and spoils the whole character.
5 “Simeon and Levi are brothers;
weapons of violence are their swords.
6 Let my soul come not into their council;
O my glory, be not joined to their company.
For in their anger they killed men,
and in their willfulness they hamstrung oxen.
7 Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce,
and their wrath, for it is cruel!
I will divide them in Jacob
and scatter them in Israel.”
Jacob washes his hands of a great wrong committed by two of his sons. He could not prevent it, because they acted quickly in self will and he did not know about it until after the murderous deed was done. He takes care to give his witness against it in the most serious way. The foolishness of youth will come home to people in their mature years. It is a great mercy from God when we have a good moral compass from our childhood.
8 “Judah, your brothers shall praise you;
your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;
your father’s sons shall bow down before you.”
When Jacob came to Judah, (Judah being a type2 of Christ), the dying patriarch rose to a higher level. He had no more faults to mention, only blessings.
9 “Judah is a lion’s cub;
from the prey, my son, you have gone up.
He stooped down; he crouched as a lion
and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?”
Who would dare to defy the Lion of the tribe of Judah? Jesus the Lord is terrifying to his enemies.
10 “The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until tribute comes to him;3
and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.”
When our Lord came to earth as man, his enemies said, “Look, the world has gone after him.”4 To this day, he is the greatest of magnets to attract the hearts of people. He came just when the kingdom had departed from Judah and now he reigns as the Prince of Peace.
11 “Binding his foal to the vine
and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine,
he has washed his garments in wine
and his vesture in the blood of grapes.
12 His eyes are darker than wine,
and his teeth whiter than milk.”
Truly in our Immanuel’s land the wine and milk flow in rivers. “Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”5
13 “Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea;
he shall become a haven for ships,
and his border shall be at Sidon.”
May the people who make their living at sea be favored by the Lord and never live in darkness as Zebulun came to do.
14 “Issachar is a strong donkey,
crouching between the sheepfolds.
15 He saw that a resting place was good,
and that the land was pleasant,
so he bowed his shoulder to bear,
and became a servant at forced labor.”
Quiet and industrious, Issachar may have been somewhat lacking in courage and energy. There are no perfect people; but we wish that some of our brothers, who seem so satisfied with themselves, were more energetic in their work for God. Yet as Issachar was a true son of Jacob, we trust our more methodical brothers are too. It is good to be serious in the service of our God, because we serve a serious God.
We will leave the rest of the Jacob’s blessing for our next reading.
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1 Numbers 6:24
2 type - something or someone that represents something or someone else, usually in the future. As man, Jesus descended from the tribe of Judah. Revelation 5:5 speaks of the Lord Jesus and includes, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David.”
3 ESV footnote: “until Shiloh comes” or “until he comes to Shiloh”
4 John 12:19
5 Isaiah 55:1
Year One, March 2
I Wait for Your Salvation, O LORD1
We will now read the rest of the blessings given by Jacob to his sons.
Genesis 49:16-33
16 “Dan shall judge his people
as one of the tribes of Israel.”
Dan means judge. Dan was the first child born to Jacob by a concubine (a woman with lower status than his wives Leah and Rachel). This blessing indicated that all of these sons who might be considered to be of a lower rank would also be self-governing.
17 “Dan shall be a serpent in the way,
a viper by the path,
that bites the horse’s heels
so that his rider falls backward.
18 I wait for your salvation, O LORD.”
Jacob pauses in verse eighteen. His words express his inability to save himself or his family. He is not annoyed by this or complaining about it. He is expressing a hope that grew out of the Lord’s faithfulness to him over many years. He was old and knew he was about to die. He was confident that he would soon enjoy the fullness of salvation in the very presence of the Lord.
19 “Raiders shall raid Gad,
but he shall raid at their heels.”
This is often proved in the believer’s life. Many trials push him down, but he rises up again.
20 “Asher’s food shall be rich,
and he shall yield royal delicacies.
21 “Naphtali is a doe let loose
he gives beautiful words.”2
A lively spirit and the ability to speak and be easily understood; this is a good combination for a minister of the gospel.
22 “Joseph is a fruitful bough,
a fruitful bough by a spring;
his branches run over the wall.
23 The archers bitterly attacked him,
shot at him, and harassed him severely,
24 yet his bow remained unmoved;
his arms were made agile
by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob
(from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel),
25 by the God of your father who will help you,
by the Almighty who will bless you
with blessings of heaven above,
blessings of the deep that crouches beneath,
blessings of the breasts and of the womb.
26 The blessings of your father
are mighty beyond the blessings of my parents,
up to the bounties of the everlasting hills.”
May they be on the head of Joseph,
and on the brow of him who was set apart from his brothers.
Jacob’s heart swelled when he got to Joseph. Evidently, he thought he could not pour out a blessing that was generous enough. Jesus is the greater Joseph. When we truly turn our thoughts to Jesus, no words can lift him up enough. Watts has said it nicely:
“Blessings more than we can give,
Be, Lord, for ever thine.”3
27 “Benjamin is a ravenous wolf,
in the morning devouring the prey
and at evening dividing the spoil.”
Benjamin would become a quarrelsome tribe. Even though Benjamin was greatly loved by his father, he did not dare use that as a reason to invent a blessing for him. He speaks only the words the Lord gave him—nothing less, nothing more. To be fighting from morning to night is a shameful business, unless it is against sin.
28All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him. 29Then he commanded them and said to them, “I am to be gathered to my people; bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite, 30in the cave that is in the field at Machpelah, to the east of Mamre, in the land of Canaan, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite to possess as a burying place. 31There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife. There they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife, and there I buried Leah-- 32the field and the cave that is in it were bought from the Hittites.” 33When Jacob finished commanding his sons, he drew up his feet into the bed and breathed his last and was gathered to his people.
Jacob was not left among the Egyptians even after death, but slept in the family tomb of his fathers, to awake with them at the resurrection. In all things he kept going as one who was on a journey with God to a city that would only be reached at death.
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1 Genesis 49:18
2 This is the ESV alternate reading. The text reads, “that bears beautiful fawns.”
3 Composer Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
Year One, March 3
We Are Not Ignorant of Satan’s Designs1
It is the general opinion that Job lived at some time between the age of Abraham and the time of Moses. It is probable that Moses wrote this holy poem that records the discussion between Job and his friends. Therefore, at this time, we will consider his history and gather a few gems from the remarkable book that bears his name.
Job 1:1-12
1There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, (He was just an ordinary “man.” He was not a prince or a king. Yet he was nobler than any of the nobles of his time.) and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. (This description of his character is given him by God’s perfect inspiration. No one could hope for a higher honor. His life was well balanced and showed that he was righteous, toward both God and man.) 2There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.
We see here that a rich man may be a good man even though “gold and the gospel seldom do agree.”2 It may be rare, but a man of riches may also have riches in heaven. Job was gracious in prosperity and therefore was supported in hardship.
4His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. (They probably celebrated their birthdays in this happy and united way. It is a great happiness to see brothers and sisters knit together in love.) 5And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. (He did not forbid their parties, because they were not in themselves sinful. But he knew how likely people are to forget their God and even themselves during a party. He was eager to remove any spot of sin that might result. It is to be feared that few parents are as careful as Job was in this matter.)
6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.
This meeting did not need to take place in heaven. God’s assembly room includes all of space. What nerve Satan had to come before God! What equal impudence when hypocrites pretend to worship the Most High.
7The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
Satan is a busy traveler. He is never idle.
8And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”
Satan had “considered” Job and watched him closely. He thinks carefully before giving his clever answer.
9Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. (Why should God not treat his servant well? If Job had been poor and miserable, Satan would have said that the Lord paid his servants lousy wages.) 11But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has and he will curse you to your face.” (A cruel suggestion, but Satan was measuring Job’s corn with his own bushel.3) 12And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
The Lord intended to glorify himself, to further perfect the character of Job, and to furnish his church with a grand example. This is why he challenged the archenemy. Satan went off on his errand willingly enough, but little did he dream of the defeat that awaited him.
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1 2 Corinthians 2:11
2 Attributed to John Bunyan
3 An old country saying meaning “to measure others by oneself”
Year One, March 4
Many Are the Afflictions of the Righteous1
Job 1:13-22
13Now there was a day when [Job’s] sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,
Satan’s timing was crafty. When troubles come on us when we are celebrating, they have a double bitterness. The brightness of that unforgettable day’s morning made the darkness of the night all the darker.
14and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Job did not lose his property because he was being neglectful. The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were watched over. This proves that all of our care and diligence cannot protect our property unless the Lord is the true protector of it. To lose the oxen that plowed his fields and the donkeys that carried his burdens was a huge disaster, but we do not find the man of God making one word of complaint. Some people would have been in a bad mood if only one ox had died.
16While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Job’s trial increased. The first came from man. The second came directly from heaven. The hand of God was seen more clearly and the sting of the loss would have been all the more painful to the holy soul of Job. Furthermore, in that culture a man’s wealth was in his flocks and Job went from rich to poor with no warning. But he did not complain. Some who profess to be Christians would have been terribly upset if only one lamb had died.
17While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Each messenger finishes his report with the sad words, “And I alone have escaped to tell you.” Satan knows how to beat up a person with terrible news and sadden their heart by repeating the blows. Three companies of servants had been destroyed along with all of his livestock, yet he did not say a word. Job’s heart was so focused on God, that he was not afraid of evil news. What an example he is for us!
18While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” (This last attack was the greatest and most direct against Job. If anything could break a man, this would. Great debaters work from the weakest arguments to the greatest. In the same way, the archenemy weakens Job with smaller afflictions and saves his heaviest assault for the last. Even through the heartbreak of losing his whole family at the same time, Job’s faith did not break down.)
20Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (The greatness of Job’s faith is clearly visible. Certainly no one, besides the Son of Man in Gethsemane, ever rose to a greater height of accepting the Lord’s will for themselves. Instead of cursing God, like Satan said he would, he blesses the Lord with all his heart. How thoroughly beaten the evil spirit must have felt. May the Holy Spirit help each one of us to be victorious over the evil one in the same way. Job did not offend God in either his heart or his words. He understood the holy wisdom of accepting whatever the Lord had in store for him. He did not become upset with his God.)
22In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. (Grace made him more than a conqueror over Satan.)
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1 Psalm 34:19
Year One, March 5
Blessed Is the Man Who Remains Steadfast Under Trial1
Job 2:1-13
1Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the LORD.
Even the devil will attend worship services to serve his own ends. Those who hope to be saved because they attend church services regularly are hoping in the wrong thing. We should also “watch and pray” when we attend Christian services. Satan is there and is busy with his temptations.2
2And the LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
Satan is full of evil, but he is not idle. A lazy person commits one more sin than the devil himself.
3And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” (Job was a good, honest, and sincere man. These qualities were like a strong fortress that resisted the attacks of hell. The prince of darkness himself personally attacked him. God gave Satan permission to take away everything Job had.)
4Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. 5But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” (Satan suggested that bodily pain would be the weapon to wound Job’s faith and even turn that faith into rebellion. The evil one showed his great skill in this plan. Many people have been able to endure every other trial, but were defeated by the suffering of physical pain. Nevertheless, the Lord can make his people more than conquerors even there.) 6And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”
7So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.
Job did not have a soft bed while in this terrible condition, but sat on the hard ashes. He probably did not have a doctor or nurse to help ease his pain. There he sat, the prince of misery; but there was worse to come.
9Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Satan tried to ruin Job by using the person who should have been his best comforter, but the evil one was defeated. The words of his wife only led Job to proclaim another of those remarkable speeches that are now the treasures of the church.)
11Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. 12And when they saw him from a distance, they did not recognize him. And they raised their voices and wept, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads toward heaven. 13And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.
They showed sympathy, but even this was not allowed to continue. Satan would not let them comfort the afflicted one. Eventually, these three friends became judges of Job’s condition. They decided that such unusual suffering could only have been brought about by unusual sin. Under this impression, they added the last drop of bitterness to Job’s cup by accusing him of hypocrisy and secret sin.
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1 James 1:12
2 Matthew 26:41, Jesus said, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Year One, March 6
He Will Deliver You from Six Troubles1
Eliphaz, the Temanite, brought wrong and cruel accusations against Job. Nevertheless, he did touch on some important things. We will read two passages of his first speech. In the first, he shows that weak and guilty man must not question the wisdom and justice of God’s actions.
Job 4:12-21
12 “Now a word was brought to me stealthily;
my ear received the whisper of it,
13 Amid thoughts from visions of the night,
when deep sleep falls on men,
14 dread came upon me, and trembling,
which made all my bones shake.
15 A spirit glided past my face;
the hair of my flesh stood up.
16 It stood still,
but I could not discern its appearance.
A form was before my eyes;
there was silence, then I heard a voice:
17 ‘Can mortal man be in the right before God?
Can a man be pure before his Maker?
18 Even in his servants he puts no trust,
and his angels he charges with error;
19 how much more those who dwell in houses of clay,
whose foundation is in the dust,
who are crushed like the moth.
20 Between morning and evening they are beaten to pieces;
they perish forever without anyone regarding it.
21 Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them,
do they not die, and that without wisdom?’”
Compared to God what are humans or even angels? The wisdom of angels is limited and where their wisdom ends foolishness begins. Theirs is not sinful folly, but when compared to the All-Wise God, even angels know very little. How then can we think highly of weak human beings who we know will soon die and turn to dust, and be forgotten? How then can a mere insect like ourselves, who is not only foolish, but also sinful, dare to question what the Eternal God does?
Job 5:17-27
In our second selection Eliphaz teaches us not to become discouraged when we receive divine chastisements,2 because they are intended for our highest good.
17 “Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves;
therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.”
Do not have a strong dislike for God’s discipline. Do not rebel against it or think God is acting out of anger. And do not disregard it as if it were not important.
18 “For he wounds, but he binds up;
he shatters, but his hands heal.”
The same Lord is in both our afflictions and our relief. He arranges that the one will surely be followed by the other.
19 “He will deliver you from six troubles;
in seven no evil shall touch you.”
Trouble may roar at us like a lion, but it cannot devour us. It may irritate us, but it will not do us real harm. If we suffer a large number of trials we will have an even larger supply of grace.
20 “In famine he will redeem you from death,
and in war from the power of the sword.
21 You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue (a mercy indeed),
and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh,
and shall not fear the beasts of the earth.
23 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field,
and the beast of the field shall be at peace with you.”
The Great Master’s dogs will not bite his friends.
24 “You shall know that your tent is at peace,
and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
25 You shall know also that your offspring shall be many,
and your descendants as the grass of the earth.”
The Lord is our Friend and he will also be gracious to our children.
26 “You shall come to your grave in ripe old age,
like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
27 Behold, this we have searched out; it is true.
Hear, and know it for your good.”
Not only have we been told this, we have seen that it is true. “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.”3
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1 Job 5:19
2 chasten, chastening or chastisement - The act of discipline which may include scolding, criticizing or pain inflicted for the purpose of correction or moral improvement.
3 Romans 8:28
Year One, March 7
For I the LORD Do Not Change1
Our space will not allow us to include much of this wonderful book of Job, but the following is an example of the patriarch’s expressions of distress.
Job 23
1Then Job answered and said:
2 “Today also my complaint is bitter;
my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.”
Most people cry before they are hurt, or more than they are hurt; but this was not Job’s case. He had good reason for every groan and when he groaned most he fell short of expressing what he really felt.
3 “Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his seat!”
Even at his very lowest point this good man knows his true safety is in the Lord. Sinners turn from God in anger. The saints fly to him with hope. Yet sometimes the Lord is a God that hides himself. When he does this, he has wise results to accomplish. He will continue it no longer than is absolutely necessary.
4 “I would lay my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know what he would answer me
and understand what he would say to me.”
Job wished to have the question that his three friends had raised given a fair hearing in the very highest court. He felt that he could freely bring his case before so righteous a judge. It is only the pure heart that can invite such a thorough investigation. Those who know that they are guiltless through Jesus’ blood are not afraid to appear in the courts of heaven.
6 “Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; he would pay attention to me.”
Innocence does not fear power, but like Una rides on the lion.2 The Lord never crushes a person because they are down. Rather, he delights to lift up those who have been cast down.
7 “There an upright man could argue with him,
and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
8 “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive him;
9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
10 But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”
He comforts himself with the assurance that if he could not find the Lord, and speak in his own defense, yet the case was already known to him, and would in due time be decided in his favor. His faith kept him wonderfully secure during his heavy trial; like a sure anchor in a terribly raging storm.
11 “My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”
Job again answers the accusations of his three unfriendly friends. He strongly declares that he is innocent of their charges. He rejects the idea that he is suffering for some secret sin.
13 “But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?
What he desires, that he does.
14 For he will complete what he appoints for me,
and many such things are in his mind.”
Job explains his trials by pointing out that God’s ways are both unchanging and unknowable. He suggests that many more troubles might yet visit him; and for which he might also be unable to find a reason.
15 “Therefore I am terrified at his presence;
when I consider, I am in dread of him.”
Great suffering could not kill his faith, but it reduced his joy. He understood that an absolute God could do whatever he wanted. It is no wonder that he trembled at this thought. Only when we see Jesus do we see that God is love.
16 “God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;
17 yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,
nor because thick darkness covers my face.”
He wished he could have died before these sufferings came on him, but all such wishes have no result. We cannot change what has already happened. Therefore let us by faith move forward.
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1 Malachi 3:6
2 A reference to an English fairy tale written in the 1590’s by Edmund Spenser. Lady Una is searching for her lost knight when a lion appears, ready to devour her. Una shows no fear, but only remorse for her lost knight. The lion takes pity on Una and allows her to ride on his back as they search together for the lost Knight of the Red Cross.
Year One, March 8
The Fear Of the LORD Is the Beginning of Wisdom1
Let us read Job’s famous passage about the search for wisdom.
Job 28
1 “Surely there is a mine for silver,
and a place for gold that they refine.
2 Iron is taken out of the earth,
and copper is smelted from the ore.”
The following verses describe mining operations and the dangers to the miner.
3 “Man puts an end to darkness
and searches out to the farthest limit
the ore in gloom and deep darkness.
4 He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives;
they are forgotten by travelers;
they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro.”
That is to say, as the miners are lowered down the mineshaft, their feet dangle and swing to and fro.
5 “As for the earth, out of it comes bread,
but underneath it is turned up as by fire.
6 Its stones are the place of sapphires,
and it has dust of gold.
7 “That path no bird of prey knows,
and the falcon’s eye has not seen it.
8 The proud beasts have not trodden it;
the lion has not passed over it.
9 “Man puts his hand to the flinty rock
and overturns mountains by the roots.”
The solid rock is broken and those who search for precious metals dig out the hills. Their tunnels go into the center of the mountains and tear out the insides of the hills.
10 “He cuts out channels in the rocks,
and his eye sees every precious thing.
11 He dams up the streams so that they do not trickle,
and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light.”
Miners take great care to prevent the water from breaking through and flooding the mines. By taking these precautions they are able to penetrate deep into the earth and reveal her secrets.
12 “But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man does not know its worth,
and it is not found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’
and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
15 It cannot be bought for gold,
and silver cannot be weighed as its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
in precious onyx or sapphire.
17 Gold and glass cannot equal it,
nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.”
In ancient times glass was a costly item used only for splendor and luxury. However precious glass might be, wisdom far surpasses it.
18 “No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;
the price of wisdom is above pearls.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,
nor can it be valued in pure gold.
20 “From where, then, does wisdom come?
And where is the place of understanding?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living
and concealed from the birds of the air.
22 Abaddon and Death say,
‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’
23 “God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place.
24 For he looks to the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he gave to the wind its weight
and apportioned the waters by measure,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a way for the lightning of the thunder,
27 then he saw it and declared it;
he established it, and searched it out.
28 And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
Job comes to the same conclusion as Solomon, who said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” True religion is priceless beyond all the treasures of earth. Children and young men! Seek wisdom first, for then you will be truly rich.
Jesus is the Captain of the mine of wisdom and he will show you the treasures of precious knowledge.
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1 Psalm 111:10 & Proverbs 9:10
Year One, March 9
I Work, and Who Can Turn It Back?1
When Job’s three accusers were silent, when Elihu had finished his eloquent speech, and Job had no more to say, the Lord himself came between them. As if with a long series of thunderclaps, the Lord hushed every heart and voice into fear, wonder and respect.
Job 38:1-11; 16-17; 22-23; 31-41
1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
How majestic are those words, “Who is this?” Is it a poor, weak, foolish man? Is it Job? My servant Job! Does he speak of that which he cannot understand and dare to complain about his God? Our wisdom is only wisdom when it admits its own foolishness.
3 “Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements--surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”
We know nothing about the ways of God. How foolish we are to think that we can pry into his mysteries and explain his difficult secrets. We are far better off singing with angels, than doubting with devils. The angels all sang, sang together, and sang with one common joy. Oh for such unanimous joyful praise among men.
8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
9 when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?”
16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?”
The secrets of earth are too deep for us. The mysteries of eternity are even more so. One thing, however, is comforting; if we do not see the gates of death open, we do know who it is that has opened the door of heaven for us.
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,
or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble,
for the day of battle and war?”
31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades
or loose the cords of Orion?
32 Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season,
or can you guide the Bear with its children?”
Pleiades, Orion, Mazzaroth and Bear refer to constellations in the stars. Who among us can control the stars or change the seasons?
33 “Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
Can you establish their rule on the earth?
34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
that a flood of waters may cover you?
35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go
and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts
or given understanding to the mind?
37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,
38 when the dust runs into a mass
and the clods stick fast together?
39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion,
or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40 when they crouch in their dens
or lie in wait in their thicket?
41 Who provides for the raven its prey,
when its young ones cry to God for help,
and wander about for lack of food?”
In all these things the greatness of the Lord and the nothingness of humanity are obvious. May God keep even one thought of pride from poisoning our spirit.
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1 Isaiah 43:13
Year One, March 10
You Alone Are God1
The majestic language of Jehovah in his speech to Job is far above all human eloquence. Let us read a second lesson from that divine sermon. We begin with the unequalled description of a warhorse.
Job 39:19-30
19 “Do you give the horse his might?
Do you clothe his neck with a mane?
20 Do you make him leap like the locust?
His majestic snorting is terrifying.
21 He paws in the valley and exults in his strength;
he goes out to meet the weapons.
22 He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;
he does not turn back from the sword.
23 Upon him rattle the quiver,
the flashing spear and the javelin.
24 With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground;
he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.
25 When the trumpet sounds, he says ‘Aha!’
He smells the battle from afar,
the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.”
He who created a creature so noble, powerful, and courageous, is not to be summoned to our courtroom or questioned about what he does.
26 “Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars
and spreads his wings toward the south?”
We often talk about instinct. What is instinct? It is God teaching his creation! He who has given so much wisdom to birds and beasts is full of wisdom himself. Let us bow before him and rest assured that what he does is always best.
27 “Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up
and makes his nest on high?
28 On the rock he dwells and makes his home,
on the rocky crag and stronghold.
29 From there he spies out the prey;
his eyes behold it afar off.
30 His young ones suck up blood,
and where the slain are, there is he.”
The noble eagle sees afar and inspires terror. It does not belong to the kings of the earth even though they adorn their flags and shields with its image. The eagle is another example of the wonderful mind of God and another illustration of his greatness.
Job 40:1-14
1And the LORD said to Job:
2 “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
He who argues with God, let him answer it.”
3Then Job answered the LORD and said:
4 “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer;
twice, but I will proceed no further.”
6Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
7 “Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
8 Will you even put me in the wrong?
Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?
9 Have you an arm like God,
and can you thunder with a voice like his?”
If we think that we can compete with God about who is the most righteous, then God challenges us to first compete with him over who is the most powerful. All the attributes2 of God are equally great. If we cannot match him in one, then it will not be wise to call another one into question.
10 “Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity;
clothe yourself with glory and splendor.”
Come you poor little glowworm, show us your light. What are you compared to the sun?
11 “Pour out the overflowings of your anger,
and look on everyone who is proud and abase him.
12 Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low
and tread down the wicked where they stand.
13 Hide them all in the dust together;
bind their faces in the world below.
14 Then will I also acknowledge to you
that your own right hand can save you.”
The Lord can bring down tyrants and deliver the oppressed. Until we can control the world as he has, we should learn to submit to his divine will and stop our rebellious questioning.
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1 Psalm 86:10
2 attribute - A quality or characteristic that someone has.
Year One, March 11
I Know That You Can Do All Things1
Job 42:1-13
1Then Job answered the LORD and said:
2 “I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
The patriarch made an unconditional acknowledgment. He felt that the very idea of judging the actions of the Almighty was preposterous. Omnipotence2 and Omniscience3 make the thought of calling the Eternal God into question absolutely ridiculous.
3 “‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
The Lord’s first question, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?,”4 lives in Job’s memory. In humble wonder at his own boldness he asks himself this question. It is the same as the apostle Paul’s question, “But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?”5 The patriarch now sees his foolishness in a new light and humbly confesses it before the Lord. A very great part of our religious conversation is made up of saying things that we do not understand. Like Job, all of our complaining is the result of our ignorance.
4 “‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’”
Job desired to enroll in God’s school and to be taught by him. He will no longer argue his case, but will be a humble student.
5 “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
6 therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Hearing does not mean much until the Lord’s arm is revealed6 in a man’s heart. Caryl well observes “No man knows what a nothing he is in knowledge, grace, and goodness until the Lord is pleased to reveal himself to him.”7 When we compare ourselves with ourselves, or with others we think are below us, we imagine that we are important persons; but when the Lord reveals himself we become as nothing in our own eyes. The more we see of God the less we will think of ourselves. True knowledge is the death of conceit.
7After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” (Out of their zeal to defend the way God had dealt with Job, his friends were unfair in their arguments. We have no business defending truth with lies or half-truths. God will have honest defenders or none. He is not pleased with untruthful supporters even though they imagine they are on the Lord’s side, or at any rate they want to be.)
8“Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” (Let us never judge others, because there may come a time we will want their help. We may want them to pray for us in the future, so we should not judge them harshly in the present.) 9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the LORD had told them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer. (The Lord accepted Job and blessed his friends for his sake. How much more does he accept the Lord Jesus Christ who offered himself a sacrifice for sin? And how much safer are we, his poor offending friends, who are in him?
10And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
When we pray in a forgiving spirit for those who have been harsh to us, the Lord will bless us.
11Then came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who had known him before, and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him. And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold.
12And the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 13He had also seven sons and three daughters.
The Lord’s way will prove to be the right way. His people will not be the losers because of their hardships.
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1 Job 42:2
2 omnipotent, omnipotence - all powerful, almighty, absolute and supreme power, having unlimited power.
3 omniscient, omniscience - All knowing or knowing everything; all seeing or seeing everything. The capacity to know everything that there is to know.
4 Job 38:2
5 Romans 9:20
6 “The Lord’s arm revealed” is a reference to Isaiah 53:1 and quoted in John 12:38. It represents the strength and power of God.
7 Joseph Caryl (1602-1673) Almost certainly from his 12 volume Commentary on Job.
Year One, March 12
The Lord Is Not Slow To Fulfill His Promise1
Our reading will now take us back from Job in the land of Uz to the land of Egypt, where we left the chosen family in Goshen.
Exodus 1:1-14; 22
1These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: (“The Lord knows those who are his.”2 The names of the godly family are precious to his heart.) 2Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. 6Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 7But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them. (The ancient promise that Abraham’s family would be many received its first fulfillment. God does not forget any of his promises.)
8Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. (Out of sight, out of mind. A man may give a nation permanent advantages, but he cannot hope for permanent appreciation. Like Joseph, those who serve mankind are generally rewarded with forgetfulness.) 9And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.”
The ungodly always try to describe God’s people as a dangerous threat. However, if they would treat them kindly they would discover they are the best of neighbors. It is only when they deliberately trip on this stone that it injures them. The Egyptians tried to stop the population of Israel from growing. The attempt was hopeless. Pharaoh might as well have tried to hold back the ocean or stop the Nile River from flooding. Jehovah had decided that the people of Israel would multiply and no policy of kings or politicians could prevent it. The king was an expert in worldly wisdom. His plan had both the craftiness and cruelty of Satan. But he was a fool and every point of his strategy failed.
11Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel.
The enemies of God’s people have been both determined and shameless. Even so, they have been unable to achieve their goal. The church must expand, even expand by the very means that were thought would destroy her. There are herbs3 that grow faster when they are walked on and true religion is one of them.
13So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves 14and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.
They wanted to humiliate them, crush their spirit and weaken them, but their cruel plan did not succeed. No weapon can win against the Lord’s chosen. After all, hard work is less harmful than being inactive and spoiled. It is better to be a slave who is forced to make bricks than to be infected with laziness.
Pharaoh attempted to have all the male children murdered by those who helped at their birth, but this plan failed. The tyrant then passed a monstrous law that is recorded here.
22Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”
Murder was called and told to make an end of the elect people, but it did not win. The Lord of Israel was greater than the King of Egypt. He proved more than a match for all his plots and plans.
1 2 Peter 3:9
2 2 Timothy 2:19
3 herbs - plants used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume
Year One, March 13
Who Is On the LORD’s Side?1
Exodus 2:1-10
1Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. 2The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. 3When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. 4And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. (Faith watches to see what God will do.)
5Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. (The hand of God is clear here. How was the basket kept from the crocodiles? Why did the princess come to that particular spot? Why did she look where she would see that little floating treasure chest hidden among the bulrushes? What made her want to look inside it? Surely the Lord’s hand was in it all.) 6When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. (The providence2 that brought the princess to the spot brought the tears to the baby’s eyes at the very moment when they would be seen, and move the princess with compassion.) She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”
7Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. (How graciously the Lord arranges things for our benefit.) 9And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” (The Lord speaks to every godly mother in the same way. No service on earth is so well repaid to a parent as the spiritual upbringing of her children.) So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.”
Hebrews 11:24-26
24By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, (He had been called “the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” when he was young, but as an adult he turned down the highest rank an Egyptian could have and took his place with persecuted Israel.) 25choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
Acts 7:22-29
22“And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.” (His education, when sanctified by God’s Spirit, helped prepare him for his distinguished position as the leader and lawgiver of the nation of Israel. No other prophet, before our Lord came, was as mighty in both words and deeds.)
23“When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. (The life of Moses divides itself into three forties--forty years in the royal household of Pharaoh, forty years with Jethro, and forty years in the wilderness.) 24And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ (The mission of the greatest and best of men is not always understood immediately.) 29At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.”
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1 Exodus 32:26
2 Providence - Usually, when used with a capital “P” it refers to God; when used with a lower case “p”, it refers to God’s will, his divine intervention, and his predetermination (predestination).
Year One, March 14
I Have Surely Seen the Affliction Of My People1
Exodus 3:1-8; 10-20
1Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, (Though a man of deep learning Moses did not think being a shepherd was beneath him. There is no disgrace in work, but there is great shame in idleness) and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.”
The burning bush is a picture of the church of Christ. It is a wonder that such an uninteresting and powerless thing like a bush can survive the fires that afflict it so fiercely. Moses was puzzled by this marvel and both the friends and enemies of the church are puzzled that the fires of persecution do not consume her.
4When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. (Like his ancestor Jacob, he felt, “How awesome is this place.”2 Fear proved to be more powerful than joy.)
7Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.”
10“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” (The more capable a person is for God’s work, the less likely they are to think they are the best person for the job.) 12He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” (The best answer to all our fears are those sweet words, “I will be with you.”)
13Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” (God describes himself to Moses. “I AM WHO I AM.” “I do not change. I am always the same.” And, “I AM.” “I have always existed. There has never been a time I did not exist.” Our God exists forever and is the same forever.)
15God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to…a land flowing with milk and honey.”’” (Sooner or later the Lord will bless his people and deliver them. He may leave them under very harsh conditions for a while, but he will not forget his promises and he will visit them at the proper time.)
18“And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three day’s journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go.
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1 Exodus 3:7
2 Genesis 28:17
2 Genesis 28:17
Year One, March 15
When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong1
Exodus 4:1-16
1Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” (Those whom God sends are often slow to go. And people the Lord never sent are often so eager, they push themselves into positions of leadership.) 2The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. (This was a sign to him that even though he was a humble shepherd now, he would become so powerful that Pharaoh would be terrified of him. Those who do not fear the Lord should find the shepherds of God’s people and their message as frightening as a serpent.) 4But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”--so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand-- 5“that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” (Here he learned that the power given to him would be like a terrible serpent to Egypt, but for himself and for Israel it would be a harmless shepherd’s crook. Both of these signs were given to encourage Moses.)
6Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8“If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. (Here Moses saw that the Lord can both damage and restore. Everyone who works for the Lord should remember this.) 9If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”
10But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.”
Moses’ unwillingness cost him much honor. His objections ended up giving Aaron the office of high priest and also giving him a helper who proved to be a problem.
14Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and teach you both what to do. 16He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him.
It is interesting to note that Moses was not the only famous prophet who was afraid to follow the Lord’s instruction at the first. We will now read how Jeremiah also felt unqualified.
Jeremiah 1:6-9
6Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7But the LORD said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;
for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,
and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
8 Do not be afraid of them,
for I am with you to deliver you,
declares the LORD.”
9Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me,
“Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.”
Oh Lord, grant that all your ministers may have their mouths touched in the same way.
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1 2:Corinthians 12:10
Year One, March 16
Though He Cause Grief, He Will Have Compassion1
Exodus 5:1-4; 6-23
1Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” 2But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.” (His proud spirit refused to obey Jehovah, but before long he would have a good reason to know who Jehovah was.) 3Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, lest he fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.” (This was not a big request. No doubt, it was meant to be a test question. He who would not give in to the smaller would be sure to refuse the greater.) 4But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens.” (Pharaoh is arrogant. He defies the Lord’s messengers and treats them like slaves who had better go back to work right now.)
6That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their foremen, 7“You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as in the past; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8But the number of bricks that they made in the past you shall impose on them, you shall by no means reduce it, for they are idle. Therefore they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ 9Let heavier work be laid on the men that they may labor at it and pay no regard to lying words.” (The bricks were made of mud mixed with straw. Up until this time, others brought the straw to the Israelites. They were now told they had to gather the straw themselves, which gave them much more work to do.)
10So the taskmasters and the foremen of the people went out and said to the people, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I will not give you straw. 11Go and get your straw yourselves wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced in the least.’” 12So the people were scattered throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13The taskmasters were urgent, saying, “Complete your work, your daily task each day, as when there was straw.” 14And the foremen of the people of Israel, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten and were asked, “Why have you not done all your task of making bricks today and yesterday, as in the past?”
15Then the foremen of the people of Israel came and cried to Pharaoh, “Why do you treat your servants like this? 16No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ And behold, your servants are beaten; but the fault is in your own people.” (These poor Israelite officers thought that the Egyptian taskmasters had decided to keep back the straw on their own. They did not know that they were acting under the King’s order.) 17But he said, “You are idle, you are idle; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.’ 18Go now and work. No straw will be given you, but you must still deliver the same number of bricks.” 19The foremen of the people of Israel saw that they were in trouble when they said, “You shall by no means reduce your number of bricks, your daily task each day.” 20They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; 21and they said to them, “The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
Things are always the most unpleasant when they are about to get better. But these people were discouraged and could not see beyond their present circumstances.
22Then Moses turned to the LORD and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? 23For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.”
Moses did the right thing by bringing this problem to the Lord. Let us bring all our troubles to our heavenly Father.
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1 Lamentations 3:32
Year One, March 17
Pride Goes Before Destruction1
Exodus 7:1-5; 10-22
1And the LORD said to Moses, “See I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the people of Israel go out of his land. 3But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, 4Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. 5The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them.” (God’s judgments hardened Pharaoh’s heart. If they do not soften hearts, they harden them. God’s warnings and plagues only made Pharaoh more stubborn.)
10So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his staff before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent. (They had delivered their message, now they show proof that God had sent them.) 11Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they, the magicians of Egypt, also did the same by their secret arts. 12For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. 13Still Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.
Pharaoh assumed that Moses was only a magician, like those on his own payroll. Therefore he defied the power of Jehovah again.
14Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is hardened; he refuses to let the people go. 15Go to Pharaoh in the morning, as he is going out to the water. Stand on the bank of the Nile to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that turned into a serpent. 16And you shall say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you, saying, “Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness. But so far, you have not obeyed.” 17Thus says the LORD, “By this you shall know that I am the LORD: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood. 18The fish in the Nile shall die, and the Nile will stink, and the Egyptians will grow weary of drinking water from the Nile.”’”
They had contaminated the river with the blood of innocent babies. Now the Nile appears to them in blood-red colors, as if it cried out against their murderous deeds.
19And the LORD said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers, their canals, and their ponds, and all their pools of water, so that they may become blood, and there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, even in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.’”
20Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned into blood. 21And the fish in the Nile died, and the Nile stank, so that the Egyptians could not drink water from the Nile. There was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
Horrible! An army of horrors! Their drink becomes blood. The river that they called holy pours forth an intolerable stench. The delicious water grows worse than putrid. The fish that were a great part of their diet float dead on the awful stream! This was a plague indeed.
22But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts. So Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said. (Proud Pharaoh does not care. His magicians cleverly imitate the miracle by sleight of hand and the heartless king cares nothing for the sufferings of his people.)
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1 Proverbs 16:18
Year One, March 18
The LORD Tears Down the House of the Proud1
Our goal is to gather up the essence of the Scriptures during the reading of two years. Therefore, we are unable to pause over each of the ten great plagues. Each one of us should read them all at another time for our own instruction. For our family reading we have them mentioned in:
Psalm 105:24-38
24 And the LORD made his people very fruitful
and made them stronger than their foes.
The Lord is just as able to do the same with his church at this time and he will in answer to prayer.
25 He turned their hearts to hate his people
to deal craftily with his servants.
Persecution generally comes to the church that is truly healthy. Where God blesses, Satan is sure to stir up all his wrath to trouble the church.
26 He sent Moses, his servant,
and Aaron, whom he had chosen.
When evil days come, the Lord has warriors ready for the battle. They will appear at the exact moment when they are most needed. Let us pray to the Lord to raise up outstanding pastors and evangelists at this time, because they are greatly needed.
27 They performed his signs among them
and miracles in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness, and made the land dark;
they did not rebel against his words.
This unusual darkness filled all hearts with horror. The Egyptians were so afraid that they gave in for a brief time, but were hardened again when the plague was over.
29 He turned their waters into blood
and caused their fish to die.
30 Their land swarmed with frogs,
even in the chambers of their kings.
Fish died, but frogs lived. God can kill our comforts with one hand and multiply our miseries with the other. This time Pharaoh himself had to endure personal irritation, because the army of frogs even invaded the palace.
31 He spoke, and there came swarms of flies,
and gnats throughout their country.
Filthiness and disease came together in the third and fourth plagues. These little tormentors made the Egyptians feel the power of the great God. Little plagues are often the worst of plagues. Pharaoh’s bodyguards could not defend their king from this visitation. Such enemies laughed at both sword and spear.
32 He gave them hail for rain,
and fiery lightning bolts through their land.
It is a judgment indeed when the fountains of blessing become the spillways of wrath and the very rain is fire. Let the enemies of God beware.
33 He struck down their vines and fig trees,
and shattered the trees of their country.
God’s blows are heavy and they leave no place unbruised. If Egypt will not obey the Lord, then it will not have its pleasant fruits and its wine.
34 He spoke, and the locusts came,
young locusts without number,
35 which devoured all the vegetation in their land
and ate up the fruit of their ground.
Locusts literally eat up every green thing. There is no keeping anything from them. God has many ways of punishing people. In this case we wonder at the hardness of heart of those who stood out against such strong judgments. He who can bring up countless hungry locusts with a word is not a God to be trifled with.
36 He struck down all the firstborn in their land,
the firstfruits of all their strength.
This was the last and heaviest blow. The proud king and nation staggered under it. When one arrow is not enough, the Lord has others in his quiver. One way or another he will hit the mark.
37 Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold,
and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.
What a miracle that after all their toil and bondage they should all be in good health. They were all called to go on a long journey and therefore the Lord prepared them for it.
38 Egypt was glad when they departed,
for dread of them had fallen upon it.
God can work in such a way that even the most determined opponents will be only too glad to surrender.
Let us beware of provoking this terrible God. By faith, let us enlist him on our side. We will then have no reason to be afraid, because all the creatures he has made will be our friends. Fire and water, locusts and flies, darkness and death, were all the friends of Israel. Those who are at peace with God have the whole creation signed up on their side.
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1 Proverbs 15:25
Year One, March 19
When I See the Blood, I Will Pass Over You1
Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was a redemption both by blood and by power. In today’s chapter we read about the redemption by blood.
Exodus 12:1-15
1The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2“This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. (To be redeemed is the greatest event in a person’s life. The day that we experience redemption must remain the diamond of days to us.) 3Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. 4And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, (Jesus was perfect and in the prime of his life when he became the lamb of our Passover.) 6and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight.” (It was both in the evening of the day and in the evening of time, when the nation of Israel cried, “Crucify him” and Jesus was put to death.)
7“Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. (Not on the threshold, for woe to the one who tramples on the blood of Christ.) 8They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. (Do these bitter herbs represent our repentance or the Redeemer’s great sorrow? Perhaps both.) 9Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts.”
Our Lord’s sufferings are well pictured by the fire over which the lamb was roasted.
10“And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. (Our spiritual nourishment comes from Christ and only from Christ.) 11In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD Passover. 12For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. 13The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt.” (Mark those words, “When I see the blood.” Our looking on the atonement brings us comfort, but the Lord’s looking on it is the true reason for our salvation.)
14“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast. 15Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven out of your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel.”
Sin is that sour leaven that must be removed from the heart where Jesus is the Savior. The apostle Paul describes this more fully in:
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
6aDo you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (It is a spreading thing and if any is left it will quickly multiply itself.) 7Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (May the Holy Spirit give us grace to accomplish this cleaning of the house. Where the precious blood is sprinkled, no sin can be tolerated.)
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1 Exodus 12:13
Year One, March 20
The LORD Has Ransomed Jacob1
Our last reading described the Lord’s orders about the Passover. We will now see them obeyed.
Exodus 12:21-36
21Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb. 22Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. (They must remain under the protection of the blood or perish.) 23For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your house to strike you. (Otherwise the firstborn of Israel would have died as well as the firstborn of Egypt. It was not character or position, but the sprinkled blood that made the difference. The sacrifice of Jesus is the true reason of our salvation.) 24You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever.”
Whatever else we forget we must hold the truth of the substitutionary atonement as long as time endures.
25“And when you come to the land that the LORD will give you, as he has promised, you shall keep this service. 26And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the LORD's Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.
Even the children should be taught the doctrine of atonement by blood. It is the most necessary truth of our most holy faith.
28Then the people of Israel went and did so; as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.
29At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of the livestock. 30And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians. And there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where someone was not dead.
Death reigned where the blood was not sprinkled and so it must be. Are we all marked with the blood of our Great Substitute?
31Then he summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as you have said. 32Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, and bless me also!” (Here was the overthrow of pride. The haughty tyrant surrenders and becomes a beggar. God’s sword can reach the heart of even the greatest persecutors of his church. They may think they are indestructible and unbeatable, but they are as nothing to God!)
33The Egyptians were urgent with the people to send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” 34So the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls being bound up in their cloaks on their shoulders. 35The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. (These were asked for, and freely given, because the people honored the Israelites, and were afraid to stir up their anger.) 36And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.
In this way their long and unpaid services were, in some measure, paid for by the gifts of the Egyptians.
When souls are spiritually set free from sin, the Lord is pleased to give them many precious things. He is generous and loving toward his people.
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1 Jeremiah 31:11
Year One, March 21
Stand Firm and See the Salvation Of the LORD1
Exodus 13:17-18; 20-22
17When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. (The Lord understands the weaknesses of his people. Their future involved many wars, but at this point they were not ready. Therefore he led them on a longer journey, but one that would have fewer battles to fight. Praise God! Our troubles will not be ready for us until we are ready for them.)
20And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 21And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people. (The pillar was their perfect guide. It also provided shade for them by day and lit up the camp by night. God’s mercies are many and varied. We can only do one thing well at a time, but the Lord accomplishes many at one stroke.)
Exodus 14:1-5; 8-14
1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea.”
This command seemed strange, but Moses obeyed it without question. Let us go where the Lord directs us even when the way is dangerous.
3“For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ 4And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.
5When the King of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the mind of Pharaoh and his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?”
8And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly. (God’s plagues had not changed the King’s rebellious nature. When he saw that he had lost his valuable slaves, his greed made him rush after them.) 9The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and overtook them encamped at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.
10When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. 11They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? 12Is not this what we said to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” (Their unbelief was both unfair and cruel. Had they not seen the Lord’s works in the great plagues? Could they not believe that he who had worked such marvels could and would deliver them? They were struck with panic and would rather return to their life of slavery than defend themselves. True freemen never debate about choosing between slavery or death. They will avoid slavery at all costs.)
13And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” (The meekest of men answered the people meekly and with full confidence in Jehovah, because prayer empowered him to conquer his own spirit.)
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1 Exodus 14:13
Year One, March 22
The LORD Will Reign Forever and Ever1
Exodus 14:15-31
15The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.”
We do not read that Moses had spoken a word; but his heart cried to the Lord. The Lord told him to stop hesitating, but cry, “FORWARD,” and advance through the Red Sea.
16“Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. 17And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”
19Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, (The glory of the Lord was their rearguard.) 20coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. (God’s word and his providence both have two features. They frown on sinners and they smile on saints. The Lord continues to treat spiritual Israel and spiritual Egypt differently.)
21Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. (The historian records this event calmly, but what a wonder it was! Water standing up like solid ice, and a wet sea bed made dry and ready to be a highway for a marching army.) 23The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
What a mindless decision! Were they deceived by the darkness around them or the darkness within them?
24And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic, 25clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.”
One look from Jehovah was enough. One flash from his eye of fire and the entire Egyptian army was struck with panic.
26Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.” 27So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea. 28The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, not one of them remained.
Even so, “our overpowering sins are buried and drowned, and though they be looked for they will not be found.”2
29But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.
30Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. (Egypt was crushed so completely, that even though the Israelites were close to the Egyptian borders for the next forty years, their former oppressors never bothered them.) 31Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.
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1 Exodus 15:18
2 Probably from “The Poetical Works of John and Charles Wesley.”
Year One, March 23
He Has Triumphed Gloriously1
We will now read the song of Moses. This song also looks ahead to the certain and final victory of the Lord Jesus.
Exodus 15:1-21
1Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the LORD, saying,
“I will sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.
2 The LORD is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
3 The LORD is a man of war;
the LORD is his name.
4 “Pharaoh’s chariots and his host he cast into the sea,
and his chosen officers were sunk in the Red Sea.
5 The floods covered them;
they went down into the depths like a stone.
6 Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power,
your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.
7 In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries;
you send out your fury; it consumes them like stubble.
8 At the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up;
the floods stood up in a heap;
the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil, my desire shall have its fill of them.
I will draw my sword; my hand shall destroy them.’
10 You blew with your wind; the sea covered them;
they sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11 “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods?
Who is like you, majestic in holiness,
awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?
12 You stretched out your right hand;
the earth swallowed them.
13 “You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed
you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.
14 The peoples have heard; they tremble;
pangs have seized the inhabitants of Philistia
15 Now are the chiefs of Edom dismayed;
trembling seizes the leaders of Moab;
all the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.
16 Terror and dread fall upon them;
because of the greatness of your arm, they are still as a stone,
till your people, O LORD, pass by,
till the people pass by whom you have purchased.
17 You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain,
the place, O LORD, which you have made for your abode,
the sanctuary, O LORD, which your hands have established.
18 The LORD will reign forever and ever.”
19For when the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought back the waters of the sea upon them, but the people of Israel walked on dry ground in the midst of the sea. 20Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and dancing. 21And Miriam sang to them:
“Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea.”
In order to leave the song unbroken, we have reserved our few notes for the end of it.
Observe the beauty and simplicity of the song. Insignificant man glories in his elegant style and big, complicated words, but the Lord has no need to build himself up. Notice how the entire song praises only the Lord. There is no mention of Moses or Aaron; no hint of secondary causes. Jehovah alone is exalted. Notice the noise, hurry, and violence of the enemy in verse nine, the enemy said, ‘I will pursue,” and the calmness of the Lord in verse ten, “You blew with your wind.” It will be good to read theses verses again. Humanity is raving and threatening and the Lord in calm omnipotence2 defeats its rage. Consider also, how the poet assumes the future from the present. God brought his people through the sea; he will certainly bring them into their promised inheritance. He, who has worked marvels of grace already, will not leave us until grace is turned into glory.
What a wonderful hallelujah is verse eighteen, “The LORD will reign forever and ever.” It is the obvious conclusion after defeating his enemies. Let us rejoice in our reigning God. He has overcome sin, death, and hell for us. Therefore, like Miriam, let us rejoice with all the saints. Let our heart dance, and our hands make music to our Redeemer, who has thrown our enemies into the depths of the sea.
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1 Exodus 15:21
2 omnipotent, omnipotence - all powerful, almighty, absolute and supreme power, having unlimited power.
Year One, March 24
You Are the God Who Works Wonders1
On this occasion we will read:
Psalm 77
This psalm shows us the way that holy people of old found encouragement from the great miracle of the Red Sea. Asaph wrote this psalm. He is almost in despair and then he remembers the Lord’s wonderful works of the past and finds comfort.
1 I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, and he will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
Asaph’s spirits sank so low that he was like a sick man who cannot eat what is good for him. He was unable to believe truths that would cheer him up.
3 When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
God’s people have walked the lonely valleys that trouble the soul. “Selah” is a musical term that means pause, or it may mean “Cheer up the tune.” Let us cheer up our hearts.
4 You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old,
the years long ago.
6 I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart.”
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
7 “Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?”
Fear brings these questions to mind, but these questions may also be used to drive our fear away. Their answers are obvious and cheering to the heart.
8 “Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah
10 Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
Most of our fears are the result of our weak faith in the Lord. They have no real facts to support them. The problem is in us and not in the God who is always dependable.
11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
12 I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
15 You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
16 When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
The deep calm waters of the sea were moved with fright and fled as if they were afraid of the Lord.
17 The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
Lightning bolts flew like arrows from the bow of God and the rain came down in torrents.
18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
According to the first century historian Josephus, there was a terrible storm when the Egyptians were in the midst of the sea. This psalm seems to indicate that there was rain, violent wind and an earthquake. God’s power is the friend of Israel and the enemy of the ungodly.
19 Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
Our God has mysterious ways of delivering his people, but deliver them he will.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
They did not feel the storm and were not afraid they would be harmed. They were as calm and safe as sheep that are protected by their shepherd. In the same way, all the saints will be safe, while their enemies are totally overwhelmed.
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1 Psalm 77:14
Year One, March 25
The LORD Has Heard Your Grumbling1
Exodus 15:22-27
22Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
Their first trouble was too much water, the second was too little. Our trials are of all kinds.
23When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. (Another trial. They had water, but could not drink it.) 24And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25And he cried to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.
There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, 26saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.” (God provides different solutions for different situations. He gives trees to sweeten bitter waters and the cross to sweeten each of us.)
27Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water. (It is not always rough work for pilgrims traveling to the Promised Land. There are pleasant times too. Let us thank God for them.)
Exodus 16:1-10
1aThey set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin. (It might seem strange that God would lead 2,000,000 people into a desert, but wisdom directed his route. The Lord’s pathway may seem strange, but grace, mercy and love are always found on it.) 2And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
Their quickness in complaining was shameful. Their lack of confidence in the Lord and his servants was equally so. The meat pots and the bread were all they thought about. They overlooked the brick making and the whips. It is easy to pretend the past was bright when we wish to find fault with the present.
4Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law of not. 5On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” (God’s gifts are often tests. Let us eat and drink to God’s glory.2) 6So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against the LORD. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” 8And Moses said, “When the LORD gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him--what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD.” (We think it a small thing to grumble against our parents and friends, but this sheds a new light on the matter. It is clear that a dissatisfied heart really grumbles against God himself.)
9Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.’” (This is a serious truth. Let those who complain remember that the Lord hears them.) 10And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud.
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1 Exodus 16:8
2 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Year One, March 26
I Am the Living Bread1
Exodus 16:11-31
11And the LORD said to Moses, 12“I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’”
One would have expected a more threatening rebuke than this, but the Lord was very compassionate towards them, as he is toward us also. These first grumblings were not dealt with as severely as those later on would be. The Lord is not eager to use his rod.
13In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. 14And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. 15When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.” (They had the best of meat and better than the best of bread. No king and his court ate better than these children of Abraham. If the Lord will feed these grumblers, then we know he will not abandon believers.)
16“This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. You shall each take an omer (about two quarts), according to the number of the persons that each of you has in his tent.’” (The bread of heaven must be gathered. We must hear the word and keep it in our heart. Otherwise it cannot do us good.) 17And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. 18But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. 19And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.” 20But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them.
There were misers in the wilderness. What they hid away stank. There are other misers today, whose worldly possessions are also wormy and spoiled. Coveting is disgusting.
21Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted. (And yet it could be cooked! It is unusual that one heat improved it and another destroyed it.)
22On the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers each. And when all the leaders of the congregation came and told Moses, 23he said to them, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD; bake what you will bake and boil what you will boil, and all that is left over lay asides to be kept till the morning.’” 24So they laid it aside till the morning, as Moses commanded them, and it did not stink, and there were no worms in it. 25Moses said, “Eat it today, for today is a Sabbath to the LORD; today you will not find it in the field. 26Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is a Sabbath, there will be none.” (The seventh day was honored by a double portion the day before and none on the day of rest. However, our first day of the week Sabbath, that we call The Lord’s day, has a double portion of spiritual manna. We should gather enough from the preaching, fellowship and worship to provide for the entire week.)
27On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they found none. (This was the certain way to stop this sin, but it was very shocking that a people who were so tremendously favored should be guilty of such an unnecessary and insulting act.) 28And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? 29See! The LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” 30So the people rested on the seventh day.
31Now the house of Israel called its name manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. (God might have made it bitter, but he delights to see his creatures happy. What a wonderful God he is!)
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1 John 6:51
Year One, March 27
Whoever Believes Has Eternal Life1
Exodus 16:32-35
32Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Let an omer (about two quarts) of [the manna] be kept throughout your generations, so that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” (The education of future generations should be the serious concern of the people of God, because the Lord himself continually provided object lessons for remembering his works of grace. The Lord knows that the human race tends to forget even his greatest wonders, so he gives us ways to remember them.)
33And Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar, and put an omer of manna in it, and place it before the LORD to be kept throughout your generations.” 34As the LORD commanded Moses, so Aaron placed it before the testimony to be kept. (We should also treasure the memory of the Lord’s great goodness to us. The golden jar of God’s mercies to us should be kept stored in the holy ark of our memory.) 35The people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land. They ate the manna till they came to the border of the land of Canaan. (Jehovah’s warehouses are never empty. Whether the Lord’s people are in the wilderness for forty years or eighty years, their bread will be provided, their water is guaranteed. Trust in the Lord forever.)
The manna was a very full and instructive type of our Lord Jesus, who is the spiritual bread of his people. In order to understand this, let us read his own words in
John 6:47-58
47“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 48I am the bread of life. (To believers, Jesus not only gives them life, he is their life.) 49Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. (Even though the manna came from heaven, it did not give them eternal life. Jesus does! The Jews died, and many of them died very terribly, but those who feed on Jesus live forever.) 50This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. (This spiritual bread gives, supports, and protects spiritual life.) 51I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
52The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (They heard the words, but did not understand their meaning. So, they asked this very natural question.) 53So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. (Our Lord would not explain his parable to the Jews and God hid the meaning from them.2) 54Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.”
Some people dream that this applies to the Lord’s supper, but that did not even exist at the time. It does not refer to the Lord’s supper, to the Roman Catholic mass, or to any other thing or ceremony. It applies to our Lord himself, who must be fed on spiritually. Even now, too many people take these words literally and end up stumbling over this spiritual truth.
56“Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. (This is the closest possible relationship that exists between Jesus and the believer.) 57As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” (Have we all received Jesus in our hearts? Are we trusting in him alone? Do we fellowship with him? This is what it means to feed on him and have a living oneness with him.)
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1 John 6:47
2 Matthew 13:10-11, “Then the disciples came and said to [Jesus], ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ And he answered them, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.’”
Year One, March 28
Do Not Be Anxious About Anything1
The way that the Lord supplied the needs of his people in the desert, suggests today’s reading in the Book of Matthew. God cares about the physical needs of his people and he is faithful to provide them. It is our privilege to depend on the Lord for everything in our lives as much as Israel did in the wilderness. It is still true that our God will supply every need we have. That is why our Lord Jesus taught us to steer clear of all worry and walk by faith.
Matthew 6:25-34
25“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (Do not stress out and worry about these less important things. God who gives us our life and bodies will give us food and clothing.) 26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
Martin Luther was walking in the fields one day during a difficult time in his life. He had his Bible in his hands, and reading the Sermon on the Mount, he found much comfort when he read Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” Just then a little bird was hopping from branch to branch, with its sweet chirping music, seeming to say,
“Mortal, cease from toil and sorrow,
God provides for tomorrow.”
It then came to the ground to pick up a crumb and rising merrily, again seemed to repeat its simple song--
“Mortal, cease from toil and sorrow,
God provides for tomorrow.”
This gave the Reformer’s heart great comfort.2
27“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” (This is good reasoning. He who cares for poor fading lilies and dresses them so splendidly, will not let his own immortal children go naked. Surely we can trust our own heavenly Father.)
31“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or, ‘What shall we drink?’ or, ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.” (All anxious worry is forbidden! We have a Father in heaven. Will we worry as if we do not? Do not doubt until you have cause to doubt.) 33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Let us cheer our hearts by reading that delightful song of contentment.
Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
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1 Philippians 4:6
2 Protestant reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546).
Year One, March 29
I Give Water In the Wilderness1
Exodus 17:1-7
1All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. (God’s people never go long before they are tested.) 2Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the LORD?”
Complaining about things that happen to us is really complaining about the Lord, no matter how we may try to hide it. After all, what did Moses have to do with it? The source of this sin of grumbling was unbelief. Could they not trust Jehovah? Would he not be sure to supply their needs? Had he ever forgotten them? In spite of all our experience of God’s faithfulness to us, we are also guilty of the sin of not believing our Lord. He who is without fault among us, let him throw the first stone at Israel.
3But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” 4So Moses cried to the LORD, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” (Moses took the case to the right court. The people cried against him, but he cried to the Lord. Here is our best plan of action. We may always cry out to God.) 5And the LORD said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” (See how the Lord answers their grumblings. He could let their complaints come true and leave them to die of thirst; but he does not respond to their bitter speeches and let them have what they deserved. Instead, he gives them living streams from a rock. Surely the Lord, who repays good for evil like this, deserves our heart’s constant trust from this day forward. It is a wicked insult to doubt one who is so overflowing with kindness. Do not repay evil for good.)
7And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the LORD by saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” (Massah means testing and Meribah means quarreling. The Lord takes note of his people’s disapproval and remembers them. We must not think a grumbling spirit is a small evil. The Lord has marked this occasion with a brand of disgrace.)
The God who supplied Israel with natural water is ready to grant us the living water of his grace. Hear his words in:
Isaiah 41:17-18
17 When the poor and needy seek water,
and there is none,
and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the LORD will answer them,
I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
18 I will open rivers on the bare heights,
and fountains in the midst of the valleys.
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
and the dry land springs of water.
To strengthen our faith in this promise we are told to look back on the Lord’s wonders of old and to expect even greater things. God has not changed. The supply of his power and grace never runs out.
Isaiah 43:18-21
18 “Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.
20 The wild beasts will honor me,
the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness,
rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
21 the people whom I formed for myself
that they might declare my praise.”
Glorify the Lord! We receive fresh supplies of grace from him every day and even every hour. He has not kept back any good thing from us. His praise will always be in our mouths.
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1 Isaiah 43:20
Year One, March 30
Watch and Pray1
Exodus 17:8-16
8Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. (These violent nomads attacked Israel without warning. It was a cowardly and unprovoked act and came when the Israelites were least able to defend themselves. They seem to have been the most cruel and mean of all Israel’s enemies. As such, they are examples that teach us about sin and Satan.) 9So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” (We must fight as well as pray. Though effort without prayer would be pride, prayer without effort shows disrespect for God. Joshua must go to battle and Moses must go to pray. Jesus said, “Watch and pray.”)
10So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. (Let all of us make great effort to support the prayerfulness of the church, because if that becomes weak everything becomes weak. “Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees.”2 Spiritual evil can only be conquered by the life of prayer. When we fail to pray, the enemy easily defeats us.) 13And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.
14Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.”
It has been suggested by an old writer, that the Lord’s reason for this special command to record this event is so his people will follow the example. We are to fight against sin and to expect victory over it by the help God gives us in answer to our prayers. Our Lord Jesus is both our Joshua who puts our sins to death and our Moses who prays for us to overcome them. His hands never need holding up. “He will not grow faint or be discouraged.”3 Amalek will be totally destroyed and we will be freed from sin forever.
15And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The LORD is my banner, (because when Moses raised his staff, it was like a holy banner to Israel. Whenever we win victories we should bring thank offerings to the Lord and give glory to God alone.) 16saying, “A hand upon the throne of the LORD! The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” (This war was still going on when King Saul reigned and he was instructed to remove that nation completely.)
Because of the sinfulness of Amalek, as well as its unprovoked hostility against the tribes of Israel, the nation was doomed by divine justice to complete destruction. In the same way, our sins are doomed by divine grace to be crucified with Christ, so that we should not serve sin any longer. Let us read:
Deuteronomy 25:17-19
17“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt, 18how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary, and cut off your tail, those who were lagging behind you, and he did not fear God. (God will not tolerate attacks on his people. Injuries to them are seen as injuries to him.) 19Therefore when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your enemies around you, in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget.
With the help of the Eternal Holy Spirit let us carry on war against all sin to complete victory, whether it is in ourselves or others. All sins are our deadly enemies. No ceasefires or coming to terms of peace are allowed. Death to them all, because they all aim at our death. Our sins were what crucified our Lord Jesus.
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1 Matthew 26:41
2 Hebrews 12:12
3 Isaiah 42:4
Year One, March 31
With God All Things Are Possible1
Today we will read a part of Israel’s history found in
Psalm 78:13-32
13 He divided the sea and let them pass through it,
and made the waters stand like a heap.
The story of the Israelites freedom from slavery begins at the Red Sea and the drowning of the Egyptian army. Our spiritual liberty begins at the drowning of all our sins in Jesus’ blood.
14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud,
and all the night with a fiery light.
Thanks be to God for his guiding hand. We are not wanderers who have lost their way in a barren desert without roads. We follow where the perfect wisdom of Jehovah leads.
15 He splits rocks in the wilderness
and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.
16 He made streams come out of the rock
and caused waters to flow down like rivers.
God gave the Israelites generous and amazing supplies. These are excellent pictures of the streams of grace that flow to us from the great depths of his electing love and covenant faithfulness.
17 Yet they sinned still more against him,
rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
What a change! They receive grace, but then they sinned. It is enough to make us weep to see how good God is and how badly people respond to that goodness. It would seem as if the more the Lord blesses people the less people bless their God.
18 They tested God in their heart
by demanding the food they craved.
To wish God would help us to satisfy our unholy feelings is to tempt the Lord. But his holiness will not give in to our desires, because God cannot be tempted.
19 They spoke against God, saying,
“Can God spread a table in the wilderness?
20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out,
and streams overflowed.
Can he also give bread
or provide meat for his people?”
To question the Lord’s power is to speak against him. Unbelief is actually trying to damage the reputation of the all powerful and gracious God.
21 Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath;
a fire was kindled against Jacob;
his anger rose against Israel,
22 because they did not believe in God
and did not trust his saving power.
Nothing angers God as much as unbelief. Oh for grace to keep us from not believing the Holy One.
23 Yet he commanded the skies above
and opened the doors of heaven,
24 and he rained down on them manna to eat
and gave them the grain of heaven.
This made their unbelief all the worse. To not trust God is a crime. To not trust God when he has been so merciful to us is a greater crime. It is much worse to doubt when we have already received such great favors from our gracious Father.
25 Man ate of the bread of the angels;
he sent them food in abundance.
26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens,
and by his power he led out the south wind;
27 he rained meat on them like dust,
winged birds like the sand of the seas;
28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp,
all around their dwellings.
When God gives, he gives generously.
29 And they ate and were well filled,
for he gave them what they craved.
30 But before they had satisfied their craving,
Satisfying a desire does not kill it. A person can be satisfied with evil, but they are not sickened by it. They may change the kind of the sin, but they continue to sin. Notice that, in this case, God’s generosity was not a sign of his love, but actually a sign of his anger.
while the food was still in their mouths,
31 the anger of God rose against them,
and he killed the strongest of them
and laid low the young men of Israel
God often strikes the mighty while he has pity on the poor and the weak.
32 In spite of all this, they still sinned;
despite his wonders, they did not believe.
Mercy did not soften them. Punishment did not humble them.
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1 Matthew 19:26
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