TODAY’S READING: EXODUS 17-21
OVERVIEW:
Water from the rock in Horeb; Joshua leads Israel in defeating Amalek in battle at the Lord’s command; Jethro brings Moses’ wife and two sons to Moses in the wilderness; God appears to Moses on Mount Sinai; God gives to Moses the 10 commandments; the civil law for the Nation of Israel and the consequences for disobedience.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
Moses illustrates what a trusting Christian does in times of testing (Ex. 17): he turns to the Lord and asks for guidance! (See James 1:5) The Lord ordered Moses to smite the rock at Horeb and out would flow water for the murmuring people ofIsrael. The picture is obvious: Christ, who is our Rock, was smitten on the cross to provide living water to quench the soul of all who are thirsty!
At the end of chapter 17, Moses orders Joshua to lead the people ofIsraelin battle against Amalek (a picture of the flesh). This is a battle that will continue from generation to generation (the battle of the Spirit vs. the flesh – see Gal.5:16-17). Our only hope in winning this battle is to let our Joshua (the Lord Jesus Christ) lead us to daily victory. Note that this battle was won only after Israel had received water from the rock (water is a picture of the Word of God which is the weapon the Spirit of God who lives in us uses against the flesh – Eph. 5:26, Psa. 119:9-11).
Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, comes to the wilderness in chapter 18 and offers Moses some advice about how to delegate some responsibility so that he and the people of Israel don’t get worn out (Ex. 18:16-18,21-22). Moses takes his advice (Ex. 18:24-26) and it certainly lifted some of the responsibility off of his shoulders, but, whether or not this is what God intended is unclear. Even Jethro didn’t know if this would be pleasing to God (Ex.18:23). Note that Jethro decided to leave Moses and the people ofIsraelin the wilderness to return to his own land (Ex.18:27). The lesson to be learned is that we must be careful when getting “wisdom from the world”. It may not be harmful, as in this case (since God doesn’t condemn Moses), but it also may not be exactly what God had in mind. In any case, many times God will use our mistakes for His benefit. Hallelujah!
In chapter 19, Moses meets with God onMount Sinai. It is here that God reveals to Moses His plan for the people ofIsraeland the rest of the world (Ex. 19:6). God desiredIsraelto be “a kingdom of priests and an holy nation”. His intention was thatIsraelwould be so different from the rest of the world that they would want whatIsraelhad. God’s plan is still the same! I Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” God wants us to be so different from the rest of the world that they want what we have!
In chapter 19, verse 11 God paints a prophetic picture of the second coming of Christ. God says, “be ready against the third day: for the Lord will come down in the sight of all the people uponMount Sinai.” Peter explains in II Peter 3:8 that 1000 years is as one day to God. It has been about 2000 years (or two days on God’s time clock) since Christ died on the cross. The third day is upon us, when the Lord will come down in the sight of the whole world (Phil.2:10-11)!
Chapters 20 and 21 deal with the Law of Moses, or the Ten Commandments, as we most often refer to them. We know that the Law is good (I Tim. 1:8-9) because it embodies the character and nature of God’s holiness, but it must be used for the right reasons. The Law was never intended to provide our salvation, though it does have a very important purpose. The law was given to reveal to us our sin,(schoolmaster) so that in humility and contrition, we would cry out to God for the salvation He offers through His Son (Gal.3:19-24)!
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As the ROCK from which water flows – Ex. 17:1-6 (I Cor. 10:4, John4:14)
Through JOSHUA – Ex. 17:9-16
Note: Joshua is the Hebrew name for Jesus, the one who fights for us in battle with our enemies.
Through the LAW – Ex. 20:1-17 (Matt.5:17; Heb.4:15; Rom. 10:4)