Skip to main content

January 23 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 23

Today's reading introduces the Mosaic law.



DAILY READINGS

DAILY NOTES

Exodus 19:3
  • Moses ascending the mountain of God will become a familiar scene.  
Exodus 19:4
  • It's been said that God chose the illustration of an eagle because no other bird flies higher than an eagle.  Its young are carried on the wings so that they are protected from danger that may come from below.
Exodus 19:6-9
  • The people were brought from Egypt to become a new nation.  They would have equality together as "princes" and have access to God as a "holy nation."  
  • Moses becomes/remains God's messenger and the one that receives the holy law of God.
  • Moses also relays what the people have spoken to God.  Is there a need to do that?  
    • This surely elevates Moses' role as the leader of the people. 
Exodus 19:16
  • After the people have prepared themselves, they are ready to meet the Lord.  God appears in a thunderous scene that brings fear to everyone.  
Exodus 19:19
  • The trumpet is the shofar.  As Moses relays the words God has given the people, the shofar blows louder.
Exodus 20:1-14
  • The commandments of God are built upon God's deliverance of the people.  The laws of God that would be added are built upon these words (10 commandments).
  • Also known as the 10 words.
  • The commands are simple, yet are used to build the former Egyptian slaves into a new nation.
  • Think of the commandments as revealed rather just given.  The revelation of the holy law is remembered as the great experience of the people (even greater than their salvation from Egypt).
Exodus 20:17
  • The people stand in fear of what they are experiencing.  Moses' words are affirming.  They don't need to fear because God has made himself known so that the Israelites will be exalted.
Exodus 21
  • We have the first taste of the new laws of the people.  They will sound strange to us because they are related to an ancient people and culture that is unlike our own.  As strange as they may appear to us, however, notice that at the heart of these laws is justice and equity.  

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Much like God's willingness to reveal the name of God to Moses, what a blessing it is to know that God was willing to reveal the law.  Remember that God said when the people were delivered from Egypt they would know who God is.  Now, as the law is revealed, the people know that God is their God.

Think about that as you read the law.  Recognize that the aim of the law was to point the people to the justice and equity of God.  The ways they had known in Egypt were now to be replaced by God's way.  The people already know how to live as slaves.  God is ready to teach them how to live as God's free people.

Imagine reading scripture that way.  You're not reading just to study and say you read;  not even just to learn something new.  You're reading the word of God to become something new!

Stay blessed...john
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

April 6 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 96 We've come a long way from wondering in the desert.  Now, after many battles and years of disarray, God's people are living in peace and the Lord has a house built. DAILY READINGS 1 Kings 8-10 & Psalm 96 DAILY NOTES 1 Kings 8 Solomon brings the ark of God to the temple. The temple is dedicated.  Solomon offers a prayer for the occasion. Solomon blesses the people. 1 Kings 9 The highlight of this chapter is that God appears to Solomon again (in a dream?).  The line of David will continue through Solomon, assuming he follows the way of God.  The people must also follow. 1 Kings 10 The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see for herself his wisdom.  She is amazed (breathless).  The two crowns exchange gifts. Some of Solomon's furniture is described as a way to emphasize the grandeur of his reign and the temple.  Notice how "the whole earth" wanted to see Solomon (10:24). OTHER OBSERVATIONS Solomon's prayer at...
Post a Comment
Read more

March 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 86 Ever notice these books don't end with happily ever afters?   Remember that we are reading an entire story of God told over many years.  The individual books help us follow that story, but we do well in remembering it's still one complete story. Today, we're finishing 1 Samuel.  As we read, we'll see how far Saul has fallen.  Ultimately, what God said would happen, happens. DAILY READINGS 1 Samuel 28-31 & Psalm 86 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 28 This chapter is devoted entirely to Saul's encounter with a medium. Notice that Saul had previously expelled mediums and wizards.  This could be a sign of his former faithfulness. Saul's fear overwhelmed him.  He is up against a Philistine army he does not think he can defeat. Since Saul could not hear from God, he seeks a medium to "inquire of her."  What did he want to know (from God or the medium)?  He asks Samuel what he should do.  So, is that asking whether to...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 11 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 101 The great prophet Elijah leaves the scene (He'll appear again later.  Do you remember where?).  Elisha takes his place and immediately begins to act as prophet among the people.   DAILY READINGS 2 Kings 1-3 & Psalm 101 DAILY NOTES 2 Kings 1 King Ahaziah is injured and he wants to know if he'll live.  He seeks input from the prophets of Baal-zebub.  Elijah finds out and interrupts Ahaziah's men from going to the prophets.   Notice that Elijah, that hairy man, is divinely protected by the captain and his men.   Ahazia never hears from the prophets.  Elijah speaks directly to him to tell him that he will surely die. 2 Kings 2 Where did the idea of a whirlwind come from?  Did anyone expect that Elijah would be taken "to heaven by a whirlwind"?  Everyone seems to know that today Elijah will be gone. Elisha's command to the band of prophets seems to indicate his sense of loss but also a vigor...
Post a Comment
Read more