Exodus: contest

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

redsea870Exodus 7:14-8:19    

Pharaoh’s first resort when challenged to free the Israelites was to go home and ignore Moses and Aaron. When that didn’t work, he treated the plagues as a contest. He sent his magicians to imitate the plagues. Sometimes that would work, and he would continue resisting God’s will. The LORD purposely chose the plagues to attack things that the Egyptians prided themselves in: the Nile, the soil. The most revered gods of Egypt were thought to control these spheres.

LORD, we surrender to you those areas of our lives we are apt to to think we control.

Posted in conflict, dependence upon God, prejudice, submission | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Exodus: hardening

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

redsea870Exodus 6:10-7:13     

Even with his brother’s help, Moses found it difficult to get through to Pharaoh. The great king was being hardened in his own obstinacy. This happened so that once the exodus took place and the Israelites were freed, the glory for the deliverance would go to God alone.

LORD, soften us to your divine will.

Posted in plan of God, submission, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

Exodus: pressure

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

redsea870Exodus 5:1-6:9    

Neither Moses nor the Israelites expected the immediate result of his ministry to be what it turned out to be. Pharaoh increased the pressure upon the slaves by making them produce the same amount of bricks, but also forage for their own straw.

LORD, may we not get discouraged when the immediate results of our prayers lead to more pressure and not less. You are Lord of the process as well as the outcome.

Posted in perseverance, suffering, trust | Tagged | 1 Comment

Exodus: reluctance

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

redsea870Exodus 4    

In spite of his new experience with the LORD, Moses was reluctant to go on the mission he was being sent on. Zipporah was reluctant to circumcise her son, a sign of commitment to the Abrahamic covenant. Perhaps God will challenge us to do some things that fall outside our comfort zone. His grace will tolerate our reluctance until we realize that obedience is the only option.

LORD, forgive our reluctance to do things your way. We believe. Help our unbelief.

Posted in faith, obedience, submission | Tagged | 1 Comment

Exodus: God saw and knew

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

redsea870Exodus 2:23-3:22   

40 years in the Midian desert taught Moses that he was not qualified for the mission God was sending him on. Let us not think that this was false modesty on Moses’ part. It was recognition that the mission was the LORD’S and only he could accomplish it. From the burning bush to the pillar of fire, the mission was divine.

LORD, use us in your mission to rescue those who are enslaved.

Posted in deliverance, evangelism, plan of God, sovereignty of God, will of God | Tagged | 1 Comment

Exodus: opportunities

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

redsea870Exodus 1:22-2:22    

Certain events take place in our lives that present opportunities for us to act — to make a difference. Pharaoh saw an opportunity to prevent rebellion among the Hebrews. Jochebed saw an opportunity to rescue her son from death. Pharaoh’s daughter saw an opportunity for an heir. Miriam saw an opportunity to restore Moses to his mother. Moses saw an opportunity to prevent cruelty. Jethro saw an opportunity to gain a son-in-law.

Sometimes God approves the choices we make. Other times the consequences show that the choices were wrong. Either way, those opportunities are an invitation from God for us to join him in his story.

LORD, help us to be actively involved in your rescue story. May we make the choices that honor you and lead others to you.

Posted in discernment, integrity, plan of God | Tagged | 1 Comment

Exodus: The flip-side of blessing

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

redsea870Exodus 1:1-21   

The climate in Egypt had turned from favor to fear. God continued to bless the Israelites by making them numerous and strong, and it was that very strength that set the stage for slavery and conflict. Perhaps the LORD has blessed you with certain gifts or strengths, and you have enemies because of the blessing. Trust God. He knows what he is doing.

Forgive us LORD, for disregarding your blessings because of the conflict that comes with them. Help us to trust in your purposes.

Posted in courage, fear, trust | Tagged | 2 Comments

Joseph: key to forgiveness

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

CoatOfManyColors_smGenesis 50:15-26   

Knowing that Joseph had appealed to Jacob’s authority before Pharaoh, his brothers sought to do the same thing to prevent Joseph’s revenge. But they did not have to. Joseph had already forgiven them. Even though he acknowledged that they meant evil against him, he also acknowledged that God had allowed it for the good of them all. God’s providence is key to forgiveness.

 

LORD, we acknowledge that you are at work in the events of our lives. Help us to accept what comes our way and see you in it.

Posted in forgiveness, Joseph, providence | Tagged | 1 Comment

Joseph: permission for a funeral

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

CoatOfManyColors_smGenesis 50:1-14    

Joseph appeals to Pharaoh’s household for permission to go and bury his father outside Egypt. He makes it clear that he is doing this at the request of Jacob himself. Calvin asserts that this was Joseph’s way of laying the blame on his father because the Egyptians would take offense at the request. More likely, Joseph was wisely appealing to the Egyptians’ sense of familial honor. His appeal worked. The Egyptians joined him in mourning his father’s death.

LORD, help us to speak with wisdom among those who do not yet know you.

Posted in family, Joseph, wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

Jacob: blessing his sons, gathered to his people

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Jefferson Vann

JacobGenesis 49. 

This passage reveals the strong connection that Jacob had with his sons. He knew them — their spiritual character. He had been given insight into their destiny. He also felt a spiritual connection with his loved ones who had died before. He anticipated being gathered to his people. He would go where they did: to Sheol — the state where the dead wait for resurrection.

LORD, may we remember the tie we have with our family. May we seek to bless them in life.

Posted in family, Jacob, mortality | Tagged | 1 Comment