Exodus 11-12

“At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt” (41:12). After four centuries in Egypt, the Israelites were accustomed to being the minority slaves; they knew little about the Lord (3:13). But the God of Abraham, source of life and death (12:33), interrupted history to save them. By faith, those who put the blood of a slain lamb on their doorposts, even “a mixed multitude”, were set free from the bondage of Egypt (12:38).

“The blood shall be a sign for you” (12:13). Years of bondage, terrible darkness, hopelessness and despair – nothing we face is stronger than the rescuing love and power of the Lord, our Passover Lamb.

Matthew 18

“Pay what you owe” (v28). The disciples asked Jesus “how often” they should forgive others, and Jesus answered with a parable. In it, even though an employer had forgiven his servant a large sum, the servant went on to violently demand what was owed him by someone else (v28-30). The servant refused to step out of the cycle of debt/blame/anger, even though he had been given mercy, Jesus warned his followers about thinking they could “get” forgiveness without repentance. Receiving the King’s mercy includes being changed by it (v35).

“Unless you turn and become like children ...” (v2). Our human nature wants to hang on to our grievances, rights, and power. Through Jesus, the Father invites us into a better life of forgiveness and mercy.

Matthew 17

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (v5). Peter, James, and John saw Jesus “transfigured”, bright as light; Elijah and Moses appeared and talked to him, and God the Father spoke from heaven. They struggled to understand how this glorious Messiah, beloved Son, was destined to “certainly suffer” at the hands of men (v12, 22). The disciples were “greatly distressed” (v23) at the thought of their Master – who had power over demons (v18) – being humiliated by his enemies.

“The sons are free” (v26). As beloved children of God through Christ, we are “free” and share Jesus’ secure fellowship with the Father. And like him, we are called to freely offer ourselves for the sake of the world God loves.

Psalm 12

“Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man” (v1). The psalmist was weary of the sinful ways promoted by his world: people lying to and manipulating one another, boasting about their own power, and declaring that no one was “master” over them (v2- 4). This prideful, winner-take-all world caused the needy to “groan”, and the Lord responded: “I will now arise” to rescue them (v5).

“The words of the Lord are pure words” (v6). The Lord is unchanging, totally trustworthy, perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. He opposes the proud, values the humble, and cares about the needy and suffering. Even when our cultur

Exodus 10

“That you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson ... I am the LORD” (v2). God told Moses to demand the release of the Israelite slaves, not just for their own sakes, but for the sake of future generations. Pharaoh himself understood that the Israelites wanted a different future for their families – thus he refused to release their “little ones” (v10). But Moses repeated that the Lord wanted them to leave, adults, children, and even livestock for offerings (v26),

New generations, our “sons and daughters” (v9), need to know the story of God’s mighty acts of deliverance. The God that rescued the Israelite slaves from Egypt is more powerful than every threat, danger, and spiritual enemy we face today.

Exodus 9

“So that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth” (9:14). As long as Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go, the Egyptians experienced ever-increasing plagues. More than just punishment for Pharaoh’s hard heart, the plagues demonstrated that God was mightier than even the Egyptian empire. Some heeded the message, like those who hid their livestock when Moses said hail was coming (9:21). But Pharaoh kept “exalting” himself above God and God’s people (9:16).

“So that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth” (9:16). In a fallen world where the strong oppress the weak, proclaiming God’s name means announcing His just, kind, righteous rule. We long for His name and His ways to fill the earth.

Exodus 7-8

“There was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts” (8:21). At first, the powers of Egypt seemed to match whatever was done by Moses and Aaron in their confrontation with Pharaoh. The magicians made their staffs turn into serpents (7:10), and they also imitated the plagues of blood and frogs (7:22; 8:7). Eventually the magicians admitted God’s power was greater (8:19), but Pharaoh refused to relent. His biggest concern was maintaining his own god-like authority.

“Let my people go, that they may serve me” (8:20). The most powerful idol that must be toppled is human pride. God will allow “no other gods” – not even self- worship

Exodus 6

“I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them” (v6). Moses and Aaron were chosen to deliver the Lord’s amazing promises to the enslaved Israelites, but the people “did not listen” because of their “broken spirit and harsh slavery” (v9). Generations of mistreatment as a minority people had crushed their hopes, and they could not imagine a different future. Nonetheless, God was already working for their deliverance.

“I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God” (v7). Even when we are discouraged and hopeless, God is at work for our redemption. His plan to make us His beloved children through Christ surpasses all our hopes.

Matthew 16:21-28

“For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man” (v23). Peter “rebuked” Jesus because of his talk about suffering and dying (v22). Peter preferred a powerful leader who would win, not suffer the humiliation of the cross. But Jesus said that according to the “things of God”, God’s design, it was necessary for him to give up his life to save us. His disciples were called to follow the same path (v24).

“Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (v25). Jesus defeated sin and death by willingly giving up his life. He invites us to surrender ourselves, confident that although we may miss out on some worldly goods, we will discover true, abundant life.

Matthew 16:1-20

“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (v11). While the disciples were distracted by concerns about daily needs (v5), Jesus said that they were facing bigger threats than skipping a meal. Jesus cared about their physical needs (he multiplied bread twice, v9) but he was even more concerned about their hearts. He did not want them to fall into the hypocrisy or pride of the religious leaders, who demanded “a sign from heaven” (v1), as if Jesus needed their approval.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v16). Having “faith” in Jesus as God’s Son, the Messiah King, means leaving behind our pride and self-idolatry to fully embrace his ways, his pattern, and his authority.

Psalm 11

“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (v3). With the foundations of society collapsing, the psalmist heard the call to escape: “Flee like a bird to your mountain” (v1). Although the darkness was full of danger (v2), the psalmist refused to panic. Instead, he said, “in the Lord I take refuge” (v1). Amid turmoil, the psalmist stood firmly on the rock of God’s unshakeable reign: “the Lord is in his holy temple” (v4). God sees clearly and judges right and wrong, even in confusing circumstances (v4-6).

“For the Lord is righteous ... the upright shall behold his face” (v7). When the world around us is shaking, we can look at our Lord, see His goodness, and take courage. His kingdom will prevail.

Exodus 4-5

“Moses and Aaron, why do you take the people away from their work? Get back to your burdens” (5:4). Moses and Aaron gathered Israel’s elders and told them all that God promised to do (4:29-30). The people “believed” the message, were thankful, and “bowed their heads and worshipped” (4:31). But after Moses confronted Pharaoh, the Egyptians placed heavier burdens on the Israelites. They blamed Moses (5:21), and Moses cried out to God, “Why did you ever send me?” Things were getting worse, and “you have not delivered your people at all” (5:22-23).

“I have come down to deliver them” (3:8). God’s deliverance of Israel was not immediate, yet in the end it was deeper and better than they had dreamed. Our Deliverer keeps his promises.

Exodus 3

“Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (v14). After generations in Egypt, God re-introduced himself to Moses and the Israelites. He revealed Himself as the I AM – the source of existence, the all-powerful Creator. He also was the “God of your fathers,” of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (v15). The I AM who promised to rescue them was the same One who had called Abraham to leave home, empowered Isaac’s birth, and wrestled with Jacob. This God promised to be faithful to a new generation.

“What is his name?” (v13). Generation after generation, the God revealed in Christ invites individuals to know him personally. Saving, healing, transforming – we know him because he comes to us and changes our story.

Exodus 1-2

“But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad” (1:12). After Joseph died, subsequent generations of Israelites became an oppressed minority in Egypt. They were made to “work as slaves” because the Egyptians feared them (1:14). But the mighty Egyptian empire could not negate God’s promises to Abraham’s descendants. He protected their children through the courageous actions of midwives (ch 1) and, through the boldness of a mother and sister, raised up Moses to lead them (ch 2).

“And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant” (2:24). The powers of the world can cause trouble and suffering, but they cannot stop God’s good purposes. When we are weak, his saving love is revealed (II Cor 12:9).

Genesis 50

“For his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the field at Machpelah” (v13). After Jacob died in Egypt, his sons fulfilled his request to carry his body back to Canaan for burial. Both Jacob and Joseph (v25) believed Egypt was not the Israelites’ permanent home; they trusted that God would still give them the Promised Land. This long-term view of God’s faithfulness helped Joseph forgive his brothers as he realized that God had turned their betrayal into an opportunity to save the whole family (v20).

“God will surely visit you ...” (v25). Trusting in God’s long-term faithfulness – even beyond our lifetimes – gives us the grace to live courageously for him in our present circumstances.

Matthew 15

“This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (v8). Using Isaiah’s words, Jesus condemned the hypocrisy of leaders who told people that religious offerings took priority over the care of their elderly parents (v5-6). They glorified “tradition” and enriched themselves while ignoring the heart of God’s command to honor father and mother. Their manipulative attempts to avoid simple obedience contrasted with the faith of the non- Israelite woman who sought Jesus desperately, in the face of seeming rejection, because he was her only hope (v21-28).

“In vain do they worship me ...” (v9). Jesus condemned those who used God’s name for political gain or personal power. He welcomes sincere worshipers who recognize their helplessness and seek him desperately.

Matthew 14

“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (v28). Jesus knew his mission and was strengthened by time with His Father (v23), but his disciples’ faith was still being tested. They followed Jesus and witnessed miracles like the multiplication of bread and fish (v19). When Jesus came to them “walking on the sea” (v25), Peter stepped out by faith to meet him, but the wind and waves frightened him, and he began to sink. Peter knew Jesus was the Son of God (v33), yet his circumstances caused doubt.

“Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him” (v31). When faith and doubt battle in our hearts, the Lord reaches out and holds on to us.

Psalm 10

“Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (v1). The psalmist wondered why God would allow “the wicked” to terrorize others and boast of their power (v2-3). Ungodly individuals denied God’s existence and prospered anyway, harming the weak and declaring confidently, “throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity” (v6). But, the psalmist affirmed, God saw everything; at the right time, He promised to bring “justice to the fatherless and the oppressed” (v18).

“The Lord is king forever and ever” (v16). Nations rise and fall, and sometimes it looks like evil is temporarily winning. But God is King forever, and he has appointed Jesus as the judge who will have the last word (Rom 2:16).

Genesis 48-49

When Joseph was told that his father Jacob was dying, Joseph took his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, (48:3-6) and had Jacob bless them. Though Ephraim was the younger, Jacob, in faith and led by God, gave the greater blessing to Ephraim. Jacob recounted God’s promises and faithfulness to himself. Then he took his other sons and blessed them prophetically. Jacob’s mature faith enabled him to see God’s powerful direction in his life and yet embrace the results of his own actions. One did not eradicate the other. Likewise, he could see the nature of his sons and yet know God would be faithful. Mature faith embraces both.

Genesis 46-47

Jacob believed the word his sons brought back to him concerning Joseph being alive and wanting Jacob to bring his family to Egypt, and so he gathered all he had and began the move. On the way he stopped in Beersheba (46:1) and offered sacrifices to God. That night, God gave him a vision that reaffirmed His promises to Abraham with the addition of “I will go down with you to Egypt and I will surely bring you up again,” (46:3).

Sometimes we have faith to begin something, but need reassurance that God is constantly with us. It would be several hundred years before the promise would be fulfilled, but Israel lived, holding on to that promise. They went down to Egypt with 70 people, but came out a powerful nation. It is wonderful when we see the hand of God, but lack of sight does not mean lack of presence.