When the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt, God heard their cries and set in motion a plan to rescue them. You can be confident that God still hears the cries of his people. Just as he delivered the Israelites from their captives, he delivers us from difficulty, danger, evil, and through Christ, sin. The readings this week will prepare us for God’s call on Moses’ life. We will read about God’s preparation of Moses who was alone for forty years in a distant land. By the end of the week we will see how God begins to confront Pharaoh with his desire to deliver his people. These are very meaningful passages for us to read this week. Enjoy.

February 1:   Exodus 2:11-25 – “The man said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?’ Then Moses was afraid and thought, ‘What I did must have become known.’” (verse 14) Moses escapes to Midian. He became a stranger in a strange land, separated from his home and family. God would use this time of isolation to shape the mind and heart of this man named Moses. Why does Moses kill the Egyptian? What would God need to do in Moses’ life to prepare him to be the deliverer of his own people? Why might God demote us in our ministry life? What does Moses learn that we need to learn?

February 2:   Exodus 3:1-22 –“God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am . This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.”’” (verse 14) What a significant verse in the Bible. It can also mean, “I will be what I will be.” It really describes the continuous reality of a personal God. The word, “Yahweh” is the Hebrew word for “I am” and depicts God’s unchanging nature. Who God was then, he still is now. His greatness and wisdom span the ages. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. What does this mean to you?

February 3:   Exodus 4:1-17 – “Then the LORD said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A staff,’ he replied. The LORD said, ‘Throw it on the ground.’ Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.” (vv. 2 & 3) The staff would be a very significant instrument in the hands of Moses. He would use it at the Red Sea. It would be a picture of protection and provision in chapter 17. The shepherd’s staff was commonly a three- to six-foot wooden rod with a curved hook at the top. Shepherds used it for walking, guiding his sheep, killing snakes, and many other tasks. God would transform this ordinary staff into a sign of his great power and provision. How could your life be like a staff in the hands of God? How does the Psalmist mean, “His rod and his staff they comfort me.”? (Psalm 23:4) What do you learn from this chapter?

February 4:   Exodus 5:1-23 – “Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: “Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the desert.”’ Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go.’” (vv. 1 & 2) This is the first encounter between Moses and Pharaoh. Pharaoh was familiar with many gods but he had never heard of the God of Israel. He assumed that the God of the Hebrews couldn’t be very powerful. He ignored Moses’ request and even made life more difficult for the Hebrews. How does Pharaoh represent people in the world? How does being God’s representative not always lead to something easy or better? What do you learn from this chapter?

February 5:   Exodus 6:1-13 –“I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.” (verse 7) This is one of the many promises God gives his people. When God promises something it will be done. The process and the timing of it may not be exactly what we want, but God is faithful. He freed them from slavery. He led them toward the land that he had promised. God rescued the Hebrews in that day and he still provides deliverance through his Son Jesus Christ. What promises to you appreciate from God? What promise are you asking him to fulfill in your life?

February 6:   Exodus 7:1-14 – “Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.” (vv. 11-13) Pharaoh’s magicians did the same miracle as Moses had done, but the power of God’s miracle was greater than the sorcery of Pharaoh’s magicians. Satan may try to imitate parts of God’s work, but God is stronger. 1 John 4:4 says, “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.” Greater is God’s Spirit in you than the devilish ways of Satan. Remember that. How is God stronger than Satan? How does that help you?

February 7:   Exodus 7:15-9:7 –We will read about five different plagues in this reading today. The first one is about the blood. “This is what the LORD says: By this you will know that I am the LORD : With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood.” (7:17) Blood would be a magnificent picture of deliverance throughout history because without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. This subtle miracle had implications for history and had a powerful affect on the Egyptians. Without the Nile’s water, Egypt could not have existed. Time and again Pharaoh hardens his heart. What stands out to you from these stories of the plagues? Why does Pharaoh harden his heart? How might Moses and Aaron become discouraged? Waiting on God can be difficult. How do you have to wait on God in your life?

We are in the throes of what might be called, “Prince of Egypt,” the movie about Moses. Some of the greatest stories in Hebrew history will be presented in these next few chapters. By the end of this week we will get to Mount Sinai and anticipate the Ten Commandments. As you are reading these marvelous stories, I want you to take in the most significant event in the Old Testament for God’s people . . . the parting of the Red Sea/deliverance from Egypt. I hope it will encourage you and stretch your faith. In the midst of difficult times we remember that our God cares.

February 8:   Exodus 9:8 – 10:29 – “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness will spread over Egypt—darkness that can be felt.’ So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or leave his place for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.” (10:21-23) With each plague the power of God’s intervention was being felt. The Egyptians realized how powerless their own gods were in the face of the Almighty Hebrew God, who obviously is the one true God. The Egyptian gods were not personal, they were many, and they had divided power at best. How is our God different? What does our God offer to us? What do you appreciate about God through this story?

February 9:   Exodus 11:1-10; 12:29-36 – “At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well. Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead.” (vv. 29 & 30) Every firstborn child of the Egyptians died but the Israelite children were spared because the blood of the lamb had been placed on their doorframes. This is the central theme of the Bible. It is a foreshadowing of what Jesus would do as his blood would be poured out for you and me. God offered his own son in exchange for us. Why is this story the most significant historical event for the Hebrews? Why is it significant for us? How is its meaning important to you?

February 10: Exodus 13:17-14:31 – “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” (vv. 21 & 22) Even when there was no apparent way of escape, God provided a way. The God who created the earth and the water performed a mighty miracle at exactly the right time to demonstrate his great power and love for his people. Sometimes we find ourselves caught in a problem and see no way out. Don’t panic; God can open a way. How does this help you? What do you want to say to God in response to the great deliverance for his people?

February 11: Exodus 15:22-27; 17:1-7 – “When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.)  So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, ‘What are we to drink?’” (vv. 23 & 24) It didn’t take but three days and the Israelites were afraid and grumbling. I don’t exactly know how to respond to this in that I am not exempt either. God is marvelously good and yet I look at the things I think I deserve or how things should be better. Like Moses in the story, I take things into my own hands. How about you? Can God be trusted? How deeply do you trust him? What does this story teach you?

February 12: Exodus 16:1-36 – “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.’” (vv. 4 & 5) The Lord can do anything. His provision is enough. He would be clear on his instruction but the people would forget or not follow through. I like this picture of daily bread. How does this story relate to your daily life? What do you learn form it?

February 13: Exodus 18:1-27 – “Moses’ father-in-law replied, ‘What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.’” (vv. 17 & 18) This is one of my favorite stories because I have the propensity to try to do it all. In my early ministry life I would operate as if everything depended upon me. By age 30 I was close to exhaustion and to burnout. Moses helps me because I am like him. Moses needed to delegate and so a leadership principle that is indispensible for my life would be delegation. How about you? How can your team effort in life and for the sake of Christ become stronger? Who could you hand off parts of your life so that they might have the joy of being used by God? Look up 2 Timothy 2:2 for a reference about passing on the truth of God.

February 14: Exodus 19:1-25 – “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes  and be ready by the third day, because on that day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.’” (vv. 10 & 11) Do you know what the word consecrate means? It is about setting apart something for God’s purpose. In this case the people were to set themselves apart from sin and the daily routine of life so that they might focus on God. The act of washing and preparing served to get their hearts ready. When we come to worship on a Sunday morning, how often are we ready with a sense of consecration to meet God? I believe we take our worship experience casually. This reminds me that God is holy and I am called to prepare myself to meet him. How will this affect your approach to our worship service today?

We are going to read some significant stories in the history of the Israelites. The Ten Commandments are very significant to the Jewish people, as well as the followers of Christ. You have probably heard of the golden calf, the sending of the spies into the Promised Land and the rebellion of the people. This is a strategic moment in the history of God’s people. Would they have faith to believe God for his promise? Would they be courageous and strong so that they might enter the Promised Land? I think you know the answer. You will read about it this week.

February 15: Exodus 20:1-22 – “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” (vv. 2 & 3) This is the beginning of what we know as the Ten Commandments. At the foot of Mount Sinai God showed his people the true function and beauty of his law. The commandments were designed to lead Israel to a life of practical holiness. They needed these guidelines. This was meant to help them live with each other in a loving and respectful manner. By Jesus’ time lawkeeping became an end in itself, not the means to fulfill God’s ultimate law of love. What do the Ten Commandments mean to you? How might they be helpful? How might they lead away from a genuine love for God and others? Why does the letter of the law not give one the strength to live a righteous life of love?

February 16: Exodus 32:1-29 – You can see that we are going to skip a few chapters as we look at the highlights of key passages in the history of God’s people. “So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’” (vv. 3 & 4) This has to be one of the low points in the life of God’s people. This is a grievous moment to the heart of God. He had commanded them that they should not make an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or the earth below as an object of worship. (20:4) They had just been a part of God’s powerful deliverance from Egypt and have learned of his desire and commands for them, and they disobey without excuse. “The next day Moses said to the people, ‘You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.’ (verse 30) What do you learn from this story? What did the people do? Why is this so grievous to God?

February 17: Exodus 40:1-38 – This is the last chapter in the Book of Exodus. The tabernacle was to be God’s home on earth. “Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (vv. 34 & 35) The tabernacle was the central place of worship. We read that God filled the tabernacle here with his presence. The essence of worship is entering into the presence of God and recognizing his glory, and worshiping him for he is worthy. God no longer needs a physical building because Jesus rose from the dead and sent his Spirit to live in our hearts. We are God’s temple as his church. How do you want to worship God? How is he worthy? How will that help you worship God?

February 18: Numbers 12:1-16 – We skip forward to a conflict within the leadership of the Hebrews. “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” (verse 3) The story obviously points to how Aaron and Miriam disobeyed God by opposing Moses. We learn something about Moses that is essential to godliness. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6) How is Moses humble? How have you seen that in his life? Why is humility so important? What are some of God’s promises for those who are humble?

February 19: Numbers 13:1-14:4 – “And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, ‘The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.’” (verse 32) Caleb tried to direct the people to have faith in God. The negative opinion of ten men caused a great rebellion amongst the people. The opinion of people can be divisive when it is expressed with a lack of faith. Be careful what you say because it can influence the actions of others who trust in you. What stands out to you in this story? What is so discouraging about it? How are you tempted to look at your circumstances and respond with a lack of faith. The Bible says we live by faith, not by sight, but in this story they lived by sight. How?

February 20: Numbers 14:5-45 – “So the men Moses had sent to explore the land, who returned and made the whole community grumble against him by spreading a bad report about it – these men responsible for spreading the bad report about the land were struck down and died of a plague before the LORD.” (vv. 36 & 37) The judgment seems rather harsh, doesn’t it? In Proverbs 6 it lists six things that God hates. A seventh that is detestable to him – a man who stirs up dissension among his brothers. The discouraging report affected so many lives, all the people of God would die in the desert, so that it wouldn’t be until the next generation that the people would enter the Promised Land. What does this story teach you and me? How might you apply it to your life?

February 21: Numbers 21:4-9 – “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.’” (verse 8 ) When the bronze snake was hung on the pole, the Israelites did not know the fuller meaning Jesus Christ would bring to this event. (See John 3:14 & 15) Jesus explained that just as the Israelites were healed of their sickness by looking up at the snake on the pole, all believers today could be saved from the sickness of sin by looking to Jesus who died on the cross. How do you understand this even through the eyes of the Gospel? How do you appreciate the Gospel in your life? What does it mean to be saved from sin?

We will conclude our second month of reading through the Bible as we transition from Moses’ leadership to a man named Joshua. Forty years in the wilderness will conclude and a man named Joshua will be used by God to lead people into the Promised Land. I’ve been thinking about the Promised Land these days. The promises of God are many and I believe he has some specific promises for us as his church. God already knows the plans he has for us. What do you think they are? What will it take to embrace those promises? How do you view the future of New Harvest Church?

February 22: Numbers 22:5-38 – You have heard about this story because it is about Balaam’s donkey. “Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?’” (verse 28) The donkey saved Balaam’s life but made him look foolish in the process so Balaam lashed out at the donkey. We sometimes strike out at blameless people who get in our way because we are embarrassed when our pride is hurt. Lashing out at others can be a sign that something is wrong in us. Don’t let your own hurt pride lead you to hurt others. I once heard “hurt people, hurt people.” How well are you? Is your conscience clear? Do you treat others like you would want to be treated?

February 23: Deuteronomy 29:1-29 – We are obviously skipping much of Deuteronomy to come to the place of transition for the people to enter the Promised Land. These chapters would remind them of the covenant that they have with God. “Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.” (verse 18) Moses is reviewing the covenant. This is a very important transition from the wilderness wanderings to the hope of the Promised Land. This past Sunday I spoke on the importance of wholehearted surrender to the ways of God. Living close to the Lord is the answer; obeying him is the response of a covenant relationship to God. How are you obeying him? Are you one that God is using to draw others to himself? Is there anything in you that would be used by the enemy to bring others down? Your life is important to God. How does that affect your response to the Lord?

February 24: Deuteronomy 30:1-20 – “He will bring you to the land that belonged to your fathers, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers.” (verse 5) Even though the Jews deliberately walked away from him and ruined their lives, God would take them back. Our God is one of forgiveness and second chances. God promises a fresh beginning if only you and I will turn to him. His heart is still the same as it was with the Israelites. After a season of discipline in the wilderness, he would open a season of prosperity and blessing that would reflect his grace and kindness to the world. What does this chapter mean to you? What verse stands out to you? What encourages you about God’s grace and mercy?

February 25: Deuteronomy 31:1-8 – “Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’” ( vv. 7 & 8 ) The Lord not only had a plan for God’s people, but he had a leader that would be used by God to direct them. Joshua had been prepared by the Lord to be the successor to Moses. Moses gives him important words of affirmation and commission. Moses affirms the next generation by handing over leadership to a younger man named Joshua. What does that say to us as a church? How are we to bless those that are in the upcoming generation? How important is that?

February 26: Deuteronomy 34:1-12 – This is the wrap-up to the book of Deuteronomy. “Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses.” (verse 9) There was no one like Moses. Joshua could not match the prowess of Moses. Even as the Bible says, there was no one that knew God face to face like Moses. Joshua could have been intimidated by how Moses led and who he was and what he did. But Joshua was willing to be the person that God asked him to be. Joshua is a great example of obedience and courage. Joshua was content to be the person that God wanted him to be, not to try to outdo Moses. You have a specific purpose and you need to be filled with the Spirit of wisdom. But your purpose is unique to you. Who is God calling you to be? What is God calling you to do?

February 27: Joshua 1:1-18 – There is no question the verse that I would want to focus on in this chapter. The paragraph that includes verses 6-9 is a marvelous summary of how to be in step with God. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” ( verse 8 ) God’s Word has always been connected to God’s blessing. To know God’s truth is to be set free. To meditate on his Word is to know God’s truth more deeply as it is absorbed into your very soul. Success is promised to Joshua if he would follow God’s Word. How committed are you to God’s Word? How much is it a part of your life and thinking? Why is God’s Word essential to spiritual success?

February 28: Joshua 2:1-24 – This is the famous story of Rahab. The main question that has been asked by people over the years is, “Was Rahab right in lying?” Rahab had a godly purpose in leading ungodly people astray and not telling the truth to ungodly people. Rahab would be in the lineage of Jesus. “When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. ” (vv. 11 & 12) Rahab feared the Lord. She responded in faith. That is why she is mentioned in the faith chapter of Hebrews 11. What inspired you about Rahab? How do you see her turning from her immoral way of life to a life of allegiance and courage for God? How would you want to be more like Rahab?