Friday, Ordinary 23/Proper 18 - Sep 5
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Meditation
Friday, Ordinary 23, Proper 18 highlighted the stubbornness of believers and non-believers. This lectionary year, three plagues were highlighted of the nine before the final one. For non-Israelites, the Nile turned to blood, their livestock died and in today’s lesson, Moses stretched out his hand and darkness surrounded the Egyptians, while the Israelites had light.
There is archaeological material which some archaeologists, such as William F. Albright, have considered to be historical evidence of the Ten Plagues; for example, an ancient water-trough found in El Arish bears hieroglyphic markings detailing a period of darkness. (Wikipedia –Plagues of Egypt)
But Pharaoh’s heart was still stubborn. He grew angry and would not let the children of Israel go. The Scriptures said that God made the Pharaoh stubborn. Did that mean that Pharaoh was a robot like person that God ‘forced’ to do something? No.
My family can ‘press my buttons’ and I react. I still am choosing to react the way I do, but my children know that if they say something against ‘women’ I will bristle. Part of the process of bringing the Children of Israel to the point of leaving Egypt with all their belongings would be to bring the level of frustration, anger and desperation to a pitch that would result in Pharaoh emphatically stating, “Get out!” He was willing for them to leave, but not with their livestock. They needed everything to establish themselves in the Promised Land.
The United States didn’t get involved fully in World War II, when they saw the devastation that Hitler was doing to the countries around him, to the Jews, to anyone who wasn’t like he wanted them to be. The U.S. decried the actions long before they got involved. The people didn’t want to go to war. It seemed distant. But when Pearl Harbor was bombed, the attitude of the leaders and the people changed drastically.
Pharaoh might have been a little inconvenienced by the plagues so far, but he hadn’t been personally impacted in the way. All the plagues were leading up to the final power punch.
The New Testament epistle to the church in Rome, reminded them of how wonderful it was to be recipients of the Good News. People usually liked to receive Good News…unless they were stubborn and refused to accept it. Some of the Jews fell into that category. They stubbornly refused to obey God.
We all have choices. We can be obedient and attentive to God’s design for us, or we can be stubbornly resistant. My mom used to joke, “Don’t confuse me with the facts. My mind is already made up.” But in truth, many people fall into that attitude. They aren’t willing to open their minds and hearts to doing what God wants them to do. But then there are those who would choose to obey and there will be amazing things that will happen for them.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 23, Proper 18
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 149;Exodus 10:21-29;Romans 10:15b-21&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;NIV (multiple versions)
Friday, Ordinary 23, Proper 18
Psalm 149
Exodus 10:21-29
Romans 10:15-21
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 124:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Exodus 10:21-29
King James Version (KJV)
21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.
22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:
23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.
25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.
26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.
27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.
28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.
29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, Moses stretched his arm and darkness engulfed the Egyptians. They couldn’t see but the Children of Israel could see. Keep your light on us that we might be able to see in the midst of dark times and press forward to accomplish great things for you. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Friday, Ordinary 23, Proper 18 reminded us how stubbornness happens among believers and non-believers, but the stubbornness that we show, we must still own. We cannot blame God for making us stubborn. God may do things that will result in someone being stubborn, but it always remains a choice for which we must be accountable.
In the New Testament lesson, God reached out to bring the Good News to new people who would be willing to obey and follow God’s design. We must strive for that in our own lives. Trust and obey; then watch the amazing things happening. Our own Promised Land is around the corner.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
Friday, Ordinary 23, Proper 18 highlighted the stubbornness of believers and non-believers. This lectionary year, three plagues were highlighted of the nine before the final one. For non-Israelites, the Nile turned to blood, their livestock died and in today’s lesson, Moses stretched out his hand and darkness surrounded the Egyptians, while the Israelites had light.
There is archaeological material which some archaeologists, such as William F. Albright, have considered to be historical evidence of the Ten Plagues; for example, an ancient water-trough found in El Arish bears hieroglyphic markings detailing a period of darkness. (Wikipedia –Plagues of Egypt)
But Pharaoh’s heart was still stubborn. He grew angry and would not let the children of Israel go. The Scriptures said that God made the Pharaoh stubborn. Did that mean that Pharaoh was a robot like person that God ‘forced’ to do something? No.
My family can ‘press my buttons’ and I react. I still am choosing to react the way I do, but my children know that if they say something against ‘women’ I will bristle. Part of the process of bringing the Children of Israel to the point of leaving Egypt with all their belongings would be to bring the level of frustration, anger and desperation to a pitch that would result in Pharaoh emphatically stating, “Get out!” He was willing for them to leave, but not with their livestock. They needed everything to establish themselves in the Promised Land.
The United States didn’t get involved fully in World War II, when they saw the devastation that Hitler was doing to the countries around him, to the Jews, to anyone who wasn’t like he wanted them to be. The U.S. decried the actions long before they got involved. The people didn’t want to go to war. It seemed distant. But when Pearl Harbor was bombed, the attitude of the leaders and the people changed drastically.
Pharaoh might have been a little inconvenienced by the plagues so far, but he hadn’t been personally impacted in the way. All the plagues were leading up to the final power punch.
The New Testament epistle to the church in Rome, reminded them of how wonderful it was to be recipients of the Good News. People usually liked to receive Good News…unless they were stubborn and refused to accept it. Some of the Jews fell into that category. They stubbornly refused to obey God.
We all have choices. We can be obedient and attentive to God’s design for us, or we can be stubbornly resistant. My mom used to joke, “Don’t confuse me with the facts. My mind is already made up.” But in truth, many people fall into that attitude. They aren’t willing to open their minds and hearts to doing what God wants them to do. But then there are those who would choose to obey and there will be amazing things that will happen for them.
Thanks be to God.
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 23, Proper 18
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 149;Exodus 10:21-29;Romans 10:15b-21&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;NIV (multiple versions)
Friday, Ordinary 23, Proper 18
Psalm 149
Exodus 10:21-29
Romans 10:15-21
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 124:8
King James Version (KJV)
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Exodus 10:21-29
King James Version (KJV)
21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.
22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:
23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.
25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.
26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.
27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go.
28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.
29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, Moses stretched his arm and darkness engulfed the Egyptians. They couldn’t see but the Children of Israel could see. Keep your light on us that we might be able to see in the midst of dark times and press forward to accomplish great things for you. In Jesus name, Amen
Conclusion
Friday, Ordinary 23, Proper 18 reminded us how stubbornness happens among believers and non-believers, but the stubbornness that we show, we must still own. We cannot blame God for making us stubborn. God may do things that will result in someone being stubborn, but it always remains a choice for which we must be accountable.
In the New Testament lesson, God reached out to bring the Good News to new people who would be willing to obey and follow God’s design. We must strive for that in our own lives. Trust and obey; then watch the amazing things happening. Our own Promised Land is around the corner.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do.
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