Friday Easter Week Four -- May 16
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Meditation
Friday, Easter Week Five lessons continued the sense of trusting in the call we saw in yesterday’s lesson of Abram and St. Stephen.
The Psalmist cried to the Lord, “Lord, I trust in you; let me never be disgraced. Save me because you do what is right.” Despite, his fear—palpable in his words—he stated his trust in what God would do.
The New Testament lesson spotlighted the speech of Stephen before the Sanhedrin, right before they convicted him on the made-up charges of speaking against Moses. When the leaders of the Sanhedrin asked Stephen whether the charges were true, Stephen knew denying the trumped up charges would be worthless, so he ‘answered’ the challenge by retelling the stories of the Israelites. We heard the beginning of the history of the Jews, in today’s lessons, how each of the patriarchs trusted and answered the call of God.
He began with Abram’s moving his family from Ur of the Chaldees, after his father died, to Canaan answering God’s call. Isaac, his child of faith, was circumcised to demonstrate the promise of God to make him a great nation. Jacob, too, received circumcision and fathered 12 sons—the beginning of the 12 tribes.
Stephen highlighted how Joseph was sold into slavery, but God was with him through his troubles and he became Pharaoh’s right hand during the upcoming famine. Jacob’s son’s went to Egypt, and the second time, Jacob moved the seventy-five members, servants and flocks to live in Egypt with Joseph, although their remains were returned to Shechem burial sites which were preserved for them to lie with Abraham.
The Old Testament lesson in Exodus relayed the story of Moses—having run away from his upbringing in Egypt to hide in Midian—seeing a bush on fire, without burning up.
Moses was tending sheep—a lowly activity. Remember in our study of David being anointed king, the prophet Samuel had been presented with Jesse’s strapping elder sons, and he thought they were viable, but after God rejected each of them, Jesse was asked, “Have you any other sons?” Jesse’s response was to scoff and disparage the youngest, David, because he was relegated to watching the sheep. Being a shepherd was not the high rung of the family ladder of importance.
Moses, raised as a prince of Egypt, was tending the sheep of his father-in-law, Jethro (a.k.a Reuel), when he spotted a bush on fire. In the sparse vegetation on Mt. Horeb of the Sinai desert, a bush on fire may not have been unusual, but seeing one burning without being consumed attracted Moses’ eye, enough that he diverted his path of herding to check it out. In the news today, fires consumed a number of homes, leaving a decimated rubble and ash. However, this small bush—not a large tree but a small bush—burned, and burned, and burned, and burned, and Moses decided to go over to see what was happening.
Upon reaching the bush, Moses saw the face of an angel of the Lord, and the Lord’s voice called to him, “Moses! Moses!”
First, I suspect Moses seeing the unexplainable circumstances might have retreated somewhat, but God ‘called him back by name.” That would have scared me out of my wits. A bush calling me by name. Moses answered the call, “Here I am.” God told him that the ground was sacred and to remove his shoes. I think of homes, where the rule is to take off shoes and put on slippers or walk in stocking feet to keep the home clean. I suspect that the taking off of the ‘dirty’ shoes would be a physical sign of respect for God and the sanctity of that space.
God had called to Moses, while he was working in humble circumstances—a common place to find the saints of God. We are reminded that God gave grace to the humble. Moses was humble in his work and reverent for the voice of the Lord. He obeyed. Immediately. He removed his shoes.
His humility and sensitivity to God, allowed him to be chosen, to recognize the sign that drew him to the call, to respect the Lord (he covered his face out of fear of seeing the Lord—similar perhaps to us holding our hands before our eyes when the bright sun makes us squint) and listen to the word of the Lord.
God explained he had heard the pain of the Israelites, suffering under the harshness of the Egyptians (for 400 years they had served) and added, “I am sending you…”
Moses faltered here. Understandable. He had killed an Egyptian. He had run away before he could be held accountable. He protested that he was inadequate. How many of us have felt inadequate to the task of service to God?
God answered him, “God said, ‘You can do it because I will be with you. This will be the proof that I am sending you: After you lead the people out of Egypt, you will come and worship me on this mountain.’”
God with us. Emmanuel. Jesus with us. The Holy Spirit with us. The Scriptures have stated again and again that those called could do anything and everything because of God with us.
We can do all things through Christ.
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
Season of Easter Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16;Exodus 3:1-12;Acts 7:1-16&version=NIV;ERV;GNT;NCV;KJV (multiple versions)
Friday, Easter Week Five
Psalm 31:1-5
Psalm 31:15-16
Exodus 3:1-12
Acts 7:1-16
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3045/5797590971_abd3064752_z_d.jpg "The Good Shepherd 136" by Waiting For The Word; flickr
23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Exodus 3:1-12 King James Version (KJV)
3 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
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, we can do all things because you are with us. Empower us to rise up as Stephen and Moses did, responding to your call and trusting you to work in us. In Jesus name, Amen
.
Conclusion
Friday, Easter Week Five’s lesson encourages us to answer God’s call. The examples of the Psalmist, Moses and St. Stephen responding to God’s choosing them to be his messengers in the world, show us that we can, too. God uses the humble. God calls people, who are working hard in lowly positions. Jesus called disciples from humble beginnings.
Jesus was born in humble beginnings; the shepherds were called to be witnesses of Jesus’ arrival in the stable. The shepherds felt at home in a stable, and sometimes God puts us in circumstances so that we are in the positions to receive the call. Moses was in humble shepherd work, but in a position to see the bush on Mt. Horeb, where God would bring him back to that mountain and the Children of Israel would worship at that precise location.
Where is Mt. Horeb? For many biblical scholars, Mt. Horeb and Mt. Sinai were often used interchangeably, but there are those, who suggest that they are different. As archaeological finds uncover more, we might learn the actual truth. Some see Mt. Sinai on the Sinai Peninsula, but others suggest in is in western Arabia—closer to Moses’ leading his flocks from Midian.
However, the real message is that God never wastes a sign or circumstance, but uses all things to work together for good.
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, Easter Week Five lessons continued the sense of trusting in the call we saw in yesterday’s lesson of Abram and St. Stephen.
The Psalmist cried to the Lord, “Lord, I trust in you; let me never be disgraced. Save me because you do what is right.” Despite, his fear—palpable in his words—he stated his trust in what God would do.
The New Testament lesson spotlighted the speech of Stephen before the Sanhedrin, right before they convicted him on the made-up charges of speaking against Moses. When the leaders of the Sanhedrin asked Stephen whether the charges were true, Stephen knew denying the trumped up charges would be worthless, so he ‘answered’ the challenge by retelling the stories of the Israelites. We heard the beginning of the history of the Jews, in today’s lessons, how each of the patriarchs trusted and answered the call of God.
He began with Abram’s moving his family from Ur of the Chaldees, after his father died, to Canaan answering God’s call. Isaac, his child of faith, was circumcised to demonstrate the promise of God to make him a great nation. Jacob, too, received circumcision and fathered 12 sons—the beginning of the 12 tribes.
Stephen highlighted how Joseph was sold into slavery, but God was with him through his troubles and he became Pharaoh’s right hand during the upcoming famine. Jacob’s son’s went to Egypt, and the second time, Jacob moved the seventy-five members, servants and flocks to live in Egypt with Joseph, although their remains were returned to Shechem burial sites which were preserved for them to lie with Abraham.
The Old Testament lesson in Exodus relayed the story of Moses—having run away from his upbringing in Egypt to hide in Midian—seeing a bush on fire, without burning up.
Moses was tending sheep—a lowly activity. Remember in our study of David being anointed king, the prophet Samuel had been presented with Jesse’s strapping elder sons, and he thought they were viable, but after God rejected each of them, Jesse was asked, “Have you any other sons?” Jesse’s response was to scoff and disparage the youngest, David, because he was relegated to watching the sheep. Being a shepherd was not the high rung of the family ladder of importance.
Moses, raised as a prince of Egypt, was tending the sheep of his father-in-law, Jethro (a.k.a Reuel), when he spotted a bush on fire. In the sparse vegetation on Mt. Horeb of the Sinai desert, a bush on fire may not have been unusual, but seeing one burning without being consumed attracted Moses’ eye, enough that he diverted his path of herding to check it out. In the news today, fires consumed a number of homes, leaving a decimated rubble and ash. However, this small bush—not a large tree but a small bush—burned, and burned, and burned, and burned, and Moses decided to go over to see what was happening.
Upon reaching the bush, Moses saw the face of an angel of the Lord, and the Lord’s voice called to him, “Moses! Moses!”
First, I suspect Moses seeing the unexplainable circumstances might have retreated somewhat, but God ‘called him back by name.” That would have scared me out of my wits. A bush calling me by name. Moses answered the call, “Here I am.” God told him that the ground was sacred and to remove his shoes. I think of homes, where the rule is to take off shoes and put on slippers or walk in stocking feet to keep the home clean. I suspect that the taking off of the ‘dirty’ shoes would be a physical sign of respect for God and the sanctity of that space.
God had called to Moses, while he was working in humble circumstances—a common place to find the saints of God. We are reminded that God gave grace to the humble. Moses was humble in his work and reverent for the voice of the Lord. He obeyed. Immediately. He removed his shoes.
His humility and sensitivity to God, allowed him to be chosen, to recognize the sign that drew him to the call, to respect the Lord (he covered his face out of fear of seeing the Lord—similar perhaps to us holding our hands before our eyes when the bright sun makes us squint) and listen to the word of the Lord.
God explained he had heard the pain of the Israelites, suffering under the harshness of the Egyptians (for 400 years they had served) and added, “I am sending you…”
Moses faltered here. Understandable. He had killed an Egyptian. He had run away before he could be held accountable. He protested that he was inadequate. How many of us have felt inadequate to the task of service to God?
God answered him, “God said, ‘You can do it because I will be with you. This will be the proof that I am sending you: After you lead the people out of Egypt, you will come and worship me on this mountain.’”
God with us. Emmanuel. Jesus with us. The Holy Spirit with us. The Scriptures have stated again and again that those called could do anything and everything because of God with us.
We can do all things through Christ.
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
Season of Easter Bible Readings
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16;Exodus 3:1-12;Acts 7:1-16&version=NIV;ERV;GNT;NCV;KJV (multiple versions)
Friday, Easter Week Five
Psalm 31:1-5
Psalm 31:15-16
Exodus 3:1-12
Acts 7:1-16
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3045/5797590971_abd3064752_z_d.jpg "The Good Shepherd 136" by Waiting For The Word; flickr
23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Exodus 3:1-12 King James Version (KJV)
3 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
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, we can do all things because you are with us. Empower us to rise up as Stephen and Moses did, responding to your call and trusting you to work in us. In Jesus name, Amen
.
Conclusion
Friday, Easter Week Five’s lesson encourages us to answer God’s call. The examples of the Psalmist, Moses and St. Stephen responding to God’s choosing them to be his messengers in the world, show us that we can, too. God uses the humble. God calls people, who are working hard in lowly positions. Jesus called disciples from humble beginnings.
Jesus was born in humble beginnings; the shepherds were called to be witnesses of Jesus’ arrival in the stable. The shepherds felt at home in a stable, and sometimes God puts us in circumstances so that we are in the positions to receive the call. Moses was in humble shepherd work, but in a position to see the bush on Mt. Horeb, where God would bring him back to that mountain and the Children of Israel would worship at that precise location.
Where is Mt. Horeb? For many biblical scholars, Mt. Horeb and Mt. Sinai were often used interchangeably, but there are those, who suggest that they are different. As archaeological finds uncover more, we might learn the actual truth. Some see Mt. Sinai on the Sinai Peninsula, but others suggest in is in western Arabia—closer to Moses’ leading his flocks from Midian.
However, the real message is that God never wastes a sign or circumstance, but uses all things to work together for good.
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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Replies
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Moses life was saved for a purpose. God had big plans for him. After 400 years of the Israelites being slaves in Egypt God chose a bush that burned but did not get over come by the fire to get Moses attention, than of all things to even speak through that bush. When God is ready to use someone he lets them know it, and he walks with them as the process is done. At times the time is short at times years. I have always wondered why God chose to have Moses die and Joshua take over, but who am I to even wonder. It shows that when a person is called back home to God, they go. God is so mysterious, so awesome. The Bible is the most interesting true story ever written. I know that each time I read even i
One verse or chapter I can find something new. Following Moses life and his role in the history of his walk on earth is a great story. Not perfect like Jesus, but chosen for a mission. Praise, fear, love, knowledge, and honor to the God who made me. What's my mission. Thanks be to God.0 -
You raise a very good question--one I am sure many have wondered about.
Why would God not allow Moses to enter the promised land over the difference between tapping and speaking to the rock? It seems almost trivial.
I can't answer for certain, but I submit that to whom much is given, much is expected. For example, I as a student of the Word of God will be held to a higher standard of performance than a person, who has just become a Christian and has never studied or read the Bible.
Why is this? Jesus said to Nicodemus that he, as a Pharisee, should have understood about believing and salvation more than someone else who did not have as much study.
Moses was given the unique privilege to go up to receive the Ten Commandments He was spoken to by God -- audibly. He was given power to send the plagues to Egypt. He was given the responsibility of leading his people out of Egypt and TEACH the Jews how they should behave.
God required him to be obedient--absolutely. His disobedience at 'tapping' the rock (it worked the last time) did not show the people of Israel important lessons: God uses different ways to effect the plan. God is NOT stuck in a single mold, which means that the more improbable the circumstance, the more the leader must demonstrate that God can do ANYTHING.
Moses' disobedience suggested to the Israelites that he didn't believe that it would work, but he knew the other way worked, so he resorted to what he had done before, rather than obey God.
People have said 'there is method to my madness' and in a sense, God wants us to obey, even when it seems unlikely, improbable, and impossible. It is precisely those times, when God's miraculous power is most impressive.
So, Moses missed an opportunity to obey God AND show the Israelites that God works in many ways/mysterious ways the wonders to perform. And for that, God needed him to know how what displeasure and far reaching effects the disobedience had...so God didn't allow him to enter the promised land.
I was listening to the news today and they were talking about the fact that a man with 1 oz of marijuana was given 40 years in jail, but the executives of HSBC bank laundered $850 million for the Mexican drug cartels and no one is jailed. We are harsher on the lower levels. God judges the higher ups by a stricter standard. Moses. The Kings of Israel and Judea were expected to know better and be more obedient.
I think God is more fair.
To whom much is given, much is expected.0
