The Story of Redemption- Day 27

​

Exodus 31-33

“The rest God promised his people is rest that can only be fully found in Jesus.”

It’s easy to be disturbed, frustrated, and even flabbergasted by the Israelites actions, until we realize we’re just like them. Trying to serve gods of our own making.

The sabbath rest is a symbol of the people yielding to His law and trusting in His provision,

God’s anger grew hot but Moses reminded Him of the covenant He’d made with Abraham. As Moses came down the mountain, he saw the debauchery and smashed the tablets that God has written with His own hand. He ground the calf into powder and made thw people drink it. 3,000 leaders of the rebellion died at the hand of the Levites. God promised He would protect them as they went into the promised land but His presence would no longer be with them. They mourned. 

Moses met God as a friend and reminded Him of covenant, forgiveness, etc. God honored Moses and his persistent faith and returned His presence to the people. Israel was saved by Moses’ is bold faith. Just as Jesus stands before the Father to intercede for us. When God feels far away, remember the character of God and worship in the waiting. 

The Story of Redemption- Day 26

​

Exodus 28-30

“He has washed us and made us new so that we can praise him forever.”

The 12 stones on the priest’s breast plate represented the 12 names of Israel sons. That, along with everything else, points to Jesus and his redemptive work on the cross. Chapter 29 talks about consecration. God is very specific with His instructions. We are to strive for holiness, strive to be like Him. The consecration of the priests point us to the ultimate high priest, Jesus!

“The priests offered sacrifices continually, but Jesus would be the once for all sacrifice for the sins of His people. Each element points to Jesus and reminds us of the beauty of who He is.”

Hebrews 1:14-16; Revelation 1

The Story of Redemption - Day 25

Exodus 25-27

Jesus has done what we could never do. 
 

Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai and when he returned, God had given him plans to the Tabernacle. God didn't command the people to give toward the Tabernacle, but to give what they were willing to give. God cares about our generosity as an overflow of our devotion to Him.

We fix our eyes on Jesus. Every part of the Tabernacle points to Him. 

Pray about the things that seem small to you. He cares and wants you to come to Him. 

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

Tabernacle Schematic from: https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2014/07/experience-the-tabernacle-an-interview-with-jeanne-whittaker/

The Story of Redemption - Day 24

Exodus 22-24

These chapters continue with God going more laws to establish the nation and bring order to the people. 

It is obvious from today's reading that God wanted the people to take care of the poor, widows, the marginalized, etc. He is a God of justice and these laws show what is good and true. The people joined with Moses, saying "we will do everything that the Lord has commanded," a promise that they were unable to keep on their own.  

God's passover was a foreshadowing that Jesus would come to redeem and save us.

We are never alone. We are never without access to the Father and to His mighty power. Jesus came to keep the law perfectly and to die in our place. 

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

The Story of Redemption - Day 23

Exodus 19-21

We cannot earn our redemption. We can only rest in His saving grace. 

The Law was given:

1. for us to have a close relationship with God. Like guardrails, to keep us safe and steady
2. to keep them living in peace with family and neighbors
3. to reflect the character of God to the world

Every day I must look at my life through he lens of the 10 Commandments. They are not obsolete. We reflect Him to the world when we observe the 10 Commandments.

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

Image is from https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/ten-commandments-list

The Story of Redemption - Day 22

Exodus 16-18

The people saw the powerful deliverance of God. And they still grumbled.

They people were hungry, so God rained down food (manna) so they would be nourished. Moses struck a rock so they would have something to drink. The rock is a picture of the Bible, our Living Word.

There is a battle with the Amalakites. The army won as long as Moses' arms were raised, so Aaron & Hur jumped in to help. Israel won that battle.

Moses' father-in-law comes for a visit and instructs Moses that he's going to burn out if he keeps running everything by himself. 

When we are overwhelmed by daily circumstances, it's easy to forget God's goodness and provision. It's important to keep a record of the blessings, so when hard times come (and they will) we will be prepared to remember. 

 The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

The Story of Redemption - Day 21

  

Exodus 13-15

Life after Egypt would be different and in so many ways, it would require them to trust like never before.

Their worship faded to weariness as the people got farther and farther from Egypt. Slavery was all that most had ever known. They no longer had guaranteed food and shelter. They literally had to trust God for the water that they consumed. 

He showed Himself faithful again and again. The cloud by day and the fire by night was a constant, 24/7 reminder that He would protect them and that He was their Provider. 

God is just as close to us today as He was to them. He made a way for us to be justified when our sin separated us from God.

 

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

The Story of Redemption - Day 20

 

Exodus 10-12

Jesus is our door and deliverer. He is the Lamb.

The last three plagues. Locust. Darkness. Death.

Locusts destroyed anything that was left.

The darkness was "felt" for three days. Was this like the darkness that fell when Jesus was on the cross?(Matthew 15:33)

600K + people were ready to leave on a moment's notice. God had set them apart.

An animal had to be sacrificed. By this blood, they were saved. This is a direct foreshadowing fo Jesus' coming.

We should celebrate God's and His glory and meditate daily on His goodness to us. 

 The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

This list was based on "Ten Plagues of Egypt: Things You Might Not Know" by Margaret Minnicks; November 2, 2020. HTTPS://BIT.LY/3AEBSKF

The Story of Redemption - Day 19

Exodus 7-9

God is our hope.

First Plague: Nile River Turned to Blood
Aaron touched the Nile with his staff. The water immediately turned to blood. All the fish died, and the water began to stink. The Egyptians were deprived of water and fish that were a major part of their diet. Pharaoh's heart became hardened.

Second Plague: Frogs

Aaron stretched out his staff over Egypt and frogs came up from the river and covered the entire land. They got in people's food, in clothing, etc. No one in Egypt escaped the frogs. Pharaoh agreed to let the people go if the frogs were taken away, but later “he hardened his heart” (Exodus 8:8–15).

Third Plague: Lice or Gnats

Aaron stretched out his rod and touched the ground. Then the dust became lice throughout all the land on people and animals. Pharaoh's heart was hardened.

Fourth Plague: Flies

Only the Egyptians were affected by the flies. This was the first plague that involved destruction as well as discomfort. Pharaoh gave the Hebrews permission to leave, but he told them they couldn't go very far. Pharaoh changed his mind and did not let them go at all.

Fifth Plague: Death of Cattle and Livestock

The Egyptians were given a chance to repent, but they didn't. Disease attacked the cattle and livestock and they died.  The death of cattle and livestock had severe consequences, causing an economic disaster that affected the food supply, transportation, military supplies, farming, and everything else. Pharaoh's heart remained hard.

Sixth Plague: Boils and Sores

Moses threw dust into the air. The dust caused painful boils and sores all over everyone, including Pharaoh. Even his personal physician could not cure him. God hardened Pharaoh's heart this time.

Seventh Plague: Hail

Large hail fell from the sky and turned to fire when it hit the ground. Some of the Egyptians' food supply was destroyed. The hail was so big and heavy that it struck down all the crops in the fields and shattered every tree.

 The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

This list was based on "Ten Plagues of Egypt: Things You Might Not Know" by Margaret Minnicks; November 2, 2020. HTTPS://BIT.LY/3AEBSKF

 

The Story of Redemption - Day 18

Exodus 4-6

We can always trust the Lord because of Who He is.

Moses, in the desert, hid from certain punishment in Egypt for murdering someone. 

The story today begins not with the bold leader we know and love, but with a scared, tongue-tied Moses. He's hiding so far in the desert that the Lord gets his attention with a burning, non-consuming bush. God told him that he was the one who would lead His people from the oppression of Egypt, but Moses had nothing but excuses, explaining why he was not the man for the job. Fear blinded Moses to the plan God had perfectly laid out for him. 

"God is not looking for s to have it all together. He is looking for obedience and surrender. That is how God uses us to build His kingdom."

Reluctantly, Moses (along with his brother Aaron as his and His mouthpiece), headed back to Egypt and let the people know that he was the leader God wanted to lead them from their slavery. The people believed and worshipped. God had heard their cries and sent a deliverer.

"It is interesting to note that this worship precedes their deliverance. They did not worship because they had gotten what they wanted; they worshiped God for who He was and trusted that He could do what He had promised to do." Acts of worship do not depend on our circumstances but on God's goodness. 

Pharoah and his leaders were NOT in favor of their slave workforce leaving, so the next few chapters reveal that the people were even more oppressed and SO READY to be delivered. 

We don't have to be paralyzed with fear. We can rest in the Gospel, His strength, and not our own. 

 The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co

Encountering God - Bible Study

​

“Our knowledge and understanding of the Word counts for little if it doesn’t express itself through corresponding action. Filling up on knowledge may give us a sense of righteousness, but it hasn’t done its job if it doesn’t bloom into immediate action.”

~Kelly Minter, Encountering God - Cultivating Habits of Faith Through the Spiritual Disciplines, p.29

https://onlinestudy.lifeway.com/v/encounteringgodobs

The Story of Redemption - Day 17

 

Genre: Law, Historical Narrative

Author / Date Written: Moses - c. 1440-1400 BC

Themes: Deliverance from Slavery, Rebellion Against God, Covenant Faithfulness

Key Words: Covenant, Faithfulness, Provision

Key Verse: Exodus 20:2

Genesis 1-3

The book opens with the story of the jealousy/fear of the Egyptians and Pharoah allowing baby boys to be slaughtered. But as we know, there is no plan that man can concoct that can keep God's will from being accomplished. The midwives feared God and would not allow the baby boys to be killed. A miraculous escape plan was hatched to protect the infant son of two members of the tribe of Levi. She hid her baby boy for as long as she could. The Scriptures tell the rest of the story better than I could.

3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.
4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.
7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother.
9 And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the women took the child, and nursed it.
10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

Only God could direct these extraordinary events to happen. 

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

The Story of Redemption - Day 16

Genesis 47-50

Through all of the disasters, God had a great plan from the beginning.

 Jacob's family (70+ people) relocated to Goshen. It was the best part of the Egyptian land. The family was fruitful and multiplied. Jacob lived there for 17 years. Before his death, he asked Joseph to bury him in the land of his fathers. 

Jacob adopted Joseph's sons Ephraim & Manasseh, replacing Reuben as his firstborn, likely because of his previous sin with Bilhah. He blessed them, giving his younger son the first blessing. 

"We cannot help but be amazed at how God had chosen this ordinary and dysfunctional family to be His people."  Realizing this, we understand that God can use us to accomplish his purposes. 'God's plan will always prevail. His plan is good. He is waiting and ready to redeem." 

 The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

The Story of Redemption - Day 15

Genesis 43-46

Simeon is left in prison in Egypt and the brothers must return with Benjamin to get more provisions. Jacob is hesitant, but Reuben promised that Benjamin would be safe. Jacob sent double payment (Joseph had put their money back in their bags when they left) and sent them on their way, reluctantly. Simeon has been in prison in Egypt this whole time. (I wonder if he thought they weren't coming back for him?)

"Joseph's brothers returned to Egypt, and the plot deepens as Joseph (after several "tests" of his brothers**) reveals his identity to his unsuspecting brothers. Joseph wept as he told his brothers who he was. Yet right in the midst of confessing his identity, he declares that through his brothers sold him into slavery, God had a plan all along."

The brothers leave with lots of supplies, return home,  get Jacob, and the entire family (70 people) relocates to Egypt (Goshen).  One thing to remember, God doesn't concoct a plan when things go wrong. He is not reactive. His plans and purposes will be accomplished. 

**my addition to the quote

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

The Story of Redemption - Day 14

Genesis 40-42

God will work every part of our lives and every chapter of our stories for our good and His glory.

We see Joseph still in prison, interpreting the dreams of the butler (cupbearer) and the baker. Joseph asked the butler to remember him and try to help him get out of prison. It wasn't until Pharoah had some strange dreams about skinny/fat cows and skinny/fat ears of corn, two years later, that the butler remembered his promise to Joseph.

Joseph was very careful in Fenesis 40:8 and 41:16 to let everyone know that God was the One who gave him the interpretation of the dreams. 

"Joseph endured unjust suffering and trials throughout his life, but his suffering points us to the One who has suffered in our place. For our good and His glory. 

Joseph was made the second most powerful man in the land of Egypt. From prisoner to vice president in one day. 

When the famine finally strikes, Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to get food. They didn't recognize him, but he knew who they were immediately. Simeon is kept in prison until they return with Benjamin. The brothers argue that this is punishment for what they did to Joseph all those years ago. 

"Joseph's story reminds us that our Faithful God will not forsake us and that we can trust His plan, even when it does not make sense in our finite minds."

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

The Story of Redemption - Day 13

 Genesis 37-39

This section of Scripture introduces us to Jacob's beloved son Joseph and the rest of the book of Genesis is about the story of his life.

Jacob plays favorites and presents Joseph with his Coat of Many Colors. His older brothers are understandably jealous. "This account provides additional evidence that the brokenness of this family abounds."

The story of Judah and Tamar is tucked into chapter 38 - BUT GRACE!

Jospeh and Potiphar's wife - Joseph's character would not allow him to betray his master's trust. He ran. She screamed. Potiphar was angry, but was it with Josephy? He was put in the king's prison but should have been put to death. 

God's steadfast love is His covenant faithfulness, mercy, and kindness. It never fails and never ends. (Romans 8:28)

"Through all of Joseph's life, through all of Tamar's life, and yes, through all of our lives -- God is with us. Even in hardship, or undeserved suffering, we can trust that the Lord will never leave us. He will never fail His own."

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

The Story of Redemption - Day 12

Genesis 34-36

The One was coming who would heal brokenness and break the power of sin.

This passage begins with the tragic account of Dinah. People are capable of so much sin. 

Dinah was assaulted and Jacob + the brothers plan revenge. Moses gives a rare editorial comment in 34:7, "which thing ought not to be done."

"The tragic account reminds us that our God is the only one who can bring true comfort to the hurting and the oppressed. Dinah's father and brothers failed to protect her or ease her suffering in any meaningful way. However, we have hope in our suffering, Jesus is the one who has suffered in our place to give us peace with God. Not only does He know what it means to suffer, but He has suffered on earth."

The brothers took justice into their own hands, and Jacob responded in verse 30 - "Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and being few in number they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, | and my house." He was only concerned with how their retribution would affect his reputation. 

God is mentioned 11 times in chapter 35. How differently would Jacob have acted throughout his life if he had realized that God was with him everywhere he went (v. 3) Jacob builds an altar and the Abrahamic covenant is renewed. His name is changed to Israel.

Verse 16 begins a joyful + sad part of Jacob's story, as a son is born, but Rachel dies in childbirth. She named the child Ben-oni: the son of my sorrow, but Jacob changed his name to Benjamin: the son of my right hand. Rachel was buried in Ephrath (Bethlehem), further pointing to Christ. 

Reuben slept with his father's concubine (Bilhah) and Bible scholars believe he was trying to usurp his father's headship of the family.

The death of Isaac is mentioned at the close of chapter 35. 

Esau's descendants are mentioned in chapter 36.  Esau = Edom (Edomites) 

Our sin has disqualified us from God's blessing, but Jesus qualifies us. When we trust in His finished work on the cross, we are given His righteousness. In spite of all of our sin and disobedience, God intervenes, He redirects, He transforms. 

The Story of Redemption - Day 11

​

Genesis 31-33

Throughout the life of Jacob, we repeatedly see struggle.

“Through the life of Jacob we are reminded that living a life of blessing does not mean living a life free of sorrow or struggle. Jacob was clearly chosen to receive a special blessing but he also experienced intense struggle.” Some of it was brought on by his own actions and some was not his fault in anyway.

After an intense conversation with Laban, Jacob finally was able to head home. Realizing that he was going to encounter Esau, who he had cheated repeatedly, Jacob would be fearful. God came to him in a dream. He wrestled with the Lord all night long and begs God for a blessing. This signals a change of heart in Jacob. Before, he had been more concerned about his own benefit, but now he is begging God for a blessing. At the end of this night of wrestling, God changes his name to Israel. Jacob realized that he had seen God when he named the place Peniel, which  means I have seen the face of God in my life is saved. 

Jacob now prepares to see Esau. Much to his surprise, Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, and wept. Both of these men had a supernatural change of heart. Only the Lord could make this happen.

“Jacob‘s life of struggle is one part of the story that would culminate in the Messiah, and though Jacob was far from perfect, God showered him in grace and brought the Messiah through his line. Not only that, but Jesus uniquely appeared to Jacob. God had not forgotten his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Every moment of the journey was worked together by God.“

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

The Story of Redemption- Day 10

Genesis 28-30

Jacob’s life was full of struggle, and though he was raised in a family who knew the Lord, it was not until he had a dream that he truly met the Lord for himself. Even when we do not understand, his ways are good. 

On his way to his mother’s family to find a wife, Jacob has a dream. God reminds him of the Abrahamic covenant. Jacob responds with and if/then statement. He has conditional terms for the God of the universe. No relational Debs. He was more interested in the benefits in a relationship with the Lord. He name of the place Bethel.

He finds his family and serves 14 years plus for two wives. Lea and Rachel. Lots of jealousy, lots of resentment, and right in the middle of all of it we see Judah’s birth. There was a shift in Leah’s attitude. Instead of “maybe this child will make my husband love me” to I will praise the Lord…

There is a strange exchange between Jacob and Laban. In Bible times, the herdsman believed that whatever the animals saw while they were mating affected the offspring… Spotted, speckled, ringstraked, etc. That’s why Jacob put the sticks at the watering hole. He was hoping to weigh the balance in his favor.

In all of this story, we see God at work. Here’s yet another dysfunctional family that the Lord is using to bring the promised Savior into the world. God uses us right where we are.

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.

The Story of Redemption - Day 9

​

Genesis 25-27

Again, the Bible reminds us that the promises of God are not dependent on us.

Abraham remarries following the death of Sarah and has more sons, who end up being more enemies of Israel. 

I find it fascinating what the scripture say in chapter 25. Abraham gave everything he had to Isaac, but to his other sons he gave gifts and sent them away.

Abraham was 175 years older than his death and his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him with the Sarah.

Ishmael had 12 sons and was the father of a multitude at his death. He was 137 years old when he died.

Reminiscent of the story of his father and mother, Isaac took a wife and she was barren. He prayed that the Lord would give him a son. Rebekah became pregnant with twins. And a story of dysfunctional family continues. Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite and Esau was Isaac’s favorite. Jacob was crafty and deceptive and a saw was hot tempered and only interested in temporary pleasure. Isa sold his birthright for a bowl of stew.

Isaac knew his time on earth was short (he lived 40 more years after the story) and wanted to give the blessing to his son Esau, even though God had said Jacob would be the one to receive the blessing. The story that follows in the rest of chapter 27 is unbelievably sad.

Deception, lies, threats-through the evil plan of Rebecca and Jacob God still works out his righteous plan. In spite of him, not because of him. Jacob is essentially exiled for what they thought would be a few days until “thy brother’s anger turn away from thee,” but ended up being more than 20 years until he was able to return home. 

There are no heroes in this story, other than God. His promises are not based on our goodness or what we can do for Him. Those who bless Him will receive His blessing. Those who reject Him are under the curse of condemnation.

The Story of Redemption, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.