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April 6, Sunday
Reading A96 — Exodus 13-14 — Parting of the Red Sea Audio: Exodus 13-14 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
From Fear to Fear — The plagues were finished, but Israel’s problems were not over. They were free but fleeing. Although all of Egypt’s firstborn male sons and animals had died, what was left of their army was now chasing Israel, thinking they had made a mistake in letting this gigantic workforce escape them, saying, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” (14:5). God then led Israel into an intentional trap, backing them into a corner, with the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian army behind them. When the Hebrews saw this, “they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD” (v. 10). It was a fear that recognized their human weakness, but it was also a cry to Yahweh, their only hope of rescue. We sometimes also find ourselves in a desperate place of helplessness. Do we immediately think of turning to God for help or do we give up as if there were no other way? Moses said to them, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD” (v. 13). Here is the element of faith, which can stand in the face of fear—that fear that comes from a focus on human weakness. God then performed the tremendous miracle of parting the Red Sea to provide a path for Israel and a grave for the Egyptian army. At that point, another kind of fear showed up: “Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD” (v. 31). That was the fear of wonder, marveling at the power and protection of a loving God. It is also the appropriate response for answered prayer. We should make much of God’s answers to prayer. Don’t just thank Him but worship Him for it!
April 7, Monday
Reading A97 — Exodus 15 — The Song of Moses Audio: Exodus 15 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Worthy of Praise — What a great example of praise is this song of Moses! First, there is much praise about who God is. Moses said, “The LORD is my strength and my song … my salvation … my God, and I will praise him … I will exalt him” (v. 2). He said that God is “glorious in power … in the greatness of … majesty” (vv. 6-7), and He is “majestic in holiness” (v. 11). This is how we can praise God: think about who He is and express it to Him in prayer. The second way Moses praised God was by acknowledging what He has done. Moses could look back to all that he had seen of God’s miracles, beginning with the burning bush. In this prayer, Moses praised God because He “triumphed gloriously” (v. 1), “piled up” the waters (v. 8), “cast into the sea” the Egyptian army (v. 4), and that He is “awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders” (v. 11). On top of that, Moses said, “You have led in your steadfast love the people you have redeemed” (v. 13). God led them to the water at Marah (v. 25) and to the springs at Elim (v. 27). Why didn’t He sweeten the waters at Marah before Israel got there? It was probably because He wanted to demonstrate to them, again, His mighty power and providing love. When the nations to the north saw how God’s power and provision was caring for this mass of people, they trembled, were dismayed, and were filled with terror (vv. 14-16).
April 8, Tuesday
Reading A98 — Exodus 16 — Gathering Manna Audio: Exodus 16 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Trust and Rest — The just-rescued people of Israel were easily discouraged, and they quickly complained about their problems. Eight times in this chapter their grumbling was mentioned. Moses warned them that they were not just complaining to him and Aaron, but that “Your grumbling is … against the LORD” (v. 8). We should remember that when we find ourselves complaining about something we lack, we are really criticizing our Provider. In His grace, God provided for them anyway, but His provision included a test of their obedience. The provision was miraculous manna, a brand-new food that existed for only 40 years in history for human consumption. Yahweh instructed Moses to have Aaron save an omer of it, which was put into the ark of the covenant (Heb. 9:4). The test was whether they would trust God to not only provide that food six days a week, but also to keep Friday’s food from spoiling on Saturday. Some of them failed the test. This is the first place in Scripture that the word “Sabbath” is used. God set this seventh day aside for His people’s rest (Ex. 16:30). Resting on the Sabbath for these Hebrews was not only for the purpose of physically resting their bodies but also to rest emotionally in trusting God to care for their needs.
April 9, Wednesday
Reading A99 — Exodus 17-18 — Water, War, and Judging Audio: Exodus 17-18 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
God Provides — This was the third water problem Israel had in their escape from Egypt. The first was the Red Sea, which God solved by parting the waters. The second was the bitter water at Marah, which God solved by having Moses throw a certain “log” into it to make it “sweet” (15:25). In today’s reading, we see the third water problem, which God solved by having Moses strike a particular rock for water to gush out (17:6). The Apostle Paul gives us some interesting insight into this last event, when he wrote that “all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ” (1 Cor. 10:4). The “LORD” (Yahweh) who told Moses to strike the rock was the second Person of the Trinity, Christ, and this “Rock” followed them through the wilderness. The people didn’t see Him, but He was there, active in leading them and supplying their needs. That Rock follows us as well. He is present but unseen. He sees our threat of water, and He protects us. He sees our need for water, and He provides it. He is Jehovah-Jireh (or Yahweh-Jireh), meaning “The Lord Will Provide.” We saw that first when God supplied the ram to be the substitute sacrifice instead of Isaac (Gen. 22:14). He is still providing for us, not only for our physical needs but also for our emotional and spiritual needs. He is there for us.
April 10, Thursday
Reading A100 — Exodus 19-20 — The Ten Commandments Audio: Exodus 19-20 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Why Obey? — Chapter 19 provided the drumroll for chapter 20 in today’s reading. Yesterday’s preparation drama emphasized the importance of the Ten Commandments. God picked the spot to make this great announcement, the high, easy-to-see Mount Sinai. He directed Moses to set limits around the mountain to emphasize it as being a very holy place because of God’s presence. There were two days of preparation where the people consecrated themselves by washing their clothes (19:10) and abstaining from sex (v. 15). The demonstration began the next morning with an earthquake, thunder, lightning, a thick cloud, and “a very loud trumpet blast” (v. 16), which “grew louder and louder” (v. 19). Then, so that all the people could hear, God announced the Ten Commandments about not making objects of worship (20:3-6), keeping the Sabbath day holy (vv. 8-10), honoring fathers and mothers (v. 12), not committing murder, adultery, theft (vv. 13-15), or lying (v. 16), and coveting what is not yours (v. 17). The reaction of the people was that of great fear, so that they didn’t even want to hear God’s voice again (v. 19). Moses then told them it was good that their “fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin” (v. 20). Recognizing the awesomeness of God should also be our strongest motivation to obey His commands. He is our loving and powerful King.
April 11, Friday
Reading A101 — Exodus 21 — Laws for Slaves Audio: Exodus 21 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
What is Fair? — This is one of many OT chapters listing laws for the people of Israel to follow. These are the kinds of things that Moses would have taught the chiefs he chose to help carry the burden of judging the people. They are laws that are meant to protect the rights of individuals. Slavery was common at that time, and much of it was the result of people who had fallen into debt that they couldn’t pay off. Hebrews who were caught in that circumstance could not be forced to serve for more than six years (v. 2). As the Sabbath day was instituted for rest after six days of work, so these temporary slaves were given a break after six years. Women were also protected from being neglected as wives (v. 10). Lives were protected in fights between men (vv. 12, 18), and the value of an unborn child is emphasized in the protection of an injured pregnant woman (v. 22). Some of these laws might seem unfair, but we must remember that we live in a different time and much different circumstances. These laws also come from God, which means that they were perfect for the people and situations that existed in Moses’ time.
April 12, Saturday
Reading A102 — Exodus 22 — Protection Laws Audio: Exodus 22 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below:
Reflecting God’s Compassion — One of God’s characteristics shown in this chapter is His compassion. At the end of laws aimed at protecting disadvantaged people, He declared, “I am compassionate” (v. 27). He was compassionate first toward sojourners (v. 21), i.e., foreigners who were temporarily living among them. They were not to be oppressed. They would have been easy targets, exploited because of their limited understanding of the language and culture. Second, widows and orphans were not to be mistreated because of their lack of a providing and protecting husband and father (v. 22). The Bible is filled with statements of God’s concern for these weakened people. The third group was poor people, those who needed money and would like to borrow some in order to have capital to get started in some kind of business. Compassion toward others is a characteristic we Christians should be exhibiting in our lives as well. Who do you know who lives near you but speaks mostly a different language? How could you help them understand their community better? You could show compassionate love to them to make them feel more accepted and comfortable. Do you know a widow with children who could use some attention and financial help? Reach out to her! Is there someone you know who is struggling financially? You might find a creative way to anonymously bless them with something they need.
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