Skip to main content

Exciting Stuff in Six Verses

If you take the Bible in bite-sized chunks it is amazing what you discover. Take Exodus 13:17-22, for example. Crossing the Red Sea is in their near future, but of course,e the Israeli don't know that yet. They are busy getting to that location via a "longer" than usual route. God didn't want to take them through Philistine territory just yet because, even though they were battle-ready (18b), He didn't want to discourage them right out of the shoot.


Joseph's bones went along for the walk because Moses was honoring Joseph's last words. I talked about that in a previous post. 


Most placenames in Exodus are lost to history, so the Jew’s route is mere speculation. The intriguing part of this chapter is that it is here that the Pillar appears to guide and protect them. I believe that the pillar of cloud led and also covered the people from the desert sun. The pillar of fire also lit the camp at night. It was a tremendous physical symbol of God's presence on a daily and moment-by-moment basis. It didn't leave the people for the next forty-plus years. 


The incredible aspect of the pillar is that the people got used to it. They did not think twice about gripping and complaining during their trip to Mount Sinai, nor in the proceeding years. God was present, and they complained. Such an ungrateful lot. 


We have the word of God to guide, direct and speak to us daily, but we don't care. We gripe and complain about supposed and real problems and dangers. But we don't stop to realize that God is right there with us and protecting us from said problems.


We, too, are an ungrateful lot. See that aspect as you read about the Walk in the desert.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What Are You Worth?

What are you Worth?  Have you ever thought about what you are worth? In investing circles there is a term used to gauge this exact question, it's called Net Worth. You take all of your assets, like property owned, funds in your bank account, clothes, jewelry, car, etc.. You total all of these things. You then take everything you owe, like mortgage, car loan, and credit card debt, and you subtract these items from the first total. This gives you your net worth. That number represents where you are financially. Most people never stop to think about this number because they don't understand anything about it. They never have two nickels to rub together. They live from hand to mouth and know (or at least believe) nothing will ever change so, they fall into the "daily grind" mentality. Psalm 49 should be a great encouragement to such as these. The sons of Korah write about them. These sons write about all of us. They call all people everywhere to listen to their wisdom. Bo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tottering!

I was watching my one year old grandson, Brandon, today. He had on some baggy little shorts, weird flip-flops over his socks, and he was tottering. It made me think about how I often feel these days. Funny how that when we are little and "innocent" and tottering in our baggy pants, with our little potbelly sticking out from under our t-shirt we look precious. When we are older and tottering in our low slung trousers and the same potbelly, we looks pathetic! I guess that the two drastically opposite points of view are based on the viewer's chronological perspective. Brandon is growing and I'm dying. He is cute because the little guy has a lot to learn and we love to see him progress. The old guy has already had his chance at learning and what he is progressing toward is not quite so much fun to ponder. When I have these weird thoughts I praise my God because He never lets go of my hand whether a tottering little guy or an old one. And I found this verse to prove my po...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Missionary Thing

"I wish I could get into this Missionary Thing!" I have heard this statement a number of times during my missionary career. People say it in feigned jest. Especially when they see something special happening to missionaries. Tonight for instance a friend loaned us his brand new Chrysler Sebring. Or how about this one, Someone once gave us $10,000. I think that the "Missionary Thing" statement is a reaction to perceived preferential treatment. Granted, I had never receive $10,000 in a lump sum offering until I became a missionary. I had never had anyone give me a car, house, apartment, computer, airline ticket and myriad other things until I became a missionary.  Being a missionary does have it's definite benefits. One of the biggest of those being that we get to do what Paul did. Paul was able to recount his story to perhaps thousands before his death at the hands of Nero. We are still feeling the after-shock of his message. Paul's is that Christ-like exampl...
Post a Comment
Read more