Thursday, February 6: Exodus 13-15; Psalm 114; Ephesians 3

Exodus 13:  Why did God not lead the Israelites on a direct route to the Promised land?  What did Moses take with him?

Exodus 14: Why did the Israelites turn back and camp closer to Egypt? Note the irony of the peoples’ complaint in verse 11!  What was Moses’ default response to their complaint?  What did God tell Moses.

Exodus 15: Who wrote the songs that the Israelites sang and what why?  What happened three days after they crossed through the Red Sea?

Ephesians 3: What mystery was Paul given the calling to declare?  How are we able to approach God? What does verse 20 say about God’s ability to answer our prayers?

Journal Prompt:  Consider the mighty acts of God in the exodus of the Israelites.  Consider also Ephesians 3:20.  Do your prayers  reflect God’s ability?

ANSWERS

Exodus 13:  God could have led the Israelites on a direct route toward the Promised Land, but that would have taken them through the land of the Philistines where they would have faced war, and He knew they were not equipped to deal with that.  Moses took along with him the body of Joseph, as Joseph had asked the people prior to his death. Remember he was embalmed and placed in a coffin. (Genesis 50:26)

Exodus 14: God led the Israelites to turn back and camp closer to Egypt to lure the Pharaoh into going after them to bring them back.  Moses’ responded that they were to stand firm and trust in the Lord, but then he obviously complained to the Lord on their behalf – as God said to Moses “Why are you crying out to me?” 

Exodus 15:  Moses and Aaron wrote one song, and their sister, Myriam, wrote a second song – very short!  These were written to praise the Lord.  Three days after crossing the Red Sea, they had not yet found water.  So they complained to Moses.

Ephesians 3: The mystery that Paul was given the calling to declare was that Gentiles are also children of God and heirs of His kingdom through Jesus along with ‘Israel’.  We are able to approach God with confidence and freedom through our faith in Jesus.  Verse 20 says that God’s ability to answer our prayers is ‘immeasurably’ greater than what we can even imagine.

Journal Prompt:  I don’t answer the journal prompts, but in this case, consider the mighty acts of God in the Exodus and the events leading up to it.  Then consider the complaints of the people and the way God responded.  I just think it might be interesting to think about how God might have responded if their prayer had focused on Him rather than on themselves.  And also, I feel like at times, our prayers are similar – we are focusing on what we consider to be the solution to issues we are facing rather than how God can do immeasurably more than what we ask if we ask in faith for His glory to be displayed.