Meditations in Exodus

This meditation is a companion to a previous meditation:  
                            Gather the Elders, and Say unto Them - Exodus 3:16-22 (Pt. 1)    

Exodus 3:16-17 reads, “Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: and I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.”

In Exodus 3:9-10 the Lord God expressed his call upon Moses to send Moses as His instrument of deliverance for His people Israel.  In verse 11 Moses responded with the question, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”  In verse 12 the Lord God answered Moses’ question by promising to be with Moses and to enable Moses in fulfilling His call.  Then in verse 13 Moses asked a second question – “Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?”  To this question the Lord God gave answer in verse 14-15, declaring – “I AM THAT I AM.”  “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”  “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”

Even so, on the ground of this declaration, the Lord God then instructed Moses to “go, and gather the elders of Israel together,” and to deliver the message of verses 16-22 unto them.  Herein it is worthy of notice that although this message certainly pertained unto the entire nation of Israel, it was to be delivered specifically unto the elders of Israel, unto the leadership of Israel.  Indeed, Exodus 3:16-22 provides encouragement and exhortation to those who serve in leadership for God’s people.  In the first part of the meditation (see above), we considered three elements from Exodus 3:16-18 -- that the Lord our God knows personally of our need (the Lord's personal care), that the Lord our God promises to help us in our need (the Lord's promised help), and that the Lord our God calls us to serve Him in this world (our public service).  In this second part of the meditation, we shall consider three further elements from Exodus 3:19-22.

Outlines in Psalms

Psalm 74 can be divided into three divisions:
              I.  The Complaint of a Troubled Heart (Psalm 74:1-11)
             II.  The Turning Point of a Confident Faith (Psalm 74:12-17)
            III.  The Cry of a Trusting Heart (Psalm 74:18-23)

Under the second division, we find great truth concerning who our Lord God is and what our Lord God does, con-cerning His character and His conduct.

Meditations in Exodus

Exodus 3:16-17 reads, “Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: and I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.”

In Exodus 3:9-10 the Lord God expressed his call upon Moses to send Moses as His instrument of deliverance for His people Israel.  In verse 11 Moses responded with the question, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”  In verse 12 the Lord God answered Moses’ question by promising to be with Moses and to enable Moses in fulfilling His call.  Then in verse 13 Moses asked a second question – “Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?”  To this question the Lord God gave answer in verse 14-15, declaring – “I AM THAT I AM.”  “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”  “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”

Even so, on the ground of this declaration, the Lord God then instructed Moses to “go, and gather the elders of Israel together,” and to deliver the message of verses 16-22 unto them.  Herein it is worthy of notice that although this message certainly pertained unto the entire nation of Israel, it was to be delivered specifically unto the elders of Israel, unto the leadership of Israel.  Indeed, Exodus 3:16-22 provides encouragement and exhortation to those who serve in leadership for God’s people.

Weekly Sermon

Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Brethren, it is our responsibility as God’s own children to walk and live each day by faith, not by sight; for without faith it is impossible for us to please the Lord our God. (2 Corinthians 5:7; Hebrews 11:6)  The life that we are now living in this flesh, we are to live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved us and give Himself for us. (Galatians 2:20)   Just as we received our Lord Jesus Christ through faith as our eternal Savior, even so we are to walk and abide in Him through steadfastness of faith, being rooted and built in Him thereby. (Colossians 2:6-7)  We are to stand and become established in the things of the Lord by faith, and through such steadfastness of faith in Him we shall obtain a good report. (Acts 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Hebrews 11:39)  Although we do not see our Lord with physical sight, yet we are to look unto Him with the sight of faith and thereby to rejoice in Him with joy unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:8)  Even so, the four lines of Proverbs 3:5-6 present four important truths concerning this matter of walking by faith and trust in our Lord.

Meditations in Exodus

This meditation is a companion to a previous mediation: What Is His Name? - Exodus 3:13-15 (Part 1)      

Exodus 3:13 reads, “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?”

In Exodus 3:9-10 the Lord God expressed his call upon Moses to send Moses as His instrument of deliverance for His people Israel.  In verse 11 Moses responded with an expression of humility and hopelessness concerning his ability to fulfill the Lord’s call – “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?”  In answer, the Lord God responded with His promise to be with Moses and to enable Moses in fulfilling His call – “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.”

Yet in Exodus 3:13 Moses presents another question unto the Lord God.  This question did not concern Moses’ inability, but now concerned the Lord God’s nature and ability.  Indeed, Moses indicated that the children of Israel would ask concerning the name and nature of this God of their fathers who had sent Moses unto them – “What is his name?”  In verse 12 the Lord had promised to be with Moses and enable Him.  So then, who is this Lord God who will be with His servants and His people – “What is his name?”  In verse 10 the Lord had placed His call upon Moses to send Him unto His people.  So then, who is this Lord God who calls and sends His servants unto His people to lead them and help them – “What is his name?”  In verse 8 the Lord had pronounced His purpose to deliver His people from their affliction and to bless them with abundance.  So then, who is this Lord God who will help and deliver His servants and His people in their affliction – “What is his name?”  In verse 4 the Lord had proclaimed His personal recognition of His people’s sufferings and sorrows.  So then, who is this Lord God who personally knows the sorrows of His servants and His people – “What is his name?”  Yea, what is the name and the nature of this Lord God, the Lord our God?

Already in the first part of the meditation (see above), we have considered three truths, that the Lord our God is the Self-Existing One, the Eternal One, and the Unchanging One.  In this second part of the meditation, let us consider three further truths.

Outlines in Psalms

“To the chief musician, to Jeduthun [praising, celebrating], A Psalm of Asaph.”

  I.  The Cry of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 77:1-3)
 II.  The Complaint of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 77:4-9)
III.  The Confession of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 77:10a)
IV.  The Commitment of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 77:10b-12)
 V.  The Confidence of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 77:13-15)
VI.  The Comfort of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 77:16-20)

Meditations in Exodus

Exodus 3:13 reads, “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?”

In Exodus 3:9-10 the Lord God expressed his call upon Moses to send Moses as His instrument of deliverance for His people Israel.  In verse 11 Moses responded with an expression of humility and hopelessness concerning his ability to fulfill the Lord’s call – “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?”  In answer, the Lord God responded with His promise to be with Moses and to enable Moses in fulfilling His call – “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.”

Yet in Exodus 3:13 Moses presents another question unto the Lord God.  This question did not concern Moses’ inability, but now concerned the Lord God’s nature and ability.  Indeed, Moses indicated that the children of Israel would ask concerning the name and nature of this God of their fathers who had sent Moses unto them – “What is his name?”  In verse 12 the Lord had promised to be with Moses and enable Him.  So then, who is this Lord God who will be with His servants and His people – “What is his name?”  In verse 10 the Lord had placed His call upon Moses to send Him unto His people.  So then, who is this Lord God who calls and sends His servants unto His people to lead them and help them – “What is his name?”  In verse 8 the Lord had pronounced His purpose to deliver His people from their affliction and to bless them with abundance.  So then, who is this Lord God who will help and deliver His servants and His people in their affliction – “What is his name?”  In verse 4 the Lord had proclaimed His personal recognition of His people’s sufferings and sorrows.  So then, who is this Lord God who personally knows the sorrows of His servants and His people – “What is his name?”  Yea, what is the name and the nature of this Lord God, the Lord our God?

Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to two previous outlines:  And Forget Not All His Benefits - Psalm 103:1-5     
                                                                                    Bless the Lord, O My Soul - Psalm 103:1-2, 20-22    

Psalm 103:1 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

  I.  Bless the Lord because He bestows spiritual benefits.
 II.  Bless the Lord because He executeth righteousness and justice.
III.  Bless the Lord because He is abundantly merciful and gracious.
IV.  Bless the Lord because He is everlastingly faithful.
 V.  Bless the Lord because He is the sovereign Ruler.

Outlines in Psalms

Psalm 103:1-2 reads, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits [the benefits of spiritual revival]:”

  I.  He Remits (Forgives) All the Guilt of Our Iniquities. (Psalm 103:3a)
 II.  He Removes the Affliction of His Chastening Hand. (Psalm 103:3b)
III.  He Redeems Our Lives from Our Sin’s Destructiveness. (Psalm 103:4a)
IV.  He Restores Our Walk to His Blessed Fellowship. (Psalm 103:4b)
 V.  He Renews Our Souls in Abundant Spiritual Life. (Psalm 103:5)

Meditations in Exodus

Exodus 3:7-8 reads, “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; 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.”

Exodus 3:1-6 introduces us to the occasion wherein the Lord God acquired Moses’ attention with “the burning bush” and met with Moses’ out of “the burning bush.”  In verses 7-8 the account continues as the Lord God reveals unto Moses the reason for His meeting with Moses.  Indeed, the Lord our God reveals that He knows the sorrows of His people and that He is moved to deliver His people from their sorrows.

Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to a previous outline:   Our Heart Is Not Turned Back - Psalm 44:9-26

  I.  The Record of Past History (vs. 1-3)
       II.  The Response of Confident Faith (vs. 4-8)
            III.  The Reality of Present Tribulation (vs. 9-16)
      IV.  The Refusal to Forsake the Lord (vs. 17-22)
 V.  The Request of a Troubled Soul (vs. 23-26)

Outlines in Psalms

Psalm 13:1 reads, “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.  How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD?  For ever?  How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?”

Sometimes the trials, troubles, and tribulations of life grow so great and continue so long that our hearts are moved within us to cry out unto the Lord – “How long?  For ever?”  How long will it be before our Lord grants us deliverance?  Must we suffer forever?  This was just how David felt in the case of Psalm 13.  Yet although he began with this complaint in his heart, he ended with confidence in the Lord.

Proverbs for Life

The book of the Proverbs is often described and defined as a book of wisdom, in contrast to the way of foolish-ness.  Yet the book of the Proverbs also has much to say concerning the way of righteousness, in contrast to the way of wickedness.  In fact, within the context of the book of the Proverbs, the way of wisdom is presented as being directly equivalent to the way of righteousness; and the way of foolishness is presented as being directly equivalent to the way of wickedness.  Even so, throughout the listing of proverbial statements in Proverbs 11, we find a number of truths concerning the benefits of righteousness (in contrast to the detriments of wickedness).

Outlines in Psalms

The Holy Spirit inspired introduction to Psalm 30 reads, “A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David.”  Then the opening portion of Psalm 30:1 begins, “I will extol thee, O LORD.”  For what then did David extol the Lord through this psalm?

Meditations in Exodus

Exodus 2:23-25 reads, “And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.  And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.  And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.”

Herein we find the tribulation of God’s people and the tenderness of the Lord God toward his people in the midst of their tribulation.