Ex 13: 17-22

This is a short passage but to me extremely critical in the direction that God would take the Israelites. God knew that the people that He would lead were fickle and complacent. They would not fight for what they wanted or were directed but rather they wanted things handed to them. As a result, althought the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, God took them a longer way. If they had gone the shorter route, they would face the Phillistines (their ultimate enemy) and war would be inevitable. So God led them via the desert to the Red Sea. However, the Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle. Also of significance was the bones of Joseph that would be taken on the trip to fulfill the oath that  his bones would not rest in Egypt. The Lord's presence was then recognized by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night so that they could travel all day long.

While God's miracles and the awesomeness of the plagues fill this book, it still is a book of great promise and theology. Little details, such as the ones that were in this passage, were really awesome as they have come alive.

Praise for today: For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands, How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts! Ps 92:4-5

Ex 13:1-16

The firstborn during this section was given its importance and as a result was consecrated unto the Lord after what happened in Egypt. It didn't matter whether it was man or animal. Then Moses reiterated the commemoration of the Passover day again with the importance to be passed down to firstborn son (8) and that they must keep this ordinance forever. The redemption process includes the firstborn of every womb. The fact that there was so much going on during the process of the Passover that the recounting of the story annually and the sacrifices/redemption process should be so distinctly marked on the hands, head and hearts that the recounting should be second nature.

How distinctive is the firstborn! Irene and David are firstborn and share many similar qualities - call it genetics and upbringing for some but the traits that they share are very similar. I, on the other hand, as a third child (second son) and GG as the second child share many similar traits. I don't know if they see it that way but I sure do. The Passover was and is a big deal even today as it should be. The entirety of the process got lost upon the Israelites over their history and the significance of their God as well. It was interesting that here the Lord was such an integral part of the freedom but the demands were so much greater and response so much more weaker due to the Lord being "in their face" more than we as Christians ever experienced.

Good weekend, saw the Red Tails movie on Friday and enjoyed it. Saw Chinglish on Bway on Sat and it was so-so... but had a good dinner at BoneFish Grill with David and Irene. Church was fine and got home relatively early last night. Started to watch Alcatraz and enjoyed it as well. After OUAT, got hooked on the Hallmark movie about special ed kids going to a NASA training camp. I do enjoy those movies when they are on.

Praise for today: May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. Ps 67: 3-4

Ex 12:42-51

While the people and Moses/Aaron concentrated their efforts upon the journey out of Egypt, the Lord laid the foundation for the remembrance of the times. This section solely dealt with the regulations for the Passover. First, no foreigner, temporary resident or hired worker is to partake, just slaves after they have been circumsized. Second, it must be eaten inside the house - this was to commemorate their houses as a place of refuge after the blood painted doorposts. Third, if an alien wants to participate, he can after all of the males in his household were circumsized. No uncircumsized male may partake. The same law applies to native-born and the aliens living with them. With this understanding behind them, the Lord brought Israel out of Egypt by their divisions.

I know that for us, whenever we took a long trip (especially by car) we asked for the Lord's safety just before our departure. How much of the Lord do we include when we do our packing? Perhaps not much. Still as Scripture says, Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain.

Looking forward to the weekend, looks like after this morning's rain has left (praiseful it is not SNOW!!!) the weather should be great for the next several days.

Praise for today: Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Ps 103:2

Ex 12: 31-42

After the plague against the firstborn commenced, Pharoah summoned Moses and Aaron to tell them that they and the Israelites can leave Egypt with all of their livestock. The request at the end of 32 was sort of weird but egotistical as he asked them to bless him as well. The Egyptians couldn't wait for them to leave given all that they had to endure and even sucumbed to the requests of silver and gold as well as clothing since the Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed to them. The Israelites left Ramses to Succoth where they totalled about 600,000 men along with the women and children. Not just the Israelites left but also others as well who were in a similar situation as they were. They brought the cakes of unleavened bread as instructed for food. So the time that the Israelites were in Egypt was 430 years dating back to Genesis days and Jacob.

Amazing start to an amazing end. They had their ups and mostly downs while they were in Egypt and now it was time for them to go and carve their own destiny. They now had a chance to experience God as a nation first hand and the adventure will now start. Still trying the keep Charlton out of my mind while I continue with my studies.

So thankful that the weather has been so mild versus the past few years when it wasn't. Just recently, I have made sure that I spend a few minutes in prayer when I get in to thank and praise Him for who and what He is and that the HS dwells within me.

Praise for today: For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. Ps 86: 10

Ex 12: 17-30

The balance of the section was to delineate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, because it was the very day that the Lord brought the divisions out of Israel and into the Promised Land. For 21 days on the first month, no yeast is to be made with the bread and no yeast is to be found in the house for a period of a week. Moses then told the elders to tell everyone to use hyssop, which was a bunch of branches and leaves of a local plant, and paint the doorpost with the blood of the slain lambs and remain inside so that the Destroyer will pass over their houses as he will kill all of the Egyptians' first born. This event, although a one-time event, would be remembered even today as a reminder and Jews all around the world still remember and celebrate the Seder for this. The deed was done at midnight with not one Egyptian having been spared a death in their house.

Nothing faces a parent more grimly than watching a child die. It doesn't matter what the age, it remains a parent's greatest nightmare. God waited for the Passover to prove to Pharoah, the Egyptians and the world that He is the one True God. The devastation and the helplessness of the people watching their children and livestock die would drive the point home like no other. I know that for me this would be my nightmare as well.

It was comical watching the FB posts while the State of the Union was presented. The President was optimistic while presenting absolutely no signs of fiscal restraint while the Republicans were the complete opposites. Should make for an interesting read in the newspapers today and the coming days.

Praise for today: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary and his understanding no one can fathom. Is 40:28

Ex:12 1-16

The stage is set for the new calendar and traditions that will be celebrated by Israel from this day forth. While the Bible makes no mention of the number of days in the month, the assumption is at least 4 weeks worth. The tenth day of the first month would mark the man's responsibility to take a lamb (share one with a neighbor who is without) and slay the umblemished animal on the 14th day of the month at twilight. The blood of the animal is to be put on the sides and top of the doorways and the same night they are to roast the lamb with bitter herbs and eat it. The uneatened part is to be burnt. The clothes that they are to eat this with must be traveling clothes and the meal must be eaten quickly because, "it is the Lord's Passover" (13). The night will mark the slaying of the first born in Egypt - both men and animals as judgement will be made over Egypt by the Lord. The blood will be a sign that the Lord will "passover" the houses where they are marked with the lamb's blood. The day will also commemorate the celebration of the festival where unleaven bread will by made and eaten for 7 days. No work, except the preparation of the Feast will be allowed.

This is truly a "game changer" for the Israelites since the Lord will now set the pace for them to be united as a nation and be under Him. "Free at last" was the cry of Dr. King and the Israelites now had the opportunity to be free from the tyranny of Pharoah. We know that their freedom was a cause of celebration but will be a cause of rebellion in subsequent chapters.

Yesterday, we celebrated the CNY in Edison where we had a small gathering at home. Great meal, convo and fellowship before heading down to Delly late last night. Heading to the gym now and have a long week ahead, still praiseful to have a job. Praise that Donna is doing better but prayers for my niece that found out she is sick.

Praise for today: No one is like you, O Lord; you are great and your name is mighty in power. Jer 10: 6

Ex 11

The final plague will now be unleashed upon Egypt and Pharoah - death of their first born. This will hit them where it hurts the most - from Pharoah to the first born son of the slave mill. Dogs will cease to bark as a sign of the distinction between the two peoples. Only then will the officials (who respected Moses) and Pharoah relent in their stance. However God would still not soften the heart of Pharoah despite the movie and the children would be buried. This would set the stage for the Exodus.

All in all - a restful weekend. Snow does have that effect since after shoveling the stuff and lunch we were pretty much shuttered in for the rest of the day. Hence, another weekend that went by without seeing Warhorse. Still got back after church to see NE and NYG win - so I was 0-2 in my hopes for the SB. Looking forward to working in Princeton and seeing GG later (even though he got it while I was sleeping) and to celebrate CNY.

Praise for today: By the strength of my and I have done this, and by my wisdom, because I have understanding. Is 10:13