Exodus 13:1-16 Instituting Redemption of Firstborn Males

God took time to establish a new law regarding the firstborn males, whether human or farm animals:  "Give every firstborn male to Me.  Every firstborn male among the Israelites belongs to Me, whether man or animal."

My commentary says, "Each time a firstborn male, man or beast, came into the world, that firstborn issue had to be redeemed.  Because of God's mighty acts in protecting and redeeming His people and saving the firstborn of humans and livestock from death (during the night of the first Passover), all the firstborn belonged to God.  They were sanctified, that is, set apart for God's exclusive possession."

Moses would later give them instructions about how parents/farmers were to "get back" their firstborn in Lev. 12 and Numbers 18:14-19.  That act of redemption would be explained to the son and would pass on the legacy of the exit from Egypt to a new generation.  Because God was saving the Israelites, the firstborn redemption sacrifice did not apply to other nations.

Father, still I am thankful that I was a firstborn and that You redeemed me through the blood of Your Firstborn.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Exodus 12:29-51 Promise Kept

As the Death Angel worked through Egypt, the Israelites were protected by the Passover.  God revealed His power to the Egyptians by killing the firstborn in every family and the firstborn of their livestock.  He kept His promise to the Israelites who's obeyed His instructions and trusted Him in faith regarding the Passover.  Then He delivered the people by so overwhelming Pharaoh that he caved to God's power, letting the Israelites leave Egypt 430 years to the day from the time they'd arrived.  As my commentary stated, "God's promises are never in error and His timing is never wrong."

Father, thank You for Your watchcare over my family and Your answers to my prayers yesterday.  Continue to show Your power and glory in our lives.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Exodus 12:1-28 The Sacrificial Lamb

God gave Moses the instructions for preparing to leave Egypt and for a new national remembrance that actually spanned centuries into the future.  Once the Israelites selected a lamb, there was a 5-day wait as they inspected the lamb to ensure that it met the qualifications, followed by the hurried preparation of both a meal and their homes -- marking the doorposts with the blood of the lamb and removing all yeast from their houses.  

Also, God commanded that no one could leave their home until Moses gave the signal.  They actually ate the meal dressed and ready to travel, expecting to receive the signal during the meal.  Not only was God establishing an annual remembrance, but unknown to them, He was also laying out the blueprint for the death of His Son years down the road for our sins.

With their homes and meal prepared, they waited and hoped they'd done everything required so that the Death Angel would pass over them.

Father God, we should fear sin the way they feared the Death Angel, yet we should also have assurance that our faith in You and Your Son will see us through that cold, dark, deep river into Your very presence someday.  Thank You for accepting me into Your eternal presence through the death of Your Son in my place!

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Exodus 11:1-10 Payback Is Coming

These verses set up what was to happen next:  "The king will send all of you away from Egypt ... he will force you to leave completely."  It's so very opposite from what Pharaoh had been doing.

On the Israelite side, my commentary said, "Moses told the Jewish people that the time had come for them to collect their unpaid wages for all the work they and their ancestors had done as slaves in Egypt."  Wow!

When Moses warned him about the coming death of the firstborn, "Pharaoh had no fear of God in his heart; therefore, he didn't take Moses' words seriously.  But in rejecting God's word, Pharaoh caused the finest young men inf the land to die and therefore brought profound sorrow to himself and to his people."

Some would cry, "Unfair!" at that outcome, but I continued reading this:  "At the very beginning of their conflict, Moses warned Pharaoh that the way he treated God's firstborn would determine how God treated Egypt's firstborn.  Pharaoh had tried to kill the Jewish male babies, and his officers had brutally mistreated the Jewish slaves, so in slaying the firstborn, the Lord was simply paying pharaoh back with his own currency."

God, please remind me often of this so that I will not sin against You.  I don't want others to suffer for my sin the way Pharaoh's nation did.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Exodus 10:21-29 The Darkness Comes

"The darkness over the land for three days proved that Jehovah was greater than Ra and Horus, both of whom the Egyptians revered as sun gods," my commentary said.  "There was light for the Israelites in Goshen."

It was total and absolute darkness, not a sandstorm.  God had told Moses, "It will be so dark you will be able to feel it."  Apparently the darkness even absorbed the light from fires, lanterns, candles, and anything else they might have tried to use to light their way, for the Bible says, "No one could see anyone else."

Pharaoh called Moses in and told him to take his people and go, but leave the livestock (remember that the Egyptian livestock had been wiped out by the other plagues).  Moses wouldn't agree, and Pharaoh had him thrown out, even telling him he'd be killed if he returned.

"But the Lord made the king stubborn again."  My commentary said, "The hardening of Pharaoh's heart is a warning to all of us.  If the sinful human heart doesn't respond by faith to God's Word, it cannot be transformed by the grace of God.  Instead, it will become harder and harder the longer it resists God's truth."

Father, I too well remember a time when my heart hardened to You, yet You didn't give up!  You pursued me until I gave in and surrendered to Your love.  Thank You for doing that for me!

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Exodus 10:1-20 Pharaoh's Officers Cry "Enough!"

"God added another reason for the great display of His wonders in the plagues:  that the Jews might be able to tell the generations to come about the awesome power of their great God," my commentary began.

Moses and Aaron asked Pharaoh how long he was going to persist in his pride and refuse to humble himself before God.  They warned him that failure to obey would result in the destruction of all remaining vegetation in Egypt.

Pharaoh's officers even told him that Egypt was already economically ruined and further damage was unthinkable.  Pharaoh almost relented when he asked Moses and Aaron who would be going on the worship trip, then he told them only the men could leave.  How stupid WAS he?

The invasion began and proceeded exactly as Moses had described.  "Once again Pharaoh sought for relief without repentance, and God mercifully granted his request," my commentary said.  That just proves how merciful God can be despite our sins.

Father, I continue to be amazed at Your love despite our sin, and at the extent to which You are willing to show mercy to even Your enemies!  Thank You for the mercies You've shown to me.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

Exodus 9:13-35 Hail Arrives

Besides the personally foul plagues, Egypt has now lost the greater part of its livestock.  Now another economic disaster was about to occur.  The flax and barley crops were ripe and ready for harvest and they would be completely destroyed by the hailstorm -- the worst in Egypt's history.  The remaining livestock that had survived the fifth plague by not being in the fields would now be lost if not gathered into barns away from the hail.  In fact, any humans caught outside would suffer death as well.  The trees would even be crushed by the hail!  Only the land where the Israelites lived would not be affected.

Moses was called to Pharaoh's palace during the hailstorm, and this time, Pharaoh freely admitted that he had sinned.  My commentary said, "However, his confession was insincere because it didn't lead to obedience."

"God in His grace answered Moses' prayer and stopped the plague.  Pharaoh in his duplicity reneged on his promise and wouldn't let Israel go.  When would he ever learn that you can't fight against God and win?" my commentary added.

Father, I know I cannot fight against You and win, yet there are still times that my human side wants its own way.  I'm sorry when I disobey, and I'm thankful for Your grace.  I'm glad that You understand that we are only human, and that Your Son paid for all of my sins -- past, present, and future.  Help me not to add to the pain He willingly bore on my behalf.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford