Dabar; Hebrew--desert. sometimes wilderness.
*Darkness that can be felt will spread over Egypt.
The sun rises, peeking over the distant horizon, and even the smallest sliver of light brings illumination to half the globe. A candle, a flashlight, a nightlight, a campfire. All these are small sources of light that have the potential to brighten hallways, rooms, fields and forests for not only feet but miles.
Light disperses darkness.
When the Lord cast a plague of complete and utter darkness on the Egyptians, it was a palpable darkness so deep that it kept them confined indoors. (Ex. 10:21-23)
I have been in darkness like that when exploring underground caves. That kind of blackness is thick and disconcerting. Yet even in such blackness a small beam of light can project some radiance.
But it isn't the darkness that draws my curiosity. It's the fact that the light in the midst of the Israelites didn't illuminate the community of Egyptians even though both dwelt in close proximity to the other.
(Ex. 10:21-23)
In a sense, this seems to be the spiritual climate of today. Jesus illuminates the believers soul with truth, yet the unbelieving world remains shrouded in darkness. Jesus, the true light has come into the world, yet the world, through unbelief and sedition, has chosen not to see. (John 1:9-10)
*A lot of stuff went down on that Mountain of Sinai.
--- I am intrigued about Mount Sinai being the place of God's revelation to Moses, the place where Moses' faith story and journey begins, and the specific destination Moses sought the minute his sandals hit the desert sands.
In the third month after the Israelites left Egypt... they came to the desert of Sinai... and camped there in front of the mountain. (Ex. 19:1-2)
If we were to emulate the example of Moses in witnessing to others, shouldn't it be as simple as this-- taking people to our Sinai story? That place where we first realized who God was?
Every christian has a testimony, a personal story! Are you prepared to give an account of that story?
Always be prepared to give a reason to everyone for the hope in you. (1 Peter 3:15)
---Moses saw and heard some amazing things;
1.) God's voice. The people also heard! (Ex.19:9)
2.) Angels! In order to craft the cherubim for the ark, Moses would of had to have seen them. (Ex.25:18).
3.) He was shown the pattern for the lamp stand. Can you even fathom laying eyes on an actual hard copy of a divine architectural pattern? (Ex.25:40)
4.) He was shown the plan for the tabernacle. (Ex.26:30)
*I brought your divisions out of Egypt.
God referred to the Israelites as His divisions. (Ex. 7:4, 12:17)
The King James Version uses the word armies.
I am a christian, the concept of also being a "division' challenges me.
These titles infer the general concept of service. Primarily, Gods plan is to rescue us from the slavery of sin and oppression and give us the gift of eternal life. However, following our salvation, the call to take that gospel message to the rest of the world is issued. (Acts 1:8)
Being a christian isn't passive, it is active and purposeful.
*The Peoples Representative
Moses was instructed by his father-in-law to be the peoples representative. (Ex. 18:19)
He had the responsibility of teaching them God's word, of showing them how to live and the duties they were to observe. As Christian's, we have that same calling.
The question then, is;
Am I living a life of holy obedience, purity and service as an example? (Titus 2:12)
Am I being very careful how I live, so that when others watch, they are drawn to God? (Eph 5:15)
Do I claim to know God, but by my actions deny Him? (Titus 1:16)
Am I setting an example in speech? (1Timothy 4:12)
*Confusion of the Egyptian Army
The Lord threw the Egyptian army into confusion. (Ex.14:24). What a thought for us to consider when we are being pursued by an enemy, whether it be man or Satan!
David prayed along those lines; "oh Lord, turn Ahithophel's counsel into foolishness."
(2 Samuel 15:31).
Next time you find yourself in a trial or hardship, pray as David did, ask God to frustrate or confuse the counsel of your enemy! Watch The Lord throw your enemy into confusion . Experience Him come and stand between you and your enemy as a wall of protection!! (Ex.14:19,24)
*Stand Firm
Moses answered the people and told them to --stand firm. (Ex. 14:13)
God's response; why are you crying out to me? Move on!. (Ex. 14:15)
Aside from the humor in the disparity here, is the conviction that I better be sure I am giving the right information before sharing a word from God.!!!!
*Plundered profit
The Israelites plundered the Egyptians in the course of their exodus out of Egypt. (Ex. 12:36).
They found themselves the beneficiary of silver, gold, precious stones and other material gain liberally thrown at their feet!
However, they weren't in the desert very long before part of the purpose of the plunder was revealed. God requested a free will offering from the people be brought to Moses for the construction of a sanctuary. A place where God could dwell and live in the midst of them. (Ex 25:1)
God reminds us that anything we possess comes from Him and is ultimately meant to be used for His glory. (Romans 11:36)
Hosea 2:8, though not directly referring to the story at hand, tells us that it was GOD that gave Israel the grain, new wine and oil...the silver and gold.
I am not convinced all the materials God instructed the Israelites to use in the construction of the sanctuary wasn't indigenous to the desert. It's highly probable most of the supplies were from the plunder taken in Egypt.
*God let it happen
Life is hard. People get sick. People suffer. People die. Humanity is inhumane.
Our sinful nature still opposes our spirit. And our arch enemy Satan, the prince of the power of the air presently reigns. (Eph. 2:2)
And.... God lets it happen. (Ex 21:13).
It's the proverbial scenario; "If God is so good, why is there so much bad?"
For some reason, God lets the tares and the wheat, good and evil, survive together. (Matt 13:30)
Habakkuk, the prophet to Judah, addressed this very subject indicating that the revelation awaits an appointed time. (Hab 2:3) This would indicate that the answer to the question is, "we don't know!"
But we will, someday.
The corollary here is actually one of reassurance, however, because nothing takes God by surprise!
He lets it happen, He saw it coming, it has a purpose.
He is not willing that any should perish. (2 Peter 3:9)
He has a plan for man. (Jeremiah 29:11)
When tragedy or hardship hits, I take comfort in knowing that God has gone before me to lead the way. (Deut 1:30) God let that hardship happen and He has a divine destination in mind for me by means of it.
He is sovereign, my life and its events are not random, they are ordained and allowed. They have a purpose.
I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself as my treasured possession
Exodus 19:4-5
