Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
16:2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
There was no expectation that God would help! Even though God destroyed the Egyptians and had already provided drinkable water (15:25). Their first reaction was to complain, rather than seek God.
16:2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.
There was no expectation that God would help! Even though God destroyed the Egyptians and had already provided drinkable water (15:25). Their first reaction was to complain, rather than seek God.
17:9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”
Here we do no see any direct or miraculous instructions form God. So Moses did the practical thing plus he prayed. Act and pray. Don't just act and don't just pray.
17:9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”
Here we do no see any direct or miraculous instructions form God. So Moses did the practical thing plus he prayed. Act and pray. Don't just act and don't just pray.
18:24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.
Moses was teachable and prior to this incident, God had already provided much training.
(From Constable's Commentary) Moses had been trained in military matters and was therefore capable of organizing this large mass of people for movement across the deserts. His training in Egypt had given him the ability to write and therefore provided a means by which these accounts would be recorded for eternity. Forty years of desert experience had given Moses the know-how of travel in these areas as well as the kind of preparation that would be needed to survive the desert heat. All of this a mere accident of history? No indeed. The history before us is a supreme example of God's sovereign ability.
18:24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.
Moses was teachable and prior to this incident, God had already provided much training.
(From Constable's Commentary) Moses had been trained in military matters and was therefore capable of organizing this large mass of people for movement across the deserts. His training in Egypt had given him the ability to write and therefore provided a means by which these accounts would be recorded for eternity. Forty years of desert experience had given Moses the know-how of travel in these areas as well as the kind of preparation that would be needed to survive the desert heat. All of this a mere accident of history? No indeed. The history before us is a supreme example of God's sovereign ability.
19:5 'Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.
The Israelites were made right with God through faith. So the purpose of the law was not about obtaining an acceptable level of righteousness in order to be in right relationship with God but rather about sanctification. The law tells the people how redeemed people will live. Other nations were suppose to see and know that Israel was the means by which God would bless the whole world. The Israelites were suppose to be a kingdom of priests for other nations.
19:5 'Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.
The Israelites were made right with God through faith. So the purpose of the law was not about obtaining an acceptable level of righteousness in order to be in right relationship with God but rather about sanctification. The law tells the people how redeemed people will live. Other nations were suppose to see and know that Israel was the means by which God would bless the whole world. The Israelites were suppose to be a kingdom of priests for other nations.
20:21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
The people were so overwhelmed by the awesomeness of God that they kept their distance (also v.18). Yet this is not what God wanted. He set out to put in place a tabernacle and system of worship so that the people could approach God and not feel overwhelmed.
20:21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
The people were so overwhelmed by the awesomeness of God that they kept their distance (also v.18). Yet this is not what God wanted. He set out to put in place a tabernacle and system of worship so that the people could approach God and not feel overwhelmed.
18:17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good."
(From Constable's Commentary) Mr. [Dwight L.] Moody said shrewdly: It is better to set a hundred men to work, than do the work of a hundred men. You do a service to a man when you evoke his latent faculty. It is no kindness to others or service to God to do more than your share in the sacred duties of Church life.
18:17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good."
(From Constable's Commentary) Mr. [Dwight L.] Moody said shrewdly: It is better to set a hundred men to work, than do the work of a hundred men. You do a service to a man when you evoke his latent faculty. It is no kindness to others or service to God to do more than your share in the sacred duties of Church life.