Category Archives: Exodus

Where They Should Be

There’s something special about the manner in which the book of Exodus concludes. If you think about it, the Exodus narrative is filled with ups and downs.  It begins with Israel down—down in Egypt, oppressed and enslaved by the pharaohs, their burdens increasing and their babies being put to death.  Then God raises up a man who has himselfContinue reading “Where They Should Be”

“What is Your Name?”

Terence Fretheim is spot on when he says, “Exodus 3:14 is one of the most puzzling verses in the OT.” But since fools go where angels fear to tread, I’ll proceed. It seems to me the place to start is with Moses’ question, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of yourContinue reading ““What is Your Name?””

A Golden Calf and “Love”

The people of Israel come to Aaron requesting that he “make us a God who will go before us” (Exodus 32:1 – see the marginal reading). It’s been less than two months since they were sprinkled with blood as part of a ceremony where they promised their obedience to Yahweh and His laws (24:1-8). ForContinue reading “A Golden Calf and “Love””

The Birth of Moses and the Power of God

When the midwives refused to be part of Pharaoh’s genocide (Exodus 1:15ff), the wickedness escalated. A new policy was instituted requiring all male babies born to be thrown into the Nile. Where surviving birth had meant life, it now meant death.  We can only imagine the sadness and despair that fell upon the Hebrew community. It had toContinue reading “The Birth of Moses and the Power of God”

Silent Night

If you live in the South you know this, but if you grew up in the South, you understand it’s a way of life. You take it for granted that with spring comes azaleas, dogwoods, pollen and bad weather. Fierce thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes dot our existence. Every so often, they result in the tragicContinue reading “Silent Night”

Seeing the Glory of God

“Show me Your glory,” Moses asks of Yahweh (Exodus 33:18). He’s not looking for a fireworks display (Rodeheaver). After all, he’s had a part in, and been witness to some of the most spectacular miracles in history. No, he’s wants something more. His desire is to see God as He is—no pillar of cloud orContinue reading “Seeing the Glory of God”

Sandals Off and Hearts Open

Exodus 3 tells us in brief but balanced terms something of fundamental importance concerning our relationship with God. Through the burning bush, God attracted Moses’ attention so that he would come near (v. 3). When that was accomplished God spoke to him. He didn’t say, “Hey you,” or “Sheep guy,” or anything like that. He called him by name. Since Moses hadContinue reading “Sandals Off and Hearts Open”

Red Sea Music

When we lived in South Carolina we were a little over an hour from the beach. We heard a lot about beach music and in fact, Pat Conroy later wrote a book with that title. The music was associated with Myrtle Beach and for a while (the eighties and nineties), it was quite popular. It’s still around butContinue reading “Red Sea Music”

Learning From a Bush

Moses is eighty years old when God speaks to Him at the burning bush.  But his eighty is not like our eighty. It’s a “new” eighty. After all, he has a tan, works out in the desert, and is going to live forty more years. And even at one hundred and twenty, Deuteronomy 34:7 assures us that he wasn’t feeble. EightyContinue reading “Learning From a Bush”

Israel’s Law and Order (2)

Israel’s system of slavery was rehabilitative—designed to take people who were on the fringes of society and move them to the center. When we look at who sold themselves into servitude, we see people in social distress for various reasons. Some sold themselves due to indebtedness (Leviticus 25:39). Perhaps the debt came about through noContinue reading “Israel’s Law and Order (2)”