Scott Beyer

“Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” (Ex 13:17)

Just like God knew the hardness of Pharaoh’s heart, He knew the weakness of the Israelites.  He knew what they could handle and what they could not.

400 years and countless generations of slaves were not yet ready to face the difficulties of war and He wasn’t going to put them through something they couldn’t handle.  This is the same God who later destroyed this generation in the wilderness because they wouldn’t fight.

There is a difference between “not able to” and “don’t want to”

In the beginning, God showed patience because they were not yet able to handle the rigors of war.  Later on, He condemned them for shrinking from their duty to do what was hard.

So, take comfort as babes in Christ – He does not expect any more than what you can do.  Just do what you can and that is enough (Mk 14:8)

And take heed seasoned Christians – He expects no less than what you are capable of.

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God.” (Heb 5:12)

#Biblebites Matt. 4:4

“You shall not marry a woman in addition to her sister as a rival while she is alive, to uncover her nakedness.” (Lev 18:18)

What is so impressive about this particular verse is its location.  This command is in Leviticus, a book named after Levi.  Levi’s mother was one of two sisters, Leah and Rachel that were married to the same man, and certainly were rivals.

This command shows that following God doesn’t mean following your forefathers.  Following God isn’t a religion of family tradition – the Bible often condemns the behavior of faithful people.  God loved Leah and Rachel and God loved Jacob, their husband, but God was not pleased with that arrangement and specifically told the next generations to run where their parents had stumbled.

Following God means following His Word and not others.  And it also means that if we train our children to follow Him, we parents have hope that our children may surpass us in faith and righteousness.  With God as their guide, the Levites could surpass their father, Levi, and their grandfather, Jacob.

Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
(Matthew 10:37)

May our children love Him more than they love us.

#Biblebites Matt 4:4

“This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.” (Ex 3:15)

Names matter.  They identify us and become the fingerprint for our reputation.  Our names are society’s first introduction to who we are.

When the Lord told Moses that His name was ‘Jehovah’, He did so purposely.  God could have chosen any name He wanted, but the name He chose means “The Existing One”.  God chose a name that literally means “I am here, I always have been, and I always will be.”

God’s name isn’t flashy like Zeus or Poseidon.  It also isn’t alluring like a Venus or Andromeda.  It is simply fact. I AM.

You don’t believe in Me? I AM, nonetheless.

Feel scared and unsure about the future? I AM permanent.

Afraid the world is falling apart? I AM unchanging.

Frustrated and angry and tired? I AM here.

Don’t like My rules and judgments? I AM WHO I AM.

Jehovah is entirely comforting and disconcerting at the same time.  Comfort to those who accept that He is who He is and disconcerting to those who try and avoid acknowledging Him.  His name is a memorial, a reminder, that HE EXISTS.  We can no more change that then ships can change the ocean.

#Biblebites Matt. 4:4

“Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you.” (Ex 18:17-18)

Moses took it upon himself to hear every concern and struggle that the Israelite people had.  He thought good leadership meant handling every person and every detail.  His father-in-law thought otherwise.  Turns out, God agreed with Jethro and not Moses.

Turns out good leadership isn’t the same as doing everything for people.  Good leadership trusts people. David had his mighty men. Joshua led Israel’s army as a young man while Moses looked on with staff held high.  Jesus had His apostles and sent out the seventy.

“If you do this thing and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace.” (Ex 18:23)

Leadership that delegates doesn’t face burn out, and is exponentially more effective.  Delegation empowers people to serve and work instead of just being spoon-fed truth by the already mature.  To exercise their talents and gifts instead of simply waiting for others to make it happen.

“and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim 2:2)

#Biblebites Matt. 4:4

“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent” (Ex 14:14)

Moses told the Israelites God was going to lead them out of slavery.

Jehovah would handle Pharaoh.

Jehovah would handle the Red Sea.

Jehovah would handle the needs for food and water.

Jehovah would handle the road to the Promised Land.

Jehovah would handle the snakes and the scorpions and the sandals that could wear out.

All they had to do was not complain about how He did it.

#biblebites

“Before I had finished speaking in my heart…” (Gen 24:45)

These are the words of Abraham’s most trusted servant. This servant is never named, but he is described as an older man that was in charge of all of Abraham’s possessions.

This unnamed servant is sent on a strange mission with little hope of succeeding. He is commissioned with finding a bride for Isaac from amongst Abraham’s extended family. He must travel to that unseen country and ask a woman to come with him to a foreign land and marry a man she had never met.

So he prayed.

He prayed that God would work out the details. He prayed for guidance and for clarity in his mission. And he called that prayer, “speaking in my heart”. An effective prayer is a heartfelt prayer. Jesus tells us we won’t be heard just because we say many words (Matt 6:7). The wise sage, Solomon says that you can recognize a fool’s voice because of his “many words” (Eccl 5:3).

It isn’t how much you say, but where the words come from.

To whom does your heart speak?

#biblebites

“All these are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father (Jacob) said to them when he blessed them.  He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him.” (Gen 49:28)

When Jacob blessed his twelve sons, he did so with divine authority behind those blessings.  It is interesting to read through the list of blessings given by Jacob to his sons in Genesis 49.

Though, I confess, I don’t understand the significance of all the things he said, it is clear that some of those sons received blessings that look an awful lot like curses.  Dan is described as a “horned snake in the path”, Levi and Simeon are told God would “scatter them in Israel” because of their cruelty, and Reuben is guaranteed he will never have any “preeminence” because of choices he had made with a woman named Bilhah in Genesis 35.

On the other hand, Naphtali is told he will give “beautiful words” and that sounds nice.  So does Asher’s blessing of being one who would have rich food and “yield royal dainties”.  I’d happily take those blessings.

But God gave each boy a blessing appropriate to him.  A blessing to their legacy that matched the people they were.  Their future, and the future of each of the tribes that would come from them, matched the lives they led.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

#biblebites