Bible Pathway - Jan. 23, 2010
Highlights In Today's Reading:
The Israelites are called a peculiar treasure (19:5), which meant they are set apart as a precious treasure to the Lord. Thirst causes murmuring against Moses; water from the rock; Amalek defeated; Jethro's advice accepted; God speaks on Mount Sinai.
Verses for Today:
If ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My Covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation (Ex. 19:5-6).Just think! These poor, insignificant Israelites — with no influence or distinction — were privileged to be a peculiar (precious) treasure to the Lord. God would make of them an holy nation if they would live in obedience to Him. Thou shalt keep therefore His statutes, and His Commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee . . . and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the Lord thy God giveth thee, for ever (Deut. 4:40).
But from the time the children of Israel left Egypt to the time they reached the border of the promised land, they continually murmured and found fault with their circumstances. In Rephidim . . . there was no water for the people to drink. Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why . . . do ye tempt the Lord? (Ex. 17:1-2). Centuries later Asaph recorded: They sinned against Him (God) by provoking the Most High in the wilderness (Ps. 78:17).
The testings during their wilderness journey again and again exposed the Israelites' refusal to trust the Lord. God has warned us: Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation (rebellion), in the day of temptation (testing) in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted Me . . . and saw My works forty years. . . . I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err (disobey) in their heart (Heb. 3:8-10).
As we consider the Israelites who were freed from slavery to inherit the promised land, we realize that it was only by the loving permission of God that difficult circumstances come into our lives. Therefore, there are serious consequences when we complain and find fault with what is happening to us. There are serious consequences for anyone who finds fault and grumbles about their circumstances, for murmuring exposes unbelief in the things God has planned for us to go through to perfect our spiritual understanding. But giving thanks and praising the Lord honors Him.
Thought for Today:
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our adminition (I Cor. 10:10-11; Heb. 4:11).
Christ Revealed:
As the Rock and the Water that came forth from it (Ex. 17:6). They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed (accompanied) them: and that Rock was Christ (I Cor. 10:4; compare John 7:38).
Word Studies:
17:2 did chide with =angrily criticized; tempt =test; 17:12 heavy =too tired from holding up his hands; stayed up =supported; 17:13 discomfited =defeated; 17:15 Jehovah-nissi =the Lord is my banner; 18:7 obeisance =an expression of respect; 18:8 travail =hardships they endured; 19:4 bare =sustained; 19:5 peculiar treasure =exclusive, special possession; 19:16 trembled =were terrified; 19:21 charge =admonish.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Henry Rogers • Government Officials: Rep. Joe Baca (CA), Sen. Thomas Carper (DE), and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (NJ) • Country: Taiwan, Republic of China (22 million) 77 islands off the southeastern coast of Red China • Major language: Mandarin Chinese • Religious freedom • 80% "Chinese Religions" (Buddhist/Taoist/Confucian); 4% Christianity; .2% Muslim; 14% Atheist; 1.8% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Examine yourself. Has prosperity dulled your willingness to sacrifice (Hag. 1:4)?
Optional Reading: Matthew 23
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 23:5
