The Passover

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.(NIV) Exodus 12:27

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: “Tell the whole community of Israel to take a lamb, one for each household and at twilight, slaughter the lambs. Then take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the door frames of the houses. That same night you are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.”

“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn– both men and animals– and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”

The Israelites did exactly what the LORD had said. At midnight the LORD did just what He had said He would do. During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.” The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people. (compiled from Exodus 12:1-36)

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Go For It!

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

“Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” (NIV) Exodus 4:12

I love to read about Moses, the main character in Exodus. What a great life to study! His name is mentioned over 700 times in the Bible. He was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of the bondage of slavery (thus the name of the book “Exodus”). He was obedient (in most things). . .he had a close personal relationship with God. . .he was used effectively even at the age of 120. And he persevered in the midst of difficult situations. He persevered because he saw Him who is invincible.

Moses meets God in a miraculous way, through a burning bush (Exodus 3:2). The fire symbolized God’s holiness and His powerful, consuming, and preserving presence. Moses meets God on an ordinary day through what was once an ordinary bush. . .but, the ordinary touched by the supernatural becomes the uncommon. God gets Moses’ attention. What does God have to do to get your attention? Remember, He has to get your attention before He presents Himself.

God tells Moses, “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt” (3:10). Moses, who 40 years earlier, had been only too eager to offer himself as a self-styled deliverer, is now timid, unsure of himself, and lacking self-assertiveness. God assures Moses that He will personally accompany him.

What is God asking you to do today for Him? Are you quietly explaining to Him that you are by no means a shining model of faith? Are you stuck in the rut of being focused on your own inabilities? Do you feel that you lack the power to achieve the task He’s assigned? GOOD! You never will achieve it, but God will! He is the same God that empowered Moses to lead the Isrealites out of bondage. . . and He is the same God who said: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9. Just go for it!

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I Am!

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” (NIV) Exodus 3:14

As I re-read the Exodus story I was more in awe as I saw. . . God’s kindness in giving the obedient midwives families of their own (1:20) God’s sovereignty in the preservation of the Jews and in the preservation of Moses’ life (2:6) God’s patience as He molded Moses for 40 years in the desert God’s faithfulness to His purposes in remembering His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. (2:24-25) God’s listening ear that hears His people’s cries and is concerned about them (2:24-25) God’s power over nature with the burning bush (3:2-8) God’s holiness symbolized in the fire (3:2-8) God’s presence turning an ordinary place into “holy ground” (2:5) God’s personal touch as He communicated with Moses (2:6) God’s redemption as He brings the people out of Egypt God’s purposes and plans which prevail

My faith is increased when I remember that God has not changed! He is still kind and patient and personal with me. He is still sovereign and powerful with plans that prevail in my life. He is still holy and hates sin and yet, redeemed me. He is still faithful to His promises for me. He is still present and listening and active in my life and my world. How about you? When you take the time to reflect upon God, what do you see? And how is He increasing your faith today?

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Where is God?

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

. . . Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. They made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their hard labor the Egyptians used them ruthlessly. (NIV)
Exodus 1:12-14

The Scene: God has been fulfilling His plan during 3 centuries between the death of Joseph and the birth of Moses. The nation of Israel is in slavery in Egypt. Their numbers are increasing so much so, that they become so numerous that the land is filled with them (Exodus 1:7). The Pharaoh who is now in power deals shrewdly with Jews. . . after all, the slave labor is essential to keep the thriving Egyptian economy healthy. The Pharaoh eventually resorts to persecuting the Jews by ordering the midwives to kill all newborn boys.

Where is God? Is He asleep? Does He care when His people are persecuted? How can we make any sense out of others’ suffering? How can we make sense out of our suffering?

Begin by asking God to give you His perspective on the situation, instead of trying to look for His purposes in the midst of your circumstances. Remember, His thoughts and ways and purposes are so much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). And ultimately, His purposes prevail. Perhaps the most important lesson I’ve learned, is that although I may not understand my circumstances, God’s love for me is not in question. . . His love for me never changes. Are you being persecuted? suffering? Look to God. Ask the questions. . . you may or may not get the answers. . . but rest assured, whether the answers come or not, His love for you never changes and never ceases!

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Reality

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Marji "Mike" Kruger

Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions left Egypt. (NIV) Exodus 12:40-41

Tomorrow in our “Read Through the Bible” program we begin reading the book of Exodus. As we read through the book, we will relive the story of Moses, the main character, and we will also see God laying the foundation for redemption, for His law, and worship. We’ll read about God’s nature – His attributes of justice, truthfulness, mercy, faithfulness, His sovereignty, and His holiness. The thread of God’s deliverance and salvation is woven throughout the book. And Exodus also teaches us how we should live. We learn from the successes and failures of Moses and others as we read about God’s ideals for Biblical ethics and morality.

In tomorrow’s reading (Exodus 1-2), God’s promise of increasing the Israelite population became a reality (1:1-7). But, the Israelites were soon out of favor with a new king who came to power in Egypt (1:8). Worried with the threat of the people turning against him, the Pharaoh began to oppress the Israelites, worked them ruthlessly, made their lives bitter, even murdered their children (1:22). The chosen people of God were being persecuted.

Are you being persecuted today? Is your life in danger? Are you being ridiculed for your faith? Ostracised for your commitment to God? Criticized for your beliefs? If so, don’t try to look for God’s purpose in the midst of your circumstances. Instead, ask God to help you see His perspective on your situation. Trust that God knows what He is doing and that He is working in and through you to accomplish His purposes!

God was faithful to the Israelites. He did not rescue them immediately (they were in slavery for 430 years – Exodus 12:40). But, He did bring His purposes to pass. God will be faithful to you today. He may not “rescue” you immediately from you circumstances, but He will carry you through and work His purposes out in your life.

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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