Exodus 9-10

10:27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go

more of the same, Pharaoh asked for forgiveness then slips back to his ways.  The only thing that does bug me is why is God hardening him?  that doesn't seem like free choice?  my simple mind can't always see the logic

knut

Exodus 8

32 But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go.

more of the same, plagues making for tough times Pharaoh asking for them to have God take it away and then he'll let them go but then he forgets his promise.  wash, rinse, repeat.  

My thought was I don't know what to write then it hit me--I'm Pharaoh.  How often do I ask for help when things are tough only to forget as soon as things get smooth.

sobering, because I'm sitting here reading thinking what an idiot Pharaoh is and that I don't have a clue what to learn from this chapter.

knut

Exodus 7

 3 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, 4 he will not listen to you.

14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pharaoh’s heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go. 

These 2 verses make me giggle a little bit.  First God says that he is going to harden Pharaoh's heart....then he comes back further down and says, "Pharaoh's heart is unyeilding."  Yeah!  Cause you did that!

It's a bit of a mind bender for me to think about creating a world, where you control everything.  And then letting things go against the way you want them to go, to be perfect.  I operate more on the premise of....if you have all the power, and you can make it right or better.......do it!

I'm trying to find things in these familiar passages that aren't the obvious observation.  Trying to see something other than how crazy these plagues are.

tp

Exodus 6

30 But Moses said to the Lord, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”

This is how I approach God and what he wants me to do.....sometimes.  Why would anyone want to listen to what I have to say?  Because its him talking, ya knucklehead!

2 God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty,[a] but by my name the Lord[b] I did not make myself fully known to them.

This verse caught my eye.  I'm not sure I noticed it before.  God is setting up levels of his interaction.  He is telling Moses that he is seeing more of God than anyone has, probably since Adam.  What an honor.  You would think that would make Moses bullet proof in his confidence.....but no.

Exodus 5

22 Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”

This morning is a good reminder of how ridiculous the character in these stories look......and how I am EXACTLY like them.  Moses isn't seeing that sometimes the situation needs to degrade, so God can do his work, be glorified, and bring about the better ending than if nothing happened at all.  I reminded of that principle when I read this.  I need to be more patient with his plans for my life.  The hard times will bring about his ultimate goal, and I will be FAR better for it.

tp

Exodus 4

8 Then the Lord said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second.

Its funny to read this....while thinking about the fact that God not only knows what is going to happen, but is controlling it.  So, he knows these two signs won't convince them to let his people go.  
It hurts my head to think about it.

The second thing that I see is how often we humans put limits on God.  Moses didn't want to do it.  He didn't think he could do it.  Send someone else.  And remember,....he's writing this about himself.  Its his story.

tp

Exodus 3

14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am.[c] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

Very familiar story.  I thought I would dive into this verse a little bit.  I find it fascinating how God refers to himself.  Earlier in the chapter he refers to himself as "the God of your fathers....."  But, here its so specifically vague.  So, I did a little digging.  Here's a link to short blurb that makes sense to me.

https://chicagobible.org/why-did-god-call-himself-i-am-that-i-am/

According to this explanation.  God is using an old Hebrew saying/name for himself....and telling Moses that he will be whatever Moses needs to complete the task he's been given.

How powerful is that!?  God is telling him.....I will be whatever you need me to be, to be successful.  Holy Smokes!  That's huge.

tp

Exodus 1-2

2:10 When the child grew older, she took him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son. She named him Moses,[b] saying, “I drew him out of the water.”

just got rolling and hit 2 chapters in Exodus.

no huge takeaway, noted the importance of women in the story leading up to and including Moses birth.  interesting too the fear of God the Egyptian women had, where did that come from?

I thought this verse was interesting, the connection to Moses and water near his birth knowing what is to come with him and the Red Sea

that is all.
knut

Genesis 48

19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.” 

The crossed blessing of the youngest first caught my attention.  Its funny I researched it a bit and so many people speak so clearly about what it means--but they say so many different things.  so i guess they don't know. 

this blessing continued a pattern of the younger son being greater than the older son.  I'm not sure what to take from it but one thing that makes sense to me from what i've read is it illustrates God makes his own choices.  He does not follow human customs.  he can use anyone he sees fit in his plan regardless of stature in our human society.

knut

Genesis 47

27 Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.

Would I be correct in assuming this is how the Israelites came to be in the midst of the Egyptians....and eventually became their slaves?  I think that is probably true.

10 Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh and went out from his presence.

I find this verse interesting.  Pharaoh had enough respect for the elder Jacob, that he accepted his blessing.  Seems strange that the guest would bless the all-great and powerful-Pharaoh.  But that's what happened.  It might be combination of more than one factor.  Jacob was old and deserves respect, but he was also the father of Joseph, and Pharaoh knew there was something special about Joseph.  There was a connection to God that he respected and probably was fearful of.

tp

Genesis 46

28 Now Jacob sent Judah ahead of him to Joseph to get directions to Goshen. 

This one struck me as funny.  Not because of anything deep or meaningful.  But, how do you send someone ahead.....to ask for directions?  If they find their way, can't you?  And, why don't they just type Goshen into their google maps and follow the prompts. hahaha.

This chapter is a little dry with all the names and the lineage.  But, what my mind went to is the enormous undertaking this must have been, to move everything and everybody.  I know things were different then, and they were somewhat nomadic, following their animals...but still.  To uproot the elderly and all of his contingent must have been a real job, and require tremendous faith in God and in Joseph.

tp

Genesis 44-45

45:8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

much like yesterday I couldn't stop at just 1 chapter.  Really an amazing story to think about how it all unfolded.  Joseph has been through a lot and much of it not pleasant yet he has the maturity and closeness with God to understand that his path was much bigger than his brothers.  Still how could he not be a little mad at them for the lost time with his family?  Would he have had the same grace if he had not risen to rule Egypt?

His special connection with Benjamin continues to shine through in his actions here as well. 

knut

Genesis 42-43

43: 30 Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.

As I read 42 I didn't want to stop at the end so I continued to 43.  I find the story fascinating but I didn't have any particular takeaway.  The one thing I noted is the powerful feeling of love for family.  Joseph had been betrayed by his brothers.  He has gone on to unbelievable power, but yet at the sight of Benjamin he is overcome with emotion.

Blood is thick.  Stay close with family its worth way more than any amount of money or power I can ever accumulate.

knut

Genesis 41

41 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile,

This first line caught me.  As I've been writing about how Joseph's situation keeps coming up roses, even though other around him are trying to hurt him...this line is interesting.  It's been 2 years since he interpreted the dreams of the cupbearer and baker.  It reads quickly, but in reality 2 years is a long time.  I would have probably become impatient with God and his plan.  I want it now.  I want to start seeing results almost immediately.

My charge for today is to keep praying and keep remembering that God has it.  It might be on his timing and not mine, and I need to be ok with that and with his leadership.

tp

Genesis 40

8 “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.”

Everything we talked about yesterday still applies today.  Joseph lands in another trouble spot, by the world's standards, but he is on God's plan and puts himself in a good place.  

Here's my real question after reading this. ... 
How do you know when your dream is a message from God that needs to be interpreted, and when it's just random electrons firing through your memory banks?  I have lots of dreams and I don't really give them much credence.  Does God still communicate to us in this manner?

Should I be paying more attention?

tp

Genesis 39

22 So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

I can say, "poor Joseph," and "lucky Joseph" all at the same time.  He keeps getting the short end of the stick.  Not because of his own doing, but because he is favored.  His situation keeps changing, but the jealously of those around him keeps landing him in tight spots.  And yet, through it all he is blessed by God. 

I think the lesson in this chapter for me is if I am on God's plan.....I will be fine.  In fact, the perception of the world might be that I am struggling, but in reality I'm great.  His perspective could have been "woe is me."  But, he knows that God will take care of him no matter his circumstance.  That should be my mindset.

tp