Before you read:
In the ancient cultures, each people group was easily identifiable from those around it by their religious practices and ceremonies. As the Israelites were taken out of Israel in Joseph’s time and transported to Egypt, they brought with them many of the practices of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but only 70 of them came and now there are over 2,000,000. In these 430 years they had a lot of Egypt imbedded in their hearts. This was no surprise to God, and He knew precisely what was needed. He had a step-by-step plan to wipe Egypt out of their hearts and set them apart as a people dedicated solely to Himself. He also had the wisdom to do things in the right order and knew how much change they could take at any one time.
As you read:
C. 13 Consecration of the firstborn – To redeem is to buy back. God uses this as:
1. A reminder of how God spared their lives
2.A direct contrast of human sacrifices to pagan gods in other cultures
3.A symbol of when Jesus would redeem us all by paying the ultimate sacrifice for sin
C. 14 Crossing of the Red Sea – New archeological findings show that it is highly likely that the actual crossing of the Red Sea was at what is now known as the Gulf of Aqaba. The exact spot has a high roadway through the water 1/2 mile deep, about 2 miles wide and 11 miles long from shore to shore on the Sinai side to the Arabian side. The depth of the water on either side of this watery roadway is over a mile deep. There is a mountain on the Arabian side that more accurately matches the Biblical account than the traditional site in Sinai. It also matches Paul’s description in Galatians 4:25.
C. 15 Look for all the references to Gods power and His glory
C. 16 Even in our wealth and abundance we still grumble. Who are we really grumbling against? Look for signs of Gods plan and how He unfolds it.
Application:
In what ways has God set your family apart? Do you look like every other family around you or is God’s standard of right to you and His care for you apparent to your neighbors and friends? Are your children aware of God’s care and blessings upon your family? How can you apply Deuteronomy 6:4-9 to your family life if you are not already doing so?
Prayer: Lord, I praise and thank you for the way You have cared for us in the past and have every confidence that You will continue to do so in the future. However, I also realize that this is a two-way street and I need to do my part in imparting godly wisdom into our family.
