Exodus 18
Jethro brings family back to Mosesverses 1-6
When Jethro – the priest of Midian – Moses’ father-in-law
heard of all that God had done for Moses
and for Israel HIS people
and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt
THEN Jethro – Moses’ father-in-law – took Zipporah – Moses’ wife
after he had sent her back – and her two sons
of which the name of the one was Gershom
for he said
I have been an alien in a strange land
and the name of the other was Eliezer
for the God of my father said HE – was mine help
and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh
and Jethro – Moses’ father-in-law
came with his sons and his wife to Moses
into the wilderness where he encamped
at the mount of God
and he said to Moses
I your father-in-law Jethro am come
to you – and your wife
and her two sons with her
Moses tells Jethro of all the works of the LORDverses 7-12
And Moses went out to meet his father-in-law
and did obeisance – and kissed him
and they asked each other of their welfare
and they came into the tent
And Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD
had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians
FOR Israel’s sake
and all the travail that had come upon them by the way
and how the LORD delivered them
And Jethro REJOICED for all the GOODNESS which the
LORD had done to Israel
whom HE had delivered
out of the hands of the Egyptians
And Jethro said
BLESSED be the LORD
WHO has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians
and out of the hand of Pharaoh
WHO has delivered the people from under the
hand of the Egyptians
NOW I KNOW that the LORD is GREATER than all gods
for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly
HE was above them
And Jethro – Moses’ father-in-law
took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God
and Aaron came – and all the elders of Israel
to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law
BEFORE God
Moses judged Israel from morning till eveningverses 13-16
And it came to pass on the morrow
that Moses SAT to JUDGE the people
and the people stood by Moses FROM the
morning to the evening
And when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did to the people
he said – What is this thing that you do to the people?
Why sit you yourself ALONE
and all the people stand by you
from morning unto even?
And Moses said to his father-in-law
BECAUSE the people come to me to INQUIRE of God
when they have a MATTER – they come unto me
and I JUDGE between one and another
and I do make them KNOW the statutes of God
and HIS laws
Advice of Jethro to Mosesverses 17-23
And Moses’ father-in-law
said to him
The thing that you do is NOT GOOD
You will surely WEAR AWAY
both you – and this people that is with you
FOR this thing is TOO HEAVY for you
you are NOT ABLE to perform it yourself ALONE
Hearken now to my voice
I will give thee counsel and God shall be with you
Be you for the people to God-ward
that you may bring the causes unto God
And you shalt TEACH them ordinances and laws
and shall SHOW them the way wherein they must WALK
and the WORK that they must do
MOREOVER you shall provide out of all the people ABLE men
such as FEAR God – men of TRUTH
hating COVETOUSNESS
and place such over them to be RULERS of
thousands – hundreds – fifties – tens
and let them JUDGE the people at all seasons
and it shall be – that every GREAT matter they
shall bring unto you
BUT every SMALL matter they shall JUDGE
SO that it be EASIER for yourself
and they shall bear the burden with you
IF you shalL do this thing – and God command you so
THEN you shall be ABLE to ENDURE
and this people shall also go to their place
in peace
Moses follows Jethro’s adviceverses 24-26
SO Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law
and did all that he said
And Moses chose ABLE men out of all Israel
and made them heads over the people – rulers of
thousands – hundreds – fifties – tens
and they JUDGED the people at all seasons
the HARD causes they brought unto Moses
BUT every SMALL matter they JUDGED themselves
Jethro leavesverse 27
And Moses let his father-in-law depart
and he went this way into his own land
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly HE was above them. (2102 “dealt proudly” [zuwd] means presumptuously, act rebelliously, be arrogant, seethe, to act insolently, to treat with a high or snobby manner)
DEVOTION: Here we have the father-in-law of Moses acknowledging that Jehovah was the greatest God in the world. He based his statement on the miracle the LORD preformed in the form of plagues to get the children of Israel out of Egypt.
Remember that Jethro was a priest among the people of Midian. We are not sure what god they worshiped. We just know that when he heard about Jehovah and heard what HE had done for the children of Israel he willing admitted that HE was the greatest God of all.
Those who believe in false gods tend to dealt foolishly with the one TRUE God in the world which is the God of the Bible. They think that they are better than those who believe in the one true God.
Moses’ father-in-law realized this fact regarding the nation of Egypt and other nations. We need to realize this fact as well. There are people who think that their beliefs are better than the teachings of the Bible.
There are many false gods in our world. There are many false religions in our world. Each religion seems to have their own god or gods. It is hard to figure out why so many people would rather believe in a false god rather than the one true God of the Bible.
As we grow up, we meet people who not only have different gods but we find that many people who call themselves Christians have a different definition of the God of the Bible.
There seem to be three reactions we can have to Christian teachings:
One is legalist that makes the God of the Bible someone who is waiting to spank us when we sin and is always looking to watch us to see if we break the rules.
The second one is the God who lets us do as we please and will never punish us if we do wrong because HE loves us too much.
Finally, the third reaction is obedience to the teachings of the Word of God where we have the liberty to serve HIM without unnatural fear of being punished or the lack of any fear because we want to do as we please.
There are not only false gods but there are false beliefs regarding the nature of the ONE TRUE GOD taught in the Bible.
CHALLENGE: God wants us to realize that we have the liberty to serve HIM within the guidelines recorded in HIS Word.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 18 You will surely wear away, both you, and this people that is with you: for this thing is too heavy for you: you are not able to perform it yourself alone. (3515 “heavy” [kabed] means burdensome, numerous, difficult, weighty, or be sore)
DEVOTION: How willing are we to accept advice from a relative? How about the father of your wife? We make in-law jokes but here is a case where a son-in-law is willing to listen to a father-in-law. Do we sometimes realize that someone observing from the outside might see a better way to handle things on the inside of a community? How often do churches call in a consultant and then don’t follow their advice? How often have consultants given poor advice?
Jethro brings Moses’ wife and children back to him after he had sent them away while he settled things in Egypt. He comes into the camp and offers sacrifices to God after he hears of all the deliverance the LORD had performed for the children of Israel.
Now Jethro observes Moses judging the problems of the people. This takes Moses from morning to evening. This happens every day to Moses.
Jethro was concerned with Moses and the people. What Moses was doing is taking all the responsibility on himself. He was not sharing the responsibility.
He thought he was the only one who could judge the way God wanted things judged. Jethro said that he was “wrong”, it would hurt him and the people. It was too hard for Moses to do this continually. Jethro offered practical advice. He told Moses to teach leaders that were qualified to judge properly. Once they were trained, they could be over groups of people and only the great matters would have to be brought to Moses.
Sometimes we get so occupied with our work that we can’t see the problems that is happening. Sometimes we need an outside source to watch what we are doing and then make suggestions.
Moses respected the opinion of his father-in-law. Therefore Moses listened to his father-in-law.
Sometimes we take too much on ourselves and it hurts both the ones we are ministering to and ourselves. We need to examine our lives to see if we are taking to much on ourselves that others could help us with, if we let them. We need to listen to wise counsel when it is given. We need a monthly evaluation of our schedule to see if we are honoring God. If we find we are doing too much we can find individuals in our ministry who fear God and who are men of truth and who hate covetousness of power and wealth to be used in the LORD’S ministries.
CHALLENGE: Do we allow people to help us with our blind spots? Do we realize that we have blind spots?
: 21 Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness, and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. (2372 “provide” [chazah] means to try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of something, to see, behold, to see as a seer in the ecstatic state, or perceive)
DEVOTION: Wouldn’t it be great if all of our judges today were true believers in Jesus Christ? It would be great if all of our leaders in our nation’s capital would love the LORD and want to please HIM rather than themselves. It would be great to limit those who run for office to those who are not influenced by money.
Here we find a list of characteristics for judges in Israel. This list should be a list for anyone in leadership:
Able men: first there would have to be the ability to learn and remember the laws and ordinances of the LORD regarding the making of proper judgments.
Fear God: there would have to be men who properly reverenced the LORD and thought of HIM with every decision.
Men of truth: These would be men who spoke the truth regularly. They are not known to be liars.
Hating covetousness: Money was not their god. They would be more concerned about helping the widows and orphans more than padding their pockets with unearned gain.
Are these characteristics we find today in the leaders of our nation or leaders of our churches? If not, we need to change our standards. We need to be praying for those who are running for office and for those who are leaders in our churches.
CHALLENGE: These are characteristics that should be found in every believer not just in those who are the leaders in our nation and churches.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 23 If you shall do this thing, and God command you so, then you shall be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace. (6680 “command” [tsavah] means charge, appoint, order, commission, instruct, or give direction)
DEVOTION: Human advice can be good or bad. Moses’ father-in-law gave him some advice regarding the judging of the people of Israel.
He had observed what Moses was doing and found that there could be a better way of handling all the legal affairs of the Israelites. So, he made some suggestions to Moses on how to improve the situation.
One of the aspects of this advice was the fact that Jethro didn’t want his son-in-law to just listen to his advice. He told him to consult the LORD regarding the change in policy.
It is always good to seek advice in areas of weakness and even strengths. We don’t know it all in any area where we serve the LORD. Others might have just enough insight to help us see our blind spots.
Moses was to go to the LORD and communicate with HIM regarding the advice he received from Jethro. When we receive advice from others, we should consider it and take it to the LORD in prayer.
The LORD will either confirm or deny the benefit of any advice we receive. HE can do it through direct revelation in HIS Word the Bible. HE can use the ministry of the Holy Spirit to confirm it though other sources. HE can teach us through a trial run of the advice to see if is going to honor the LORD.
Our whole goal in our service to the LORD should always be to do the best we can with the knowledge we have, so that, we bring glory to the LORD.
Moses wanted this in his service to the LORD and we should want the same. We should be good listeners. We can’t follow everyone’s advice but we can at least listen to what they have to say. Some of it will be constructive and some will be non-constructive.
We are going to meet many individuals who think they are smarter than us and know more than we will ever know about a subject but it is the ministry of the Holy Spirit that will give us discernment as to whether we should follow the advice or not.
CHALLENGE: There are many voices in our world and we need the LORD to give us discernment as to which voices, we should listen too regularly.
: 24 So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said. (8085 “hearkened” [shamaʿ] means 1 to hear, listen to, obey. 1a (Qal). 1a1 to hear (perceive by ear). 1a2 to hear of or concerning. 1a3 to hear (have power to hear). 1a4 to hear with attention or interest, listen to. 1a5 to understand (language). 1a6 to hear (of judicial cases). 1a7 to listen, give heed. 1a7a to consent, agree. 1a7b to grant request. 1a8 to listen to, yield to. 1a9 to obey, be obedient. 1b (Niphal). 1b1 to be heard (of voice or sound). 1b2 to be heard of. 1b3 to be regarded, be obeyed. 1c (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon. 1d (Hiphil). 1d1 to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound. 1d2 to sound aloud (musical term). 1d3 to make proclamation, summon. 1d4 to cause to be heard. 2 sound. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship].)
DEVOTION: Moses’ father-in-law Jethro came for a visit. For many of us, that would have been a stressful time. Yet, Moses and his wife Zipporah had lived with him for almost forty years prior to Moses being sent back to Egypt to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt. Jethro marveled at how God had led the children of Israel through Egypt, and then had the courage to advise Moses on how to lead the people.
Most of us would have backed off at this point. We do not like being told how to do things, and especially when our leadership is being critiqued. But Moses was humble enough to pay attention to what Jethro had advised and makes changes accordingly. He is willing to be teachable and hear Jethro out. This was a change from his unwillingness to do what God had told him to do at the burning bush.
Sometimes God sends us His counselors at the time when we need them the most. It was hard for me to hear at one particular moment in my life when it seemed as though my life was coming down crashing on my head. Yet I had to be willing to hear what was being said in order for me not to continue to ruin my health due to stress at that time.
God has no lone rangers in His army. He has designed us for community and to hear one another. We are to encourage and exhort one another in the faith and in living life. As a result, we should be willing to hear counsel from those godly people around us who know us best.
CHALLENGE: Do you have a hard time taking counsel from others? If so, then talk this over with your best Christian friend today. (MW)
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Inquire of Godverse 15
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Burnt offerings and sacrifices for Godverse 12
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Statutesverse 16
Lawsverse 16
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God (Elohim)verses 1, 4, 5, 12, 15, 16, 19, 21, 23
LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 8, 9-11
God of my fatherverse 4
Mount of Godverse 5
LORD deliveredverse 8
LORD greater than all godsverse 11
Inquire of Godverse 15
Statutes of Godverse 16
HIS lawsverse 16
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Jethro – Moses’ father in lawverses 1, 5-27
Priest of Midian
Rejoiced over goodness of LORD
Blessed the LORD
States that LORD is greater than all gods
Offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
Confronted Moses about judging all day
Recommends teaching other laws of God
Afraid Moses would get too tired
Appoint able men that fear God
Hating covetousness
Rulers of 1,000; 100; 50; 10
Egyptverses 1, 8-10
Zipporah – Moses wifeverse 2
Pharaohverses 4, 8, 10
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
False godsverse 11
Prideverse 11
Covetousnessverse 21
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Deliveranceverses 4, 8-10
Fear Godverse 21
Men of Truthverse 21
Hating covetousnessverse 21
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Mosesverses 1-27
God is my father
God is my help
God delivered me form sword of Pharaoh
Did obeisance to father in law
Kissed father in law
Judge the people
Inquire of God
Hearkened to voice of father-in-law
Chose able men
Judged the people
Hard cases brought to Moses
Israelverses 1, 8, 9, 25
Gershom – Moses sonverse 3
Eliezer – Moses sonverse 4
Mount of God: encampment of Mosesverse 5
Aaronverse 12
Elders of Israelverse 12
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org Also if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
QUOTES regarding passage
18:19–20 Jethro did not suggest that Moses discontinue judging, or that he stop serving as a representative of the people’s problems to God, or that he leave off being God’s spokesperson to teach the people God’s decrees and laws. The people surely needed someone “to show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform,” and Moses was indeed that person. Moreover, Jethro did not arrogate to himself divine wisdom but was careful to couch his words as suggestions subject to God’s confirmation (the implication of the words “and may God be with you” in the first sentence of v. 19 and “if you do this and God so commands” in v. 23). (Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2, p. 417). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers)
Moses’ work was to be supplemented with additional help. He was to “select capable men” (v.21). While it may seem from this passage that Moses autocratically chose his own staff, the actual election was the work of all the people as Deuteronomy 1:9, 13 affirms. Their leadership course (v.20) was to include instruction in (1) “decrees” (haḥuqqîm i.e., specific enactments), (2) “laws” (hattôrōṯ i.e., general enactments, (3) the “way to live” (ḥaddereḵ yēleḵû i.e., “life style and the path of duty”), and (4) the “duties” (hammaʿaśeh, or “jobs”) each was to perform.
The qualifications for these men (v.21) were that they should be (1) “capable men” (i.e., men with a native aptitude for judging), (2) “men who fear [in reverence and belief] God,” (3) men of truth (i.e., “trustworthy”), and (4) men who hated all “dishonest gain.” These were to be arranged in a decimal system of a graduated series of groups in multiples of ten, with Moses being the court of final appeal (vv.22, 26).
Amazingly enough, Moses listened to his father-in-law. Bush (Exodus 1:230) remarks, “The great Jehovah did not disdain to permit his prophet to be taught by the wisdom and intelligence of a good man, though he was not of the commonwealth of Israel. It is not a little remarkable that the very first rudiments of the Jewish polity were thus suggested by a stranger and a Midianite.” (Kaiser, W. C., Jr. (1990). Exodus. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 413). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
Wisely, Jethro urged Moses to delegate some of his responsibilities. But Moses was to continue teaching the people the laws of God (cf. v. 16) and how to live before Him and to appoint spiritually and morally qualified men as judges to implement the keeping of the Law (vv. 20–21). They were to be “wise … respected … and leading men” in their tribes (Deut. 1:13, 15). Moses was to be the people’s representative before God (Ex. 18:19) and their teacher but most judicial matters were to be given to others. As officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens (words used of those in military rank) they were to serve in various levels of civil courts to hear cases of varying degrees of importance. (Hannah, J. D. (1985). Exodus. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 136). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books).
But Jethro wasn’t advising Moses to “pass the buck.” No, Moses was to teach the people the regulations, no doubt assisted by the chosen rulers, so they could make wise decisions. He was also to represent the people before God, which probably meant praying for them and seeking God’s direction in the difficult cases. Moses was God’s chosen leader, and nobody could take his place until his work was done, but he didn’t have to do all the work alone.
There are those who say that Jethro was a meddler and should have minded his own business, because God could have enabled Moses to get the job done each day. “If the Lord had wanted Moses to have help,” they argue, “He would have told Moses personally.” But Jethro didn’t command Moses to follow his orders. He urged Moses to talk to the Lord about the problem and obey whatever God said (v. 23). Since Moses did adopt his father-in-law’s suggestion, he must have consulted the Lord and gotten God’s approval.
Moses didn’t ask Jethro how to build the tabernacle or how to offer the sacrifices, because those matters were revealed to him from the Lord. But in matters of organization and management, God’s people can learn from outsiders, for “the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light” (Luke 16:8). Of course, we never adopt a practice or policy until we understand the principle behind it and make sure it’s in agreement with Scripture (James 3:13–18).
The important thing about delegating responsibilities is that you have leaders who have ability and character, “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness” (Ex. 18:21). These qualifications remind us of the experience of the early church in finding people to assist the apostles and relieve them of lesser duties (Acts 6:1–7). These assistants had to have good reputations, be full of the Spirit and wisdom, and approved by the people.
According to Deuteronomy 1:9–18, Moses shared Jethro’s counsel with the people, admitted his own weakness and weariness, and asked them to select leaders to assist him. They approved of the plan and selected the officers whom Moses then charged with the responsibilities of their offices. When Israel moved into the Promised Land, they appointed officers in each town to assist in the settling of cases (Ex. 16:18–20). God is a God of order, and He wanted all of His people to enjoy security and justice in the camp and in the land.
Whenever ministry and structure collide, and ministry is being hindered, God’s people must adjust the structure so ministry can grow. When the Jerusalem church gave the apostles the help they needed, the work expanded and many people were converted (Acts 6:7). In this rapidly changing world, Christian ministries must be flexible if they are to solve their problems and seize their opportunities. The emphasis in the Bible isn’t on organization as such but on the kind of organization that involves qualified people who get the job done. Self-defeating organizations embalm their structure and refuse to change. The ministries that God blesses are open to change, so long as the principles of God’s Word are obeyed. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1998). Be delivered (pp. 97–99). Colorado Springs, CO: Chariot Victor Pub.)
18:13–27 Jethro’s practical wisdom was of immense benefit to Moses and Israel, and has been lauded as an example of delegation and management organization by efficiency experts for centuries—and still is. Woven into Jethro’s advice were statements about God and the virtues of godly men that cause one to respect this man as having his newfound faith well integrated into his thinking. Indeed, he fully recognized that Moses needed divine permission to enact his advice (v. 23). Moses apparently did not immediately implement Jethro’s solution, but waited until the law had been given (cf. Dt 1:9–15). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Ex 18:13–27). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 20. And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, &c.] Both with respect to things civil and religious, which he should receive from God: and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk; the path of faith and duty, the way of truth, holiness, and righteousness: and the work that they must do; both with respect to God, and one another, the various duties and exercises of religion, everything relating to their moral, religious, and civil conduct. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, p. 419). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Expository Preaching: Its Definition and Characteristics in ‘
He Is Note SILENT! by R. Albert Mohler JR
Expository Preaching – Its Definition and Characteristics
Let me offer a more formal definition of expository preaching as a framework for consideration:
Expository preaching is that mode of Christian preaching that takes as its central purpose the presentation and application of the text of the Bible. All other issues and concerns are subordinated to the central task of presenting the biblical text. As the w=Word of God, the text of Scripture has the right to establish both the substance and the structure of the sermon. Genuine exposition takes place when the preacher sets forth the meaning and message of the biblical text and makes clear how the Word of God establishes the identity and world-view of the church as the people of God.
While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a GOD who has not surrendered HIS Authority. A. W. Tozer
SNOW by Anne R.C. Neale (sent 1/20/05)
Like white butterflies, the snowflakes flutter in the air,
Falling down to cover the earth with its unblemished snow,
What a beautiful sight, like many angels manifesting themselves,
Angels are always ready to help us; that we know.
The cold crisp air bites into our exposed skin,
We need to stay bundled up to stay nice and warm,
We must be careful walking on black ice, too
We can fall on it and come to much harm.
A winter snow storm makes us appreciate the summer sun,
It makes us appreciate the bursting of flowers in the Spring,
It makes us aware that God is a great creator,
He sure can make many different beautiful things.
Like white butterflies flying in the cold winter air,
The snowflakes fall so gently upon the ground,
Making a clean unblemished blanket on the earth,
Later the snow crystals will glisten like diamonds in the sun without a sound.
Enjoy the beautiful sight of the white snowflakes as they fall,
It is a winter picture of Mother Nature creating a beautiful scene,
Before we know it, the buds on the trees will be bursting forth in bloom,
And then we will see the new grown grass; an emerald green.
Nature is beautiful, we should enjoy each season as it comes,
The scenes that are created are done by the Master Painter of all,
So next time you see the white snowflakes falling to the ground,
Watch them as they fall, that is so great for our spirit and soul.
Daniel 1
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, chooses Israelite captives to be trained to serve him.
INSIGHT
Moral courage. It is the resolve to do what is right–even if no one knows. Regardless of the consequences. Even when you are weary. Even when there are extenuating circumstances and when everyone would understand if you “caved in.” Daniel is a man of moral courage. The food he is offered probably violates the dietary restrictions in the Law of Moses. Note the words: “Daniel purposed in his heart” (1:8). Then God brings Daniel into favor. He gives him skill; He gives him a healthy glow. When faced with moral challenges, we must do our part–be obedient from the heart. And then trust God to do His part. (Quiet Walk)
GOD’S POWER
…his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead.
Ephesians 1:19-20
God’s power is endless. He is omnipotent. “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” God asked Abraham (Genesis 18:14), and the angel Gabriel said to Mary, “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). His might, His power, His strength are endless. The Bible is full of this! He made everything out of nothing; He spoke and it happened. He said, “Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). He sends His frosts and His snow. Read the Psalms, and you will find that they glory in the endless power of God. This sovereign will and power of God have been manifested most of all, and most clearly, in three ways: in creation, in salvation, and in providence. And I suppose there is no greater manifestation of the power of God than the one to which Paul refers in the first chapter of Ephesians: “…his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead.”
This idea of omnipotence is staggering! There are many things we do not understand about the will of God. But we are not meant to understand them; we are meant to look at them with reverence and awe and worship. We are meant to realize that there would be no hope for us at all were it not for the omnipotence of God. I say with reverence, nothing less than the omnipotence of God could save a single soul. But thank God, He is omnipotent, and we are saved by the power of God in and through the Lord Jesus Christ.
The glory of God is the biblical way of describing God’s greatness, His splendor, His majesty. We read of the glory of God filling the Temple (1 Kings 8:11) and of the glory of God being manifested in dimmed vision to certain people. This means they had some conception of the greatness, the splendor, the majesty, the might of His being.
A Thought to Ponder: Read the Psalms, and you will find that they glory in the endless power of God.
(From God the Father, God the Son, pp. 67-68, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
|
Logical Milk This exhortation is directed to young Christians who have only recently trusted God’s enduring Word, preached to them in the saving gospel of Christ. |
Visit our Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.