Short Reflection from Exodus 1-20

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (BRU-F) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[6:13 pm, 20/02/2022] S.R: 𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟙:𝟚𝟙

"Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them."

They dared to disobey Pharaoh because they feared God. We need God-fearing people!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟚:𝟙𝟟

"Then the shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and helped them and watered their flock."

What a character Moses was! He always stood up for the oppressed!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟛:𝟙𝟜

“"God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"”

God is a generic name. Just like man is a generic name. I am a man but I have a name. Thus, God has a name too. The name of God is "I AM," In the original language it is called "YHWH" or "Yahweh."

Yahweh is the name of God.

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟜:𝟙𝟙

"The LORD said to him, ‘Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?’"

The handicapped, physically challenged, differently abled are all created by God. No accident!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟝:𝟚𝟛

"Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done harm to this people, and You have not delivered Your people at all."

God works differently than we suppose. But He does exceedingly abundantly than we can imagine or ask for. May we be restrained by the Spirit to not give up!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟞:𝟛𝟘

"But Moses said before the LORD, ‘Behold, I am unskilled in speech; how then will Pharaoh listen to me?’"

If you feel inadequate to do the work of God, you're not alone!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟟:𝟚𝟛

"Then Pharaoh turned and went into his house with no concern even for this."

There are heart-hardened people like this Pharaoh even in our days!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟠:𝟚𝟛

"I will put a division between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign will occur"

God knows whom to protect and whom to punish! Relax!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟡:𝟚𝟟-𝟚𝟠

"Then Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ‘I have sinned this time; the LORD is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones. Make supplication to the LORD, for there has been enough of God's thunder and hail; and I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.’"

Some professing Christians aren't even shallow as Pharaoh! Examine your faith, if you are truly Christian!

 

[0:40 pm, 28/02/2022] S.R: —ɴᴏᴛɪғɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴs—

Today is the end of February. However, our 30 days commitment will get expired only by tomorrow.

Thank you everyone for your interest and participation.  👍🙏👏

If you choose to discontinue in the month of March, let me know, and I shall remove you peacefully! Whoever hasn't updated 60% is automatically disqualified, but should he choose to continue, he may continue so. Cool! 😎

Whoever wants a Memento (certificate) for a souvenir, let me know. [I've all the energies to issue for the interested ones and no time for the scoffers! 😎😂]

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟙𝟘:𝟚𝟠-𝟚𝟡

"Then Pharaoh said to him, "Get away from me! Beware, do not see my face again, for in the day you see my face you shall die!" Moses said, "You are right; I shall never see your face again!"

Sinners in unrepentant frustration shut themselves off from God's grace by avoiding His messenger!

 

𝕋𝕠𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝟞𝟙𝕤𝕥 𝕕𝕒𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟚. 𝕆𝕦𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕕 𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕠𝕟 (𝕄𝔸ℝℂℍ) 𝕒𝕝𝕤𝕠 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕦𝕖𝕤...

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟙𝟙:𝟛

"The LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Furthermore, the man Moses himself was greatly esteemed in the land of Egypt, both in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people."

God can even change the heart of enemies to respect and honor us as He did to the Egyptians!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟙𝟚:𝟛𝟘-𝟛𝟙

"Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no home where there was not someone dead. Then he called for Moses and Aaron at night and said, "Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the sons of Israel; and go, worship the LORD, as you have said."

Whether we like it or not, nobody can thwart the plan of God, His will shall be done just as Pharaoh had let the Israelites go!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟙𝟛:𝟙𝟟

"Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, "The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt."

God knows how to deliver the Israelites from the temptations, even to let them avoid that they wouldn't be tempted. Also, Remember "The Lord's Prayer: do not lead us to temptation"

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟙𝟜:𝟙𝟜

"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."

If we walk with God, He will fight for us.

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟙𝟝:𝟚-𝟛

"The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him. The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name."

Notice the personal pronoun "my"

This great God of the Bible is my God too!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟙𝟞:𝟛𝟝

"The sons of Israel ate the manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate the manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan."

The Providence and Provision of God!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟚

"But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set."

Aaron and Hur had their unlikely but crucial part in that battle!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟙𝟠:𝟚𝟜

"So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said."

Moses, this great man, still humbled himself to listen to his father-in-law. That's what wise man does!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟙𝟡:𝟝-𝟞

"Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."

God has a great purpose of His calling and a good one!

 

𝔼𝕩𝕠𝕕𝕦𝕤 𝟚𝟘:𝟙𝟡

"Then they said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die.'"

This is the problem of sinners and ungodly people. They don't like God. They would rather have man than God. The Israelites had revealed their stiff-necked nature leading them to their damnation in the wilderness.

Short Reflection from Genesis 34-50

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (BRU-F) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟜:𝟙-𝟚

"Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the daughters of the land. When Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force."

What an unfortunate incident! But it happened under the watchful eyes of God.

Whatever happens in our life, trouble, shame, sorrows, pain, and disappointment are under the watchful eyes of God. It may not anything to do with our sins, weaknesses, or faults. Jacob was the chosen one of God, but still, it happened.

And we Christians must rejoice for a verse like Rom. 8:28 that everything happens for our own good by our great God. If you aren't Christian, that's not true, btw! That verse is only for Christians!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟝:𝟙𝟘-𝟙𝟙

"God said to him, ‘Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name.’ Thus He called him Israel. God also said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you.’"

This commandment often came when God started a new or renewed program. Indeed, godly people must reign and ungodly people must be reduced, not necessarily by killing them but by influencing them to be good by the numerous godly people!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟞:𝟞-𝟟

"Then Esau took his wives and his sons and his daughters and all his household, and his livestock and all his cattle and all his goods which he had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to another land away from his brother Jacob. For their property had become too great for them to live together, and the land where they sojourned could not sustain them because of their livestock."

Esau wasn't what Jacob imagined him to be. Esau was good to Jacob. And Jacob feared God. But there came a generation from both who hated one another!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟟:𝟚𝟡

"Now Reuben returned to the pit, and behold, Joseph was not in the pit; so he tore his garments."

The eldest must learn to take care of the younger like Reuben!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟠:𝟚𝟜

"Now it was about three months later that Judah was informed, ‘Your daughter-in-law Tamar has played the harlot, and behold, she is also with child by harlotry.’ Then Judah said, ‘Bring her out and let her be burned!’"

What a sad and sinful story but God was (and is) sovereign over sin and all circumstances of life. He turned this story into the ancestry of Jesus Christ.

God can work wonders, even with our sins if we would repent unto Him!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟡:𝟡

"There is no one greater in this house than I, and he has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?"

Joseph lived his life before God. He fears God, loves God, enjoys God, and trusts God.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟘:𝟚𝟛

"Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him."

Remember this episode when people forget to repay your kindness!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟙:𝟡

"Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, 'I would make mention today of my own offenses.'"

God is sovereign over even irresponsible and indifferent people. He made this chief cupbearer remember at the right time. And in the purpose of God to exalt Joseph.

Remember this when people forgot your kindness that God will repay you.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟚:𝟚𝟚

“Reuben answered them, saying, "Did I not tell you, 'Do not sin against the boy'; and you would not listen? Now comes the reckoning for his blood."”

Sin will haunt us, especially in our tough times. So, we need to guard against sin.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟛:𝟛𝟜

"He took portions to them from his own table, but Benjamin's portion was five times as much as any of theirs. So they feasted and drank freely with him."

The story of the patriarch is a story of favoritism. Its consequence is heavy: jealousy, broken family, separation, and even being sold into slavery. Joseph was the same. He treated Benjamin, his real brother better than he treated the rest of his brothers. Maybe to test whether his brothers would be jealous of Benjamin or not!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟜:𝟙𝟠

"Then Judah approached him, and said, ‘Oh my lord, may your servant please speak a word in my lord's ears, and do not be angry with your servant; for you are equal to Pharaoh.’"

Something to admire about Judah! 👍

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟝:𝟚𝟘

"Do not concern yourselves with your goods, for the best of all the land of Egypt is yours."

They did the worst to him, but he gave the best to them. Not tit for tat, but it's overcoming evil with good! 👍😇

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟞:𝟜

"I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again; and Joseph will close your eyes."

God supported Jacob's plan to go to Egypt. But he sought to confirm God's blessings.

Our life is full of uncertainties. God requires us to be faithful, courageous, wise, and hardworking. He will not tell in our ears what to do and what not. He has given His words, godly elderly people, experience, etc., for our decision-making process.

This episode is interestingly good because God was with him. Abraham’s plan to get a son through Hagar wasn't God's plan to get Isaac. No matter what, the decision to make for anything is in our hands.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟟:𝟚𝟝

"So they said, 'You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's slaves.'"

Joseph was not only the saviour of Israel but of the Gentiles (Egyptians, their bitter oppressor). Greater than Joseph is Jesus, the saviour of all people! 😇

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟠:𝟙𝟙

"Israel said to Joseph, 'I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well.'"

God was good to Jacob, and also to Joseph! He is the same God. God may require us to lose hope, plan, and desire, but He knows how to end our lives in a better script as well!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟜𝟡:𝟛𝟛

"When Jacob finished charging his sons, he drew his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people."

Nice way to die: prepared and ready!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟝𝟘:𝟚𝟙

"’So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them."

Kindness! That's the word! 👍

Short Reflection from Genesis 16-33

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (BRU-F) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟞:𝟡

"Then the angel of the LORD said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.’"

God had a plan for Hagar even when she was mistreated by Sarai. It's a great lesson and a reminder that God will take care of us in all situations.

Hagar ran away to escape, but God told her to come back and submit herself to Sarai. She tried to solve her problem. Well, God was not with her plan, for God had a better plan. Years later, God would let her go away in peace.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟟:𝟙𝟠

"And Abraham said to God, 'Oh that Ishmael might live before You!'"

Abraham decided to do what he thought was right and begot Ishmael. He thought and wanted God would be pleased with his project Ishmael. Well, nobody can influence God, not even Abraham. God continued with His project Isaac. However, God, in His abundant mercy and grace promised to not abandon project Ishmael.

Don't try to influence God. Submit to Him. Make sure the Lord's project is your project!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟠:𝟛𝟚

"Then he said, ‘Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?’ And He said, ‘I will not destroy it on account of the ten.’"

Bad people may mock a good man. Non-Christians may ridicule us. Secular Government may persecute us. But the truth is they are alive because of us. At the same time, we are alive for their sake, to rescue them!

When all the Christians are raptured up on the last day, God's judgment will be seen upon the earth again!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟙𝟡:𝟚-𝟛

"And he said, "Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant's house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." They said however, "No, but we shall spend the night in the square." Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate."

Oh! What an example of hospitality! @Damei B-R-U kaine hospitality tho gaihak kum ding e!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟘:𝟛

"But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, 'Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is married.'"

God would do anything to protect Sarah even if Abraham failed to do so.

It's a lesson to learn that God is better than anyone and anything!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟙:𝟞-𝟟

"Sarah said, 'God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.' And she said, 'Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.'"

God has a way of surprising those who have waited upon Him. I know He shall surprise me with many things! 😇

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟚:𝟚

"He said, 'Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.'"

Is there still anything in you that you cannot give up for God? Abraham gave up everything!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟛:𝟙𝟛

"He spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, 'If you will only please listen to me; I will give the price of the field, accept it from me that I may bury my dead there.'"

We love free stuff, huh? Abraham wouldn't take anything for free! Be careful with free stuff!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟜:𝟙𝟚

"He said, 'O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham.'"

A good prayer we can imitate praying recalling this episode! 👍

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟝:𝟛𝟚

"Esau said, 'Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?'"

Esau never tried to learn what Jesus would be saying centuries later that man does not live by bread alone.

Don't think for temporary gain, live for things that last... God's kingdom lasts forever btw!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟞:𝟚𝟜

"The LORD appeared to him the same night and said, 'I am the God of your father Abraham; 𝕕𝕠 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕗𝕖𝕒𝕣, 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕪𝕠𝕦. I will bless you, and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.'"

God wants us to fear nobody but God. Also, God is watching over us, nothing can harm us without His permission. Trust Him.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟟:𝟚𝟘

"Isaac said to his son, ‘How is it that you have it so quickly, my son?’ And he said, ‘Because the LORD your God caused it to happen to me.’"

He dared to use the name of God to sin against his brother, father, and God. Such a sinful man like anyone of us!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟠:𝟙𝟝

"Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

What a promise of God for Jacob, even when he fled away from his brother!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟚𝟡:𝟛𝟙

"Now the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren."

How good the Lord is to notice the discriminated ones! If we are mistreated, let's cry out to God more than we would call anyone!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟘:𝟜𝟛

"So the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks and female and male servants and camels and donkeys."

A ridiculous story of Jacob's family but God still blessed Jacob and prospered him.

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟙:𝟛𝟜-𝟛𝟝

"Now Rachel had taken the household idols and put them in the camel's saddle, and she sat on them. And Laban felt through all the tent but did not find them. She said to her father, ‘Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is upon me.’ So he searched but did not find the household idols."

Even his wife had become a deceiver. Your gf/bf will influence you. You better hang out/marry someone who is better or as good as you, not worse than you!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟚:𝟙𝟘

"I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies."

Indeed, fear and great trouble often help us to see who we really are in the universe of God! We don't need to humble ourselves just in tough times, we must humble ourselves before Him each time we come to His throne of grace!

 

𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕚𝕤 𝟛𝟛:𝟜

"Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept."

Sometimes it happened that what we were dreadful of was met with extraordinary kindness! Fortunate Jacob! Very lucky, huh!?