Today’s passage: Exodus 13
Helpful thoughts:
- At the conclusion of Passover, and after the release of Israel from Egypt, the Feast of Unleavened Bread was begun.
- The Feast of Unleavened Bread and the offerings and sacrifices of/for the firstborn were to be signs for future generations in Israel.
- These practices and the explanation of them to the children were to teach the people to fear the Lord and His “strong hand.”
- The nations in Canaan were not to be feared in comparison with the God who brought Israel out of Egypt with His strong hand!
- God manifested His presence with the people of Israel through the pillars of cloud and fire.
- God was with His people.
- God led His people.
- God knew His people’s hearts, and therefore knew how to lead His people.
- This required a path that would not have seemed very direct.
Questions to consider:
- What did God want the Israelite people to know about Him and to teach to their children, generation after generation? How would this knowledge of God have helped Israel trust and obey the Lord? How does a right fear of the Lord help us to trust and obey Him today?
- How do we determine in our minds what the most direct path is to the things we want to accomplish (Verse 17)? What is God’s goal for His people (1 Thessalonians 4:3a – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification”)? How can remembering God’s primary goal for us help us to redefine what a “direct” path would be?