WINNERS AND LOSERS (The Book of Exodus)
By Frank Eiklor and Cecilia Contreras
LESSON 20 Part 2
INTRODUCTION
There are 39 books in the Old Testament. Within those books are examples of individuals and nations that enjoyed God’s blessings when they obeyed Him—or incurred His wrath when they persisted in disobedience and rebellion.
Each of us is here for only a brief time. Visit a cemetery and look at the grave markers. Between the date of birth and the date of death is a short line. That’s a reminder to us to use our “short line” to the glory of God and not to waste life on the things that don’t count for eternity.
How can we learn the lessons that will help us choose the right path? One way is to study the lives of those in the Bible who were winners or losers. If we learn from their examples, we will build our foundations on the solid rock of obedience to God’s Word.
NO LEADER CAN DO IT ALL
18:8,11,13,14,17-24—Example of one (Jethro) on the fence being convinced by the power of God—and being used immediately by God to teach a leader (Moses) the importance of delegating authority.
19:4-6,8—Example—A corporate people speak the one thing that God requires of a nation, a church, or an individual.
20:3-17—Example—God’s “BIG TEN” commandments equal a call for obedience. (Note vs 20 either His fear will be before me, or sin will.)
21:2,5,6—Example of a servant who sees himself “free” by serving His good master (like me with Jesus who pierced my heart with His cross.
21:12,14—Example of the price God demands for premeditated murder
22:1,2,15,17,20-23—Example of behavior God expects—whether punishment or kindness—toward thieves, seducers, witches, strangers, widows, orphans. (Also 23:4,5 toward an enemy in need.)
OBEDIENCE BRINGS BLESSING
23:20-22—God’s presence and blessing conditional upon obedience.
24:1,2—Example of knowing Messiah—the least can now see a glory that only Moses was privileged to see under the first covenant.
24:3,7—Example—Israelites knew what God requires of those who would know Him: “All that the Lord says we will do, and we will be obedient.”
25:9,40:26:30;27:8—Example—God provides the “pattern”—we are not allowed our own way of doing things.
DON’T TAKE GOD FOR GRANTED
28:2,35,36—Example—Aaron’s preparation for the priesthood a warning to us future “kings and priests” that God is holy and not to be taken for granted.
31:2,3,6—Bezaleel and Oholiab serve as two examples that when God calls those with physical skills to serve Him, they are as anointed with the Spirit as those called to preach and teach (see Acts 6:3,4,).
32:1,4,9-11,20,21,31,32—Israel’s depravity a perfect example of the human heart: Moses an example of true love triumphing over ego (vv 10,11)
33:1-3,15-18—Wondrous example of God’s man craving the intimate presence of God Himself above and beyond any of God’s benefits or blessings.
WHY NATIONS DISAPPEARED
34:10-16—Example of why God initially killed off whole people groups.
35:5,10,21,22,25,26,29—Old Testament example of the “First Church” (Israelites) in cheerful giving and service to God.
39:43—Example—God’s work and service of the tabernacle required full obedience—the “blessing” followed accordingly. Note the words “…as the Lord commanded…”given 18 times (18 is the Hebrew number of “life”) in chapters 39, 40 nailing down the main lesson God wanted Israel to learn—“Holiness to the Lord” (39:30).
(To be continued)
