DAY 114: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR – EXODUS 13-16

April 22, 2024

EXODUS 13-16
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DAY 114: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

We continue our journey through Exodus with the Israelites in the desert being led by God. The Egyptians decided to pursue the Israelites, to capture them to keep them as slaves. As God prepares the way to the Promised Land the Israelites begin to rebel.

Take some time to ask God for His understanding of Exodus 13-16. Read Exodus 13-16. Let’s journey!

Exodus, the second book of the Jewish Torah and the Christian Old Testament, was written by Moses, whose life we begin to see in this book. The book of Exodus begins nearly 400 years after the book of Genesis ends, and the Hebrews have become slaves in Egypt, a sinful land. Throughout the book of Exodus, we can see how sin damages a person’s relationship with the Lord, and how the sins of a nation can damage the nation’s relationship with the Lord.

Exodus 13-16: The Israelites are directed by God to consecrate their firstborn sons and sacrifice the firstborn male of the livestock. Moses takes Jospeh’s bones with him. God leads the Israelites; however, not using the most direct route. God leads them during the day in a pillar of clouds and gives light by night as a pillar of fire. Pharaoh prepares his army to pursue and return the Israelites to slavery. The Israelites are terrified. Moses calms them. God parts the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross on dry land and returns it to its banks to consume the Egyptian army – every Egyptian soldier who attempted to pursue the Israelites across the dried water bed died. The Songs of Moses and Miriam, are songs of praise for deliverance from slavery and the Egyptian army. Stale water at Marah produces grumbling against Moses. Moses turns to God and the water is purified. Israel camps at Elim. God provides manna and quail for the Israelites to eat with conditions governing how much and when the manna and quail can be gathered. God’s conditions for gathering the manna and quail were violated by the Israelites. God was displeased. (Exodus 13:1-16:36)

As you read chapters 13 through 16, carefully consider how sin affects a person’s or a nation’s relationship with the Lord God. What sin occurred in today’s reading? What was the consequence of that sin, or what was the consequence of a sin recognized in a previous reading? What sin has affected your relationship with God? How can you repair your relationship? Are you listening and looking for God in your life?

Godspeace!