Exodus for Lent: Happy Easter!

"Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er his foes!"

Thank you for following First United Methodist Church's Exodus for Lent study. I hope you have enjoyed the journey out of Egypt to the glorious salvation offered by kneeling at the foot of the Cross. God has offered His mercy and grace to His people for thousands of years of recorded history, and as we study that complex and often difficult history, we gain insight that helps us move forward in faith and faith practice.

I encourage you to seek out other studies, especially those in brick-and-mortar churches. While private study of the Word is important, it's equally important to stay close in Christian community. I am so grateful to have studied with Pastor Suzanne Allen and a wonderful group of friends for five years running. What you do as a habit changes you, and habitual study of God's word is a habit worth cultivating!

If you don't have a church, think of the benefits you'll experience through belonging:

• the love and support of friends who are your family in Christ
• the ability to bless others through your friendship and love and support
• access to missions where you can make a difference at home and in the world for those who are suffering in disaster, poverty, famine, war, and starvation of spirit
• the privilege of regular worship of your God...a privilege denied to so many people
• the lifting up of your spirit in times of trouble
• an enviroment saturated with opportunities to grow and learn in faith

Often, we forget that blessings are a two-way road. The world teaches us that we deserve to have it all, that we should worry more about what we have than what we give. But God's kingdom promises something different. We are blessed to be a blessing. As we come to know the unending love and grace poured out by God on each and every one of us, we naturally must pass it on in a world starved for love and grace. And guess what? That is exactly what God wants us to do because His message boils down to one word: love.

Consider this passage from Luke 10:25-28:

Just then, a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."

Love God, love your neighbor. Jesus' answer to the lawyer's question comes straight from Mosaic law, the law that God gave to Moses so very long ago. So simple, and, as history and our own personal experience show, so hard for us flawed and selfish sinners. It takes work, and it's so easy to push loving God and neighbor to the bottom of our lengthy to-do lists.
 
Seize the opportunity to grow in love, to bless God by sharing His blessings with others, to learn about God and His Kingdom in a community of faith. Carry the salvation message of Easter forward with you and grow it in the world.

God's grace and peace be yours always,
Susan

Happy Easter!

Jesus.

What an amazing person, God self-limited to human form.

He knew he would die and went to Jerusalem anyway and died.

For us.

"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing."

We don't deserve that.

And isn't that the point? We don't deserve it. But grace and mercy and forgiveness are free.

Free.

All we have to do is accept them, be grateful, share them with others.

Happy Easter, everyone.

Exodus for Lent: Holy Week, Friday

Read: Luke 24:36-53

Reflect: Jesus conquered death. The law of Moses and the words of the prophets and psalms have been fulfilled in Jesus. Repentance and forgiveness of sins shall be proclaimed in Jesus’ name to all nations. And note what the disciples did upon learning this: “they worshiped him…and were continually in the temple blessing God.” They blessed God! How will you joyfully celebrate God’s amazing gift of salvation this Easter through worship? How can you bless God, in church and outside church, for His blessing you with the New Covenant?

Write: Here or privately.

Recite: And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:20

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving your covenant people so much that you sent your Son to die for us. Seal in me a desire to worship you joyfully and share the triumphant message of salvation with the world. Amen.

 

Exodus for Lent: Holy Week, Thursday

Read: Exodus 34:29-35, Exodus 40:16-38, Luke 23:44-48

Reflect: God’s presence is awesome. Moses literally glowed from his closeness to God and covered his face with a veil. The Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple, was hidden by a veil, and only high priests were allowed inside. When Jesus died, the veil in the Temple tore, removing the barrier between the people and God. We can all walk right up to the foot of the Cross! How does the lack of a veil between you and God shape your faith and worship? Where and when do you feel God’s awesome presence most in your life? What can you do to cultivate your awareness of His presence?

Write: Here or privately.

Recite: And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:20

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving your covenant people so much that you sent your Son to die for us. Seal in me a desire to worship you joyfully and share the triumphant message of salvation with the world. Amen.

 

Exodus for Lent: Holy Week, Wednesday

Read: Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 9:11-15

Reflect: : Jeremiah foresaw the need for a New Covenant that put the law in the hearts of the people so they all know God, and the author of Hebrews says the blood of Christ, which sealed that New Covenant, replaces blood sacrifice in the Tabernacle and purifies our conscience to worship the living God. What worship practice helps you understand the law in your heart and feel closer to God? Can you think of ways you could grow in that understanding and closeness?

Write: Here or privately.

Recite: And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:20

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving your covenant people so much that you sent your Son to die for us. Seal in me a desire to worship you joyfully and share the triumphant message of salvation with the world. Amen.

 

Exodus for Lent: Holy Week, Tuesday

Read: Exodus 35:20-35, Exodus 36:1

Reflect. Many chapters of Exodus give God’s detailed instructions for building the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle and its furnishings, and the priests’ vestments. God wants to set His people’s worship apart from other nations and instruct them in proper worship. Note how willingly the people, who have been forgiven yet again, give of their goods and skills “in accordance with all that the Lord has commanded.” How willingly do you give of your goods and skills to serve in worshipping God today?  Do you feel God calling you to do more?

Write: Here or privately.

Recite: And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:20

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving your covenant people so much that you sent your Son to die for us. Seal in me a desire to worship you joyfully and share the triumphant message of salvation with the world. Amen.

 

Exodus for Lent: Holy Week, Monday

Holy Week (Week 6):  Covenant People. At the start of Exodus, God remembers his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to make of them a great nation. After the golden calf incident, God renews the covenant and again instructs Moses on the building of the Tabernacle so He may dwell among them. Roughly 1,500 years later, He dwells among His people in the form of Jesus and makes a New Covenant, sealed by Jesus’ blood, with all people. This Holy Week, let us celebrate and give thanks for both the old and new covenants, for being freed from slavery to sin by our great and loving God!

 

Read: Exodus 34:1-10, Luke 22:14-22

 

Reflect: In both passages, notice how God is loving, forgiving, and also just. Moses asks God to forgive the stiff-necked people, and God does, renewing the covenant (again!). When Jesus pours the wine of the New Covenant, He calls out the traitor at the table, and in doing so acknowledges the need for His blood to seal that New Covenant with a sinful people. How have you felt the need of His sacrifice, given for you, for your own sin? How have you been stiff-necked? Make a list of your sins, and think how much you need forgiveness this Holy Week.

 

Write: Here or privately.

Recite: And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” Luke 22:20

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving your covenant people so much that you sent your Son to die for us. Seal in me a desire to worship you joyfully and share the triumphant message of salvation with the world. Amen.

 

Exodus for Lent: Week 5, In Christian Community

Just a reminder that even though the week's reading is finished, your study isn't! Remember that getting together in Christian community to discuss what you've read helps make the whole experience of the Word so much richer.

So find a friend--doesn't matter if they read the study or not!--and discuss the importance of obeying God, avoiding idolatry and other sins, promoting fairness, and offering mercy. Talk about ways the Christian community can intercede with grace and mercy in a sinful world.

Blessings to all of you as you study His Word and worship our God on this Palm Sunday!

Exodus for Lent: Week 5, Friday

Read: Exodus 32; Luke 23:34

 

Reflect: How quickly the Israelites lose patience! They violate God’s commandment against idolatry. Moses intercedes on their behalf, and over a millennium later, Jesus intercedes for his killers and asks God to forgive them. Have you ever interceded for someone who has sinned? Has someone interceded for you when you have sinned? How does mercy work with justice to bring about God’s purpose in Exodus and in your life?

 

Write: Here or privately.

 

Recite: …for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of the parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:5-6

 

Pray: Almighty God, help me to obey you in all things. Thank you for your mercy and love. Amen. 

 

 

Exodus for Lent: Week 5, Thursday

Read: Exodus 22:21-23:9; Luke 23: 13-25

 

Reflect: God’s law is compassionate, uncorrupted, and fair. Yet Jesus’ condemnation comes from justice perverted by the priests, the leaders, and the people. If the Jews had obeyed their own law, Jesus would never have died. But God knows we are all sinners, we will all disobey, and we all need grace. We all need Jesus. Where have you recently failed in compassion or been corrupt in your ways, violating the spirit or letter of God’s law? Will you ask God’s mercy through Jesus right now? Will you accept it?

 

Write: Here or privately.

 

Recite: …for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of the parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:5-6

 

Pray: Almighty God, help me to obey you in all things. Thank you for your mercy and love. Amen. 

 

Exodus for Lent: Week 5, Wednesday

Read: Exodus 21:v.23; Luke 22:47-51

 

Reflect: To our thinking, an eye for an eye seems barbaric. To the Israelites coming out of slavery, an eye for an eye seems just and fair. Jesus provides the turning point for us: No more of this! When Jesus heals the slave’s ear, he rights the wrong with mercy. He will be the sacrifice. Have you ever reached a point when trying to keep things just and fair feels wrong? Have you shouted, “No more of this!” and granted mercy instead?  What happened as a result? What happens when there is no mercy?

 

Write: Here or privately.

 

Recite: …for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of the parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:5-6

 

Pray: Almighty God, help me to obey you in all things. Thank you for your mercy and love. Amen. 

 

Exodus for Lent: Week 5, Tuesday

Read: Exodus 21

 

Reflect: These ordinances deal with fairness in the existing culture of the Israelites, where even slaves and women must be treated with a certain level of respect and people are liable for their ox’s bad behavior. If God were to give ordinances to a modern-day Moses, how do you think fairness would play out? What areas of our culture today call out for God’s fairness?

 

Write: Here or privately.

 

Recite: …for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of the parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:5-6

 

Pray: Almighty God, help me to obey you in all things. Thank you for your mercy and love. Amen. 

Exodus for Lent: Week 5, Monday

Week 5: Obey. Since the Garden of Eden, humans have sinned, felt bad about it, been punished, and been redeemed. We have a hard time obeying. God’s laws as given to Moses often sound strange, even bizarre, to us today. As you read this week, don’t focus on the details; focus on the spirit behind the laws and ordinances and notice how that spirit balances between justice and compassion, earned punishment and unearned mercy.   

 

Read: Exodus 20

 

Reflect: Idolatry was commonplace in ancient times, and God’s command against idols marks His people as different. When everyone around you is doing something, it’s hard to take a separate path. Have you ever gone against the common practice? How did you feel? Have you ever followed what others are doing, even if you knew it was wrong? How did you feel?

 

Write: Here or privately.

 

Recite: …for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of the parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me, but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:5-6

 

Pray: Almighty God, help me to obey you in all things. Thank you for your mercy and love. Amen.

Exodus for Lent: Week 4, In Christian Community

Just a reminder that even though the week's reading is finished, your study isn't! Remember that getting together in Christian community to discuss what you've read helps make the whole experience of the Word so much richer.

So find a friend--doesn't matter if they read the study or not!--and discuss ways to focus on the blessings God has given us in the form of religious observance and worship, sabbath rest, His Word, and help in and through community.

Blessings to all of you as you study His Word.

Exodus for Lent: Week 4, Friday

Read: Exodus 19; Numbers 6:22-27

Reflect: “Set limits around the mountain and keep it holy.” God blesses the Israelites with His presence on the mountain and calls them to worship. God blesses the whole world with His Son Jesus, God made flesh, and calls us to worship at the foot of the Cross. What limits does God call you to set up in your life to keep your focus on the Cross and keep it holy?

Write: Here or privately.

Recite: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

 

Pray: Generous Lord, You shower me in blessings each and every day. Help me remember those blessings in the busyness of life. Amen. 

 

Exodus for Lent: Week 4, Thursday

Read: Exodus 18

 

Reflect: Jethro comes to faith in the Lord with fresh eyes. He sees that Moses must focus on representing the people before God and let others who are worthy and honest bear part of the burden. Community is a blessing from God we sometimes forget. Have you taken on too much? Can you ask a friend to be your Jethro, to help you see where your focus should be? How can you delegate minor tasks to keep your focus where it should be?

 

Write: Here or privately

 

Recite: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

 

Pray: Generous Lord, You shower me in blessings each and every day. Help me remember those blessings in the busyness of life. Amen.

Exodus for Lent: Week 4, Wednesday

Read: Exodus 17; Exodus 24:3-4; Exodus 34:27; Numbers 33:2

 

Reflect: God did great things for his people, and Moses recorded them so they will be remembered, at God’s command. Think about how the story Moses wrote has come down over three thousand years to be read by you today. Will you commit to studying God’s Word even after Lent as a way of remembering your faith and the stories of God’s blessings?  How do you think deeper study of the Bible might bless you further?

 

Write: Here or privately

 

Recite: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

 

 

Pray: Generous Lord, You shower me in blessings each and every day. Help me remember those blessings in the busyness of life. Amen. 

 

Exodus for Lent: Week 4, Tuesday

Read: Exodus 16:1-30; Deuteronomy 8:2-3

 

Reflect: God is enough. He gives enough food for the day, and He blesses His people with Sabbath rest. But people want more and do more than they need. In our greed, we don’t focus on the sufficiency of God’s blessings. How is God blessing you with enough, with rest?  Are you honoring His gifts?

 

Write: Here or privately.

 

Recite: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

 

Pray: Generous Lord, You shower me in blessings each and every day. Help me remember those blessings in the busyness of life. Amen. 

 

Exodus for Lent: Week 4, Monday

Week 4: Focus. This week, we will look at what it takes to focus on God’s blessings in our lives. God blesses us with gifts of religious practice and observance, worship and study, help and community, and rest. How can we continue to focus on these blessings not just during Lent but throughout our lives? How can we keep the busyness of life from taking away our focus?   

 

Read: Exodus 12:21-28, Luke 22:7-20

 

Reflect: Statutes, customs, and laws unify people, help them cooperate, and form the shape of their group identity. God claims the Israelites and attempts to unify them with his commands and observances. Passover was vital to Jews in the time of Jesus and is still important to Jews today. Which observances, such as Holy Communion, help you identify yourself as a Christian? Which ones help you feel like you are God’s, His chosen, His child?

 

Write: Here or privately.

 

Recite: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

 

 

Pray: Generous Lord, You shower me in blessings each and every day. Help me remember those blessings in the busyness of life. Amen.

Exodus for Lent: Week 3, In Christian Community

Just a reminder that even though the week's reading is finished, your study isn't! Remember that getting together in Christian community to discuss what you've read helps make the whole experience of the Word so much richer.

So find a friend--doesn't matter if they read the study or not!--and discuss trusting God, trusting His timing, letting go of our need to control our lives, and looking forward to His faithfulness in the future.

Blessings to all of you as you study His Word.

Exodus for Lent: Week 3, Friday

Read: Exodus 14:15-30; 15:20-21

 

Reflect: Israel is free of the tyranny of Egypt! God heard the people’s cries, told them He would save them, and did. This event becomes the touchstone of trust for Israel throughout the Old Testament. Whenever bad things happen to Israel, the people remember how God brought them out of Egypt. Do you have a personal Exodus moment, a time in your life when God saved you, when you learned to trust in God? Have you shared that testimony with others?

 

Write: Privately or here in the comments.

 

Recite: The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:9-10   

 

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for never giving up on me. Soften my heart that I may trust in you and never be separated from your love. Amen 

 

Exodus for Lent: Week 3, Thursday

Read: Exodus 14:5-14; Romans 8:31-39

 

Reflect: Reread Moses’ words to the people in Exodus 14:13-14 aloud. God saves His people though they waver in their trust of Him. God never gives up. Reread the verses from Romans aloud. If all those things listed by Paul cannot separate us from God’s love, what can? Unbelief? Distrust? Fear? A hard heart? Yet God never gives up on us. How does that make you feel today, right now? Have you claimed God’s salvation for yourself? If not, what keeps you from trusting Him?

 

Write: Privately or here in the comments.

 

Recite: Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

 

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for never giving up on me. Soften my heart that I may trust in you and never be separated from your love. Amen

 

Exodus for Lent: Week 3, Wednesday

Read: Exodus 13:17-22

 

Reflect: The Israelites are prepared for battle. They know better than to trust Pharaoh. But God knows the people are weak and vulnerable, so He gives them some time to breathe and recover, to get used to being free of Egypt. He leads them clearly, day and night. Have you ever felt blessed by an unexpected respite in times of trouble, a breathing space to gather your strength and see God’s path clearly? Did that respite help you trust God’s path for you?

 

Write: Privately or here in the comments.

 

Recite: Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

 

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for never giving up on me. Soften my heart that I may trust in you and never be separated from your love. Amen

Exodus for Lent: Week 3, Tuesday

Read: Exodus 12:29-39

 

Reflect: To our modern minds, the death of the firstborn seems barbaric, yet the old Pharaoh had ordered all the Israelite baby boys murdered. Will this Pharaoh listen to less than an equally violent exercise of God’s power? It seems not. The people are let go, with gold and riches and unleavened bread, with a sense of urgency. Have you ever seen an opening out of trouble and taken it? What made you trust that leaving was the right thing to do?

 

Write: Here in the comments or privately

 

Recite: Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

 

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for never giving up on me. Soften my heart that I may trust in you and never be separated from your love. Amen

Exodus for Lent: Week 3, Monday

Week 3: Trust. This week, our study will focus on trusting God. When we fear God and listen to Him, our next step is to trust what He says as we move forward. Trust is hard. It requires remembering past faithfulness, letting go of control in the present, and having faith in the future.   

 

Read: Exodus 10:12-20

 

Reflect: Pharaoh finally glimpses his sin and asks for forgiveness “just this once,” but as the plague lifts, God hardens his heart. What does this mean? Can we trust a God who manipulates people like this? Or is something else going on? Does God harden hearts that resist His will, or does resisting the righteousness of God create hardness? How do you resist God? What does your resistance do to your heart?

 

Write: Privately or here in the comments.

 

Recite: Psalm 9:9-10   The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

 

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for never giving up on me. Soften my heart that I may trust in you and never be separated from your love. Amen 

 

Exodus for Lent: Week 2, In Christian Community

Just a reminder that even though the week's reading is finished, your study isn't! Remember that getting together in Christian community to discuss what you've read helps make the whole experience of the Word so much richer.

So find a friend--doesn't matter if they read the study or not!--and discuss listening, how God listens to us and how we listen to God. Discuss ways you can become a better listener.

Blessings to all of you as you study His Word.

Exodus for Lent: Week 2, Friday

Read: Exodus 9:13-35

 

Reflect: Some of the Egyptians listen to the word of the Lord. Those who don’t listen lose their possessions to the hail. As the plagues continue, God increasingly singles out the Israelites as His chosen people, but God’s greatness reaches into Pharaoh’s people as well…the hail softens their hearts, even if it doesn’t soften Pharaoh’s. Has some plague in your own life softened your heart to hear God’s word, to feel more connected to Him?

 

Write: On your own or in the comments here

Recite: John 10:27-28 [Jesus said,] “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.”

Pray: Redeeming Lord, Speak to me so that I may listen and be lead by your Word to eternal life in Christ. Amen.