Day 5: 90-Day Bible Challenge

Day 5: 90-Day Bible Challenge

Today’s reading:
Exodus 1:1-15:18

A thought or two:
Today’s reading is a very familiar text. It is the story of Moses bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt. You may notice there might be some discrepancies from between what you read and the movies “The Ten Commandments” and “The Prince Egypt”. Be rest assured, Exodus is the original script :)

There is a repetitious scenario in this story where Moses says to Pharaoh, “let my people go” and Pharaoh says “no” and then God sends a plague. Once Pharaoh realizes that Moses and God mean business and that they won’t take no for an answer Pharaoh starts playing “lets make a deal” and start coming up with compromises to pacify Moses.

Moses asked to take all of the people of Israel on a three-day journey into the dessert to sacrifice to God. Pharaoh’s first compromise was “don’t go out in the wilderness, but stay here and sacrifice” (8:25). Moses didn’t buy it so Pharaoh came up with another compromise, “go worship in the dessert but leave all the women and children here in Egypt” (10:10). Moses did not buy that either, which made Pharaoh really mad, however after another round of the plagues Pharaoh was ready for another round of compromising offers. Pharaoh told Moses he could go on the journey into the dessert with all of the people of Israel, but he was not allowed to take the herds or flocks (which were the peoples sacrifices) (10:24). Moses did not buy that either and Pharaoh became extra mad this time. Finally after the last plague Pharaoh lets Moses and the people do the very thing God required of them… Take everyone out into the wilderness and sacrifice unto their Lord.

When Satan realizes that you have made up your mind that you want to be free from his bondage, he will often use this same tactic Pharaoh used. He will offer you compromising deals to make you feel as though you are making steps in the right direction, while at the same time he is keeping a level of control in your life. Just like Pharaoh told Moses that he didn’t have to go to the wilderness, Satan will lie to you and tell you that you really don’t have to take your faith that far and you don’t have to go to extremes. If you don’t buy that one he will lie to you and tell you “Well you can go, but don’t expect others to go there with you” just like he told Moses the men can go, but not the women and children. If you won’t buy that one either he will try and entice you to leave your sacrifice at home. He will tell you that you don’t have to worship God the way He has asked you to worship, just live the easy non-sacrificial life.

Don’t play let’s make a deal with Satan! No compromise! Demand freedom!

“Freedom is never freely granted by the oppressor, but must be demanded by the oppressed” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tomorrow’s reading:
Exodus 15:19-28:43