Monday, January 28, 2008

Exodus 17-20; Psalm 19:7-14; Acts 3

Exodus
17:2 - In 16:4, God was testing the people; now the people test God. A difference, though, I think in the testing. God was testing their ability to obey; they are testing His patience.

17:7 - "Is the LORD with us, or not?" (NRSV) Shouldn't it rather be, "Are we with the LORD, or not?"

18:2 - Question: When did Moses send Zipporah back to Jethro? When he left for Egypt?

18:11 - Jethro believed that God was "greater than all gods" because of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. Question: Did that mean Jethro still believed in the existence of other gods?

18:13-23 - Note: Wise counsel of Jethro and tact he used when he gave it. Note also Moses' willingness to take Jethro's advice.

19:13, 16 - Unseen messengers of God?
  • Warning that if any person touch the mountain they would be stoned or shot with arrows. Who would shoot them?
  • Trumpet blast. Who blew the trumpet?
19:16, 20 - Thunder & lightning; thick cloud; trumpet blast. The scene for the giving of the 10 commandments is set

20:18 - Result of their witnessing the manifestation of God's power in the giving of the 10 Commandments? To Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we will die." Just as God had promised in 19:9 - Respect for both God and Moses.

Psalm of Note:
19:11 - "Moreover by [the ordinances of the LORD] is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."

Acts 3
Summary: Peter to those who gathered: The God who did this [healed this lame man] is the God whom you have always worshiped. But now he works through His Son. This wonder was done through faith in Jesus -- the Messiah -- whom you killed. Continue to have faith in the God of Abraham; repent and rid yourselves of the guilt of killing the Messiah. You have an opportunity to make things right.



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