Moses

Wilderness Day 7 For The Long Haul: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out For The Long Haul!

The Questions

1) In the beginning of this passage, what truths do we learn that God has affirmed to Moses through his journey?

2) What is Moses asking of God in this passage?

3) What is God’s response to Moses’ questioning?

Exodus 33:12-23

12 Moses said to the Lord, “Look, you have told me, ‘Lead this people up,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor with me.’ 13 Now if I have indeed found favor with you, please teach me your ways, and I will know you, so that I may find favor with you. Now consider that this nation is your people.” 14 And he replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” 15 “If your presence does not go,” Moses responded to him, “don’t make us go up from here. 16 How will it be known that I and your people have found favor with you unless you go with us? I and your people will be distinguished by this from all the other people on the face of the earth.” 17 The Lord answered Moses, “I will do this very thing you have asked, for you have found favor with me, and I know you by name.” 18 Then Moses said, “Please, let me see your glory.” 19 He said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name ‘the Lord’ before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” 20 But he added, “You cannot see my face, for humans cannot see me and live.” 21 The Lord said, “Here is a place near me. You are to stand on the rock, 22 and when my glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back, but my face will not be seen.”

Original Intent

1) In the beginning of this passage, what truths do we learn that God has affirmed to Moses through his journey?
Throughout the book of Exodus, God’s provision for His people and confirmation of the covenant God has made with His people is clearly evidenced. (Exodus 24) In this passage, Moses recounts what God has confirmed to him. Moses has been called as the leader of the Israelites. God affirmed that He has a plan and purpose for Moses; God knew him and Moses found favor with the Lord. To read of Moses’ first encounter with God, and gain a more full understanding of the truths God spoke to Moses at the beginning of his journey, read Exodus 3!

2) What is Moses asking of God in this passage? Coming off the heels of the Golden Calf experience in Exodus 32, where Israel chose to worship an idol their own hands had crafted rather than continue waiting for the Lord, God told Moses to leave Mt. Sinai and go to the Promised Land. (Exodus 33:1-2) Moses and the Lord had been meeting regularly in the Tent of Meeting. (Exodus 33:7-11) Here, in the sacred space of meeting, Moses cried out for affirmation from the Lord. Moses knew what he had been called to do, and where he had been called to go, yet he sought the Lord’s affirmation again. He had just witnessed the awful rebellion of the people as they dared worship a golden calf idol. (Exodus 32:19-21) Moses understood the gravity of their sin, and likely felt the weighty responsibility of leading such a quickly-erring people to know and experience the One True God. (Exodus 32:32-35) In the literal wilderness where he found himself, Moses needed the reminder of God’s presence and promise, so he pleaded to see God’s glory and hear from the Lord.

3) What is God’s response to Moses’ questioning?
In verse 17, the Lord told Moses He would do as Moses asked because “you have found favor with Me and I know you by name.” The Lord also knows no human can stand to be in His full presence; His righteous glory is so overwhelming anyone experiencing its fullness would be destroyed. (Got Questions) Graciously, He offered a way for Moses’ need to be satisfied while not being consumed. “The Lord said, “Here is a place near Me. You are to stand on the rock, and when My glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back, but My face will not be seen.”” (verses 21-23) God provided for Moses’ need and preserved His life. The Lord evidenced tender mercies in the next chapter by replacing the shattered set of Ten Commandments Moses had broken in his anger. (Exodus 34:1-9) Truly, His mercies are boundless, which Moses began singing of after receiving the second set of Commandments and experiencing the glory of the Lord. (Exodus 34:5-8)

Everyday Application

1) In the beginning of this passage, what truths do we learn that God has affirmed to Moses through his journey?
In our wilderness journeys God has a way of affirming what He has already told us. Moses recounted what he already knew to be true, but he still needed the Lord to reveal Himself and affirm those truths again. The recollection of His truth, His grace, His mercy, and the salvation He offers are all necessary, especially in moments of wilderness and desolation. (Psalm 71:14-24) The Father God, the Creator of the Universe, knows your name (Isaiah 43:1) and He created you with a plan and purpose (Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:9). In our wilderness, whether of our own making or purely due to circumstance, the calling back to God’s Truth and affirmation of His faithfulness is our resting place. (Psalm 25:1-11)

2) What is Moses asking God for in this passage?
For Moses, he needed God’s voice and a visual on the Almighty in the midst of his wilderness. The grumbling of “these people” in his charge was daunting (verse 12); Moses’ heart needed the Lord and His reassurances. The powerful truth of our all-knowing, all-powerful God is He is also a deeply personal and intimate God who seeks out individual relationships with each of His children; nothing can separate us from Him. (Romans 8:31-38) He knows what we need before we ask and yet He desires us to come to Him. (Matthew 6:32-33) Moses asked because He knew he could; he had direct access to God. In the same way, a personal relationship with the Lord opens communication allowing us to kneel in His presence and ask. (Matthew 7:7-8) Ask for deliverance, ask for joy in the midst of sorrow, ask for guidance in the wilderness, and even ask for teachable moments in the midst as Moses did, “please teach me Your ways.” (verse 13) God didn’t remove Moses’ circumstances, but He did answer him and honor his request.

3) What is God’s response to Moses’ questioning?
In this exchange with Moses, God was immediate in His answer and His reply matched Moses’ expectation. This isn’t always the case whether in Scripture itself, or in our everyday lives. God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8) and in our wilderness seasons, our own grumbling and stubbornness can impede what God is trying to teach us about Himself and following Him. It may seem He is silent at the moment of our pleading, but His truth is ever prevailing. His presence is always constant. (Deuteronomy 31:8) Like Moses, our wilderness may not end at the point of our pleading prayer, but our focus should remain on God, what He is doing, and the Truths we know of His character and faithfulness.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with For The Long Haul!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Wilderness Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Advent Day 4 Until: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Until!

The Questions

1) What is being referenced by blazing fire, darkness, gloom, storm, trumpets and words? (verses 18-21)

2) What does the opposing imagery represent in verses 22-24?

3) How does the author urge his audience to respond and why? (verses 25-29)

Hebrews 12:18-29

For you have not come to what could be touched, to a blazing fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm, 19 to the blast of a trumpet, and the sound of words. Those who heard it begged that not another word be spoken to them, 20 for they could not bear what was commanded: If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned. 21 The appearance was so terrifying that Moses said, I am trembling with fear. 22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, 23 to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect, 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.

25 See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven. 26 His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens. 27 This expression, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what is not shaken might remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. By it, we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.

Original Intent

1) What is being referenced by blazing fire, darkness, gloom, storm, trumpets and words? (verses 18-21)
The Hebrew audience would have instantly associated the apostle’s dark description with the imagery of Mount Sinai. Ringing in their ears would have been every story they’d heard and every Hebraic character from scrolls they’d studied since boyhood about Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Sinai. Here was the core pillar of the Jewish faith, this was the Lord’s proof of His covenant as evidenced by His commandments. The sky was dark and heavy with clouds, thunder boomed, lightening flashed, and though they technically could touch the mountain, death awaited all who dared. (Exodus 19:12-13) Only Moses and Aaron had permission to go up the mountain of God. (Exodus 19:20, 24) The fear of the Lord and His awe-full presence was too much for the people to bear, even Moses testified, “I am trembling with fear.” (Hebrews 12:21) Likely for some in the audience, their response to the apostle’s words would have been visceral with chills and a physical pulling back; such was the power of the images evoked by this description. Yes, God Almighty had humbled Himself even then to come down to His people, but so thick, heavy, and terrifying was His presence that truly drawing near without an advocate was impossible.

2) What does the opposing imagery represent in verses 22-24?
The author skillfully turns the audience’s eye from the base of one mountain to another. The drastic scenery change between Sinai and Zion is a shift the first hearers could sense with their whole selves. Zion was the place of perfection. As heavy and terrifying as Sinai, Zion surpassed these concepts with the overwhelmingly freeing sense of finally living peaceably; to live in Zion is to live at home for God dwelt there. Zion was the great reward, the longing of every heart, for here, peace flourished and love made its home. Even in the Old Testament, which again, the first audience would have been keenly familiar with, Zion was lush with welcome. This was no cotton-candy sweet place to visit, neither was this a tragedy-doomed utopian dream, Zion was steadfastly and assuredly perfect because Righteousness Himself lived there and only the righteous could dwell securely with Him. The Old Testament rings of the enthralling, eternal loveliness of Zion. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “…the Lord of Armies who dwells on Mount Zion.” (Isaiah 8:18) Ancient worship leader, Korah, described Zion as the Lord’s “Holy mountain, rising splendidly, (as) the joy of the whole earth.” (Psalm 48:2) To be in Zion was to live alongside the deepest joys and impenetrable securities for all eternity. It’s beauty and might reflected the God who embodied it and gave Himself to its citizens forever with the greatest delight, “Go around Zion, encircle it; count its towers, note its ramparts; tour its citadels so that you can tell a future generation: “This God, our God forever and ever—He will always lead us.” (Psalm 48:12-14)

3) How does the author urge his audience to respond and why? (verses 25-29)
Sinai’s terror of the Old Covenant with its law keeping and constant animal bloodshed to offer payment for perpetual sinfulness of God’s people is made plain under the disciple’s pen. So also, the glorious freedom of Zion’s beauty radiates with grand invitation and stunning aura as the author continues his description, but then he pivots our attention to the weightiness of our own decision. Centuries before, as Israel prepared to finally cross over from desert wanderings into their long-awaited Promised Land, their leader Moses declared, “I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live, love the Lord your God, obey him, and remain faithful to him. For He is your life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20) In much the same fashion, the author of Hebrews urged his audience to refuse to reject what had been set before them. “See to it that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they (ancient Israel) did not escape when they rejected him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him (God) who warns us from heaven.” (verse 25) Life and death are again set before the author’s hearers and the choice is given, will they accept the gift of Christ’s forgiveness and dwell in Zion or will they remain under the shadow of death at Mt. Sinai where every sin must be paid in full on their own, which is utterly impossible.

Everyday Application

1) What is being referenced by blazing fire, darkness, gloom, storm, trumpets and words? (verses 18-21)
Today, regardless of culture or location, we simply do not have the same physical response or drastic images playing in our mind’s eye when we read these words in Hebrews. We don’t live in the period of animal sacrifice, we didn’t wander the desert with Moses, we didn’t see the Red Sea waters part, or smell the acrid smoke that surrounded the Hebrew camp of newly-freed slaves as God Almighty descended on Mt. Sinai. We simply read some words and wonder at their curious description. Let’s not pass up this opportunity to slow down and learn from these ancient Hebrew people of how they viewed God with awe. Precisely because we are don’t share their visual experiences, we much too easily dismiss the authority and all-consuming power of the Lord God. When we worship on Sundays, do we ever consider the One to Whom we sing as holding all power and authority, or are we simply waiting for an emotion strong enough to make us raise our hands? God is absolutely unchanging. Though we understand more of His tender heart through the whole of Old and New Testaments, His awesome sovereignty and authority are no less abated simply because Christ came as a helpless infant with silky skin and trembling lips. Considering the absolute magnitude of His unfathomable glory should make us bow with ever deepening awe and reverence as we dare cast our eyes to the Babe in the manger. God displayed a sliver of His glory to Moses, Aaron and the Hebrews gathered at the base of Mount Sinai. (Hebrews 12:29) Let’s gasp together that this same I AM has already come as a wholly divine, wholly human infant and will one day come again as Lord of Lords to once and for all bring His beloved Church Home.

2) What does the opposing imagery represent in verses 22-24?
None who dwelled in Zion experienced lack, grief, shame, or fear because the very same God of Sinai inhabited Zion. “For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home: “This is My resting place forever; I will make My home here because I have desired it. I will abundantly bless its food; I will satisfy its needy with bread. I will clothe its priests with salvation, and its faithful people will shout for joy.” (Psalm 132:13-16) Was there an enormous distinction between the two images of Sinai and Zion? Assuredly, yes, this stark difference is emphasized by Hebrews’ author. Yet, also inherently underscored is the reality that the God of Sinai was also the God of Zion. The difference is that peace with His people had been made. No longer did the dread of perfectly keeping God’s commands hang over them while sin plagued them on all sides, for sin had been slain and righteousness had been perfectly purchased, making peace with God available to all. Those who accepted this peace, were cleansed by the precious blood payment of God Himself and welcomed to Zion’s embrace forever. Zion, with its Heavenly city of Jerusalem, myriads of angels, every redeemed saint, and God’s glorious presence results in the grandest “festive gathering” of all peoples and nations. (verses 22-24) This is Heaven, the great reward of Home for all who trust Christ as Savior and Forgiver from sin.

3) How does the author urge his audience to respond and why? (verses 25-29)
Through the scrolling ink marks of a disciple whose bones have long since returned to dust, yet whose soul, even now, rejoices in dwelling in the presence of the Most High God, the Lord God reaches through history to personally plead with you and I. Which mountain will be your Home? Sinai, representing judgment for every sin and eternal death to pay the consequence for that sin, which each of us have committed, is the default homeland for every human being. Let that sink in. Default. Homeland. Yet, wondrously, Zion is available to all. (Colossians 1:13-14) The payment for sin has been made through Christ the Righteous One as He took our death punishment upon Himself at the cross, then proved His victory over it by rising from His own deathbed three days later. He is the entrance doorway to Zion’s delight, for He longs to make His home with us! (John 10:9) Hear the pleadings of an ancient author, see the love of God who sacrificed Himself for you, repent from your sin, accepting His grace-filled forgiveness, and come Home to Zion! When we surrender our lives to Christ, His Spirit indwells us as He comes to live with us. (Romans 8:9) But this glory is merely a down payment of the Zion yet to come. (Ephesians 1:14) One day, with gloriously resurrected bodies, all who have trusted Christ will rise from the grave as the Holy Jerusalem is inhabited in the new Heaven and the new earth and so we will be with the Lord forever! (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) Sister, choose this day whom you will serve!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Until!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Advent Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Terrain Day 4 Moses & Mt Sinai: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Moses & Mt Sinai!

The Questions

1) Why did the Lord come in a dense cloud? (verse 9)

2) Why did the people need to consecrate themselves before the visitation from the Lord? (verses 10-11)

3) Why did Moses need to climb Mt. Sinai continually to communicate with God? (verses 18-25)

Exodus 19:1-25

In the third month from the very day the Israelites left the land of Egypt, they came to the Sinai Wilderness. 2 They traveled from Rephidim, came to the Sinai Wilderness, and camped in the wilderness. Israel camped there in front of the mountain. 3 Moses went up the mountain to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain: “This is what you must say to the house of Jacob and explain to the Israelites: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, 6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to say to the Israelites.” 7 After Moses came back, he summoned the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him. 8 Then all the people responded together, “We will do all that the Lord has spoken.” So Moses brought the people’s words back to the Lord. 9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always believe you.” Moses reported the people’s words to the Lord, 10 and the Lord told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes 11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don’t go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death. 13 No hand may touch him; instead he will be stoned or shot with arrows and not live, whether animal or human. When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain.” 14 Then Moses came down from the mountain to the people and consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be prepared by the third day. Do not have sexual relations with women.” 16 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud blast from a ram’s horn, so that all the people in the camp shuddered. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke because the Lord came down on it in fire. Its smoke went up like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain shook violently. 19 As the sound of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him in the thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai at the top of the mountain. Then the Lord summoned Moses to the top of the mountain, and he went up. 21 The Lord directed Moses, “Go down and warn the people not to break through to see the Lord; otherwise many of them will die. 22 Even the priests who come near the Lord must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out in anger against them.” 23 Moses responded to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, since you warned us: Put a boundary around the mountain and consecrate it.” 24 And the Lord replied to him, “Go down and come back with Aaron. But the priests and the people must not break through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out in anger against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.

Original Intent

1) Why did the Lord come in a dense cloud? (verse 9)
Exodus 19:9 describes the Lord God appearing before His people in the form of a cloud so they could see and hear the Lord for themselves, instead of only relying on Moses’ personal experience with Yahweh. It could be that God chose to appear like this before His people to provide a “clear indication to the people that Moses was God’s man to speak for Him”. (Preceptaustin.org) God had previously made His presence known to His people by a cloud when He led them out of Egypt. (Exodus 13:21) There are also other Old Testament instances of God using a cloud to convey His presence including Exodus 16:10, Leviticus 16:2, Psalm 18:11, and Psalm 97:2. God used a physical cloud to represent His magnificent presence in a visible form; of course, His overwhelming glory cannot be contained in a simple cloud. Author Charles Ellicott explains, “It is absolutely necessary that He should be closely veiled when He draws near to men, for otherwise they could not endure for a moment the brightness of His presence.” Ezekiel 10:4 describes the brightness of God’s glory, and Habakkuk 3:4 describes the Lord’s brilliance as flashing light rays. After Moses received the Ten Commandments and left God’s presence, his face shone so brightly he wore a veil before the people because the Lord’s glory reflected so strongly on his countenance. (Exodus 34:29) The brilliance of being in the presence of the Lord’s glory is awe-inspiring. His presence is Holy, and the unrighteous cannot stand in His full glory. The Lord graciously appeared to His followers as a dense cloud so they could witness Him without being overcome by His glory.

2) Why did the people need to consecrate themselves before the visitation from the Lord? (verses 10-11)
God instructed Israel to consecrate and purify themselves for three days prior to His visitation at Mt. Sinai. (verses 10-11) The instructions covered physical steps like washing their clothes and abstaining from sex. Author David Guzik explains, “In this situation, God wanted the people to demonstrate their desire for purity by putting on clean clothes and restraining desires . . .” God’s people were to show they wanted to be holy by making preparations on the outside that reflected the purity they were to have in their hearts. God desire for them to purpose to be holy before Him. Author Warren Wiersbe explains how, in Bible days, people “couldn’t take showers daily, and only the wealthy had stores of extra garments. That’s why bathing and changing clothes often marked a new beginning.” Author Charles Ellicott suggests, “The real essential preparation for approach to God is inward sanctification; but no external command can secure this. Moses was therefore instructed to issue directions for outward purification; and it was left to the spiritual insight of the people to perceive and recognize that such purity symbolized and required internal purification as its counterpart.” God called His people to make a covenant with Him to obey His commands and become His treasured, chosen people, a holy nation. (verses 5-6) This agreement with God brought with it a visitation from God and renewed commitment to live holy before Him. Consecrating themselves was the first step the people of God would make in entering this covenant with their God.

3) Why did Moses need to climb Mt. Sinai continually to communicate with God? (verses 18-25)
When Moses assembled the Israelites at the base of Mount Sinai for a visitation from the Lord (verse 17), it was not his first encounter with God at that location. When God commanded Moses from the burning bush (Exodus 3:4) to free His people from the Egyptians, it happened at Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Horeb). God told Moses He would bring the Israelites back to Mt. Sinai to worship God. (Exodus 3:12) When Moses led Israel to hear from God, the Lord descended in a cloud. As Moses ascended the heights to commune with God, there was thunder and lightning. Author David Guzik notes, “It took courage for Moses to go up in the midst of all the thunder, lightning, earthquakes, fire, and smoke. Yet Moses knew God not only in terms of this awesome power, but also in terms of His gracious kindness.” Moses went back and forth up the mountain to take the Word of the Lord to the people and carry back their response to God. We see that Moses “fulfills his role as an intermediary or mediator acting in a very real sense like a priest between Israel and Jehovah ( Preceptaustin.org.) The Lord was gracious and loving to share the plans of His covenant with His chosen people, and Moses humbly and courageously acted as God’s mediator.

Everyday Application

1) Why did the Lord come in a dense cloud? (verse 9)
As a child, I dreamed about having a horse of my own. I wanted a tawny, cream-colored pony so I could feed her apples and sugar cubes while brushing her long mane. When I actually got close to a real horse, though, I changed my mind. The sheer size and strength of the beast intimidated me, and those big teeth and unpredictable head movements soon had me setting my sights on a puppy instead. Thinking about the presence of God can have a similar effect. We sing and pray about wanting to be in God’s presence. We ask Him to show us His glory, but we can’t actually fathom how holy and awesome His presence and glory are in fullness. When God shows up in the Bible, people fall on their faces in reverence (2 Chronicles 7:3) or worship (Exodus 34:8). Being in God’s presence was an overwhelming visceral experience. Today, those responses to God’s presence are still appropriate, but one way God’s glory comes to us now is in the person of Jesus. Author David Wilkerson asserts, “God wrapped up everything of His nature and character in Jesus. And any revelation of His glory to us now is meant to change us into an expression of Christ!” 2 Corinthians 4:6 says God’s glory lives in us and shines in our hearts because of Jesus. While we humbly stand in awe of God’s glory and presence, we are also called to become more like Jesus as we share the power of His glory with the world.

2) Why did the people need to consecrate themselves before the visitation from the Lord? (verses 10-11)
Most of us love the idea of a fresh start. We make New Year’s resolutions and begin dieting on the next Monday because we want to start anew. We can learn from the mistakes of the past and move forward into a new phase. A new beginning is part of what is conveyed in the idea of consecration found in Exodus 19:10-11. Part of consecration meant washing clothes and cleaning bodies, but it was also a symbolic indication of new things to come. Consecration continues today through the internal washing of our souls by the power of the Holy Spirit when we confess Christ as our personal Savior and repent from our sinful rebellion against God. The prophet Ezekiel prophesied that one day, God would “sprinkle clean water on you (Israel) and you will be clean. (…) I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes…”. (Ezekiel 36:25-27) This prophecy was fulfilled when God sent His Holy Spirit to indwell every believer after Jesus returned to Heaven. (Hebrews 1:3) When anyone repents of sin, asks God’s forgiveness, the Spirit of God comes to live within them to consecrate them, making them new! The Spirit frees us from the slavery of sin and its choices, waking us up to be holy just as God is holy. He IS our consecration because we are totally incapable of “being holy just as He is holy” on our own power. Only Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) His blood consecrates us and removes our sin before God. (1 John 1:9) Then His Spirit fills us, marking us as His own in a far deeper way than outwardly washing skin or clothing. Once we have the Holy Spirit inside of us, we can always start anew in following Him more closely even though we sin. When we choose daily confession and true heart-repentance, we are submitting to the Spirit’s work in us!

3) Why did Moses need to climb Mt. Sinai continually to communicate with God? (verses 18-25)
Because God is holy and separate from all unclean things, He needed Moses to act as His intermediary between Himself and His people. Now, however, we are under a new covenant (Hebrews 8:6) and Jesus has made a way for all people to reach the Father through His death on the cross. (Hebrews 2:9) Because Jesus’ blood has cleansed us from all unrighteousness, we can come to the Father as though we are holy and blameless once we repent from our sin and accept His forgiveness over us. (Colossians 1:22) We no longer need someone like Moses to represent us before God, because Christ Jesus made a way for us to come to the Father through Him by the Holy Spirit. If you’re feeling far from God, consider whether you have repented of your sin, turned away from it, and accepted His gift to live within you through His Spirit. If you’re confident you have His Spirit consecrating your life and marking you as holy, lean into knowing His word, dwelling upon its truth, and regularly speaking with the Lord as your personal Savior!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Moses & Mt Sinai!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Terrain Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Terrain Day 3 Moses & Mt Sinai

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Exodus 19:1-25
Jeremiah 29:11-14
1 Samuel 15:22-23

Terrain, Day 3

If you grew up attending church, you’re probably familiar with Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mt Sinai. If you did not experience the Sunday school version of this Exodus story, you may have missed out on the felt board story pieces (for those younger than 35, you probably missed those, too. Feel free to Google as needed) but you now have the opportunity to experience the story on a deeper level.

I learned of Moses on Mt. Sinai early on, and yes, I do remember my grandmother using felt board pieces! However, in some ways, I am envious of those who are reading the story with fresh eyes. You see, my memories of the story and its lessons have been caught in a young mindset, a two-dimensional understanding of the story and the basic tenets it conveyed. Thankfully, this Journey Study challenged me to traverse new terrain in my heart as I gained insight into the terrain around Mt. Sinai.

My childhood understanding of this story captured Moses climbing Mt. Sinai because God called him to the summit to talk to him. When he arrived, the Lord spoke the Ten Commandments and engraved them on tablets. Moses then took the tablets back to the Israelites waiting at the base of the mountain. There, he found the Israelites had made, and were worshipping, a golden calf in utter rebellion to God. Moses threw the tablets in anger, shattering them.

My young takeaways had everything to do with the creation of the tablets, the content of the Ten Commandments themselves, and Israel’s sin. All of which are practical and important, but recently, as I researched Mt Sinai, the enormity of the Lord’s presence in this story overwhelmed me.

What picture came to your mind while reading of Moses ascending the mountain? What did the mountain look like? How tall was it? Did it seem “normal” to think of a cloud at the top?

Depending on where we live or have traveled, we might imagine vastly different pictures. Therefore, let’s paint the picture of Mt. Sinai using insights from the mountain’s modern-day description.

Mt. Sinai is nestled in the middle of a larger group of mountains on the Sinai peninsula. Interestingly, Mt. Sinai is one of the smaller mountains within the cluster; meteorologically speaking, clouds, especially thick ones with thunder and lightning, would not form over a smaller peak when taller mountains surround it. The taller mountains would either cause the cloud to dissipate before reaching the shorter mountain, or the cloud would cover them all.

Throughout Scripture, the Lord uses His physical creation to highlight His power and Presence. Already in the Israelites’ exodus story, they have been led by a pillar of fire at night and a cloud by day. (Exodus 13:21-22) For Elijah on Mt. Carmel, the Lord showed His power by sending fire from heaven to consume the water-saturated altar. (1 Kings 18:38-39) At the crucifixion of Christ, the sky went black when Jesus breathed His last. (Matthew 27:50-52)

For Moses, the Lord used clouds, thunder, lightning, smoke, fire, and the shaking earth to evidence His powerful Presence to the Israelites. He even commanded Moses to tell the Israelites to not touch the mountain or they would be killed. (Exodus 19:12) The emphasis on the Lord’s holy presence was high; the ark of the covenant had a similar order connected to it, and also represented the presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle.

My research helped me understand Moses’ profound experience of the Lord’s power and authority on the mountain not only spiritually, but also physically. Mt. Sinai is 7,947 feet (2,422 meters) tall. This was no small mountain! Only fourteen states in the United States have mountains taller than this height. Research showed there were two ways to access the summit on foot. The first is a roundabout route requiring approximately 2.5 hours to traverse. The other option is a much steeper, direct route, including 3,750 steps dubbed “steps of penitence.”

Moses likely took one of these routes multiple times in the process of meeting with the Lord. Can you imagine all the thoughts going through his mind? Out of obedience to the Lord, he climbs the mountain the rest of Israel was forbidden to touch or death would befall them. He steps onto the quaking ground and enters the smoke-filled cloud.

What level of humility would have been required?
What level of obedience, trust, and faith in the Unseen God?

Maybe you feel the Lord is asking you to take similar steps. While your Mt. Sinai may not be a literal mountain, you’re feeling the call to draw closer to Him or step out in following Him into your own unknown terrain.

Follow Moses’ example.
The journey is already worth it. 

If you’re like me, and a more fresh understanding of a long-known story presents itself, dig in and discover all the Lord has for you. This Journey Theme is a great place to begin exploring, by excavating terrain we once found familiar.

Uncovering fresh perspectives and deeper understandings of our God will always be amazing!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Terrain Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Here’s a link to all past studies in Terrain!

Terrain Day 2 Canaan & Egypt: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Canaan & Egypt!

The Questions

1) At the direction of the Lord, Moses sent 12 men, one from each tribe, to scout out the land of Canaan. What was their initial report? (verses 27-29)

2) Caleb believed they could conquer the Canaanites. What gave him this confidence? (verse 30)

3) After the scouts’ initial good report, why was there a sudden and exaggerated bad report of the land? (verses 31-33)

Numbers 13:26-33

26 The men went back to Moses, Aaron, and the entire Israelite community in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back a report for them and the whole community, and they showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They reported to Moses, “We went into the land where you sent us. Indeed, it is flowing with milk and honey, and here is some of its fruit. 28 However, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We also saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites are living in the land of the Negev; the Hethites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan.”

30 Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, “Let’s go up now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!”

31 But the men who had gone up with him responded, “We can’t attack the people because they are stronger than we are!” 32 So they gave a negative report to the Israelites about the land they had scouted: “The land we passed through to explore is one that devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw in it are men of great size. 33 We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim! To ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and we must have seemed the same to them.”

Original Intent

1) At the direction of the Lord, Moses sent 12 men, one from each tribe, to scout out the land of Canaan. What was their initial report? (verses 27-29)
The Lord first promised the land of Canaan to Abraham as an inheritance. The Lord told Abraham to leave his country and his people to travel to an unknown location. When Abraham finally arrived in Canaan, the Lord told him, “I will give this land to your offspring.” (Genesis 12:7) The Lord repeated this promise to Abraham’s descendants, Isaac and Jacob. The Lord even told Abraham his descendants would be enslaved and mistreated in a strange land (Egypt) for 400 years. (Genesis 15:13) In the midst of their suffering, the Lord declared to Moses from a burning bush, “Because the Israelites’ cry for help has come to Me, and I have also seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them, therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:9-10) Through Moses, the Lord would lead Israel into Canaan, the land flowing with milk and honey that had been promised to Abraham and his descendants. (Exodus 3:4-8) The term “flowing with milk and honey” signifies prosperity with livestock and horticulture. The spies’ exploration of Canaan lasted about 40 days and upon their return, they confirmed to Moses of the land’s bounty, even bringing large fruit as proof. (Numbers 13:23-25) However, they also said the land was heavily protected with large and powerful occupants. The odds of victoriously overtaking such a formidable people seemed impossible. Therefore, nearly all of the spies doubted their ability, and God’s assurance, that they could indeed conquer Canaan’s inhabitants and possess the land.

2) Caleb believed they could conquer the Canaanites. What gave him this confidence? (verse 30)
The first report the men gave to Moses frightened the Israelites, not because the land had proven to be scarce and lacking in abundance, but because the current inhabitants were too formidable. Caleb sought to quiet the people and convince them that, despite the obstacles, they could defeat the inhabitants and occupy the land because the Lord had given it to them. Caleb was not afraid of the giants he saw in Canaan. No doubt, he remembered the Lord’s promise to give them the land. His confidence was not in the strength of Israel, rather in the faithful God who accomplishes His work. Caleb’s faith did not waver in the face of giants; he believed God’s promise, knowing the Lord cannot lie. Unfortunately, it was not enough to convince the others.

3) After the scouts’ initial good report, why was there a sudden and exaggerated bad report of the land? (verses 31-33)
Despite Caleb’s urgings to trust the same God who had defeated Egypt’s army and freed Israel from slavery, the other spies were quick to incite fear by describing Canaan’s inhabitants as giants, Nephilim to be exact. Nephilim were characterized as children born from the sons of God (likely meaning fallen angels/demons) who married human women. (Genesis 6:2-4). According to the NKJV Chronological Study Bible Notes, this union produced semi-divine, semi-human offspring who possessed superhuman qualities. Therefore, the image the spies portrayed were superhuman people who could not be defeated. The spies were afraid for many reasons, and their exaggerated report incited fear in the Israelites, who cried and complained to Moses about their fate. They even plotted to choose a new leader to take them back to Egypt. (Numbers 14:1-4) They displayed a lack of faith in their God who not only had rescued them from Egypt, but also guided and provided for them during their escape. The Israelites even spoke of stoning Caleb and Joshua (Joshua was the only other spy who sided with Caleb) all because of their faith in the God who faithfully keeps His promises. In the face of death, Caleb and Joshua refused to recant their faith while urging their fellow Israelites to cease their rebellion against God and instead follow Him with faith and obedience. Israel’s lack of faith resulted in God’s justice being delivered as He refused any Israelite of that generation entrance to the Promised Land of Canaan. (Numbers 14:21-25) They wandered in the wilderness 40 years until the entire generation died. Only Caleb and Joshua, because of their faith, were privileged to enter Canaan.

Everyday Application

1) At the direction of the Lord, Moses sent 12 men, one from each tribe, to scout out the land of Canaan. What was their initial report? (verses 27-29)
When the scouts returned from their mission, they reported Canaan as lush and fruitful. However, it was tightly secured and its settlers mighty and powerful, causing them serious doubt for defeating and occupying the Promised Land. While they remembered the Lord stating that the land was flowing with milk and honey, they forgot, or chose to ignore, the other part of His statement, “…and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land…” (Exodus 3:8) They focused only on the giants instead of on the Lord’s promise to give them an inheritance. Our journey of life is fraught with doubts and uncertainties. When I was growing up, my parents made my decisions for me, but there came a time for me to leave and build my own life. At the age of 20, I left home and rented a few places, but when things became difficult, I returned to my parents. An opportunity arose for me to purchase a piece of land at a fair price. At the time, I said I was lucky, but looking back, I understand this wasn’t luck, it was God’s provision. From purchasing the land, to securing a small mortgage, to building a decent house, I was faced again and again with the challenge to either trust myself or God. The Lord promised Abraham his descendants would inherit the land. The Lord promised Israel He would lead them out of slavery and into their inheritance. Israel and Abraham were faced with a choice, just as I was in following where God was leading me with my house adventure. We each have the same decision as we follow Christ. Will we trust God despite the circumstances, or will we walk away and trust ourselves when the odds seem too overwhelming?

2) Caleb believed they could conquer the Canaanites. What gave him this confidence? (verse 30)
Caleb had the utmost faith in God’s ability to help Israel occupy Canaan as He promised many, many years before. In my faith journey with my house, approximately seven years passed before I could build. I definitely felt as if I was in the wilderness wondering when the time would come for me to finally finish my home. Nevertheless, it happened, and I attained an adequate mortgage for a small house. I also believe God used my “wilderness waiting” for much more than simply earning enough money. While I waited, He matured my heart to trust Him, learning to depend on Him instead of pushing ahead with my ways and my timing. While I waited, I never doubted, but I was just impatient. I knew it would happen, I just didn’t know when. Each moment of impatience was an opportunity to trust God’s plans over mine.

3) After the scouts’ initial good report, why was there a sudden and exaggerated bad report of the land? (verses 31-33)
Just as the ten spies allowed fear to hinder their faith, fear can also prevent us from faithfully following Christ, especially when our circumstances seem more powerful than our God. A few years after moving into my newly built house, I met a former schoolmate in the area. He commented on how great the community turned out. He too had the opportunity to purchase land and build but feared it would eventually become a ‘less than desirable’ place to live. When I sensed the Lord was providing me space to build, I didn’t consider how the community might turn out, I simply stepped out in faith. If you are a believer, God will faithfully lead you and never forsake you (Psalm 37:25), even when your circumstances look ‘less than desirable’ and your giants seem formidable. Failing to believe the Lord in the midst of our struggles, and choosing faith over fear, can result in missing out on our own “promised land” of favor and blessing from the Lord. (Hebrews 3:7-19) Instead, we can choose to rely on the faithfulness of God as Caleb and Joshua exemplified, trusting His work and ability over our own. With God, all things are possible that He has set out to accomplish! (2 Corinthians 1:20)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Canaan & Egypt!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Terrain Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Sketched VII Day 9 Born Again: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Born Again!

The Questions

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?

John 3:1-21

1 There was a man from the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2  This man came to him at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one could perform these signs you do unless God were with him. 3 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 ”How can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly I tell you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit,  he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you must be born again. 8  The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.  So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9  “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus. 10  “Are you a teacher of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. 11 “Truly I tell you, we speak what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Anyone who believes in him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. 19 This is the judgment: The light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed. 22 But anyone who lives byJ the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”

Original Intent

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses when he was speaking to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?
Jesus is Emmanuel, God With Us. He is and always has been the God Who meets us where we are, and in his interaction with Nicodemus, we see this illustrated clearly. Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the highest Jewish council in the first century. The Sanhedrin was comprised of 71 individuals, which included 69 common members and was presided over by the high priest. The 69 common members were divided into three courts of 23 members, and Moses was actually considered the 70th common member. The Sanhedrin served as the highest court of the Jews, and they even appointed members to lower courts throughout the land. Their decisions were honored by Jews regardless of where they resided. If a lower court decision were to be appealed, it would be sent before the Sanhedrin for review…not unlike a first century Supreme Court. Every member of the Sanhedrin was well versed in the Law, as well as the history of Moses. They would have been well versed in all 613 laws, as well as any religious customs their culture had adopted as rules. Nicodemus undoubtedly knew the Law backwards and forwards, as was required of his position and title. The story of Moses lifting the snake in the wilderness would have been as familiar to Nicodemus as the back of his hand. Because he was after Nicodemus’s heart, as he always is, Jesus spoke to him in the language he would immediately recognize and understand.

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?
Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus about the new life God extends to every believer when they submit their life to Him and accept the deity, death, and resurrection of Jesus and salvation through Him alone. While conversing with Nicodemus, Jesus mentioned being born of water and the spirit. The phrase “born of water” likely refers to what Nicodemus would have recognized as familiar: spiritual cleansing by water. This is clearly referenced numerous times throughout the Old Testament. (Numbers 19:17-19; Psalm 51:2, 7; Ezekiel 36:25) The phrase “born of the Spirit” refers to the spiritual birth each person receives when they experience salvation and their sin nature is crucified with Christ. When we accept the gift of salvation, we are transferred into the kingdom of God and begin to be transformed into the likeness of Christ! As we allow Him to do the work necessary in our spirit, our soul and flesh fall into alignment and we begin to become more and more like Jesus. Praise God!

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?
Jesus was fully God and fully man. He knew His verbal exchange with Nicodemus that night would echo throughout the Jewish man’s mind, heart and life, as well as through the pages of Scripture for all time. This conversation was anything but casual. Jesus took this important moment to explain the miraculous spiritual transformation every believer can experience in their life. He had not yet been crucified, but being God, He knew the end of the story. Jesus wanted Nicodemus, and everyone who would read this passage of Scripture, to know what God had been telling the Jews since the first Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden: no one is able to become righteous in their own strength. Instead, spiritual salvation and transformation are required. In this passage, Jesus is explaining what it takes to enter the kingdom of God: the spiritual transformation which would be made possible only by His own death and resurrection.

Everyday Application

1) In this passage of Scripture, Jesus referenced Moses when he lifted up the snake in the wilderness. Why did he reference Moses when he was speaking to Nicodemus, rather than use a parable?
In the exchange between Jesus and Nicodemus that night, we see the nature of God illustrated clearly, and we are encouraged to follow suit. Jesus could have spoken to Nicodemus in a parable, or through an angel, or through any supernatural or natural way he desired. However, he knew Nicodemus intimately. He chose to meet Nicodemus where he was and speak to him using the language and medium He knew Nicodemus would understand. As born again Christians, we are charged to fulfill the great commission, and in this interaction Jesus shows us the best way: by meeting people where they are and speaking truth to them in the way Holy Spirit leads. Doesn’t it make sense that He would encourage us to come alongside others as we share the good news of the gospel? Grab hold of the freedom we see Jesus extend to us here!

2) What does the phrase “born of water and of the Spirit” mean?
God never changes, and He has been telling us the same truth since the beginning: we are incapable of saving ourselves. No human could ever fulfill the law or become righteous on their own; we all need someone sinless to stand in the gap for us because all have sinned. God is holy, and He can not contradict Himself. As much as He loved His creation, He could not remain in intimate relationship with them once sin had entered the picture because sin deserves punishment and God is just. But, God also knew His creation would foul things up and sin (over and over), and He had already designed a different outcome. Enter Jesus. God sent His only begotten son to atone for our sins, so we could enter into a right relationship with Him. When we accept this gift of salvation, we are also recipients of spiritual birth! Our sin debt was paid for once and for all by the precious blood of Jesus Christ when He defeated death and hell, and rose from the grave three days later. This ultimate sacrifice made it possible for us to be born of water and the Spirit!

3) Why did Jesus say that “unless someone is born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter the kingdom of God”?
From the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and accept the salvation and new life He alone can give us, we become part of God’s family through the spirit of adoption. But that’s not all. We experience an immediate transfer into the kingdom of God, but this is only the beginning! As we grow in our faith and spiritual maturity, God is gracious to transform us from the inside out, renewing our mind to become like Jesus. Freedom is truly ours as we find there is absolutely nothing we can do to manufacture this incredible spiritual transformation on our own; instead, we are tasked to let Him do his work in us. We can fight it, sure. We can struggle, and resist. And the Lord will honor our desires. He will never force us to change, but if we will submit every area of our lives to him, He will go about the holy work of redeeming us and using us for His glory!

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1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
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in your everyday!

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Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

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Worship IV, Day 5 Singing Israel’s Song

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Exodus 15:1-18
Psalms 105:26-45
Psalm 136:1-15
1 Peter 2:9-10 

Worship IV, Day 5

There’s a difference in reading something to get through it, 
and studying it to know and understand it. 

Last year I didn’t just read through the Psalms in the Bible.
I studied them.
All 150 of them. 

I don’t say this to toot horns here, I share it because, with intentional study,
I am now convicted of this: 

One cannot discuss Biblical worship 
without observing the Psalms and other songs in Scripture. 

Some may not know that the book of Psalms is made up of songs or poems written by multiple authors. One of them being Moses, author of Psalm 90. 

You know… 

“Baby in a basket” Moses.
“Raised Egyptian, but actually a Hebrew” Moses.
“Prince of Egypt” Moses.
“Murderer of an Egyptian” Moses.
“Runaway” Moses.
“Burning bush” Moses.
“Led God’s people out of Egypt” Moses.
“Crossed the Red Sea on dry ground” Moses. 

Whether a Sunday School teacher first introduced you to Moses, or Disney’s Prince of Egypt did, most are familiar with the story. But did you know that following the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, another song was sung by Moses and the Israelites in Exodus 15. It makes perfect sense that an outburst of rejoicing would follow an escape from the chase of an enemy. 

Wouldn’t you erupt into song after being literally chased by your adversaries only to witness, with your own eyes, that very enemy being swallowed up by the same sea you had just crossed on dry land?! 

I would. 

Many times in the Psalms, as in Exodus 15, we see a consistent intentionality to worship God for who He is and His mighty deeds. 

What I love about Psalm 105 and Psalm 136 is how each of these songs declare the history of God’s people and the LORD’s continual rescue of His people, Israel. In Scripture, worship is often purposefully birthed, not only to rightfully bring glory to God, but also to commemorate historical events, i.e. the Exodus of Israel out of slavery into freedom. 

Naturally, the Israelites, along with Moses, would offer a song of thanksgiving unto the Lord following their rescue. Because God had set them free, praise broke out! 

Bible scholar, Dr. Bob Utley, notes how Exodus 15 consists of two parts:
verses 1-5 focuses on the acts of the LORD (all caps, meaning YHWH, God’s personal name) and verses 6-17 focusing on YHWH’s character.

Biblical worship should, at its core, remind us what we have been rescued from, and most importantly, who our mighty Rescuer is. 

I will forever be convinced that worship is a powerful thing.
No matter the circumstances of our everyday life,
regardless of how dark or how desperate our moments,
we have reason to worship because
we have been rescued from Sin by an eternal Rescuer!

Countless generations before us have carefully preserved and recorded in Scripture
their acts of worship.
Their hymns, their music, their generosity, and the beautiful overflow of their lives as they reflected love back to their Redeemer. Their worship invites us to recall how God has moved mightily in our own lives, remember His faithfulness, and bring Him worship because of His deliverance and His good character! 

Psalm 100 says “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name.” 

We are given the beautiful opportunity of coming before the presence of God
thanking Him for His salvation and praising Him for who He is. 

Israel sang to the LORD for rescuing them from the hands of their tyrant enemy (Pharaoh).
God was faithful to deliver His people from Egypt and physical bondage, and deserved their worship.
But one day, the same LORD, through the Lord Jesus Christ, would deliver all people from the overwhelming darkness of our tyrant enemies, Sin and Death.
This Jesus is our Eternal Rescuer; He deserves the worship of our everyday lives! 

Hallelujah! 

Does that reality not just want to make you echo Israel’s song? 

How could it not?!

When God gave everything to rescue us.
When He forgave us.
When He provided for our every need.
When He takes the time to be mindful of us.
When He gives us far more than we deserve.
When He, even still, hasn’t given up on us.
When He loves us more than anyone ever could.
When He never ever broken His promises. 

How could we not praise Him? 

How could we not open our mouths and sing the Israelites’ song?
Or reach for an instrument as Miriam did?
Or dance in the freedom and joy of the LORD, our great Deliverer!

Let’s be worshippers who open our mouths and declare His goodness!
Worshippers who fall to our knees in gratitude and reverence!
Worshippers who reserve our love, loyalty, and attention for the only One who is truly worthy!
Worshippers who exalt the One true God, YHWH, our Rescuer in the ebb and flow of our everyday! 

Let’s be worshippers who continue singing Israel’s song!

We were once lost, enslaved, and living in darkness.
As Peter writes, we were once not a people, but now we are God’s people.
We once did not receive mercy, but now we have received mercy
so that we might
“proclaim the praises of the one who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Hallelujah!
Let’s sing on! 

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship IV Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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