Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country." – Exodus 6:1

Today's Scripture Reading (November 6, 2024): Exodus 6

It is often hard to see the end when you are in the middle of the story. During the twentieth century, civilization went through several huge events, from two world wars to the tearing down of the Iron Curtain, a barrier that essentially divided the West from the East. I have admitted that having lived through the era of division and the terror of the conflict with the Soviet Union, I saw no possibility of returning to a reunited Germany or of the breakup of the Soviet Union into Russia and the various individual nations that existed in the Russian orbit. I couldn't see how the city of Berlin could ever be reunited when they had spent more than four decades growing in different directions. I couldn't see the end of the story, and yet, that chapter of world history did draw to a close, and the things I couldn't imagine would happen took place.

After the Soviet Union dissolved and the various nations began to exert their distinct personalities, I couldn't imagine the day when a Russian leader would once again try to get the band back together. And yet, that seems to be what is happening as I write these words in 2024. There have been many other times when I couldn't even guess what the end of the story would look like. I guess I am not much of a prophet.

As we read these words in the story of Moses at the beginning of the Israelite Exodus, we need to recognize that the hero of the story is discouraged. Back in the 70s, Alice Cooper sang about a vision of the singer in Hell. At the end of the dream, Cooper sings a beautiful song called "Wake Me Gently." In the song, he returns from Hell and sees his body lying in his bedroom. And he sings these words;

I look so lifeless on this bed.
Laid out on satin sheets
This dream's a novel
That I don't dare complete
No happy ending read.

I think the hero's dead (Alice Cooper, Dick Wagner, Bob Ezrin).

I can imagine that this is precisely where Moses finds himself. Not only is he underwhelmed by God, but the prophet is very impressed by the magicians who serve the Pharaoh. At this moment, Moses has to wonder if he made a mistake in coming in from the wilderness to undertake this mission in Egypt. He likely sees not only the demise of the children of Israel but of himself as well. Moses can't even imagine a happy ending to the story. Yet, God declares that he is not done. He still has some tricks up his sleeve. God declares to Moses that you might not be able to see the end of the story, but I can. Not only will Israel escape Egypt, but you will also go with the Pharaoh's blessing. Pharaoh will drive you out of Egypt. You just need to remain faithful.

We might not be able to see the end of the story, but God isn't done with us either. We just need to remain faithful and let God write the next chapter of our story.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Exodus 7

The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, "You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day." – Exodus 5:19

Today's Scripture Reading (November 5, 2024): Exodus 5

A friend tells a story about the company he works for and their hiring of workers. Like most companies that want to maximize their bottom line, they have decided to hire two workers who have never spent any time in the field rather than one experienced worker who knows what needs to be done. The idea was that maybe they could get two workers for the price of one or perhaps just a bit more money than they would have to spend on one experienced worker. The problem was that the workers they hired couldn't do the job and often didn't have the experience even to know the next steps. As a result, the company spent more money but got less production. Deadlines were missed, and customer orders were delayed. What looked like a good deal cost the company significantly.

The overseers of the slaves have been told to stop giving the slaves straw for the production of bricks. Straw was an essential part of Egyptian brickmaking. An acid inside the straw was released as the bricks baked in the sun, making them stronger than bricks made without straw. The lack of straw supplied to the slaves was not the Pharaoh's mistaken belief that straw was not necessary for brickmaking but a penalty for Moses and Aaron's suggestion that the slaves be given a long weekend to go out into the desert to worship their God. Pharaoh decided the best way to handle the request was to make life miserable for Israelite workers, giving the slaves less time to spend on such requests.

But the overseers understood a different reality. The effect of the Pharaoh's instructions was that either the slaves would miss their quota of the number of bricks produced or that they would create an inferior product by using less, or even no, straw. And the blame for that lack would lay heavy on the shoulders of the overseers.

However, the inability of the slaves to make their quotas may even play into the Pharaoh's plan. The Pharaoh was worried about the number of Israelites, believing that if these foreign workers were organized, they might prove to be a threat to the Egyptians. If the slaves couldn't make their quotas, nothing was stopping the Egyptian leader from killing off some of the more troublesome slaves or rabble-rousers like Moses and Aaron as an example to the rest of the Israelites.

Of course, that would mean even fewer bricks, but that seems to be something that the Pharaoh appears to be willing to put up with.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Exodus 6

The LORD said to Moses, "When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. – Exodus 4:21

Today's Scripture Reading (November 4, 2024): Exodus 4

A fictional story tells the tale of Jesus's arrival in heaven after his time on earth was finished. If you can imagine the group of disciples who were standing around watching Jesus disappear into the clouds, maybe you can imagine a group of angels gathering around Jesus as he reappears at his heavenly home. Jesus explained to the angels how he had lived among the people, sharing his teachings, expressing his love, and then dying on a cross to atone for humanity's sin. Then, he returned to life and declared that a new Kingdom was at hand. 

According to the imaginative tale, when he had finished telling the story of his time on earth, Michael, the archangel, asked the Lord, "What happens now?" In my mind, I have this image of Michael as a military general among the company of angels. So, when the angels come marching into our spiritual battles, I always see Michael in the lead. He is big and strong and not someone with whom I would want to pick an argument.

I can imagine Michael thinking about the new Kingdom in military terms. In the forefront of his mind, Michael would have wondered what he needed to do now. Michael would worry about how he needed to prepare his troops. He might have said, "Jesus, I am at your command. Tell me what you need me to do." In the fictional story, Jesus answers Michael with these words. "I have left a handful of faithful men and women. They will tell the story! They will express my love! They will spread my Kingdom!"

"But what if they fail?" Michael might ask, "What then will be our plan?"

Jesus answers Michael by saying, "There is no other plan!"

I often want to ask the same question when I read this strange little story about Moses. Israel is in bondage, but God has heard their cries all the way up in heaven. God remembered his promise, the one that he had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And this God, creator of the entire universe, the omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent One, has condescended and limited himself to one little bush in a moment in time so that he can talk to an escaped convict who happens to be hiding out in the hills as a shepherd.

And this God puts a call on this convict's life. He tells him of all the wonderful things that He will do through him, including setting a whole people of slaves free. He argues that through this escaped convict, a nation and, more importantly, a community of God who will bless the entire world will develop.

But God has placed his power inside of the man. And if the man is going to win against the forces that are raised against him, he will have to depend on the God who has set the task in front of him. There will be setbacks, and the journey won't be easy, but this convict decides to continue to follow God's plan. He has committed himself to continuing the journey.

Too often, I wonder if we have lost this lesson from the life of Moses. We see the opposition and setbacks and think that God has left us, when in reality, he is still there, still guiding us, and the victory is still ahead. I often need to remember Moses when I see the obstacles before me. I still need to know that the path might be challenging, but God is with me, and his strength is working through me. And the same is true for you. Decide today to go and be a Moses in your world.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Exodus 5

Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?" – Exodus 3:13

Today's Scripture Reading (November 3, 2024): Exodus 3

What is your name? Where did it come from? My name is Garry. The name is my dad's middle name. One of the strange facts about my name is the spelling. The two r's in my name are a little unusual. When I was born, the belief was that there were two rs in my dad's name, but an examination of his birth certificate years after I was born revealed that dad only has one r in his middle name. He had been spelling his name wrong for decades, but it was just his middle name. There is also a story that my name was supposed to be David Garry, but there was already a David Mullen in the family, so I became Garry David instead. The funny part of this end of the story of my name is that I don't think I have been in the same room with David Mullen for over six decades. So, the two of us sharing the name probably wouldn't have mattered.  

A couple of decades ago, there was a TV show about a bar that advertised where everybody knows your name. The show was "Cheers" (1982-1993), and I have always thought that the church should be like that fictional bar because it feels so good to walk into a place and be called by name. I used to frequent a restaurant near where I worked (it closed a few years ago), and they knew me by name. I was greeted with a smile whenever I arrived, and the waitress would bring my Diet Coke before I placed my order. I remember meeting a friend there a few years back. I got there a little early, and the waitress showed me to a seat. I told her I was waiting for someone, and she gave me a paper to read while I waited. When my friend showed up, he asked me, "Do you come here often?" I asked, "Why?" My friend answered, "Because the waitress asked me when I came in if I was here to see Pastor Garry."

Moses asks for the name of God, and God answers, "I Am Who I Am." I am Yahweh or Jehovah. Later, we would expand on that name. We have multiplied the names of God. We sometimes call him Jehovah Jirah, which means "God the provider," Jehovah Nissi, which means "God is Your banner," or Jehovah Shalom meaning "God is your peace." We call him Jehovah Shammah, meaning "God who is there," and Jehovah Tzidkenu, meaning "God is Righteousness." God has been called by humans many things. He is Elohim (God), Adonai (Lord), and El Shaddai (God Almighty). But when God speaks of himself, it is Yahweh or Jehovah, "I Am Who I Am."

Moses needs to know who God is, and God responds, I Am the one who will take my people out of their situation in Egypt. Moses, I Am the one you need right now. Biblical Scholars tell us that the word used here has no tense. It is just as proper to say, "I was who I was," or "I will be who I will be," as to say, "I am who I am." This is God's name. It's the only one that you really need to know.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Exodus 4

Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. – Exodus 2:12

Today's Scripture Reading (November 2, 2024): Exodus 2

We often try hard to live in two worlds. Sometimes, we try hard to keep our Monday-to-Saturday and Sunday worlds in different sections of our lives. That means our dress, language, and even our mindset are often different.

Moses would have understood our effort. For almost the entirety of his life, he has existed as a man of two worlds. In one, he was important, part of the ruling family of Egypt. But there was another reality. Moses was also the son of enslaved people. His parents were less than nothing in Egypt. Those two realities continually waged a war inside of Moses.

Then, things change abruptly. Suddenly, Moses no longer had the luxury of being able to live in these two worlds. He had to choose. Unfortunately, the sinful part of the story of Moses was that he chose a path of violence. Moses chose the path that involved killing an Egyptian. Sometimes, I wonder how history might have been different if Moses had decided to do something else. What was it that God had planned for Moses? Was Moses supposed to kill the Egyptian? I admit that I am unsure I know the answer to that question.

I love what-if stories, and this tale provides us with a great one. What if Moses had not killed the Egyptian? How would history have played itself out? There are enough similarities between the story of Joseph (sold into Egypt through the hurtful act of his brothers) and Moses (lovingly hidden in Egypt by parents who had run out of choices) to think that maybe Moses could have been raised to power and could have changed the nature of Israel in the same way that Joseph had saved Israel by saving Egypt.

However, Moses's violent act took away that possibility. There was a terrible change of worldview. In one act, Moses went from being a member of the Royal family of Egypt and the only Hebrew of power to being an outcast, discarded, and unwanted. He went from having royal privileges to being wanted as a fugitive and marked for death by the people in power.

As we talk about the road, this is the moment that I think is possibly the most critical moment in the story; it is the place where we may identify more with Moses than at any other moment. It is the moment that Moses messed up, and God began the redemption process. Maybe we need to ask what happens when sin interrupts God? How can God use me when I have (fill in the blank)? Part of the problem is that we go from a place where our worldview says that if it is going to be, it is going to be me to a place where we recognize that there is nothing we can do. Our actions have made everything we have hoped for impossible. Now, nothing is left except escape and making the best of a bad situation.

Moses had already taken this road. He had traveled from a place where he was a part of a powerful family but also held a concern for the people of his heritage to a place where he was alone and defeated, and there was no one left in his life who could help him.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Exodus 3

The midwives answered Pharaoh, "Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive." – Exodus 1:19

Today's Scripture Reading (November 1, 2024): Exodus 1

As Christians, we are called to be different. Too often, the Christian Church has misunderstood that instruction. We have interpreted that to mean that we dress differently, listen to different music, or point to some superficial way that we should be distinct. But the truth is that we have very little biblical support for that idea. The difference in the Christian is not superficial but rather at the core of our being.

I graduated High School from a rural school. I still remember my graduation class; there were just over fifty of us. Every person with whom I graduated, I knew. In the graduation picture, you can see all of us—the girls dressed in their best dresses and most of the guys in rented tuxes. I was one of the two holdouts who didn't wear a tux. My parents bought me a new suit for graduation, so I had it on. Bill, the other holdout, wore a pair of clean jeans and a checkered shirt.

Bill was different in everything that he did. When we were told to run laps in gym class, Bill would run them but often preferred to skip them in the opposite direction of everyone else. I have no idea why, but Bill chose to be different in almost every way. And I know it is sometimes hard to see, but it feels like we have taken our idea of distinctness from Bill. 

The problem is that there is to be a qualitative difference in how we act. It isn't in the words we say; it isn't in our mode of dress or our tastes; it is a difference that extends from someplace deep inside of us. The Bible says that they will know we are Christians by our love and how we treat others, even when they mistreat us. It is a difference that was modeled for us on the cross. It isn't an outer change but an inner one that makes you different and distinct from the world.

For the mothers in Egypt, a fierce love for their kids made them different. The midwives who had been ordered to kill the boys found that they just couldn't do it. And when they were asked why, they just told their handlers that the women were tough; they weren't like the Egyptian women. They were tough and gave birth before the midwives even got there. They didn't need the help that the midwives were ordered to provide.

It is a toughness that the Christian Church is supposed to display. I often say everyone is welcome in the Church, but that isn't really true. The Church needs tough people whose hearts break for the people around them, and no one can convince them that these people are not worthy of the Church's love, a love that changes everything. We may look the same, listen to the same music, watch the same movies, and be products of the same culture. But we are distinct because we hurt for people that we haven't met yet. We even hurt for people who have damaged us. We love with a mother's fierce love for this world because that is what God has placed inside us.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Exodus 2

… taking a full forty days, for that was the time required for embalming. And the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. – Genesis 50:3

Today's Scripture Reading (October 31, 2024): Genesis 50

Diana, Princess of Wales, died on August 31, 1997. I remember the moment the announcement was made on the television channel I happened to be watching. I admit that I was stunned. The event was so unexpected. The images of her car careening down a French road with the Paparazzi close on their tail were unbelievable. That this was the end of the People's Princess seemed implausible. Indeed, there must have been a mistake. This couldn't be the end.

If the surprise was palpable in my home, I can't imagine the shock that shook the Royal family as the news reached them. It must have been a nightmare. Most of what we know about this time is basically just rumors. But, it seems that there was no plan for how to deal with Diana's death. There was no reason that one should have been devised; she was young and healthy.

Additionally, Diana was no longer part of the Royal Family after her divorce from Prince Charles. The Family might have guessed what would happen if Diana died, but they hadn't. They seemed to have to be continually reminded that Diana wasn't just Charles's ex-wife, but she was the mother of the future King of the United Kingdom, William. And so, the Royal Family stumbled from one mistake to the next, only making various decisions after the people demanded a response. One telling rumor was that the plan for Diana's funeral had actually been formulated for Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. It was easier to modify that plan than to develop a new one. In the process, Royal customs had to fall to the wayside, if only because the people's esteem for their princess was higher than the esteem they held for the Royal Family. Even though she was no longer part of the Royal Family, the People's Princess would be treated like a Royal. It may have been a hard road for the Family, but the people made it a necessary path for the country to travel.

Jacob had died. He was a nobody. Jacob was just a foreign farmer whose way of life would have been despised by the Egyptian people and their leaders alike. And yet, the Egyptian officials took forty days to embalm him properly. And all of Egypt mourned his passing for seventy days, just two days short of time spent mourning a Royal family member. Experts have taken this as proof of the level of respect Egypt had for Jacob. But I wonder if we have that right. While Diana possessed the respect of the people, which went beyond that of the Royal Family, I think maybe that was not true of Jacob. The embalming and mourning period that the nation spent on Jacob might have actually been an indication of the respect the nation held for Jacob's son, Joseph. The nation mourned because Joseph mourned. And Joseph was so loved and respected in Egypt that the country could do nothing else but mourn with him.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Exodus 1