Lights Out and Last Chance

What’s the darkest place you’ve been? If you’ve been deep in a cavern on a tour when the guide has everyone extinguish any light source, including the glow of a wristwatch, you’ve experienced how suddenly the space around you turns inky black. Very quickly the realization hits that you cannot visually distinguish between air and solid matter. Walls, floor, ceiling, the people you know are around you – all are invisible. It’s creepy. Now imagine three days of total darkness . . . .

“I will pass over you”  

Who likes to hear, “Get OUT of here!”? Slaves freed from bondage, for sure. The last of 10 fearsome plagues is about to be unleashed in Egypt. And we are we still retelling the story of the Exodus three millennia later. Here’s the original version.

Free at last!

“What price freedom?” How much does our sin cost us? Some valuations are beyond an economist’s ability to calculate. Today’s study provides food for thought . . . .

Lest We Forget

Planning a family trip for even a few days can be a challenge. What route will we take? Where will we stop to eat and sleep? What do we need to bring with us?

Now think about planning a trek of over 5,000 miles. On foot. Through a desert. With perhaps two million people in your traveling party. Oh, and you must leave after dinner tonight….

A Dedication to Remember

Memories fade over time, we know. We’ve all experienced how details of even significant events can be forgotten or confused. “Was it you or your sister who…?”

What works best for you to be reminded of something important? G-d gave Israel two practical ways to recall His delivering His people from Egyptian bondage.

When Elation Turns to Fright

“Why is life SO hard?” “Is there a purpose to all my suffering?” “Will this never end?”

Who hasn’t asked these questions at some point (perhaps today!)? Our study in Exodus provides food for thought on gaining perspective when difficult times seem unending.

While You Keep Silent

How do you respond when someone gets “in your face?” How do you feel when you are blamed for circumstances beyond your control? How recently have you had to “wait upon the L-RD” when you could not “fix things” on your own? Today’s Encouragement from Exodus explores one of those times for Moses and the nation of Israel.

The L-RD Fights for Israel

Most people like to root for the underdog. We like it when “the little guy” wins against impressive odds. The most powerful army in the Ancient Near East is about to pounce on a trapped mass of escaped slaves. In whose favor are the odds? “One plus G-d equals a majority.”

Great Things He Has Done

What is the most joyous event your family has celebrated? The birth of a child? The return of a loved one from a long absence? Great news from a doctor’s report that the disease has been defeated? The victorious end of a war? Was there joyous singing and dancing (and perhaps some feasting)? “There’s a party going on” at the conclusion of our Encouragement from Exodus study!

Epilogue

Our journey in Exodus has brought us to the other side of the Red Sea. We closed our study with a fitting hymn of praise composed by none other than Moses.

That was then. This is now. Check out the Epilogue for some parting words of encouragement in fearful times.