EXODUS

Today is Thursday morning.  I just heard the coffee stop perking, but I haven't gotten a cup of coffee yet.  I usually read a few chapters into my reading before I stop to go get a cup of coffee.  I'm in my recliner with my Bible on the side of my chair and my laptop in my lap.  Today, I am reading till I get to something I want to share, and then typing something out.  The Exodus is about the exit from Egypt.  Here are a few things that spoke to my heart this morning:   1) TO SHOW A DIFFERENCE- God wanted the Egyptians to see that God treated the Israelites different and also show the Israelites how favored they were.  In Exodus 11:7, God says that against the children of Israel "shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast:  that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel."  Amazing!  God is saying that a dog will not even bark at you or your animals.  I wish I had that out soul-winning, but God gave that special protection to the Israelites.  How wonderful that even a dog would not bark at them or their animals.  How favored they were of God!   2) PASSOVER- Exodus 12:13, says:  "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are:  and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt."  The Passover got it's name by the death angel passing over Israel when he saw the blood upon the door post.  The blood gave the name, not the meal.  The passover was not what the Israelites did, but what the death angel did.  They placed the blood in faith and obedience, but the angel of God did the passing over.  Thus... Passover!   3) THE MIXED MULTITUDE- In Exodus 12:38, it says:  "And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle."  Now this mixed multitude of people were not Israelites, but people who wanted to go with them.  These people would also cause them trouble because they were not the children of faith and promise.  Already the seeds of destruction were in these people who went with them.  Notice what the Bible says in:  Nehemiah 13:3 "Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude."  Here Nehemiah separated the mixed multitude because of the law.  Moses had not yet received the law or he would have known to do so at this time.  This is like having carnal Christians as close friends,... they will only lead you astray.  Stick with spiritual friends and you will stay blessed.   4) MURMURING- Exodus 15:24 says;  "And the people murmured against Moses,..."  and Exodus 16:2 "And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron..."  and Exodus 17:3 "And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses,..."  And, in Numbers 14:2,29; 16:41, we also see that they murmured against Moses.  Now Moses is just a man, but he is God's man!  Any man who expects to be in ministry must come to accept occassional murmuring.  God leads and you don't always have time to explain how God told you to lead, or will others understand because God leads us to do things that don't always make the most logical since.  Like giving generously to Missionaries when the Church finances are hurting.  God wants a Church to give sacrifically just like He wants a Christian to give sacrificially!  We must learn not to murmur agains the man of God, and men of God must get used to murmuring.  If Moses had it, we wil too!   Well, I didn't get far before I have run out of time to type any more.  I still have some reading to finish.  May God bless you today my friend.   Pastor Mike Mutchler