“Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.” Ruth 1:6-7 Three women standing at the crossroads. Naomi had made her decision. There was nothing left for her in Moab. Her husband and her two sons were dead. She would…
“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.” Genesis 13:10-11 When Abraham left to follow the Lord, he had no idea where he would end up. He had taken his nephew Lot along with him. God had promised to give the land to Abraham and to his seed forever. Both Abraham and Lot had accumulated large flocks and herds. Conflict developed between the keepers of their flocks, and something had to change. Abraham gave Lot first choice. Lot looked to the East at the well-watered plain of Jordan. His flocks would flourish there. It would be a pleasant place to live. There is no mention that he asked the Lord for directions. He made his choice based on what his eyes could see. As we read the rest of Lot’s story, we realize that he did not make the best choice. He eventually…
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 Did you ever stop to think about all the choices you make each day? What time will I get out of bed? What will I wear today? What will I choose to eat for breakfast? And the list goes on. Although these choices are important, there are choices we make that not only affect our day but also our future. Moses had died, and Joshua was now the leader of the Israelites. They were about to enter the Promised Land and fulfill their hopes and dreams. Because of unbelief and rebellion, they had wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Now Joshua reminds them that they must settle in their minds whom they were going to serve. He could not decide for all of them. But he firmly declared that he and his household were determined to serve the Lord.…
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock…” Matthew 7:24:27. If you’re reading this from the United States, chances are you’ve been hearing about the winter storm all week. It’s been impossible to miss. Winter warnings. Emergency alerts. Non-stop coverage. I have friends who even bought generators, and I considered purchasing one myself. I…
Exodus 2:6, “When she (Pharaoh’s daughter) had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” I believe that Moses’ mother had great faith in God. I can only assume that she was strategic and that the decisions she made were purposeful. The Bible isn’t descriptive about this instance, but I believe that Jochebed didn’t haphazardly wake up one morning and randomly make an ark of bulrushes. She was probably preparing for this day for months, to give her son the best chance of survival. I can imagine that she studied the different pathways of the river and the ones that lead to the palace of Pharaoh. Jochebed probably knew the Egyptians believed that the Nile was a god who gave life. It’s possible that when Pharaoh’s daughter saw the baby boy, she thought it was a gift of life from her god. I truly think that Jochebed was an inventive person. Exodus 2:9, “And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the women took the child, and…
When you hear someone talk about the book of Exodus, what story do you think of immediately? Perhaps the story of the burning bush, or the deliverance out of Egypt, or the crossing over the Red Sea. Those are all wonderful accounts of God’s power and authority, but I would like to focus on a person who is not always on the highlight-reel; Moses’ mother, Jochebed. When we read Exodus chapters 1 and 2, we learn that Jochebed had jurisdiction over the evil decree was given by Pharaoh. Exodus 2:2 says, “And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.” Giving birth during a decree to kill all baby boys was the world into which Moses was born. Jochebed made a courageous choice to not only deliver her baby during uncertain times but to hide her son for three months. How many mothers of the era did not make the same choice? It’s amazing what God can accomplish through one woman who will yield herself to the Lord. Jochebed live during a time of many injustices and was probably filled with fear that her son…