Moses Parts the Red Sea (Ex 14)

Bible Summary:

The Israelites camp between the desert and Red Sea. When the king of Egypt is told the slaves have left, he changes his mind and pursues them with his entire army. Upon seeing the approaching army, the Israelites complain to Moses for taking them out of Egypt just to die in the desert. Moses tells them not to be afraid, that God will fight for them.

God places the pillar of clouds between the Israelites and the army, then, at God’s command, Moses lifts his walking stick and parts the Red Sea. A great wind blows all night and dries a path that the Israelites walk across with the walls of water on each side. The Egyptian army pursues them. After the Israelites reach the other side, the walls of water collapse on the Egyptian army, destroying them all. The Israelites stand in awe of God’s power and now have faith in his servant Moses.

My Thoughts:

Real Work: In the grief of losing his first-born son, the king sets the Hebrews free. A little while later he realizes that the Egyptians will have to do all the work the slaves used to do, including cooking and serving meals, so he wants them back.

Many people are afraid of real work. They want to take the easy way out and let someone else do the work. After a while, they rely on others for all their needs and cannot function when the help is taken away. Real work gives you strength, builds character, gives you confidence, and more. It is especially gratifying if you do it for someone else, like shoveling the elderly neighbor’s snow. So, plan a project, begin the work, and see what you can accomplish.

Keeping the Faith: Oh, ye of little faith. The Israelites were happy when Moses freed them, but quickly turned on him when the king’s army showed up.

It is difficult to keep the faith, especially during difficult times. We just want to give up and go back to our old dreary life. Don’t give up. Don’t be afraid. God is with you and you will prevail to see brighter days and success. Keep the faith!

Hebrews Become Slaves (Gen 47)

Bible Summary:

The famine becomes so severe that the Egyptians and Jacob’s family give all their money to Joseph, the governor of Egypt, for food. The next year they offer livestock for food. And, the following year they offer their land and finally themselves as slaves to the king so that they might live. Only the lands of the priests did not become owned by the king.

Joseph makes slaves of the people all across Egypt. He gives them seed and declares a law that one-fifth of the harvest goes to the king. The rest is to be food for their families and seed for the following year.

After 17 years in Egypt, Jacob makes Joseph vow that he will bury him in the land of his fathers when he dies.

My Thoughts:

Slavery: Wow! I knew of the story of Moses freeing the Hebrews from slavery but I never knew how they became slaves in the first place. They, and the rest of the people in Egypt and the surrounding areas, freely gave themselves into slavery to survive the seven year famine. This is the only case I know of where the people were willing to become enslaved.

Strike that. Many people today willingly accept what might be called psychological slavery. They drone on for years in a job they don’t like just to “pay the bills.” There are dancers, singers, artists, inventors and yes even writers trapped in what they consider a meaningless job. They try to eek out a couple hours a week to enjoy their passion, but most of the time they just work.

I say, “Break out!” Take time off or reduce your hours and find a way to live your dream. Start your own business, tryout for that local play, write your novel. You will be surprised how your passion will carry you to success and maybe, just maybe enough money that you can leave that job altogether. Carpe Diem! Seize the day! Live your life instead of someone else’s.

NOTE: this message is for people trapped in a boring job. If you like your job or are already living your dream, please disregard this message.

Love and happiness to all!

What is Success?

To laugh often and much;

To win the respect of intelligent people
and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by
a healthy child, a garden patch
or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed
easier because you have lived;

This is to have Succeeded.

– Ralph Waldo Emerson