Great characters of the Bible

 

 I've begun a series of lessons about some of the great characters of the Bible in our Sunday morning class and our first "character" was Abraham with the 11th chapter of Hebrews used to illustrate his "faith."  How that "by faith" he lived and accomplished what God wanted him to do. 

 

During our study of Abraham, we discussed his sojourn in the land of Egypt.  While studying this portion of his life we took note of one of the promises and predictions God made to him.  In the 15th chapter of Genesis you can read where God told Abraham that his "seed" (descendants) would be "strangers" in a land that wasn't theirs and that they would be slaves in that land.  Then after 400 years they would "come out with great substance" and be given the land of Canaan.

 

It was this part of our lesson that brought about comments on the fulfillment of that promise which we know as "the exodus" of the Israelites from Egypt.  We turned to the 12th chapter of Exodus where we read about this mass migration which engendered some thoughts on what a sight this must have been.

 

When God told Abraham that his descendants would leave with "great substance" we read the evidence of the truth of God's promise.  First we noted that they had increased in number from 70 to a multitude estimated to have been about 2 million people at the time of their leaving.  It doesn't tell us exactly how many Israelites were involved in this move but, I'll go out on a limb and say this - there was a whole bunch of them.  Plus, they had others going with them along with their "flocks, herds and very much cattle."

 

The amount of souls making this exodus from Egypt is derived from the fact that we're told that there were 600,000 "footmen" (Num. 11:21) which didn't count the women and children.  And, as more evidence of their "substance" we're told that the Egyptians wanted them gone so bad that they gave them "jewels of silver and jewels of gold and raiment."   And, guess what?  They had been in Egypt for 430 years.  (Ex. 12:31-40)

 

Well, a discussion ensued on the logistics of that mass migration.  I count it as praiseworthy on Moses' behalf that there is no evidence of him ever saying "Hey wait a minute, this is impossible" which is something I'm sure that most of us would have said.  No, Moses never said a thing about the aspects or logistics of this movement.  He simply did as God directed him and it's no wonder he's cited as an example of faith to us.

 

We can see from passages in Ex. 16 and Deut. 29 that God provided everything Israel needed during their 40 year journey from Egypt to the "Promised Land."  Their shoes and clothing never wore out.  They had food and water provided on a continual and daily basis.  What I found interesting about this is that their daily food (manna) ceased the day after they celebrated Passover in the land of Canaan and after they had eaten the food of the land.  (Josh. 5:12)   Could this have been just a coincidence?  I think not.

 

But, let's return to the discussion of the logistics of the exodus.  Have you ever given much thought to what it must have taken to sustain that many people and their animals?  I think that the logistics of this undertaking would stagger our imagination.  The following figures come from the calculations of the Quartermaster General of the Army.  And I see his estimations as being believable because that office is responsible for figuring out the amount of provisions necessary for sustaining a large amount of people (like an army).

 

According to their figures, 1500 tons of food would be needed "daily."  To put it in a modern illustration, that amount would take up 2 freight trains, each one being a mile long.  If they needed to have fires, the amount of fuel or firewood necessary for that large group of people would have been 4000 tons per day.  And remember, they were out there for 40 years.

 

How about water?  (This was brought up in our class discussion).  If they only had enough to drink and do light washing, you're looking at 11 million gallons a day.  If we stick with our freight train illustration, this would require a train 1800 miles long.  Isn't this alone mind-boggling? 

 

Remember the crossing of the Red Sea?  Let's look at the logistics of that incident itself.  The path through the sea would have to have been at least 2-3 miles wide in order for all of them to get across in one day (Ex. 14).  To give you a better idea of this crossing, it's estimated that if they went across two abreast, there would have been a line 800 miles long and would have taken 35 days and nights for all to cross.

 

And when they stopped, the encampment of that many people would have been enormous.  It would have to have encompassed an area of approximately 750 square miles.  Again, using a modern day illustration, that area is about 2/3 the size of the state of Rhode Island.  Unbelievable, isn't it?  Especially when you remember that they moved locations from time to time.

 

I just don't think that we've ever really considered the magnitude of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and their wondering in the wilderness for 40 years.  And, you know what?  They never lacked food or water nor any of the necessities of life.  How could this have occurred?  Only one way - God!  Something to consider, isn't it?

 

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Covey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bible verses about anger

Anger

A short-tempered man is a fool. It's in the Bible, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Proverbs 19:11, and 16:32. "Don't be quick-tempered -- that is being a fool." "A wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit." "It is better to be slow-tempered than famous; it is better to have self-control than to control an army."

Get over anger quickly. It's in the Bible, Ephesians 4:26-27. "If you are angry, don't sin by nursing your grudge. Don't let the sun go down with you still angry -- get over it quickly; For when you are angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil."

Don't fight back when wronged. It's in the Bible, I Peter 3:9,  "Don't repay evil for evil. Don't snap back at those who say unkind things about you. Instead, pray for God's help for them, for we are to be kind to others, and God will bless us for it."

Anger produces strife. It's in the Bible, Proverbs 30:33, "For as churning the milk produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife."       

 

Things That Will Help You Grow Spiritually

1. LIVE and WORK to reach others each day as if you knew the world was going to come to an end next Sunday night. Think of that feeling of urgency and priority! (Read 2 Peter 3:1-12)
2. BE AS ENTHUSIASTIC about the church and its services as you would be if there were an overflowing crowd each time. Think of the interest, anticipation, and excitement of an overflow crowd!
3. COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. Make a list of the things you are thankful to God for and thank Him for them one by one as you pray in your closet. This will help you to be grateful (Philippians 4:6). It will also help you to realize your dependence on God (Acts 17:24-25,28; John 15:5).
4. MAKE & MAINTAIN A LIST OF YOUR FAULTS. And pray for forgiveness and help to overcome them as you truly strive to overcome them. This will help us see that we are really not as good as we think we are and how very much we really do need Christ for Savior. It will also help you to sympathize with the faults of others (James 5:16; Galatians 6:1).
5. KEEP A QUIET TIME. Set aside 30 minutes every day to spend with God in prayer, Bible study, and meditation. If you really love someone or a game you want to spend some time with them. Just so, if you truly love God you want to spend some time alone with Him. (Psalm 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1). First century Christians kept an "hour of prayer" (Acts 13:1).
6. VISIT SOMEONE FOR CHRIST EACH WEEK. Visit some member you do not know very well; or a sick person; or a visitor to our services; or a weak member who needs encouragement; or someone who needs to become a Christian.
7. REACH ANOTHER PERSON. Conduct a Bible class in your home once a month and invite your relatives, friends and neighbors to attend. The preacher or elders will assist you if you want them to. Matthew 5:12-15; James 5:20; Daniel 12:3. There are 168 hours in a week. If you were to attend Bible Study, morning and evening worship on Sundays, Bible study on Wednesday, 30 minutes 6 days a week in Bible reading, prayer, and meditation, and conduct an hour long study once a month, you would be giving God less than 10 hours a week, leaving you 158.

- by Grover Stevens

 

Working Mothers

All Mothers Are Working Mothers

Did you know, ladies, that by the time a mother of three rears her children to age eighteen that she will have put in more than 18,000 hours of child-generated work? That's work you wouldn't have to do if you had no children. It's tiring just to think about it!

The mother who invests her time and talents in the rearing of her own children is too often unappreciated by the man and children she tries so desperately to serve. How could a little four-year-old girl or boy understand the importance of what Mommy is trying to do? We can only hope that each passing year and the maturity it brings will help children to understand. And we can only pray that a man who finds himself so fortunate will express his love and appreciation for such a wife.

We wish that every mother could understand how precious the days they invest in child-rearing really are. No job anywhere could be any tougher; no job anywhere could be more important!

-by Mark White

 

"If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet 4:11).

Is Silence License?

“For it is evident that out Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood” (Heb 7:14). Jesus could not have been a priest when He lived on the earth - He would have been in violation of God’s Law - He would have been acting on the silence of the Scripture. The silence of the Scripture does not give us permission to act; it confines the actions by which we may serve God.

Many believe that if the Scriptures do not forbid something then it is allowable with God’s blessings. Can you imagine the “Pandora’s box” that principle opens? That kind of thinking will influence us to direct of our own lives, which God said we are not capable of doing (Jer 10:23)!

The apostles once wrote these words to Christians outside Judea. "We have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls” (Acts 15:24). The apostles said that anyone who speaks without their authority disturbs the unity of the church and unsettles the followers of Christ. That is why Peter commanded, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet 4:11).

We should all take a good hard look at the organization, work and worship of our churches. Do we align with New Testament instruction, or do we act on the silence of the Scripture? This principle applies to our personal lives as well.

- by Boyd Jennings

 

Do not enter!

This past week at my work place they were doing some work with a forklift, loading material about 16 feet high on racks. Company policy is that you block the aisles on both sides of the place you are working. This way if there is an accident and something is knocked down, no one is in danger. I was a spotter (someone assigned to watch and make sure no customers came into those areas). I had just put up the aisle blocking gates when two men walked up, pushed the gate aside (with large yellow warning signs on them, which said: "Warning! Do not enter!" and walked down the aisle. I called them back and they were somewhat indignant as I tried to explain, but they protested that they could not see anyone working in the aisle and didn't see any danger.

 

It seems we are compelled to test limits, but not necessarily by "human nature". In the book of Genesis we read of Adam and Eve being given one "Don't" by God: "Don't eat of that particular fruit!" With what appears to be only a small whispered suggestion by Satan they chose to eat the fruit anyway.

 

In the New Testament we are given moral and ethical directives, yet people proclaim, "You can't tell me what to do!"; "I'll live however I want;" "I can choose my life style".  Listen to what the Apostle Paul proclaims: "Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people; none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

 

I know that there are some who will read this and say that I am "Homophobic", "A hater", that my beliefs are not "Politically Correct". But please notice; it's not what I believe that is important, but what God's Word says. When you remove the warning gates put up by God, you "exchange the truth about God for a lie, and worship and serve created things rather than the Creator", (Romans 1:25).You may not be able to see the danger, but that doesn't mean it isn't there. You might be tempted to believe those who say, "The bible is old and outdated and doesn't apply to us anymore." But ask yourself, "Does God's word have an expiration date"? James tells us in James 1:17-18, "Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession."

 

Maybe you don’t see the danger, but could it be that we or our world is listening to the whispers of Satan to just ignore the warning gates put in place by God for our care and safety? I would suggest that perhaps we and it does.  – Russ Lawson