Nathan Whitley's Blog, page 25

Daily Readings in the Bible Exodus 22-24

Have you ever been invited somewhere of importance, or to meet someone of great stature? Meeting a celebrity or a person of power can be intimidating. If you are anything like me, you get nervous or anxious. I usually can’t speak clearly. I don’t know what it is, but being near someone of great distinction makes me feel a little more self-aware.

The Lord spoke to Moses from Mount Sinai, “Come up to me into the mount, and be there” (Ex. 24:1,12) Has there been a greater invitation extended...

Daily Readings in the Bible Exodus 19-21

In Israel’s exodus we see the power of God displayed. In the giving of the Law we see the holiness of God revealed. Please note that the exodus preceded the giving of the Law. The Law wasn’t given first, because the Law couldn’t provide liberty. The Law, rather, provided safety. If God was going to be Israel’s King, and if they were going to be His representatives on the earth, then they were going to need a Law (Ex. 19:5-6)

As citizens of America, we have freedom. There are laws that govern...

Daily Readings in the Bible Exodus 16-18

The children of Israel proved to have short memories. They forgot about the ten plagues and the exodus from Egypt. The Red Sea parting was a distant memory. Their memory overlooked Marah’s bitter waters turned sweet.

When Israel arrived at the wilderness of Sin, all of these events had transpired in the last two months (Ex. 16:1). All of God’s blessings and provision couldn’t be recounted when they began to get hungry in the wilderness. Their hunger also seemed to have impacted their reality....

Daily Readings in the Bible Exodus 13-15

The exodus from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea proved to be exciting moments for Israel. The wilderness seemed promising to the newly freed people. A song of victory and praise to God burst from the hearts of Moses and Israel.

Sadly the celebrating didn’t last long. Israel went from singing to murmuring in just three short days. What could possibly steal their joy so quickly? First, there wasn’t any water to be found to quench their thirst. Second, they traveled to a place called Marah...

Daily Readings in the Bible Exodus 11-12

Moses’ confrontation with Pharaoh came to its climatic finale. The death of the firstborn would be the final plague in Egypt. This final plague involved instructions for Israel. Every Israelite household was to take an unblemished lamb and kill it. Next, they were to take the blood and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of their houses. The Lord said, “For I will through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and...

Daily Readings in the Bible Exodus 7-10

The showdown between Moses and Pharaoh was nothing short of amazing. Pharaoh’s refusal to let Israel go had led to four plagues. By this point it seemed like Pharaoh had enough. Pharaoh told Moses, “Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land” (Ex. 8:25) Pharaoh wanted a compromise, but sacrificing in Egypt wasn’t in the cards for Israel. Moses understood that the Egyptians would abhor the Israelite’s form of worship. Pharaoh relented and said, “I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the...

Daily Readings in the Bible Exodus 4-6

The children of Israel groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help went up to God. God heard their groaning and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. God looked upon Israel and was concerned about them (Ex. 2:23-25). God’s plan to rescue Israel from their plight involved a deliverer. What kind of man would God use to bring Israel out from Egypt?

Enter Moses. Moses was from the tribe of Levi. Part of Pharaoh’s plan to diminish Israel’s growth...

Daily Readings in the Bible Exodus 1-3

The word “Exodus” means “departure” or “exit.” The book of Exodus is the story of Israel being set free from their enslavement in Egypt. Not only is the book of Exodus the recounting of Israel’s departure, but it is also the story of Israel becoming God’s people.

Originally, Egypt was a haven for Jacob and his family. But after the death of Joseph, there arose a new Pharaoh that didn’t know Joseph or his family. Pharaoh only seen them as a possible threat. Israel posed a threat to Egypt...

Daily Readings in the Bible Genesis 48-50

Joseph is mentioned alongside several heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11. The writer says, “By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones” (Heb. 11:22; cf. Gen. 50:25-26). Joseph led an amazing and faithful life. If anyone needed to be mentioned in Hebrews it was Joseph. He was a faithful witness of God’s goodness and power. But if you were the writer of Hebrews, wouldn’t you choose one of the amazing...

Daily Readings in the Bible Genesis 46-47

Joseph might be the most vivid type of Christ in the Old Testament. Joseph was beloved by his father (Gen. 37:3-4). He was hated and rejected by his brothers (Gen. 37:8). He was believed to be dead, but actually alive (Gen. 45:28). While his own people believed him to be dead, Joseph saved a Gentile people, and married a Gentile bride (Gen. 41:50; 47:25). Finally, he revealed himself to his brethren, forgave them, and eventually saved them too (Gen. 45:3,7).

Jesus is beloved by the Father...