The Simple Life

Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die." Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin." The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. Exodus  20:18-21  (ESV)   "The Hebrews had come up out of Egypt, and were standing in front of Sinai. They turn to Moses and beg him to stand between them and God. At first it seems as if their feeling were a strange one. This is their God who is speaking to them. Would it not seem as if they would be glad to have Him come to them directly, to have Him almost look on them with eyes that they could see? That is the first question, but very speedily we feel how natura...

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's." Exodus 20:17 (ESV)   Coveting is something to which everyone is susceptible. We tend to look at what others have and use what we have as an excuse for our sins. We think if we had the house, spouse, business, or some asset that my neighbor has, then my life would be better.   When we think that way, we sin. When we choose to live in sin, we are miserable. Coveting can lead to violating many of the other commandments. For example, a coveter could easily hate or murder, lust, bear false witness, and so on.   Those who are satisfied with whatever God has given them and manage it well do not covet. Those who have learned to be satisfied with the position in life God has given them tend to rejoice with those who have an abundance or a great marriage or workplace.   But, on the o...

"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Exodus 20:16 (ESV)   How do you know that what you know is true? For example, should I assume I know what happened if I hear something about someone? If I see something happen, I should confront the person personally. If I hear about something, I should stop the gossip.   We cannot decide to unhear what we have just heard when we hear gossip. Gossip fuels mob rule, which always ends in chaos and destruction. We should not be talking about our neighbors but to them, and if we are ever asked to be a witness, we need to be dedicated to the truth, not the gossip we hear.   We must be a part of our friends' and neighbors' lives because we were meant to be together. Truth reigns in healthy relationships.   The fact that we are warned against bearing false witness means that we will be tempted to "gang up" on people and twist the "facts" to support the desired results. As a result, we tend to get addicte...

"You shall not steal." Exodus 20:15 (ESV)   This simple directive demands we show respect to others and what they own. The world and all its resources do not belong to us, and we should not live as if they do. We do not need to agree with how our neighbors or friends use their assets, because God is the only judge. We have no right to assume that a large company can sustain a loss if I steal something, especially if I have a good reason for the theft. Compromise with God's clear commandments is the first step to disaster, and those who steal, for any reason, will wish they had made a different decision.   Those who feel the need to steal often rob God and His people of an opportunity to provide for their needs. Those who steal often feel entitled, thinking the objects should be available to them regardless of the owner's "rules."   In the world, the way it was created, we would have no crime, no need for locked doors, and everyone would respect other people...

"You shall not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14 (ESV)   Once again, we see the importance of the marriage institution as created by God. Marriage is meant to be between one man and one woman committed to each other for life. Marriage is not an arrangement; it is a commitment. It is not about convenience; it is about commitment. It is private, intimate, and wholesome.   The gateway to adultery is lust, as Jesus warned us in Matthew 5:27-30: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.’"   Satan u...

"You shall not murder. Exodus 20:13 (ESV)   Once again, God's directive is simple and given because people will want to eliminate lives that annoy or inconvenience them. We know what murder is until we begin to play with the definition of life. Those who are pro-abortion would not call abortion murder because they refuse to call an unborn child a living being.   Throughout history, there has been much discussion about the definition of murder. Some have even gone as far as saying God murders so we can. Once again, human perspective causes us to skew understanding. God is the one who creates life; He is also the one who determines how and when life ends for all people. Therefore, God can't murder.   People do not create life and have no right to terminate life. There is a massive difference between God and humans.   As we read in the New Testament, we see Jesus address the issue of murder by warning us about going on the slippery slope of hatred. We were meant to love...

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 (ESV)   God made it so that every person has a mother and a father. He invented the family structure, and healthy people live within the context of this structure. The structure of the family is consistent throughout the Bible. In the New Testament we are told: "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." Colossians 3:20 (ESV)   As children of God, we are told to obey the Lord our God. Obedience has always been a part of a healthy structure, yet there are many times when we want to rebel against any authority. Obedience is submission, and submission is the hallmark of a Christian. Therefore, we get to practice submission from the time we are young.   There is a difference between obeying God and obeying another human. We are not trying to make parents on the same level as God. Yet, behaviors are molded, and from a young...

"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7 (ESV)   It is unacceptable to do or say anything that diminishes the character or name of God. We lose the wonder and awe of God when we use His name in common references. Some have resorted to using God's name in vain when they hit their thumb with a hammer, or are surprised at some event that has taken place.   Christians seem to use God's name in vain to gain authority. For example, they may say that God has told them to take one job over another, or to divorce their spouse. Since taking one job over another is not clear in the Scriptures, no one can counsel them on this matter because nobody knows more than God. Those who say God told them to divorce their spouse are clearly wrong because God's Word teaches us to commit to each other in marriage. Either way, the people using God's name are doing so to give their decision a...

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. Exodus 20:5-6 (ESV)   This is a simple command, easy to understand. We do not show ultimate homage to anyone other than God. Those who request or demand this type of treatment are dangerous. Throughout history, kings and emperors have demanded this respect and most fearfully responded.   In the book of Esther, Mordecai must have understood this command and refused to bow to Haman. Many understood this command and compromised, yet Mordecai stood tall. In the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego must have understood this command and stood alone, together, against the most powerful man in their day. Because of their simple obedience, Mordecai and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ended w...

"You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Exodus 20:4 (ESV)   God commands us not to make anything that might represent who He is in that anything we make will diminish who He is. If we want to see something that shows who God is, watch a butterfly or bird or think about the preciseness of our universe. God created, and we can see Him in His creation, yet the creation is not worthy of our praise. God created people, and we can be awed by how every part of the human body functions, yet we are never to worship the human body.   It seems easy to misplace our worship, and we are warned against it. It should be obvious, even to the most casual observer, that God is the creator, yet, there have been enormous efforts to see the creation as a cosmic accident, which is foolishness at best.   God has given us a glimpse of who He is and His capabiliti...

And God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. "You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:1-3 (ESV)   I think the Ten Commandments were given to us because we need to recognize that we will struggle in each area to make healthy decisions. Jesus told us that Christianity was about loving God and loving each other, and the Ten Commandments reflect these two general areas with specific struggles we will encounter.   From the beginning, God tells us that He is the Lord who brought them out of Egypt. He reminds the people that the Godless of that day served many gods who were shown to be powerless when pitted against the only true God. Yet, God knew that man would struggle to wonder if there was more than one God, creator, sustainer, and healer. He knew Satan wanted to be another god and would portray himself as one if we allowed it.   So, from the very beginning of these commandmen...

And Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, 'Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.'" And the LORD said to him, "Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the LORD, lest he break out against them." So Moses went down to the people and told them. Exodus 19:23-25 (ESV)   Once again, we see God choosing and distinguishing leaders. Moses and Aaron were to head up the mountain, while the other priests and the people were not to touch the mountain.   The word consecrate is often used to describe the trait of a leader or follower of God. Consecrate means to be "set apart" to something, which makes you also set apart from something. Those who walk with God, who know God, trust God. They do not trust money, health, family, fame, or worldly desires. God controls their actions, owns all their money, is responsible...

So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the LORD had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD. And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever." When Moses told the words of the people to the LORD…. Exodus 19:7-9 (ESV)   God chooses leaders and works through the structure. But unfortunately, this is sometimes difficult to teach in that those in leadership often do the teaching, and it appears they are trying to get people to submit to them.   In reality, nothing good has ever happened apart from the hand of God, and He works in specific ways. He works through leaders He chooses. God is a God of order, not chaos, and has a structure for His people to follow.   Unfortunately, many ministries maximize...

Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place ...

So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword. Exodus  17:10-13  (ESV)   God was victorious, and the men listed played a significant part in the victory. God could have just wiped out the enemy without anyone's help. He could have allowed Moses to have great strength so his arms would not tire. He could have given Joshua special protection and the ability to slay the enemy.   Yet, for some reason, He chose to make all things dependent upon Moses's arms and included four key individuals. When this battle c...

Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink." And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:6 (ESV)   God supplies our needs. Why would we worry or even wonder how and when it will happen? So often, we live as if God is not aware of our needs, and we pray as if our prayers are the first indication to God that we have a need. God knew about our needs before we ever came to Him and knows how He will take care of us before we ask.   Much of life is a setup allowing us and others to see God and His love and provision for us. Yet, for some reason, we see these as burdens rather than opportunities. God has a plan that cannot be foiled. Therefore, we would be better off rejoicing in hard times while looking for His provision than sulking because God is using us to make Himself evident to all. https://www.podbean.com/relate365

But they did not listen to Moses. Some left part of it till the morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. Exodus 16:20 (ESV)   On the seventh day some of the people went out to gather, but they found none. And the LORD said to Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? Exodus 16:27-28 (ESV)   Throughout history, successful people listened to God. God's Word is not complicated to understand, and always leaves room for us to trust His somewhat mysterious plan. Those who know God have no trouble trusting God. Those who do not know Him keep wondering what they need to do to get to the point of trusting Him.   Time and time again, in the book of Exodus, we see that God reveals His Word, His Word is communicated clearly, and the people are given a choice to listen to or ignore what He said.   Those who listen will be successful. Those who ignore Him or try and make His directions into some complicated theology lose. ...

"I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, 'At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.'" In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, "It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat. Exodus  16:12-15  (ESV)   There are the anticipators and the complainers. The anticipators were anxiously waiting for God to supply their needs and rejoiced in His goodness when He did. The complainers were angry at God and demanded Him to take action, and when He did, they felt listened to and valued. I do not think God acted because of the complaints. The ...

And Moses said, "When the LORD gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD." Exodus 16:8 (ESV)   Misplaced responsibility causes many adverse issues. For example, Moses is not God, yet he is being blamed for executing God's commands. Ultimately, it is my responsibility to know God. I trust Him when I know Him, and understanding Him is not as important.   Grumblers are those who think that different circumstances can change the way they think and feel. But unfortunately, they do not realize that the fuel for grumbling is how they think and feel. The way we think and feel comes from that on which we focus. If we focus on our comfort, we believe that anything that challenges our comfort needs to change, or we can never be comfortable again.   The children of Israel were focused on food and comfort, which made...

And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, "Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger." Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.” Exodus 16:2-4 (ESV)   Moses and Aaron listened to God, and the people complained. In essence, they were complaining about what God was doing.   Comfort, committee meetings, or the ballot box do not determine the will of God. Instead, the will of God is revealed explicitly to His leaders, who then lead the people in word and deed. It is easy for us to reduce God's will to a formula, and then legislate ...