Day 37 & 38 - Exodus 12:1-20 & Psalm 37, Exodus 12:31-14 & Psalm 38

 Julie

Catching up for a couple of days. My OCD doesn't allow me to wait until the catch-up days. I have to be ready for tomorrow and I haven't spent time the word for a couple of days. In any case...the story of Moses parting the Red Sea is an important one and very convicting in that he was able to do that in order to save the Israelites. Is there a reason that the unleavened bread is so important? I ask because it is repeated so often between chapters 12-14. I know that the bread is unleavened because they are driven out before it can be leavened, but I don't understand why it was necessary to repeat it as often it was. I bring this up because if you are looking for words that are repeated...that is one. 

The first half of Psalm 37 is so telling and convicting as it reminds us of how we should be for God. It does return to the suppression by evil doers, but we are reminded here of who we need to be. 

 

Michelle

So I realized yesterday that we didn't even discuss this over the weekend.  And I didn't read either.  I was also confused as to why the leaven was so important, so I did a search and read a few things about it.  Most of which it is about having to leave in a hurry so they didn't have time to allow the bread to rise, or that it's a symbol of their leaving in haste anyway, as in the beginning of this chapter it seems there actually is time so it may just be that's a symbol.  As the article went on it talked of other areas of the bible where it's used as a metaphor for being puffed up with pride and how the unleavened are humbled, simple and pure.   

The parting of the Red Sea appears to be for both parties.  For the Israelites, it leads them to trust God and Moses, as they are now lead out of their slavery.  For the Egyptians, it appears it is meant to also show them the power of God vs the multiple gods they believe in, so as to make them see the one true God.  I am not sure how it worked after that as Pharaohs army was taken into the sea but maybe those remaining in Egypt would have been the ones that it was meant for.  

The psalms, so in reading these today, I am feeling these in my current situation.  In 37, I felt the call not to repay evil with evil, and in 38 I felt vs 17-22 very deeply.  "For I am about to fall and my pain is ever with me, I confess my iniquity...Many have become my enemies without cause...Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good...Lord, do not forsake me...Come quickly to help me...". This is my prayer.