Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 6:1.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh;  for under compulsion he will let them go, and under compulsion he will drive them out of his land.”  Exodus 6:1.

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Is God, a God of Free-Will or a God of Compulsion?

Today’s Scripture states twice what God will do.  “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh;  for under compulsion he will let them go, and under compulsion he will drive them out of his land.”

“The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.” Psalm 103:19.

“But our God is in the heavens;
He does whatever He pleases.” Psalm 115:3.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

Man rebels against against the God of Compulsion.

Man prefers the god of free-will who is at man’s beck-and-call.

It is ironic and laughable in ridiculousness that man thinks it is more unfair for God to be sovereign than it is unfair for Pharaoh to be sovereign and hold Israel under such brutal slavery.

But, does God relent to man and give up His sovereignty?

No!

“Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
6 “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

7 “I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD:
He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8 ‘Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance,
And the very ends of the earth as Your possession.
9 ‘You shall break them with a rod of iron,
You shall shatter them like earthenware.’”

10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm chapter 1.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 5:1-15.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+5&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.  

“And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go that they may celebrate a feast to Me in the wilderness.’”  But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go?  I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go.”  Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has met with us.  Please, let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God, otherwise He will fall upon us with pestilence or with the sword.”  But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why do you draw the people away from their work?  Get back to your labors!”  Again Pharaoh said, “Look, the people of the land are now many, and you would have them cease from their labors!”  So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters over the people and their foremen, saying, “You are no longer to give the people straw to make brick as previously;  let them go and gather straw for themselves.  But the quota of bricks which they were making previously, you shall impose on them;  you are not to reduce any of it.  Because they are lazy, therefore they cry out, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’  Let the labor be heavier on the men, and let them work at it so that they will pay no attention to false words.”  Exodus 5:1-9.

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Everyone claims to be speaking the truth. But, consider that it was Pharaoh, not Moses, who was speaking all these false words.

The world bombards us with false words through TV, internet, and all other types of media.  In addition, the world surrounds us by people that we meet in person with false words through employment, schools, and social contacts.

In the sharpest contrast to the false words that we hear all around us, there is the truth of God’s Word.

We can use Pharaoh’s words highlighted in bold italic above to teach a lesson. Christians should “work at it (studying and teaching God’s Word) so that they will pay no attention to false words.”

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.  But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.  …”  2 Timothy 2:15-17.   

Furthermore, in today’s Scripture, Pharaoh commanded: “You are no longer to give the people straw to make brick as previously”. But, so to speak, we do not need straw. We have God’s Word!

“… What does straw have in common with grain?” declares the LORD. “Is not My word like fire?” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer which shatters a rock?” Jeremiah 23:28-29.

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.  For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power;  Avoid such men as these. … always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  …

…  You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:1-5 and 7 and 14-17.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 4:18-23.

Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus+4&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“The LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power;  but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.  Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Israel is My son, My firstborn.  So I said to you, ‘Let My son go that he may serve Me’;  but you have refused to let him go.  Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn.”’”  Exodus 4:21-23.

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There are two major purposes why the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that Pharaoh would not let Israel, the LORD’s chosen people, go.  First, the LORD wanted to make His power known.  Second, the LORD wanted to make a sharp distinction between His chosen people and the others.  

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “…  But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.  When Pharaoh does not listen to you, then I will lay My hand on Egypt and bring out My hosts, My people the sons of Israel, from the land of Egypt by great judgments.  The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst.”  Exodus 7:1 and 3-5.

“Moses said, “Thus says the LORD, ‘About midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones;  all the firstborn of the cattle as well.  Moreover, there shall be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been before and such as shall never be again.  But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’  All these your servants will come down to me and bow themselves before me, saying, ‘Go out, you and all the people who follow you,’ and after that I will go out.”  And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, so that My wonders will be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”  Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh;  yet the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the sons of Israel go out of his land.”  Exodus 11:4-10.

“For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.”  So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”  Romans 9:17-18.

“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.”  Romans 9:22-24.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 4:10-17.

“Then Moses said to the LORD, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant;  for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”  The LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth?  Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind?  Is it not I, the LORD?  Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.”  But he said, “Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will.”

Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, “Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite?  I know that he speaks fluently.  And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you;  when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.  You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth;  and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do.  Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people;  and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him.  You shall take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs.”  Exodus 4:10-17.

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God will accomplish all His good pleasure.  God has spoken;  truly He will bring it to pass.  God has planned it, surely He will do it.  

“For the LORD will not abandon His people,
Nor will He forsake His inheritance.” Psalm 94:14.

“30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
His steps do not slip.” Psalm 37:30-31.

“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138:8.

“But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say;  for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say.  For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”  Matthew 10:19-20.

“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.

Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 4:1-9.

“Then Moses said, “What if they will not believe me or listen to what I say?  For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’”  The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?”  And he said, “A staff.”  Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.”  So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent;  and Moses fled from it.  But the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand and grasp it by its tail”—so he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand— “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”

The LORD furthermore said to him, “Now put your hand into your bosom.”  So he put his hand into his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow.  Then He said, “Put your hand into your bosom again.”  So he put his hand into his bosom again, and when he took it out of his bosom, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh.  “If they will not believe you or heed the witness of the first sign, they may believe the witness of the last sign.  But if they will not believe even these two signs or heed what you say, then you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground;  and the water which you take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”  Exodus 4:1-9.

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“Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the sons of Israel;  and Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses.  He then performed the signs in the sight of the people.  So the people believed;  and when they heard that the LORD was concerned about the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, then they bowed low and worshiped.”  Exodus 4:29-31.

It is noteworthy that two separate reactions were mentioned.  When Israel saw the signs, they believed.  But, “when they heard that the LORD was concerned about the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, then they bowed low and worshiped.”   

The above-quoted Exodus 4:29-31 Scripture leads us to meditate on the importance of including both elements in our worship.  We want to present the power of God, so people will believe.  But, we also want to present the concern a/k/a care of God, so people will worship God more fully.     

“Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before Him with joyful singing.
3 Know that the LORD Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good;
His lovingkindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm chapter 100.

Consider how the Heidelberg Catechism presents both the power of God and His care.

Q. 26.  What believest thou when thou sayest, “I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth”?

A.  That the eternal Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (who of nothing made heaven and earth, with all that is in them;  who likewise upholds and governs the same by His eternal counsel and providence) is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father;  on whom I rely so entirely, that I have no doubt but He will provide me with all things necessary for soul and body;  and further, that He will make whatever evils He sends upon me, in this valley of tears, turn out to my advantage;  for He is able to do it, being Almighty God,  and willing, being a faithful Father.

“Shout joyfully to God, all the earth;
2 Sing the glory of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
3 Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!
Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.
4 “All the earth will worship You,
And will sing praises to You;
They will sing praises to Your name.” Selah.

5 Come and see the works of God,
Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land;
They passed through the river on foot;
There let us rejoice in Him!
7 He rules by His might forever;
His eyes keep watch on the nations;
Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

8 Bless our God, O peoples,
And sound His praise abroad,
9 Who keeps us in life
And does not allow our feet to slip.
…

13 I shall come into Your house with burnt offerings;
I shall pay You my vows,
14 Which my lips uttered
And my mouth spoke when I was in distress.
15 I shall offer to You burnt offerings of fat beasts,
With the smoke of rams;
I shall make an offering of bulls with male goats. Selah.

16 Come and hear, all who fear God,
And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.
17 I cried to Him with my mouth,
And He was extolled with my tongue.
18 If I regard wickedness in my heart,
The Lord will not hear;
19 But certainly God has heard;
He has given heed to the voice of my prayer.
20 Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer
Nor His lovingkindness from me.” Psalm 66:1-9 and 13-20.