Thoughts on the readings for February 6th (Exodus 13, 14, Psalm 68, Mark 2)

Exodus 13 tells of the instructions for the 7 day long Feast of Unleavened Bread; which was incorporated with the Passover, when Israel entered the Promised Land (see Joshua 5 verses 1-12). Note how this Feast, together with the Passover and circumcision, were together emblematic of God’s covenant with His people Israel. The Feast told of the need to remove leaven from the lives of the faithful. Leaven is a permeating and corrupting substance – under the law it stands in opposition to salt; which was required in every sacrifice (leaven was excluded) And when we keep the memorial feast, of Christ our Passover, the leaven of malice and wickedness must be excluded (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). In its origins it promised faithful observance would bring the worshippers to the Land Promised. Verses 11-13 tell of the process of redemption through the offering of a lamb – signifying our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1 verse 29). The redemption of a donkey talks of our Lord finally bringing God’s Chosen People – Israel – into the Covenant. And the next verses tell of the deliverance Yahweh has just given His people. And that is why we redeem our sons. Verses 17-22 tell how God led His people through the wilderness – an overshadowing protective cloud by day and a blazing fiery light by night.
Exodus 14 explains Pharaoh’s impulsive pursuit of the Israelites leading to his destruction in the depths of the Red Sea. The people were led through the wilderness, enclosed by mountains on either side and the deep, Red Sea, ahead of them. What a mistake, thought Pharaoh, they’re trapped and I’ll bring my slaves back. The LORD intended that this would happen. Pharaoh was destined for destruction – his hard heart had thus far magnified the might of Yahweh; and what was left to be would be to enhance Israel’s Sovereign’s reputation. The chapter explained that God also knew His people would be discouraged by a war with the Philistines. Moses was assured by Joseph’s hope and parting promise that Yahweh marched with His people. Six hundred chosen chariots, and others, were gathered for the pursuit. Yahweh allowed Israel to be terror stricken when they beheld the might of the Egyptians, God, through Moses, told the congregation to cease murmuring and to keep moving forward – seemingly strange advice with the impassable Sea blocking their path. The command accompanying the decree to move forward was, “Stand still and see the salvation of Yahweh”. There is no contradiction between these commands. When we cannot do for ourselves, our God always can. The saying, “Let go, and let God” stands true. Faith can move mountains – it can also part seas (Hebrews 11 verse 29). A Psalm written for troubled times stands true today. Slowly read aloud Psalm 46 and consider what it tells us today. Then the Almighty kept the Egyptians at a distance from Israel, by using the cloud by day and the pillar by night. At the appropriate time, when Israel had moved into the path of dry land that LORD had created by His Word (Psalm 78 verses 50-53; the rest of that Psalm recounts Israel’s history and deliverance, including the plagues on Egypt). When Israel had passed through the Sea and the Egyptians were in the middle, Moses was again commanded to stretch out his staff and the Sea came crashing down on Pharaoh and his chariots, as Pharaoh and his host fled from the terror of the LORD, who destroyed every one of them.

In Psalm 68 David speaks of Yahweh’s triumphant march through the wilderness.
Verse 1 tells of the ark travelling before Israel (this is obviously after Israel’s two year sojourn at Mount Sinai (Numbers 10:33-36). Note the words of Moses’ prayer on the ark coming into its rest, “Return O Yahweh to the ten thousands of Israel” – this refrain is echoed throughout this Psalm as the theme is God’s deliverance for His people and His bringing them into His rest. God’s foes fled from before Him and His people. Verses 4-6 describe how He is a faithful deliverer of the powerless (see James 1 verse 27). Any lonely person will find God to be a Father; and he will give them a family of believers in His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 7-10 tell of how the way was being prepared for the day when His people would take their inheritance in the Promised Land. Verse 11 is prophetic of the inheritance of believers when the Kingdom comes as Paul tells us in Romans 10:18. Verses 12-16 speak of the conquests under Joshua and the judges who followed him. Yahweh rode through the desert on His cherubic chariot. We too, as His people, are vehicles for His use. Verse 17 says they are 20,000 in number, but the Hebrew expression speaks of ten thousand times ten thousand; innumerable (both the present heavenly host and the future redeemed ecclesia of firstborns Hebrews 12 verses 22-24). Verse 18 speaks of our Sovereign’s redemptive work in our Lord Jesus Christ. It cites Deuteronomy 30 verses 11-16 and this verse from Psalm 68 together with the words from Deuteronomy 30 are explained in Romans 10 verses 5-13 and also in Ephesians 4 verses 7-13. Verses 22-28 of this Psalm are thought to be prophetic of the time spoken of in Habakkuk 3 verses 3-16. The Temple of the Age to come will be built by Messiah – the Lord Jesus Christ and all the peoples of the world will submit to Yahweh’s Anointed King, who will rule from Zion (Jerusalem Isaiah 2 verses 1-5, Jeremiah 3 verses 16-17; Zechariah 14 verses 10-21). Verse 33 tells us that our God is in control as He rides His mighty chariot through the heavens. Let all the earth praise and extol His mighty King, Jesus Christ, who rules from his temple in Jerusalem.

Mark’s second chapter records Jesus as being home in Capernaum (city of consolation – ie of the Gospel message). It was in all likelihood Peter’s home. The miracle of healing the paralytic man, who is carried by his four persistent friends was a marvellous example of the determination and faith of these five men. In healing the paralysed man Jesus declared that by the faith of this man he had been made whole. Jesus shows his power, not only over diseases, but even over sin and death. In associating with tax collectors, and being criticised for so doing, our Lord describes his mission as to those who recognise their illness. Christ answers an enquiry about fasting and says that his disciples need not fast while they enjoyed the Bridegroom’s company. Jesus tells a parable about new and old cloth. The parable reveals that the Jewish leaders were stayed in their ways and couldn’t coexist with Christ’s so called new and radical teachings. Finally our Lord defends his disciples who were accused of having violated the Sabbath. Jesus shows that their needs stood above the need to “keep” the Sabbath (citing 1 Samuel 21 as the precedent) and that further to that, Jesus is ‘Lord of (or over) the Sabbath’.