Route 66: Days 26-29; Exodus 25-35

Gold-check; bronze and silver-check; blue, purple, scarlet yarn-check. Details, details.  One thing I have learned while reading through the Bible is that the details matter. Many times over the last month, I have seen some point that I had not noticed before that has changed my perspective.  Often times, I find myself calling one of my girls and saying, "Wow, did you see that in today's reading?"  

Over the last few days there has been an overwhelming amount of detailed information on building the tabernacle which will be repeated to the people as soon as Moses comes off the mountain but right in the middle there rises a road block to getting this work project started. The Israelites have gotten out of control, built an idol for themselves and were passionately worshipping it. Moses must be thinking that he can't take his eyes of these 'children' for a second. If you are a parent you probably have experienced the same kind of rebellion in your own home. As soon as your back is turned - dun, dun, dun- they run amuck with crazy behavior.

Sadly, Moses would have to take extreme measures to quell the uprising and three thousand would die that day. I believe that these men may have been the instigators of the whole rebellion. Why else would the have been executed? But its not the men that draw my attention.  Its the number of men-3000. When we consider that there were approximately three million people total who were in the nation of Israel at this time, only 0.1 percent or one in a 1000 were enough to influence the rest. Such a small percentage inciting everyone to shift their focus away from the One True God. It is all very sad but we also know how very easy it is for this to happen.

Allow me to offer a little different perspective on this numbers thing. If one in a 1000 can be such an influence for evil cannot it not work in the opposite direction? Can one influence 1000 others for good? How about one in eight to 15? God's story in our lives, his promise of hope, growing and infecting those around us with his goodness. How about that? Each one of us have the power to change the focus of our family, friends and communities toward the God who saves. Its been built into the details of our lives. Don't ever skip over the details. God is in them.


“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” ~Matthew 13:31-32

Route 66:Day 25; Exodus 22-24

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While in LA's China Town district today, I noticed that the barricades had been delivered for the annual Dragon Parade and celebration of Chinese New Year that will take place this weekend.  During this time the Chinese community 'spring clean' their homes, pay off their debts, forgive their grudges and gather their friends and family together for a 'reunion dinner'. Another year has passed and a brand new one is about to begin. And it is not going to come quietly. Fire crackers, lots of them will insure that everyone within earshot will know there is a celebration going on.

This made me think of today's passage where we find in God's design on the way that the people of this new nation will live, he has included festivals, national holidays, so to speak, that will allow the Israelites time to stop their normal duties of living and refocus on what is important. It's  interesting how the individual  festivals were designed to draw their attention to how God has protected them in the past, how he is providing for them in the present and how he will continue his promise in the future. I don't know how the Israelites celebrated, but when I think of all the Lord has done, is doing and has promised to do, I cannot be quiet. I want to make some noise! Fire crackers, Anybody?

 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” ~Revelation 5:12

Route 66: Day 24; Exodus 19-21

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In the last couple of days we have witnessed the birth of a nation. We have seen Jethro, the father-in-law to Moses, coming in and showing Moses how to structure his leadership and then in today's reading, we see the first laws being laid down for the people. These people have been living under another country's rule for four hundred years and now this 'kingdom of priests' [19:6]  would begin to rule themselves under the watchful eye of the Almighty. Command after command was declared by God himself concerning the very basics of life-how to treat God and how to treat others. It guided and instructed the people in their relationships. So interesting don't you think because that is exactly what we were created for. Relationship with God and relationship with others are also the things we struggle with the most but it is important to remember in the end, they will be the measure of a how well we lived our lives.

My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. ~Proverbs 3:1-4

Route 66: Day 23; Exodus 16-18

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Camping is not the Israelites idea of getting away from it all.  By now in the reading, we see that they are again ready to go back to their lives of slavery. Who can blame them?  They were after all Urbanites who 'overnite" had found themselves thrust into this undesirable, rustic lifestyle. They went from mass producers of food to hunter gatherers for the masses. What did God expect them to do? It wasn't like these Hebrews could sneak up on some unsuspecting herd of deer.  There were three million of the them! No stealth when they moved about. Contrary to popularity polls among the Israelites, God did not intend for them to perish when he brought them to the wilderness. He was going to use the experiences found there, out of their comfort zone, to convince them to leave their reliance of Egypt behind and learn to trust him.  

"I remember my affliction and my wandering...Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” ~Lamentations 3:19-24

Route 66: Day 22; Exodus 13-15

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Every day's reading has shown me something new and oh, my gosh, those Israelites! Haven't they seen enough to convince them of God's power? How many signs and wonders will it take to make them believe? Weren't they listening to what was going on? At the beginning of this segment, they still aren't quite there with their trust in the Lord. It was going to take something that couldn't be confused with coincidence and, boy, did he deliver. The water of the Red Sea piling up on either side of them allowing them to walk on dry ground to safety. Now that's huge!  Finally, "...when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant." [14:31]  I think they may have suffered from just a bit of that hard heartedness that Pharaoh was infected with. Its major symptom was not listening.
At the very end of chapter 15 after all the singing and dancing subsides and they have drank their fill of fresh water, God gives the Israelites a prescription against Egypt's diseases and it had to do with good listening--
He said, “If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” [15:25-26]
I wonder if hard-heartedness was included on that list of diseases? Listening then following, paying attention and keeping God's words are just what our hearts, minds and bodies need. God's words "are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body." I am so glad that we are getting a regular dose each day as we travel along this Route 66 challenge, aren't you?

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."

Proverbs 3:5-8

Route 66: Days 20-21; Exodus 7-12

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And let my people go... Just as soon as we have sparring between the powers that be and a few 'signs and wonders'.  God was going to show Pharaoh who was more powerful but he was not the only audience.  The Egyptian people saw it and were "... favorably disposed toward the people, and Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people." [11:3].  Even more importantly, the Israelites saw it. Back in chapter 6, God says to Moses that he is going to show his people the true meaning of 'God Almighty'. His power had not been fully revealed to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The signs and wonders done in Egypt would re-establish his position in their lives. They would "know that [He was] the LORD your God, who brought [them] out from under the yoke of the Egyptians..." [6:7]  He would again be their God.

But there is yet one more audience in addition to Pharaoh, the Egyptians and the Israelites. God tells Pharaoh that He, God, has "raised you, [Pharaoh] up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. [9:16] 'All the earth.' I think that includes, well 'all the earth'. You and me and each of our oikos. Through this whole passage we see that God can take the worst of circumstances and the most uncooperative of people to accomplish his plan of deliverance. AND through that deliverance his power is revealed and the world is changed. God is All Mighty. I think that deserves a WooHoo!!!

No one is like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power.
Jeremiah 10:6

Route 66: Day 19, Exodus 4-6

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Would those who wish to accept this mission please step forward. WHAT! God is not looking for volunteers. He has already chosen Moses for the job. Yet here Moses stands thinking he has a choice, making all kinds of reasonable excuses and then finally telling God he should really look elsewhere. "Hello... This is God speaking! You know, the one who made you!" I keep hearing Bill Cosby's voice saying, "I brought you into this world..."God has been grooming Moses for this moment and he promises to continue to teach him as they move along the way. But that's the key- Quit stalling and get moving! Lucky for Moses, he would finally get in gear and begin the mission for which he has been hand picked. His action would result in a lifetime of witnessing the many wondrous things the Lord had planned.

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. ~Psalm 40:4-5