Exodus 19:9-15

From time to time, I have had the privilege of participating in an installation service for a new pastor in a church.  It is a joyous but also a solemn occasion. In it, a charge is given to the pastor and another to the congregation. A biblically based message is given and then a prayer is offered in which the elders place hands on the new minister and pray over him.  At the end of the service, the new pastor gives a blessing to the people he will lead.  

Exodus 18:1-27

Edith Schaeffer’s What is a Family? is a classic presentation of the meaning of family. In her first chapter she describes a family as “the most versatile, ever-changing mobile that exists”. “It is a moving, changing collection of objects constantly in motion, yet within the framework of a form.” (p. 18)  Moses too was part of an ever-changing family mobile. We are not told all the details, but we can at least reflect on some of the dynamics.

Exodus 17:8-16

Do you remember your first battle? Who picked the fight? Who threw the first punch? Who won? After I was involved in an incident which included an unfortunate racial comment and response, I had to put up or shut up. So, we met outside of the school building after school and went at it. It was shortly after that seventh-grade tussle that I was introduced to wrestling in Phys Ed. That became a much more positive outlet for me, and lasted for more than ten years.

Exodus 17:1-7

Stage three in the pilgrimage of the congregation of the people of Israel took them from the wilderness of Sin to a camp called Rephidim. The name of that destination sounded promising – Resting Place. But upon arrival, the people discovered there was no water to drink.