I also find it fascinating that Peter James and John did not fear seeing Elijah and Moses..2 guys from heaven talking to Jesus who didnt look like himself through the transfiguration…they were not afraid..but the moment God spoke they went down to the ground bowing before the Lord in fear. Powerful!!!
I need to study more as well. God has been opening up my eyes to the things in my life that I never saw as sinful before. God wants us to rest in Him and know who is God.
it’s interesting to read about moses and him covering his face with a veil because of the radiant glow of his face. the people were afraid. i would like to see what he looked like after he came the mountain after talking to the Lord.
I think it would have taken more Faith to actually go fishing to catch a fish with a coin in its mouth! It takes a lot of faith to do the unexpected than the expected.
even God allowed himself to rest. The Bible heavily says that we should have a day of rest on the seventh day. We need to stop following the worlds timing and follow God’s timing which is less rushed. It is OK to not do tons of things every day but instead to remind ourselves that there is beauty in simplicity
20He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
I love that the Lord uses skillful craftsmen, both men and women to help build the tent and the arc and the whole list that is there. He uses everyone’s skills and talents. I am a designer, studying art, planning to pursue a full time job in a design related field and it reminds me that the Lord can use my gifts, and he may ask me to utilize them not necessarily to build a tent among the Israelites but to help build the kingdom by creating work that points people to Jesus. I love that God calls these same people, that mocked him by bringing together their gold for calf worship, he calls them again to bring what they have, but instead for himself. I love when he rewrites the narrative.
20“Because of your little faith,” he told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
I found it really inspiring to hear that God provides the Israelites with so many chances. After their immorality, he is still willing time and again to provide for them. I wonder how amazing, yet also scary it could have been for the people to witness Moses’s shining face. I feel that after a God delivered the people from Egypt I wouldn’t have been able to deny he is the Lord, yet we are all human and God forgives us through Jesus’s sacrifice of his life. I love how exodus and Matthew are paralleled here. Thank you God for your mercy.
Nothing is to big or hard for my God. My faith may waver but He is always with me! Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains!! Amen God is sooo good!
“6The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, “
If you have faith the size of a mustard see you will be able to move mountains. Grateful for the power of faith and the love God has for each of us today.
“Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.” I am desperate for a day of rest, please pray for me. I am going through a hard time right now.
20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
This is one of my favorite verses from Matthew! We are all on this journey to find or better our relationship with God and it is important to remember that even on the days where our faith may be feeling low, God is with us and with Him, anything is possible. Keep reading and supporting each other ladies!
I’m trying to have faith the size of a mustard seed. I want my face to shine like Moses’s. I want that kind of relationship with god. Please pray for me to help me get there..
Earlier posts from past years mentioned the sabbath, Saturday vs Sunday, etc. I agree with the points they made about how this isn’t really talked about much now. I think society has almost started looking down on those who rest and/or take vacations, etc. it’s all about working more and more, all the time, building ourselves up. But the bible stresses multiple times the importance of a day of rest. God created the world in six days, and rested on the seventh. I think it’s important to keep that, though I admit I often don’t. As far as what day the sabbath is recognized on, I wonder if it matters, as long as there are six days of work and one day of rest? Any other thoughts or insights on this?
Hi Rachel, isn’t it wonderful that our Creator calls us to rest? He knows our human abilities and knows how we need to step away from every day stressors and distractions and focus on him and rest in his promises. Then we are ready to face those other six days because we are centered back on Christ. It’s really a beautiful plan he made for us! After reading through the Bible and finding no reference to Jesus changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, I decided that the day does matter to me. So I am a Sabbath keeper. I believe with the New Covenant, the Old Law of Moses was fulfilled, but not obliterated because they are obviously good guidelines for Christians to live by and Jesus held them in high esteem during his time on earth. I think the Sabbath rest offered to us (and modeled by God during Creation) is a blessing. We can either take the blessing by setting aside time from normal life and resting in Him (I think this looks differently for everyone) or we can decide not to take a day of rest and miss out on the Sabbath blessing. For me, I notice that the Saturdays where I am distracted or overly busy and don’t rest and turn to God, I am weary and weak for the rest of the week. However, the Sabbaths that I spend with Him and my family reconnect me and refresh me. I pray that you do some seeking for yourself in the Bible to determine what Sabbath rest could look like in your life.
6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…”
Praying and praying for a mountain to move! I KNOW He can do it! Only He could! And I know that even if He doesn’t choose to, He is good and has not changed! Lord help me trust!
I’m thinking that Jesus was testing their faith again. Why else would he have them do something so absurd? Why couldn’t he have found a coin on the road or something that makes more sense?
John 14:21 and the commandments are still in effect today. Can we go out and steal or lie? No! So the sabbath is a commandment. Which People say was changed to Sunday… But is there proof of that clear cut in bible… Nope but history shows what happened.
Research how the Catholic Church changed it :) and please no one attack me on this. Research or don’t. Do sabbath or don’t. I’m just replying to Stephanie.
Amanda,
I am a Catholic. As you suggested, I looked up what you asked. The thing is, the Catholic Church did not change the Sabbath–even the Catechism says that Sunday is NOT the Sabbath (which would be like saying that Sunday is now Tuesday anyhow…). However, the early Church (as in, Acts of the Apostles early, before any formalized distinction of “Catholic,” since of course at that time all Christians were United) transferred the celebrated holy day to Sunday because that was the day of the Resurrection and of Pentecost. And since none of the Old Covenant is in force anymore, Jesus having made with us the New Covenant by His Blood, we are not bound by a legalistic interpretation of the day of rest of the Jews.
I love who and what God declares Himself to be here.
6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished;
Moses is radiant after speaking with Jesus, that is so beautiful to me. Radiance means brightness and beauty to me, for Moses to feel that way after speaking to the Lord is amazing he is rejuvenated.
I think it’s really cool and beautiful that in the first passage, Moses’ face becomes radiant after he meets with God and then in Matthew, Jesus’ face shines like the sun after he is transfigured.
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ”
I am working on my faith. Just when I think it’s solid something comes along that shakes it. What can I do to strength it?
Each chapter I’ve read in Exodus about Moses having to go up to the mountain to meet with God, I think back to a sermon I hear from a Passion conference. In these times from Exodus, meeting with God was such a big thing because it was the only time they could communicate with Him — unlike how we freely can now. We have the ability to meet with God at any moment, for He is with us always… Yet we often tend to take moments like prayer and alone time with Him for granted – not holy or awe-inspiring, but instead a chore or a burden. The fact that we have God with us always is such a blessing! It also is so incredible – don’t let this truth slip your mind: in these moments you are in the very presence of God. Just like the Israelites found themselves in awe, let that truth sink in and may we find ourselves in awe before our Lord.
No one could climb that mountain with MOSES or even be seen with MOSES. Moses had to walk up the mountain every silent surrendered step, alone. May we walk up our mountains today.
I love in Matthew 17:1-8 that this glorious moment with Jesus and the disciples is suppose to be Jesus showing them the authority and power he has, and Peter steps in to try and shine and think that this time on the mountain is to show what he can do. Rather, God blinds all of the disciples with this cloud, so that they can look away from themselves and see no one except Jesus in the end.
God does this so frequently in our lives when we get too consumed with what we can do and what we’re capable of. To point us back to who we should be consumed with and who it’s all for.
In my NLT Concordance the definition of redeem is: to buy back; to save by payment of ransom; to free from the consequences of sin.
I’m not quite sure if I’m correct but I think of it as all the firstborns were the Lords and the people had to buy back the ownership of the firstborn with a different offering in its place.
Laura, the first born males were typically given to God in service, but were redeemed usually with a spotless lamb and I believe a bird. Then after the sacrifice the first born were theirs again, exceptions were when the parents did the Nazarite vow, where they wouldn’t cut their hair and no wine was taken (see Samuel, Samson and John the Baptist for examples of that). Hopefully that helps, they were still doing it in the New Testament, when Jesus was born His parents also redeemed Him.
It’s more that he came in the same way as Elijah. It’s not like Elijah was reincarnated or anything. It was the voice calling in the wilderness. A powerful prophet. The sort of prophet Elijah was was the sort of prophet John the baptist was. A man of faith, a man whose prayers could make the rain stop, a man who would be run out from society because of what he preached.
25 All the skilled women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun, in blue and purple and scarlet material and in fine linen. 26 All the women whose heart stirred with a skill spun the goats’ hair.
35 ‘He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs.
My background is in fibers, including weaving. I’ve been going through so many struggles lately with school, that it’s so nice to know that He gave me this skill that stirred my heart. I’m so thankful that something as old as Exodus is still here today. God thank you for this skill, and the purpose of using it to glorify You! I pray that I stay inspired to keep pushing on. Amen
Matthew 17:21 really jumped out at me! I feel like I’ve been having some serious spiritual warfare in my life that just doesn’t seem to budge. Apparently JUST praying isn’t enough to get rid of some spirits. It’s time for some fasting!
I am thinking about the words. The words actually written on the tablets that Moses carried down the mountain. The Ten Commandments are so well known, but the other commandments? Not so much. Was there more written on the tablets than the Ten Commandments as we know them?
I was so struck and, honestly, convicted about my tiny faith in Matthew 17:19-20. Followers of Christ have the power through and because of Jesus to banish literal demons & move physical mountains — so how much more are we called to cast off our figurative demons & let no obstacle come between us and the work set aside for us? But because my faith is so small, I rarely feel empowered to do so. I never want to get my hopes up or to expect too much because I’m afraid God will disappoint me – if I’m disappointed, I no longer think God’s the one who’s out of line! I want to pray mustard seed prayers with mountainous expectations!
thar is so true. we forget what power and authority we have been given as believers. “Very truly I tell you, whoever belives in me will do the works I have been doing, and they wi) do even greater things” John 14:12
34:6-7 “Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” This is what God says about Himself!
Compassionate
Gracious
Slow to anger
Abundant in mercy
Truth
Forgives confessed sin
Judges the unrepentant
This is who He claims to be.
I also think that God is speaking to the death of our spirit that can happen if we work without rest, if we take no time to pause and be with Him and with our community… We are designed for rest too.
Exodus 34:33-35 stuck out to me this morning. I have met a few people who I would say radiate from the Lords presence in their lives — literally and figuratively. I find it so interesting that Moses didn’t hide himself before the Lord. It was this level of intimacy between the bridegroom. He had nothing to hide the Lord knew him completely. It’s so cool to be how God created light before He created the sun. Meaning God Himself is our source of light. He created it. When we enter into His presence we are encapsulated by His light we are transformed in His presence! What a beautiful thought to start off my day with!
Hi Anna, I agree! This part inspires me to let the time I spend with the Lord be visible to others…whether it’s my actions, attitudes, words..how can I find my way to be radiant?
I’ve read from Matthew all my life, but I don’t remember ever reading about Jesus paying the temple tax. even though he was exempt, he paid it anyway (in a miraculous way – a coin from a fish’s belly no less!) so as not to cause offense. It never before seemed that Jesus was concerned about causing offense, why now I wonder?
It seemed to me to be symbolic of his coming death, because he didn’t only pay his tax but Peter’s too. He paid what he didn’t owe & what Peter did owe & he did it in a way no one would’ve expected. Much like on the cross, he paid what he didn’t owe and what we did in a way no one was expecting.
I love the parallels between Moses on the mountain and then Jesus on the mountain – so often we talk about “mountaintop experiences” in our faith, where we feel close to God and spiritually high. But the real work of faith begins when we come down from the mountain. I pray that today we are all able to spread a little bit of God’s glory as we go through our daily lives in the valleys.
Amen. Those times are beautiful and need to be experience with the Lord, but there is something different about the “earthly” application of it all. The glory and faith takes time to transfer.
Ex 35:2 stood out to me for the harshness of the consequences of breaking the sabbath.
2 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death.
I felt compelled to do a little investigating to find out the why and how this applies to me, and well, long story short, I came across the glorious good news that I am free from such fearful bondage to the sabbath rest law…
Rom.8:2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Thank You Jesus for this precious gift!
I was just thinking the same thing! Why is it that our altars are not decorated similarly? And our heads not covered in prayer? Is there a similar verse that directly states “You no longer have to uphold by these rules because Christ Jesus died on the cross for you”?
The one that comes to mind for me is Matthew 5:17, “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them”. The Law was a temporary fix for us to retain closeness to God after our sins had separated us from Him, but through Jesus’ sacrifice we are fully healed of sin and death and no longer have to look to these other things. Not that we totally disregard the law (I think Paul talks about that in Romans), but the parts of the law which were more ceremonial are no longer necessary. That’s my take on it at least.
Why do you consider sabbath rest a fearful bondage? “For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day” Matthew 12:8 I rejoice in the fact that God created Sabbath as a day to rest and to rest in Him. So many see our Sabbath as a burden because we don’t carry on with our busy lives, but I’m thankful for the time I spend putting everything else on hold, to be with our creator. May you be blessed as you continue to study this.
I have faith in you Jesus. Anything is possible!
I also find it fascinating that Peter James and John did not fear seeing Elijah and Moses..2 guys from heaven talking to Jesus who didnt look like himself through the transfiguration…they were not afraid..but the moment God spoke they went down to the ground bowing before the Lord in fear. Powerful!!!
I need to study more as well. God has been opening up my eyes to the things in my life that I never saw as sinful before. God wants us to rest in Him and know who is God.
it’s interesting to read about moses and him covering his face with a veil because of the radiant glow of his face. the people were afraid. i would like to see what he looked like after he came the mountain after talking to the Lord.
I’ve read Matthew several times, but I always forget about the fish with the shekel in its mouth! Such a powerful story!
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Matthew 17:26-27 made me lol. Jesus is so creative, powerful and at times comical!
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I think it would have taken more Faith to actually go fishing to catch a fish with a coin in its mouth! It takes a lot of faith to do the unexpected than the expected.
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even God allowed himself to rest. The Bible heavily says that we should have a day of rest on the seventh day. We need to stop following the worlds timing and follow God’s timing which is less rushed. It is OK to not do tons of things every day but instead to remind ourselves that there is beauty in simplicity
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❤️ so much in His Word!
7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”
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20He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
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I love that the Lord uses skillful craftsmen, both men and women to help build the tent and the arc and the whole list that is there. He uses everyone’s skills and talents. I am a designer, studying art, planning to pursue a full time job in a design related field and it reminds me that the Lord can use my gifts, and he may ask me to utilize them not necessarily to build a tent among the Israelites but to help build the kingdom by creating work that points people to Jesus. I love that God calls these same people, that mocked him by bringing together their gold for calf worship, he calls them again to bring what they have, but instead for himself. I love when he rewrites the narrative.
20“Because of your little faith,” he told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
With faith, NOTHING is impossible
I found it really inspiring to hear that God provides the Israelites with so many chances. After their immorality, he is still willing time and again to provide for them. I wonder how amazing, yet also scary it could have been for the people to witness Moses’s shining face. I feel that after a God delivered the people from Egypt I wouldn’t have been able to deny he is the Lord, yet we are all human and God forgives us through Jesus’s sacrifice of his life. I love how exodus and Matthew are paralleled here. Thank you God for your mercy.
Nothing is to big or hard for my God. My faith may waver but He is always with me! Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains!! Amen God is sooo good!
I pray to trust in the Lord.
I pray that i may always have faith in God and stop doubting -ellie
What a great range of the humanity and divinity of Christ we see in this passage!
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matthew 17:20-21❤️
Real faith is needed.
Why is verse 21 missing in Matthew?!
21Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Are you reading KJV? Other versions do take out some of the scriptures
“6The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, “
If you have faith the size of a mustard see you will be able to move mountains. Grateful for the power of faith and the love God has for each of us today.
I also need to have faith
“Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.” I am desperate for a day of rest, please pray for me. I am going through a hard time right now.
Anna, praying that the Lord grants you this rest. Grateful for you.
– Stormye
I need to remember to trust in God about all aspects of my life.
20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
This is one of my favorite verses from Matthew! We are all on this journey to find or better our relationship with God and it is important to remember that even on the days where our faith may be feeling low, God is with us and with Him, anything is possible. Keep reading and supporting each other ladies!
i LOVED matthew 17:17 “rise, and have no fear”
I’m trying to have faith the size of a mustard seed. I want my face to shine like Moses’s. I want that kind of relationship with god. Please pray for me to help me get there..
Loved the reading today of the light! God is always a light for us!
Earlier posts from past years mentioned the sabbath, Saturday vs Sunday, etc. I agree with the points they made about how this isn’t really talked about much now. I think society has almost started looking down on those who rest and/or take vacations, etc. it’s all about working more and more, all the time, building ourselves up. But the bible stresses multiple times the importance of a day of rest. God created the world in six days, and rested on the seventh. I think it’s important to keep that, though I admit I often don’t. As far as what day the sabbath is recognized on, I wonder if it matters, as long as there are six days of work and one day of rest? Any other thoughts or insights on this?
Hi Rachel, isn’t it wonderful that our Creator calls us to rest? He knows our human abilities and knows how we need to step away from every day stressors and distractions and focus on him and rest in his promises. Then we are ready to face those other six days because we are centered back on Christ. It’s really a beautiful plan he made for us! After reading through the Bible and finding no reference to Jesus changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, I decided that the day does matter to me. So I am a Sabbath keeper. I believe with the New Covenant, the Old Law of Moses was fulfilled, but not obliterated because they are obviously good guidelines for Christians to live by and Jesus held them in high esteem during his time on earth. I think the Sabbath rest offered to us (and modeled by God during Creation) is a blessing. We can either take the blessing by setting aside time from normal life and resting in Him (I think this looks differently for everyone) or we can decide not to take a day of rest and miss out on the Sabbath blessing. For me, I notice that the Saturdays where I am distracted or overly busy and don’t rest and turn to God, I am weary and weak for the rest of the week. However, the Sabbaths that I spend with Him and my family reconnect me and refresh me. I pray that you do some seeking for yourself in the Bible to determine what Sabbath rest could look like in your life.
Priscilla Shirer has a fantastic small study on Sabbath rest called “Breathe” Totally worth the read!
Oh how I want my face to shine like Moses’!!
Praying for my marriage as I feel alone right now in my walk.
Then I am praying for you Kylie! You are NOT alone!
I just reread – are you feeling alone as the only believer in your marriage? I will pray for you and your spouse both!
Keeping you in my prayers Kylie- keep being a good witness!!
6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…”
Praying and praying for a mountain to move! I KNOW He can do it! Only He could! And I know that even if He doesn’t choose to, He is good and has not changed! Lord help me trust!
Practicing having faith the size of a mustard seed today…please pray for me ladies!
Praying for you Courtney!
I wonder about how Jesus told Peter to go and cast his net and find the coin in the fishes mouth… Pondering
I’m thinking that Jesus was testing their faith again. Why else would he have them do something so absurd? Why couldn’t he have found a coin on the road or something that makes more sense?
How I want my face to have evidence of time talking with God! Not to scare people away but that they would see a difference in me
Amen!!
Amen! May His glory and light shine through us!
Psalm 34:5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
John 14:21 and the commandments are still in effect today. Can we go out and steal or lie? No! So the sabbath is a commandment. Which People say was changed to Sunday… But is there proof of that clear cut in bible… Nope but history shows what happened.
Whoops it won’t let me edit that, but meant to say why don’t we ever talk about this!
Research how the Catholic Church changed it :) and please no one attack me on this. Research or don’t. Do sabbath or don’t. I’m just replying to Stephanie.
Amanda,
I am a Catholic. As you suggested, I looked up what you asked. The thing is, the Catholic Church did not change the Sabbath–even the Catechism says that Sunday is NOT the Sabbath (which would be like saying that Sunday is now Tuesday anyhow…). However, the early Church (as in, Acts of the Apostles early, before any formalized distinction of “Catholic,” since of course at that time all Christians were United) transferred the celebrated holy day to Sunday because that was the day of the Resurrection and of Pentecost. And since none of the Old Covenant is in force anymore, Jesus having made with us the New Covenant by His Blood, we are not bound by a legalistic interpretation of the day of rest of the Jews.
I totally agree with everything you just wrote Bobbi!
Sorry I meant to say I agree with amanda****
It is so clear in this Exodus passage that God wants us to REST. WHY DONT WE EVER Tlk about this!
Amen my family does sabbath rest! On Saturday like God said
I love who and what God declares Himself to be here.
6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished;
Yes. He reminds first of who He is, then continues into what He will do. I love that.
Moses is radiant after speaking with Jesus, that is so beautiful to me. Radiance means brightness and beauty to me, for Moses to feel that way after speaking to the Lord is amazing he is rejuvenated.
My guess is I’d be something like the glow of a mother expecting a child!
I think it’s really cool and beautiful that in the first passage, Moses’ face becomes radiant after he meets with God and then in Matthew, Jesus’ face shines like the sun after he is transfigured.
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ”
I am working on my faith. Just when I think it’s solid something comes along that shakes it. What can I do to strength it?
Each chapter I’ve read in Exodus about Moses having to go up to the mountain to meet with God, I think back to a sermon I hear from a Passion conference. In these times from Exodus, meeting with God was such a big thing because it was the only time they could communicate with Him — unlike how we freely can now. We have the ability to meet with God at any moment, for He is with us always… Yet we often tend to take moments like prayer and alone time with Him for granted – not holy or awe-inspiring, but instead a chore or a burden. The fact that we have God with us always is such a blessing! It also is so incredible – don’t let this truth slip your mind: in these moments you are in the very presence of God. Just like the Israelites found themselves in awe, let that truth sink in and may we find ourselves in awe before our Lord.
What a wonderful reminder!
No one could climb that mountain with MOSES or even be seen with MOSES. Moses had to walk up the mountain every silent surrendered step, alone. May we walk up our mountains today.
It’s so inspiring that he has helped so many people. These verses has really showed me a lot about life
Have a blog at the following link:
http://hisforeverredeemed.blogspot.com/?m=0
A great way to spread the Gospel.
I love in Matthew 17:1-8 that this glorious moment with Jesus and the disciples is suppose to be Jesus showing them the authority and power he has, and Peter steps in to try and shine and think that this time on the mountain is to show what he can do. Rather, God blinds all of the disciples with this cloud, so that they can look away from themselves and see no one except Jesus in the end.
God does this so frequently in our lives when we get too consumed with what we can do and what we’re capable of. To point us back to who we should be consumed with and who it’s all for.
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In chapter 34:19-10, does anyone know what it means to “redeem the firstborn”?
In my NLT Concordance the definition of redeem is: to buy back; to save by payment of ransom; to free from the consequences of sin.
I’m not quite sure if I’m correct but I think of it as all the firstborns were the Lords and the people had to buy back the ownership of the firstborn with a different offering in its place.
Laura, the first born males were typically given to God in service, but were redeemed usually with a spotless lamb and I believe a bird. Then after the sacrifice the first born were theirs again, exceptions were when the parents did the Nazarite vow, where they wouldn’t cut their hair and no wine was taken (see Samuel, Samson and John the Baptist for examples of that). Hopefully that helps, they were still doing it in the New Testament, when Jesus was born His parents also redeemed Him.
Matthew 17:10-13 — These versus elude to Elijah coming back as John the Baptist (or at least having his spirit)… I think. Anyone know more about this?
It’s more that he came in the same way as Elijah. It’s not like Elijah was reincarnated or anything. It was the voice calling in the wilderness. A powerful prophet. The sort of prophet Elijah was was the sort of prophet John the baptist was. A man of faith, a man whose prayers could make the rain stop, a man who would be run out from society because of what he preached.
25 All the skilled women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun, in blue and purple and scarlet material and in fine linen. 26 All the women whose heart stirred with a skill spun the goats’ hair.
35 ‘He has filled them with skill to perform every work of an engraver and of a designer and of an embroiderer, in blue and in purple and in scarlet material, and in fine linen, and of a weaver, as performers of every work and makers of designs.
My background is in fibers, including weaving. I’ve been going through so many struggles lately with school, that it’s so nice to know that He gave me this skill that stirred my heart. I’m so thankful that something as old as Exodus is still here today. God thank you for this skill, and the purpose of using it to glorify You! I pray that I stay inspired to keep pushing on. Amen
Keep doing what you’re doing! I’m so amazed at the many unique gifts God has given us. :)
Matthew 17:21 really jumped out at me! I feel like I’ve been having some serious spiritual warfare in my life that just doesn’t seem to budge. Apparently JUST praying isn’t enough to get rid of some spirits. It’s time for some fasting!
I am thinking about the words. The words actually written on the tablets that Moses carried down the mountain. The Ten Commandments are so well known, but the other commandments? Not so much. Was there more written on the tablets than the Ten Commandments as we know them?
I loved that scripture too! What clear picture of God’s character!!
I was so struck and, honestly, convicted about my tiny faith in Matthew 17:19-20. Followers of Christ have the power through and because of Jesus to banish literal demons & move physical mountains — so how much more are we called to cast off our figurative demons & let no obstacle come between us and the work set aside for us? But because my faith is so small, I rarely feel empowered to do so. I never want to get my hopes up or to expect too much because I’m afraid God will disappoint me – if I’m disappointed, I no longer think God’s the one who’s out of line! I want to pray mustard seed prayers with mountainous expectations!
thar is so true. we forget what power and authority we have been given as believers. “Very truly I tell you, whoever belives in me will do the works I have been doing, and they wi) do even greater things” John 14:12
34:6-7 “Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” This is what God says about Himself!
Compassionate
Gracious
Slow to anger
Abundant in mercy
Truth
Forgives confessed sin
Judges the unrepentant
This is who He claims to be.
I loved that scripture too! What clear picture of God’s character!!
I also think that God is speaking to the death of our spirit that can happen if we work without rest, if we take no time to pause and be with Him and with our community… We are designed for rest too.
Amen! It’s so sweet to just sit and rest in him and with him. Thanks for your insight, Katie!
Especially resting in Him!
Exodus 34:33-35 stuck out to me this morning. I have met a few people who I would say radiate from the Lords presence in their lives — literally and figuratively. I find it so interesting that Moses didn’t hide himself before the Lord. It was this level of intimacy between the bridegroom. He had nothing to hide the Lord knew him completely. It’s so cool to be how God created light before He created the sun. Meaning God Himself is our source of light. He created it. When we enter into His presence we are encapsulated by His light we are transformed in His presence! What a beautiful thought to start off my day with!
Hi Anna, I agree! This part inspires me to let the time I spend with the Lord be visible to others…whether it’s my actions, attitudes, words..how can I find my way to be radiant?
I love to craft, and it just reminded me that God uses our talents and skills to glorify Him. Even crafting as it talks about in this chapter!
Another Emily who loves to craft, is participating in this study, AND was touched by those verses! How neat!
I’ve read from Matthew all my life, but I don’t remember ever reading about Jesus paying the temple tax. even though he was exempt, he paid it anyway (in a miraculous way – a coin from a fish’s belly no less!) so as not to cause offense. It never before seemed that Jesus was concerned about causing offense, why now I wonder?
It seemed to me to be symbolic of his coming death, because he didn’t only pay his tax but Peter’s too. He paid what he didn’t owe & what Peter did owe & he did it in a way no one would’ve expected. Much like on the cross, he paid what he didn’t owe and what we did in a way no one was expecting.
i buy that. thanks for your insight Britt!
Yes, great perspective!
Amazing view! Thanks for your insight!
Interesting thought!
I keep coming back to how Moses spoke to the Lord as a friend. So amazing.
I love the parallels between Moses on the mountain and then Jesus on the mountain – so often we talk about “mountaintop experiences” in our faith, where we feel close to God and spiritually high. But the real work of faith begins when we come down from the mountain. I pray that today we are all able to spread a little bit of God’s glory as we go through our daily lives in the valleys.
Amen. Those times are beautiful and need to be experience with the Lord, but there is something different about the “earthly” application of it all. The glory and faith takes time to transfer.
This is so rad
I loved this too! I also love that they were transformed and radiant after being in the presence of the Lord. He shines through us!
This is still such a great reminder, Leah, even a year later!
Ex 35:2 stood out to me for the harshness of the consequences of breaking the sabbath.
2 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death.
I felt compelled to do a little investigating to find out the why and how this applies to me, and well, long story short, I came across the glorious good news that I am free from such fearful bondage to the sabbath rest law…
Rom.8:2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Thank You Jesus for this precious gift!
I was just thinking the same thing! Why is it that our altars are not decorated similarly? And our heads not covered in prayer? Is there a similar verse that directly states “You no longer have to uphold by these rules because Christ Jesus died on the cross for you”?
The one that comes to mind for me is Matthew 5:17, “Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them”. The Law was a temporary fix for us to retain closeness to God after our sins had separated us from Him, but through Jesus’ sacrifice we are fully healed of sin and death and no longer have to look to these other things. Not that we totally disregard the law (I think Paul talks about that in Romans), but the parts of the law which were more ceremonial are no longer necessary. That’s my take on it at least.
Why do you consider sabbath rest a fearful bondage? “For the Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day” Matthew 12:8 I rejoice in the fact that God created Sabbath as a day to rest and to rest in Him. So many see our Sabbath as a burden because we don’t carry on with our busy lives, but I’m thankful for the time I spend putting everything else on hold, to be with our creator. May you be blessed as you continue to study this.