Exodus 12:37-39 - Then
the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred
thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed multitude went up with them
also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock. And they baked
unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was
not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had
they prepared provisions for themselves.
It happened exactly as God had said…and they traveled in a
caravan of walkers…some on horseback and camel. Others may have ridden in carts
pulled by ox or donkey. The Bible lists the number at 600,000 men…but that would
only be the men 20 or older that were healthy enough to fight if they needed to
go to war. Never before and never again would there be recorded such a trip in history.
Theologians have theorized about a full number of this…mixed
multitude of exiles that included children…women….and elderly not able to care
for themselves. The ‘mixed’ reference
helps us understand that many actual Egyptians may have left Egypt with
them. God had convinced many of them
that they needed to forget all the other Gods in their life and worship him
alone. Perhaps the full number was in
the millions. God had blessed these people…under the duress of captivity from a
mere 70…to more than 2 million people.
I have meditated more than the usual hour in the morning on
this one. I had time to write this
morning…but felt after picking my scripture ….I needed…no God needed me to chew
on this one a bit more. The lesson in
Sunday school was from Matthew 5… how we are the salt of the earth…and how we
need to let our light shine. These Hebrews sure knew how to do that. They lived a life so trusting in God that
even in the worst of conditions they flourished and multiplied. They were
examples for the people around them and convinced many of them to change the
religion they had used all their life.
That’s what is about folks.
We have to figure out how God can use us to season the part of the world
we live in with his love. We have to find the best venue to show the world we
live in God’s light of truth and love. Combine
that with the second of two walking miracles that attended Sunday school for
the first time since cancer stole their energy….and you see the double whammy
that faith plus a few signs and wonders can accomplish in convincing any non-believer
to reconsider their belief in God.
Father…thank you for the reminder that if I allow you to
keep my faith strong….and let you use me to model your love….you can use me to speak
truth in those that still do not believe in you. Forgive me for the times that I have let the
turmoil around me weaken my faith and let others see things that are not of
you. Help me to always keep my mind
focused on you so you can whisper to me the best way to shine the light that
you put inside me when you saved me. Amen.
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