Êxodo 13
J. Vernon McGee · Citado em PreceptAustin
Êxodo 13
Vernon McGee - This observance was to remind the Israelites that God delivered them out of the land of Egypt. The firstborn of their sons had to be redeemed by silver. We are told in 1 Peter 1:18–19+ that, “knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Chris.”
Êxodo 13
Vernon McGee - The gods of Egypt had always claimed the firstborn as their own, and now God claims the firstborn of Israel as His own. He wants the first from believers today, also. Many Christians do not give Him the first place. God claims our best, our very best; God claims the first in everything. Even though He wants first place in our lives, many believers put Him last, and that creates a problem. If we have time, we work for the Lord, but most of our time is spent on personal interests and amusements. We usually give the Lord what is left over. (Thru the Bible) (Corollary thought - On what or where you spend most of your time is what you really value and love and cherish. How sad that so few Christians take time each day to read the Bible, the Word of and from God, like a love letter from a parent to his child in an alien country!)
Êxodo 13
Vernon McGee comments that "Joseph wanted to be buried in the Promised Land. But why remove his body and bury it in the land? If Joseph knew he would be raised from the dead someday and taken up to heaven, what difference would it make if his launching pad was in Egypt or in the land of Israel? Well, the fact of the matter is that he was not expecting to go to heaven. He expected to be raised in the resurrection of his people in that land for the Millennium—and then for eternity. This will be heaven for them. This was the hope of Joseph, and it is also the hope of Moses. By faith Moses takes the bones of Joseph to the Promised Land." (Thru the Bible) EXODUS 13:19—Does the preservation of Joseph’s bones support the Roman Catholic belief in the veneration of relics? MISINTERPRETATION: In Exodus 13:19 “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him [out of Egypt] because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath” (see Gen. 50:25). Roman Catholic scholars use this verse to support their dogma that “it is permissible and profitable to venerate the relics of saints” (Ott, 1960, 319). The Council of Trent declared: “Also the holy bodies of the holy martyrs and of the others who dwell with Christ . . . are to be honored by the faithful” (Denzinger, 1957, no. 985). Ott says that “the reason for the veneration of relics lies in this, that the bodies of the saints were living members of Christ and Temples of the Holy Ghost; that they will again be awakened and glorified and that through them God bestows many benefits on mankind” (Ibid.). CORRECTING THE MISINTERPRETATION: The Catholic dogma of venerating relics and images is without foundation in this Scripture or any other. The Exodus passage states clearly the purpose for taking Joseph’s bones out of Egypt and it was not to venerate them. We read, “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath.” He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place” (Exod. 13:19). Even noted Catholic authority Ludwig Ott admits that “Holy Writ does not mention the veneration of relics” (Ibid.). And the so-called “precedents” in Scripture do not prove the Catholic point. For the bones of Joseph were not venerated; they were simply preserved (Exod. 13:19). Hence, to use this as a biblical proof for venerating relics is to jerk the verse out of context. Moreover, God condemned the veneration of sacred objects. When the brazen serpent, which God had ordained for the salvation of the Israelites in the wilderness, was later venerated, it was considered idolatry (2 Kings 18:4). God clearly commanded his people not to make graven images or to bow down to them in an act of religious devotion (Exod. 20:4, 5). This is the same error of the pagans who “revered and worshiped the creature rather than the Creator” (Rom. 1:25). The Bible forbids us ever to make or even to “bow” down before an “image” of any creature in an act of religious devotion: “You shall not make for yourselves any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters under the earth; you shall not bow down nor serve them” (Exod. 20:4–5 NKJV, emphasis added). (Norman Geisler, Ron Rhodes - When Cultist Ask) From Gotquestions - . How should a Christian view relics? - Here is an excerpt of their answer... One of the dangers inherent in the veneration of relics is the temptation to commit idolatry. This is exactly what happened in ancient Israel. God had told Moses to make a bronze serpent in order to save the Hebrews from a plague of poisonous snakes (Numbers 21:8–9). That bronze serpent was kept by the Israelites as a reminder of God’s goodness and salvation; however, by the time of King Hezekiah, the “relic” had become an object of worship. Hezekiah’s reforms included breaking “into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan)” (2 Kings 18:4). Physical aids to faith, if not commanded by God, are unnecessary and inevitably lead to superstition and idolatry. There is absolutely no power in Christian relics. Even if the entire cross of Jesus were discovered intact, it would have no spiritual value. Relics do not, in any manner whatsoever, enable us to get closer to God. The humerus of a saint can do nothing for your spirit. Relics should not be prayed to, worshiped, or in any way be used as a means to better connect with God. Using relics in such a talismanic way is blatant idolatry (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 42:8). An elaborate church filled with relics is no more valid a place for worship than a simple tent in a jungle. We worship the Lord in spirit and truth (John 4:24), not by idols, icons, or relics, whether genuine or fake. Exodus 13:20 Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness. Nu 33:5,6 Exodus 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ON THE EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS Then they set out from Succoth and camped in Etham on the edge of the wilderness - The exact site of either of these locations is uncertain. Etham is described as a region in Nu 33:6 and appears to be equated with the Desert of Shur (see map) (Ex 15:22). The important point is that this was (1) the place Yahweh wanted His people and (2) a location bordering on the desert area to the East of Egypt. Regarding comments on the locations, respected commentator Walter Kaiser bluntly states "Everyone is guessing!" (EBC-Ex) "Succoth was evidently north and west of the Bitter Lakes (v. 20). Today the Suez Canal connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean by way of the Bitter Lakes. Archaeologists have not yet identified certainly the sites referred to here such as Succoth and Etham as well as many of those mentioned in the records of the Israelites’ journey (e.g., Num. 33). Consequently it is virtually impossible to pin down their exact locations. Many of these sites were nothing more than stopping points or oases. They were not established towns. Kaiser wrote concerning their locations, “Everyone is guessing!”" (Constable) Currid remarks that "the Hebrews are now at the gate of freedom, arriving at the final town or outpost before escape into the wilderness. Nothing appears to be standing in the way of their deliverance." Israel began the first step of a long journey that would forever change the history of this world and the next. Their journey reminds me of Rich Mullins' great song, Step by Step (Sometimes by Step) Sometimes the night was beautiful Sometimes the sky was so far away Sometimes it seemed to stoop so close You could touch it but your heart would break Sometimes the morning came too soon Sometimes the day could be so hot There was so much work left to do But so much You'd already done Oh God, You are my God And I will ever praise You Oh God, You are my God And I will ever praise You I will seek You in the morning And I will learn to walk in Your ways And step by step You'll lead me And I will follow You all of my days Sometimes I think of Abraham How one star he saw had been lit for me He was a stranger in this land And I am that, no less than he And on this road to righteousness Sometimes the climb can be so steep I may falter in my steps But never beyond Your reach Oh God, You are my God And I will ever praise You Oh God, You are my God And I will ever praise You I will seek You in the morning And I will learn to walk in Your ways And step by step You'll lead me And I will follow You all of my days And I will follow You all of my days And I will follow You all of my days And step by step You'll lead me And I will follow You all of my days And I will follow You all of my days (Sometimes the night was beautiful) And I will follow You all of my days (Sometimes the night) (Sometimes the night was beautiful) And I will follow You all of my days (Was beautiful) (Sometimes the night was beautiful) And I will follow You all of my days (So beautiful) And I will follow You all of my days And I will follow You all of my days (Oh God, you are my God) And I will follow You all of my days (Oh God, you are my God) And I will follow You all of my days And I will follow You all of my days (Sometimes the night was beautiful) And I will follow You all of my days (Sometimes the night) And I will follow You all of my days Exodus 13:21 The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. Ex 14:19-24 40:34-38 Nu 9:15-23 10:34 14:14 De 1:33 Ne 9:12,19 Ps 78:14 99:7 105:39 Isa 4:5,6 1Co 10:1,2 Exodus 13 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A THEOPHANY PROVIDES CONTINUAL GUIDANCE Ex 13:17 stated "God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines," and now Moses explains how Israel was led to take a logistically less favorable route, albeit one that was much safer because it was in the center of Yahweh's will, always the safest place to be no matter how circumstances (or human counselors) might suggest otherwise! All the way my Savior leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread; Gives me grace for every trial, Feeds me with the living Bread. --Fanny Crosby The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night - The pillar was clearly a theophany (I favor a Christophany) for in Ex 13:19 we read that "The angel of God, Who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them." Clearly the pillar is associated with the angel of God. (See the Angel of the LORD). Ex 14:19 also supports the pillar was a Person "The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them." NET - "God chose to guide the people with a pillar of cloud in the day and one of fire at night, or, as a pillar of cloud and fire, since they represented his presence. God had already appeared to Moses in the fire of the bush, and so here again is revelation with fire. Whatever the exact nature of these things, they formed direct, visible revelations from God, who was guiding the people in a clear and unambiguous way. Both clouds and fire would again and again represent the presence of God in his power and majesty, guiding and protecting his people, by judging their enemies." (NET)
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Vernon McGee - The children of Israel are moving toward the hot, burning desert that even Moses called a great and terrible wilderness. They went through it and did not even get sunburned because they had a pillar of cloud over them by day. This nation had something that no other nation has ever had: the Glory, the visible presence of God. When Paul was defining his kinsman, he said, “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory….” (Rom. 9:4). These people had the glory, the visible presence of God. Not even the church has the visible presence of God with it. Nothing visible has been given to the church. Ephesians 1:3 tells us that God “…hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” They were looking forward to the coming of Christ, and we look back to an historical event. We do not need the visible presence of God in order to walk by faith. They needed the “glory” because the redemption had not yet been worked out in history as it has now. God made every preparation for every eventuality in order to bring His people safely through the wilderness. Youngblood - “Like the burning bush (Ex 3:2), the pillar was the visible symbol of God’s presence among His people. The Lord Himself was in the pillar (Ex 13:21; 14:24) and often spoke to the people from it ([Exodus 19–20; ] Nu 12:5–6; Dt. 31:15–16; Ps. 99:6–7). The later hymn-writers of Israel fondly remembered it (Ps 78:14; Ps 105:39). A similar cloud of smoke came to represent the glory of the Lord in the Sanctuary throughout much of Israel’s history (Ex. 40:34–35; 1 Ki 8:10–11; Isa. 4:5; 6:3–4).” Pillar of cloud - 12x in 11v - Exod. 13:21; Exod. 13:22; Exod. 14:19; Exod. 33:9; Exod. 33:10; Num. 12:5; Num. 14:14; Deut. 31:15; Neh. 9:12; Neh. 9:19; Ps. 99:7 Pillar of fire - 6x in 6v - Exod. 13:21; Exod. 13:22; Exod. 14:24; Num. 14:14; Neh. 9:12; Neh. 9:19 THOUGHT - While believers do not have a visible pillar of cloud and fire as Israel did, we have something even better, the Spirit of Jesus Christ living inside of us to lead us and guide us in our journey through the wilderness of this world, which is filled with Satan's snares and traps that continually seek to destroy our testimony and our usefulness for the LORD God. Paul spoken of the Spirit's leading "But I say, walk (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit even to obey this command!) by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." (Gal 5:16+) And again Paul said "But if you are led (present tense - continually, as your lifestyle) by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." (Gal 5:18+) And in Romans 8:13-14 Paul warns if you are living (present tense - continually, as your lifestyle) according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death (present tense - continually, as your lifestyle) the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led (present tense - continually, as your lifestyle) by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." Don't miss several critical truths in these passages,especially shown in the Romans passage. Believers have a responsibility to "kill sin" (putting to death = 100% Responsible!), but we can only do it with the Spirit's enabling power (= 100% Dependent!) And when we are experiencing this quality of life, it provides assurance that we are (1) being led by the Spirit and (2) that we are sons of God, truly born again members of the family of God (John 1:12+). The corollary is if we are not killing sin, then we are deceiving ourselves if we think we are genuine believers, but Paul makes it crystal clear that "if you are living according to the flesh, you must die." Note that when Paul uses the present tense calling for this to be the believer's lifestyle, he is not speaking of perfection, but direction. Perfection is our future glorification, but direction is our present sanctification. Is your life generally "heavenward" or generally "hell-ward?" Only you can answer that question, but it behooves you to be honest lest you be shocked by Jesus as He warned in Mt 7:21-23+ - "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does (present tense - continually, as your lifestyle = Not perfectioni, but direction!) the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. “Many (READ THAT FRIGHTENING WORD AGAIN!) will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE (present tense - continually, as your lifestyle) LAWLESSNESS.’" Related Resource: Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible" (100/100) Question: "What did the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night signify? (Exodus 13:21-22)" Answer: The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night guided the Israelites during their exodus from Egyptian bondage. This allowed them to travel by day and by night. Exodus 13:21–22 explains that God gave them the pillar of cloud by day to lead them in the way He wanted them to go and the pillar of fire by night to give light. The pillar was not just symbolism but a real phenomenon. We have no way of knowing how God made the pillar, but it was obviously a miraculous event that God used to lead them for their forty years in the wilderness. During the day the pillar guided their journey. During the night it gave light and, no doubt, comfort. In addition to guidance for the Hebrews, the pillar was a testimony to other nations concerning God’s involvement with and protection of His people Israel. In Exodus 14:24 God troubled the Egyptians through the cloud, and Moses used this in Numbers 14:14 in his plea to God to not destroy the Hebrews because of their sin. God’s provision of the pillar was remembered in the prayer of the Jewish leaders in Nehemiah 9 as an instance of God’s care and provision for His people. Exodus 13:22 says, “Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” The pillar is a picture of God’s faithfulness and a lesson to us that God never leaves nor forsakes His people. He reminds us of this in Hebrews 13:5–6, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.” (Source: Gotquestions.org) (See also What is a glory cloud? Is a glory cloud biblical?) "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people" (Exodus 13:21, 22). In Ruth Ainsworth's retelling of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, "he put his pipe to his lips . . . and from every door the children ran. Boys and girls, big and little, all followed the piper . . . to live in a land where everything was better and brighter. . . . The fruit would be sweeter, the flowers would be gayer, and even the sparrows would be as bright as peacocks." Although Israel followed a cloud by day and a fire by night on their journey to a land flowing with milk and honey, their story is no fairy tale; it is an account of real people and a loving God who guided them through four decades of desert wanderings. The forty-year pilgrimage began when God paved a high and dry freeway through the Red Sea and then closed it up again before His enemies could use it. Israel packed no picnic lunches; God provided first-class dining daily. But He not only gave His children fine food, He taught them how to live and worship. Unfortunately, they spurned His loving leadership. Rejecting His good guidance, most of them died in the barren land—over one million of them. But...God is not driving the lead car in a funeral procession; He points the way to life. Exodus 13:17-22; 14:19-20 The Cloud And The Spirit The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way. —Exodus 13:21 The Lord led the children of Israel by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). Commentator Arthur Pink draws a significant parallel between this cloud in the wilderness and the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.