Sin in the Camp

Exodus 24-32

Moses went up to the mountains to receive the tablets of stone.
He was away for forty days as he met with God alone.
There’s not space sufficient here to tell the entire story,
But there upon the mountain, God revealed His glory.

From chapters 25 to 30, we see the tabernacle blueprint.
By the power of the Spirit the craftsmen would know how to do it.
Now Moses was gone many days and Israel thought he was dead.
Naturally they wondered aloud how they would now be led.

When confronted with this problem, Aaron gave bad advice.
He thought perhaps a golden calf would be very nice.
All the people gave him gold from their wives’ ear rings.
Then the craftsmen went to work creating this calf-like thing.

They built an altar before the calf and declared a new feast day.
They sacrificed offerings, drank some wine and then rose up to play.
God looked down and saw them stray from His instructed path.
He told Moses to stand aside as He poured out righteous wrath.

Moses pleaded with God that day to stay His mighty hand
Reminding the Lord of His promises to the patriarch, Abraham.
God was pleased with his desire to pray and intercede;
He held back His righteous fire responding to Moses’ plea.

When Moses came down and saw the calf and all the people dancing,
He saw Egypt’s wicked past as he observed their sensual prancing.
Aaron saw his fiery eyes and said, “The people made me do it.
I just took the gold they gave and into the fire I threw it.”

By this time the camp was wild, the people out of control.
Moses called for the Levites to form a police patrol.
With intent to stop this sin, their swords strapped to their side,
They struck all who would not relent until three thousand died.

When there is sin in the camp, there is also death and destruction
The light is dim in the spiritual lamp when we fail to heed instruction.
Then when Satan’s work is done, many hearts will break
Oh how foolish is the one who listens to that snake!

Have you allowed sin in your camp and now you feel its pain?
Do you feel overwhelmed with guilt experiencing the awful shame?
There is a way to win over sin and regain the Father’s favor.
Forsake your sin, be cleansed within; draw close to your loving Savior.

© Copyright 2010 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

The Ten Commandments

Exodus 19

Three months after leaving Egypt’s land
All Israel gathered at God’s command.
He came that day amidst thunder and lightning
In a cloud on the mountain—very frightening.

The tribes were instructed to wait below
As Moses learned what they needed to know.
So there they stood in fear and awe
As Moses received God’s special law.

‘You shall have no other gods;
No worshipping wood or rocks or sod.
I made the earth and all you see.
There is no other God but Me.

You shall not craft an image or form
Of imaginary gods unable to perform.
If you would like to experience grace
Don’t let idolatry invade My space.

Here’s a third thought true and plain:
Do not take My name in vain.
Observe a fourth truth to be blessed:
Remember the Sabbath day of rest.

Honor your father and your mother;
Revere them as you do no other.
If to live long you expect,
Show your parents proper respect.

You are forbidden to take a life,
Commit adultery with another’s wife,
Steal the fruit of another man’s labor;
Bear false witness against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house,
Nor desire your neighbor’s spouse.
Around this conduct I’ve placed these borders
Creating a culture of peace and order.”

The Ten Commandments stand above time
Providing a life of peace sublime.
These laws from scripture we import
To define justice for our courts.

If you desire a life serene
Study God’s law, learn what it means.
Then to experience fullness in life,
Give yourself fully to serving Christ

© Copyright 2010 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

The God Who Meets Your Need

Genesis 17
Have you thought just how it would be
If you were among those who crossed the Red Sea?
If you experienced such a miracle of power
Wouldn’t you praise God as your Strong Tower?

Well, that’s exactly how Israel felt
As they sensed their fear and misery melt.
They lifted their voices, a mighty throng,
Praising their God with a joyful song.

After their initial, trusting glow,
Moses sensed it was time to go.
Just three days in the Desert of Sin
Betrayed the fear and doubt within.

The first test failed was the test of food.
Three days of hunger sullied their mood.
They grumbled remembering Egypt’s meat
Accusing their leader of spiritual deceit.

Moses questioned what he should do.
God said, “I will provide manna for you.”
At dawn they found sweet bread all around
And quail at night as the sun went down.

So now they had both bread and meat,
More than enough for all to eat.
For forty years the manna sustained them
Until the day they went back to Canaan.

Now here is the lesson for all of us.
God will provide if we will but trust.
Let us adopt the Philippians’ creed:
“Our God will supply all of our needs.”

Our walk with God includes such tests,
For all must learn His ways are best.
He, who has saved you by His grace,
Is asking you now to trust Him by faith.

There is no need that He doesn’t know.
There is no gift He cannot bestow.
There is no limit to His sweet grace,
So press on, dear friend, in your walk of faith.

© Copyright 2010 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

Safe in God's Mighty Hands

Exodus 13-14

Many times we don't understand why God leads the way He does.
Such was the case with Israel as He led them from above.
God knew if faced by a Philistine attack, the Israelis would surely fold,
So He took them southeast across the desert instead of the Philistine road.

When the King heard about their flight, he promptly changed his mind.
They didn't have Israel day and night to bear the daily grind.
So Pharaoh gathered six hundred chariots and all of his army men.
His intention was to recapture the slaves and bring them back again.

When Israel saw the army approach, they were seized with terrible fear.
They grumbled at Moses with these words: “Why did you bring us here?
Didn't we tell you before we left it would be best to remain as slaves?
Did you lead us into the wilderness to leave us here in our graves?”

The Red Sea lay before them now. There was no place no place to ford.
Moses said, “Stand firm my friends. Observe the hand of the Lord.”
As Moses stretched his hand oer the sea, the waters stood up in a pile.
Israel walked the path with ease while Pharaoh trailed by miles.

When the last person walked the path, the waters fell back as before.
The Egyptian army perished there. Not one came alive to the shore.
On that day all Israel rejoiced for the deliverance from God above.
O that more would heed His voice and trust His unfailing love!

Now let's review the events so far from the time that Moses was called.
When he saw the treatment of his brothers, his spirit was appalled.
In the desert he was transformed into a humble man.
Only then could he be used to carry out God's great plan.

What about you? Are you humble? Have you learned the flesh is weak?
When trials and challenges come to you, is it God's will you seek?
If you will trust and then obey, be quick to heed His commands;
He will keep you until that Day safe in His mighty hands.

© Copyright George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

Deliverance Through Faith and Trust

Exodus 11-12

Over and over God called Pharaoh to listen and act in obedience.
However the selfish Egyptian king did only what was expedient.
He wanted Israel to be his slaves, an efficient labor force,
Driving them cruelly for personal gain without a shred of remorse.

Through nine plagues, Pharaoh resisted; it seemed like a waste of breath.
But the tenth would get his attention, for it was the plague of death.
Moses warned of terrible pain if this final warning was spurned,
But true to his evil character, the Pharaoh would not be turned.

Moses called the elders together and told them how to prepare.
They were to paint their doorposts with the blood of a lamb so fair.
They roasted the meat and ate it that night along with unleavened bread.
It symbolized faith and obedience, so none would be struck dead.

The angel of death passed through the land and firstborn everywhere died.
From every town and village at hand, there arose a thunderous outcry.
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and told him that God had won,
For one of the victims of judgment that night was Pharaoh's firstborn son.

Pharaoh released them immediately with their flocks and all they could hold.
True to the Word that God had said, they gave them silver and gold.
Now the sojourn of Israel in Egypt's land was four hundred thirty years.
Their sure deliverance by God's mighty hand makes His faithfulness clear.

So how are your trapped? What gives you grief? What causes great dismay?
Financially strapped with no relief? Then get on your knees and pray.
The God of Israel is your God too. He knows your pain and loss.
He truly desires the best for you and proved it on the cross.

Since you know He died for you, which proves how much He cares,
Why don't you devote yourself anew, your allegiance to Him declare?
Tell the world you trust in God. In Him you place your faith.
You will find peace as you walk this sod empowered by love and grace.

© Copyright George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

The Parade of Plagues

Exodus 8-9

Moses and Aaron told the Pharaoh about the Lord’s demand.
Miracles, signs and wonders happened at Aaron’s command.
First there was the Nile situation where water turned blood red.
What followed next was a frog invasion—even in their beds.

The third in the list of plagues God sent was a flood of terrible lice.
For their rejection of the Lord, the Egyptians must pay the price.
Though they tried, the magicians failed to perform like Aaron’s rod.
Therefore they told their angry king: “This is the hand of God.”

After Pharaoh rejected their plea indifferent to their cry,
Aaron again set forth the decree and the Lord sent swarms of flies.
Soon flies were gathering everywhere; nothing could stop their notion
Except of course where Israel lived—deep in the land of Goshen.

After that plague and another rejection, their livestock began to die.
All of Egypt suffered judgment falling from on high.
Pharaoh’s heart, so stubborn and hard, was evil to the core.
As he continued to show no regard, his people were stricken with sores.

Six plagues had befallen to warn the king but all to no avail,
So the seventh plague God would bring was terrible, destructive hail.
There rained from heaven hail with fire unleashing awesome destruction.
Half of the crops were sacrificed because they rejected instruction.

After that the eighth plague came, an invasion of locusts severe.
The advisers to the Pharaoh said, “Get Israel out of here.”
The locusts covered the face of the earth and couldn't be restrained.
They ate every herb and leafy tree til no green plant remained.

But even this the Pharaoh endured because of his stubborn heart.
And so the ninth plague followed sure with Egypt going dark.
And so it was for three full days with darkness thick as fog,
Yet still the Pharaoh named conditions before they could worship God.

When it was time for the final plague, they warned with bated breath.
If Pharaoh failed to heed the Lord, the first born would suffer death.
Moses spoke to Israel declaring the plague would come like a flood,
Instructing God's people to paint their door with sacrificial blood.

That's what happened on that day as the angel of death did fly.
The firstborn males of man and flock suddenly fell down and died.
A mighty moan of pain and sorrow was heard throughout the land.
How foolish it is to resist the Lord to follow the ways of man.

© Copyright 2009 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved

Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh

Exodus 5-7

Finally that day arrived when they stood before Egypt's king.
They told him about Israel's God explaining everything.
Pharaoh was an arrogant fool unwilling to let them go.
He scoffed at the very thought of a God who cared about Israel.

An angry Pharaoh made life tough for the people making bricks.
He took away the straw he supplied to make them strong and thick.
The workers scattered throughout the land to obtain the straw and stubble.
With hardship increasing they blamed Moses for causing all the trouble.

Moses returned to the Lord and said, “I've done all I can.
Is there something that I missed when You told me about Your plan?”
The Lord replied to Moses then, “Tell them I've heard their cry.
All that I promised to Abraham, I will surely supply.”

In the midst of these brutal trials, God sent them to Pharaoh again.
He gave the words to Aaron to speak to the hearts of men.
As Aaron spoke he threw down his staff; it turned into a snake,
But this the magicians in Pharaoh's court were able to duplicate.

Now Satan is never equal to God and clearly that's a fact,
For Aaron's rod pursued and ate all the magician's staffs.
Next Aaron's rod stretched oer the Nile turning the waters red
Followed by frogs that covered the land, even in their beds.

Once again the magicians of Pharaoh duplicated the feat,
But in all the houses of the land there was no relief.
In response to Pharaoh's plea, Moses prayed the frogs would die.
A few days later piles of frogs sent stench into the skies.

Sadly these miracles didn't prevail in the depths of Pharaoh's soul.
His folly is a message for all who live under sin's control.
If you respond to the Spirit of Grace by forsaking sin's dark land.
You'll be set free from sin's disgrace and kept by His mighty hand.

© Copyright George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved