Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 14:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 14:22-23

"And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen."

It took faith for the children of Israel to walk across dry ground in the midst of the sea, with a wall of water on either side of them. I sat here think what did it take for the Egyptians to do the same thing and go after them?

Was it hatred, a total disregard of God, arrogance, foolishness? How many words describe them? I don't know what all to call it but they were devoid of any faith or wisdom. They had not learned anything from witnessing the plagues and miracles earlier. Whatever it took I am decided that we have people today that show the same personality as the Egyptians.

Day 2223

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 13:12, 15

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 13:12, 15

"That thou shalt set apart unto the Lord all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the Lord's.

And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the Lord slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all the openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem."

I pondered on how Moses was told what they were to sacrifice and it was to remember when the Lord slew all the firstborn in Egypt. Yet, I know this was also to prepare the people for the Lord's coming. How He, the only begotten of the Father, would one day take the place of the sacrificial unblemished first born male lamb.

Day 2222

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 12:33

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 12:33

"And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men."

After witnessing all the firstborn in the land of Egypt dying the people were ready for the children of Israel to leave. They send them out in haste from the land in fear that next they would be dead. It made me look for these verses about the building of the New Jerusalem and how its inhabitants will be feared and protected.

"And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.

And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand.

For when the Lord shall appear he shall be terrible unto them, that fear may seize upon them, and they shall stand afar off and tremble.

And all nations shall be afraid because of the terror of the Lord, and the power of his might. Even so. Amen.

(Doctrine and Covenants 45:69-70, 74-75)

Day 2221

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 11:2-3

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 11:2-3

"Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.

And the Lord gave the people favour in the sights of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people."

Borrow in this sense is not what we understand today. The Lord commanded the children of Israel to ask or demand a recompense for their past services. This is where the receiving of jewels of silver and gold come from. The Egyptians hearts were softened and they did give to them. The people of Egypt also recognized the powers that Moses had and respected him. I can only imagine how hard it must have been to be an Egyptian and watch Pharaoh over and over again not learn this lesson.

This was also a fulfillment of prophesy given to Abraham. That his seed would be strangers in the land for four hundred years. In the fourth generation they would come out with great substance. Like many prophesies I'm sure the children of Israel while in bondage could never imagine how that would even happen. They simply had to have faith that it would.

"And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that they seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance."

(Genesis 15:13-14)

Day 2220

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 10:20, 27

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 10:20, 27

"But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

But the Lord hardened the Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go."

The part of the Lord hardening Pharaoh's heart just didn't sit right with me. I noticed there was a Joseph Smith translation of these verses which reads: "But Pharaoh hardened his heart, so that he would not...."

The only hand the Lord had in Pharaoh's heart being hardened was by giving him every opportunity to have it soften. Ultimately it was a decision that Pharaoh made in how he would react to what was happening around him. It's the same for us in any events that takes place in this life. We can turn to the Lord or turn away.

Day 2219

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 9:34-35

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 9:34-35

"And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.

And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the Lord had spoken by Moses."

Three more plagues that destroy the cattle, boils, hail and fire all come upon the Egyptians but not Israel. I see the magicians are not even attempting to recreate what Moses has done. Pharaoh once again promises to let the children of Israel go, and then his heart is hardened and he doesn't. I thought about how people can witness miracles and yet not receive a testimony of the power of God. They can deny what is right in front of them or the truth of it does not endure. We can not build our testimonies chasing after the specular or the continual reading and telling of faith promoting stories. It is through the quiet still small voice of the Spirit that we come to know God.

Day 2218

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 8:6-8

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 8:6-8

"And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.

And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.

Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat the Lord, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the Lord."

The plagues are now starting that annoy and torment the people. I noticed that the plagues of frogs and lice fall on all the people. The plague of swarms of flies only fall on the Egyptians, and not the land of Goshen where the children of Israel are. This made me think of the promised plagues of the last days, and how we are experiencing it now.

"For I, the Almighty, have laid my hands upon the nations, to scourge them for their wickedness.

And plagues shall go forth, and they shall not be taken from the earth until I have completed my work, which shall be cut short in righteousness."

(Doctrine and Covenants 84:96-97)

I thought of the reactions I am observing with our plague. First, there are people denying there even is one. Some consider it man-made as if that makes it any less a problem. In this chapter the frogs come from both the hand of God and the magicians. I know if frogs were jumping into my kneadingtrough it wouldn't matter if it was a frog from God or from the magicians at that point. The result is the same, it just ruined my bread.

The magicians that brought up frogs from the land appear unable to control it or call it back. It took Pharaoh to ask Moses and Aaron to entreat the Lord to make it go away. He had to at least acknowledge the hand of God in this. So either man-made or God made a plague does not end until the Lord says it's done. That made me wonder where we are at with the ending of our plague? I thought about President Nelson calling these vaccines miracles. I take that as God's prepared way to stop it. Sadly, if you can't acknowledge God's hand in miracles then we're probably left with the problem of frogs or Covid for a while. On the bright side eventually the plagues do not effect the children of Israel, only Pharaoh's people. I guess at that point you better know which side you're on.

Day 2217

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 7:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 7:10-11

"And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became as serpent.

Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments."

This chapter has the beginning of the miracles that Moses performs in front of Pharaoh. Testifying it is the will of God to let the children of Israel go. As I read I kept thinking about this quote from President Nelson.

"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."

(Russell M. Nelson, "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives", Apr 2018 General Conference)

I realized that as God performs miracles, so will Satan have his counterfeit. All the more reason for us to have the Holy Ghost as our guide, so we can tell the difference.

Day 2216

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 6:6

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 6:6

"Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:"

This make me think of the Savior's atoning sacrifice. It wasn't just for my sins, it was for my sorrows, grief's, disappointments, and the burdens and abuse received by the hands of others. The Lord's arm is always stretched out to receive me, love and carry me through these times. In all of this I must rise above what is done to me and what I past through, and that only can be done through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Day 2215

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 5:22-23

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 5:22-23

"And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?

For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all."

As I looked at this first experience of Moses asking Pharaoh to let the children of Israel go, and how it appears to backfire. The people now had to make bricks without straw and not have their tallies decrease. It made me think of how this experience needed to happen, so Moses and the children of Israel could learn to have faith in the midst of opposition. There is a purpose in failure, even if its just to learn who and where we put our trust.

Day 2214

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 4:24-26

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 4:24-26

"And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the Lord met him, and sought to kill him.

Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.

So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision."

There is a Joseph Smith Translation of these verses that clarify what is happening. As I read them the though came to me that Moses had a mission, but he was caught unprepared. In this case his son had not been circumcised. It made me think of temple recommends, and making sure you have a current one at all times. When the Lord calls or even the time when they reopen, it's important to not be caught unprepared. I also find it interesting that Moses wife took care of the matter.

"And it came to pass, that the Lord appeared unto him as he was in the way, by the inn. The Lord was angry with Moses, and his hand was about to fall upon him, to kill him; for he had not circumcised his son.

Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and circumcised her son, and cast the stone at his feet, and said, Surely thou art a bloody husband unto me.

And the Lord spared Moses and let him go, because Zipporah, his wife, circumcised the child. And she said, Thou art a bloody husband. And Moses was ashamed, and hid his face from the Lord, and said, I have sinned before the Lord."

Day 2213

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 3:19-20

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 3:19-20

"And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.

And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go."

Moses talks with the Lord from a burning bush, and is given the assignment to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt. This part stood out to me because I don't recall if I already understood Moses was told Pharaoh would not let them go. That it would take wonders or miracles to convince Pharaoh to free them. Moses doesn't appear to be told what miracles and how many times it would take, or even that at some point he will divide the waters so the children of Israel will pass on dry ground. Isn't that like most things, we are only told enough so we can work in faith.

Day 2212

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 2:22

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 2:22

"And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land."

This verse stood out to me for the mention of being a stranger. I pondered on the various times I have been "a stranger in a strange land". It made me ponder on the people that are moving here to Utah. I strongly feel they need to come, even though there are growing pains. I looked up all the verses in the scriptures that mention strangers. These are the ones that stood out to me.

"But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God."

(Leviticus 19:34)

"And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts."

(Malachi 3:5)

"For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:"

(Matthew 25:35)

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;"

(Ephesians 2:19)

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

(Hebrews 13:2)

"For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?"

(Mosiah 5:13)

Day 2211

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 1:8, 22

Today's Favorite Verse: Exodus 1:8, 22

"Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive."

I pondered on how the condition had to be set with a Pharaoh that knew not Joseph or Joseph's God, for a Moses to be born. Just when we think things can be bleak, we have to have faith that God has a plan to deliver us.

Day 2210

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 50:19-21

Today's Favorite Verse: Genesis 50:19-21

"And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them."

Jacob has died and is carried back to Canaan and buried in the cave Abraham purchased to bury his dead. On the way back to Egypt Joseph's brothers are concerned that he will hate them for the evil they did against him. They then say to Joseph that their father wanted him to forgive them. This causes Joseph to wept as he says these things to them. He truly already had a heart that forgave them. This is an example of guilty party being unable to forgive themselves. I love Joseph's example of forgiveness. Not only does he forgive, he understands that God had a purpose for what happened. He promises to nourish and care for them.

Day 2209