January 27, 2025 - Exodus 19-21

“So Moses came and called the elders of the people and set before them all these words that the Lord had commanded him.  All the people answered together and said, ‘All that the Lord has spoken we will do.’  And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.  And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever’” (19:7-9).  These are the chapters in which God enters into covenant with Israel, that is, he promises certain things and, in turn, they make promises to God.  All this takes the form of conversation.  I don’t have a ton of thoughts, here, but it does strike me that it is good when God talks to us and we talk to him.  By doing so, we know his heart and mind, and we learn how we are to live in order to please him.

Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless

Your chosen pilgrim flock

With manna in the wilderness,

With water from the rock.

We would not live by bread alone,

But by your word of grace,

In strength of which we travel on

To our abiding place.   –Anonymous (19th century?)