Introduction

Lesson three explores the difficult beginning of Moses’ mission to free Israel from slavery. Despite clear instructions from God, Moses is immediately met with rejection—by Pharaoh and even his own people. What began with hope quickly turns into frustration. Moses doubts, complains to God, and feels overwhelmed. But it is precisely in this tension that God begins to reveal His power and faithfulness. The lesson reminds us: even when walking with God is challenging, we can trust that He will lead us to a good end.

Lesson 3: Rough Start
3.1 Who is the LORD?
When human pride challenges divine authority

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Introduction

Pharaoh’s question — “Who is the LORD, that I should obey Him?” (Exodus 5:2) — has echoed through the centuries of human history. It’s not the honest inquiry of a seeking heart, but a statement of pride, rejection, and rebellion. This question symbolizes the attitude of a world that refuses to acknowledge God. And it’s just as relevant today in the 21st century as it was in Moses’ time.

But what if someone asked you today, “Do you know the LORD?”
Would you hesitate? Or could you boldly respond, “Yes, I know Him” — and explain who God is to you?

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Bible Study: Who is the LORD? (Exodus 5:1–2)

Background and Context

The book of Exodus tells the story of Israel’s liberation from slavery in Egypt — a central theme of the Old Testament and a powerful image of redemption and freedom. Chapter 5 marks the first public confrontation between Moses, God’s chosen leader, and Pharaoh, the most powerful earthly authority of that time.

God had called Moses through the burning bush (Exodus 3), revealing His name as:
“I AM WHO I AM” — YHWH, the eternal, self-existent God.
This God sends Moses to tell Pharaoh:

“Let My people go.”

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Exodus 5:1–2

“Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’ But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.’”

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1. “Thus says the LORD”

Moses does not come in his own name but as God’s messenger — with divine authority. This phrase was common in prophetic declarations and carried significant weight. God makes it clear:
“My people” — they do not belong to Pharaoh but to the LORD.

Application: When God speaks, it is with authority. Even today, His Word comes to us — through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and preaching. How do we respond?

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2. “Who is the LORD?” — A Question of Pride, Not Curiosity

Pharaoh’s question is not born out of sincere ignorance but of contempt. He does not recognize God’s authority because he doesn’t know Him — and has no desire to.

This rejection has a double meaning:

• Personally: Pharaoh doesn’t believe in a higher authority over himself.

• Politically: Letting Israel go would mean surrendering power and control.

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3. “I do not know the LORD”

In Hebrew, “to know” (yada) implies more than just information — it means relationship, recognition, intimacy. Pharaoh essentially says: “I have no relationship with this God, so I don’t have to obey Him.”

Spiritual Truth: Rebellion often begins with indifference toward God’s character. Modern people don’t always say “I reject God” — they say, “I don’t need Him.”

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Theological Meaning: Who is YHWH?

Pharaoh’s question opens a deeper exploration:

Who is this “LORD” (YHWH) Moses speaks of?

• YHWH is the sacred, personal name of God (Exodus 3:14).

• He is eternal — not created, but the source of all existence.

• He is holy — separate from sin, completely pure.

• He is merciful — the God of promise who seeks to set His people free.

• He is almighty — His words bring reality into being; His power surpasses all empires.

God’s name is not mere information — it is revelation.

In biblical theology, God’s name reflects His nature, identity, power, and faithfulness.

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Egypt as a Symbol of Worldly Rebellion

In Scripture, Egypt often symbolizes a world system that opposes God:

• Isaiah 30:1–3: Israel seeks help from Egypt instead of from God.

• Revelation 11:8: Spiritually compares the world that crucified Christ to Egypt and Sodom.

• Ezekiel 29:3: Pharaoh is portrayed as a dragon in the Nile — a symbol of Satan.

Spiritual Principle: The spirit of Egypt still lives today — in systems and hearts that say:
“I do not know the LORD — and I don’t want to.”

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Connections to the New Testament

John 17:3
“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

Jesus Himself answers Pharaoh’s ancient question.

To know God, we must come to know Jesus Christ.
Eternal life is not just about heaven — it’s about relationship with God.

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Spiritual Principles from Exodus 5

• God’s commands are not negotiable — He requires obedience, not debate.

• People often reject God because they do not know Him — therefore He reveals Himself.

• True freedom begins with knowing God — Israel wasn’t just to leave Egypt but to come to God.

• God calls for worship, not just moral behavior — “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”

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Application for Life Today

• Do I truly submit to God’s authority — or, like Pharaoh, do I resist when it costs me control?

• Am I willing to obey God even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable?

• How do I respond when God speaks — with humility or excuses?

• Do others see through my life who the LORD is?

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Summary: What Does This Passage Teach Us About God?

• God is the LORD — personal, powerful, demanding, and faithful.

• He calls His people out of bondage and from systems that deny Him.

• He confronts every power that challenges His rule.

• He reveals Himself — even to those who don’t yet know Him — because of grace.

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Key Verse to Memorize

Exodus 5:2
“Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice…? I do not know the LORD.”

Lesson: Every person will eventually face this question — and their answer determines their eternity.

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Answers to the Questions

Question 1: How did Pharaoh respond to God’s command, “Let My people go” (see Exodus 5:1–2), and what is the significance of his reaction?

Biblical Answer:

In Exodus 5:1–2, Moses — together with Aaron — approaches Pharaoh with a clear message:

“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.”

But Pharaoh does not respond with fear or reverence. Instead, he replies with a mix of contempt, pride, and outright rejection:

“Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”

This answer is more than just a refusal — it is a direct challenge to God Himself. Pharaoh makes two statements:

• “Who is the LORD?”
  This is not a sincere question. It’s rhetorical, born of arrogance. Pharaoh knew many gods — Egypt was a polytheistic culture — but YHWH, the God of Israel, was unknown to him. Instead of seeking understanding, he dismissed Him outright.

• “I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”
  This shows a deliberate rejection of God’s authority. “I do not know Him” here means more than ignorance — it means “I do not recognize Him as someone I must submit to.”

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Theological Significance:

This reaction reveals several deep spiritual truths:

• Rebellion against God’s rule: Pharaoh refuses to acknowledge any power above himself. As the king of Egypt, he was even considered divine. God’s demand directly threatens that perceived supremacy.

• A symbol of human rebellion: Pharaoh represents the human heart without God — proud, independent, defiant. This theme stretches throughout the Bible: humanity wants to be its own god (cf. Genesis 3).

• A type of the godless world system: Egypt often represents the world in Scripture — a system that resists or ignores God. Revelation 11:8 symbolically links the crucifixion of Christ with “Egypt and Sodom.”

“This is atheism, and the land symbolized by Egypt denies the living God in a similar way and displays the same unbelieving and defiant spirit” (VSL 246).

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Spiritual Application:

Pharaoh’s reaction still speaks today. Many ask:

• “Who is God that I should listen to Him?”

• “Why should I shape my life by ancient religious rules?”

Answer: Because God is the Creator and Ruler over all. His will leads to life — but human pride leads to destruction and judgment. Pharaoh eventually experienced God’s power through the ten plagues — yet his heart remained hard.

Lesson for today:
Those who ignore God’s voice will encounter Him sooner or later — either through grace or through judgment.
But those who respond with humility will find freedom, guidance, and life.

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Question 2: What would you say if someone asked, “Do you know the LORD?” If you answered “Yes,” how would you describe Him — and why?

Personal Answer:

If someone asked me, “Do you know the LORD?”, I would say wholeheartedly:

“Yes — I know Him. Not just with my head, but with my heart. Not just from books, but through real encounters. Not just as a concept, but as living reality.”

I know Him as:

• Father — who loves me despite my failures.

• Redeemer — who bought my life through Jesus, not with silver or gold, but with His own blood.

• Friend — who stood by me when no one else did.

• King — who rules even when the world seems in chaos.

• Teacher — who guides, convicts, comforts, and corrects me through His Word.

• Holy Spirit — who fills me, leads me, strengthens me, and transforms me — day by day.

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Biblical Reference:

“Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

To know God is not merely religion — it’s relationship, identity, and life.
In Hebrew, “to know” (yada) implies intimacy, recognition, and experience — not just intellectual knowledge.

I do not know God because I am good —
I know Him because He revealed Himself:

• Through His Word — living and active (Hebrews 4:12).

• Through Jesus Christ — the exact image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

• Through personal encounters with His grace and faithfulness.

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Why do I describe Him this way?

Because I have experienced Him:

• In moments of deep guilt — when He forgave me instead of condemning me.

• In times of fear — when He gave me peace beyond understanding.

• In weakness — when His strength was made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

• In decisions — when His Spirit guided me when I had no answers.

• In community — through people who reflect His love, goodness, and truth.

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What does it mean to know God?

• Not just talking about Him — but talking with Him.

• Not just reading about Him — but encountering Him.

• Not just believing in Him — but loving, honoring, and trusting Him with all your heart.

When I say “I know the LORD,” I mean:
I belong to Him. And He belongs to me.

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Spiritual Principles

• God reveals Himself to those who seek Him — and resists the proud.

• The spirit of Pharaoh still lives today — in systems, governments, and hearts that deny God’s authority.

• The question “Who is the LORD?” exposes the real condition of the heart.

• God does not only desire obedience — He wants to be known and loved.

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Application for Daily Life

We meet people who ask:

• “Is there really a God?”

• “Why believe in something I can’t see?”

In those moments, we are like Moses standing before Pharaoh — not before a literal king, but before proud, skeptical hearts.

Your testimony, your lifestyle, and how you respond to joy and suffering can show people who the LORD is.

Ask yourself:

Does my life reflect a God who is alive, holy, and gracious?

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Conclusion

Pharaoh’s defiant question — “Who is the LORD?” —
became the path to his downfall.

But the same question can become a doorway for people today —
a path to discovering God and receiving eternal life.

Because Jesus said:

“This is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

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Thought of the Day

“The greatest mistake a person can make is not doubting God — but deliberately ignoring Him.”

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Illustration – Who is the LORD?

A story about control, doubt, and divine encounter in the 21st century

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Chapter 1: The King of the Glass Tower

He was a man people either knew — or feared.
Vincent Delmar, 52, was the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar energy conglomerate based in Frankfurt. He ruled over a corporation that spanned continents, controlled resources, and influenced political decisions. In the business world, he was called “The King of the Glass Tower” — referring to his futuristic steel-and-glass headquarters that loomed like a fortress over the city.

Vincent believed in efficiency, power, and control.
He did not believe in God.

Religion? An outdated superstition.
God? A psychological construct.
Believers? Weak people.

“I am the master of my own destiny,” he once said in an interview.
And he truly believed it.

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Chapter 2: The Disruption

One Monday, he was informed of strikes forming at one of the company’s subsidiaries — of all places, the Africa branch in the Nuba region of Sudan. The company had operated a copper mine there for years. Workers had stopped operations. The reason: alleged inhumane working conditions, environmental damage — and a new leader.

A man named Musa — a former engineer, now an activist and Christian.

An internal report landed on Vincent’s desk. At the top was a quote Musa had spoken to the site managers:

“Thus says the LORD, the God of justice: Let my people go, that it may go well with them, that they may live and not die.”

Vincent leaned back, annoyed.

“Who is this ‘Lord’?” he muttered.

Then he said it out loud — almost like Pharaoh once did:

“Who is the LORD, that I should obey Him? I don’t know this God — and I won’t let these people go.”

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Chapter 3: The Crack in the Foundation

What started as a small conflict escalated into a storm.
News reports. Scandals. Whistleblowers.
Emails were leaked showing internal cover-ups.

Then: a catastrophe.
A section of the mine collapsed. People died. Among them — Musa.

Vincent was not prosecuted — his lawyers took care of that.
But something inside him began to fracture.

The night he received news of Musa’s death, Vincent sat alone in his penthouse. No sleep. No comfort. Just a deep, unsettling restlessness.

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Chapter 4: The Question

Three weeks later, his doorbell rang.

A young man, about 30, stood outside. He was slim, simply dressed, holding a small Bible in one hand.

“My name is Yohannes. I was a friend of Musa.
He told me to give this to you, in case he… didn’t come back.”

Vincent was about to dismiss him, but something made him pause.

Yohannes handed him a handwritten letter.

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Inside, it read:

“Vincent, if you’re reading this, I may be dead.
I know you’ll probably think you’ve won.
But I’ve prayed — for you.
Not that you would lose, but that you would come to know the LORD.
Not just any god.
I mean the LORD — the One I knew.
I followed His call, just like Moses once did.
You responded like Pharaoh.
But I pray your heart doesn’t remain like Pharaoh’s.
Ask yourself: Do you know the LORD?”

Yohannes didn’t wait for a reply. He nodded gently and walked away.

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Chapter 5: The Turning Point

Vincent couldn’t shake the words.

He started reading. At first hesitantly — then with growing hunger.
First the book of Exodus. Then the Gospel of John. Then the Psalms.

He read about a God who does not remain silent.
A God who delivers.
A God who reveals Himself — even to proud men.

One verse burned in his memory — Exodus 5:2:

“I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”

And he realized:

That was me. That is me.

One night, with tears streaming down — for the first time in years —
Vincent knelt on the cold floor of his living room and prayed:

“Lord… if You exist… if You truly are the One they call ‘I AM’…
then reveal Yourself to me. I want to know You. I want to obey You.
I no longer want to be the lord of my own life.”

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Chapter 6: The New Way

Two years later, Vincent was no longer a CEO.
He had left the corporation and invested most of his wealth into environmental restoration and social justice — not out of guilt, but from love.

He traveled to Africa.
He visited the families of the victims — and Musa’s grave.

And there, he said out loud:

“Now I know the LORD.”

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Epilogue: The Encounter

A journalist met Vincent at a human rights event.
He asked: “How can a man like you — once so powerful — become a believer?”

Vincent smiled.

“You know, I used to be just like Pharaoh:
‘Who is the LORD, that I should obey Him?’

But now, I know better.

I know Him.
He is the God who called me, even when I ran away.
He is the God who warned me, even when I was deaf.
He is the God who transformed me, even when I was broken.

And now — He is the Lord of my life.”

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/lesson-3-rough-start-3-1-who-is-the-lord-exodus-living-faith/

July 13, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Exodus 38 – Holy Craftsmanship – From People for God
Visible Devotion to an Invisible God

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Bible Text – Exodus 38 (KJV)

1 And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.

2 And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass.

3 And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass.

4 And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.

5 And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves.

6 And he made the staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with brass.

7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.

8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

9 And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, an hundred cubits:

10 Their pillars were twenty, and their brasen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.

11 And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.

12 And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.

13 And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.

14 The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.

15 And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.

16 All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen.

17 And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver.

18 And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.

19 And their pillars were four, and their sockets of brass four; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets of silver.

20 And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, were of brass.

21 This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest.

22 And Bezaleel the son Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the Lord commanded Moses.

23 And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.

24 All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.

25 And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

26 A bekah for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for every one that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty men.

27 And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.

28 And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.

29 And the brass of the offering was seventy talents, and two thousand and four hundred shekels.

30 And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brasen altar, and the brasen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar,

31 And the sockets of the court round about, and the sockets of the court gate, and all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins of the court round about.

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Introduction

In Exodus chapter 38, we encounter a detailed description of the outer courtyard and the items used for worship. What may seem like a technical blueprint or an inventory list at first glance actually reveals deep spiritual principles: obedience, devotion, purity, and the beauty of order in service to God. Every number, every material, every shape had meaning—not just back then, but still today.

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Commentary

1.The Altar of Burnt Offering and Its Utensils (vv. 1–7)

Made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze—strong, fire-resistant, durable. It was the place where sin offerings were made. The horns represented strength and protection. All the utensils—shovels, forks, pans—were essential for the practical sacrificial service.
Meaning: The altar was the first thing a person saw when entering the sanctuary. It marked the beginning of an encounter with God—through a sacrifice.

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2.The Basin Made from Mirrors (v. 8)

The basin for washing was made from women’s mirrors—a powerful symbol: vanity surrendered so cleansing could take place.
Meaning: Cleansing comes before service. Priests washed hands and feet before ministering. We too are called to spiritual purity.

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3.The Courtyard and Its Dimensions (vv. 9–20)

The courtyard was orderly, symmetrical, clearly structured. Pillars, linen curtains, hooks—everything had size, shape, color, and significance. The entrances were decorated with purple and scarlet—colors of dignity and sacrifice.
Meaning: God’s presence is holy. The order and beauty of the courtyard invited worship—but also reverence.

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4.The Material Accounting (vv. 21–31)

Gold, silver, and bronze were carefully listed. Every shekel counted. Bezalel and Oholiab were appointed—not just for their skill, but in obedience to God’s command.
Meaning: God is a God of order. Every contribution was valued. Every gift had a place in God’s work.

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Summary

Exodus 38 shows how precise, dedicated craftsmanship becomes a holy space. Some gave, others built, others served within it. All of it served one purpose: to make God’s glory visible and prepare a way for people to approach Him.

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Message for Us Today

Even today, God is building a sanctuary—not of wood, bronze, or silver, but of people (see 1 Corinthians 3:16). Each of us is a “living stone” in God’s spiritual house. Our gifts, our time, our purity, our obedience—all are needed in the service of the living God.

God sees every “shekel” of your heart.

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Reflection Questions

Where am I like the women who gave up their mirrors—willing to trade vanity for purity?

Am I building God’s work—with devotion, obedience, and precision?

Is my daily life a reflection that I am a “living courtyard” for God’s presence?

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July 13 – 19, 2025
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING
Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 17
Jacob’s Flight and Exile
Read online here

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Introduction

Jacob does not leave his home as a hero, but as a fugitive—not because of external enemies, but because of inner guilt. And yet, on this very path—full of fear, uncertainty, and self-doubt—God’s faithfulness is revealed in a remarkable way. Chapter 17 of Patriarchs and Prophets vividly describes how God, despite guilt and flight, not only forgives His servant but uses him to fulfill His promises.

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Commentary

1. Jacob flees – alone, afraid, and broken

Jacob leaves his parents’ home out of fear of Esau’s wrath.
He is filled with guilt and remorse, feeling abandoned—by his family and perhaps even by God.
In this solitude, he begins to pray honestly. His prayer is not prideful, but marked by humility and desperation.

2. Heaven opens – the ladder from heaven (Genesis 28)

In a dream, Jacob sees a ladder connecting heaven and earth.
Angels ascend and descend—a picture of God’s service to us.
God Himself stands above the ladder and repeats the promise made to Abraham—now it applies to Jacob!
Jacob not only receives assurance but also a promise: “I am with you… I will not leave you.”

3. Jacob awakens – from sinner to worshiper

Jacob realizes: “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it!”
He sets up a stone pillar, names the place Bethel (“House of God”), and makes a vow—not as a bargain, but out of gratitude.
He vows to remain faithful, to give a tenth, and to follow God.

4. Jacob in Haran – faithful despite disappointment

In Haran, Jacob meets his future wife Rachel.
He serves seven years—out of love, faithfully and patiently.
But Laban deceives him. Instead of Rachel, he is given Leah.
Jacob is betrayed—yet he stays.
In total, he serves 20 years, is cheated multiple times, but God blesses him despite all human injustice.

5. The return – decision in distress

Jacob realizes it’s time to return home.
He prays again—remembering God’s promise at Bethel.
God answers: “Return… I am with you.”
Laban pursues him—but God protects Jacob.
A peace covenant is made, marked with the name Mizpah – “The Lord watch between you and me.”

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Summary

Jacob begins his journey as a fugitive burdened by guilt, fear, and uncertainty. But God meets him—not with punishment, but with grace. On the difficult road into exile, Jacob grows spiritually, is shaped through trials, and ultimately remains faithful to God. A deceiver becomes a shepherd, a father, and a bearer of the promise.

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Message for Us Today

We too experience times of guilt, loneliness, and uncertainty. We may feel like failures, misunderstood, or taken advantage of. But God does not abandon us.
It is often in the deepest valleys that He reveals His faithfulness.

Jacob’s story shows us:

• God starts new journeys with broken people.

• Your past does not determine your calling.

• God is faithful to His promises—even when we fail.

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Reflection Question

• Have I ever encountered God like Jacob—in the midst of crisis?

• What is my “Bethel”? Where has God shown me His presence?

• Am I ready, like Jacob, to entrust God with my life, my gifts, and my tithe?

• What do I need to let go of today in order to follow God’s call to return?

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/13-07-2025-exodus-chapter-38-believe-his-prophets/

July 13, 2025
The Life-Giving Threads of Influence
Whom are you following – and who is following you?

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Bible Verse

“So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.”
Proverbs 2:20

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Introduction

Whether you like it or not – you have influence. On your friends, your family, your classmates, on social media. Each of us weaves threads in our surroundings. But which direction do these threads point to? Proverbs 2:20 speaks directly to this: Whom are you following? And where are you leading others?

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Devotional – The Invisible Thread

Our life is like a fabric – a network of relationships, choices, and influences. Every day, we leave traces. Our words, our actions, even our silence – everything sends a message. And sometimes, we forget how powerful our influence can be.

Proverbs 2 describes the difference between two paths: the path of the wicked and the path of the righteous. In verse 20, God calls us to follow the way of the good. Why? Because the influence of these people brings us closer to God – not away from Him.

Ellen White wrote:

“Every person exerts an influence, either consciously or unconsciously, for good or for evil. This influence is a part of our character and is passed on to others.”
(Ellen G. White, Education, p. 33)

This influence is like a living thread – it connects us with others, but also with God. If you follow the way of the righteous, you are not only a follower, but you become a guide yourself.

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Story – “The Boy at the Window”

In a small village in the Carpathian Mountains lived a boy named Luca. He was twelve years old, small and slender, with large, dark eyes – and he spent most of his time at the window of his house. Luca was ill. A rare lung disease prevented him from going outside. The doctors said it would be a miracle if he lived to adulthood.

His house stood on the village’s only street – directly across from the school. Every morning, Luca watched the other children walk by. They ran, laughed, pushed each other, carrying backpacks full of books and plans. And every day, Luca waved to them – with a gentle smile on his face.

At first, no one really noticed him. Some kids gave him a quick glance, others ignored him. But one day, a boy named David stopped. He was the class clown, a daredevil, not particularly popular with teachers. He saw Luca at the window, raised his hand and waved back. Luca beamed.

The next day, David waved again. And the day after, too. Then he knocked on the window as if to say, “I see you.”

A week later, David brought him a hand-drawn picture. It showed two boys – one behind a window, the other in front of it, both with wide smiles. Luca was speechless.

That little gesture didn’t go unnoticed. Other children began to wave as well. Some held up signs: “Good morning, Luca!” or “We’re praying for you!” Over the months, Luca became something like the silent center of the class – without ever having set foot in the school.

One day, the teacher assigned an essay titled “The Hero of My Life.” Most kids wrote about football stars or historical figures. David wrote:

“My hero sits at the window. He can hardly walk, but every day he gives me a smile that shows me how precious life is.”

Two years passed. Luca grew weaker, but his window remained his place. And every morning, children stood there – some with a sign, some with a song, some with just a smile.

On the day Luca died, many in the village cried. The school hung a white flag with a cross in his window. Below the window, large letters read:
“He never spoke – yet he changed our hearts.”

Many years later, David had become a young man. He had studied medicine and become a pediatrician – inspired by Luca. In an interview, he once said:

“I’ve met many people in my life. But the boy with the weak body and the strong heart taught me what real influence means. Not through strength. Not through words. But through love, constancy, and hope.”

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Thoughts on the Story

This story shows us something profound: Influence doesn’t need a stage. It doesn’t need a microphone, Instagram followers, or a big show. Real impact often happens quietly – through character and heart. Luca could hardly live – and yet he showed others how to truly live.

Proverbs 2:20 reminds us: “Walk in the way of the good…” – Sometimes, those good people are the ones we least expect. And sometimes, God is calling us to be that person.

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Reflection – What Does This Mean for You?

Who is influencing your thinking and actions today?

What traces are you leaving in your surroundings?

How can you be a blessing to someone today – not through grand gestures, but through small signs?

The path of the righteous does not begin with giant leaps. It begins with small, intentional choices. Every day. You choose which thread you spin – and whom you follow.

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Today’s Reflections

Reflect: Who has positively influenced you? Why?

Act consciously: Do at least one good deed today – without expecting recognition.

Be a role model: Even when no one is watching, be faithful and honest.

Pass it on: How can you use your influence to encourage others?

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Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
thank You for giving me a role model in the life of Jesus.
Help me to follow the way of the good and be a light to others.
Let me recognize where I can have a positive influence.
Keep me from following the wrong paths,
and give me courage to remain steadfast and faithful.
Amen.

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Takeaway

Your influence is like a thread – where does it lead others?

Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/13-07-25-the-life-giving-threads-of-influence-heart-anchor-youth-devotional/