GCF Nuvali Church

June 5, 2026, Friday, Daily Reading: Exodus 13-15; Psalm 28 #1425

Passage: “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people” (Exodus 13:21-22 ESV).

Principle: No matter how challenging the path may be, you must follow God’s guidance.

Yahweh, by His strength, delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and instructed Moses to consecrate all firstborn males, both human and animal. This act serves as a reminder of their salvation from slavery in Egypt (vv. 1-10, 14-16).

Yahweh gave specific instructions: for people, they were not to offer their firstborn sons literally as sacrifices; instead, they were to redeem them (Hebrew *pdh*; v. 13). What does “redemption” mean here? An Old Testament scholar, Willem VanGemeren, explains, “Both the legislation concerning the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exod 13) and the so-called Ritual Decalogue (Exod 34) share this common theological assumption: All firstborn belong exclusively to Yahweh (13:1–2; 34:19). Graciously, however, Yahweh permits Israel to redeem firstborn donkeys and sons (13:13; 34:20), presumably by offering an animal substitute. By combining ritual slaughter with redemption, Israel recalls the contrasting fates of the firstborn in Egypt and testifies to Yahweh’s power in redeeming his own firstborn, Israel (13:15–16).” [1]

As the Israelites left Egypt, it was God who led them through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. God knew that if they went through the land of the Philistines and faced war, the people might change their minds and return to Egypt (vv. 17–18).

Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear that when God visited them, they would carry his bones up with them (v. 19).

As they traveled along the edge of the wilderness, the presence of God went before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, so that they could travel both day and night (vv. 21–22).

Theological Reflection:

“And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people” (Exodus 13:21-22 ESV).

It is good to always wait on God’s leading. When you find yourself in a wilderness of decision-making or standing at a crossroads, it is always wise to seek His guidance. God will lead you on the right path. It may appear to be a difficult way, but with His presence with you, you can be confident that you are exactly where you need to be.

Allow God to guide your path. No matter how challenging the path may be, you must follow God’s guidance.

Application:

1. Always seek God’s guidance in every decision you make.

2. Be attentive to how God is showing you the path you should take.

3. Obey and follow God’s leading.

[1] Willem VanGemeren, ed., New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997), 578.

June 1, 2026, Monday, Daily Reading: Exodus 1-3 #1421

Passage: “God saw the people of Israel—and God knew” (Exodus 2:25 ESV).

Principle: Let your faith override your fear, because God sees and knows.

The story of Exodus begins with a new king in Egypt who did not know Joseph (1:8). When this new Pharaoh saw that the Hebrew people were increasing and multiplying greatly, he was alarmed and began to afflict them with heavy burdens (1:9–14).

Pharaoh ordered the midwives to kill all the male babies and let the females live. But the midwives feared God and did not follow Pharaoh’s command. The Lord blessed the midwives with families of their own (1:15–21).

Because the midwives disregarded Pharaoh’s order, he then commanded all his people to kill every Hebrew male newborn and throw them into the Nile River (1:22).

God was more powerful than Pharaoh. God used the “river of death” to save Moses (2:1–10). Moses later encountered Yahweh on the west side of the wilderness, at Horeb, after he had killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew man. When Moses realized that what he had done was known, he fled to the land of Midian. When Pharaoh learned what had happened, he sought to kill Moses (2:11–15).

From the land of Midian, Moses met his wife, Zipporah (2:16–21). While Moses was dwelling in Midian, the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel began to groan and cry out for help. They were pleading to be delivered from their slavery in Egypt. This chapter ends with the statement, “God saw the people of Israel—and God knew” (Exodus 2:25 ESV).

Moses then had an encounter with God and was chosen to lead Israel out of Egypt. As in the book of Genesis, Moses encountered the angel of the LORD, this time through a burning bush (3:1–6). Again, the phrase “angel of the LORD” refers to a theophany—God himself appearing, now in the form of the burning bush.

God both saw and knew. Yahweh said to Moses, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings” (Exod. 3:7; cf. v. 16).

God heard the cry of His people in Egypt. The chosen leader who would deliver them from Egypt was Moses. Keep in mind that the deliverance of the Israelites was connected to God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Beyond the promise of the land, God also promised Abraham that he would be a blessing to the nations. This is ultimately fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful to His promises.

Theological Reflection:

“God saw the people of Israel—and God knew” (Exodus 2:25 ESV).

God saved Moses from the Nile River, which was supposed to be a river of death for the Hebrew baby boys. God not only saved Moses, but He also chose to use him as the leader who would deliver the Hebrews from Egypt and lead them across the Red Sea.

God saw and knew. God sees and knows what is happening to us even now. He is all-knowing. God knows our present situation. When we pray, He listens, He knows, and He sees what we are going through.

This verse reminds me to trust God in my present situation. When I cry out for help, He listens, He sees, and He knows. Therefore, He will deliver me and provide what I need in my present situation.

Let your faith override your fear, because God sees and knows.

Application:

1. Cry out to God for help.

2. Trust that He will deliver you from your present situation.

3. Fix your eyes on God, not on your problems.