Lorraine Pemberton

Moses - covenant keeper who knew the Lord face to face... 
I get tears when I read these verses, I think partly because I really feel the struggle of Moses and sympathize with his experience. But also because of all the amazing people I have had the privilege of knowing who so willingly shared their testimony and helped guide me. I miss them and their counsel. They knew Christ, they know Christ...perhaps not exactly like Moses did and does, yet I owe so much to these souls. There was only ever one Moses - aren't you grateful for all he did? Who has been a "Moses" in your life?

Moses - covenant keeper who knew the Lord face to face...
I get tears when I read these verses, I think partly because I really feel the struggle of Moses and sympathize with his experience.  But also because of all the amazing people I have had the privilege of knowing who so willingly shared their testimony and helped guide me.  I miss them and their counsel.  They knew Christ, they know Christ...perhaps not exactly like Moses did and does, yet I owe so much to these souls.  There was only ever one Moses - aren't you grateful for all he did? Who has been a "Moses" in your life?

Deuteronomy 34:10

What does it mean to you to "open thine hand wide" to those in need? 
Here every 7 years is a time to help and forget debts owed you - wouldn't that be great now! Not really how our world economy works these days, however we can still be aware off and assist those in need - whatever that need might be. You are representing Christ in your alms giving - it isn't always about the $$...often it is kindness, advice, friendship and loving our neighbour. Sure a gift of cookies is appreciated - however time spent representing Christ as we minister is a more permanent and lasting influence. How can you open thine hand wide everyday?

What does it mean to you to "open thine hand wide" to those in need?
Here every 7 years is a time to help and forget debts owed you - wouldn't that be great now! Not really how our world economy works these days, however we can still be aware off and assist those in need - whatever that need might be.  You are representing Christ in your alms giving - it isn't always about the $$...often it is kindness, advice, friendship and loving our neighbour.  Sure a gift of cookies is appreciated - however time spent representing Christ as we minister is a more permanent and lasting influence.  How can you open thine hand wide everyday?

Deuteronomy 15:7-8

How do you see yourself in this? 
How do you see the Lord in your weak moments? 
Talking donkey? yup! do you find yourself blinded to spiritual things because of shiny pretty temptations of the world? What price are you bought for? Do we need a talking donkey to wake us up? Often we are bought and don't even realise it! When we watch TV just 15 more minutes yet neglect scripture study...when we put off ministering to read that trashy novel instead...where your priorities are will reflect your level of sight in and of spiritual things. Personally I want to see angels and not need a talking donkey - even as cool as that would be!

How do you see yourself in this?
How do you see the Lord in your weak moments?
Talking donkey? yup! do you find yourself blinded to spiritual things because of shiny pretty temptations of the world? What price are you bought for? Do we need a talking donkey to wake us up? Often we are bought and don't even realise it! When we watch TV just 15 more minutes yet neglect scripture study...when we put off ministering to read that trashy novel instead...where your priorities are will reflect your level of sight in and of spiritual things.  Personally I want to see angels and not need a talking donkey - even as cool as that would be!

Numbers 22:17-18, 19-35, 24:17

How do you see yourself in this? 
How do you see the Lord in your weak moments? 
Resenting or unhappy with our leaders? Is this in illness in you like it was in Miriam? Just because it's not how you think it should be, doesn't make it wrong. Pray instead for a testimony of our Prophet, our leaders, continued revelation from imperfect humans will never satisfy everyone's beliefs and opinions. There are better ways to bring about change than murmuring and holding resentment.

How do you see yourself in this?
How do you see the Lord in your weak moments?
Resenting or unhappy with our leaders? Is this in illness in you like it was in Miriam? Just because it's not how you think it should be, doesn't make it wrong.  Pray instead for a testimony of our Prophet, our leaders, continued revelation from imperfect humans will never satisfy everyone's beliefs and opinions.  There are better ways to bring about change than murmuring and holding resentment.

Numbers 12:1-2, 10, 13,15

We need the Lord's presence in our lives, He is with us! 
Moses knew how very important it is to have the Lord's presence with us. He pleads forgiveness of these people who are still on their learner's permits! Of course the Lord forgives! Pointing out once again that He knows each of us by name and gives grace. Living without the Lord's presence is dreary and grey - He is the light that makes all this worth it! so...carry your light - be bright! How does Christ support you?

We need the Lord's presence in our lives, He is with us!
Moses knew how very important it is to have the Lord's presence with us.  He pleads forgiveness of these people who are still on their learner's permits! Of course the Lord forgives! Pointing out once again that He knows each of us by name and gives grace.  Living without the Lord's presence is dreary and grey - He is the light that makes all this worth it! so...carry your light - be bright! How does Christ support you?

Exodus 33:12-13, 17

What keeps you focused on Christ and His Gospel? what "turns you aside quickly"? 
How far into the 40 day wait would you give up? how quickly do you give up in the middle waiting time? Had they forgotten the Manna? their deliverance? This is still the process of leaving behind the familiar because change is exhausting! So turning aside for a small break seems reasonable, yet it leads to complete "turn away from" so quickly. So what keeps you focused on Christ?

What keeps you focused on Christ and His Gospel? what "turns you aside quickly"?
How far into the 40 day wait would you give up? how quickly do you give up in the middle waiting time? Had they forgotten the Manna? their deliverance? This is still the process of leaving behind the familiar because change is exhausting! So turning aside for a small break seems reasonable, yet it leads to complete "turn away from" so quickly.  So what keeps you focused on Christ?

Exodus 32:8

What was the Lord teaching the Israelites in the way He provided Manna? 
Gather only what you need...so hard when we want to store up for the future and this is important and something the Lord commands us - yet here He is teaching the Israelites that they can trust and rely on Him to provide. It's a lesson of leaning not unto our own understanding, yet trusting the Lord. He is teaching that He will show up, provide and not leave you wanting. He will fill you until you are full, if you let Him!

What was the Lord teaching the Israelites in the way He provided Manna?
Gather only what you need...so hard when we want to store up for the future and this is important and something the Lord commands us - yet here He is teaching the Israelites that they can trust and rely on Him to provide.  It's a lesson of leaning not unto our own understanding, yet trusting the Lord.  He is teaching that He will show up, provide and not leave you wanting.  He will fill you until you are full, if you let Him!

Exodus 15:23-26, 16:1-15, 17:1-7 PART THREE

What is murmuring? What are the consequences of murmuring? 
Murmuring is complaining, whinging, bad attitude and no solutions! In chap 17 once again murmuring occurs with threats to Moses' life! Like did you all just forget the breakfast you ate of Manna? Israel are acting irrationally because of fear. Fear of the unknown. It's easy to stay in a place even if it is toxic, however it's in moving forward we find Christ providing the way and all the solutions we need for that day. Tomorrow He will be what you need that day. Doubt not fear not!

What is murmuring? What are the consequences of murmuring?
Murmuring is complaining, whinging, bad attitude and no solutions! In chap 17 once again murmuring occurs with threats to Moses' life! Like did you all just forget the breakfast you ate of Manna? Israel are acting irrationally because of fear.  Fear of the unknown.  It's easy to stay in a place even if it is toxic, however it's in moving forward we find Christ providing the way and all the solutions we need for that day.  Tomorrow He will be what you need that day.  Doubt not fear not!

Exodus 15:23-26, 16:1-15, 17:1-7 PART TWO

How can we use these accounts to help others who have unmet physical or spiritual needs? 
The Israelites here quickly forget the good and see only their immediate need. Telling Moses over and over - you lead us out here to die! complaining was rife! They felt empty and without. You may know someone like this, or even see yourself here. It's again having that relationship with Christ. Trusting He will provide if you will buy ask. Remember His miracles...ask for deliverance's great and small.

How can we use these accounts to help others who have unmet physical or spiritual needs?
The Israelites here quickly forget the good and see only their immediate need.  Telling Moses over and over - you lead us out here to die! complaining was rife! They felt empty and without.  You may know someone like this, or even see yourself here.  It's again having that relationship with Christ.  Trusting He will provide if you will buy ask.  Remember His miracles...ask for deliverance's great and small.

Exodus 15:23-26, 16:1-15, 17:1-7 PART ONE

Some listen, the Pharaoh says sorry yet still hardens his heart... 
Hail is in challenge to Nut, Locusts to Serapia and darkness challenges the mighty Ra...The hail continued until Pharaoh humbly asked for intercession v28 - yet once again retracted his change of heart. Locusts...Pharaohs servants beg him lest Egypt be destroyed, Pharaoh tries to negotiate just the men leaving, yet Moses states in 10:9 All of us are going! In 10:16-17 Pharaoh says sorry, prays the locusts be gone, yet again hardens his heart once all is normal again. Bring on the darkness, again negotiations are unsuccessful and on v29 of chap 10 Moses states negotiations are done after Pharaoh threatens his life. At this point both Egypt and Israel are growing to know Jehovah, they are seeing the power in the story of hard things. The Israelites, Moses and Aaron are now ready for the the final plague. 
 
Jehovah has shown very clearly that He has all the power - over all of earthly things - He is mightier than Pharaoh, the magicians, the Egyptian Gods including the mighty Ra...remember this is a lesson in changes and growth and opportunities, none of which Pharaoh took. He is about to know Jehovah very well.

Some listen, the Pharaoh says sorry yet still hardens his heart...
Hail is in challenge to Nut, Locusts to Serapia and darkness challenges the mighty Ra...The hail continued until Pharaoh humbly asked for intercession v28 - yet once again retracted his change of heart.  Locusts...Pharaohs servants beg him lest Egypt be destroyed, Pharaoh tries to negotiate just the men leaving, yet Moses states in 10:9 All of us are going! In 10:16-17 Pharaoh says sorry, prays the locusts be gone, yet again hardens his heart once all is normal again.  Bring on the darkness, again negotiations are unsuccessful and on v29 of chap 10 Moses states negotiations are done after Pharaoh threatens his life.  At this point both Egypt and Israel are growing to know Jehovah, they are seeing the power in the story of hard things.  The Israelites, Moses and Aaron are now ready for the the final plague.

Jehovah has shown very clearly that He has all the power - over all of earthly things - He is mightier than Pharao

Exodus 9:22, 10:12, 10:22

Further pleas to Pharaoh... 
Flies come as a challenge to Uatchit, cattle a challenge Hathor and Boils a challenge to Sekhmet. Again Pharaoh is warned, gives no concession until the plague was upon them. Goshen, in v22 of chapter 8 (where the Isrealites lived) was separated and did not experience these plagues. This shows Pharaoh, Egypt and Israel that God can distinguish between them. The 5th plague was also warned, the 6th came with out warning - again Pharaoh has chances to change his hardened heart but chooses bitter instead of better. Pharaoh in chapter 5 v2 asks "who is the Lord that I should obey him?" so far 6 opportunities to change have presented themselves to Pharaoh but none are taken. By now I think he is knowing who the Lord is...obeying Him though will never happen with a hard heart.

Further pleas to Pharaoh...
Flies come as a challenge to Uatchit, cattle a challenge Hathor and Boils a challenge to Sekhmet.  Again Pharaoh is warned, gives no concession until the plague was upon them.  Goshen, in v22 of chapter 8 (where the Isrealites lived) was separated and did not experience these plagues.  This shows Pharaoh, Egypt and Israel that God can distinguish between them.  The 5th plague was also warned, the 6th came with out warning - again Pharaoh has chances to change his hardened heart but chooses bitter instead of better.  Pharaoh in chapter 5 v2 asks "who is the Lord that I should obey him?" so far 6 opportunities to change have presented themselves to Pharaoh but none are taken.  By now I think he is knowing who the Lord is...obeying Him though will never happen with a hard heart.

Exodus 8:24, 9:3, 9:10

Water to blood, frogs and lice... 
The Nile was worshiped, this was not an early morning stroll for Pharaoh - yet the waters as blood simply an inconvenience to him. 7 days he ignored this until it went away. Frogs were sent in challenge to Heqet, the magicians could also being forth frogs but not decrease them. Pharaoh entreats Moses to rid of the frogs with the promise to let the Israelite's go, then retracts his promise once the frogs are gone. So next comes the lice in challenge to Seb - the magicians at this pint recognise it is God and tell Pharaoh in v19 this is the finger of God, yet again Pharaoh hardens his heart and listened not. What do you think Pharaoh was thinking by now?

Water to blood, frogs and lice...
The Nile was worshiped, this was not an early morning stroll for Pharaoh - yet the waters as blood simply an inconvenience to him.  7 days he ignored this until it went away.  Frogs were sent in challenge to Heqet, the magicians could also being forth frogs but not decrease them.  Pharaoh entreats Moses to rid of the frogs with the promise to let the Israelite's go, then retracts his promise once the frogs are gone.  So next comes the lice in challenge to Seb - the magicians at this pint recognise it is God and tell Pharaoh in v19 this is the finger of God, yet again Pharaoh hardens his heart and listened not.  What do you think Pharaoh was thinking by now?

Exodus 7:20, 8:5, 8:17

How are your fears negated by faith in Christ? 
Fear is a future thing. We don't fear the past, however past experiences teach us to be fearful of things that hurt us - here a snake. Yet Moses listened, obeyed and his fear was negated. Faith in Christ, trusting Him doesn't necessarily make the fear go away yet it allows us to face danger and difficulty with courage because we know Jesus is with us!

How are your fears negated by faith in Christ?
Fear is a future thing.  We don't fear the past, however past experiences teach us to be fearful of things that hurt us - here a snake.  Yet Moses listened, obeyed and his fear was negated.  Faith in Christ, trusting Him doesn't necessarily make the fear go away yet it allows us to face danger and difficulty with courage because we know Jesus is with us!

Exodus 4:2-4

God meant it unto good 
When we go through trials we most often do not see the why, the good. Even now I struggle with some trials to see it to be good, though I know they have made me who I am and enabled me, like Joseph to help my family and many others. Recently I was feeling vulnerable about having what was necessary to face the future - clearly before me I saw all I had been through and how it has actually prepared me for all the future holds. I heard the Holy Ghost whisper to me that I had everything I needed and Christ has got the rest so its OK. As unknown and scary as it can be, God has indeed meant it all unto good.

God meant it unto good
When we go through trials we most often do not see the why, the good.  Even now I struggle with some trials to see it to be good, though I know they have made me who I am and enabled me, like Joseph to help my family and many others.  Recently I was feeling vulnerable about having what was necessary to face the future - clearly before me I saw all I had been through and how it has actually prepared me for all the future holds.  I heard the Holy Ghost whisper to me that I had everything I needed and Christ has got the rest so its OK.  As unknown and scary as it can be, God has indeed meant it all unto good.

Genesis 50:18-21

How much are you stuck on your stuff when God has promised to provide? 
Joseph here instructs his brothers to gather the family and bring them into safety, saying don't worry about all the stuff, I will look after you. In likeness to Christ who also tells us to not worry about the stuff, He will look after us. So how does being stuck n the stuff hold us back in letting God prevail with better? How much stuff just simply doesn't matter?

How much are you stuck on your stuff when God has promised to provide?
Joseph here instructs his brothers to gather the family and bring them into safety, saying don't worry about all the stuff, I will look after you.  In likeness to Christ who also tells us to not worry about the stuff, He will look after us.  So how does being stuck n the stuff hold us back in letting God prevail with better? How much stuff just simply doesn't matter?

Genesis 45:20

These verses show Judah's mighty change of character... 
Remember back in Genesis 38:26 Judah see's how badly he's been treating his family an has that might change of heart and a realisation of how much better he can do. This reaction here shows Joseph that Judah has indeed changed and made great efforts to be the man and brother God wants him to be. It's so much easier to forgive when you see real change in the offending parties!

These verses show Judah's mighty change of character...
Remember back in Genesis 38:26 Judah see's how badly he's been treating his family an has that might change of heart and a realisation of how much better he can do.  This reaction here shows Joseph that Judah has indeed changed and made great efforts to be the man and brother God wants him to be.  It's so much easier to forgive when you see real change in the offending parties!

Genesis 44:32-34

The character of Christ and the fulfilling of Josephs dream... 
verse 23 shows in Joseph a characteristic of Christ - by saying "peace be unto you - fear not" bringing Simeon in unharmed after he had already gave them more to go away with than what they came with - both the food and the return of the money - this is what Christ does for us! He takes our offering and gives back more...this often looks like more work, yet it is just more opportunity. Verse 28 is the fulfilling of Joseph's dream - no grumbling brothers now! They are simply grateful. Gratitude makes all the difference :)

The character of Christ and the fulfilling of Josephs dream...
verse 23 shows in Joseph a characteristic of Christ - by saying "peace be unto you - fear not" bringing Simeon in unharmed after he had already gave them more to go away with than what they came with - both the food and the return of the money - this is what Christ does for us! He takes our offering and gives back more...this often looks like more work, yet it is just more opportunity.  Verse 28 is the fulfilling of Joseph's dream - no grumbling brothers now! They are simply grateful.  Gratitude makes all the difference :)

Genesis 43:23, 28

How are you preparing for possible hardship? 
This is food storage on an epic scale that saved millions of people. We have been counseled for generations to prepare. President Hinckley often spoke of this, teaching us that even a little put aside will make a difference and to live within our means ie don't spend more than you make. Prophet Nelson counsels often to prepare physically, spiritually and mentally - this will be our only way to survive these last days. So...how are you preparing? What can you do?

How are you preparing for possible hardship?
This is food storage on an epic scale that saved millions of people.  We have been counseled for generations to prepare.  President Hinckley often spoke of this, teaching us that even a little put aside will make a difference and to live within our means ie don't spend more than you make.  Prophet Nelson counsels often to prepare physically, spiritually and mentally - this will be our only way to survive these last days.  So...how are you preparing? What can you do?

Genesis 41:47-49, 54-55

A change of heart for Judah...Tamar is more righteous 
Over the years people have read chapter 38 and found much from this story. Tamar acted in loyalty to Judah's family and line. In the command of the day Judah was required to care for Tamar even is she was widowed. Carrying on that family lie was part of Tamar's marriage covenant - so yes Judah saw she was more righteous and had done the right thing and it was a wake up call for him. She was brave and accomplished her promise to God...just in the way she could, unconventional yet loyal.

A change of heart for Judah...Tamar is more righteous
Over the years people have read chapter 38 and found much from this story.  Tamar acted in loyalty to Judah's family and line.  In the command of the day Judah was required to care for Tamar even is she was widowed.  Carrying on that family lie was part of Tamar's marriage covenant - so yes Judah saw she was more righteous and had done the right thing and it was a wake up call for him.  She was brave and accomplished her promise to God...just in the way she could, unconventional yet loyal.

Genesis 38:26

Why are we taught about wells here? 
Many lessons can be learned here but lets focus on two. First Isaac went back to the goodness and resources he knew about. He went back to his fathers already established nourishment. Remember we take the good from the past and use it in our future. Second, go to John and read about the well again! Where we learn about Christ being living water. So what are you pulling from your well lately? are you thirsty? partake of living water :)

Why are we taught about wells here?
Many lessons can be learned here but lets focus on two.  First Isaac went back to the goodness and resources he knew about.  He went back to his fathers already established nourishment.  Remember we take the good from the past and use it in our future.  Second, go to John and read about the well again!  Where we learn about Christ being living water.  So what are you pulling from your well lately? are you thirsty? partake of living water :)

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