Podcasts about Zipporah

In this study we will take a look at the women within the Bible. We will look at each one of them and see how their story influences our lives today.As we continue our study in this fantastic insight of the Women of the Bible, this morning we shall finish up with Zipporah and then take a look at Miriam the sister of Moses.Miriam (rebellion) – Moses Sister – A ProphetessMiriam was the older sister of Moses, and it was she who watched over him when he was placed in a basket on the River Nile. She went on to become a leader of the Hebrews when they escaped from Egypt and went in search of the Promised Land.Miriam is best known for helping to deliver Moses at the Nile River and leading the Hebrew women in singing, dancing, and playing drums after crossing the Red Sea. Later, she and her brother Aaron challenge the actions and authority of Moses. She understands leadership to embrace diverse voices, female and male. But the price of speaking out is severe; Yahweh punishes her, after which she never speaks, nor is she spoken to. Centuries later, prophecy remembers her as the equal of Moses and Aaron in representing Yahweh before the people, and as the inaugurator of a performance and composition tradition of song, drums, and dances in Israel."I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy."—Joel 2:28.         Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron (Exod. 15:20.), is the first of her order mentioned in the Word of Yahweh. While Yahweh never ordained a woman to be priest, nor do we read of women as bishops or pastors in the New Testament, the vocation of "prophetess" is common to both dispensations. Hannah (1Sam. 1:2) was practically a prophetess, and so was Huldah, to whom King Josiah went in his time of perplexity. Deborah (Judges 4:5) was a prophetess (2Kings 22:14), and there were also false prophetesses, such as Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), as well as false prophets.         In the New Testament, Peter expressly declares that the pouring out of the Spirit of Yahweh upon all flesh should be upon sons and daughters, servants, and handmaids, "and they shall prophesy," quoting from the Old Testament. (Joel 2:28-32); compare (Acts 2:17-18.)  A number of those who "spake" "AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE," (Acts. 2:4.) of the wonderful works of Yahweh on the Day of Pentecost, were women speaking in the spirit of prophecy. Philip, the deacon, we read, had four daughters "which did prophesy" (Acts 21:9); the Apostle Paul speaks of those women who labored with him in the Gospel. (Phl. 4:3.) It is he who especially recommends that, when women pray and prophesy, their heads should be covered; and explains what is this office of prophesying in the words: "He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." (1Chorin. 11:5; 14:3.) And while Paul commands that women should not speak in church, he ordains that all, i.e., both men and women, may prophesy, one by one, that all may learn, and may be comforted. (1Corin. 14:31-34.)          Yahweh's order in the family is not according to earthly birthright. Speaking of the leaders of His people Israel, He says: "I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam." (Micah 6:4.) All these children of Amram were of the prophet order. Miriam was the eldest, Moses the youngest; yet Moses is first mentioned, because he knew his Yahweh more fully than either his brother or his sister. Aaron, his elder brother, ranks next, and Miriam, the eldest of the three, ranks last.Miriam was a leader of the Hebrew people during the Exodus, the great founding event of Judaism. The episodes we have about her are disjointed and probably only represent a fraction of the stories originally told in the oral tradition of the Hebrew people.  The story of Miriam contains four different episodes:   1 Miriam saved her brother Moses, Exodus 2:1-10. This well-known story shows that the survival of the leader of the Exodus, Moses, depended on the courage and ingenuity of one young woman, his sister Miriam.   2 The song of Miriam, Exodus 15:20-21. This fragment of the Song of Miriam is one of the oldest poetic couplets in the Old Testament. It is an example of a literary genre devoted to celebrating military victories with triumphal poems.  3 Miriam's ordeal, Numbers 12. This story is about the authority of established law. Moses was the great lawgiver of the Hebrew people Moses' legislation formed the basis of Hebrew life. The story acknowledged that Miriam and Aaron were both popular leaders, but the Law, represented by Moses, bound them.  4 Miriam's death, Numbers 20:1-2. Miriam died in a waterless place in the wilderness, but Yahweh subsequently caused water to appear there.  In this study we take a look #2 The Song of Miriam and #3 Miriam's ordealExodus 15:20-2120.          Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron = This is the first mention of Miriam by name, and she is described as the sister of Aaron, so she is therefore also the sister of Moses (Exodus 4:14).We also see that Miriam had some kind of prophetic gift. Later she used her leadership position in an unwise and ungodly way – to challenge the authority of Moses (Numbers 12).Miriam was with Moses throughout the nine plagues. She came out of Egypt with Moses. Miriam was a woman of Yahweh. She was indeed a prophet herself (Exodus 15:20). The fact that Miriam was a prophet is a little known fact because everyone concentrates on Moses. Miriam was called to play a less prominent role than Moses but nevertheless a vital one. Miriam's role as a leader of the Hebrew women was obviously more extensive than is shown in the biblical text. Despite her personal charisma and power, her story has to a large extent been subsumed into the story of her brother Moses. Rulers in the ancient world led through force of arms and military might. Miriam and Moses proposed a different model of leadership. They led by example served their people rather than ruled them did what they believed Yahweh wanted rather than serving their own ends.      When the Hebrew's were escaping from Egypt, they crossed what was probably a large papyrus marsh, called the Red Sea in the biblical text. Moses, Miriam, and her second brother Aaron led them. Numbers 12This part of Miriam's story described an incident at Hazeroth (villages), as the Hebrew people wandered in search of their promised land.Going to Moses, Miriam and Aaron raised two points that were troubling them: 1.      They questioned his marriage to the Cushite (Ethiopian or Midianite) woman, not because of any personal rivalry, but because Hebrews condemned marriage with a foreigner. Some Bible translations call the woman a Cushite, others Ethiopian and some even say Sudanese. What is clear is that the woman was a foreigner. Bible scholars are divided over whether she was of African decent, as names and geography have changed in meaning over the centuries. In the ancient world the whole of the southern world from Africa to India was denoted by the word Ethiopia (English travelers as late as the 17th Century still used the name in that sense). All this leaves the possibility but not confirmation that Moses wife could have been of African decent. 2.      They questioned Moses' authority over them, since Moses was the youngest of the three siblings. Yahweh had communicated with all three of them. Why then should Moses dominate the other two?  Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com

In this study we will take a look at the women within the Bible. We will look at each one of them and see how their story influences our lives today.As we continue our study in this fantastic insight of the Women of the Bible, this morning we shall finish up with Zipporah and then take a look at Miriam the sister of Moses. ZIPPORAH (bird): THE WIFE OF MOSES.Exod. 2:15-22        Zipporah is the wife of Moses, given to him in marriage by her Midianite priest father. She heroically saves Moses and her sons from a random attack from an angel by cutting off her son's foreskin; the explanation for this act is unclear. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her.        Zipporah is a Midianite woman who becomes the wife of Moses. After Moses kills an Egyptian, he flees from the pharaoh and settles among the Midianites, an Arab people who occupied desert areas in southern Transjordan, northern Arabia, and the Sinai. He meets the seven daughters of Reuel, priest of Midian, at a well; rescues them from shepherds who are harassing them; and fills their jugs with water. In gratitude, Reuel (called Jethro or Hobab in other biblical passages) offers Moses hospitality, then gives him his daughter Zipporah in marriage (Exod 2:21–22). She and Moses have two sons, Gershom and Eliezer (Exod 18:3–4).       Zipporah is the heroine of a bizarre incident that takes place as Moses heads back to Egypt with his wife and sons (Exod 4:20). On their way, at a night encampment, “The Lord met him [Moses] and tried to kill him” (Exod 4:24). No reason is given, just as no reason is given for the angel's attack on Jacob as he came back from Mesopotamia (Gen 32:24). Jacob was alone and wrestled with the angel all night; Moses is with his wife, who comes to his rescue. She takes a flint and cuts off her son's foreskin. She then flings the foreskin at “his” feet, declaring that he is hatan damim to her (Exod 4:26). Zipporah's enigmatic statement has two possible explanations: she flings the foreskin at Moses's feet, saying, “You are a bridegroom of blood to me” (NRSV), or she flings it at Yahweh's feet, saying, “You are a blood father-in-law to me.” (Damim means “blood,” and hatan can mean either “bridegroom” or “father-in-law.”) Either way, her deed and words stop the attack. The story is already difficult for the narrator, who adds a comment that hatan damim refers to circumcision. The situation remains unclear to us. Zipporah, however, understood it and acted decisively to rescue Moses. Zipporah's name, meaning “bird,” combined with her protection of Moses, is reminiscent of the fierce loyalty to her husband Osiris of the Egyptian goddess Isis, who is often portrayed as a bird of prey.        Zipporah is not well rewarded. At some point before the exodus from Egypt, Moses sends her and the children away (Exod 18:2). After the exodus, her father, the priest of Midian (here called Jethro), comes to visit Moses, bringing Zipporah and her two sons. Moses is told that his father-in-law Jethro is “coming to see you, with your wife and her two sons” (Exod i8:6). Moses goes out to greet Jethro and takes him into his tent, but nothing is said about his greeting Zipporah.        Moses' neglect of Zipporah is obvious, as he (not Yahweh) tells the men at Sinai not to approach any women in preparation for Yahweh's approach in three days (Exod 19:2). Since he himself is apparently always in preparation for meeting with Yahweh, we can infer that he never sleeps with Zipporah. In Num 12:1 Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses because of the “Cushite woman” whom he married, but they do not mention her name. Midrashic tradition assumed they were discussing Moses' neglect of Zipporah. Other interpreters see the Cushite woman as a second wife, with Miriam and Aaron opposed to the marriage. But no children are ever recorded for a second wife of Moses.Miriam (rebellion) – Moses Sister – A ProphetessMiriam was the older sister of Moses, and it was she who watched over him when he was placed in a basket on the River Nile. She went on to become a leader of the Hebrews when they escaped from Egypt and went in search of the Promised Land.Miriam is best known for helping to deliver Moses at the Nile River and leading the Hebrew women in singing, dancing, and playing drums after crossing the Red Sea. Later, she and her brother Aaron challenge the actions and authority of Moses. She understands leadership to embrace diverse voices, female and male. But the price of speaking out is severe; Yahweh punishes her, after which she never speaks, nor is she spoken to. Centuries later, prophecy remembers her as the equal of Moses and Aaron in representing Yahweh before the people, and as the inaugurator of a performance and composition tradition of song, drums, and dances in Israel."I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy."—Joel 2:28.                Miriam, the prophetess, the sister of Aaron (Exod. 15:20.), is the first of her order mentioned in the Word of Yahweh. While Yahweh never ordained a woman to be priest, nor do we read of women as bishops or pastors in the New Testament, the vocation of "prophetess" is common to both dispensations. Hannah (1Sam. 1:2) was practically a prophetess, and so was Huldah, to whom King Josiah went in his time of perplexity. Deborah (Judges 4:5) was a prophetess (2Kings 22:14), and there were also false prophetesses, such as Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), as well as false prophets.                In the New Testament, Peter expressly declares that the pouring out of the Spirit of Yahweh upon all flesh should be upon sons and daughters, servants, and handmaids, "and they shall prophesy," quoting from the Old Testament. (Joel 2:28-32); compare (Acts 2:17-18.)  A number of those who "spake" "AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE," (Acts. 2:4.) of the wonderful works of Yahweh on the Day of Pentecost, were women speaking in the spirit of prophecy. Philip, the deacon, we read, had four daughters "which did prophesy" (Acts 21:9); the Apostle Paul speaks of those women who labored with him in the Gospel. (Phl. 4:3.) It is he who especially recommends that, when women pray and prophesy, their heads should be covered; and explains what is this office of prophesying in the words: "He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." (1Chorin. 11:5; 14:3.) And while Paul commands that women should not speak in church, he ordains that all, i.e., both men and women, may prophesy, one by one, that all may learn, and may be comforted. (1Corin. 14:31-34.)                Yahweh's order in the family is not according to earthly birthright. Speaking of the leaders of His people Israel, He says: "I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam." (Micah 6:4.) All these children of Amram were of the prophet order. Miriam was the eldest, Moses the youngest; yet Moses is first mentioned, because he knew his Yahweh more fully than either his brother or his sister. Aaron, his elder brother, ranks next, and Miriam, the eldest of the three, ranks last.     Miriam was a leader of the Hebrew people during the Exodus, the great founding event of Judaism. The episodes we have about her are disjointed and probably only represent a fraction of the stories originally told in the oral tradition of the Hebrew people. The story of Miriam contains four different episodes:   1 Miriam saved her brother Moses, Exodus 2:1-10. This well-known story shows that the survival of the leader of the Exodus, Moses, depended on the courage and ingenuity of one young woman, his sister Miriam.   2 The song of Miriam, Exodus 15:20-21. This fragment of the Song of Miriam is one of the oldest poetic couplets in the Old Testament. It is an example of a literary genre devoted to celebrating military victories with triumphal poems. 3 Miriam's ordeal, Numbers 12. This story is about the authority of established law. Moses was the great lawgiver of the Hebrew people Moses' legislation formed the basis of Hebrew life. The story acknowledged that Miriam and Aaron were both popular leaders, but the Law, represented by Moses, bound them.  4 Miriam's death, Numbers 20:1-2. Miriam died in a waterless place in the wilderness, but Yahweh subsequently caused water to appear there. Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com

In this study we will take a look at the women within the Bible. We will look at each one of them and see how their story influences our lives today.As we continue our study in this fantastic insight of the Women of the Bible, this morning we shall take a look at Jochebed and Zipporah.JOCHEBED (Yahweh Gloried): THE MOTHER OF MOSES.Jochebed, wife of Amram and mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, is mentioned by name only in Exod 6:20 and Num 26:59, both genealogical listings. Jochebed, whose name apparently means YHWH is glory,” is notable as the first person in the Bible to have a name with the divine element yah, a shortened form of YHWH.Jochebed, wife of Amram and mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, is mentioned by name only in Exod 6:20 and Num 26:59, both genealogical listings. The narrative in Exodus 2 about Moses' birth introduces her, without providing her name, as a member of the priestly tribe Levi; she marries a Levitical man, also unnamed here. The mother, in defiance of the Pharaoh's order that every male Hebrew child be killed, hides her newborn son for three months and then places him in a basket in the Nile. Pharaoh's daughter (also unnamed) finds the child and accepts the offer of Moses's sister Miriam, who witnesses the rescue of her brother, to find a Hebrew woman as a wet nurse for the infant. The narrative cleverly places Jochebed as the caregiver for her own son.The story in Exodus 2 clearly focuses on Moses, whose rescue from the river resembles other birth tales presenting culture heroes. The omission of the names of the child's family members contributes to the heightened interest in Moses. The genealogical information about his mother, as not only the daughter of Levi but also as the wife (and aunt!) of a Levite, serves to highlight the priestly pedigree of both Moses and Aaron. In addition, Jochebed, whose name (Hebrew yokheved) apparently means “YHWH is glory,” is notable as the first person in the Bible to have a name with the divine element yah, a shortened form of YHWH. The tradition that Moses announces to the Israelites that YHWH is the name of their Elohim (Exod 6:1–8) is thus embedded in his maternal lineage: if his mother bears YHWH's name, Moses learned it from her.Pharaoh's daughter said to Jochebed: "Take this child away and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages." (Exod. 2:9.)This is the last we hear of Jochebed, Moses' mother.THE RESULT OF HER LIFE's WORKwas the man Moses. The true mother lives again in her son. There is the answer to her prayers; there is the result of her watchfulness; there is the true correction of her own faults reproduced in her son. Moses might never have been the man he was had it not been for Jochebed.                Who knows how many a leader of Yahweh's people may be at the present time in course of training by some pious mother? Who knows but that the little James or John or William, who is playing with the kitten in the living room, may someday become a man to whom hundreds or thousands may look for help and direction? Oh let every mother who reads these pages understand her vocation when a higher than Pharaoh's daughter says to her: "Take this child and nurse it for Me, and I will give thee thy wages."                But the wages of Jochebed were not to be given by the princes of this world. To be the mother of a Moses, whom Yahweh knew face to face, like who there arose not since in Israel (Deut. 34:10): this was an honor which none but Yahweh could give. ZIPPORAH (bird): THE WIFE OF MOSES.Exod. 2:15-22                Zipporah is the wife of Moses, given to him in marriage by her Midianite priest father. She heroically saves Moses and her sons from a random attack from an angel by cutting off her son's foreskin; the explanation for this act is unclear. However, Zipporah is shown as fiercely devoted to her husband, even though he neglects her.                Zipporah is a Midianite woman who becomes the wife of Moses. After Moses kills an Egyptian, he flees from the pharaoh and settles among the Midianites, an Arab people who occupied desert areas in southern Transjordan, northern Arabia, and the Sinai. He meets the seven daughters of Reuel, priest of Midian, at a well; rescues them from shepherds who are harassing them; and fills their jugs with water. In gratitude, Reuel (called Jethro or Hobab in other biblical passages) offers Moses hospitality, then gives him his daughter Zipporah in marriage (Exod 2:21–22). She and Moses have two sons, Gershom and Eliezer (Exod 18:3–4).Zipporah is the heroine of a bizarre incident that takes place as Moses heads back to Egypt with his wife and sons (Exod 4:20). On their way, at a night encampment, “The Lord met him [Moses] and tried to kill him” (Exod 4:24). No reason is given, just as no reason is given for the angel's attack on Jacob as he came back from Mesopotamia (Gen 32:24). Jacob was alone and wrestled with the angel all night; Moses is with his wife, who comes to his rescue. She takes a flint and cuts off her son's foreskin. She then flings the foreskin at “his” feet, declaring that he is hatan damim to her (Exod 4:26). Zipporah's enigmatic statement has two possible explanations: she flings the foreskin at Moses's feet, saying, “You are a bridegroom of blood to me” (NRSV), or she flings it at Yahweh's feet, saying, “You are a blood father-in-law to me.” (Damim means “blood,” and hatan can mean either “bridegroom” or “father-in-law.”) Either way, her deed and words stop the attack. The story is already difficult for the narrator, who adds a comment that hatan damim refers to circumcision. The situation remains unclear to us. Zipporah, however, understood it and acted decisively to rescue Moses. Zipporah's name, meaning “bird,” combined with her protection of Moses, is reminiscent of the fierce loyalty to her husband Osiris of the Egyptian goddess Isis, who is often portrayed as a bird of prey.Zipporah is not well rewarded. At some point before the exodus from Egypt, Moses sends her and the children away (Exod 18:2). After the exodus, her father, the priest of Midian (here called Jethro), comes to visit Moses, bringing Zipporah and her two sons. Moses is told that his father-in-law Jethro is “coming to see you, with your wife and her two sons” (Exod i8:6). Moses goes out to greet Jethro and takes him into his tent, but nothing is said about his greeting Zipporah.Moses' neglect of Zipporah is obvious, as he (not Yahweh) tells the men at Sinai not to approach any women in preparation for Yahweh's approach in three days (Exod 19:2). Since he himself is apparently always in preparation for meeting with Yahweh, we can infer that he never sleeps with Zipporah. In Num 12:1 Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses because of the “Cushite woman” whom he married, but they do not mention her name. Midrashic tradition assumed they were discussing Moses' neglect of Zipporah. Other interpreters see the Cushite woman as a second wife, with Miriam and Aaron opposed to the marriage. But no children are ever recorded for a second wife of Moses.

Sermon Notes: Activating Dominion Through Signs and Tokens Preacher: Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Okronipa Main Scripture: Genesis 1:26–29 Core Theme: Activating the believer's absolute dominion on earth by engineering supernatural encounters and deploying legal, prophetic signs and tokens. 1. The Core Mystery: The Power of Supernatural Encounters A believer's life is fundamentally defined and limited by the depth of their encounters. The Engine of Manifestation: Every major dynamic testimony, breakthrough, or global impact linked to any servant of God is a direct product of an encounter. You cannot walk in a high dimension of spiritual authority without it. Definition of an Encounter: A supernatural visitation where a mortal intersects with divinity, leading to an exchange of something divine. Once this occur, a person is fundamentally altered forever. Specific vs. General Blessings: There are general blessings that God blankets over everyone—such as the sun shining and rain falling on both the righteous and the wicked. However, specific manifestations of grace, authority, and prosperity only follow individuals who have established specific encounters with God. 2. Structural Examples of Encounter-Driven Ministry I. The Sign of Supernatural Power (Apostle Joshua Selman) Apostle Joshua Selman operates under a peculiar manifestation of the Holy Ghost. While preaching, deep screaming, deliverances, and people collapsing under raw power take place automatically. This operation isn't regular or normal, it tracks back to a specific encounter where the Lord promised him a specific sign that would follow his preaching globally, whether in the UK, Ghana, Nigeria, or America. II. The Sign of Financial Miracles  While waiting on the Lord on a mission trip in a hotel room, he had an encounter with an angel of the Lord. The end product of that visitation was a raw anointing for prosperity given to make God's people wealthy. Consequently, a strange sign follows his ministry where dynamic, instant financial miracles and digital mobile alerts ("momo" miracles) consistently manifest live. 3. The Structural Discovery of Human Divinity Man as a Corporate Community: When God said, "Let us make man in our image..." He was speaking within Himself as a community (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). Similarly, man as an individual is a structured spiritual community. The Power of Meditation: Because man is built as an internal community, a believer can enter a "council session" with themselves through deep meditation. As you think and speak internally, deep divine answers surface because of the inherent nature of divinity operating within you. The Command Over Worry: When Jesus commanded, "Do not worry," He wasn't just offering emotional encouragement; He was laying down a heavy divine principle. Worry acts as a negative spiritual energy that invites structural damage (such as ulcers, bitterness, and heart failures), whereas walking in divine authority directly alters the length of your days and your reality. 4. The Creation Blueprint of Dominion Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'" Dominion as Man's Primary Purpose: Humanity has no true scriptural purpose on earth outside of exercising absolute dominion. God created man specifically to serve as a dominating force to run and police this material earthly realm. The Scope of Dominion: The legal right of control spans across the sea (fish), the air (birds), and the physical landscape (cattle and creepers). Before the fall, everything in creation moved instantly at man's command. Science and Scripture: Science does not correct or challenge the Bible; science merely discovers and catalogs the complex laws that God's Word structurally locked into nature from the very beginning. 5. Prophetic Principles of Signs & Tokens The Law of First Mention: In biblical interpretation, the first place a doctrine or theme is explicitly introduced sets its foundational law. Dominion, covenants, seedtime and harvest, and marriage all find their core laws established permanently in Genesis. Why We Need Tokens: While dominion is legally yours, it is not a passive experience. There are spiritual forces that violently contest your environment. Therefore, God utilizes material tokens (physical mediums) to anchor, express, and legally enforce invisible spiritual power. Scriptural and Modern Manifestations of Tokens: The Circumcision Token: When God sought out to kill Moses, his wife Zipporah cut off the foreskin of her son and touched Moses' feet with the blood. This physical token immediately intercepted the death sentence because of the covenant voice it carried. Handkerchiefs, Aprons, and Shadows: In the New Testament, physical materials like handkerchiefs or even the simple extension of Peter's shadow carried real, transformational spiritual weight to heal the sick and drive out devils. The Token Over Real Estate: In a battle against land guards contesting a plot of land belonging to his sister, the Pastor prayed over, spoke to, and threw prophetic bottles of water across the landscape, decreeing legal dominion. Even though multiple aggressive attempts were made afterward by the land guards, a strange spiritual barrier completely frozen their capacity to interfere, allowing the construction to proceed in absolute peace. The Token of Healing Water: During a Micro Church service, bottles of water were blessed as a prophetic token. Two elderly grandmothers who had spent weeks incapacitated by severe, un-diagnosable illness and standard strokes drank this water as a prophetic medicine. The medium instantly broke the power of the affliction, granting them full, complete restoration. The Token of Academic Dominion (The Communion): A mother consistently administered Communion to her children as a token of divine intelligence, and they consistently topped their classes. When she casually paused the token for a term thinking it was just their natural sharpness, their positions instantly dropped. Resuming the token instantly restored their academic supremacy. 6. Practical Application & Action Steps Dominion requires you to actively use the weapons provided by the Holy Ghost to enforce your authority: Engage Your Mind and Creativity: Poverty is rarely a lack of opportunities; it is often a lack of divine creativity. Use the force of creativity to design structures, pitch ideas, and command wealth. Walk in Boldness: The righteous are as bold as a lion, and it is only the lion that secures the prey. Never negotiate or address your challenges from a position of fear or low estimation. Employ the Prophetic Token: Do not dismiss physical mediums (Anointing Oil, Communion, Prophetic Actions) as simple rituals. When mixed with faith, they carry a voice in the realm of the spirit that overrides the physical laws of men, alters environments, and locks down your victory.

Sermon Notes: Activating Dominion Through Signs and Tokens Preacher: Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Okronipa Main Scripture: Genesis 1:26–29 Core Theme: Activating the believer's absolute dominion on earth by engineering supernatural encounters and deploying legal, prophetic signs and tokens. 1. The Core Mystery: The Power of Supernatural Encounters A believer's life is fundamentally defined and limited by the depth of their encounters. The Engine of Manifestation: Every major dynamic testimony, breakthrough, or global impact linked to any servant of God is a direct product of an encounter. You cannot walk in a high dimension of spiritual authority without it. Definition of an Encounter: A supernatural visitation where a mortal intersects with divinity, leading to an exchange of something divine. Once this occur, a person is fundamentally altered forever. Specific vs. General Blessings: There are general blessings that God blankets over everyone—such as the sun shining and rain falling on both the righteous and the wicked. However, specific manifestations of grace, authority, and prosperity only follow individuals who have established specific encounters with God. 2. Structural Examples of Encounter-Driven Ministry I. The Sign of Supernatural Power (Apostle Joshua Selman) Apostle Joshua Selman operates under a peculiar manifestation of the Holy Ghost. While preaching, deep screaming, deliverances, and people collapsing under raw power take place automatically. This operation isn't regular or normal, it tracks back to a specific encounter where the Lord promised him a specific sign that would follow his preaching globally, whether in the UK, Ghana, Nigeria, or America. II. The Sign of Financial Miracles  While waiting on the Lord on a mission trip in a hotel room, he had an encounter with an angel of the Lord. The end product of that visitation was a raw anointing for prosperity given to make God's people wealthy. Consequently, a strange sign follows his ministry where dynamic, instant financial miracles and digital mobile alerts ("momo" miracles) consistently manifest live. 3. The Structural Discovery of Human Divinity Man as a Corporate Community: When God said, "Let us make man in our image..." He was speaking within Himself as a community (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost). Similarly, man as an individual is a structured spiritual community. The Power of Meditation: Because man is built as an internal community, a believer can enter a "council session" with themselves through deep meditation. As you think and speak internally, deep divine answers surface because of the inherent nature of divinity operating within you. The Command Over Worry: When Jesus commanded, "Do not worry," He wasn't just offering emotional encouragement; He was laying down a heavy divine principle. Worry acts as a negative spiritual energy that invites structural damage (such as ulcers, bitterness, and heart failures), whereas walking in divine authority directly alters the length of your days and your reality. 4. The Creation Blueprint of Dominion Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'" Dominion as Man's Primary Purpose: Humanity has no true scriptural purpose on earth outside of exercising absolute dominion. God created man specifically to serve as a dominating force to run and police this material earthly realm. The Scope of Dominion: The legal right of control spans across the sea (fish), the air (birds), and the physical landscape (cattle and creepers). Before the fall, everything in creation moved instantly at man's command. Science and Scripture: Science does not correct or challenge the Bible; science merely discovers and catalogs the complex laws that God's Word structurally locked into nature from the very beginning. 5. Prophetic Principles of Signs & Tokens The Law of First Mention: In biblical interpretation, the first place a doctrine or theme is explicitly introduced sets its foundational law. Dominion, covenants, seedtime and harvest, and marriage all find their core laws established permanently in Genesis. Why We Need Tokens: While dominion is legally yours, it is not a passive experience. There are spiritual forces that violently contest your environment. Therefore, God utilizes material tokens (physical mediums) to anchor, express, and legally enforce invisible spiritual power. Scriptural and Modern Manifestations of Tokens: The Circumcision Token: When God sought out to kill Moses, his wife Zipporah cut off the foreskin of her son and touched Moses' feet with the blood. This physical token immediately intercepted the death sentence because of the covenant voice it carried. Handkerchiefs, Aprons, and Shadows: In the New Testament, physical materials like handkerchiefs or even the simple extension of Peter's shadow carried real, transformational spiritual weight to heal the sick and drive out devils. The Token Over Real Estate: In a battle against land guards contesting a plot of land belonging to his sister, the Pastor prayed over, spoke to, and threw prophetic bottles of water across the landscape, decreeing legal dominion. Even though multiple aggressive attempts were made afterward by the land guards, a strange spiritual barrier completely frozen their capacity to interfere, allowing the construction to proceed in absolute peace. The Token of Healing Water: During a Micro Church service, bottles of water were blessed as a prophetic token. Two elderly grandmothers who had spent weeks incapacitated by severe, un-diagnosable illness and standard strokes drank this water as a prophetic medicine. The medium instantly broke the power of the affliction, granting them full, complete restoration. The Token of Academic Dominion (The Communion): A mother consistently administered Communion to her children as a token of divine intelligence, and they consistently topped their classes. When she casually paused the token for a term thinking it was just their natural sharpness, their positions instantly dropped. Resuming the token instantly restored their academic supremacy. 6. Practical Application & Action Steps Dominion requires you to actively use the weapons provided by the Holy Ghost to enforce your authority: Engage Your Mind and Creativity: Poverty is rarely a lack of opportunities; it is often a lack of divine creativity. Use the force of creativity to design structures, pitch ideas, and command wealth. Walk in Boldness: The righteous are as bold as a lion, and it is only the lion that secures the prey. Never negotiate or address your challenges from a position of fear or low estimation. Employ the Prophetic Token: Do not dismiss physical mediums (Anointing Oil, Communion, Prophetic Actions) as simple rituals. When mixed with faith, they carry a voice in the realm of the spirit that overrides the physical laws of men, alters environments, and locks down your victory.

God sends Moses on a mission and immediately threatens to kill him? Why does his wife then call him a "bridegroom of blood?"In today's episode, Pastor Derek and Pastor Jackie continue through their Strange Scriptures series and talk through an account in Exodus 4 where Zipporah has to circumcise her son to prevent Moses from being killed by God. This passage brings a lot of questions, and we seek to answer them!The 17:17 podcast is a ministry of Roseville Baptist Church (MN) that seeks to tackle cultural issues and societal questions from a biblical worldview so that listeners discover what the Bible has to say about the key issues they face on a daily basis. The 17:17 podcast seeks to teach the truth of God's Word in a way that is glorifying to God and easy to understand with the hope of furthering God's kingdom in Spirit and in Truth. Scriptures: Exo. 4:19-30; Exo. 2:15; Exo. 3:1; Gen. 17:7-14, 26-27; Gen. 21:2-4; Lev. 12:1-3; Josh. 5:1-7; James 4:17; 1 Tim. 3:4-5; Prov. 22:6; James 3:1.If you'd like access to our show notes, please visit www.rosevillebaptist.com/1717podcast to see them in Google Drive!Please listen, subscribe, rate, and review the podcast so that we can reach to larger audiences and share the truth of God's Word with them!Write in your own questions to be answered on the show at 1717pod@gmail.com.  God bless!

Title: Are You Someone God Will Use?Scripture Reading: Exodus 4:24-26Series: Bizarre BibleAre you someone God will use to accomplish His mission? This message delves into the bizarre biblical account of Moses's encounter with God, exploring Moses's Compromise and reluctance to fully embrace his calling. Discover Zipporah's Urgency as she acts decisively to save Moses's life through a proxy circumcision, demonstrating her faith. Finally, uncover God's Tolerance and graciousness in sparing Moses, ultimately showing that God seeks obedient, repentant hearts for His mission. Embrace a circumcised heart of obedience and repentance, allowing God to cut away sin so you can be a willing and effective vessel for His work.

'Preparing the Redeemed' | Exodus 18 | Covenant Baptist Church Covenant Baptist Church - Josh Pool Download Exodus 18Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. Now Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her home, along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land”), and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”). Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. And when he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her,” Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the Lord had delivered them. And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the Lord had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.”So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country. English Standard Version (ESV)The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

What happens when we stop asking who we're supposed to be and start asking who we really are? In this thoughtful conversation, Agnes talks with life coach Zipporah Jarmon about transitions, identity, self-trust, communication, curiosity, and the courage to live a life aligned with who you are—whether you're 35 or 85. In This Episode: Why transition never really stops How coaching helps people uncover answers they already carry within themselves What grandparents can do when younger family members share something unfamiliar The role of curiosity in understanding people different from ourselves What inclusion means beyond simple acceptance Why it's never too late to claim your own truth Perhaps the greatest gift we can offer ourselves—and one another—is the willingness to stay curious. Find more about Zee at The Boomer Woman's Podcast

It seems as if Moses' first marriage is on the rocks, but look, there seems to be a new woman in his life, and she seems to be... a Cushite? To quote a good friend of mine, "Is that in the Bible? The story is based on Numbers 12:1-16. The reference to Moses and Zipporah's divorce comes from Exodus 18:1-9, and the story of the emergency circumcision is found in Exodus 4:24-26. Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License Music: Madeira's Misty Giants Produced by Sascha Ende Link: https://ende.app/en/song/13697-madeiras-misty-giants http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support Retelling the Bible If you would like to support the work that I do creating these stories, go to patreon.com/retellingthebible and choose a level of support! Contact me on Social Media! Bluesky Facebook Reddit

Audio Transcript How are we this morning? Excellent. All right. It's my privilege to bring the word to you this morning, so let's get into it. Recently I read a story about a young man who never wanted to be a soldier. He had no visions of fame or ambitions of glory. When his father announced that he'd secured him an appointment to West Point, the boy protested. He wanted to be a farmer or perhaps work the river trade. But his father was not a man to be argued with, and so the 17 year old boarded a coach east. Sick with dread, he got off to a rough start. Through a clerical error, his name was copied incorrectly and it would stick permanently. He hated the academy. He finished 21st of 39 cadets, distinguished only in horsemanship and mathematics. The Mexican War found him a reluctant quartermaster, competent, but unnoticed afterward posted to lonely garrisons on the Pacific coast. Far from his wife Julia and the children he barely knew, he began to drink. In 1854, facing either court martial or resignation over his drinking, he resigned his commission in disgrace and went home with empty pockets. What followed were the worst years of his life. He tried farming on land his father in law gave him outside St. Louis, and the crops failed. He hauled firewood through the city streets in a worn army overcoat, occasionally passing former West Point classmates who looked away embarrassment. He pawned his gold watch one Christmas to buy presents for his children. He tried bill collecting and was terrible at it. He tried real estate and failed at that, too. By 1860, at 38 years old, he was working at a clerk in his younger brother's leather goods store in Galena, Illinois, earning $800 a year. He was a man whose life, by every visible measure, had failed. Then Fort Sumter fell. The quiet clerk who couldn't sell harnesses turned out to understand something that most West Point polished generals did not. The war was not about elegant maneuvers or reputation, but about pressing forward relentlessly, accepting losses and refusing to stop. Donaldson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, the Wilderness, Appomattox. The failures had taught him things that successful men never learned. What it was to be underestimated, to be written off, to keep moving even when the odds looked long. The boy who didn't want to be a soldier, the the lieutenant who resigned in shame, the farmer who failed, and his brother's store. Hiram Ulysses Grant, or as the West Point Clerk mistakenly wrote, U.S. grant, ended the war as General of the armies, the man who had saved the Union and later President of the United States. It turned out that the long road had been the training. Weeks before his death, Grant wrote the preface to his personal memoirs, saying, man proposes and God disposes. There are but few important events in the affairs of men brought about by their own choice. Most of us at some point will know what it is to be in our own wilderness. We will know what it is to wait, to wait through years that seem to lead nowhere, to feel forgotten by God, to look out at a landscape that gives no sign that he is at work. And we will be tempted in those years to conclude that nothing is happening, that God has misplaced us, that our life is being spent in vain. This morning, as we come to a passage in the Book of Exodus that speaks directly into that experience. It is the story of 40 silent years in the life of Moses and 400 silent years in the life of Israel. It is the story of a God who appears to all human eyes to be doing nothing. And it is the story of how, beneath that silence, he was doing everything. So if you would with me open your Bibles, please, to the Book of Exodus. And this morning we're going to finish chapter two, verses 11 to 25. One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, why do you strike your companion? He answered, who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and thought, surely the thing is known. When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well. Now, the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. The shepherds came and drove them away. But Moses stood up and saved them and watered their flock. When he came home to their father, Reuel, he said, how is it that you have come home so soon today? They said, an Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and even drew water for us and watered the flock. He said to his daughters, then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him that he may eat bread. And Moses was content to dwell with the man. And he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he Said I have been a sojourner in a foreign land. During those many days. The king of Egypt died and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God, and God heard their groaning. And God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel and God knew. Let's pray. Father. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts this morning be acceptable in your presence. Lord, I pray, after my words are long forgotten, that your word would be remembered. Jesus name. Amen. Exodus is an epic of God's love and redemption of his people. Every scene reads like an action novel. The baby in the basket, the burning bush, the plagues, the angel of death. The parting of the Red Sea, the thunder and lightning around Mount Sinai, the covenant with the Almighty. Before we dive into our text, we must read Exodus rightly. We have to read it Christologically, that is, in relation to Jesus Christ, who is our perfect sacrifice, who saved us out of our bondage to sin and delivered us into a right relationship with God. When Jesus appeared to his disciples on the road to emmaus in Luke 24:27 Records beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. If Jesus started with Moses when describing himself, perhaps we can also we also read it historically. Scholars debate whether the Exodus took place around 1446 BC or around 1260. Good evidence exists for both dates and ancient Israel did not work with an absolute calendar the way we do. But what matters for us this morning is not the precise year, but the fact that it is history, not myth. The renowned Old Testament scholar Nahum Sarna observed that no nation would invent for itself and then faithfully transmit for thousands of years an inglorious origin story of slavery, grumbling and and idolatry. Israel did not flatter itself into existence. This happened. Exodus 2:11 to 25 sits at 1 of the great hinge moments of redemptive history. The book opens with the sons of Jacob settling in Egypt under the protection of Joseph. But there arose a new king over Egypt who did not know Joseph. What begins as refuge becomes bonding. Hebrews multiplied, and Pharaoh, fearing them, enslaved them and decreed that every male child be cast into the Nile. Into that decree Moses is born. Wes laid out for us last week that Moses mother hides him, his sister watches over him, and then Pharaoh's daughter draws him out of the water. He grows up in the palace, Stephen tells us in Acts 7:22 that he was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in his words and deeds. And that is where our passage begins. The structure that we will use this morning breaks down into four movements. Verses 11 to 14 Moses takes matters into his own hands. Verses 15 to 17 Moses flees and is shaped at a well. 18:22 Moses is welcomed and becomes a sojourner. 23 To 25 While Moses tends sheep, Israel groans and God acts. Start with 11 to 14. Moses has grown. Now the infant in the basket has become a man in Pharaoh's court, raised as Egyptian royalty. How much did he know about his true background growing up? Wes mentioned last week that Moses mother was allowed to nurse him. So did they still have a relationship? Certainly possible. There are so many unanswered questions. Did he live with a divided heart for years? Did he spend endless nights pleading with Pharaoh? Was he embarrassed by his background and didn't want to believe it? We have no idea. What we do know is that he was raised to be a prince of Egypt. But by the time he was 40, he knew exactly who he was and who his brothers and sisters truly were. Were. One day he goes out to his brothers, the Hebrews, and he looks on their burdens. And what he sees he cannot unsee. An Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own. He looks this way and that, and when he sees no one watching, he strikes. Strikes the Egyptian down and buries him in the sand. Now this raises a nagging question for me. If Moses was a member of Pharaoh's household in the royal family, so to speak, why would he have feared killing someone? Wouldn't a royal be able to kill a lowly Egyptian taskmaster with little to no reprisal? This goes into the historical context at the time. Exodus 1:8 says, now there arose a new king over Egypt who did not know Joseph. Commentators note that this likely indicates a dynastic change. A new royal house with no political or familial loyalty to the previous regime. In fact, during either time period, you believe royal houses at that time were very politically unstable, with different factions having different claims to the crown. The princess who had adopted him was almost certainly aging or dead. And the reigning pharaoh would have viewed an adopted Hebrew with suspicion, not affection. And the man Moses killed was not a slave. He was an Egyptian official, a representative of Pharaoh's economic and political authority. This is crucial. In ancient Egypt, killing a Hebrew slave was something an Egyptian could do with little consequence. But a member of the royal household killing one of Pharaoh's taskmasters. This probably would not have looked so much like murder. It would have looked like the potential beginning of an insurrection. The next day, Moses goes out and this time he finds two Hebrews fighting each other. He steps in to make peace, and the man in the wrong rounds on him with words that must have cut deeply. Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill us as you killed the Egyptian? And Moses is afraid. The secret is out. Beneath these interactions is something deeper that the New Testament helps us understand. The writer of Hebrews tells us this whole episode began in faith. By faith. Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the Reward. That's Hebrews 11:24-26. When Moses walked out of the palace, he was not slumming, he was choosing. He looked at the gold of Egypt on the one hand and the suffering of God's people in the other. And he chose the suffering. That is faith. So what went wrong? Well, it can be summed up in the next phrase. He looked this way. That a long line of preachers have lingered over those words and noticed what was missing. As Chuck Swindoll says, he looked east, he looked west, he looked over his shoulder, but he didn't look up, did he? He looked in both directions horizontally, but he left the vertical completely out of it. Moses was a man with a true call, but a glance still fixed on the ground. Here is the heart of the problem. Moses tried to bring about by his own hand what God had promised to bring about by his covenant. The deliverer was right, the cause was right, the method was wrong, and the time was not yet. And the proof is what he is in what he does next. He hides the body in the sand, as if sand could keep a secret from God. Within a day, the rumor was loose. Within a week, Pharaoh wants him dead. Three things to take from these opening verses. First, a true call from God does not exempt a man from from the discipline of God's timing. Moses had the right cause and the right collar. But he ran ahead. And it will take 40 years in the desert to refine him. Second, hidden sin is a poor investment. Sand is a thin grave. What God means to expose, no man can keep buried. Third, there is mercy for those with juvenile or immature faith. John Calvin's pastoral word on this passage is really helpful. Even the obedience of the saints, stained as it is by sin, is still sometimes acceptable to God through his mercy. So Moses runs, but God was not finished with him. He was only beginning verses 15 through 17. Verse 15 begins with collapse. However noble Moses motives may have been, when he took matters into his own hands, he was outside the will of God. And yet God still had a plan for him. This is one of the great promises of Scripture. God uses sinners for his glory. It's the only kind he has to work with. When you read the heroes of the faith, they read a lot more like a Alcoholics Anonymous meeting than a catalog of superheroes. I can almost see them in a church basement, sitting in a circle on folding chairs, sipping bad coffee, introducing themselves. Hi, I'm Abraham and I'm a liar who pimped out my wife. Hi, I'm Jacob. I'm a deceiver and I'm a thief. How? Hi, I'm Samson and I'm a lust addicted vow breaker. Hi, I'm David. I'm an adulterer and a murderer. Hi, I'm Jonah and I'm a racist runaway. Hi, I'm Peter and I'm a coward who denied my Savior. Hi, I'm Moses and I'm a murderer. When Janet and I lived in Atlanta, we had a pastor who was fond of saying that God doesn't look for ability, he looks for availability. God uses broken people because it's his strength, it's his wisdom, it's his power, and it's for his glory. God would be using Moses, but he had some seasoning yet to experience. Verse 15. When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. There's no firm consensus on where exactly Midian was, but the traditional and most widely accepted location is in northwest Arabia, east of the Gulf of Agapa, in what is now northwestern Saudi Arabia. The Midianites appear to have been a semi nomadic people, so Midian may refer to an area where the tribe ranged rather than a specific location. Calvin, commenting here, sees in Moses flight not cowardice, but the sovereign hand of God, breaking a man down before he builds him up. Calvin's instinct is that the Lord put his servant through a long banishment precisely so that he would learn humility and dependence, because the work for which he was designed was greater than human strength could compass. 40 Years of palace training had to be matched by 40 years of desert undoing. Augustine, in a different connection, spoke of being in the region of unlikeness that far country, where the soul learns who it is by losing what it had. Moses, sitting by that well is in the region of unlikeness. Verse 15 ends noting that Moses, obviously exhausted, sat down by a well. One of the beauties of Scripture is the inclusion of what so often to us seems like pointless details. But wells, as it turns out, is an important location in the Bible, specifically, if you are looking for a wife. In Genesis 24, Abraham's servant meets Rebekah, Isaac's future wife, at a well. In Genesis 29, Jacob meets Rachel at a well. This time, who is Moses going to meet? Verses 16 and 17. Now, the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up to save them and watered their flock. Moses is once again faced with injustice. Has he learned anything? A group of young women have come to the well to draw water, and a group of shepherds is going to give them a hard time. Moses, again courageously rises to their defense. Already we see clues that he is learning from his past mistakes. The text does not record that he killed the shepherds, and not only that he served the young women by watering their flock. For the first time, he was learning what it was to be a deliverer. He stands firm for what is just and begins to practice true leadership, which is born out of service. It would have been unthinkable at the time for a man to perform a menial task for women. But Moses stooped to serve. And by learning to serve, he was learning to lead. For all God's leaders are servants. He, in time, the one who is the true and better. Moses would himself kneel and wash 12 pairs of dirty feet and tell his disciples that whoever wants to be great must be a servant of all. Service is always one of the first courses in God's leadership training. Anyone who aspires to spiritual leadership, especially in the church, should begin by finding a place of humble service. If you travel to my alma mater, Wheaton College, one of the most striking little buildings on campus is the Marion E. Wade center, which houses the largest collection of C.S. Lewis writings in the world. Its namesake, Marian Wade, was an American businessman and founder of the large company Servicemaster. Wade was a man of deep faith who established a tradition called six weeks on the front lines. Every future executive at the company would spend six weeks scrubbing floors on hands and knees, doing the work of those they would later lead. Wade believed that those who refused to serve had no business leading. One of the other blessings of servant leadership is that when kids watch authentic service from their parents, it has a tendency to be passed down through the generations. The other founder of Service Master was a gentleman by the name of Ken Hanson. Ken's son, Walter Hanson, when he grew up, would move to Cleveland. He started a little church in his living room. And it grew, and it grew to about a thousand. In 10 years, the church would grow into what is now called Parkside Church. And if that name rings a bell, it would be because it's the church that Alistair Begg just retired from. It's amazing how these things pass down. Moses is being molded. Though he must feel lost and alone, God is right there, directing the most salient detail, refining his champion. God creates this dress rehearsal. The stage is a backwater. Well, the cast is seven anonymous girls, but the script is the same script that would one day be played out at the Red Sea. This is how God so often works. CS Lewis, in his collected letters, wrote that the great thing, if one can, is to stop regarding all the unpleasant things as interruptions of one's own or real life. The truth is, of course, that what one calls the interruptions are precisely one's real life, the life God is sending one day by day, Moses thought his real life had ended at the border of Egypt. In fact, his real life was just beginning in Midian. There are seasons of our lives where it seems to have been derailed, where the calling we thought we had has collapsed and we find ourselves sitting by a well in some unfamiliar place. The temptation is to read those seasons as God's absence. But this text invites us to read them as God's curriculum. The God who is going to deliver Israel is at this very moment teaching his deliverer how to stand up for seven helpless women at a watering trough. Nothing in your wilderness is wasted. Turn to verses 18 to 22. The daughters return home and their father called Ruel here or Jethro elsewhere, most likely the same man. So don't get confused. Very common at the time for there to be multiple names for somebody. And he asked why they're early, and they say, an Egyptian delivered us. It's a quietly ironic line. Moses has gone out to deliver Hebrews and was rejected as a meddling Egyptian. He flees to Midian and is received as a generous Egyptian. The man cannot escape his identity, and yet his identity is not what God will make of it. Ruel rebukes his daughters for leaving the man unhosted. Call him that. He may eat bread and Moses is brought in. Verse 21 simply says Moses was content to dwell with the man. The Hebrew verb here ya all carries the sense of consenting, of being willing, even of resigning oneself. Moses is not striving anymore. He has come to the end of his striving. He sits down and he stays. The Book of Acts tells us that 40 years passed between Moses flight to Midian and his encounter with God at the burning bush. D.L. Moody is often quoted as saying Moses spent 40 years in Egypt learning to be something. 40 Years in the desert learning to be nothing. And 40 years in the wilderness proving God to be everything. Philip Reichen notes that whenever we are tempted to grow impatient with God's timetable for our lives, we should remember Moses, who spent two years of preparation for every year of ministry. Zipporah is given to Moses as a wife and a son is born. Moses names him Gershom new meaning I have become an alien in a foreign land. The name comes from the Hebrew verb garash, which means to drive out or expel. It may refer to Moses own experience of being driven out of Egypt. It also sounds like the Hebrew words ger and sham, which is a pun that means an alien there. Every time Moses speaks his son's name, he confesses that he does not belong. Midian is not home. Egypt is not home. He is a man between worlds. The Puritans loved this theme of sojourning. John Owen described the believer as a stranger and a pilgrim traveling through a country not his own, with his heart fixed on a city whose builder and maker is God. Jonathan Edwards preached a famous sermon called the Christian Pilgrim, in which he said that the true Christian travels on through this world as a wayfaring man and looks not upon any of the enjoyments of this world as his own. GK Chesterton, with his usual paradox, put it this way. How can we contrive to be at once astonished at the world and and yet at home in it? The answer of Scripture is that we cannot. Not fully, not yet. We are pilgrims. Gershom is the name of every saint. But notice Moses, sojourning is not a punishment, it is a preparation. RC Sproul emphasized that the entire 40 year sojourn in Midian was God's way of thinking. Moses for leadership, a man trained only in Pharaoh's court could not lead Israel through Pharaoh's wilderness. But a man who had himself become a shepherd of sheep in that very wilderness could one day shepherd God's people through it. The geography of Midian is the geography of the Exodus. Route. The skills Moses learned watering Reuel's flock are the skills he would use leading Israel's flock. God was not killing time. God was forging an instrument. And Moses doesn't know he names his son after his displacement. He doesn't name him soon to be deliverer or heir of promise. He names him Sojourner. The man cannot see what God is doing. Alistair Begg has spoken movingly of how God's people are very often in the dark about the brightness of God's plan for them. Moses is in the dark, but the brightness is gathering. If you are a Christian, you are a Gershom. You are a sojourner in a foreign land. The disquiet you feel, the restlessness, the sense that this world is not home is not a defect of your discipleship. It is a feature of it. CS Lewis spoke of this often when he talked about the pilgrim longing in Mere Christianity. He wrote, if we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world. The long ordinary years in which it seems nothing of eternal weight is happening to you are very likely the years in which God is doing his deepest work. Verses 23 and 20 through 25. And now the camera pulls back, just like in a movie. We get a break from the action in Midian and the screen flashes. Meanwhile, back in Egypt. Verse 23. During those many days, the king of Egypt died and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. 40 Years have passed. A Pharaoh has died, another has come. Nothing has changed for Israel. They are still in chains. Bricks still must be made, whips still fall. And from those brick fields raises a sound. The text uses the strongest words in Hebrew for it. A groaning, a crying, a shrieking that goes up out of the dust. Where does the cry go? To all human eyes, the cry goes nowhere. Pharaoh doesn't hear it. The Egyptians don't hear it. Moses doesn't hear it. And then come four of the most precious verbs in the Old Testament. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God, and God heard their groaning. And God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel, and God knew. God heard. God remembered. God saw. God knew. John Piper has called these four verbs the Gospel before the Gospel, the announcement hundreds of years before Bethlehem that the God of heaven is not a deistic clock maker, but a covenant father who hears the groaning of his enslaved children. Each verb carries a war world. God heard, not merely overheard, the Hebrew implies attentive, responsive, hearing the cry that no human ear answered, the cry that seemed to die in the air over the Egyptian sky. The cry arrived at the throne of heaven. The silence of God is never the deafness of God. When his people cry, he hears with the ears of a father. God remembered. This does not mean that God had forgotten and now recalled. To remember in the covenantal sense is to act upon a prior commitment. When Scripture says God remembered Noah, the next thing is that the waters subside. When it says he remembered Hannah, the next thing is that she conceives. When it says he remembered his covenant with Abraham, the next thing is the Exodus. God's remembrance is the prelude to his deliverance, the covenant he made 400 years before. I will be a God to you and to your offspring after you has not faded. He was about to honor it. God saw. The verb is the same verb used in Genesis 1. And God saw that it was good. It is the verb of attentive, evaluating, sight. He saw the bruises, he saw the broken backs. He saw the widows, the unburied babies. There is no suffering of his people that is hidden from him. The Scottish divine Samuel Rutherford, writing from his imprisonment in Aberdeen, often returned to the image of God as the watchman over Israel, who never slumbers, whose people's tears are gathered in heaven long before they fall to the ground. God sees and God knew. Interestingly, the verb stands alone in the Hebrew. There is no object God knew. Some translations may supply one. God knew their condition, but the Hebrew leaves it bare. Why? Perhaps because what God knows here is larger than any object can contain. He knows their pain, he knows their bondage, he knows their names, and he knows what he is about to do. Jonathan Edwards taught that every act of God in history is the unfolding of a purpose conceived before time began. God knew. While Moses sits in Midian thinking he had been forgotten, and while Israel cries in Egypt, thinking that they have been forgotten, neither has been forgotten. God is doing two things at once. In Midian, he is shaping his deliverer. In Egypt, he is hearing their cries. The two threads are converging towards a burning bush in the next chapter. But neither Moses nor Israel can see it. Yet Augustine in his Confessions, wrote this sentence. Thou, O Lord, wert more inward to me than my most inward part and higher than my highest. That is the God of Exodus 2. He is closer to Israel's groaning than the chains on their wrists. He is closer to Moses weariness than the dust on his sandals. He is not far off. He is not distracted, he is at work. Four thoughts to close. First, be still and know that he is God. What we are very often is people who run ahead of God. Moses is not alone in this. Abraham had the promise of a son and and couldn't wait until he took Hagar. And the household of faith has lived with the consequences ever since. Jacob had the blessing already promised to him, but couldn't wait, and so he stole it with a goatskin and a lie. Peter had a lord he loved and couldn't bear to see him arrested. So he drew a sword in Gethsemane and cut off a man's ear. The pattern is older than Moses, and it is as new as this morning. The right cause can be pursued in the wrong way and the wrong time. Bradley Gray puts it bluntly. Nothing good happens when you get ahead of God and take matters into your own hands. Second, the silence of God is not the absence of God. 40 Years passed in Midian and 400 years in Egypt before God spoke from the bush. But not one of those years was empty. God was hearing, he was remembering. He was seeing, he was knowing. If your life feels like a wilderness right now, if you have been sitting by your own well in Midian waiting for a word from heaven that just doesn't come, take this passage and press it to your heart. The silence is not absence. The God who shaped Moses in obscurity is shaping you now. In his 1967 book Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders quoted this anonymous poem. When God wants to drill a man and thrill a man, and skill a man. When God wants to mold a man to play the noblest part, when he yearns with all his heart to create so great and bold a man that all the world shall be amazed. Watch his methods, watch his ways, how he ruthlessly perfects whom he royally elects. How his hammer he hammers him and hurts him and with mighty blows converts him into trial shapes of clay which only God understands. While his tortured heart is crying and he lifts beseeching hands, how he bends but never breaks when his good he undertakes, how he uses whom he chooses and with every purpose him by every act induces him to try his splendor out. God knows what he's about. Third, your sojourning has a destination. Moses named his son Gershom because he felt the foreignness of his life. But the foreignness was not the end of the story. It was the prelude to a calling. The writer of Hebrews tells us that all the saints acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. They desired a better country. That is a heavenly one. Your pilgrimage is not a pointless one wandering. It is a movement towards a country God has prepared for you. Fourth, and most importantly, the God who heard Israel has heard you in a fuller way still. The end of Exodus 2 is a foreshadowing. The four verbs heard, remembered, saw new, find their final fulfillment not at Sinai, but at Calvary. There the Father heard the cries of his people. There he remembered the covenant he had made before the foundations of the world. There he saw his Son lifted up between heaven and earth, bearing the groaning of every enslaved soul in his own body. And there he knew in a way only the triune God could know the cost of redeeming a people for himself. If God heard Israel groaning under Pharaoh and he sent Moses, how much more has he heard your groaning and sent his son? The exodus from Egypt is the shadow. The exodus from sin and death is the substance. And the same four verbs hover over the cross. Today God hears your cries that come up from the dust of this fallen world. God remembers his covenant with you. God sees you right now in this room, in your struggle, in your brokenness. And God knows exactly what he's doing. Let's pray. Father, thank you for this text. Father, thank you for your covenant with us. That you know us, that you love us, that you see us, that no prayer goes unheard, no silence is a waste. And that wherever we are in our life, whatever burdens we are carrying, that you're right here. That you are molding us and you are creating us in just the way that you had planned for us before the creation of the world. Thank you for who you are. In Jesus name, amen. The post Moses Flees to Midian – Exodus 2: 11-25 appeared first on Red Village Church.

In the sermon "The Seven Women of the Exodus," Pastor Abby Burg explores the critical roles played by the often-overlooked women who preserved Moses's life. By highlighting Shiprah, Puah, Jochebed, Miriam, Pharaoh's daughter, her maidservant, and Zipporah, she demonstrates how God uses quiet acts of faithful obedience and defiant hope to shape history. This inspiring message challenges believers to trust that their seemingly small choices matter for eternity.

On today's episode, we discuss some of the most difficult and puzzling Bible passages, tackling them from a layperson's perspective with a panel of pastors and teachers. Mark kicks things off with a “20 questions” format, starting in Exodus 4 with the strange scene where God seeks to kill Moses until Zipporah circumcises their son, prompting a conversation about covenant obedience, guilt, and God's standards for Israel's leader. The group then moves into New Testament questions like the longer ending of Mark and whether signs such as speaking in tongues, picking up snakes, and drinking deadly poison were meant as universal commands or specific confirming signs for the early church. Along the way, they weave in church history, manuscript issues, and even a mini science lesson on the difference between venom and poison, noting that most venoms are only deadly when injected, not swallowed. The tone stays candid and humorous, but the hosts repeatedly emphasize careful reading, context, and the importance of aligning difficult texts with the broader message of Scripture. Don't miss it!

At the 2025 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival, songwriter and artist Zipporah Corser-Anu joins Francesca for a conversation about writing from instinct, blending dance and voice, and how culture and lived experience shape the songs we create. About Zipporah: Fresh off the release of her new music but backed by years of live performance experience, Zipporah is a seasoned and magnetic performer who knows how to command a stage. Her recent highlights include appearances at the Brisbane Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols, Dream Aloud (MC), Melbourne Fashion Week and the National NAIDOC Awards in 2025, following standout sets at Blak Powerhouse, AFL Gather Round, Port Fairy Festival and WOMADelaide in 2024. In 2023 alone she featured at the GQ Awards, Mushroom Music's 50th Anniversary Concert, NGV Gala, BIGSOUND and triple j's Like A Version with Ziggy Ramo, building on earlier major moments such as the NITV 10th Anniversary Concert and First and Forever Festival in 2022. Contact Zipporah: Website / Instagram Find out more and contact us at I Heart Songwriting Club & Francesca de Valence. Ready to deep dive into songwriting? Join our 10-week online intensive course to write 10 new songs with lessons, personalised mentorship and practical tools to refine your craft. Learn more at iheartsongwritingclub.com/songwritingcourses. Get your creativity, confidence, and songwriting output flowing. Join The Club and receive the support and structure to write 10 songs in 10 weeks and get feedback from a private peer community.  Just getting started on your songwriting journey and need more hands-on support? Establish a firm foundation and develop your musical and lyric skills with our Beginner Songwriting Courses.  Don't struggle to write your next album - write an album a year with ease! Watch our Free Songwriting Masterclass.  Get songwriting insights from I Heart Songwriting Club: Instagram / Facebook / YouTube Be inspired by Francesca on socials: YouTube / Facebook / Instagram Theme song: “Put One Foot In Front Of The Other One” music and lyrics by Francesca de Valence  Join our 2026 Festival If you want to be part of the 2026 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival and be mentored by our team of acclaimed songwriters, join us in Airlie Beach, Queensland on June 6. Click here for more information on the festival. If you love this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and tell everyone you know about The Magic of Songwriting.

Day 100: Moses Marries ZipporahScripture (Exodus 2:21 NKJV):“And Moses was content to dwell with the man; and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses.”Reflection: God provides companionship and support for those He calls. Relationships are gifts from Him.Prayer: Father, thank You for relationships that strengthen and encourage me in Your purpose.AmenUntil next timeStay in the BlessingsI really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!You're important to God, and you're important to us at The Refinery.When it comes to prayer, we believe that God wants to meet your needs and reveal His promises to you.So whatever you're concerned about and need prayer for we want to be here for you! Or even if you just want to say Hi, you can contact us at www.refinerylife.org2026 WILL BE A TIME OF WARFARE.This episode is brought to you by Refinery Life Australia:If you enjoy The Refinery Life Radio Podcast you can help support The Refinery by doing the following:Join our Telegram Channel https://t.me/IntercessorsforAustralia Sow an offering:Bitcoin: bc1qqh6720t2zagj72dyfj348az698tdut3hlecaj4Online: https://www.refinerylife.org/donate/If you do send an offering then please email us so that we can say thank youSubscribe oniTunes | Spotify  | YouTube | TuneIn | Rumble | Zap.Stream | Fountain |Share The Refinery with your friends and familySubscribe to the newsletter on www.refinerylife.orgFollow The Refinery on Twitter | Nostr | Instagram | Fountain 

→ Watch on YouTube → Detailed Show Notes → Timestamps: (00:00) The children of Israel are placed in bondage by the Egyptians. Moses is born and saved through the efforts of heroic women like Jochebed, Shiphrah, Puah, Miriam, and Pharaoh's daughter.(08:58) Moses flees from Egypt, meets Jethro, marries Zipporah, and speaks with God at the burning bush.(11:48) The Lord knows our sorrows and suffering. Deliverance is a process.(18:34) God helps us bear our burdens in the space between bondage and deliverance. Our bones thicken to match the weight they carry.(25:49) Moses is called to deliver Israel from bondage and God gives him signs or tokens.(28:26) Meanings of the divine name “I Am That I Am.”(34:52) We are encouraged to act and not be acted upon.(37:21) God tells Moses that He will lead Israel to a land flowing with milk and honey.(50:26) Making time for rest and connecting with heaven is essential.(57:24) Ways to interpret God making Pharaoh's heart “heavy.” → For more of Bryce Dunford’s podcast classes, click here. → Enroll in Institute → YouTube → Apple Podcasts → Spotify → Amazon Music → Facebook The post Ep 364 | Exodus 1-6, Come Follow Me 2026 (March 23-29) appeared first on LDS Scripture Teachings.

Dr. Krystal Pierce continues examining Exodus 1-6, revealing how God meets Moses in his self-doubt and demonstrates divine power over both Pharoah and fear.YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/HI8v2xRYxf4ALL EPISODES/SHOW NOTESfollowHIM website: https://www.followHIM.coFREE PDF DOWNLOADS OF followHIM QUOTE BOOKSNew Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastNTBookOld Testament: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastOTBookBook of Mormon: https://tinyurl.com/PodcastBMBook  WEEKLY NEWSLETTER https://tinyurl.com/followHIMnewsletter  SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followHIMpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/followhimpodcastTIMECODE:00:00 Part 2 - Dr. Krystal Pierce02:18 B.H. Roberts's future05:12 A perfect description of God07:31 Meaning of “pharoah”09:01 Pharoah is going to refuse11:26 God reassures Moses13:13 Moses's staff and the symbolism of a snake17:14 Skin diseases20:35 Aaron as spokesperson23:29 Anger or rapid breathing?26:14 A miraculous story and a strange visitor31:52 God sends help in the form of other people34:00 Israel is God's “firstborn”36:23 Covenantal bonds and cutting40:46 Zipporah and “cutting” a covenant43:58 Zipporah helps save her family46:02 Moses and Aaron reunite48:01 Who is Jehovah?50:30 Bricks without straw54:00 Things get worse for Israel56:39 Remember, remember, remember59:29 It is about redemption1:02:59 Crushed, dust, and the Potter1:06:59 Only Jesus can save1:09:17 Four themes and testimony of Jesus Christ1:12:55  End of Part 2 - Dr. Krystal PierceThanks to the followHIM team:Steve & Shannon Sorensen: Cofounder, Executive Producer, SponsorDavid & Verla Sorensen: SponsorsDr. Hank Smith: Co-hostJohn Bytheway: Co-hostDavid Perry: ProducerKyle Nelson: Marketing, SponsorLisa Spice: Client Relations, Editor, Show NotesWill Stoughton: Video EditorKrystal Roberts: Translation Team, English & French Transcripts, WebsiteAriel Cuadra: Spanish TranscriptsAmelia Kabwika: Portuguese TranscriptsHeather Barlow: Communications DirectorSydney Smith: Social Media, Graphic Design "Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise" by Marshall McDonaldhttps://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com

3.8.2026 – Rev. Ben Roberts for Foundry UMC, Washington DC The author has wasted no time being extra scandalous here. It's not just that Jesus is meeting with the Samaritan woman but also that he's doing it at a well. Other biblical narratives of men meeting with women at the well usually ends with some sort of marriage; Isaac and Rebecca.  Jacob and Rachel.  Moses and Zipporah.  These are all encounters at wells. So the overtones for the original audience of this story hint at courtship.  If you've encountered this story before maybe you've heard it sad that this woman social standing should be questioned because of the marriage history that's presented. But Dr. Laura Holmes at Wesley Theological seminary invites us to remember that permission to divorce would have been handed down by male family member it would not have been possible for a poor woman. She couldn't have chosen to get divorced. So the multiple husbands noted in this story likely are “related to tragedies either death or being divorced or both.” So it would be inappropriate to make those sorts of conclusion about here moral or social standing. She also notes for us that we should pay attention to the way that the community responds to this woman's testimony, that many people receive it and believe because of her. If she were ostracized, it is unlikely they would have even listened to what she had to say.  This story also follows closely to that of Nicodemus' the story we heard last week. The contrast being that the Nicodemus story takes place in the middle of the night, but Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well in the middle of the day. Their stories present a series of opposites: “They embody gender, class and status, and ethnic and religious differences. The setup for each encounter also differs: Nicodemus initiates the conversation with Jesus, while Jesus initiates the conversation with the Samaritan woman, and the former is at night (3:2) while the latter is at noon (4:6).”  In both stories, Jesus's answers are interpreted literally causing confusion; when talking of being born again or drinking living water. As Pastor Ginger said last week, very unhelpful answers provided by Jesus. But we see different responses within the confusion. Nicodemus's story somewhat ends after a couple of follow-up questions; he the learned teacher doesn't continue the conversation. While the Samaritan woman asks for the living water and goes and tells others about what she has encountered. So we get some of the feeling that they learned teacher Nicodemus who is inside the community doesn't quite get it what this random Samaritan outsider woman stays engaged and curious.  After the woman asks for the living water, Jesus does something that reveals and points to himself as Messiah. He knows things that haven't be said yet. He tells her about her husbands and current situation, nothing she had shared with him. This, him knowing something that hasn't been reveled,  is enough to begin this revelation and journey for her.  Let's note they have this discussion on worship. Localities are brought up as she says “this mountain” and then says, “but you (y'all) say the place where people MUST worship is Jerusalem.”  We'll talk some more about this, but suffice it to say for the moment the Jewish tradition is telling them that worship must be in Jerusalem, while the Samaritan tradition says it should be on Mt. Gerizim (or this mountain).  She points to this dogmatic divide between their communities and Jesus' response is to say neither Jerusalem nor this mountain. A time is coming when true worship will be in spirit and in truth. Worship that is born not from obligation to ritual but love of heart and active in the world as Jesus was active (mercy, service, justice, compassion). She goes from there and tells others in her community and it's said that many listened to her, came to see Jesus for themselves, and also believed. The woman becomes one of our traditions' first theologians discussing proper worship, first preachers telling her community what Jesus had done, and is every bit a disciple/apostle as those other…guys. And that is lovely.  There are few major stories where the Samaritans were mentioned in the New Testament. We have this story of the Samaritan woman at the well. We have the story of a thankful Samaritan leper. And we have probably the best-known story of the Good Samaritan parable. In each of these cases a person who is Samaritan is held up as an example of someone who did the “right” thing where the more faithful person or the Jewish person in this story does the wrong thing or is just slower at…the thing. For example, in the Good Samaritan parable this is the Samaritan who stops to help the injured person after some priests and Levites had passed by on the other side. Or in the case of the leper the Samaritan is the one who gives thanks and tells the story where the other nine just leave. I'll note that in the other two cases a person is in some ways reduced to being an object lesson, that is they are just held up to teach us something about the ways we're supposed to act. There's not a bunch of character development. We don't learn about the actual people or their communities through these stories. They're just being used to show us something. By comparison, today's story is rather robust for the Samaritan character; despite not being given a name. Last fall (2025) as part of our foundations of sacred resistance series, we did a Bible study that included talking about the Good Samaritan. Someone brought up that it would be helpful for us to expand on who the Samaritans were. Usually we (and the Bible) just note there is animosity between the Jewish community and the Samaritan community. There was one Kingdom and a united monarchy until the time after King Solomon. So we have one Kingdom under David and then under his son Solomon, but after Solomon, the kingdoms and the tribes split. Ten tribes remain in the north, which becomes the Kingdom of Israel, and two remain in the South, which becomes the Kingdom of Judah. The reason for that split is often characterized as a continuation of tax policy and harsh leadership. This would have been around or between 975 and 930 BCE. Whatever the day-to-day on the ground specifics, we end up with two groups where there had previously been one. Differences begin to emerge for a variety of reasons. But we'll start with something that's common, and that is that both groups followed the Torah or the fist 5 books of what we would call the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament (Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy). For portions of this Northern Kingdom that eventually become the Samaritan community, the scriptures stop there without additions of prophetic texts, Psalms or others that Christian circles are familiar with from the Hebrew Bible or Old testament.  And within that holy text of those first five books, there are differences between the Torah used by the Samaritans and the Torah used by the Jews. There are 6,000 differences: half of which are grammatical or small changes for flow, and the other half are larger ones like entire conversations (missing/not included) between characters like Moses and Aaron with Pharaoh and a difference in the 10 commandments. Where we might be familiar with the 10th commandment being “thou shalt not covet,” the Samaritan version has the 10th commandment as an instruction to build and alter at Mount Gerizim (believed to be the place Abraham was going to sacrifice Isacc for this tradition rather than Mount Moriah/The Temple Mount in Jerusalem). So differing scriptures (yet the same), differing instructions, differing locations claiming to be central to the faith if not the center of the world. These realties come together over time. The distinct group of the Samaritans does not really emerge however until after the Assyrian conquest in 722 BCE.  The Assyrians come through and take over the Northern Kingdom (Israel). When the northern Kingdom fell some of the members of the 10 tribes are deported throughout Assyrian territory.  Some remained. But the Assyrians also send colonists and other deported people from other places into the region of the northern Kingdom. And the population that remained from the 10 tribes begins to intermix culturally, religiously, and socially.  Differences are magnified  because of the experience of the Southern Kingdom with the Babylonian exile. Where the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdome sends the people away. The Babylonian conquest takes the people of the southern kingdom in to exile in Babylon (this where books of the prophets come from) but there's an end exile (where there wasn't for the northern kingdom) 200 years later, Persians allow the southern kingdom Judean's to return. This has a big impact on the development of Judaism. And upon their return, while it's said in the book of Ezra, the Samaritans were willing to welcome back these cousins and work with them to rebuild. Those returning did not want to mix because of the ways the Samaritans had mixed with other cultures over the centuries. At some point during the Assyrian conquest and the people being deported. Some lions showed up, killed some people, it was a big mess. It was a whole thing. The Assyrians said, you know, those people we sent into that land don't know how to worship the God of that land. So we need to send a priest back to teach them (2 Kings), because we can't have lions running around killing people. So our tradition, from the start says, those people who remain, those Samaritans who have been mixing, they don't know what they're doing when it comes to worship when it comes to being faithful. They're doing it wrong and need to be fixed. That becomes the one-sided story we inherit. This experience of exile, return and non-return becomes a big divergence for the two groups. The returning Judeans don't want to mix with those people who are doing it wrong. They reject the Samaritan's help. And as the returning Judeans begin to do things like rebuild Jerusalem and the temple after rejecting the Samaritans' help. The Samaritans in turn find ways to oppose its construction by lobbying the Persians.  Laws and prohibitions around mixing and inter-marrying are put in place. The marriage prohibitions persist to this day. Animosity and separation continue to grow over hundreds of years by the time the Jesus story begins. In 128 BCE the Hasmonean's (Judea/Southern Kingdom) destroyed the Samaritan Temple at Mt. Gerizim. Little more than a century later (6-9 AD) around the time of Jesus' birth, the Samaritans dump human bones throughout the temple in Jerusalem, rendering it unclean and unavailable for the Passover celebration. There is long-range tit for tat going on. And at roughly the same time as Jesus' life and ministry and the budding of the early Christian church, the Samaritans were essentially in collaboration with the occupying Romans; collecting taxes and helping keep order compared to the rebellious Jewish community. Samaritan community still exists. By all accounts there are 8-900 people left in the community. The population is mainly split between Tel-Aviv, Israel and Nablus near Mount Gerizim in Palestine/West Bank. There was a NYT article from 2021 called “The World's Last Samaritans – Straddling the Israeli-Palestinian Divide.” So with all of that, recent desecrations and destructions of temples, differing yet the same scripture, vastly differing experiences, prohibitions on marriages and sharing food, and hundreds of years of growing divide; Jesus talks with a Samaritan woman at a well. No shortage of old divides on display for us in the world right now. No shortage of one-sided stories about how awful the other side is, right now. No shortage of stories about how awful we are. No shortage of conflict and suffering because of it. I think I very much like the idea today of Jesus stepping into and interrupting old, entrenched conflict. I like the idea that people, like the woman, are still curious and willing not be held by old tropes and dogmas; social, political, or religious. I like Jesus stepping in and saying not your mountain or ours; it's not what matters and they're not worth staying divided over.  If we keep drinking from these old wells; of nationalism, Christian nationalism, Christian Zionism, racism. Drinking from wells of sexism misogyny, racism, or homophobia. Drinking from the wells of ethnic conflict the wells of polarization. Drinking from these old wells of division and violence will just keep us coming back to these old wells of division and violence. Four years from now, 100 years from now, 200, 700, 3000 years from now. Instead, we're invited to the living water that can satisfy and move us into relationship. And for those who would step into that relationship, having experienced the living water, within them a spring would form and other could experience it too. Through that expansion may  we (with God's help) somehow move closer to the days of Spirit and Truth; changed hearts and just action in the world.

Black people, often associated with Cush, Ethiopia, and other African regions, are present throughout the Bible in significant, positive roles, including Simon of Cyrene (who carried Jesus' cross), the Ethiopian Eunuch, Ebed-Melech, and Zipporah. The Bible features these figures as early believers, prophets, and leaders, highlighting the inclusion of diverse, dark-skinned populations in biblical history.Support the showhttp://www.gwafgbc.org http://www.gwafgbc.org/storehttp://www.gwafgbc.org/givehttps://vimeo.com/manage/videos

In this episode of Mass Prep for the Mystic Heart, we reflect on the Gospel of John 4:5–42, the powerful encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well.In Scripture, wells are often places where love stories begin. Isaac's servant meets Rebekah at a well. Jacob meets Rachel at a well. Moses meets Zipporah at a well. When Jesus stops at Jacob's well and asks a Samaritan woman for a drink, something deeper is unfolding. The Bridegroom has come to meet the human soul.Jesus begins the conversation with a surprising request. “Give me a drink.” The God of the universe approaches the soul with thirst. He does not begin with correction or accusation. He begins with desire.As the conversation unfolds, Jesus reveals the deeper thirst beneath the woman's life and offers her something greater than the water in the well. Living water. A spring that becomes eternal life within the soul.By the end of the encounter, the woman leaves her water jar behind and runs back to her town to tell others about the man who knew everything about her and still invited her closer.This Gospel reveals something profound about the heart of Christ. The Bridegroom is searching for the thirsty. The same God who asked for water at the well would later cry out from the cross, “I thirst.”Mass Prep for the Mystic Heart is a weekly reflection on the Sunday Gospel, helping you approach the liturgy with deeper spiritual insight and contemplative attention.

In this Bible Story, Moses and Aaron are united under the call of God to free Israel from slavery. God gives them signs through Moses, and the two begin to win the hearts of the people. This story is inspired by Exodus 4:19-30 & 18:2. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Exodus 4:25 from the King James Version.Episode 34: Everyone who had sought Moses’ life were now dead and God commanded Moses to return to Egypt to liberate His people, Israel. While on the way there God’s wrath came against Moses because he had yet to obey the command of circumcision that was meant to set His people apart. Zipporah acts quickly and the family is spared. After this, God called Aaron out from Egypt to meet his brother, and the two of them together delivered God’s message to the people of Israel.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exodus 2:11-22One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”

When the ‘mixed multitude’ comes to Mount Sinai it is clear that another major milestone is at hand, and — as we know it will emerge — another turning point has been reached. But this is set up by several major events documented by this week’s parsha (Yitro, Exodus chapters 18 through 20). Moses’ father-in-law, Yitro (as he is called in this part of Scripture) hears a part of the story, comes to the wilderness, and brings Moshe back his wife, Zipporah, and his two sons. There he hears the “rest of the story,” recognizes YHVH himself, and offers sage advice. In that process, the mixed multitude becomes ‘echad’ as Israel. And one of the most important “downloads” from YHVH Himself follows after that stage is set: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SSM-2-6-Yitro-teaching-podcast-xxx.mp3 Any reading that includes the ‘Ten Commandments’ certainly must include a look at the specifics. But in the midrash this week, Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship suggests that the ‘setup’ that precedes that historic Exposition can help us understand why what Scripture refers to as those ten “Debarim,” or Words, even ‘Sayings,’ have been so…idolized, re-formatted, marginalized, edited, twisted, and, almost unbelievably, even demonized over the intervening centuries. And, as Mark also notes, by men who failed Yitro’s metric: they seem to not only LOVE ‘unjust gain,’ certainly more than Truth, because they don’t “fear YHVH” either. And “reducing His Name to nothingness,” or void, is just one undeniable indication. Many of us have heard the claim that the “law is done away with” — which Mark calls one of the Biggest Lies in Human history — but there is a corollary that crops up this week, which is the claim that the “Ten Commandments” may be the only part that still matters. Well, some of ’em, anyway… Yitro: “Hate Unjust Gain” https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WT-CooH-2-7-Yitro-Hate-UNJUST-gain-essence-of-the-Ten-Debarim-and-other-INSTRUCTION-Still-Extant-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:

2.11 One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” 14 He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well.16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. 18 When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” 19 They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” 20 He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” 21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. 22 She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”

On this episode of the Exodus series on The Faith Explained, Moses begins his journey back to Egypt to confront Pharaoh. But on the way, God confronts Moses and tries to kill him! Why on earth would God do this? Ultimately, Moses is saved by the quick thinking and actions of his wife, Zipporah.

As he received his marching orders from God, Moses was reminded that Israel was important to the Lord, and he was given a message of warning for Pharaoh: obey and let His people go, or Pharaoh would suffer the death of his first-born son. On the way back to Egypt, though, Moses was also called to obey the Lord within his own family or possibly be killed himself. To do so would anger Moses' wife, Zipporah. Could Moses do the difficult thing that God required?

Study Passage: Exodus 18Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 Now Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her home, 3 along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land”), 4 and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”). 5 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. 6 And when he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her,” 7 Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. 8 Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the Lord had delivered them. 9 And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the Lord had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians.10 Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” 12 And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.13 The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14 When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 16 when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” 17 Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19 Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20 and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 21 Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23 If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” 24 So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26 And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.

Key Takeaways: Discover the humorous yet enriching portrayals of Chisisi and Qualipatra character dynamics and how they enliven the narrative. Explore the evolving role of women in "The Promised Land," exemplified by Miriam and Zipporah's storyline, highlighting gender equality in spiritual contexts. Unpack the implications of the comedic subplot involving Joseph's bones and its significance within the broader storyline. Analyze the modern parallels drawn with ancient narratives, focusing on community and small group discussions that mirror today's Bible study groups. Reflect on leadership themes as showcased through Moses' interactions with Aaron, emphasizing humility and self-awareness. Notable Quotes: "You went straight for the guy from Egypt and his quail." – Ben McEachen "The more you know the law and what is right you can point out when other people are getting it so wrong." – Laura Bennett "An impersonation of a bloke. Very nicely done on a lot of bloke isms, mansplaining and that kind of stuff." – Ben McEachen "The need for humility in leadership, I think, was the core leadership message within this particular episode." – Laura Bennett "It feels like they began that in this episode…this sounds like the birth of a life group right here, right now.” – Laura Bennett Laura Bennett hosts Hope Afternoons in Sydney, Australia, and UNDISTRACTED podcast. Laura has reviewed TV and movies for Hope 1032 for more than a decade. Ben McEachen hosts Hope Mornings in Sydney, Australia, and co-hosts Money: Faith and Finance. Ben has reviewed TV and movies for Empire, News Ltd and Hope 1032. Have you heard of The Watchlist? Catch this amazing podcast here! Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au. And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app, Facebook or Instagram.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Timeless Leadership Advice Exodus 18  October 12, 2025 Pastor Tony Felich   ----more---- Exodus 18:1 Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel his people, how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. [2] Now Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, had taken Zipporah, Moses' wife, after he had sent her home, [3] along with her two sons. The name of the one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land”), [4] and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”). [5] Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness where he was encamped at the mountain of God. [6] And when he sent word to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her,” [7] Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. And they asked each other of their welfare and went into the tent. [8] Then Moses told his father-in-law all that the LORD had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake, all the hardship that had come upon them in the way, and how the LORD had delivered them. [9] And Jethro rejoiced for all the good that the LORD had done to Israel, in that he had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. [10] Jethro said, “Blessed be the LORD, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh and has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. [11] Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people.” [12] And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and sacrifices to God; and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God. [13] The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. [14] When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” [15] And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; [16] when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” [17] Moses' father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. [18] You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. [19] Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, [20] and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. [21] Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. [22] And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. [23] If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” [24] So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. [25] Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. [26] And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. [27] Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.      Effective spiritual leadership involves delegation and shared responsibility so that the work of God can be sustained and the people can flourish.           I.  A Wise Counselor (1-12)          II.  The Problem (13-18)         III.  The Solution (19-23)         IV.  The Result (24-27)

Exodus 18:1-121 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt.2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her 3 and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”; 4 and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.”5 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, together with Moses' sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God. 6 Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law about everything the LORD had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the LORD had saved them.9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the LORD had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, “Praise be to the LORD, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” 12 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.

Study Passage: Exodus 2:11-25One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” 14 He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well. 16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. 18 When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” 19 They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” 20 He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” 21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. 22 She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.”23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.

Black fathers pushing strollers, barrrrf! Robert E. Lee: hero or loser? Dunking on the Deaf community!? War is not good, usually! Land of Cush/Kush: It's in the Bible!The Hake Report, Friday, July 4, 2025 ADTIMESTAMPS* (0:00:00) Start* (0:04:27) A lighthearted song* (0:08:21) Hey, guys! Watermelon* (0:11:29) GREGGATRON, Midwest: Daddy Stroll* (0:22:20) Coffees… sorry for "dried up" lingo!* (0:30:40) DANIEL, TX: Robert E. Lee, Civil War coulda gone either way* (0:35:35) DANIEL: Lee's bond w/ N. Va. army* (0:42:00) DANIEL: War Baby, not a Boomer* (0:43:39) TERRI, OR: WHM; dunk on the deaf* (0:52:00) RONNIE, OH: Gen. Lee a loser* (0:57:22) RONNIE: James Polk, Ulysses S. Grant vs Lee… Wars…* (1:04:59) RONNIE: Trump: I would've negotiated around the Civil War* (1:07:31) RONNIE: Toynbee, Bible, Moses' Zipporah, Numbers 12* (1:09:42) Enjoy the fireworks* (1:11:35) Coffees… lots! Bring back the Richard nickname!* (1:25:45) RICHARD, Germany, 1st* (1:28:13) Sorry, Haden!* (1:28:37) RICK, Hampton: Japheth brothers! Black women! Democrat Party* (1:36:05) RICK: Big, Beautiful Bill?* (1:37:18) ALEX, TN, WHM: Seal Team leader* (1:42:01) WILLIAM III, CA: Men pushing a stroller? Sign Language* (1:44:57) WILLIAM: Forced Integration, Little Rock 9! Trump, Alligator Alcatraz* (1:48:18) WILLIAM: Lee had integrity! Pool takeover… Black Friday! Thatcher!* (1:50:38) MARK, L.A.: Kush fairy tale …* (1:54:28) ClosingBLOG https://www.thehakereport.com/blog/2025/7/4/the-hake-report-fri-7-4-25PODCAST / Substack HAKE NEWS from JLP https://www.thehakereport.com/jlp-news/2025/7/4/-jlp-fri-7-4-25–Hake is live M-F 9-11a PT (11-1CT/12-2ET) Call-in 1-888-775-3773 https://www.thehakereport.com/showVIDEO: YT - Rumble* - Pilled - FB - X - BitChute (Live) - Odysee*PODCAST: Substack - Apple - Spotify - Castbox - Podcast Addict*SUPER CHAT https://buymeacoffee.com/thehakereportSHOP - Printify (new!) - Cameo | All My LinksJLP Network: JLP - Church - TFS - Nick - PunchieThe views expressed on this show do not represent BOND, Jesse Lee Peterson, the Network, this Host, or this platform. No endorsement or opposition implied!The show is for general information and entertainment, and everything should be taken with a grain of salt! Get full access to HAKE at thehakereport.substack.com/subscribe

The amazing untold tale of how the story of the emergency circumcision that Zipporah performed on her son might have been added to the Book of Exodus. Based on Exodus 4:24-26 and especially on 1 Maccabees 1-2.  Show notes have been posted at retellingthebible.wordpress.com. Media in this Episode The following music was used for this media project: "AhDah" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Music: Your Name by Sascha Ende Link: https://ende.app/en/song/13-your-name http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support Retelling the Bible If you would like to support the work that I do creating these stories, go to patreon.com/retellingthebible and choose a level of support!

Then Moses was content to live with the man, and he gave Zipporah his daughter to Moses. And she bore him a son. [1 hour 5 minutes]

W. Scott McAndless joins Micah, and new guests Kalie and Blue as they explore the meaning of these strange connected stories. Why does God harden Pharaoh's heart? What is this staff of the God(s)? Who is getting circumsized, who's feet (ha!) are being touched, and who is Zipporah's Bridgegroom of Blood? What does it mean for God to hear us? And where does God's penis enter the story? Find out at least nine different interpretations of these questions and more on the third episode of our second season of The Word in Black and Red.

Join Micah, W Scott McCandless, and new guests Kalie and Blue as they explore the meaning of these strange connected stories. Why does God harden Pharaoh's heart? What is this staff of the God(s)? Who is getting circumsized, who's feet (ha!) are being touched, and who is Zipporah's Bridgegroom of Blood? What does it mean for God to hear us? And where does God's penis enter the story? Find out at least nine different interpretations of these questions and more on the third episode of our second season of The Word in Black and Red: The Leftist Bible Study Podcast.Listen to W Scott McCandless' amazing podcast Retelling the Bible wherever good podcasts can be found and follow on Facebook and BlueSky.Check out Kalie and the Center for Prophetic Imagination and follow on Instagram.Blue is a magical creature of the sea most discernible through our Discord.Connect with The Word in Black and Red. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“You Can't Do It Alone”Exodus 18:1-27 [NIV]1 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt.2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her 3 and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land”; 4 and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father's God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.”5 Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, together with Moses' sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God. 6 Jethro had sent word to him, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons.”7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. 8 Moses told his father-in-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them.9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, “Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly.” 12 Then Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses' father-in-law in the presence of God.13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God's will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and instructions.”17 Moses' father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”CONNECT WITH USIf you have any questions or would like to get to know us further, head over to https://www.triumphlbc.org/connect and fill out our online connection card.ABOUT TRIUMPHTriumph wants to see the life and message of Jesus transform your heart, home, and city. To learn more visit https://www.triumphlbc.org/

In this episode, Kim talks to Dr. Carmen Joy Imes about the women of Exodus. Dr. Imes brings her deep knowledge of Exodus to the average Christian audience, explaining how the structure and literary parallels of Exodus to show how the women are the rescuers of Moses, who then rescues the Hebrews. She provides the details of the midwives' spiritual work of saving lives. She demonstrates how Pharaoh's daughter displayed God's character as she sees Moses' misery, heard his cry, and took pity on him. She explains the Hebrew that illustrates how Miriam took a stand at the river to address Pharaoh's daughter just as Moses later took a stand to address Pharaoh. And she explains how Zipporah literally saved Moses' life as he decided which people group he belonged. Amidst these detailed portrayals of the Exodus women, Dr. Imes also points out the narrator's use of humor to depict the bumbling and nameless Pharaoh.    00:00 Introduction to Mutuality Matters  00:02 Exploring the Role of Zipporah in Exodus  01:04 Meet Dr. Carmen Joy IMEs  02:06 The Mystery of Exodus 4:24-25  03:26 Theological and Structural Significance of Zipporah  14:33 The Role of Women in the Early Chapters of Exodus  21:49 Elevating Women in Scripture  22:00 A Word from CBE  22:37 The Women of Exodus: Zipporah, Pua, and Shiphrah  22:52 The Story of Moses' Birth and the Women Who Saved Him  32:07 Moses' Identity and His Encounter with God  39:37 Closing Thoughts and Resources  41:20 Final Remarks and How to Stay Connected       Guest Bio   Dr. Carmen Joy Imes is associate professor of Old Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in Southern California. She is the author of Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters, Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters, and the forthcoming Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters. Carmen has a YouTube channel where she releases weekly Torah Tuesday videos and you can find her writing on various websites, including Christianity Today, The Well, and The Politics of Scripture blog. Carmen is passionate about equipping the church to engage the Old Testament well and to see its relevance for the Christian life.    Find Dr. Carmen Imes at:    X: @carmenjoyimes  Bluesky: @carmenjoyimes.bsky.social  YouTube – Torah Tuesday: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6bwfe08fufzGaY2YImWQK12Ye7VX15X2  Resources Mentioned in the Interview:    Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters  Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters  Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters  Every Woman's Bible published by Tyndale    Other CBE Resources:    Defiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach Us About Freedom by Kelley Nikondeha.  “Rational and Emotional Faith” by Megan Greulich in Mutuality  “Who's Who? Biblical Models of Women in Leadership” by Gracy Ying May in Priscilla Papers  “Black is Blessed: A Study of Black/African Women and Men in Scripture” by Catherine Clark Kroeger in Priscilla Papers  “Defiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach us about Freedom” by Mary Lou Wiley a Book Review on Defiant  Women in Scripture and Mission: Zipporah by Kimberly Dickson  Women in Scripture and Mission: Miriam by Kimberly Dickson  Women in Scritpure and History: Puah and Shiphrah by Kimberly Dickson      Disclaimer   The opinions expressed in CBE's Mutuality Matters' podcast are those of its hosts or guests do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.    

The Exodus Way Q+R (E14) — What birth imagery do we find in Exodus? Are there hyperlinks elsewhere in the Bible that connect to Pharaoh's hardened heart? And is the circumcision story with Zipporah and Moses' son connected to Passover? In this episode, Tim and Jon respond to your questions from our Exodus Way series. Thank you to our audience for your thoughtful contributions to this episode!View all of our resources for The Exodus Way →CHAPTERSIntro (0:00-2:27)Do the seven women in Exodus mirror the seven women in Genesis? (2:27-11:31)What birth imagery can we pull out of the exodus story? (11:31-24:27)Are there hyperlinks elsewhere in the Bible that connect to Pharaoh's hardened heart? (24:27-34:37)Is the circumcision story with Zipporah and Moses' son connected to Passover? (34:37-38:54)How are the Passover and Yom Kippur lambs connected? (38:54-58:57)Is there any connection between God's Spirit descending on Jesus like a dove at his baptism and the dove Noah sent out of the ark? (58:50-1:07:28)OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPTView this episode's official transcript.REFERENCED RESOURCESFind our special interview episode with BibleProject Fellow Tamara Knudson: The Seven Women Who Rescued Moses—and IsraelRecovering Paul's Mother Tongue: Language and Theology in Galatians by Susan Grove EastmanIn response to the question about God hardening Pharaoh's heart, Tim references our series on the Exodus Scroll, specifically episode 2, Yahweh and the Exodus. We also addressed this topic in the Exodus 1-18 Q+RTim mentions Hebrew Bible scholars Richard Whitekettle, Jacob Milgrom, and Jonathan Klawans, though not any specific works by them.Jon mentions a previous episode where we discussed Zipporah and Moses' son: Did God Try To Kill Moses?Lamb of the Free: Recovering the Varied Sacrificial Understandings of Jesus's Death by Andrew Remington RilleraYou can view annotations for this episode—plus our entire library of videos, podcasts, articles, and classes—in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSICBibleProject theme song by TENTS SHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who edited today's episode and also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

The Exodus Way E13 (Bonus Interview) — The exodus from Egypt was a foundational story for ancient Israel, but without a special group of seven often overlooked women, the exodus would have never happened! In this episode, Jon and Tim have a conversation with BibleProject Scholarship Fellow Tamara Knudson about the seven women in Exodus 1-4 who save Moses—and by extension—all of Israel.View all of our resources for The Exodus Way →CHAPTERSIntroducing Tamara and the Seven Women of Exodus 1-4 (0:00-6:29)The Two Midwives and Moses' Mother (6:29-21:20)Pharaoh's Daughter and Moses' Sister, Miriam (21:20-31:08)Zipporah, Moses' Wife (31:08-46:39)Other Books of the Bible That Start With Women (46:39-54:54)REFERENCED RESOURCESRead the BibleProject article that Tamara contributed to: “7 Powerful Women in the Bible Who Help Rescue God's People.”Tim references a previous Q+R episode, “Did God Try To Kill Moses?” where they responded to an audience member's question about Exodus 4:24-26.Tamara references Carmen Imes' Exodus Overview Classroom course.You can view annotations for this episode—plus our entire library of videos, podcasts, articles, and classes—in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.SHOW MUSIC“Hope in the Morning ft. CRFT & GXNXSIS” by Lofi Sunday“Redeemer ft. Cassidy Godwin” by Lofi Sunday“That Gospel ft. Bobcat” by Lofi Sunday“Eden Dreaming ft. sxxnt.” by Lofi SundayBibleProject theme song by TENTSSHOW CREDITSProduction of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey is our supervising engineer, who edited today's episode and also provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Special thanks to Tamara Knudson.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Rodger Corser is one of Australia’s best-known actors. He’s been nominated for three Gold Logies over the course of his 30-year career. He’s starred in shows such as McLeod’s Daughters, Spirited, Glitch and Doctor Doctor – and has also appeared on stage and in musicals, like his wife Renae. But his new role, as a game show host for the Nine Network’s new show The Floor, is perhaps his most challenging job yet. On this episode of Something To Talk About, Rodger opens up about the twists and turns of his career to date, how he feels about his daughter Zipporah following her parents into the entertainment industry, and why getting a second opinion when his wife Renae was diagnosed with cervical cancer was the best thing they’ve ever done. Watch the full episode with Rodger here. The Floor premieres Monday, April 28, on Channel 9 and 9Now. Something To Talk About is a podcast by Stellar, hosted by Sarrah Le Marquand Find more from Stellar via Instagram @stellarmag or stellarmag.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Christian men, we must respond to the call to nurture and guide our families both spiritually and physically. Sacrificial love and compromise maintains peace within the family, and we are to be leaders of that. Christ's sacrifice, encapsulates the need for all of us to undergo a renewal of spirit and commitment to our roles within both family and faith.

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For today’s installment of our 40 Days Meditation series, our brother John Yocum provides commentary on Ex 2:1-22. Listen below, download here, or search for Words from the Brothers on your favourite podcasting app. Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.” One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and drew water and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. The shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses stood up and saved them, and watered their flock. When they came home to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come home so soon today?” They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds and even drew water for us and watered the flock.” He said to his daughters, “Then where is he? Why have you left the man? Call him, that he may eat bread.” And Moses was content to dwell with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah. She gave birth to a son, and he called his name Gershom, for he said, “I have been a sojourner in a foreign land.” Ex 2:1-22

In this Bible Story, Moses and Aaron are united under the call of God to free Israel from slavery. God gives them signs through Moses, and the two begin to win the hearts of the people. This story is inspired by Exodus 4:19-30 & 18:2. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.Today's Bible verse is Exodus 4:25 from the King James Version.Episode 34: Everyone who had sought Moses’ life were now dead and God commanded Moses to return to Egypt to liberate His people, Israel. While on the way there God’s wrath came against Moses because he had yet to obey the command of circumcision that was meant to set His people apart. Zipporah acts quickly and the family is spared. After this, God called Aaron out from Egypt to meet his brother, and the two of them together delivered God’s message to the people of Israel.Hear the Bible come to life as Pastor Jack Graham leads you through the official BibleinaYear.com podcast. This Biblical Audio Experience will help you master wisdom from the world’s greatest book. In each episode, you will learn to apply Biblical principles to everyday life. Now understanding the Bible is easier than ever before; enjoy a cinematic audio experience full of inspirational storytelling, orchestral music, and profound commentary from world-renowned Pastor Jack Graham.Also, you can download the Pray.com app for more Christian content, including, Daily Prayers, Inspirational Testimonies, and Bedtime Bible Stories.Visit JackGraham.org for more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living.Pray.com is the digital destination of faith. With over 5,000 daily prayers, meditations, bedtime stories, and cinematic stories inspired by the Bible, the Pray.com app has everything you need to keep your focus on the Lord. Make Prayer a priority and download the #1 App for Prayer and Sleep today in the Apple app store or Google Play store.Executive Producers: Steve Gatena & Max BardProducer: Ben GammonHosted by: Pastor Jack GrahamMusic by: Andrew Morgan SmithBible Story narration by: Todd HaberkornSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest episode of Bible Backdrop, we continue our series on the History of Israel looking at Moses' return to Egypt. What events led him there? How did he respond to God's calling? Did God really almost kill him? After 40 years of living in the wilderness and tending his father in law's sheep, Moses is called by God to talk to Pharaoh to let Israel go. Moses is beaten down, uncertain and tries to back out. God is having none of it and Moses is compelled to go. But...he won't do it alone. Listen to this latest episode of Bible Backdrop to hear the whole story.

Zipporah Jarmon|Resources for BIPOC & Queer peopleZipporah Jarmon is a dedicated BIPOC and queer life coach who specializes in supporting individuals through life's pivotal changes. With a compassionate, identity-affirming approach, Zipporah helps people anticipate, navigate, and thrive through personal or professional transitions. Through Within Me Coaching, Zipporah creates intentional spaces for growth, clarity, and connection, empowering clients to break through barriers, set actionable goals, and reach their fullest potential.With over 12 years of experience in marketing, media, and community-building, Zipporah combines practical tools with deep insight to guide BIPOC and queer individuals toward lives that align with their values and dreams, whether it's one-on-one coaching, group workshops, or curated events, Zipporah's work centers on helping people turn change into opportunity and transformation.“Change can feel overwhelming, but with the right support, it becomes a path to growth, freedom, and self-trust.”Let's discuss planning for and embracing life's transitions, building intentional communities, and finding the tools to thrive—no matter what change comes your way.Link:https://www.withinmecoaching.com/Zipporah's passion for supporting others was truly infectious. Zipporah shared insights into navigating life's transitions with such warmth and compassion, offering practical tools and strategies for embracing change and cultivating self-trust.Zipporah's focus on creating intentional spaces for growth and connection resonated deeply with us. Zipporah emphasized the importance of community and the power of finding support from others who understand and share similar experiences.Support PEG by checking out our Sponsors:Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code“GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription.The best tool for getting podcast guests:https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghostSubscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content:https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/Subscribe to our YouTube https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRprPEG uses StreamYard.com for our live podcastshttps://streamyard.com/pal/c/6290085463457792Get $10.00 Credit for using StreamYard.com when you sign up with our linkRSShttps://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rss

Zipporah Allen has a big job. Overseeing business and new ventures at Strava, she loves the opportunity to stay curious and travel the world inspiring folks to live their best active lives. For episode 339, we talk abut the how: How she got here, how she finds the time to move despite her busy schedule, and how Strava's working to empower their consumer to live their best active lives. Plus: Best-practice business and leadership advice, how she feels about picking up running in her 40s, and the importance of owning your "no." IN THIS EPISODE (3:37) Zip shares what her most recent Strava activity was (6:00) Zip talks about her work experience before becoming the Chief Business Officer at Strava, specifically time in restaurants at Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and McDonald's (8:26) Emily and Zip swap their go-to Taco Bell orders (9:47) Why learning is so important to Zip in business, and how she firmly believes you can learn from anyone regardless of title (10:08) Zip talks about moving internationally for work (12:32) What happens when you're on a board of directors for a company, what that looks like for Zip, and what she hopes to get out of being an independent board member at a few different private companies (14:30) Zip shares what it was like for her to start running when she joined the team at Strava in order to better understand the product — and she's now a two-time marathon (20:57) What Strava is doing specifically to cater to female-identifying customers, including safety features (23:00) What self-care looks like for someone who is constantly traveling (25:48) How to become a morning person (30:22) Zip gets the invite to join Pastry Run Club in New York (35:10) Why Zip thinks it's important never to be the smartest person in the room, often telling her team: “I reserve the right to get smarter and take in new information and change my mind.” (36:06) What Zip's role as a mom has taught her about being a leader (38:00) Why it's important to respond instead of react (42:05) Why it's important to create the conditions as a leader to empower your employees to bring their full expertise to the table (55:55) What Zip sees when she looks in the mirror. SOCIAL @itszipallen ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emilyabbate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hurdlepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ OFFERS OPEN | Join me for Open's Nervous System Reset and get 30 days of free breathwork and meditation: https://go.o-p-e-n.com/EMILYABBATE30 LMNT | Head to ⁠⁠drinklmnt.com/hurdle⁠⁠ to get a free sample pack with any purchase! JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave me a voice message, or email hello@hurdle.us, to ask me a question!

Why was God ready to kill Moses? What is the significance of Zipporah's actions? In today's episode, Emma Dotter walks us through some of these challenging questions and explains the importance of complete obedience to God.   Scriptures referenced: 2 Corinthians 12:9