Our Sunday School class is currently studying 1 Peter.  We recently covered the section in the 2nd chapter about being a royal priesthood and as I reading today’s passage in Exodus I was thinking about what that means.  Here Aaron and his sons are being set apart for service to the Lord as priests.  One little section caught my attention.

May grace abound,

For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. (Exodus 20:5b)  This verse does not read like this in my other translations, so I view it as an addition that expands upon the word jealous and what that means. 

Webster's definition of jealous:
1: hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage
2: intolerant of rivalry or unfaithfulness
3: vigilant in guarding a possession

​Every time I read it in the New Living Translation it really gives me pause and forces me to think,  Do I have affections that compete with God?

May grace abound,

Today’s Reading: Exodus 16-19

I wonder.  The subject of a conversation the other night was grumbling or complaining.  That is kind of the impression I get about Israel-a bunch of grumblers.  But I can relate.  The desert is not my favorite place and it generally does not make me happy.  I prefer my forests with cool mountain streams and plenty of shade.  What gets me is that God has just done these truly amazing things, first in the plagues and then at the Red Sea and they accuse Him of bringing them out of Egpyt to kill them.  I wonder what it takes for us to trust God?
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As often happens, this thought brings to mind something that happened during Jesus’ walk on earth.  "So Jesus said to him, 'Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.’” (John 4:48)  The people of Israel had all sorts of signs and wonders and yet they still did not trust God.   I wonder what it takes for us to believe and then to trust?