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Read: Exodus 20:1-17
Listen: Exodus 20

“You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:5-6

God sends Moses back to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Moses repeats the Lord’s command to Pharaoh: “Let my people go, so that they may worship me” (Exodus 6). In response, Pharaoh hardens his heart, and Egypt is overwhelmed by plagues. Only when Pharaoh loses his own son through the final plague does he yield. As the Israelites leave, Pharaoh regrets losing his slaves and sends an army after them. Blockaded by the Red Sea, God parts the waters for the Israelites to cross safely. God sends the waters crashing back to their place, destroying the army of Egyptians. Free from Egypt’s grip, God shares how he desires his people to live.

God used the law to reveal who he is and who he wanted the Israelites to be. Four hundred years of slavery and exposure to Egyptian culture left the Israelites with distorted views of God. We can find ourselves in a similar position. Hurt from Christian people, traumatic life experiences and misrepresentations of God’s Word may leave us confused about God’s character. We must come to Scripture and allow truth to transform our thoughts and beliefs.

TODAY: Ask God to reveal his character as you read the Bible. Allow him to reshape any distorted views you have of him. Pray: “Father, I know my sin and the brokenness of the world have disfigured my understanding of who you are. Please reveal your true character to me through your Word, Amen.”