Christmas Hampers

Yesterday morning Liz and I went to the extremely poor borough of Patos called Serrote Liso where we distributed lots of Christmas Hampers to the very poor. It was as always a very moving morning and just goes to show how we should always say grace when we eat because we don't know how the other half survives! We gave a hamper to a beautiful 15-year-old mother and her 5 month old little boy. We gave hampers to people who live in mud huts and consider themselves well off if they have a donkey or even have the "luxury" of having a cart too! We gave a hamper to a young couple who are backslidden and have been to our church. They were blessed by their hamper and promised to be in church tomorrow. Please pray for them to come back to the Lord.

Yesterday afternoon Liz and I had an excellent online meeting with Deputy Leader Pastor Wostenes and his wife Gleydice. It was a very productive and blessed meeting.

Leviticus 15 (résumé): Discharges that cause uncleanness

In this chapter it says that male discharges render a man unclean. Many commentators identify the problem here as gonorrhea and anywhere the man lies or sits will become unclean, and just touching such locations would render the person as unclean. In that case the contaminated person would need to wash his clothes and bathe, and he or she would be classified as unclean until the evening. A similar cleansing process would be necessary if someone touches the man with a discharge or if he spits on someone. If the unclean man just touches a clay pot then it has to be broken! But when the man is cured of his discharge he goes through seven days of ceremonial cleansing, washes his clothes and bathes before taking 2 doves or pigeons to the priest as sacrifices.

When a man has an emission of semen he must bathe his whole body and he will remain unclean until the evening. The same applies to a couple that have sex.

In the case of a woman's menstruation she will be classed as unclean for 7 days and anyone that just touches her will be unclean until the evening. Where she lies or sits will be unclean and anyone that touches such objects will be unclean until evening. If a couple have sex when the woman has a period then the man will be unclean for a week.

In the case of a woman having a discharge other than menstruation the woman will be unclean for as long as it continues, and once cured she will offer 2 doves/pigeons as sacrificial atonement. 

Leviticus 14 (résumé): Cleansing from infectious skin diseases

If a person is reported to have recovered from their skin disease then a priest should go outside the camp to check. With the person's cure confirmed the priest will require 2 live birds together with cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop so as to confirm the cleansing. The priest will kill one bird over fresh water and dip the other bird and other ingredients in the dead bird's blood. The priest will then sprinkle the blood mixture on the cured person 7 times, pronouncing him clean, and release the live bird into the wild. Then the person shaves off all his hair, washes his clothes and bathes, but stays outside of his tent for 7 days.

On the 8th day he must go to the tabernacle taking 2 male lambs and 1 ewe lamb, together with fine flour and oil, to offer as sacrifices before God. The priest should put some blood from the guilt offering on the right ear, right thumb and right big toe of the person being cleansed, before putting oil on the person in the same places. If the person is poor their cleansing sacrifices can be replaced with one lamb plus 2 doves or pigeons. Their sacrifices will make atonement before the Lord on behalf of the one being cleansed.

Finally the cleansing of dreaded mildew is prescribed when a priest goes to an affected house for inspection. If he sees that the mildew is greenish and reddish going deep then he will have the house shut up for 7 days. He then will re-inspect and scrape and remove stones as necessary (this is clearly a later addition to the text as the Israelites were living in tents) but if this doesn't fix it the house is unclean and must be destroyed. However if a house clears up the mildew returning it to normal and clean then the same 2-bird ritual will be carried out as a cleansing right seen earlier in the chapter, killing one bird and releasing the other one into the wild. It is a beautiful symbol of freedom and new life away from uncleanliness. 

Leviticus 13 (résumé): Regulations about Infectious Skin Diseases

At the time that Leviticus was written the matter of skin diseases was clearly a great concern as can be seen by the dedication of two long chapters to them. I am sure dermatologists must be delighted. It is also interesting to note that it is the priests who coordinate the skin disease control. It was previously mistakenly thought that this chapter was a discussion of leprosy as can be seen in older translations such as that of Almeida Revista e Atualizada in Portuguese. However as G. J. Wenham points out this is incorrect, as the more modern translations reflect such as NIV. So in this chapter 21 different cases of skin diseases are distinguished as are 3 cases of "diseased" garments with mildew. 

So it was that if anyone had symptoms of skin problems they were to present themselves to the priest who was to examine them and if the hair in the sore had turned white, and the sore was more than skin deep, then the patient would be declared ceremonially unclean and he would be put in isolation. He would have to wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face, cry out unclean and live outside the camp.

However, if the diagnosis was dubious then the patient would be put in quarantine for two weeks and kept under observation every 7 days.

Thus the chapter proceeds to give instructions on how to examine a swollen sore, a boil, a burn, sores in the head, raw flesh, bright spots, skin conditions causing hair loss, itchy diseased skin etc. so as to determine whether the condition is more serious requiring the diagnosis of unclean or not. And when the skin condition cleared up the person could be re-examined by the priest and declared clean again and return to normal life.

Attached to the question of skin disease the latter part of the chapter discusses the problem of mildew which is a mold-like fungus. Quite why the link between skin disease and fungus I don't know, but the concern was about mildew on clothes and leather articles. This matter was also adjudicated by the priest and contaminated articles were defined as unclean and had to be burnt.

School Christmas Service

On Tuesday evening we held our Christmas service at the Pastor Frank Dyer School in the borough of Jatobá on the south side of Patos. The service was held in the street in front of the school as we have nowhere else to fit such a crowd of children and their parents. There were different presentations from classes of children such as a poem, songs, dance etc. It all went off beautifully. At the end head-teacher Gerlania led the giving of presents to the children and served up a snack to them all. We praise God for our Patos school which this year won top place in Patos once again.  

I have finished reading the book 'The Covent Garden Murder' written by my good friend Mike Hollow. As always it was a very good read. This was book number 8 in his Blitz Detective series and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all, find them very relaxing and highly recommend them. Mike might like to learn that I once sang on the Covent Garden Opera House stage when I was a teenager back in the 1960s, so that's the nearest I'll ever get into one of his books! What about a murder in Portobello Road Mike? That would really be my neck of the woods!

Every morning I read the 'Folha de São Paulo' newspaper, which I subscribe to on line for my Brazilian news. I also enjoy watching the commentaries by Brazilian journalist Reinaldo Azevedo on Instagram. For international news I depend on the twice daily BBC news briefing updates. 

Liz went to the Women's Fellowship's end-of-year party last night which went off very nicely she tells me. Parallel to this our Drama group had their end-of-year party too.

3 were baptized at the weekend at our Princesa Isabel church. Praise God!

Leviticus 12 (résumé): Purification after Childbirth

This short chapter of just 8 verses again transmits contrasting cultural concepts difficult to handle in our day and age. For if a woman gives birth to a son she will be considered ceremonially unclean for 7 days plus an extra 33 days before she can go to church (tabernacle). However if she has a daughter then she will be unclean for an initial 14 days plus an extra 66 days before she can go to church (tabernacle)! This chapter also makes it quite clear that the normal woman's monthly period was considered to be a time of impurity.

When the mother's period of purification was completed (7 + 33 days in the case of a boy or 14 + 66 days in the case of a girl) then the mother needed to offer sacrifices at the tabernacle of a lamb plus a pigeon or dove, but if she was poor she could offer just 2 pigeons or doves. 

Leviticus 11 (résumé): Clean & Unclean Food

This is a chapter that at times makes strange reading being from a culture separated by millenniums. Upon defining clean and unclean animals the defining factors were its hoofs and its digestive system. For if an animal had a split hoof and chewed the cud it was deemed eatable, but if it only came under one of these categories, such as the coney, rabbit or pig, then it was classed as unclean.

In the case of aquatic creatures the defining factors were fins and scales so that any creature without these was defined as detestable. 

Understandably birds of prey and scavengers were classed as unclean such as eagles, vultures, kites, owls, cormorant, osprey, hawks, stork, heron, hoopoe and bat.

I personally would not be partial to eating insects, but locusts, crickets and grasshoppers were said to be alright to eat, whereas other winged insects with 4 legs were taboo. 

In all the cases of unclean creatures even contact with their carcasses rendered the person unclean until the evening and they had to wash their clothes. 

Animals that move close to the ground were also deemed unclean such as the weasel, rat, mouse, lizards and chameleon, as were creatures that moved on their bellies such as snakes and worms. 

God therefore requested strict obedience to this food code because the Israelites had to be holy as God is holy. 

Leviticus 10 (résumé): The Death of Nadab & Abihu

Aaron's elder sons Nadab and Abihu went into the tabernacle and offered an incense offering before God, but in some way they introduced fire in the wrong way which infuriated God and cost them their lives. The details of the exact nature of this sin are not clear, but the message of the utter ruthlessness of God's holiness is only too transparent.  Aaron and his remaining sons Eleazar and Ithamar were prohibited from mourning and they were also prohibited from consuming fermented drink when they were going to enter the tabernacle. As priests they had to set a clear example of holiness and teach all the decrees of the Lord.

Moses reminded Aaron and his sons to carry out their duties as decreed by God because he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar for not having eaten as required the meat from the sin offering, but Aaron explained that they had omitted this under the sad circumstances of the day, and Moses accepted this explanation. 

Leviticus 9 (résumé): The Priests begin their Ministry

After the priests had completed their 7 days of ordination they started out into their ministry. Aaron brought a bull calf as a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, and the people brought a male goat as a sin offering, a calf and a lamb as a burnt offering, and a cow and a ram as a fellowship/peace offering.

Aaron and his sons first of all sacrificed their animals before the Lord, put the blood on the horns of the altar and burnt them as appropriate. They then did the same with the people's sin, burnt and grain offerings, prior to slaughtering the cow and ram as the fellowship/peace offering. Aaron then waved the breasts before the Lord as a wave offering.

After all the sacrifices were completed Aaron stepped outside where the people were gathered and blessed them. Then Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle and when they came out there was an intense sense of the presence of the Lord and the glory of God appeared to all the people. Fire came down from God and consumed the burnt offering on the altar and the people shouted for joy and bowed down before God.

Leviticus 8 (résumé): The Ordination of Aaron & his Sons

 God told Moses to gather all the Israelites in front of the tabernacle and prepare to ordain Aaron and his sons, bringing a bull, 2 rams and a basket of bread ready for the ceremony. Then Moses washed Aaron and his sons before dressing Aaron with the full high priestly regalia. 

Then Moses anointed the tabernacle and everything in it and anointed Aaron too representing the Holy Spirit giving power for service. He also brought Aaron's sons forward and dressed them with tunics, sashes and headbands. 

Aaron and his sons then put their hands on the bulls head before slaughtering it as a sin offering, and put some of its blood on the horns of the altar. They then burnt the kidneys, liver and fat on the altar before burning the rest of the bull outside the camp.

Aaron and his sons then put their hands on one of the ram's heads before killing it and sprinkling its blood on the altar. He then burnt the ram as a burnt offering unto the Lord. 

Moses then took the other ram to offer it as the ordination sacrifice and Aaron and his sons put their hands on its head before Moses killed it. He put some of the animal's blood on the right ear lobes of Aaron and his son's, plus on their right thumbs and right big toes! Then they waved parts of this ram as a wave offering to God before burning it on the altar.

Then Moses anointed Aaron and his sons and consecrated them to the priestly ministry. They then cooked the outstanding meat and ate it with the bread, and they remained in the tabernacle for 7 days of consecration. 

Choir

Sunday night's service was wonderful with a 40-person choir from our Campina Grande Catolé church singing an outstanding 45-minute cantata called 'An Unforgettable Christmas'. It was a real blessing. We rented a coach to bring them and fed them with hot dogs and mousse after the service before they headed home. I led the service and I preached after the cantata. It was a great night.

We have a large green lizard called an Iguana, about half a metre long, living in our garden in Patos and it deposits its poop every night beside the right hand back wheel of the Kombi!

I had my hair cut yesterday for Christmas. I hope you like it! 😇

Last night we had our church council end of year party together with the different church ministries' leaders. We did a special commemoration of our most senior deaconess Beatriz who at 89 is a credit to the Gospel. We all ate pizza together, had long chats and fun, ending in prayer. It was a lovely night of fellowship. At the end of our evening, when most of the 20 present had gone, a poor middle-aged lady came up to me and asked me if I was going to take the left-over slices of pizza home with me? When I told her she could have them I thought she was going to kiss and hug me! It was lovely to round the night off giving someone in great need a little Christmas present. 

Leviticus 7 (résumé): Regulations for different Offerings

This chapter starts by presenting regulations for the guilt offering stating that the animal's blood was to be sprinkled on all sides of the altar and all the fat was to be burnt. The priest may keep the hide and eat the meat with the other priests in the holy place. A part of a grain offering would be kept by the offering priest and if flour was brought as a grain offering the priest's part would be shared by all of Aaron's sons.

In the case of fellowship or peace offerings expressing thankfulness the animal to be sacrificed should be brought together with bread, wafers or cakes made without yeast mixed with oil. The meat should be eaten on the day of the sacrifice. However if the offering is the result of a vow or is a freewill offering then in this case the meat can be eaten up to the day following the sacrifice. The fellowship/peace offering could not come into contact with anything or person unclean. 

It was stressed that nobody should eat fat (a very healthy recommendation) nor blood. Anyone consuming blood would be excommunicated, banished and ostracized. 

The person offering an animal as a fellowship/peace offering should separate the fat, breast and thighs. He should burn the fat, wave the breast as a wave offering before the Lord and then give it to the priest, and following this he should give the right thigh to the priest too.

Honorary Citizen

On Friday Liz and I travelled up the Teixeira Mountain to Matureia for a ceremony at the town council to receive honorary citizenship. The council even had the town's band to play for us! Our local pastor Renilson and his wife Getiane were there with us and they received an award also for their service to Matureia. We were all served a tasty snack after the ceremony. This means I now have received honorary citizenships from 5 towns: Patos, Imaculada, São Mamede, Manaira and Matureia. I also received honorary citizenship of the whole State of Paraíba back in 2004. All glory be to God! It is a joy to serve God and one's fellow man. 

We have just dispatched some Christmas hampers through a lady called Florzinha who runs a donkey cart delivery service with a donkey called Popeye! Liz and Florzinha are good friends and they work together to discreetly reach the poorest of the poor. Pastor Nemias at our Flores church has also been distributing Christmas hampers. 

I have just eaten a custard apple which was utterly delicious. 😋

QPR have extended their unbeaten run to 6 games with a 1 x 1 draw away at Bristol City.

Yesterday was our daughter Lynn's birthday so Liz cooked sweet and sour chicken for her for her lunch.

Leviticus 6 (résumé): Guilt, Burnt, Grain and Sin Offerings

This chapter starts by adding instructions for guilt offerings in the case of theft, deception, cheating, lying and false oaths. In such cases restitution must occur, plus 20%, on the day of the guilt offering, which should be a ram without defect, and which will lead to the offender's forgiveness. 

Then come further instructions concerning the burnt offering and it is stressed 5 times that the fire must be perpetual and must never go out. (full of spiritual implications for us) Animals burnt on the bronze altar were to burn all night and then the ashes were to be disposed of outside the camp in a ceremonially clean location. 

This is followed by regulations of grain offerings when a handful of fine flour would be burnt and the rest of the offering be kept by the priest to be eaten as baked yeast-free bread. 

On the day Aaron was anointed high priest he and his priestly sons were to offer about 200 ml of fine flour as a grain offering with half in the morning and half in the evening. This offering was to be prepared by the son chosen to eventually succeed Aaron as high priest, and the offering was to be completely burnt with nothing eaten.

In the case of sin offerings the priests who sacrifice the animal should eat the meat in the tabernacle's courtyard. If it was cooked in a clay pot this should subsequently be broken, but in the case of a bronze pot it should be washed.

Leviticus 5 (résumé): Dealing with Sin & Guilt

This chapter helps the Israelite to handle guilt, sin and the question of restitution. It says that if a person sins by failing to testify about a wrongdoing that he witnessed, or by touching unclean things even though he does so unknowingly, or by thoughtlessly swearing to do something, then he was to bring a female lamb or goat to the priest as an atoning sin offering. 

However if the person couldn't afford a sheep or goat he was to bring 2 doves or 2 young pigeons. The priest would wring one bird's neck as a sin offering and then burn the other one as a burnt offering.

But if the person could not even afford this then he should bring fine flour as his sin offering and the priest would burn a small part of it and keep the rest.

However in the case of unintentional sin which affects God's holy things, such as the withholding of tithes, offerings, firstlings etc. then the sinner must bring a ram as a guilt offering. He must also make restitution for his mistake adding 20% to its value and give it to the priest.

President Lula

Brazilian President Lula is in hospital recovering from surgery to remove a brain clot, resultant from a fall he had whilst cutting his toe nails on the 19th of October.

QPR have beaten Oxford at home 2 x 0 to take their unbeaten run to 5 matches. This means we have soared to 19th place in the Championship! 😀

This coming Sunday I will be preaching about the faith of the Christmas figures (Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds and the Wise Men) and we will have the choir from our Campina Grande Catolé church singing a Christmas cantata. 

Today we will be travelling up the mountain to Matureia where I will be receiving the 'Freedom of the Town' and 'Honorary Citizenship of Matureia' from the town council, in recognition of the work I have done there. All glory be to God!

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and assistant pastor Rafael brought the study starting in the book of Micah with the first 2 verses. It was a good service.

Leviticus 4 (résumé): The Sin Offering

This chapter contains instructions concerning the atonement for unintentional sin practiced by the following categories of Israelites:

First of all in the case of a priest sinning he should sacrifice a young bull without defect, lay his hand on its head and slaughter it at the entrance to the tabernacle. He should then dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of it 7 times in front of the curtain of the sanctuary, put blood on the horns of the altar of incense and pour the rest at the base of the altar of burnt offering. He shall then burn the fat of the kidneys, liver and loins on the altar of burnt offering before burning the rest outside of the camp.

Similarly in the case of the nation of Israel sinning a young bull should be brought to the tabernacle and all the elders of Israel should put their hand on its head prior to its slaughter. The same ritual as previous would then ensue. 

In the case of a leader of Israel sinning he would need to bring a male goat as a sacrifice and would need to follow the same ritual as previously prescribed for the priest and nation. 

In the case of a common Israelite citizen they should bring as a sacrifice a female sheep or goat and then follow the same ritual as previously prescribed.

Leviticus 3 (résumé):The Peace or Fellowship Offering

There is no consensus amongst theologians on the correct meaning of this offering which can either be translated 'peace' or 'fellowship' offering. It would seem to be a sacrifice for peace (shalom) and fellowship with God and one's fellow man, who would be present to eat the resultant barbecue with the one offering the sacrifice.

The sacrifice could either be a bull, cow, sheep or goat without defect. The owner would put his hand on the animal's head prior to slaughtering it at the entrance to the tabernacle and then its blood would be sprinkled on the sides of the altar. Following this the fat around the kidneys, liver and loins would be burnt on the altar. All the fat is the Lord's. As I understand it this ritual would then be followed by a good 'fellowship' barbecue with the sacrifice's proponent's invited guests and families. (See further G. J. Wenham further on this)

Leviticus 2 (résumé): The Grain Offering

As well as animal offerings (seen in the last chapter) grain offerings were also acceptable to God as a way of showing gratitude to him. These offerings were also a way to support and feed the priests and their families. Grain offerings could be made of fine flour mixed with oil and incense. A smaller part of the offering would be burnt on the altar by the priests and then the major part of the offering would belong to the priests.

Alternatively a grain offering could be made by baking a cake or wafer in an oven using oil but no yeast. In similar fashion cooking could be done on a griddle or in a pan and the priest would burn a smaller part of the cake on the altar prior to keeping the rest for himself. It was stressed not to use yeast or honey in the offering, but to add salt. 

Furthermore you could offer a grain offering with the first fruits from the harvest offering crushed heads of new grain roasted on the fire. 

Leviticus 1 (résumé): The Burnt Offering

The book of Leviticus commences with instructions on how to carry out sacrifices as offerings unto God in the tabernacle. The somewhat gruesome slaughtering of bulls, sheep, goats, doves or pigeons stands in stark contrast with the gentle peaceful life of Christians in Christ, who with his death on the cross paid the definitive supreme sacrifice for the sin of the world.

First God instructs Moses on how to offer the sacrifice of a bull without defect as a burnt offering. The priest would place his hand on the bull's head before killing it as a symbol of identification so that the sacrifice would make an atonement for him. The animal would then be killed and its blood be sprinkled on the altar, prior to skinning it, cutting it in pieces and then burning it all on the altar as a sacrifice to God.

Then follows similar instructions for the sacrifice of sheep or goats though such sacrifices curiously had to be carried out at the north side of the altar. The animal's blood was sprinkled on the altar, then the animal was cut in pieces and burnt on the altar producing, as with the bulls and birds, a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

In the case of bird sacrifices these could either be doves or young pigeons. The priest should wring off the bird's head and drain off its blood on the side of the altar, removing the crop which should be thrown on the east side of the altar, and tearing the bird open by the wings before burning it on the altar.

Southern Wren

 As I sit here working in my office I can hear the song of the Southern Wren just outside the window, from the bushes in our garden called 'Rainha do Prado'. 

At the weekend 1 man was baptized at our Vazante church. Pastor Nezinho Abílio couldn't conduct the baptism because he has his arm in a sling following his motorbike accident. At our Campina Grande Catolé church 12 were baptized. 2 of these were adolescent sons of church members who are autistic. At our Imaculada church 5 were baptized.

I am very happy to have finished my résumé of the book of Exodus completing its 40 chapters with the inauguration of the tabernacle. This means I am keeping up my average of over a chapter a day. Now here we go to Leviticus!

I have had an excellent meeting with our projects leaders Pastor Lindon Carlos (Imaculada) and Social Worker Marah Danielle (Patos) planning for wells, toilet/shower units, 4-Legs, market gardens and chicken runs in 2025. We value your prayers.

Last night we went to a flat-warming and birthday party at our granddaughter Louisa and her husband Tiago's new flat. On the 9th was Tiago's birthday and today is Louisa's birthday. It was a lovely evening.

Exodus 40 (résumé): Setting up the Tabernacle

On the first day of the first month of the second year God told Moses to set up the tabernacle. They placed the ark of the covenant in its rightful place in the tabernacle together with the table, the lampstand, the altar of incense, the basin on its stand and the altar of burnt offering. They placed all the curtains as the Lord had instructed and placed all the coverings over the tabernacle. They dressed Aaron and his sons in their priestly attire, washed them and anointed them consecrating them as priests. They set everything up as it should be and anointed everything. The altar of incense burned fragrant incense on it and on the altar of burnt offering they offered burnt offerings and grain offerings. And so Moses finished the work.

Then the cloud covered the tabernacle and the glory of the Lord filled the place making it impossible for Moses to enter owing to the overpowering presence of God. Thus the cloud was over the tabernacle by day and a cloud of fire was there by night, and the Israelites only moved on in their journey to Canaan's land when the cloud moved.

Exodus 39 (résumé): The Priestly Garments

Now they made the priestly garments of woven yarn. They made the ephod (an apron or vestment) made of yarn and linen interwoven with strands of gold. 2 onyx stones were attached to the shoulder parts of the ephod with gold settings, and engraved on these were the names of the tribes of Israel.

Then they made the breastpiece, which was attached to the ephod with gold cords, and it had 12 precious stones mounted in gold with each engraved with the name of a tribe of Israel. 

A blue robe was then made for the priest, with yarn and linen pomegranates around the hem alternated with gold bells. A turban was made and a gold plate was attached to it with the inscription HOLY TO THE LORD.

So the work of the tabernacle was completed and everything had been done as God had commanded. Moses inspected everything, approved it all and blessed the people for their good work. 

Exodus 38 (résumé): Altar of Burnt Offering & Courtyard

They built the Altar of Burnt Offering out of Acacia wood overlaid with bronze, measuring 1.3 metres high and 2.3 metres square, and with bronze horns on each corner. All the utensils were made of bronze as well as the rings for carrying, with the carrying poles made of wood overlaid with bronze. They then made a bronze basin and stand using the molten mirrors of the women! (There must be a spiritual message here!)

Next the Courtyard was made measuring 46 metres on the north and south sides (having 20 bronze pillars on each side) and measuring 23 metres on the east and west sides (having 10 bronze pillars on each side). The curtains were made of fine twisted linen and their hooks and bands were made of silver, but all the tent pegs were made of bronze.

An overall inventory of the materials used for the Tabernacle showed that a little over 1 ton of gold was used, with contributions from 603,550 men. 3.4 tons of silver were also used as were 2.4 tons of bronze. 

Exodus 37 (résumé): Ark, Table, Lampstand & Altar of Incense

Bezalel made the Ark of the Covenant out of Acacia wood measuring 1.1 metres long and 0.7 metres wide and high, and overlaid it with pure gold. He then made the atonement cover of pure gold with gold cherubins at the ends of the cover and whose wings spread across the ark and touched in the middle.

Then a table was made of acacia wood measuring 0.9 metres long, 0.5 metres wide and 0.7 metres high. It was all overlaid with gold including the attached rings and poles, and plates, ladles, bowls and pitchers were made of gold for drink offerings.

Next the Lampstand was made out of one block of solid gold weighing 34 kilos! It had a central branch with 3 sub-branches on each side having cups like almond flowers on each. The central shaft also had 4 cups like almond flowers. 

Then came the square wooden Altar of Incense covered with gold, with golden horns on each corner, plus poles and rods covered in gold. Then a perfumer made sacred anointing oil and pure fragrant incense.

Exodus 36 (résumé): The Tabernacle

Bezalel, Oholiab and all the skilled craftsmen commenced on the big job of artistically creating the tabernacle and the people continued to donate for this. Eventually they had to halt donations because by that time they had more than enough materials.

The construction of the tabernacle started with making the doors, partitions and frames made from Acacia wood. This took place approximately 4 to 6 months after the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, and the tabernacle was completed about a year after the exodus. What is impressive are the artistic details like the cherubins embroidered into the curtains, the wood covered with gold, silver bases for the frames, the bronze basin with its stand, onyx stones and gems set into the priest's ephod and breastplate etc. God's dwelling place had to be perfect and was full of class, quality, art and beauty.

Exodus 35 (résumé): Materials for the Tabernacle

Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and reminded them all never to work on the sabbath, not even was it permitted to light a fire, and the punishment for disobedience was death! 

Moses then made an appeal for donations of jewellery and materials from the people for the making of the tabernacle because they needed gold, silver, bronze, yarn, linen, goats hair, ram skins, sea cow hides, acacia wood, oil, incense and precious stones. They also needed skilled craftsmen to make the tabernacle, its curtains, furniture, and clothing, under the coordination of Bezalel and Oholiab who would be their spirit filled leaders in this work. The Israelites gave generously for this cause both from their possessions and from their skills.

Glorious QPR

On Saturday afternoon, in stormy conditions, QPR managed their first home victory of the season 3 x 0 against Norwich, taking us out of the relegation zone and up to 20th out of 24 in the Championship. This was our first home victory of the season (in December!) and our 4th game on the run without defeat. 😅

I always see Humming Birds visiting the flowers in our front garden. The species we see are the Glittering-bellied Emerald and the Swallow-tailed Hummingbird. I never tire of watching them.

On Saturday night I went and took the service at Green Pastures with Marina and Davi leading the worship, Isaac, Josué, Paulo Silas, Dodora and Fabrícia taking part and Ray bringing a word from Luke 22. It was a nice service despite numbers being down owing to a fine drizzle falling.

Last night I led the Bible Day service in Patos and our daughter and Bible college student Sacha preached an excellent sermon from Psalm 19. It was a blessed service.

Over the weekend it rained 6 mm and then 5 mm at Green Pastures.

Exodus 34 (résumé): The New Stone Tablets

Moses went up Mount Sinai to meet with God again carrying with him stone tablets to replace the ones with the law which he had broken, and Moses stayed there a long time without eating or drinking. There God renewed his covenant with Israel and ordered them to not make treaties with incumbent nations when they reached Canaan but instead destroy all their pagan idolatrous sites.  The Israelites should celebrate their festivals to the Lord with the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Ingathering. They should also keep the Sabbath. When Moses came down the mountain carrying the 2 tablets of the Testimony his face shone from the glory of God so that the people were afraid to approach him. Moses put on a veil when he had finished speaking to the people.    

Exodus 33 (résumé): The Tent of Meeting

God told Moses that it was time for the Israelites to leave Mount Sinai and start heading for Canaan, where an angel would drive out the native peoples so that the Israelites could take over as he had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However God said he would not go with them as they were a stiff-necked people prone to serious sin. This saddened the Israelites and they wore no jewellery as a sign of repentance.

Moses had a special tent of meeting outside the camp where he met with God face to face as a man speaks with his friend. Moses asked God to teach him his ways and God said he would go with the Israelites as Moses had requested. We again see God changing his mind as a result of Moses's intercession. Moses also asked to see God's glory to which God partially agreed though he couldn't see his face as that would be lethal. God hid Moses in the cleft of a rock from where Moses could see his back but not his face.

Extreme poverty reduction

The Brazilian census (IBGE) shows that in 2023 Brazilians in poverty fell below 30% (27.4%) for the first time and those in extreme poverty fell below 5% (4.4%) for the first time too. We rejoice with this improvement which is what EAB/ACEV works for in the name of Jesus.

I have just eaten a Custard Apple for my mid-morning snack which was delicious. I only eat fresh fruit for breakfast and in the mornings.

I had a good 3 km walk at Green Pastures under a little rain. I saw 6 wild tortoises out in the rain with a couple mating. I saw lots of birds: Southern Lapwing, Roadside Hawk, Pied-billed Grebe, Great Egret, Pileated Finch, Tropical Gnatcatcher, Caatinga Cacholote, White-tipped Dove, Solitary Black Cacique and Campo Troupial. (You can Google these English names to see them)

Please pray for Pastor Nezinho Abílio who has had a motorbike accident and fractured a collar bone and a shoulder blade. He is the pastor of 4 churches: Diamante, Barra de Oitis, Mata de Oitis and Vazante.

Exodus 32 (résumé): The Golden Calf

This chapter contains some amazing things such as the fickleness of the Israelites faith, including that of the future high priest Aaron, and the lethalness of the judgement of God upon the sin of his people.

The Israelites got fed up with waiting for Moses, who was up Mount Sinai receiving the law from God, and which took a long time. 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 24:18) is not to be taken literally but is an idiomatic expression meaning a long time. So the people got Aaron to make a calf from the women's gold jewellery, he made an altar in front of it, and the people worshipped it as their deliverer from Egypt! God was furious when he saw this and decided to destroy the Israelites, but Moses interceded, reminded God of his covenant (which the people had broken!) and God changed his mind. When Moses came down the mountain and saw what his brother and the people had done he threw the tablets of the law to the ground and smashed them to smithereens, and asked Aaron what had got into him? So Moses asked the people who was on the Lord's side and the Levites said they were. Then Moses equipped them with swords and they went round the camp killing a total of 3,000 people and God struck the people with a plague. 

End-of-year party

On Tuesday I went to the men's fellowship's end-of-year party held at the Coreto 2 open-air restaurant where 20 of us ate pizza together, chatted and played a game of Bingo which well-driller Caetano won. At the end we prayed together. Another nice shower of rain fell whilst we were in the restaurant.

Our amazing grandson Arthur has booked flights for another of his international trips in 2025. 23-year-old Arthur is a qualified lawyer and has already visited Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Florianopolis, Brasília, Fernando de Noronha and Goiania in Brazil and made international visits to Wales, Scotland, England (various times), Portugal, USA (Florida, New York and Los Angeles next year), Bahamas, Chile, Italy, Vatican, Greece, France, Germany, Holland, Iceland, Spain and Morocco. Now he is scheduled to visit Japan next year via Peru, Panama and the USA, with the possibility of adding South Korea to the schedule if things calm down there. Congratulations Arthur on your amazing world vision for life and for your solid commitment to Christ in the process.

Yesterday we had hailstones at Green Pastures which fascinated the people because they had never seen them before! It rained 15 mm which was good.

Last night I led a lovely Christmas service at the senior citizens' condominium where there are 40 chalets in which 60+ folk live. It was a blessed evening with a variety of folk from the church telling what Christmas means to them, and Pastor Rafael brought a word from Luke 2. Sacha led the praise with a mixture of carols and regular songs. We gave the residents a little gift each at the end. 

Exodus 31 (résumé): Bezalel & Oholiab

God appointed Bezalel and Oholiab to be the chief artisans responsible for the creation and manufacture of the entire Tabernacle and all its different elements. God especially gifted these men in design and craftmanship and filled them with his spirit to do the task.

Then the Lord strictly instructed the Israelites to observe the Sabbath as a day of rest, following the divine creation pattern, and failure to respect the Sabbath would be punishable by death. The Sabbath was to be holy to the Lord.

When God finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai he gave him the tablets of the law inscribed by his own finger and these were put in the ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle.

Exodus 30 (résumé): The Altar of Incense & the Bronze Basin

God instructed Moses to make an altar of incense of wood covered by gold on which was to be burnt incense (representing the prayers of the people) morning and evening. This altar, 0.5 metres square and 0.9 metres high, was to be placed in the tabernacle in front of the curtain which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Once a year Aaron was to make atonement on this altar.

God then said that when he carried out censuses everyone from 20 years old upwards should pay half a shekel as a tabernacle tax. 

God instructed Moses to make a bronze basin with stand so that the priests could ceremonially wash themselves before ministering in the tabernacle.

Then the Lord gave recipes for the creation of exclusive sacred anointing oil (made from fine spices) and holy incense (made from fragrant spices) which nobody could copy. 

Sunday sermon

Sunday night's main service of the week in Patos was a blessing when I preached on Genesis 26. Countless people thanked me for the sermon after the service. Every Sunday in December we have a Christmas related item and this Sunday two women, Dilma and Fia, did an excellent sketch.

One thing very interesting in the Sunday night service was to see Chico who I hadn't seen for 33 years! When he appeared at the door in his wheelchair I couldn't believe my eyes. He is now 65 and he has moved back to Patos from Fortaleza. 

Last night it rained 60 mm in Patos but only rained 2 mm at Green Pastures. Nevertheless it is a start for the rainy season for which we are grateful.

Exodus 29 (résumé): Consecration of the Priests

This chapter contains detailed instructions for the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests which was a process which lasted 7 days with a bull sacrificed every day. Initially Aaron and his sons were to wash at the entrance to the tabernacle and then put on all their priestly attire. Then they should bring a bull so that Aaron and his sons can lay their hands on it before it is sacrificed. Now put some of the blood on the altar horns and pour the rest at the base of the altar. Then burn parts of the liver and kidneys on the altar, before burning the rest of it outside the camp as a sin offering. Then bring a ram on which Aaron and his sons shall place their hands before sacrificing it and sprinkling its blood on the altar. Then cut the ram in pieces prior to burning it as an offering to God on the altar. Then take another ram, Aaron and his sons put their hands on it before slaughtering it, and then put some of its blood on their right ear lobes, on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet! Then sprinkle blood and anointing oil on the priests to consecrate them. Then Aaron and his sons will wave before God as a wave offering parts of the lamb plus unleavened bread, cake and wafer, before burning it on the altar, but parts of the ram will be given to the priests, and it will be cooked for them to eat. Then from then on every day they will offer 2 lambs together with a grain offering and drink offering in the morning and late afternoon. Thus the priests will be consecrated as will be consecrated the tabernacle for regular meetings of the people with God.   

Responsible Grace

I have just received the book: "Responsible Grace - John Wesley's practical theology" by Randy L. Maddox. I look forward to reading it as I greatly appreciate Wesleyan theology. "Wesley's value as a major theologian lays in his ability to simplify, synthesize and communicate the essential teachings of the Christian gospel to laity, not in his contributions to speculative academic theology." (Albert Outler) Thank God for this!

Liz and I went for a nice long walk at Green Pastures and found a dead fox on one of the trails. We also saw the following species of birds: Chalk-browed Mocking Bird, White-tipped Dove, Great Kiskadee, Caatinga Cacholote and Rufous-bellied Thrush.

I would like to congratulate our son Philip who has just completed his degree in theology with top marks! He already had a Master's Degree in Computer Science and now he has a Bachelor's Degree in Theology in a course officially recognised by the Brazilian Ministry of Education. How he managed to do this course over the last 3 years I will never know, as it was on top of his leadership role in his company with immense responsibility. Praise the Lord for this tremendous victory!

Yesterday QPR drew 0 x 0 away to Watford and are now placed in 23rd place out of the 24 positions in the Championship. That's 3 games without losing on the run! 👍

Last night I led the weekly service at Green Pastures and I preached too. Sister Nega led the praise and there were a lot of joyful participations in the lovely service.

Last month this blog was read 1,226 times. 

Fire

We have had a big fire in the rubbish dump next to Green Pastures. Our fear was that sparks and flames could spread the fire to us in the extremely hot dry conditions prevailing at the moment, but thankfully the Fire Brigade managed to control the fire and then extinguish it. Green Pastures was untouched. 

I have been working on the programme for the March Carnival Camp, with the sequence of 7 services/messages around the theme of 'The Revival/Renewal of the work of the Lord' based around Habakkuk 3.

QPR have beaten Cardiff 2 x 0 away for our second victory of the season! 😀

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and all went well. We studied Jonah chapter 3 and had a nice time of prayer and worship.

Exodus 28 (résumé): The Priestly Garments

 God told Moses to call his brother Aaron (high priest) and his sons so that they could serve him as priests. He told him to have priestly garments made for them: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban and a sash. 

The ephod was to be made by skilled craftsman out of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and linen. It was to have 2 shoulder pieces in which would be placed onyx stones with half the names of the sons of Israel engraved on each stone. It would have a woven waistband. 

The breastpiece was to be made of the same material in a 22 centimetre double folded square. 12 gemstones were to be attached mounted in gold filigree, and then attach it by gold chains to the ephod shoulder pieces. Place the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece to make decisions for the Israelites.

The priest's robe was to be made of blue cloth with an opening in the centre for the head. Its hem was to be decorated with cloth images of pomegranates alternated with bells.

A gold plate engraved with HOLY TO THE LORD was to be attached to the priest's turban by a blue cord. And then the priests were to be anointed and ordained for their special role.  

Exodus 27 (résumé): The Altar & the Courtyard

Next God gave instructions for the building of the altar of burnt offering which was to be placed in the outer courtyard of the tabernacle. The altar was to be 1.3 metres high x 2.3 metres long and wide. It was to be made of acacia wood, covered with bronze and have a bronze horn on each corner to which would be tied the sacrifice. The altar would have poles and rings for when the Israelites were on the move.

The outer courtyard which surrounded the tabernacle was to be 46 metres long and 23 metres wide, with finely twisted linen curtains and 20 posts with bronze bases on the north and south, and with 10 posts on the west end. On the east side, which is the side on which the sun rises, there will be a curtain for an entrance 9 metres wide, with fixed curtains either side. All the hangings around the courtyard were 2.3 metres high.

Then the Israelites were commanded to bring clear olive oil for the lampstand and Aaron and his priestly sons were responsible for tending the light in the morning and the evening.

Exodus 26 (résumé): Details of the Tabernacle

This chapter contains the miniscule details of the Tabernacle's layout with curtains, supporting frames and covering in exquisite luxurious taste. God cares about detail and stressed the importance of making everything exactly according to the plan shown to Moses on the mountain. From this chapter it is most clear that God loves a beautiful place of worship. 

The tabernacle was to have 10 curtains made of blue, purple and scarlet linen with the imagery of cherubins interwoven, each measuring 12.5 metres x 1.8 metres. The curtains were fastened together using golden clasps in groups of 5 with 50 loops at the end of each group. It was also to have 11 curtains of goats' hair to cover the tabernacle with each measuring 13.5 metres x 1.8 metres and held together by bronze clasps. Additionally the Israelites were to make a further covering for the tabernacle with ram skins dyed red plus the hides of sea cows.

Then Moses was to build 48 wooden frames covered in gold to support the tent structure. Each frame measured 4.5 metres x 0.7 metres and they were set on silver bases. 20 frames were for the south side, 20 for the north side and 8 for the west end. Added to these frames were wooden horizontal cross-bars overlayed with gold.

A curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and linen, interwoven with cherubins, would divide the tabernacle in two parts separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The ark of the testimony would be placed inside the inner Most Holy Place and the golden table and golden lampstand were to be placed in the outer Holy Place. Then at the entrance to the tabernacle would be placed a curtain of yarn and embroidered linen, with gold hooks, and with 5 wooden posts overlaid with gold, set in bronze bases.

Wells

I have been going over my sermon for next Sunday in Patos on 'The Wells of Gerar' from Genesis 26. Your prayers are valued as I preach God's word. May life-giving water be forthcoming from the wells as we share around God's word in the communion service, which is always on the first Sunday of the month.

Our next Carnival Camp will be held at Green Pastures from March 1st to 5th 2025. Any people or churches who are able to help with this would be greatly appreciated as each person needs to pay 37 pounds to cover food, workers, cleaning materials, swimming pool materials etc. and not all can afford it. Please designate such gifts to the EAB treasurer with 'Carnival Camp'. Our camps are rich times of fun, food, fellowship, sport, swimming and Bible teaching, with a total of 7 services of praise and worship to the Lord. Please pray for the Carnival Camp. 🙌

Our crashed car has been in repairs for over 4 weeks now but we are hoping it might be returned this week. A new radiator had to come from São Paulo so this held things up. We had an insurance car for 2 weeks in which we travelled for ministry to Joao Pessoa and Juru.

I have just completed 2 years of physical exercises in the Gym for an hour every Tuesday and Thursday. On the other 5 days I do a routine of exercises with 15 minutes on an exercise bike, 30 stand-ups and hands raised, 30 tip-toes to exercise the calf muscles and 30 pelvic elevations. On Friday afternoons I do a 3 km walk at Green Pastures. Keeping fit is an essential part of keeping well.

Last night we went out for a family pizza together to celebrate our granddaughter Alice's acceptance to university to study psychology. Well done Alice!

Exodus 25 (résumé): Offerings and instructions for the Tabernacle

God invited free-will offerings from the people of materials which could be used to construct a mobile tent-like temple called the Tabernacle which would be God's dwelling place amongst his people. The construction and fabrication had to be exactly according to God's instructions.

God instructed the construction of the Ark of the Covenant which was a wooden chest 1.1 metres long, 0.7 metres wide and 0.7 metres high. It would all be overlayed with gold as would be its rings and poles for transportation. It was to house the stones of the 10 commandments. On top of the Ark there would a golden atonement cover with 2 golden cherubins.

Then a wooden table 0.9 metres long, 0.5 metres wide and 0.7 metres high would be made and be covered with pure gold, as would be its legs, rings and carrying poles. 

Next a golden lampstand would be made with a central shaft and 3 branches on each side making a 7-branch lampstand with floral ornamentation. 

Exodus 24 (résumé): The confirmation of the Covenant

God called Moses to go up the mountain with Aaron, his sons Nadab and Abihu, and 70 elders. The people could not go up, but they had promised to do all God had said to Moses which he had written down. Moses built an altar at the foot of the mountain with 12 pillars representing the 12 tribes of Israel. There they offered young bulls as fellowship or peace offerings, and Moses read the Book of the Covenant to the people, sprinkling the people with the sacrificial blood saying that it was the blood of the covenant with the Lord in accordance with what he had read. Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 elders went up the mountain and saw God and worshipped Him at a distance. After this Moses went further with Joshua to receive the tablets of stone from God with the law on them. Then Moses went up further alone and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai as a cloud and Moses went up into the cloud and stayed there for over a month.

Exodus 23 (résumé): Laws of Mercy, the Sabbath & Festivals

Laws of justice and mercy: Don't spread false reports, don't follow the crowd in wrong doing, if you find your enemy's donkey lost somewhere take it back to him, don't deny justice to the poor in their court cases, don't accept bribes and don't oppress foreigners. 

Sabbath laws: Plough and plant your fields in cycles of 7 years so that you plant for 6 years and let the land lay fallow on the 7th. Work for 6 days and rest on the 7th day together with your animals and slaves.

3 annual Festivals: First of all celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the month of Abib to commemorate leaving Egypt. Next celebrate the Feast of Harvest at the beginning of the harvest and then celebrate the feast of Ingathering at the end of the year. Bring the best of your first fruits to the house of the Lord, but don't cook a young goat in its mother's milk!

God then said that he was sending an angel to guide his people along the way and that they should listen to him and obey him always. God said that he would gradually wipe out the inhabitants of Canaan for them and would establish their borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines and from the desert to the River Euphrates. 

Bronze medals

Our granddaughter Bia has won 2 further bronze medals in the State of Paraíba Table Tennis Championships. She won 2 medals because her age group of under 15s didn't have enough competitors so she was invited to play in the older under 19 and adult tournaments, and she did very well to win third place in each category. Well done Bia! 😃

QPR managed to draw again on Saturday at home against Stoke 1 x 1. They haven't won at home all season! We even missed a penalty and remain bottom in the Championship. 😦

I completed 2 months of résumés of the Bible on Saturday and have done 72 chapters thus far which is an average of over 1 chapter a day. If I can keep up this pace I will finish the whole Bible in 4 years.

Liz has put up our Christmas tree, with the help of granddaughter Amanda, and we have lights on a big Jasmin bush in the front garden. We have background music carols from King's College, Cambridge.

Last night I led the main service of the week in Patos and my assistant pastor Rafael preached on the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. It was a good service with a full church.

Exodus 22 (résumé): Property rights & Social responsibilities

Now comes a list of laws governing the protection of property. An animal thief will repay between 100 and 400%. There is no guilt linked to killing a burglar unless it happens after sunrise. A thief must make retribution, but if he is moneyless he himself should be sold. If a man's animals graze in someone else's fields then the animals' owner must reciprocate from the best of his land. He who starts a fire must pay for the damage caused. If a man has somebody's property in their keeping and it is stolen a judge must rule on the matter unless the thief is caught. If a man borrows an animal and it is injured or dies he must make retribution. This is followed by a list of laws covering social responsibilities such as that a man having sex with a virgin must pay the bride-price and marry her. However if the girl's father is against the marriage the seducer must pay the father the bride-price for virgins. Then sorcery, bestiality and idolatry are said to be punishable with death. Laws are also declared against the ill-treatment of foreigners, widows and orphans. The loan of money is required to be without interest between Hebrews and blasphemy is condemned. Offerings to God should always be forthcoming as were the firstborn of animals and men to be dedicated to God. All Israelites were to be consecrated to God. 

Exodus 21 (résumé): Laws linked to Slaves, Violence and Animals

The first string of laws in this chapter are linked to slaves and their owners. Hebrew slaves were to serve 6 years and then be freed, but if the slave wanted to stay he would have his ear pierced (piercing is not so modern!) and remain for life. If a Hebrew bought a female slave as a wife, but was not happy with her, he could allow her to be redeemed but not by a foreigner. However if he bought the female slave for his son the owner was to treat her as his daughter. If a man married a slave and then married another wife he could not illtreat the slave. If he did illtreat her she should be freed. Then comes a string of laws regarding violence and abuse. He who kills or kidnaps should be killed, as should be he who attacks or curses his parents. If men fight they should compensate with proportionate payments according to injuries. Slave owners will be punished if they beat their slave unless the slave can get up after a day of two! If a pregnant woman is caused to miscarry owing to violence the man will be fined but if serious injury is caused he must be punished proportionately. If a slave owner destroys a slave's eye or tooth the owner must compensate with freedom. Finally comes a list of laws linked to animals. If a bull kills someone then it must be stoned to death, but if the bull was in the habit of attacking people then the owner should be put to death too. If a man dug a pit but failed to cover it and an animal fell into it then he would have to compensate the loss. If a bull killed another bull then the live bull should be sold and the money be split equally between the 2 owners.

Exodus 20 (résumé): The 10 Commandments

God then communicated the 10 commandments. Israel had many other laws, but these are the most well-known as the cornerstone of Hebrew law. First of all the people were to have no other gods and serve exclusively the Lord. Secondly they were not to engage in any form of idolatry. Thirdly they should never use the name of the Lord in vain. Fourthly they were to rest on the sabbath which was the 7th day of the week. Fifthly they were to honour their father and mother. Sixthly they were not to commit murder. Seventhly they were not to commit adultery. Eighthly they were not to steal. Ninthly they were not to give false testimony and tenthly they were not to covet the possessions of others. As the law was given the pyrotechnics of God's presence on the mountain terrified the people, but Moses calmed them telling them not to be afraid. God then re-emphasized his abhorrence of idols and said that when they made altars they should either be made of earth or unhewn rocks.   

Exodus 19 (résumé): At Mount Sinai

3 months after the Red Sea experience the Israelites set up camp in the Sinai Desert close to Mount Sinai. God told Moses to say to the people that they would be a unique special people for him as long as they obeyed him. Moses conveyed the message and the people committed to obeying God. So God told Moses that he should get the people to spend 2 days consecrating themselves, washing their clothes and abstaining from sex, and that on the third day God would speak to Moses audibly so that the people could hear him. God also said that nobody should touch the mountain or else they would die. Then on the third morning Mount Sinai was rocked by thunder, lightning, fire, smoke and blasts from a trumpet, because the Lord descended there and spoke audibly to Moses. So God called Moses to go up the mountain to him and then to bring Aaron up to him, but no one else could go up.

Mid-week Service

I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and I gave the study on the message of John the Baptist. Marina and Davi led the praise and worship and Espedita and Vasti sang solos. Mariana brought a lovely word of testimony about the Youth Conference and Dede, Deborah Maria, Mada and Marcio brought verses of Scripture. It was a delightful service with a good number present.

At Green Pastures yesterday I saw Red-cowled Cardinals, Chalk-browed Mockingbirds, Picui Ground-Doves, White Naped-Jays and Pale Baywings. The drought and heat are biting hard. Everything is scorched by the sun.

Last night we had a wonderful evening with our 'Young at Heart' seniors fellowship group held at Josinete's house. We were all served a delicious meal (I ate 2 plates!), and then played some games, followed by the giving of gifts to all the ladies who regularly come to the weekly meetings. They were all profuse with their thanks for all the work done with them throughout 2024. This work with our seniors has now been carried on during 18 years and is led by Marah Danielle, Márcia and Josinete. 

Men's Health

This week's Men's Fellowship meeting centred on a talk by a doctor on men's health, in line with the national emphasis on the topic in the month of November. Dr. Rafael Nóbrega brought us a very useful and interesting talk with discussion by the group.

Yesterday was another public holiday in Brazil, being 1 of 15+ such annual holidays! There are 8 in the UK. The married couples' fellowship therefore made the most of the day spending it as an outing to Green Pastures and had a barbecue. The men cooked the barbecue whilst the women sunbathed! 😎

Exodus 18 (résumé): Jethro visits Moses

Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses came to visit Moses together with Moses' wife Zipporah and their 2 sons Gershom and Eliezer. Moses told him all about what God had done delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, and Jethro was overjoyed and offered sacrifices to God. The next day Moses worked all day as judge of the people and Jethro observed how hard he worked, so Jethro suggested that he delegate much of this work to good men who could share his work load. Moses accepted the suggestion and appointed judges to take care of the simpler cases, just bringing the more complicated issues to him.   

Sunday Service

I led the main service of the week on Sunday night and Bible College graduate Murilo preached on Matthew 5:1-8. It was an excellent sermon. The praise and worship flowed beautifully too led by Sacha and Fábio, backed by Rogerio, Netinho and Rogaciano. Our youth got back from their conference on the coast in Joao Pessoa just as the service finished.

Professor Flávia Moura of the Federal University is about to start research in termites at Green Pastures. Termites create large mounds on trees and it will be very interesting to learn from the professor and her team. The team of Maranhao biologists continue to research wild cats at Green Pastures.

The 246 young people from our churches, who went to their annual conference in Joao Pessoa, are now back home in their respective towns and villages. All report a real time of blessing for which we praise the Lord. Thank you for your prayers. 

Liz and I watched online Ken Rashleigh's thanksgiving service this morning which was beautiful.

Exodus 17 (résumé): Water from the Rock

Despite God's constant provision for Israel the people's faith was very limited, and when no water was readily visible and available the people began to moan again. So God instructed Moses to go and strike a rock at Horeb from which water flowed out, and he called the place Massah (testing) and Meribah (quarrelling) because the people quarrelled and tested the Lord there. Then the Amalekites attacked the Israelites, so Moses sent Joshua to take some men to fight them whilst Moses stood on top of hill with his staff raised. Whilst he maintained his arms raised Israel prevailed but if he lowered his arms Israel started to lose. So Aaron and Hur held his hands up all day and by sunset the Amalekites had been defeated. Moses built an altar of praise to God and called it the Lord is my banner.

Exodus 16 (résumé): Manna & Quail

A month after leaving Egypt the Israelites left Elim and came to the Desert of Sin between Elim and Sinai. Here they started to moan about the lack of food saying they would have been better off staying in Egypt as now they were liable to starve to death. So God started to send them manna (a type of delicious bread) in the morning and quails in the evening. They were to collect sufficient for each day (not more and not less) but on the 6th day they were to collect sufficient for 2 days so that they didn't work on the sabbath. The collected food would last for the stipulated period of time, but if they collected too much it would become full of maggots and begin to smell. God told the people not to grumble at Moses and Aaron because if they did they would be in fact complaining against Himself. And the Israelites ate manna provided by God for 40 years until they reached the border of Canaan.

Manchester City

In reply to my comments about me perhaps playing for QPR, Pastor Michael Rollo (Found Church, Scotland) has suggested that if that doesn't work out I could try Manchester City as they have lost 4 in a row! Meanwhile Mrs. Joan Heard has agreed that I should play for QPR! 😂

Last night I both led the service at Green Pastures and preached the word. It was the monthly communion service and Nega led the praise and worship. Josué, Paulo Silas, Fred, Dodora and Julio also took part. It was a good service.

Our annual youth conference finishes today. Over 200 young people from around our churches have gathered in Joao Pessoa for fellowship and spiritual renewal around God's word. It has been a time of blessing.

Exodus 15 (résumé): The Song of Moses

Then Moses and the Israelites sang a song of rejoicing and victory unto the Lord, and Aaron's sister and prophetess Miriam danced with tambourines. They praised God for their mighty deliverance hurling the Egyptian troops into the sea. They worshiped God for shattering their enemy by engulfing them in the sea after having delivered themselves on dry ground. They praised God who is incomparable among the gods, majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, doing wonders! The Red Sea deliverance strengthened the Israelites' faith and belief regarding the future conquering of the land of Canaan. Then Moses led the people from the Red Sea into the desert and they grumbled about the lack of drinking water because when they arrived at Marah (bitter) the water wasn't drinkable. Moses cried to God who directed him to throwing in some wood which made the water sweet. God then exhorted the people to listen carefully to his voice because he would not punish them with plagues as he was the Lord who heals them. Then they arrived to camp at Elim where there were 12 springs and 70 palm trees.

Exodus 14 (résumé): Crossing the Red Sea

God told the Israelites to camp facing the Red Sea but Pharoah changed his mind about letting them go and prepared 600 plus chariots and troops to pursue them. When the Israelites saw them they were terrified and complained to Moses that he had had brought them to the desert to die. However God told them not to be afraid because he would deliver them and liquidate the Egyptians. Then God told Moses to raise his staff over the sea and it opened up a pathway through the sea which was totally dry, and the Israelites were able to escape through this pathway. However when the Egyptians pursued them it was no longer dry and they started to get bogged down in their chariots. After the Israelites had crossed, God collapsed the walls of the Red Sea engulfing the Egyptians, and they were all drowned. Thus the Israelites feared God and trusted him and trusted in Moses as they witnessed this miraculous deliverance.

"Plane crash in Patos"

Yesterday we had an hilarious incident in Patos. For days now we have had air force jets zig-zagging across the skies of Patos. Yesterday there was a large explosion breaking up boulders at a building site and word spread in Patos that one of the jets had crashed! Social media was soon full of the story reporting that the pilot had ejected and was alive! It just goes to show how lies are easily spread.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study. Sacha and Rogerio led the praise and Pastor Rafael gave the study on Jonah 2. It was a nice service.

Today is our 55th wedding anniversary and I will be taking Liz out for lunch to celebrate. God has been very good to us over the years and I am very grateful to Him for such a wonderful beautiful wife. 😍

Exodus 13 (résumé): Consecration of the Firstborn

In a direct link with the Passover rescue of the Israelite firstborn God established an annual ritual of the consecration of the firstborn interwoven with the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As they moved into Canaan they were to remember to consecrate to God all their firstborn, including that of their livestock, and when their children asked about the meaning of this they should tell them that it was to remember all God did for them bringing them out of Egypt. Then God led the Israelites via the desert road towards the Red Sea, avoiding possible war with the Philistines on the more direct route. Moses took the bones of Joseph to bury in Canaan and God went with his people guiding them with pillars of cloud (in the day) and of fire (at night).

Toilet/Shower unit

Another EAB/ACEV toilet/shower unit is starting to be built this week in the village of Barra de Oitis at the house of Lucinho and Leila. The building materials were delivered on Monday morning. Thank you for your prayers and support.

On Tuesday, November 19th at 1 pm, the thanksgiving service for the life of our great friend and brother in Christ Ken Rashleigh will be held at the Shirley Warren Action Church, 117 Warren Crescent, Southampton, SO16 6AY. Please attend and support our sister Marian. 

On Monday night Liz led the prayer meeting at which there were 7 present. Liz says it was a good meeting.

Last night I travelled to the town of Sao Mamede with the Patos men's fellowship and held another street service in front of the house of José and Maricó. Chief of the police Esau led the service, there were various participations and Pastor Rafael preached the Gospel. It was a lovely meeting.

I played my granddaughter Bia yesterday at table tennis and lost 11 x 5, 11 x 4. It was fun.

Exodus 12 (résumé): The Passover

This chapter lays out the rules for the celebration of the Passover and for the Feast of Unleavened Bread which were to be carried out in the spring, constituting the first month of the new ecclesiastical year in commemoration of Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt. God told Moses that each Hebrew family should slaughter a year old lamb or kid which was without defect, with small families being able to share. They should then paint the blood on the sides and tops of their front door frames and roast the lamb or kid, eating it with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. They should eat whilst wearing a cloak tucked inside their belt, wearing sandals and holding a staff. (ready to march to freedom!) That same night God would kill the Egyptian firstborn,  but where he saw the blood he would 'pass over' and leave them unaffected by the plague of death. God said that the Passover festival together with the Feast of Unleavened Bread should be commemorated every year to remember the great deliverance of God in all future generations. At midnight on the first Passover God struck down the Egyptian firstborn without exception and there was loud wailing throughout Egypt, but where there was blood on the doorposts the angel of death passed over. During the night Pharoah finally gave in and told Moses, Aaron and the Israelites to get out of Egypt, and all the Egyptians urged them to leave quickly! So the Israelites' 430 years in Egypt came to a close. They were 600,000 men plus women, children and livestock on their way to Canaan. So the Passover commemorates the setting free of the Israelites from slavery, no foreigner could eat of it and no uncircumcised men. God was finally bringing the Israelites out of Egypt!   

New Heavens & New Earth

Last night I led the main service of the week in Patos and I preached too on 'New Heavens and New Earth' from Isaiah 65:17 and Revelation 21:1. The service was disturbed a bit by the noise of football supporters celebrating the victory of their team 'Flamengo' (Philip's team) who won the Brazilian Cup against 'Atletico Mineiro' . The church was full with 8 non-Christian visitors.

I have had various discussions with different pastors today talking about different aspects of the work of God. Of special focus is our central Princesa Isabel church which is in great need of prayer.

School Meetings

Every Wednesday evening we have a small team which goes to our Pastor Frank Dyer School on the south side of Patos in the borough of Jatobá. They faithfully go there to hold an evangelistic service targeting children and teenagers from the school and their parents. Owing to the violence at night in Patos people are now very reticent to let their children out at night because the drug gangs have decreed a curfew! The shooting of the little 6-year-old girl also makes people jumpy. Please pray for peace in Patos and for God's blessings on our weekly meetings at our school.

Our brother Etinho from our little church at the picturesque village of Picotes has had a nasty accident tonight whilst loading a cow onto a truck. He has double exposed fractures of his shin bones on one leg (Tibia and Fibula). Please pray for Etinho. 

We are having a good but exhausting weekend. On Friday we travelled to chair a church business meeting at our Princesa Isabel church. We installed a 3-man team of pastors Robério, Nemias and Lindon Carlos to care for the church whilst it is without a fixed pastor. Then on Saturday morning we visited a family there prior to travelling to Juru where I preached at the 40th anniversary service held in the street in front of the church. We got back to Patos and to bed at 1.30 am this morning.

QPR lost again! Oh dear! We lost 2 x 0 away to Leeds and are now back at the bottom of the league.

Exodus 11 (résumé): The Plague on the Firstborn

God told Moses that he was about to bring the last plague upon Egypt which would finally secure the release of the Israelites. So God instructed the people to ask their Egyptian neighbours for gold and silver for their soon coming journey to freedom. Moses then went to Pharoah and told him that at midnight all the Egyptian firstborn would die, including the cattle, and that loud wailing would be heard everywhere. This would have the effect that the Egyptians would be glad to see the back of the Hebrews. However Pharoah stubbornly refused to set the people free. 

Baptisms

8 have been baptized at our Juru church where Esequias (Ezekiel) is the pastor. I will be preaching there this Saturday at the 40th anniversary service. Juru is 115 km south-west of Patos where we live. On the Friday we will be travelling to nearby Princesa Isabel (33 km further west) where I will chair a church business meeting to try and sort out some problems there. Please pray. 

QPR lost at home 4 x 1 to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night! How very sad! 😒We remain in 23rd place in the 24 team Championship. I think I will have to pop over to Loftus Road and play a few games for them! Do let me know if you think this a good idea. 😉

Boa Esperança

On Sunday night I preached at our Joao Pessoa Boa Esperança church's 19th anniversary service. In the city of Joao Pessoa we have 4 churches: our central one in the borough of Cidade Universitária (Pastors Umbirajara and Matheus), then one in the borough of Cidade Verde (Pastor José Vieira), the third where we preached in the borough of Boa Esperança (Pastor Manoel and Missionary Alexandra) and our fourth in the borough of Funcionários 3 (Pastor Iremar). It was a good service.

Yesterday we drove back from Joao Pessoa in the afternoon, arriving back in Patos safe and sound at 7:30 pm after a 5 hour journey.

Liz had 2 hours on the beach whilst we were in Joao Pessoa together with Lynn and Amanda and Liz got quite a good suntan. 

Murderer arrested

The killer of 6-year-old Ayla has been caught by the police together with the other 2 cronies with him in the crime. The 3 have confessed the crimes of killing the little girl and shooting a 17-year-old boy. They say it was a case of mistaken identity as they thought the boy was a member of an opposing drug gang. The boy remains in hospital but is out of intensive care. What a sad story! Please pray for the boy's recovery and for the comforting of the little girl's parents.

On Friday night we held an excellent meeting of the 9 person Patos church council. We discussed subjects such as chewing gum (we have an epidemic of deposits in church!), the friends service, the Care Centre, the young at heart, the deaf, and the next carnival camp etc.

Yesterday QPR did well again drawing 0 x 0 at home to top of the table Sunderland, having had the same score line against next to top Burnley the week before. That's 3 draws on the run now so let's hope we will start winning soon! 

We are in Joao Pessoa to preach tonight but we have to be very careful with the water here as thieves robbed 450 metres of copper cable from the city's water distribution centre and cut off the whole city from water!

Exodus 10 (résumé): Locusts & Darkness

Next God sent a plague of locusts in all of Egypt because Pharoah continued to resist setting free the Israelites. The locusts devoured what was left of the crops after the hail and they devoured the foliage of the trees. So Pharoah repented of his sin, but soon retracted once the locusts had left. Therefore God sent a plague of darkness over Egypt for 3 days, but the Israelites were not affected. So Pharoah tried to negotiate a partial release of the Israelites, without them taking their livestock, but this was unacceptable to Moses. So Pharoah lost his patience, told Moses to get lost and threatened to kill him if he saw him again. 

Prayer & Bible Study

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and it was a good service. After some initial praise, led by Marina and Rogerio, we had a nice time of prayer together. I put people's requests up on a flip-chart and then different brothers and sisters led in prayer. After the prayer sister Espedita sang a solo and then Adriana, Dedé, Marcos, Rayla and Espedita read out verses of Scripture. Then came the Bible study with Pastor Rafael concluding the book of Obadiah. 

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Exodus 9 (résumé): More plagues

Now God sent further plagues to try and force Pharoah to set his people free. First he sent a plague on Egypt's livestock whilst Israel's was plague free. This plague caused the death of all Egyptian livestock, yet still Pharoah remained resolutely intransigent. Following this God sent a plague of boils and festering boils broke out on the Egyptians and their animals. God kept calling Pharoah to release his people, but he would not heed. So God sent the biggest hailstorm ever with thunder and lightening and the plantations were ruined. Pharoah was initially relented with this, but once Moses had called off the storm he changed his mind and resisted giving the Israelites their freedom.  

Exodus 8 (résumé): Frogs, Gnats & Flies

God continued to pressure Pharoah into freeing his people through the sending of 3 further plagues of Frogs, Gnats and Flies, but stubborn Pharoah would not give in. Twice he initially said he would release the Israelites, but he went back on his word each time. The Egyptian magicians even managed to imitate the plague of frogs, but not the gnats or the flies. Despite the repeated infestations of frogs, then gnats and then flies, Pharoah would not be moved and just hardened his heart and would not let the people go.

Men's Fellowship

The Tuesday men's fellowship meeting was cancelled because one of its participants' Fabio's father (Buita) died that morning. His father had been ill for four and a half years so it was a happy release from his suffering.

Yesterday morning I conducted the funeral service of 66-year-old Buita. Sacha and Rogerio did the praise and Liz and Pastor Rafael also spoke. Everything went off smoothly. When the service ended we walked over the road to the committal in the cemetery and as Buita had been an ambulance driver the road was blocked off by ambulances with their sirens sounding and their lights flashing. Then at the entrance to the cemetery there was a guard of honour with lines of men from the ambulance brigade in uniforms. It was very moving. 

I have prepared my sermons for this Sunday in João Pessoa - Boa Esperança (19th anniversary), and for the following Saturday at Juru (40th anniversary). The pastor of the first church is Manoel Oliveira Filho and of the second is Esequias (Ezekiel!) de Oliveira. 

There has been a terrible murder this week in Patos of a beautiful little 6-year-old girl called Aylla. She was shot and killed in cold blood as she played with a 17-year-old boy in front of their house. The boy was also shot and is in hospital in intensive care. What the motive was for the shootings is not yet known, but I have heard that arrests have just been made. 

Friends Service

Sunday night's service was a 'Friends Service' when the church members were encouraged to bring a friend to church. 32 friends came in a wonderful night of evangelism at which our daughter Sacha preached a lovely message entitled: 'Jesus - the friend for all circumstances.' One decision was made for Christ at the end of the service.

In the election run-offs Brazil's largest city São Paulo re-elected their right-wing Mayor Nunes and in the capital of our state, Joao Pessoa, the incumbent Mayor Cícero Lucena was also re-elected. 

In edition #102 of EAB's InTouch magazine the cover photo I took of an elder sister Ana Sophia caring for her baby sister Ana Cecília is a lovely shot. You will soon receive it in the post, but it's already available on the EAB website at www.eabrazil.org

I had various online meetings with pastors today discussing a variety of subjects. Your prayers are valued for this constant important aspect of my work.

Exodus 7 (résumé): Aaron to speak for Moses

God told 80-year-old Moses and his 83-year-old brother Aaron to go and tell Pharoah everything he told them to say, with Aaron as the spokesman because Moses always said he couldn't do the speaking because he had faltering lips. (It makes me wonder if Moses was not just scared, but perhaps had some sort of speech impediment?) God said however that stubborn and perverse Pharoah would not budge and that God would even harden his heart further. "In no way does God force Pharoah to act against his own will. To the contrary, he gives Pharoah the courage to obstinately resist and stick to his original plan." (R.C.Sproul) When Moses and Aaron asked for the release of the Israelites from Pharoah he asked for a miracle in order to back up their request, so they threw a staff on the floor and it became a snake. However Pharoah's sorcerers and magicians did the same thing before Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. Despite this Pharoah continued to reject their request. So God commenced sending a sequence of plagues upon Egypt and firstly turned the Nile into blood killing all the fish in it making it undrinkable, but the Egyptian magicians managed to imitate the plague as Pharoah totally rejected the appeal for freedom. 

Exodus 6 (résumé): God promises deliverance

The Lord said to Moses that now he would see what he would do to make Pharoah set the Israelites free. God emphasized that he had not forgotten his covenant with them and told Moses to tell them that he was going to deliver them from the yoke of the Egyptians and take them to Canaan as he had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However the Israelites would not listen as they were in a very low state. So God told Moses to go and tell to Pharoah to free the Israelites, but Moses retorted that if the Israelites wouldn't listen to him the chances of Pharoah listening were a lot less! There then comes a genealogical insertion into the narrative which has the purpose of focusing on the lineage of Moses and Aaron and the steadily unfolding plan of God. "All through the Egyptian bondage, God was quietly and unobtrusively at work so that when the moment of deliverance came His instruments of deliverance were there to meet it." (H.R.Jones) 

Green Pastures

I went to Green Pastures and saw the following birds: Caatinga Cacholote, Eared Dove, Picui Ground Dove, Burrowing Owl and Southern Wren. Everything is scorched dry as we haven't had rain for months now and the heat is increasing by the month as Christmas approaches. The coldest winter time in the UK is the hottest time in north-east Brazil.

Being on the BBC's Global Minds panel it was interesting to see that in their latest survey on arts and culture one of the videos they sent didn't work, which made it impossible to complete the survey. Even the BBC get bugs in their systems! They have now apologized and fixed it, so I have now answered it.

The mining giants BHP and Vale have signed a deal with the Brazilian government to pay nearly $30bn (£23bn) in compensation for the Mariana dam collapse in 2015 that caused the country's worst environmental disaster. Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva attended the signing of the deal on Friday. The dam collapse released toxic waste and mud, which flooded nearby towns, rivers and forests. It killed 19 people, left hundreds of others homeless, and poisoned the river.

Britishers are famous for their tea drinking and I was wondering how much tea you drink a day? I drink 4 mugs of tea in the morning, 1 in the afternoon and 1 in the evening which is at least 1.5 litres of tea per day!

Yesterday QPR managed an heroic 0 x 0 draw at Burnley which is next to top in the Championship.

Last night we were involved in a head-on collision on our way to preach at our Teixeira church's 59th anniversary service up in the mountains. I still managed to preach despite us being pretty shaken up. A drunken driver suddenly veered off his side of the road and smashed straight into us leaving our car a mess. A police car was soon on the scene. The drunken driver had no driving license and the vehicle was not taxed! He was taken to the police station and his vehicle was impounded. A recovery lorry came and got our car bringing it back to Patos for repairs, and our son-in-law Hutan came and got us after the service. We are grateful to God that we were not injured in the accident.

The latest edition #102 of EAB's magazine is now available online at www.eabrazil.org. The hard copies on paper will be with everyone by post in the near future.

Exodus 5 (résumé): Bricks without Straw

Moses and Aaron went and asked Pharoah to allow the Israelites to go and hold a festival for God in the desert, but Pharoah refused and told them to get on with their work. Pharoah was annoyed by their insistence and so increased their workload by no longer supplying the chopped straw used in mud brick making. The Israelites were forced to find their own straw whilst maintaining their daily production levels. Israelite work foremen were beaten by the Egyptian slave drivers for not maintaining their daily quotas. When the foremen complained to Pharoah he just hit back by calling them lazy. So the foremen said to Moses and Aaron that they had only made things worse, and Moses passed the complaint on to God.

Exodus 4 (résumé): Signs for Moses

Moses further questioned God as to what if the people didn't believe him or listen to him, so God gave him some signs to encourage faith. God told Moses to throw his staff on the ground and it became a snake, but when he picked it up it became a staff again. So too God made Moses's hand leprous and then restored it just by putting it inside his cloak. Hence Moses was to show these signs to the Hebrews to reinforce his credibility. However, Moses still placed obstacles before God saying he wasn't eloquent enough for the task, but God said he would help Moses speak. Yet still Moses resisted, asking God to send someone else, which infuriated God who said he would make Moses's brother Aaron his spokesman. Moses therefore went with his wife and children in the direction of Egypt and warned Moses that Pharoah would stubbornly resisted letting the Israelites go. On the way there was an incident because one of Moses's son's had not been circumcised. His mother placated the wrath of God by quickly circumcising him so that Moses's life was spared. Aaron joined Moses, they did the signs before the people and told them of God's concern about their situation  

Exodus 3 (résumé): Moses and the Burning Bush

Moses went to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God, and he saw the angel of the Lord in a burning bush which did not burn up. When Moses got nearer God spoke to him telling him to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. God identified himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob so Moses hid his face. God said that he had seen the suffering of his people in slavery and had come down to rescue them and take them to Canaan which was flowing with milk and honey. And God told Moses that he was sending him to Pharoah so as to bring his people out of Egypt. Moses reacted saying "who am I" to do this? God guaranteed that he would be with Moses and that once delivered the people would come and worship on Mount Horeb. Moses also asked God's name so as to be in a position to answer the Israelites' possible question about this, and God told him to say that I AM had sent him. So, God told Moses to go and assemble the elders of Israel and tell them that God would set them free and take them to a land flowing with milk and honey. Then with the elders Moses should go and request from Pharoah permission for the Israelites to go on a 3-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the Lord. However, God knew that Pharoah would not agree and that he would need to strike the Egyptians with many things in order that he be willing to set the Israelites free. Nevertheless, God said her would work on the Egyptians so that they would be disposed to give them silver and gold objects prior to their deliverance.