Exodus 3:14: "God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you."
I love the book of Exodus and what the "crushing of olives" means to me.
Exodus refers to the second book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It recounts the story of the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt and their subsequent journey to the Promised Land of Canaan.
The book of Exodus details the leadership of Moses, who plays a pivotal role in leading the Israelites out of Egypt, as well as the divine interventions and miraculous events that occur along the way.
Exodus is a significant text in Judaism, as it contains the Ten Commandments and other fundamental laws that form the basis of Jewish religious and ethical principles. The story of Exodus is also significant in Christianity, as it symbolizes liberation, redemption, and the establishment of a covenant between God and His people.
What are the Ten commandments?
The Ten Commandments are a set of ethical and religious principles that are foundational to Judaism and Christianity.
The Ten Commandments were given by God to the prophet Moses on Mount Sinai. They serve as a moral code and a guide for personal conduct and worship.
The commandments are as follows:
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol or worship any other gods.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.
These commandments emphasize principles such as monotheism, respect for God, reverence for family, honesty, and the importance of ethical behavior towards others. They have had a significant influence on moral and legal systems throughout history.
Truthfully, a lot of people don't believe in the fact that they will be punished for their sins if they don't follow the commandments. Those people are in for a rude awakening.
In chapters 25-27 of Exodus, God instructed Moses how to to set up the tabernacle . See below for what it looked like.
The holy tent used as a symbolic dwelling place for God before the first temple built in Jerusalem.
That was very specific with his instructions. Before he would manifest, his presence, everything in the tabernacle, including the priest, had to be anointed with special prepared oil.
And in Exodus 30, God gave Moses his very own recipe for this oil:
12 1/2 POUNDS OF PURE MURRH
6 1/4 POUNDS OF CINNAMON
6 1/4 POUNDS OF SWEET CALAMUS
12 1/2 POUNDS OF CASSIA
1 GALLON OF OLIVE OIL
Each ingredient, chosen for the make sure had to be beaten, strained, or crushed. Of course, to obtain olive oil you have a crush the olives, the more all is your crush them oil is produced.
You know, most of us have been crushed in someway.
We've been crushed in relationships, at our jobs in marriage, and even in ministry.
But I am we know it's to us, during those times of crushing God with strategically anointing as for his service. The struggle that you experience financially stretched you.
The problems that you endured with your spouse truly devastated you.
The issues you encountered at your job put a strain on you.
However, it was during those times that you found yourself leaning, and depending on God in a way that you had it before. Those times force you to increase your time of prayer, and you found yourself talking to God more and more each day.
Exodus 19:15: "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine"
The crushing didn't feel good, but it was necessary to equip you, and develop the anointing you needed to carry out your assignment on earth.
So when you feel stress and strain in life, just know that I won't last forever and it is not in vain.
Other than crushing is uncomfortable. God uses it to develop the oil needed to set us apart, so that when others experience are ministries or gives it will be evident that God's hand is upon us. Don't despise the crushing thank God for it.
Matthew 3:13-17 tells us about when Jesus and John met at the Jordan river, this was when Jesus is was preparing to begin his ministry on earth. His cousin, John, the Baptist, was well known in the area for uncompromisingly, teaching, and preaching the need for repentance, and the word of God.
John did this by divine inspiration from the word of prophets. John understood that someone was coming he would be greater than he could ever be. John baptized with water, but the one who was to come would be baptize with the Holy Spirit.
One day, Jesus came to the Jordan to be baptized by John, but John strongly objected to the notion. Then he would gladly, and boldly prepare for the way that the one who wants to come, John did not feel himself worthy to even fasten his shoes, but Jesus let John know that they were both needed in order to carry on God's divine purpose.
Scripture says that Jesus never baptized anyone during his time of ministry on earth. By the same token, John, the Baptist never performed any miracles.
However, God needed both their ministries to carry out his plan.
You need to know what you bring to the table as important as needed.
You may not have a gift that someone else has.
You may not be able to sing, play an instrument, or write a beautiful poem.
But what you do is important, whether it's kindness that you showed to others or your ability to teach someone something not everybody is equipped to do all the things that you do.
You bring a little and I'll bring the rest, or I'll bring a little and you bring the rest. Either way we need each other. So don't ever underestimate your value in purpose, no matter your personal skill set or talents. Someone needs what you have.
Be a good human. Avoid the wrath of God and help others help save the world. We need more light.
