Dr Peter Masters

A series of Bible studies on the Book of Exodus.

How Churches Fail or Prosper

– Wednesday PM October 15, 2014
The centuries between Joseph and the oppression in Egypt are given a single verse noting their miraculous birth rate, but the chapter implies (other texts confirming) six serious failings that brought them to slavery. These same failings bring us down today, while their avoidance lifts us up.

The Five Threads of Exodus 2

– Wednesday PM November 5, 2014
God’s sovereignty seen in the surprising and miraculous rescue of Moses when mighty Pharaoh’s edict was doubly confounded! Faith exercised and rewarded. Christ foreshadowed. Human instrumentality demonstrated through Jochebed and Moses. Separation of ‘church’ and world set in train. Also, why Moses’ conduct in Egypt was faultless.

Rules for Mission

– Wednesday PM November 12, 2014
The call and commissioning of Moses, including his reservations and the signs God gave him, provide six principles for spiritual mission in all ages, most of which are breached by large sections of evangelicalism today. Yet they are deeply encouraging and vital for Christ’s blessing.

Underestimating Satan

– Wednesday PM November 19, 2014
Battle of Life
Ruler and deliverer Moses is poor, rebuking prosperity heresy. His trial through neglecting a command. Israel’s temporary faith and false converts today. Moses unready for Satan’s actions, nor are we if we defend doctrine but not practice. New significance of the glorious name Jehovah.

The Message of Pharaoh’s Resistance

– Wednesday PM December 10, 2014
A review of the plagues of Egypt reveals facts often unnoticed which provide significant principles for the Christian age. Here are: (i) applications for individual believers; (ii) typical features; (iii) profound principles for evangelism drawn from the obduracy of Pharaoh.

The Great Type of Calvary-Grace

– Wednesday PM December 17, 2014
Indescribable relief filled Hebrew homes that midnight when judgement struck Egypt. They knew as idolaters they deserved it also, but atoning blood kept them. Thousands of lambs secured one deliverance, whereas the Lamb of God would gain eternal life for billions. Here are the parallels.

The Red Sea Crossing

– Wednesday PM January 7, 2015
Perhaps the greatest miracle of the Old Testament, the crossing teems with spiritual application, and contains a famous ‘contradiction’ that leads to deliverance. We can only imagine the menacing, towering walls of water, the fiery cloudy pillar, and the long night of faith.

The First Inspired Hymn

– Wednesday PM January 14, 2015
The first (and last, in Revelation) congregational hymn of the Bible is 19 verses long, glorifies God, and is deeply doctrinal and intelligent. Nothing like contemporary music lyrics, it was learned by multitudes within hours. Here are some of its wonders.

Miraculous Provisions

– Wednesday PM January 28, 2015
The astonishing feeding of an entire nation for 40 years by miraculous manna is a worthy type or prophetic illustration of the redeeming work of Christ. Here are some of the many parallels, and the pastoral lessons for us all, that stream from this narrative.

The War of Faith

– Wednesday PM February 4, 2015
The trial of faith when the cloudy pillar stops the migrating column in dry Rephidim, and Horeb’s rock – type of Calvary. Then the Amalekites, Satan’s agents to fight Israel: their astonishing unbelief and antagonism until their ‘man of sin’ Haman plans Israel’s destruction c470BC. Today’s equivalent.

The Drama of Sinai

– Wednesday PM February 18, 2015
Here are stirring spiritual parallels in God’s words to the typical church at Sinai: eg being borne on eagles’ wings, a peculiar treasure, and a kingdom of priests. Here also is distinctiveness from the world, knowing God by faith alone, and reverence.

The Riches of God’s Law

– Wednesday PM February 25, 2015
The Ten Commandments are holy, just and good or beneficial, reflecting God’s own nature. Here are the benefits of the first four. Says God – I am your God: and will be your Father, Saviour, Friend, Defender, Provider and Guide. You will need no other ‘god’.

The Kindness of the Civil Laws

– Wednesday PM March 4, 2015
An overview of the civil laws given to Moses for Israel to show their great wisdom and kindness, and to explain the real benefits of some that seem unfair when not read alongside passages that explain them. Also, their immense value to Christians.

The First Place of Worship

– Wednesday PM March 11, 2015
As well as illustrated prophecies, abiding principles of Christian doctrine, witness and worship are plainly taught by the major features of the Tabernacle (often missed or violated by today’s evangelicalism). Here they are, with their implicit promises and encouragements.

Israelites See Christ

– Wednesday PM April 1, 2015
The symbolism of the high priest’s garments has often been greatly overdeveloped, but they clearly were symbols of the woman’s promised seed and Abraham’s expected descendant. Here is what they surely conveyed to believing Israelites, and how they spoke of our Redeemer.

Christ-Centred Worship

– Wednesday PM April 8, 2015
(1) The daily sweet savour offerings of lambs (2) the altar of incense (3) the half-shekel ransom money (4) the brass laver, and (5) the anointing oil – all had an obvious teaching message for worship and life. Here are these lessons.

Two Contrasting Pastors

– Wednesday PM April 15, 2015
With Moses away, the idolatrous apostasy at Sinai was met by Aaron’s strategy of appeasement. It was a disaster, condemned by God (yet recurring to this day in evangelical history). How different from the stance of Moses – a type of Christ and an example to us!

Grades of Spiritual Life

– Wednesday PM April 22, 2015
Following the golden calf God took away His presence and limited the Israelites to a ‘preservation’ grade of experience, mirrored today when we host worldliness or other sins. Here also is the intercession of Moses and his special experience of God’s glory, with lessons.

The Promises of God

– Wednesday PM April 29, 2015
Promises of wonders greater than the Red Sea crossing were kept then, and subsequently in the history of the church, even to the present wherever saved people strive to keep the conditions named: no compromise, honour spiritual obligations, and be consecrated to God’s service.