I honestly did not know until now, that God gave Moses other specific laws/guidance for the people other than the 10 commandments. In Exodus 21 and 22, God recognized when the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt under Pharoah's rule, they would need additional guidance, not self-governance. God knew they needed a moral foundation to thrive. This was another gift to the Israelites, to help shape them into a community of justice and love. 1Corinthians12, reminds us that we all have our unique gifts, and are of value in the body of Christ, in these communities, to help hold them together. It reminds me of when I was young growing up in Carver Ranches. We had a tremendous community back then. I didn't realize how important community was, until I no longer had it. We are stronger together in community, as opposed to being solo. This is something I think we should all strive to have, in order to create a better living for everyone.

I think when we are in relationship with God, knowing Him, respecting and honoring him, and following His ways, it brings order, protection and better relationship with others; I think this is because we become wiser and in better relationship with self. My understanding from 1Corinthians11 is that we should approach everything with our hearts in check and carry ourselves in a way that reflects God within us and honors Him in how we live. This supports my understanding of Exodus 19-20.

My takeaway from this lesson is to avoid complaining, trust God in difficult moments, and stay encouraged. Even in times of blessing, I still need to remain obedient and not become comfortable with the world’s norms.

As mentioned before, God is very detailed and orderly. He gave clear instructions on how the Israelites were to gather and manage the manna and quail, yet many still chose not to follow them. God managed His blessing to where the Israelites had no choice but to follow His guidance in reference to the food. This shows that while God provides, but we have to do our part and be obedient, and rely on Him. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul acknowledges that he has certain rights, but he chooses not to exercise them simply because he can. Instead, he gives them up to better serve others. This reflects self-discipline and the importance of putting purpose and others ahead of personal freedoms.

There are a few things that stood out to me in this lesson. In Exodus 14:15, when the people, and then Moses, cried out to the Lord in fear as they were trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea, God responded, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” After everything they had just witnessed, it’s crazy to me that they still struggled to trust in God’s protection. This moment feels like God is calling Moses to move forward with confidence in what He had already done and promised. It was a time for Moses to act in faith, trusting that God was with them and would make a way. It reminds me that we are called to move forward with confidence in God, rather than giving in to fear. Another thing that stood out is how, after crossing the Red Sea and seeing God defeat their enemies, the Israelites complained just three days later when they didn’t have drinkable water. God had just performed an incredible miracle, yet instead of turning to Him, they complained to Moses. This shows how difficult it can be to develop consistent trust in God. I can relate to this. Like the Israelites, it’s easy to fall into a mindset shaped by past struggles or “bondage,” where fear and doubt feel normal. Even when I understand that God has more for me, fully living in that truth is a daily challenge. It takes time to let go of old ways of thinking and to trust God completely. Their experience shows how deeply ingrained patterns can be, and how growth in faith is a process. This perspective also helps me give myself grace, recognizing that growth takes time. 1Corinthians 8:9-13 challenges the idea that “I can do whatever I want…it’s my business.” Paul makes it clear that our actions affect others, and we should be mindful not to cause someone else to stumble. Even if something is permissible, it can still negatively impact others. This reinforces the importance of living with responsibility, care and concern for others, rather than focusing only on our own rights; just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.