AltarActive

🗓️ Week 1 – Thursday (July 3) When Plans Collapse: Moses, Midian, and God’s Detour Have you ever had a moment where everything changed in a single decision? That was Moses. One act of justice — killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew — unraveled everything he thought his life would be. The palace. The privilege. The possibility of a throne. Gone overnight. “When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled…” (Exodus 2:15, NKJV) And just like that, Moses — once raised as Egyptian royalty — became a fugitive, wandering in the desert with nothing but regret and uncertainty. 🏃‍♂️ From Pharaoh’s Court to a Desert Well Imagine going from being groomed for kingship to sitting by a well in a foreign land, completely alone. That’s where we find Moses. He had tried to stand up for his people — but his timing, his method, and his heart still weren’t fully aligned with God’s. Sometimes we take action with good intentions but poor timing. Moses wanted t...

 🗓️ Week 1 – Wednesday (July 2) Moses: A Baby With a Dangerous Future Have you ever looked at a baby and thought, “This child is going to change everything” ? That’s how the Bible quietly introduces Moses —a baby born into chaos, yet handpicked for a divine mission. Exodus 2 tells us that Moses entered the world during one of Egypt’s darkest seasons. Pharaoh had ordered every newborn Hebrew boy to be thrown into the Nile. His goal? Crush the future of God’s people. But God’s plans don’t die that easily. 🍼 A "Good" Child With Great Purpose Exodus 2:2 says Moses was a “good” child — and not just in the sense of being cute. The Hebrew word tob points to something divinely special, a kind of goodness used in creation itself ( “God saw that it was good” — Gen. 1). In other words, this baby wasn’t just born . He was appointed . Wrapped in danger, tucked into a basket, and placed in the river, Moses wasn’t abandoned — he was entrusted into God’s care. And what happened next co...

🗓️ Week 1 – Tuesday (July 1) The Hebrew Midwives: Courage When It Counted When evil rises, who stands up? As we continue our journey through Exodus, we meet two unexpected heroes. Their names? Shiphrah and Puah. They weren’t warriors, prophets, or royalty. They were midwives —women who helped bring new life into the world. And yet, these two women stood between Pharaoh’s evil plan and an entire generation of Hebrew boys. “But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them…” (Exodus 1:17, NKJV) 🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️ Two Women, One Bold Decision Let’s step back a moment. Pharaoh—the king of Egypt—believed he was a god. His word was law. His rule, absolute. When he saw the Hebrew population growing, he became paranoid. His solution? Infanticide. Kill all the newborn Hebrew boys. But Shiphrah and Puah refused. They knew what Pharaoh was asking was wrong. They didn't need a seminary degree to know that preserving life honors the Creator. So, instead of ob...

 🗓️ Week 1 – Monday (June 30) When History Turns: From Honor to Oppression in Egypt Have you ever felt like your story started out great… only to hit a wall? That’s exactly what happened to God’s people in Egypt. Back in the day, the Israelites were welcomed guests. Pharaoh himself had honored Joseph—handing him a royal robe, a gold chain, and the power to rule. He even told the people to bow when Joseph passed by (Genesis 41:41–43). Why? Because Joseph had saved Egypt from famine, and the Pharaoh at the time knew a blessing when he saw one. But generations passed. People forgot. Eventually, a new ruler came to power who “did not know Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). That one sentence changed everything. Fear replaced gratitude. Suspicion replaced trust. Instead of being honored, the Israelites became enslaved. 🏛️ Let’s Step Into the History Scholars believe this shift happened during the reign of Pharaoh Ahmose, around 1570 B.C. He—and rulers that followed—feared the growing Hebrew popula...

🗓️ Week 1 – Sunday (June 29) God’s People in Egypt: Growing in the Shadows Have you ever felt like everything was going well — until suddenly, it wasn’t? That’s kind of how Exodus begins. When Jacob’s family first settled in Egypt, it was a time of peace and provision. They came as honored guests. Seventy people in all — a small clan (see Gen. 46:27). But they didn’t stay small for long. In just a few generations, they became a mighty nation. The Bible says they “were fruitful, increased greatly, multiplied, and became exceedingly strong” (Exodus 1:7). God’s hand was clearly with them. And then, things changed. A new Pharaoh came to power. One who didn’t know Joseph. One who didn’t care about the past or the blessings these people had brought to Egypt. He saw a threat, not a legacy — and he responded with fear and force (Exodus 1:8–11). Just like that, freedom turned into slavery. The Israelites were pressed into hard labor. Their bodies ached under the weight of bricks and bi...

📅 Week 1 – Sabbath (June 28) God Hears: Finding Hope in the Middle of Oppression Ever cried out to God and wondered if He heard you? That’s where the Israelites found themselves in the opening chapters of Exodus. Enslaved. Oppressed. Forgotten—or so it seemed. But God was listening the entire time. “God heard their groaning… remembered His covenant… looked on them… and acknowledged them.” (Exodus 2:23–25, NKJV) Those four actions — heard, remembered, looked, acknowledged — say everything. 🕯️ A Story for the Forgotten The book of Exodus isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a message to anyone who has ever felt stuck in pain, overwhelmed by injustice, or buried under silence. If you feel unseen — this story is for you. If you’ve ever asked “Where is God?” — Exodus has the answer. If life feels unfair — know this: God isn’t indifferent. He intervenes. The God of Exodus doesn’t wait until things are perfect. He steps into dark situations with light and delivers people...

  Walking With God Through Exodus: A Journey From Bondage to Freedom The book of Exodus isn’t just a story of plagues, parted seas, and miracles—it’s about a loving God showing up in power and compassion to save His people, just as He promised (Gen. 15:12–16). From the miraculous escape from Egypt to the dramatic crossing of the Red Sea, we see God’s hand guiding a struggling people into a new life. It’s the gospel through the eyes of Moses. God’s involvement wasn’t limited to one-time miracles. He repeatedly acted on behalf of the Israelites, even when they constantly faltered. His mercy wasn’t based on their worthiness—it flowed from His character. With strength and tenderness, He led them from slavery toward the Promised Land. Though Moses plays a big part, Exodus is really a book about God—His justice, truth, mercy, and faithfulness. It’s in these stories that we catch a glimpse of who God really is. Even when the people turned against Him, God remained faithful. He guided ...

 We’re so glad you’re here. AltarActive was born out of a quiet conviction — that in a world full of noise, distractions, and spiritual busyness, God is calling us to return to the altar. Week by week, we walk through reflections based on the SDA Sabbath School lessons — not to replace them, but to supplement your study with fresh perspectives, clear devotionals, and spiritual encouragement. We write as a couple. We study, pray, and wrestle with these truths together. And we share them with you, hoping they will bless your heart as they’ve blessed ours. So welcome — whether you’re a long-time Sabbath School student or just getting started, we’re honored to be part of your journey. Let’s go back to the altar — together. — The AltarActive Team