When Israel left Egypt, Pharaoh's armies chased them immediately. With their backs to the wall of water and no boats, Israel was faced with a fight. But God intervened on their behalf and fought for them. Pharaoh was utterly destroyed.
Exo 14:14 MKJV
(14) Jehovah shall fight for you, and you shall be silent.
Exo 13:17 MKJV
(17) And it happened, when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines although that was near. For God said, Lest the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt.
I've wondered why God did not take the people the way of the land of the Philistines and simply destroy the Philistines from before them. The answer is that a new partnership emerged from the sea. A co-laboring, if you will. When coming out of the sea (being 'born again' from it) what God expected from His people changed, slightly. They were now free, in the physical sense, and their stake in the journey increased.
Israel was in the desert for 40 years. It was a time when God sheltered them, but He expected them to stand firm and watch His salvation. It was a time of learning faith. Some did, many did not. But finally after an entire generation passed, it was time to step into the Promised Land! Surely the cakewalk begins here!
Or not...
The very first thing that Israel was faced with was Jericho. Granted, it wasn't as easy as dealing with Pharaoh because there was some walking and horn blowing involved. However, Jericho was just the first of many battles Israel had to endure - all inside their Promised Land! In fact, the warring didn't really start until Israel stepped into their promise. This is the progression - the nature of the partnership between the Father and His sons.
As we become more and more like Him, He will also expect us to step in and fight for others 'who would turn and run back to Egypt'.
Showing posts with label Pharaoh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pharaoh. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Don't Be A Chess Piece
Exo 7:13 LITV
(13) And the heart of Pharaoh hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so by their secret arts. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 8:19 And the priests said to Pharaoh, It is the finger of God. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 13:15 And it happened when Pharaoh hardened himself against sending us away, Jehovah killed every first-born one in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of men even to the first-born of animals. On account of this I sacrifice to Jehovah every one of the males opening the womb, and I redeem every first-born of my sons.
Exo 14:8 And Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart. And he pursued the sons of Israel. And the sons of Israel were going out with a high hand.
When we wrestle with God, we do so in a swimming pool of His grace. There are volumes to be written of the grace of God, who allows us chance after chance after chance to choose righteousness. But like with Pharaoh, there is a pattern. Pharaoh had a choice to make - to work with God or against God.
Notice that Pharaoh hardened his own heart against God until the last instance... when it says "Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart". You get so many attempts before God allows you to stick with your choice. At that point, God says, "I wanted to use your surrender for my glory, but now I will use your defeat for My glory. You are now a chess piece."
Pharaoh's choices ultimately cost him his son, and later his own corpse washed up on the beach before all his former slaves. This is a typical result of going our own way.
(13) And the heart of Pharaoh hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so by their secret arts. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 8:19 And the priests said to Pharaoh, It is the finger of God. And Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he did not listen to them, as Jehovah had said.
Exo 13:15 And it happened when Pharaoh hardened himself against sending us away, Jehovah killed every first-born one in the land of Egypt, from the first-born of men even to the first-born of animals. On account of this I sacrifice to Jehovah every one of the males opening the womb, and I redeem every first-born of my sons.
Exo 14:8 And Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart. And he pursued the sons of Israel. And the sons of Israel were going out with a high hand.
When we wrestle with God, we do so in a swimming pool of His grace. There are volumes to be written of the grace of God, who allows us chance after chance after chance to choose righteousness. But like with Pharaoh, there is a pattern. Pharaoh had a choice to make - to work with God or against God.
Notice that Pharaoh hardened his own heart against God until the last instance... when it says "Jehovah hardened Pharaoh king of Egypt's heart". You get so many attempts before God allows you to stick with your choice. At that point, God says, "I wanted to use your surrender for my glory, but now I will use your defeat for My glory. You are now a chess piece."
Pharaoh's choices ultimately cost him his son, and later his own corpse washed up on the beach before all his former slaves. This is a typical result of going our own way.
Friday, March 19, 2010
The World's Focus
Gen 41:15-17 ESV
(15) And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."
(16) Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
(17) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile.
God's Kingdom is a wonderful place in which to walk - a place to power, signs, and wonders. Christians who walk the Kingdom walk do so in authority and boldness - much like Joseph did. But as we see with Pharaoh, the world isn't really interested in God.
What the world is interested in... is the interpretation of its dream. "Before you tell me about the source of the solution to all my problems, give me the solution."
This is really how Kingdom works. In my best estimation, that was the design. If you love people unconditionally (yes, we are instructed to do this) then they are attracted to God, our source. If we flip it and preach to a world to come to Jesus in hopes that they will join our little Sunday club, with such perks as... Friday night bible studies and Tuesday night pizza followed by visitation!!! Sounds great. The world will NEVER be attracted to that.
Love - is what the world needs. Love is the only net that will hold. First interpret the dream. Then, tell them about the Interpreter.
(15) And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."
(16) Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
(17) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile.
God's Kingdom is a wonderful place in which to walk - a place to power, signs, and wonders. Christians who walk the Kingdom walk do so in authority and boldness - much like Joseph did. But as we see with Pharaoh, the world isn't really interested in God.
What the world is interested in... is the interpretation of its dream. "Before you tell me about the source of the solution to all my problems, give me the solution."
This is really how Kingdom works. In my best estimation, that was the design. If you love people unconditionally (yes, we are instructed to do this) then they are attracted to God, our source. If we flip it and preach to a world to come to Jesus in hopes that they will join our little Sunday club, with such perks as... Friday night bible studies and Tuesday night pizza followed by visitation!!! Sounds great. The world will NEVER be attracted to that.
Love - is what the world needs. Love is the only net that will hold. First interpret the dream. Then, tell them about the Interpreter.
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