Moses the servant of God

Moses the servant of God

GENESISChapter 1

in The Beginning God created the heaven and the Earth. 2 And the Earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day."God Himself called Moses His "servant" many times, and on many occasions, even in the very Last Book of His Word, the Book of Revelation.
"And they sing the Song of Moses the servant of God,and the Song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are Thy works, LORD God Almighty; Just and True are Thy ways, Thou King of Saints"(Revelation 15:3).
Moses and the Lamb love to sing the same Song. "Great and marvellous are Thy works, LORD God Almighty." And their works on this Earth reflected the depth of FAITH which they had in their Heavenly Father's Will, a "FAITH which worketh by love" (Galatians 5:6). Moses, the creature man, and Jesus, the Creator Incarnate Man, both desiring to "praise the Name of God with a Song, and... magnify Him with thanksgiving" (Psalm 69:30). "Let us exalt His Name together" (Psalm 34:3).Moses testified to the Truth of God's Word by his faithful recording of it, via the Holy Spirit. "1 That which was from The Beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of Life; 2 (for The Life [Jesus Christ] was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that Eternal Life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (1John 1:1-3).As we open the cover of our Bibles and begin to read from the very First Book, the Book of Genesis, we immediately see the faithful servitude of Moses towards his God. As the human tool used in the hand of God to author the first five Books of the Old Testament, called the Pentateuch, Moses had to truly be "the servant of God" (Revelation 15:3). The LORD had to have a man who would trust Him so completely and believe Him so fully as to put on parchment the Record of an event that no human being could have witnessed personally and still credit its veracity as being from God. And this man would need to associate his name and person with it. It is this Record that God's people have lovingly ever after called, "The Creation"."26 And God said, Let Us make man in Our Image, after Our Likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the Earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the Earth. 27 So God created man in His Own Image, in the Image of God created He him; male and female created He them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the Earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the Earth. 29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the Earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the Earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the Earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. 31 And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. 2:1 Thus the heavens and the Earth were finished, and all the host of them."It took FAITH to be used of God in this way, and Moses was God's choice. Even today, with all the understanding we have of the world we live in, testifying loudly of the LORD's truly AWESOME Creation, men refuse to give God His due. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). So-called science explains away ALL that our eyes behold, ALL manner of life that surrounds us and fills our planet, as being products of their own perverted understanding and origins. "The God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, Which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not" (2Corinthians 11:31). They would rather tout the devices of egotistical presumption than admit the Record of God's faithful servant, Moses. "And God saw every thing that HE HAD MADE, and, behold, it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). Their vain imaginings are a PROOF in themselves, that God's Word is True. "Every man is brutish in his knowledge" (Jeremiah 10:14).
(Romans 1:18-25) "18 For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the Truth in unrighteousness; 19 because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of Him from the Creation of the world ARE CLEARLY SEEN, being understood by the things that are made [i.e., MEN], even His Eternal Power and Godhead; so that THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE: 21 because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became VAIN in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the Uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 who changed the Truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is BLESSED FOR EVER. Amen."
The more men understand of the Truth, the more inexcusable they are for not obeying it, and the deeper the sin into which they will sink. "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" (Luke 12:48). "This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from Me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten Me, and trusted in falsehood" (Jeremiah 13:25). Denying the Truth in the Record that Moses gave us of Creation and of man's "Beginning" (Genesis 1:1), has been a foundation for calling God a liar and has led the way to ALL manner of uncleanness. Notice how the passage above (Romans 1:18-25) continues, in context, with the following reasoning:
(Romans 1:26-32) "26 FOR THIS CAUSE God gave them up unto vile affections:for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 who knowing the Judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have PLEASURE in them that do them."
The denial of Moses' Record of Creation and man's origin has led to our present day sea of reprobation, with men committing all that is abominable in God's sight; "as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity" (Romans 6:19). Replacing the Omniscient, Omnipotent Creator with man's invention of evolution as "The Way, The Truth, and The Life" (John 14:16), has left us, today, with a substructure of moral morass which has reached quicksand status, all the while lending credence and respectability to all manner of perversion and deviant behaviors. This is "the time of the end: [when] many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" (Daniel 12:4), and yet with all this "knowledge", men do "not like to retain God in their knowledge" (Romans 1:28), and so Judgment MUST come. [Please read selections from Prophecy For Your Information (PFYI): "The Tribulation: The Seventieth Week of Daniel" ---New Window to understand more of the soon coming Judgment of the Tribulation.]EXODUSChapter 1nd Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. 9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. 13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: 14 and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in mortar, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: 16 and he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive... 22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive."The midwives refused to obey the king because he had commanded something of them that was not his to command. "7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other Commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law" (Romans 13:7-10). We are "to be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no Power but of God" (Romans 13:1), but only if the "higher powers" are "due" the obedience. If we are to obey them, they must rule "for the LORD's sake" (1Peter 2:13), as "unto the LORD, the Most High God, the Possessor of Heaven and Earth" (Genesis 14:22). If they demand of us disobedience to our God-- our love for God overrides their demand. "If ye love Me, keep My Commandments" (John 14:15). The midwives, "Shiphrah, and... Puah", would NOT be intimidated, even by the confrontation of "the king of Egypt". Therefore, "fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him [God Almighty] which is able to destroy both soul and body in Hell" (Matthew 10:28).Exodus / Chapter 2here went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi."The name of the father of Moses was Amram. The name of his mother was Jochebed. "And Amram took him Jochebed his father's sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years" (Exodus 6:20).
(Numbers 26:59) "And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister."
"2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, andput the child therein;and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink."

This art print, "Moses in the Bulrushes" by Keith Newton is provided courtesy of Christ-Centered Art ---New Window
It is so truly hard to imagine one's self in this situation. How could a mother bring herself to this point of absolute FAITH in God? Though Jochebed was in a desperate situation in seeking safety for the life of her infant boy, we have reason to believe that the action she choose was NOT performed in desperation. The LORD had prepared His servant. "The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD" (Proverbs 16:1).
1. The people of Israel had been told of the Pharaoh's plan by the Hebrew midwives. "15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives... 16 and he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live" (Exodus 1:15-16).2. Jochebed and Amram had nine months to seek the LORD for their child's double deliverance, all the while being molded and formed themselves by the Creator, "the Author and Finisher of our FAITH" (Hebrews 12:2).3. These parents had three amazing months of successfully hiding their child! "By FAITH Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment" (Hebrews 11:23). Only the Providence of God could have guided them to see that kind of triumph. "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 11:36).4. The plan that Jochebed had could only have succeeded if God had intervened. Knowing this fact, we must conclude that the plan was revealed to this faithful mother by her All Wise God. Of course, if God was in this with her, then Jochebed could joyfully place her child in this blessed basket, the child He had formed and placed in her bowels. "The LORD that formed me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob again to Him" (Isaiah 49:5).
Yes, this act took strong FAITH. "O woman, great is thy FAITH: be it unto thee even as thou wilt" (Matthew 15:28). But the LORD had prepared His servant for this exact moment. "Righteousness shall go before Him; and shall set us in the way of His steps" (Psalm 85:13). He gave her His plan, and she had confidence in Him. "Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass" (Psalm 37:5). While making the cradle-ark for her precious baby boy, Jochebed might well have whispered her baby's intercession, certainly included the reminder, that from the danger of an infant being placed alone in the water, he must surely be delivered from a death by drowning. "17 He sent from Above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters; 18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me" (2Samuel 22:17-18). After all, Jochebed's justification in following this extreme exploit was her persuasion that this was truly God's Master Plan to secure the deliverance of her baby's life. "By Thee have I been holden up from the womb" (Psalm 71:6). Jochebed knew God's hand guided her, and we know this also, because "wisdom is justified of her children" (Matthew 11:19)."4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. 6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children. 7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? 8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother. 9 And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water."Scripture records the reason for the choice of the infant's name. Based upon the occasion of his being pulled (literally, the Hebrew word "drawn") from "the water", the Word of God reveals the LORD's willingness to answer a mother's prayer. "When the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD" (1Samuel 1:20).Again, only the Providence of God could have turned man's wrath into this perfection of praise. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain" (Psalm 76:10). The baby's sister, Miriam, followed the ark, ready to offer her mother as a nurse to her own brother. "God is my Strength and Power: And He maketh my way perfect" (2Samuel 22:33). Miriam's prayer, while following her baby brother's Divinely protected ark, might have been, "For Thy Name's sake lead me, and guide me" (Psalm 31:3). As all intercessory prayer is by it's very nature, Miriam's intercessory plea would be what Moses would pray for himself, if he could. "Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters" (Psalm 69:14). (Read our article, "Intercession Promises: Casting the Net" ---New Window.)The LORD preserved Jochebed's maternal influence in her son's life by the truly miraculous deliverance of her baby being sheltered in her homemade ark. It shouldn't surprise those of us who know God's Character, that His Grace would provide for a mother's love to nurture and guard the fruit of her own womb. "9 Take this child away, and nurse it... And the woman took the child, and nursed it. 10 And the child grew..." (Exodus 2:9-10). The Understanding LORD, Who nurtures and suckles His Own children, answered this mother's plea. He saved the life of her child from certain death many times during the short existence. He allowed the mother and child to bond their God-given and God-preserved relationship by the natural sustenance of milk nourishing the child from his own mother. "Thou art He that took me out of the womb: Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts" (Psalm 22:9). It makes Spiritual sense to assume that this bond would be preserved even longer, thus allowing for the Spiritual training of Moses. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6). There is no Biblical proof of accuracy in the popular "Hollywood" account of Moses' early life being devoid of Godly influence. In fact, the Bible Record upholds the Spiritual assertion, that since the mother's rights were honoured and preserved in the child's early development, so could they be preserved even longer. "] your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the LORD" (Ephesians 6:4). The Scriptures lend much proof that the parents of Moses had the responsibility of raising their son to be "the servant of God" (Revelation 15:13), for this is the job of all Godly parents. "I was cast upon Thee from the womb: Thou art my God from my mother's belly" (Psalm 22:10). Parents are given children from the LORD "that He might seek a Godly seed" (Malachi 2:15).
(Joshua 24:15) "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
(Genesis 18:19) "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the Way of the LORD, to do Justice and Judgment."
(Deuteronomy 6:7) "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
(Psalm 78:4-5) "4 We will not hide them from their children, showing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done. 5 For He established a Testimony in Jacob, and appointed a Law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children."
(2Timothy 3:15) "And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through FAITH which is in Christ Jesus."
And considering the kind of man that Moses turned out to be, Godly parents must have contributed to his upbringing. Again, "wisdom is justified of her children" (Matthew 11:19)."11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren."Notice, Moses knew that he was born a Hebrew. Also notice his compassion and sense of justice. "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the Law and the prophets" (Matthew 7:12). Someone must have taught Moses what pleased the LORD, for he did "learn to do well; seek Judgment, [and] relieve the oppressed" (Isaiah 1:17).
(Jeremiah 22:16) "He judged the cause of the poor and needy... was not this to know Me? saith the LORD."
(Jeremiah 9:24) "But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I Am the LORD which exercise Lovingkindness, Judgment, and Righteousness, in the Earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD."
"12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. 15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well."Moses tried to be a peacemaker between two of his Hebrew brethren. This is more Scriptural proof that Moses was taught the Ways of God. "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9). Moses also correctly discerned which of the two men had sinned, for Scripture states clearly that Moses addressed "him that did the wrong", indicating a sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are Spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness" (Galatians 6:1). As the LORD says by His Own mouth, concerning His servant, Moses-- "Now the man Moses was VERY MEEK, above all the men which were upon the face of the Earth" (Numbers 12:3). Moses felt a necessity to intercede, compelled as a Spiritual man would, because "he that is Spiritual judgeth all things" (1Corinthians 2:15). He was passionate for the oppressed, making him a perfect candidate for the LORD's use in freeing the children of Israel from the grip of Egypt.The Israelite who snapped back at Moses was angry that Moses had "judged" him, i.e., "Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?" (Exodus 2:13), and that Moses was interfering where he wasn't wanted, i.e., "Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?" (2:14). The erring Hebrew then lashed out at Moses with an accusation of hate, i.e., "Intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian?" (2:14). The wicked hate the righteous. This sinning brother had been approached by Moses with the best intentions of love, seeking restoration and peace for him. "19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the Truth, and one convert [changes direction, or turns] him; 20 let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20). Moses must now "suffer for righteousness' sake" (1Peter 3:14). He realized that his good deed in helping the beaten slave by killing the oppressor is known by this backsliding "brother," and that if others don't already know it also-- they will soon. "14 Surely this thing is known. 15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses" (Exodus 2:14-15). Moses has to run. As the Patriarch Joseph said to his erring brothers, "As for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive" (Genesis 50:20).
(Hebrews 11:24-27) "24 By FAITH Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. 27 By FAITH he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing Him Who is Invisible."
"The moment that Moses came to years of discretion we read that he 'refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.' Take that as the starting-point of the life of service. If your circumstances are making it impossible for you to carry out what would otherwise be the will of God, then drop your circumstances as Moses did; it rests with you to do it. Refuse any longer to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter. You have been in the courts of men; you may have stood high in the favor of the people of this world, and your heirship may look exceedingly brilliant. You must choose whether you will take the heavenly inheritance or the earthly. There comes a point in every man's history when, if he wishes to be a sanctified vessel, meet for the Master's use, he must decide to drop everything that prevents a holy career and a life of perfect service among the people of the Lord. Would the devil be what he is if he did not gild his bullets, and if he did not find something to boast of to offset the glorious attraction of heaven? Of course Pharaoh's court, with all its grandeur, its learning, its talent, its science, its magnificent prospects and possibilities and power, attracts men, and they are drawn into its snare. Moses, the servant of God, calculated well, and he concluded that it would be better to endure the reproach of Christ than to have all the treasures of Egypt. Put the two side by side, the things of the world in one scale-pan, and the things of God in the other, and see which kicks the beam. Make your calculation, and say deliberately, 'I esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of the world.' -- H. W. WEBB-PEPLOE." --from "For Each New Day"
"16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock. 17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 18 And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.20 And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread."Again, we see the Godly character of this man, Moses. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am Meek and Lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:29). His compassion for the weak and the wronged stirs up the groundwork of Righteous Justice and Judgment that had been cultivated in him, equipping this meek man and constraining him to action. He intercedes for the oppressed, i.e., "Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock" (Exodus 2:17).At this point, we must make a detour from the story line, and ask the question, "What is meekness?" We are not looking for a dictionary definition here. We want to know, "What saith the Scripture?" (Romans 4:3).Very simply put-- true meekness defends God, not self. "Great peace have they which love Thy Law: and nothing shall offend them" (Psalm 119:165). The Godly meek of the Earth defend God's Word. "Receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). The truly meek defend God's Character. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Galatians 5:22-23). The meek promote God, not self. "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of Wisdom" (James 3:13). And God promotes His meek ones. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the Earth... the meek shall inherit the Earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace" (Matthew 5:5; Psalm 37:11). With such a man, a man God Himself called "very meek", i.e., "Now the man Moses was VERY MEEK, above all the men which were upon the face of the Earth" (Numbers 12:3), is it any wonder that, with such a SERVANT as was this man Moses, that God had just the human interface He needed to free a whole nation-- enslaved and beaten-- from the clenched fists of the most powerful nation, at that time, on "the face of the Earth."From a Biblical perspective, it was Egypt that benefitted from "the famine [which] was over all the face of the Earth" (Genesis 41:56), lasting seven years, in which "all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands" (Genesis 41:57). The citizenry of Egypt became servants of the monarchy. The revenue of all Egypt went into the coffers of the government.
(Genesis 47:23-25) "23 Then Joseph said unto the people, Behold, I have bought you this day and your land for Pharaoh: lo, here is seed for you, and ye shall sow the land. 24 And it shall come to pass in the increase, that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh, and four parts shall be your own, for seed of the field, and for your food, and for them of your households, and for food for your little ones. 25 And they said, Thou hast saved our lives: let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's servants."
The revenue from the world poured into the financial resources of the Egyptian monarchy. This made Egypt quite imposing by monetary standards. So, by the time "there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph" (Exodus 1:8), this Pharaoh could easily have been recognized as the most powerful ruler in the world. In this light, we are not surprised to find egotism that sets "taskmasters to afflict [the Israelites] with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses" (Exodus 1:11).It was this stronghold of wickedness, lying in the grasp of one man-- the King of Egypt-- that must be overcome, if God's people were to be set free. The LORD God needed a man to be His instrument of righteous Justice and Judgment, compassionate to those mistreated. The man must represent God only-- not himself. The man MUST be a meek man-- the meekest man "above all the men which were upon the face of the Earth" (Numbers 12:3). God chose Moses!Continuing with the story narration..."21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. 22 And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land."
(1Chronicles 23:13-15) "13 The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses... 14 Now concerning Moses the man of God, his sons were named of the tribe of Levi. 15 The sons of Moses were, Gershom, and Eliezer."
"23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His Covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them."Exodus / Chapter 3ow Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 2 And the Angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a Flame Of Fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with Fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 5 And He said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 6 Moreover He said, I Am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. 7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; 8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites."In verse 1, we are told that "Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian". Many may try to use this verse as an occasion to discredit the Word of God as being inconsistent. In their eyes, God is two-faced. "Why did God honour a man like Moses, who married an unsaved woman, and yet destroyed the Earth by a flood for doing the exact same thing?" In our story of "Noah's Ark" ---New Window and The Flood, we remember, that in those days:
"'It came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the Earth, and daughters were born unto them, 2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.' The LORD wants us to take special notice of the type of sin that was the most common just prior to the world's judgment. 'The sons of God' thought so little of the Almighty that they would actually join themselves in the most intimate way, to God's enemies. God's people are NOT to choose their spouses from among the ungodly. We are talking about two separate worlds, with opposite motives, antagonistic values, and NO common ground. Men obey God-- in ALL things-- or they don't. There is no middle ground. There are no shades of gray. There is only Divine Light, or darkness forever."
The passage in Numbers, chapter 12 ---New Window, reveals the LORD's anger, when Miriam and Aaron try to usurp Moses' authority by claiming he did sinfully wrong in marrying an "Ethiopian woman" (Numbers 12:1). Again, the LORD appeared unprincipled and unjust to those who don't understand. Yes, the LORD defended the actions of Moses. "7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all Mine house. 8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?" (12:7-8). But, to those of us who trust the LORD God, His Word, and His Character, the LORD's defense of His "faithful... servant Moses" conclusively proves that Zipporah was NOT an heathen woman, and that "Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian" was NOT the priest of a heathen religion.
"The center of the Midianite country, where Moses sojourned, was on the east shore of the Gulf of Akaba, though they roamed far to the north and west. In Moses' day they controlled the rich pasture lands around Sinai. Moses married a Midianite woman, named Zipporah, daughter of Jethro, also called Reuel (18; 3:1). Jethro, as priest of Midian, must have been a ruler. Midianites were descended from Abraham, through Keturah (Genesis 23:2); and must have had traditions of Abraham's God." --from "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley.
In Exodus 2:18, we are told that the daughters of Jethro "came to Reuel their father".
"Reuel, which means friend of God, seems to have been his personal name, and Jethro, his excellence, to have been his honorary title... After the passage of the Red Sea, which conducted the Israelites into the vicinity of Jethro's country... he rejoiced in the deliverance of the Israelites, [and] offered sacrifices to Jehovah." --from "Davis Dictionary of the Bible" by John D. Davis.
God's opinions are stated clearly when it comes to His people choosing the daughters of the heathen ---New Window -- and in this case, Midianites included.
"9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto Me:and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth My people the children of Israel out of Egypt.11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? 12 And He said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my Name for ever, and this is My memorial unto all generations. 16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: 17 And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey. 18 And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. 19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. 20 And I will stretch out My hand, and smite Egypt with all My Wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go. 21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: 22 But every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians."Exodus / Chapter 4nd Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.2 And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand?And he said, A rod.3 And He said, Cast it on the ground.And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail.And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:5 that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. 6 And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom.And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow. 7 And He said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again.And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.8 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first Sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter Sign. 9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two Signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land."It is a wicked people that need a Sign BEFORE they say they'll believe the LORD. "38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a Sign from Thee. 39 But He answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a Sign; and there shall no Sign be given to it, but the Sign of the prophet Jonas: 40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the Earth. 41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in Judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a Greater than Jonas is here" (Matthew 12:38-41). The "Sign" that the LORD spoke of is given to the wicked because of their need to repent. It is given by God to show that repentance is necessary. Jonah bore his sin in the belly of the whale-- a Sign from God the Father that he needed to repent. Jesus bore the sin of the world in the belly (or "heart") of the Earth-- a Sign from God the Father that the world needed to repent.."10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since Thou hast spoken unto Thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."The LORD God always prepares His servants for the work He gives them. He sends them in the Power of His Spirit. "12:11 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12 for the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say... 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist" (Luke 12:11-12; 21:14-15)."13 And he said, O my LORD, send, I pray Thee, by the hand of him whom Thou wilt send."Moses continued to sidestep the LORD's Will by suggesting that "the hand of him", Moses, whom God chose, could choose someone else to go in his stead. And even though the LORD was angry with Moses, God showed His mercy and grace."14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. 15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. 16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God."The LORD allowed Aaron to be the mouthpiece of Moses, but Moses was still to be the mouthpiece of God"17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do Signs.18 And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace. 19 And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life."The LORD prepared the way before His servant, providing for the servant's safety. "All the men are dead which sought thy life.""20 And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand. 21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those Wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go."Again, the LORD prepared His servant, Moses, by telling him what to expect. Pharaoh was to be the unwilling tool in the hand of God.
First, God's Power was to unreservedly harden the non-elect heart of Pharaoh.
Second, God would then send Egypt's Judgments methodically upon them.
Third, God's Judgments worked to override that God-hardened unwillingness of the Pharaoh, showing the Power of His Divine Will to transcend the stoniest unwillingness of a wicked man, even a wicked king-- redirecting it to desperately change for sheer survival-- thereby accomplishing God's Purposes and showcasing God's Eternal Praise. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain" (Psalm 76:10).
"22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is My son, even My firstborn: 23 and I say unto thee, Let My son go, that he may serve Me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.27 And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him. 28 And Moses told Aaron all the Words of the LORD Who had sent him, and all the Signs which He had commanded him. 29 And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: 30 And Aaron spake all the Words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the Signs in the sight of the people. 31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that He had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped."Exodus / Chapter 5nd afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let My people go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness. 2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go."Truth is Truth, no matter who repeats it. And Pharaoh spoke God's Truth when he said that he didn't know God. For to know God is to obey Him. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto Righteousness?" (Romans 6:16).
(Psalm 10:4) "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts."
(Psalm 14:1) "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works."
(1Samuel 2:12) "Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD."
"3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest He fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. 5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. 6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, 7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. 9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words."To the wicked, the Word of God is foolishness, and the teaching of the Word-- worthlessness. "Let them not regard vain words." It is only the Word of God that has Eternal Value.
(Joshua 1:8) "This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to ALL that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
(Matthew 24:35) "Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away."
"20 And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh: 21 and they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.22 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, LORD, wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that Thou hast sent me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy Name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast Thou delivered Thy people at all."If there was one character area that Moses needed to heed as "the sin which doth so easily beset" (Hebrews 12:1) him, it would be that of having patience. Then Moses would "run with patience the race that is set before [him]" (12:1).
(Luke 21:19) "In your patience possess ye your souls."
(Hebrews 10:36) "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the Will of God, ye might receive the Promise."
(Luke 8:15) "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."
With the constant backslidings from the Israelites, Moses was OFTEN tested in the area of having patience. "There arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses" (Deuteronomy 34:10). Most of the time, he passed his tests, as any child of God is required to do [read "What the Bible Says About Temptation" ---New Window]. But we will read later, of a time when Moses lost his temper ---New Window, and this provocation from the children of Israel caused Moses to NOT enter into the Promised Land ---New Window.Exodus / Chapter 6hen the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land. 2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I Am the LORD: 3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the Name of God Almighty, but by My Name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. 4 And I have also established My Covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers. 5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered My Covenant. 6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I Am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with Great Judgments: 7 And I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I Am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I Am the LORD. 9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage."The Israelites were a suffering people. They had "23 sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God... 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered His Covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob" (Exodus 2:23-24). If the LORD had not intervened for them, He would not have been able to fulfill the Promise He had made to Abraham. "13 And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance... 18 In the same day the LORD made a Covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 the Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20 and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21 and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites" (Genesis 15:13-14,18-21). And so, for Abraham, the LORD kept His Promise, and proceeded with His plan to free Israel, even though "they hearkened NOT unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage."
(Genesis 22:1-2,9-12,16-18) "1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt {literally, test} Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. 2 And He said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of... 9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. 11 And the Angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. 12 And He said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me... 16 And said, By Myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17 that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18 and in thy seed shall ALL the nations of the Earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed My Voice."
"10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 11 Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land. 12 And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips? 13 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. 28 And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt, 29 that the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I Am the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee."The LORD's "charge" to us stands fast, whether it appears as if anyone will listen to us, or not. The LORD's Word is the only Absolute that needs to be considered. This is the position of FAITH. "And He said unto them, Where is your FAITH? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of Man is this! for He commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey Him" (Luke 8:25).
(Jeremiah 7:22-23) "22 For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: 23 but this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey My Voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in all the Ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you."
Exodus / Chapter 7nd the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god [or, as God] to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. 2 Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land. 3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply My Signs and My Wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay My hand upon Egypt, and bring forth Mine armies, and My people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by Great Judgments. 5 And the Egyptians shall know that I Am the LORD, when I stretch forth Mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them. 6 And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they. 7 And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.8 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. 12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. 13 And he hardened Pharaoh's heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said."Satan is the "prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2), and as such, God has allowed Satan to have a limited amount of liberty in his arsenal. His abilities imitate the "Only Wise God" (1Timothy 1:17). Satan's imitation of God is NOT to glorify God-- but to usurp God altogether. "For thou [Satan] hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into Heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God" (Isaiah 14:13).
(2Thessalonians 2:4) "Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God, showing himself that he is God."
(Psalm 9:7) "But the LORD shall endure FOR EVER: He hath prepared His Throne for Judgment."
Pharaoh's sorcerers imitated God's Power, but possessed no Divine power in themselves. Their power was a counterfeit, for "the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders" (2Thessalonians 2:9) could not defeat Moses. This is illustrated in the fact, that, "Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods." When that happened in front of Pharaoh's very own eyes, he was reminded of his finiteness, his limitations-- and it soured in his stomach and "hardened" his heart. This Divine Power of the Holy Spirit constantly limits Satan, and restrains his devouring egotistical desires from overstepping the purposes that God maintains. This has a tremendous hardening effect on the heart of Satan, making him-- of ALL creatures-- "most miserable" (1Corinthians 15:19)."14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go. 15 Get thee unto Pharaoh in the morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the river's brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent shalt thou take in thine hand. 16 And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest not hear. 17 Thus saith the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I Am the LORD: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in Mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. 18 And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall loathe to drink of the water of the river. 19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone."In the Book of Revelation, one of the "two witnesses" (Revelation 11:3) (we think he shall be Moses, with Elijah being the other witness) shall again turn the waters to blood.
"Moses and Elijah are most probably the Two Witnesses indicated in this verse because of the similarity of their previous earthly ministries to the deeds of these Two Witnesses. Elijah 'shut heaven, that it rain[ed] not' (11:6), i.e., 'And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before Whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word' (1Kings 17:1). Moses had 'power over [the] waters to turn them to blood' (11:6), i.e., '[Moses] turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish' (Psalm 105:29). Moses is remembered for the multitude of plagues that he called down upon Egypt, i.e., 'And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet' (Exodus 7:1), while Elijah is remembered for calling down fire on the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. '37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the LORD God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again. 38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench' (1Kings 18:37-38)." -- from our "Commentary on the Book of Revelation" ---New Window, Chapter 11: The Two Witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet ---New Window. [And for more background on Elijah, please read our "Elijah and the Prophets of Baal" ---New Window]
"20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. 21 And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. 22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. 23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. 24 And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river. 25 And seven days were fulfilled, after that the LORD had smitten the river."Notice the magicians could NOT lift the curse of God. They could only mock God's Almightiness in imitation, using Satan's Divinely-limited power.Exodus / Chapter 8nd the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 2 And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: 3 and the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs: 4 and the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. 6 And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. 7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. 8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Entreat the LORD, that He may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD."Again, notice that the LORD allowed Pharaoh's magicians to add to the frogs, but not to take the frogs away. This God devised for the purpose of hardening Pharaoh. For the LORD "hath made the Earth by His Power, He hath established the world by His Wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by His Understanding" (Jeremiah 51:15)."9 And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: WHEN shall I entreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? 10 And he said, To morrow. And he said, Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is NONE LIKE unto the LORD our God. 11 And the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people; they shall remain in the river only."Moses was a man of FAITH. God had worked it in him just for this service to which he was now called. "And the LORD said unto him [Moses], Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?" (Exodus 4:11). To proclaim something to be in fact, that is not yet seen with eyes, takes FAITH. "And [Jesus] turned Him unto His disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see" (Luke 10:23).
(Acts 26:18) "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to Light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by FAITH that is in Me."
For the Law of the Kingdom has ordained, that it is "according to your FAITH be it unto you" (Matthew 9:29).
"'And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour' (Matthew 8:13). This passage of Scripture brings before us one of the principal laws of the kingdom of heaven. In order to understand God's ways with His people, and our relations with the Lord, it is needful to understand this law thoroughly and not to deviate from it. Not only does God give or withhold His gifts according to the faith or unbelief of each, but they are granted in greater or lesser measure, only in proportion to the faith which receives them. God respects the right to decide which He has conferred on man. Therefore He can only bless us in the measure in which each yields himself up to His divine working, and opens all his heart to Him. Faith in God is nothing else than the full opening of the heart to receive everything from God; therefore man can only receive divine grace according to his faith; and this applies as much to divine healing as to any other grace of God." --from "Divine Healing" ---New Window by Andrew Murray.
For Moses to attribute the doing of it by Someone Whose face "no man can approach unto; Whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to Whom be honour and Power everlasting" (1Timothy 6:16), but Who is seen ONLY with the heart, this is "FAITH IN GOD" (Mark 11:22).
Note: No earthbound man has seen the face of God the Father. Not even Moses. And yet... ---New Window
So, when Moses insisted that Pharaoh choose the time "when" (Exodus 8:9) the frogs would leave, he was allowing Pharaoh this honour for one reason only. "Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is NONE LIKE unto the LORD our God. And the frogs shall depart from thee" (10-11). This honour was actually a challenge. "Pharaoh, you pick the day. I'll ask the LORD God. And then you'll see for yourself, 'that there is NONE LIKE unto the LORD our God.' For the LORD will do what you can't do. And to show you that it's NO MERE COINCIDENCE, the LORD will let you choose when.""12 And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh: and Moses cried unto the LORD because of the frogs which He had brought against Pharaoh. 13 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. 14 And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank. 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said."Events happened just "as the LORD had said." That's why Pharaoh "hardened his heart"-- he coveted the Power that God possessed. Pharaoh was "of [his] father the Devil, and the lusts of [his] father" (John 8:44) he did. The Devil covets all that God Is, and so, also, did the Devil's child, Pharaoh. Instead of "glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them" (Luke 2:20), the wicked father and son "coveted after [God]... and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1Timothy 6:10)."16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the Earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 18 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. 19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said."
SIDE NOTE: Discontent Hardens a Heart. "Set Me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame" (Song of Solomon 8:6). With violence, the wicked refuse to be content. "34 For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will NOT spare in the day of vengeance. 35 He will NOT regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts" (Proverbs 6:34-35). Covetousness and pride were two of the offending sins that cast down Satan from his glorious position. "15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee... 17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee" (Ezekiel 28:15,17). When the LORD's Judgment fell, it was swift. "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven" (Luke 10:18). "How art thou fallen from Heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" (Isaiah 14:12). He and his following "angels which kept not their First Estate, but left their own habitation, [Almighty God] hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the Judgment of the Great Day" (Jude 1:6). "Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?" (Proverbs 27:4).
(Revelation 20:1-3,10) "1 And I saw an angel come down from Heaven, having The Key of the Bottomless Pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. 3 And cast him into the Bottomless Pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season... 10 And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the Lake Of Fire And Brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."
Even so, "if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto Judgment" (2Peter 2:4), then neither will He spare mere mortals that persist in sinning. "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23). For God does truly have a time when Judgment falls. "And Mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD" (Ezekiel 7:4).
(Deuteronomy 29:20, 30:14-18) "The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and His jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this Book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under Heaven... 30:14 But the Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. 15 See, I have set before thee this day Life and Good, and death and evil; 16 in that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in His Ways, and to keep His Commandments and His Statutes and His Judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the Land whither thou goest to possess it. 17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt NOT hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; 18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish."
And the Time of Judgment is near at hand! "For then shall be Great Tribulation ---New Window, such as was not since The Beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matthew 24:21).
"20 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 21 Else, if thou wilt not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. 22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that NO swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I Am the LORD in the midst of the Earth. 23 And I will put a division between My people and thy people: to morrow shall this Sign be."The LORD Creator of Heaven and Hell "put a division between" His people and the Devil's, "a great gulf fixed: so that they [in Hell] which would pass from hence [in Hell] to you [in Heaven] cannot; neither can they [in Heaven] pass to us [in Hell], that would come from thence [in Heaven]" (Luke 16:26). Heaven is a Holy Place, "and there shall in NO wise enter into it ANY thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but [only] they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life" (Revelation 21:27). God demonstrated to Pharaoh this Truth repeatedly, "that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel" (Exodus 11:7). The LORD sets The Standard, and even Himself, of course, lives by It. "That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be FAR from Thee: Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25). And, since "the disciple is NOT above his Master, nor the servant above his LORD" (Matthew 10:24), the Master requires His people to also LIVE BY The Standard.
(Ezekiel 44:23) "Teach My people the difference between the Holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the Clean."
(Leviticus 10:10-11) "10 "Put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; 11 and that ye may teach the children of Israel all the Statutes which the LORD hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses."
(Malachi 3:18) "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not."
(Amos 5:15) "Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish Judgment in the gate."
"24 And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies. 25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.26 And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? 27 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as He shall command us.28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: entreat for me.29 And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will entreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD."Moses already knew what Pharaoh would do, because the LORD Omniscient told him that Pharaoh's heart would be "hardened." But Moses wanted to let Pharaoh know that he understood completely, Pharaoh's methods, and that he therefore warned him, "Let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more." When the LORD's people obey God in discerning the wicked, then they are prepared for battle, "lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2Corinthians 2:11)."30 And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD. 31 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. 32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go."People who will not listen-- even with repeated opportunities-- are people who will never listen, and who therefore conclude their trial on Earth with an everlasting imprisonment in Hell, "whose damnation is just" (Romans 3:8). The only Scriptural way to PROVE that you ARE one who listens, is by present obedience. "And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His Commandments" (1John 2:3). [Please read "That Ye May Know That Ye Have Eternal Life, Or, The Biblical Doctrine of the Assurance of Salvation, Or, Only Those Who Abide in Christ May Know That They Have Eternal Life ---New Window", for more on this topic.]Exodus / Chapter 9hen the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 2 For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, 3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain (a highly infectious disease of cattle, e.g., anthrax)."Each Judgment that the LORD sent against Egypt increased in severity. The Tribulation Judgments shall progress in intensity, also. (Read "Commentary on the Book of Revelation" ---New Window.)"4 And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children's of Israel. 5 And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. 6 And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one."This production was staged by the LORD. The decisions are His alone. He decides what lives and what dies. He decides to whom it will happen and to whom it will not. He decides the timing and He alone carries it out. "The LORD is known by the Judgment which He executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands" (Psalm 9:16)."7 And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did NOT let the people go.8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. 10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. 12 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.13 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 14 For I will at this time send all My plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like Me in all the Earth. 15 For now I will stretch out My hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the Earth. 16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee My Power; and that My Name may be declared throughout all the Earth."If the LORD cannot receive praise from a heart that loves Him, then He will use the hateful heart for His Own Purpose. "Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain" (Psalm 76:10). In Pharaoh's case, God used Pharaoh's wrath as a target for the demonstration of His Divine Power, establishing His Mighty Name as a Witness "throughout all the Earth." This is the reason that God even allowed Pharaoh the chance to be born-- "for this cause" and "for this same purpose"-- that God's "Power" and "Name" be "declared throughout all the Earth" (Exodus 9:16; Romans 9:17).
(Romans 9:13-23) "13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. 17 For the Scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show My Power in thee, and that My Name might be declared throughout all the Earth. 18 Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto Me, Why doth He yet find fault? For who hath resisted His Will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, Why hast Thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the Potter Power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 WHAT IF GOD, WILLING TO SHOW HIS WRATH, AND TO MAKE HIS POWER KNOWN, ENDURED WITH MUCH LONGSUFFERING THE VESSELS OF WRATH FITTED TO DESTRUCTION: 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory."
Side Note Question: Why doesn't God just force our wills to do whatever He wants?
"But do any of you object and say, why does not God make us willing? Is it not because he has reprobated us, that he does not change our hearts and make us willing? No, sinner, it is not because he has reprobated you; but because you are so obstinate that he cannot, wisely, and in consistency with the public good, take such measures as will convert you. Here you are waiting for God to make you willing to go to heaven, and all the while you are diligently using the means to get to hell; yes, exerting yourself with greater diligence to get to hell, than it would cost to insure your salvation, if applied with equal zeal in the service of your God. You tempt God, and then turn round and ask him why he does not make you willing? Now, sinner, let me ask you, do you think you are a reprobate? If so, what do you think the reason is that has led the infinitely benevolent God to reprobate you? There must be some reason; what do you suppose it is? Did you ever seriously ask yourself, what is the reason that a wise and infinitely benevolent God has never made me willing to accept salvation? It must be for one of the following reasons: either--(1.) He is a malevolent being, and wills your damnation for its own sake; or--(2.) He cannot make you willing if he would; or--(3.) You behave in such a manner in the circumstances in which you are, that, to his infinitely benevolent mind it appears unwise to take such a course as would bring you to repentance. Such a change in the administration of his government as would make you willing, would not, upon the whole, be wise.Now, which of these do you think it is? You will not probably take the ground that he is malevolent, and desires your damnation because he delights in misery; nor will you, I suppose, take the ground that he could not convert you if he would, that is, if he thought it wise to do so.The other, then, must be the reason, to wit: that your heart, and conduct, and stubbornness, are so abominable in his sight, that, every thing considered, he sees that to use such further means with you as to secure your conversion, would, on the whole, do more hurt than good to his kingdom. I have not time at present to agitate the question whether you, as a moral agent, could not resist any possible amount of moral influence that could be brought to bear upon you, consistently with your moral freedom.Do you ask how I know that the reason why God does not make you willing is, that he sees that it would be unwise in him to do so? I answer, that it is an irresistible inference, from these two facts, that he is infinitely benevolent, and that he does not actually make you willing. I do not believe that God would neglect anything that he saw to be wise and benevolent, in the great matter of man's salvation. Who can believe that he could give his only-begotten and well-beloved Son to die for sinners, and then neglect any wise and benevolent means for their salvation? No, sinner, if you are a reprobate, it is because God foresaw that you would do just as you are doing; that you would be so wicked as to defeat all the efforts that he could wisely, make for your salvation. What a variety of means he has used with you. At one time he has thrown you into the furnace of affliction; and when this has not softened you, he has turned round and loaded you with favours. He has sent you his word, he has striven by his Spirit, he has allured you by the cross; he has tried to melt you by the groanings of Calvary; and tried to drive you back from the way to death, by rolling in your ears the thunders of damnation. At one time clouds and darkness have been round about you; the heavens have thundered over your head; divine vengeance has hung out, all around your horizon, the portentous clouds of coming wrath. At another time mercy has smiled upon you from above like the noon-day sun, breaking through an ocean of storms. He urges every motive; he lays heaven, earth and hell, under perpetual contributions for considerations to move your stony heart. But you deafen your ears, and close your eyes, and harden your heart, and say, 'Cause the holy one of Israel to cease from before us.' And what is the inference from all this? How must all this end? 'Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord has rejected them.'" --from "Lectures on Systematic Theology" ---New Window, Lecture 75 "Reprobation" ---New Window, by C. G. Finney ---New Window.
The bold aggression of Pharaoh towards God-- his barefaced gall in opposing the Might and Power of the Great Jehovah, by REFUSING GOD, in letting the Israelites go, equals insanity! God commanded, "Let My people go, that they may serve Me." The audacity of Pharaoh!"17 As yet exaltest thou thyself against MY people, that thou wilt NOT let them go?"And yet, even in the face of such impudence, God has, and will have, His Way with the wicked. "For it is written, As I live, saith the LORD, EVERY knee shall bow to Me, and EVERY tongue shall confess to God... That at the Name of Jesus EVERY knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and things in Earth, and things under the Earth; and that EVERY tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father" (Romans 14:11; Philadelphia 2:10-11)."18 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. 19 Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. 20 He that feared the Word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: 21 And he that regarded NOT the Word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field."The lesson is simply put: "This do, and LIVE; for I fear God" (Genesis 42:18). If you obey God's Word, you'll live with Him forever. "Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?" (Hebrews 12:9)."22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. 24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. 28 Entreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the Earth is the LORD's. 30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will NOT yet fear the LORD God.31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. 32 But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the Earth. 34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses."Exodus / Chapter 10nd the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these My Signs before him: 2 and that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and My Signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I Am the LORD."God used Pharaoh's stubbornness for His Own Purpose. God hardened even more a heart that was destined never to repent, thereby giving God many occasions in which to use His Miraculous Signs. He purposed to testify to His chosen people, both presently and forever after, that they would "know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the Faithful God, which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that love Him and keep His Commandments to a thousand generations" (Deuteronomy 7:9). Was this not a Divinely-Wise use of a wicked king's eternally-obstinate heart? "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness" (1Corinthians 3:19).
(Jude 1:25) "To the Only Wise God our Saviour, be Glory and Majesty, Dominion and Power, both now and for ever. Amen."
"3 And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 4 Else, if thou refuse to let My people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: 5 and they shall cover the face of the Earth, that one cannot be able to see the Earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: 6 and they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the Earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh."God's ultimate goal for Israel is, "Let My people go, that they may serve Me." Six times He repeats this goal. And now, the LORD brings in the locust to destroy ALL "the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail". One Judgment finishes what the previous Judgment restrained. Each Judgment has a work to do, progressive in intensity as well as in scope, until all of God's Purposes are fulfilled in His people. And, so will He do again in the Judgments of the Tribulation, "which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the Earth" (Revelation 3:10). [Please see our article, "For the Elect's Sake" ---New Window, to read about "the LORD God's merciful cutting short of the Tribulation Week" for the sake of those people who will be His.]"7 And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go?9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.10 And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. 11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence."Even Pharaoh's own people were amazed at the stubbornness of their leader! "Knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?" At their prodding, Pharaoh conceded, "Go, serve the LORD your God". Yet, no sooner were the words out of his mouth did he question with a "but who are they that shall go?" Moses told him that everyone would go-- "with our young and with our old"-- and not just all of the people, but also all of their cattle. Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, and your little ones". And again, no sooner were his words spoken than that he was taking them back! "Not so: go now ye that are men". Only the men could go. Pharaoh just wouldn't let God have dominion!"12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath left.13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14 And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. 15 For they covered the face of the whole Earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt."Locusts of another sort, demonic locusts, will cover the Earth during the Tribulation.
"The 5th Trumpet judgment is the plague of demonic locusts that the LORD releases upon wicked men for 5 months." (Read more about it: Tribulation Timeline (Part 3) ---New Window)
"16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. 17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD. 19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red Sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. 20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. 22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: 23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. 26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither.27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again NO MORE."A miserable man is Pharaoh! The LORD God has taken Pharaoh's freewill choice to oppose "15 the Blessed and Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who Only hath Immortality, dwelling in the Light which no man can approach unto; Whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to Whom be Honour and Power Everlasting. Amen" (1Timothy 6:15-16), and has used it to demonstrate His Almightiness to an eternal generation, of which we, in Christ, are partakers!As Moses stands before Pharaoh this final time, the LORD directs His servant for the Masterstroke that will bring Him Ruling Recognition from all the people and the mental dethroning of Egypt's little god.Exodus / Chapter 11nd the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring ONE PLAGUE MORE upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he WILL let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence ALTOGETHER. 2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. 3 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people."This is the final confrontation, the "one more plague", that forces Pharaoh to do the one thing he has refused to do-- admit sovereignty to God."4 And Moses said, THUS SAITH THE LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: 5 and ALL the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. 6 And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. 7 But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. 8 And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he [Moses] went out from Pharaoh in a great anger. 9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that My Wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. 10 And Moses and Aaron did all these Wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land."Anger, directed by God, is a good thing.Exodus / Chapter 12nd the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 and if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6 and ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 11 ...it is the LORD'S Passover. 12 For I WILL PASS THROUGH THE LAND OF EGYPT THIS NIGHT, AND WILL SMITE ALL THE FIRSTBORN IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, BOTH MAN AND BEAST; AND AGAINST ALL THE GODS OF EGYPT I WILL EXECUTE JUDGMENT: I AM THE LORD. 13 And THE BLOOD SHALL BE TO YOU FOR A TOKEN upon the houses where ye are: and WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD, I WILL PASS OVER YOU, AND THE PLAGUE SHALL NOT BE UPON YOU TO DESTROY YOU, when I smite the land of Egypt."Jesus Christ is the Sacrificial Passover Lamb, the Fulfillment of the above stated "Law having a shadow of Good Things to come, and not the very image of the Things" (Hebrews 10:1).
"The days preceding the crucifixion of the LORD Jesus match the pattern of the feast of the Passover. A lamb was selected on the 10th of Abib for the Passover sacrifice. 'In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb' (Exodus 12:3). Jesus presented Himself as the Passover lamb on the very day that the Jews were picking out lambs for their Passover. That day was the 10th of Nisan (Abib), which we now call the Triumphal Entry of Christ. 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass' (Zechariah 9:9)... On that very day, Jesus wept and said, 'If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes' (Luke 19:42).Our LORD Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples on Wednesday, the 14th of Nisan, after sundown according to the pattern in Genesis, as observed by the conservative Pharisees of Jesus' day. That night after the Passover meal (now remembered by Christians as the Last Supper), Jesus was taken and interrogated. On Thursday morning-- still the 14th of Nisan-- Jesus was crucified at 9AM ('the third hour', Mark 15:25). He died at 3PM ('the ninth hour', Matthew 27:46, 50)-- still the 14th of Nisan. Remember, the Pharisees' day began in the evening at sundown (6PM) and continued 24 hours until it ended the next evening (6PM), according to the Genesis pattern, i.e. 'And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day' (Genesis 1:5).Because the Sanhedrin was controlled by the Sadducees, i.e. Caiaphas was the high priest (Matthew 26:57), the Passover was celebrated by the Sadducees in accord to the Greek reckoning of time. This was that a day began and ended at midnight-- like our present day-- instead of at sundown. This enabled Jesus to eat the Passover like the Pharisees on Wednesday evening and still die at the exact time the Sadducees were to kill their Passover lamb on Thursday at 3PM-- Exodus 12:6, literally, 'between the evening'. The Sadducees would eat their Passover meal on Thursday evening of the day Jesus was crucified. They considered that evening as part of the Passover, since their day did not end until midnight.The New Testament fulfillment of Passover is the death of the LORD Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. He provided Himself as the sacrificial Passover lamb on the 14th day of the first month (Nisan). 'The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world' (John 1:29). Also, 'Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us' (1Corinthians 5:7)." --from our article, "The Appointed Times" ---New Window.
"22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. 24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as He hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S Passover, Who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. 30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, RISE UP, AND GET YOU FORTH FROM AMONG MY PEOPLE, both ye and the children of Israel; and GO, SERVE THE LORD, as ye have said. 32 Also TAKE your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and BE GONE; and bless me also."Defeated, humiliated, and robbed of his son, Pharaoh's resistance has been replaced by grief and frustration. "But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the Righteous Judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds" (Romans 2:5-6).
(Proverbs 15:13) "By sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."
(Proverbs 17:22) "But a broken spirit drieth the bones."
(Proverbs 18:14) "A wounded spirit who can bear?"
"33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be ALL dead men.34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 36 and the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual."40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that ALL the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations... 51 And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies."
"God assayed to go and take Him a nation from the midst of another nation, by temptations, by Signs, and by Wonders, and by war, and by a Mighty Hand, and by a Stretched Out Arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes...because the LORD loved you, and because He would keep the Oath which He had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a Mighty Hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.The LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a Mighty Hand, and with an Outstretched Arm, and with great terribleness, and with Signs, and with Wonders"(Deuteronomy 4:34; 7:8; 26:8).
Exodus / Chapter 13nd it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them NOT through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt: 18 but God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.20 And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: 22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people."As long as we keep in the Straight Path of God's Will it is the LORD's responsibility to make His Way clear to us.
(Isaiah 42:16) "And I WILL bring the blind by a Way that they knew not; I WILL lead them in Paths that they have not known: I WILL make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things WILL I do unto them, and not forsake them."
(Genesis 24:27) "I being in the Way, the LORD led me."
(Psalm 5:8) "Lead me, O LORD, in Thy Righteousness because of mine enemies; make Thy Way straight before my face."
(Jeremiah 31:9) "They shall come with weeping, and with supplications WILL I lead them: I WILL cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a Straight Way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a Father to Israel."
Exodus / Chapter 14nd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. 3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. 4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I Am the LORD. And they did so.5 And it was told the king of Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us? 6 And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: 7 and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and ALL THE CHARIOTS OF EGYPT, and captains over every one of them. 8 And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out with an High Hand. 9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, ALL THE HORSES AND CHARIOTS OF PHARAOH, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon."After "there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead" (Exodus 12:30), Egypt-- including its king-- couldn't wait another moment to rid themselves completely of these Israelites. Pharaoh "called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, RISE UP, AND GET YOU FORTH FROM AMONG MY PEOPLE" (12:31). "And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be ALL dead men" (12:33). In order to be quickly shed of them, Egypt even gave Israel whatever was asked of them, including "jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment... so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians" (12:35-36). Israel was told, "BE GONE" (12:32)-- and yet, right after leaving, the captors forgot ALL of God's Judgments-- even their dead firstborn! Hatred compelled them to insanely ask, "Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?" (14:5). The tears they had shed were selfishly poured forth because of their own pain and loss-- not for Godly sorrow for their sins. "For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to Salvation NOT to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (2Corinthians 7:10).
(Ezekiel 18:27,30) "27 When the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. 30 Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin."
(Matthew 27:3-5) "3 Then Judas, which had betrayed Him [the LORD Jesus], when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself [was afraid of his impending Punishment], and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the Innocent Blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself." [Note: Christians will not see Judas Iscariot in Heaven. Please read, "What the Bible Says About Suicide" ---New Window, to find out why.]
"10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. 11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? 12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.""Wherefore hast thou dealt with us?", as if Moses had done them a great evil! In the face of all those Signs and Wonders wrought by the Hand of God recently witnessed by these people, the Israelites proved, by their lack of FAITH in a Most Merciful God, why they had spent all their lives in bondage. Before much time had passed at all, they had already forgotten the LORD Who had brought them "forth out of Egypt with a Mighty Hand, and with an Outstretched Arm, and with great terribleness, and with Signs, and with Wonders" (Deuteronomy 4:34; 7:8; 26:8).
"Unbelief is folly. It charges God foolishly. Man's are the weakness and failure, but never God's. My faith may be lacking but not His power. Memory and meditation, when rightly directed, correct unbelief. God has shown Himself great. He has always done wonders. He led even an unbelieving and murmuring people out of Egypt and for forty years through the wilderness, and His miracles of power and love were marvellous." --from "George Mueller of Bristol" ---New Window by A. T. Pierson ---New Window, chapter 21: "The Church Life and Growth" ---New Window
"13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the Salvation of the LORD, which He will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace."There are times when we are to "cry aloud, spare not" (Isaiah 58:1), and then there are other times when we are to "stand still" and watch God in the fight. Both take faith. Both are at His leading. Both demonstrate confidence in the LORD ---New Window and in His ability to "keep that which [we] have committed unto Him against that day" (2Timothy 1:12)."15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto Me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. 17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get Me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. 18 And the Egyptians shall know that I Am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them: 20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night."
(Psalm 34:7) "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them."
{Psalm 91:11) "For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."
{Daniel 6:22) "My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me."
(Hebrews 1:14) "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation?"
"21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
This art print, "The Parting of the Red Sea" by Arnold Friberg is provided courtesy of Christ-Centered Art ---New Window
23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even ALL Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, 25 and took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians."26 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen. 27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea. 28 And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and ALL THE HOST OF PHARAOH that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them."
(Proverbs 16:4) "The LORD hath made all things for Himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil."
"29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a WALL unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. 31 And Israel saw that GREAT WORK which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and His servant Moses."Exodus / Chapter 15The Songhen sang Moses and the children of Israel this Song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for He hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath He thrown into the sea. 2 The LORD is my Strength and Song, and He is become my Salvation: He is my God, and I will prepare Him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt Him. 3 The LORD is a Man of War: the LORD is His Name. 4 Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath He cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red Sea. 5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 6 Thy Right Hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: Thy Right Hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7 And in the greatness of Thine excellency Thou hast overthrown them that rose up against Thee: Thou sentest forth Thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.8 And with the blast of Thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them."Truly, "the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians." That Great Day, recorded by Divine Inspiration from the hand of the very servant who held his rod over the waters and saw them stand "upright as an heap", recorded for the Divine purpose that men would forever be encouraged by the "GREAT WORK which the LORD did" for His people.