Archives for 2014

For each man cast down his staff, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Exodus 7:12 (ESV)

God’s power swallows up the enemy’s power 🙂

Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said. Exodus 8:19 (ESV)

As the plagues escalate, even the magicians know this is the work of God. Each of the ten plagues judged one of the false gods of Egypt.

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” John 1:46 (ESV)

This shows that Jesus did not grow up in some prestigious area, but was from the side of town where people say… Oh you live there (like Brixton).

Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” John 1:49 (ESV)

This great affirmation that Jesus did not deny prove quite clearly that Jesus was the promised messiah, the rightful king and above all the Son of God making him equal to God. Jesus received these titles and worship. Jesus is the Son of God!

Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” (Exodus 4:11–12, ESV)

God is sovereign over abilities and disabilities in all men, the devil does not afflict people with disability, God is the one who controls this. So we look to him.

God has made us and knows us, he knows the gifts and abilities he has given us, however we still need his help every step of the way which is why it was right for Moses to appeal for help in the traditional way with his ritual protest and over stated humility.

But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” (Exodus 4:13, ESV)

Moses probably gripped by fear is point blank refusing to heed the Lord’s call here, a bit like Jonah. We need to train our hearts to be courageous and say yes to the Lord

I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them. (Exodus 6:3, ESV)

God making himself known by his unique personal name YHWH signifies God opening himself up to true communication, availability and accessibility to Israel with whom he makes covenant based on this name (God’s names and titles revel to us who he is)

This name which is explained at the burning bush (I am who I am) is a name that can only be known through experience and walking with God in faith, this is what the Lord invites Moses ad the children of Israel to do

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29, ESV)

This is what Jesus does, he takes away our sin

Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. Exodus 1:11

This is a picture of the bondage the devil inflicts through sin

Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, Exodus 1:15

Praise God that these women feared the Lord, they are like heroes of the people of God.

This is powerful from the JPS

Shiphrah
The Semitic stem means “to be beautiful.”28 The name appears in a list of slaves attached to an Egyptian estate and is indicated as being Asiatic.

Puah
The daughter of the hero Danel in Ugaritic literature bears this name. Apparently it was originally a term for a fragrant blossom and came to connote “a girl.”29

The names of the midwives are recorded but not those of the reigning pharaohs. In the biblical scale of values these lowly champions of morality assume far greater historic importance than do the all-powerful tyrants who ruled Egypt.

And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. Exodus 1:21

In these days in Egypt midwives generally were barren or had no children, so God lovingly and miraculously blessed these women with families of their own, they took care of God’s family so he blessed and took care of theirs.

When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Exodus 2:6

Look at this minor detail orchestrated by God, by the Lord having the baby cry, Pharaoh’s daughter took pity on the child… this is the providence of God

He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” Exodus 2:14

This points forward to how Jesus was treated at his first coming

And he said, “I am the God of your 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 at God. Exodus 3:6

God’s first order of business after attracting Moses attention and calling him is self identification and revelation

and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Exodus 3:8

Gods purpose was to redeem Israel, to save them from the land of bondage and bring them to a broad (free) and abundant land.

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” Exodus 3:14

This is a re-revelation of the name known by the patriarch’s but lost to the current generation. The name carries the meaning of causing to be and being . The following is helpful from D K Stuart (2006):

The name should thus be understood as referring to Yahweh’s being the creator and sustainer of all that exists and thus the Lord of both creation and history, all that is and all that is happening—a God active and present in historical affairs

And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ Exodus 3:18

God did not intend Moses to go it alone

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

The beautiful opening to the 4th gospel was likely based on a hymn of confession sung by the early church, Jesus is the subject here, he is the Word.

God’s ‘Word’ in the Old Testament is his powerful self-expression in creation, revelation and salvation, Jesus is God’s ultimate self disclosure.

John boldly declares here the Jesus is God, but not in a modalist sense as the word is with God and is so distinct from the Father and yet is God.

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his … Genesis 49:8–12 (ESV)

Here is a great Davidic and messianic prophecy and clear evidence of Gods election inspire of Judah’s mistakes, we cannot ignore that Judah put his life on the line for Benjamin

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

These are different for everyone, Lord help me identify these so I can lay them aside. I don’t want to run the race weighed down with shortcomings

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 (ESV)

Strive, or work hard for peace and holiness

And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” Genesis 48:15–16 (ESV)

Israel (Jacob) had a testimony about who God was based on his own walk with the Lord and that of his ancestors

But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” Genesis 48:19 (ESV)

God’s freedom and purpose in choosing who he wills

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

This is the working definition of biblical faith

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. Hebrews 11:3 (ESV)

This statement actually stands up to scientific scrutiny also it makes clear that being a six day creationist is a matter of faith in God, because we were not there.

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

One of the core tenants of Christianity, we must believe that God exists, this seems obvious but in our atheistic and relativistic culture, this core must be affirmed in the hearts and minds of believers… Lest we enter into idolatry or apathy. Having faith in God and actively using that faith brings God pleasure and makes our joy full.

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10 (ESV)

It is wonderful that we can look forward to a very tangible heaven

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16 (ESV)

May our faith make us like pilgrims, giving us a strong desire for our own country in heaven, lets make all our investments and set our affection there

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; Ecclesiastes 12:1 (ESV)

It is so important to reach young people with the good news and to serve God while young