Tuesday, July 16, 2013
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10 KJV).
Israel must stand still and do nothing in order to see her God work mightily on her behalf!
Shortly after Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage, the LORD delivered the Law to Moses at Mount Sinai, to the intent that Moses would give the Law to Israel (Exodus chapters 19-23). This Old Covenant, the Mosaic Law, was ratified in chapter 24. JEHOVAH made it very clear to Israel that this contract had conditions. Israel had to obey every commandment He gave them in order to receive His blessings. If they disobeyed Him in any way, they would suffer curses (judgments, wrath, and chastisement).
Deuteronomy chapter 28 outlines this very strict system of legalism, which Israel failed miserably! The LORD says in Jeremiah 31:32: “…the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD.” Using the Law, God thus proved to all the world that no son of Adam could ever measure up to His standard of righteousness—“for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20b).
Isaiah 49:24,25 explain Israel’s spiritual captivity: “Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.” Legally, Israel is in trouble. She is under the curse of the Law. She has fallen into sin and broken her contract with JEHOVAH. Now, she belongs to Satan (hence the devil possessions during Christ’s earthly ministry).
Satan has Israel captive, just as Pharaoh did in Egypt, but JEHOVAH promises He will fight with Satan and deliver Israel from sin’s dominion, just as He fought with Pharaoh and delivered Israel from Egyptian bondage….
NOTE: If you’re interested in “attending” a grace Bible conference via internet, the Grace School of the Bible Family Summer Bible Conference is underway through Thursday, July 18. You can find all the details (times, topics, and preachers) at www.graceimpact.org.
333 Words of Grace 