Category: Egyptian bondage

God’s “Imperceptible” Work #2

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

“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. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them” (Exodus 2:23-25 KJV).

Beloved, the LORD is never idle, so may we grow in His words to better see His works….

Centuries before the Israelites suffered under the Egyptians, the LORD had prophesied: “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; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full” (Genesis 15:13-16). God had not forgotten about them in Egypt. He could not deliver the Jews from Pharaoh until the Gentiles living in the land of Canaan had sinned enough with their idols. Once the idolatry had provoked the LORD enough, He would throw the Gentiles out and bring Israel in.

Also, God would not liberate Israel until He judged Egypt with 10 plagues, proving His superiority to the Egyptians’ gods and goddesses (Exodus 12:12; Numbers 33:4); Pharaoh himself had been worshipped as a god. The LORD could have instantly caused Pharaoh’s death, but instead delayed it and Egypt’s ruin until He had wrought a mighty work in Egypt to cause all Gentiles to hear and fear: “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. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth” (Exodus 9:15,16).

The LORD was working His will, but only imperceptibly to the natural man….

God’s “Imperceptible” Work #1

Monday, May 9, 2022

“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. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them” (Exodus 2:23-25 KJV).

Beloved, the LORD is never idle, so may we grow in His words to better see His works….

A Bible teacher once wisely explained: “God’s cogs or wheels grind ever so slowly, to the point where they even look like they are not moving at all, but, rest assured, they are in motion!” The more I have thought about that since hearing it several years ago, the greater my understanding of it has become. To many—yea, likely, to most—God does not seem to be doing anything. Has He gone away on a very long vacation? Is He just sitting back in a recliner in the third heaven, twiddling His fingers and stretching out His legs as He watches our helpless society struggle with all its miseries and woes?

In chapter 1 of Exodus, the Jewish people are being mercilessly mistreated in Egypt: “And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour [cruelty, severity, harshness]: And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour. 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: 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…. 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” (verses 13-16,22). How could Almighty God just let His people be so brutally injured and eradicated?

Let us use the renewed mind….

Without Blemish and Without Spot #1

Monday, April 11, 2022

“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:…” (1 Peter 1:19 KJV).

How was Israel to see Jesus Christ was “without blemish and without spot?”

In Exodus chapter 12, JEHOVAH God through Moses commanded the Jews to observe Passover, the perpetual memorial to Him delivering them from Egyptian bondage: “[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. [8] And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.”

On Abib 10th (roughly April), each Israeli house selected a young male lamb, sheep or goat, “without blemish.” After confining it to scrutinize it for any disability or illness, they killed it in the evening of the 14th. At the time, no one realized that Father God had laid this out as a template for Jesus Christ’s final days. With the so-called “triumphal entry” of early Matthew chapter 21, Christ enters Jerusalem. He will remain in (or near) Jerusalem until His arrest and crucifixion. In these three or four days leading up to Calvary’s cross, He can be examined, tested to see if He fits the type laid out in the Passover-lamb prophecy. We now contemplate His activities during His last week alive….

Israel: The Miracle Nation #10

Saturday, February 12, 2022

“But Sarai was barren; she had no child” (Genesis 11:30 KJV).

How will the LORD God prove Israel is His miracle nation?

According to the Bible, Romans 7:12: “Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” The Law of Moses is definitely God’s Word. It expresses His righteousness and our failure to be perfect. No one in his or her own strength can become God’s child or do His will. Nearly 2,000 years of Jewish history—our Old Testament Scriptures—bear record of that fact. If we choose a performance-based acceptance system, we will receive nothing but curses from God. Yet, sin deceives us, and we assume we can perform to get the blessing. Human flesh always seeks to brag, but God’s grace will never accept it!

Romans chapter 4: “[1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh [human efforts], hath found? [2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. [3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” The Apostle Paul reaches back to Genesis 15:5, centuries before the Law of Moses was ever ratified. Here is God’s grace!

Human works, religious works, never delivered anyone from sin. The Law of Moses never saved anyone. All the Law can do is condemn, or show us we cannot do enough. It can impart no power to us to keep its rules and regulations! If sinners are to become God’s people—whether the nation Israel or the Church the Body of Christ—it will be entirely what God does on their behalf (grace!). Ultimately, it is Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork (His work, that which perfectly satisfies the Law’s righteous demands!) applied to their account as sufficient payment for their sins. The nation Israel has yet to learn this, but God will see to it that she does. In the meantime, friends, may we not be stubborn and learn it.

Israel: The Miracle Nation #9

Friday, February 11, 2022

“But Sarai was barren; she had no child” (Genesis 11:30 KJV).

How will the LORD God prove Israel is His miracle nation?

The Holy Spirit details how Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork will deliver the nation Israel in the ages to come. Consider the New Covenant in Hebrews 8:8-13: “For finding fault with them [law!], he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant [grace!] with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt [law!]; because they continued not in my covenant [law!], and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant [grace!] that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will [grace!] put my laws into their mind, and [I will] [grace!] write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will [grace!!!!] be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I [grace!!!!] remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”

Jeremiah 31:31-34, written 600 years before Christ, is now interpreted in light of Calvary. Israel’s sins committed under the Old Covenant—the Law of Moses—are now cancelled with the ratification of the New Covenant at Christ’s Second Coming (Hebrews 9:11-28; cf. Acts 3:19-21; Romans 11:25-29). “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;…. For by one offering he hath [grace!!!!] perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:10-12,14).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Israel: The Miracle Nation #8

Thursday, February 10, 2022

“But Sarai was barren; she had no child” (Genesis 11:30 KJV).

How will the LORD God prove Israel is His miracle nation?

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them [the Jews] who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19,20). The Law of Moses was given, not to save anyone from sin, but to clearly define sin. If the “best” nation, Israel, is condemned, what hope do the world’s nations have in ever attaining God’s standard of righteousness? None! Hence, grace, not law, was the LORD’S original covenant with Israel. The Law was to teach stubborn Israel they needed a Saviour, for they could not save themselves.

Galatians chapter 3: “[18] For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. [19] Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. [20] Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. [21] Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law…. [24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

Likewise, having used the Law to realize our need for the Saviour, we now receive by faith God’s blessings via His grace (what He can do for us through Christ’s finished crosswork). “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:30,31). “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:…” (Ephesians 1:3).

Israel will finally learn that yet future….

Israel: The Miracle Nation #7

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

“But Sarai was barren; she had no child” (Genesis 11:30 KJV).

How will the LORD God prove Israel is His miracle nation?

Israel’s patriarchs could not perform to obtain blessings from the LORD. Knowing the frailty (sinfulness) of their flesh, God had already promised to make them His people through the Abrahamic Covenant—through what He would do for them, on their behalf. Yet, at Mount Sinai, the Israelites wanted to make themselves God’s people. In their pride and self-righteousness, they actually thought their feeble religious works would adequately substitute God’s grace: “We can become the LORD’S people without His efforts” (totally ignoring they had been helpless to save themselves from sin thus far)! Here on Sinai, at Israel’s insistence, the LORD instituted the Law of Moses. They had not learned the lesson father Abraham did, father Isaac did, and father Jacob did. Now, they would literally spend centuries “learning the hard way,” failing to perform sinlessly and thereby receiving the Law’s curses and judgments.

Even into the Acts period—over 1,500 years after Moses at Sinai—Israel was still struggling in religion and still failing to overcome their sin problem. The Apostle Paul, once entangled in the same system of bondage (Philippians chapter 3), confessed in Romans 10:1-4: “[1] Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. [4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

Equally confused were the Galatian saints (Christians!), mixing law and grace, ignoring grace and preferring law. Galatians chapters 3 and 4 reteach what Abraham learned, the exact lesson billions of souls worldwide refuse to realize today. They too have disregarded what God can do for us: they wrongly assume what they can do for Him in religion will make up for their sins. “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?” (Galatians 4:21). Let us “hear the law….”

Israel: The Miracle Nation #6

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

“But Sarai was barren; she had no child” (Genesis 11:30 KJV).

How will the LORD God prove Israel is His miracle nation?

Escaping Egypt, the Israelites knew they were free only because the LORD God had broken Pharaoh’s power, overridden Satan’s authority, overcome sin’s influence, and vanquished the world’s dominance. They voiced their gratitude by singing the Song of Moses (Exodus chapter 15). Repeatedly, from chapter 14 to the end of chapter 18, JEHOVAH God worked and Israel received the blessings. Over and over and over again, grace was shown to be infinitesimally superior, whereas the flesh was proven totally helpless and utterly useless. Whatever Israel needed to become God’s people in the Earth, God had supplied, God was furnishing, and God would provide.

After witnessing the all-sufficiency of God’s grace and the all-futility of their efforts, the Israelites must make a solemn decision at Mount Sinai. Exodus chapter 19 again: “[5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: [6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. [7] And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. [8] And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.”

Oh, dear friends, what a terrible, foolish answer Israel gave in verse 8! “All that the LORD hath spoken we will do [works-religion!!!!].” Having thrown aside grace, they desire law. They prefer to become God’s nation in their own strength—and that arrangement was doomed before they ever uttered such nonsense. Not only had they not been able to do “all” God’s will prior, they had already outright disobeyed Him in chapter 16 (see verses 4,19-28)! Now, sin has deceived them. They actually believe they can work to get God’s blessings—the very blessings God already promised them through Abraham (apart from their works!!!), their very works that could never be perfect!!!! Moreover, billions are equally confused today….

Israel: The Miracle Nation #5

Monday, February 7, 2022

“But Sarai was barren; she had no child” (Genesis 11:30 KJV).

How will the LORD God prove Israel is His miracle nation?

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all learned the nation descending from them would originate and become God’s people only because of His grace. Man’s efforts could never accomplish the Abrahamic Covenant. Their performance was irrelevant—for they could all do nothing to accomplish God’s will.

Leaving Genesis and coming into Exodus, we find Israel in Egypt, suffering slavery and genocide under a malicious Pharaoh. It takes the LORD God’s power to free Israel, for she is unable to save herself. “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he [grace!] cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea” (Exodus 15:3,4). “And because he [grace!] loved thy fathers, therefore he [grace!] chose their seed after them, and [He] [grace!] brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt…” (Deuteronomy 4:37).

Having delivered them through the Red Sea (Exodus chapter 14), God also provides the Jews with potable water in the desert (chapter 15), feeds them with manna/bread (chapter 16), supplies them with more water and even military victory over the Amalekites (chapter 17), and finally imparts wisdom to the Jewish leaders (chapter 18). Here are six instances of God’s grace furnishing Israel with everything she needs—but could not provide for herself.

In chapter 19, at Mount Sinai, God makes an offer: “[3] And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; [4] Ye have seen what I did [grace!] unto the Egyptians, and how I bare [grace!] you on eagles’ wings, and [I] [grace!] brought you unto myself. [5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed [law!], and keep my covenant [law!], then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: [6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”

Let us see Israel’s choice….

One More Night with the Frogs! #3

Monday, January 31, 2022

“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” (Exodus 8:10 KJV).

Who has replied with, “To morrow,” and why has he answered thusly?

Before we dismiss today’s Scripture and its context as mere “fairytales told around ancient Jewish campfires,” we would do well to see the modern parallel. Whenever an unsaved person responds to the Gospel of Grace with, “Let me have fun in the world first, and then I will become a Christian,” he or she is following in Pharaoh’s footsteps. “I just want to live in sin one more day, before I submit to my Creator’s will.” Whenever a believer in Christ responds to the Gospel of Grace with, “Let me have fun in the world first, and then I will behave like a Christian,” he or she is also following in Pharaoh’s footsteps.

Overall, Pharaoh was both deceived and deceptive. When he noticed the plague of frogs ending, he saw no reason to keep his word. He still refused to free Israel! “[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.” After another eight devastating plagues, Pharaoh desperately forced Israel out of his land—only to ultimately fight them with his army and drown with all his troops in the Red Sea!

Friends, may we not be foolish or proud. If we are suffering “frogs” today—the ill effects of our sin—may we not be willing to spend one more night with them. Rather, let us trust Paul’s Gospel: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised again for our justification (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Herein is deliverance from the penalty of sin (Hell and the Lake of Fire) and the power of sin (worldly living).

Our two latest Bible Q&As: “How can there be ‘eleven’ Apostles if both Judas Iscariot and Thomas are absent?” and “Was Apollos at fault in 1 Corinthians 16:12?”