|
Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page In the last Bible study online article we explored how God was about to take things up notch when it came to the next plague that He was about to unleash upon Pharaoh and the Egyptian kingdom.
It would be at this point were we find God mentioning how the Israelites were going to be exempted from this upcoming event: "And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land. "I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be." -- Exodus 8:22,23 I'd also pointed out that this was a very interesting statement coming from the Lord at this point in time, for one would have assumed that the Israelites were already being exempted from the current "judgment process." And if one were to take a closer look at the "judgment plagues" that had taken place up to this point, one could easily see how this was indeed, the case. So why mention it now? Keep in mind that in the last article I'd pointed out, that when it came to God, that this was now personal. And make no mistake the Lord wanted the Israelites to know this, and in some kind of way, He wanted the Egyptians to know it as well. God wanted everyone to know that He was in charge of everything that was going on, and when He was done, one couldn't second-guess that fact - without looking foolish. But when one is dealing with the world and the slaves that serve it - rest assured, that they will do all that they can, in spite of - when it comes to keeping credit away from the One True God. For you must know that the skeptic will do everything in their power to try to spin these events into something else: "Was Israel really exempted from the 'judgment process' or was it a coincidence that they weren't impacted?" Know that I'm presenting the question, as if a skeptic had asked it. And rest assured if a skeptic can have the confidence to ask a question of such, then the Egyptians could spin this "judgment process" as if it were their "pagan gods" that were punishing them, and not the Most High God. And after one reads a statement of such, one could quickly point out: "But Pharaoh had asked Moses to pray that God will lift the plague." And of course, this statement is true - but it's possible, that when Pharaoh had asked Moses to do this, there was a good chance that this was done in private, and away from the Egyptian people. For you must understand that there's no way, that Pharaoh would've been seen in front of his people, pleading, and begging a "slave" for mercy and relief. And know that Pharaoh up to this point saw Moses and his brother Aaron simply as slaves, so therefore the Egyptian ruler wouldn't have allowed himself to be seen yielding to one. So if this was the case, and all of this was possibly done in private when Pharaoh had met with Moses and Aaron, then the Egyptian ruler could later on, try to spin these events in his favor. This could be done, when Pharaoh addressed the Egyptian people, and it would be at this time, that he could make the claim that it was their "pagan gods" that were punishing them, and not the God of Israel. Now notice that I stated that Pharaoh "could have done this" - I'm not suggesting that he actually did. For we must also remember that God had hit the Egyptians with these "judgment plagues" so hard and fierce, that Pharaoh didn't have time to debate why it was happening. Know that Pharaoh was relieved to know that he was fortunate enough to be able to simply survive and endure the "judgment process." And of course we have those that are reading this article thinking: "Antonio is this really necessary?" And I must admit, that the question is valid - but the "answer" depends on what you're trying to achieve when it comes to the Word of God. And personally, I don't know what you're trying to accomplish when you make your journey through the Sacred Record - but I can tell you this, when it comes to me, I'm trying to make a serious connection with the Lord, not only in a spiritual sense, but in a natural one as well. I like to think that this approach is crucial when it comes to our spiritual and natural walk with the Lord. How far are you willing to go, when it comes to understanding the Sacred Record? Are you willing to go beyond the "surface of the text?" For example: I'd had pointed out in the previous articles, that Pharaoh and represented a certain "human element" when it came to mankind overall. For I'd mentioned that he represented that part of humanity that had "sold their souls" or given their minds over to serving the things of this world, instead of following the ways of the Lord. But I won't rehash that viewpoint again here, but I would like to take this a little deeper, by briefly taking a look at what the Egyptian kingdom represented as a whole at this point in time. For upon closer observation, we'll see that the Egyptian kingdom represented a "nation" that had developed a culture that was against the Most High God and those who had chosen to follow in His ways. It was a nation that punished and persecuted those who went against "that nation's" way of doing things. It represented an administration (government) that did all that it could to intimidate and suppress the voice of God's people. Now I will touch more on this within the next couple of articles, but in the meantime, I simply want you to recognize that these are the things that we're dealing with right now as Christians. Can you honestly tell me, that this "recorded account" is dated and that it holds no significance in today times? Again I ask you, how far are you willing to go, when it comes to understanding the "Word of God?" Are you willing to "go beyond" the things that you naturally understand? I'm asking the question, for we must learn to look beyond the "surface of the text" - we must teach ourselves how to not limit God. Know that if we're able to do this, we can see how God is using Moses to stand against the Egyptians' way of doing things, for the Lord has Moses courageously facing "the opposition" while standing strong in the face of the "power elites" without wavering and compromising his position with the Lord. Moses is able to do this, because he's operating from within God's covenant, and he's learning how to walk more effectively with God's spirit. Do you not know that you too, are in God's covenant, thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you not know that you too, are able to walk with God's Spirit, God's Holy Spirit? Understand and don't forget that we're now living in a world that grows more rebellious and immorally corrupt as each day goes by, and the "slaves of the world" have chosen not to follow God, and they have decided instead, to challenge everything that the Lord has revealed to us through His Sacred Record, and to stand against those who have decided to learn from it. These "worldly slaves" are trying their best to demonize the Most High God while they push, and force their "worldly agendas" upon us. So the more that we're able to understand and gain insight from within the Sacred Record, the stronger we'll be when it comes to our faith, and our willingness to stand for our Christian beliefs. And I know that the Holier-than-thous' will quickly try to rebuke me by saying: "It doesn't take all of that! All you need to do is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior." And you know what, they're right; all you need to do is accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior. And I would also like to throw in, that you need to turn away from your wicked and sinful ways as well. But that's another argument, for the "love & grace warriors" that may be reading this. But know this - I want more, I don't want just the "bare essentials" when it comes to being "eternally saved" and what the Lord has for me in the afterlife. I want all that He has for me now, here in this natural life as well - and because of this, my faith has to remain strong, and I must have the "strength & willingness" to stand for God - no matter what. For I truly believe that the more we're able to see and understand when it comes to the Sacred Record, when it comes to our spiritual walk and our natural lives, the better off we will be, as we stand against those who are opposed to the things that we believe in as Christians. I'm curious to know, is it wrong for wanting that? Is it wrong for us, to try and reach a point, where we can get as close to God as possible, here in our natural lives? I know that according to my faith - I'm not wrong for wanting this. And if I may, can I ask: What can you say about yours? In the next article we will take a look at how the skeptic (and possibly Pharaoh) could try to spin these events into something else. And we'll also explore the "personal element" that God has with His followers a little bit further. And let's not forget about what the Egyptian kingdom represented overall, and how it lines up with what were dealing with today.
Moses & the Swarm of Flies Plague **YOUR CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES WOULD BE HERE**
173) <-CURRENT BIBLE STUDY ONLINE PAGE-> 175) Although Exempted - The Israelites Still Had to Endure 176) Go & Serve Your God - Wait A Minute... 177) The God of Israel vs The Egyptian Bull Cults 179) The Plague of Boils 181) God tells Pharaoh - You Owe Me Everything! 183) God vs Nut the Sky goddess 184) Moses Tell Your God - I've Sinned 185) The Lord Giveth and Taketh 186) God Tells Moses - Keep A Record 188) Pharaoh's Moment of Intervention 
|
