Following God Into the Wilderness

Chapter Two – God’s Judgment, Let My People Go

God raised up His deliverer (Moses) and sent him into an evil, rebellious nation that was full of idolatry (serving things that have been exalted above God) for the purpose of bringing His people out. The children of Israel were a chosen people of God based upon faith (of Abraham). God made a covenant (solemn agreement), with promises, based upon the faith of one man (Gal 3:7-8). Galatians 3:9, “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” Similarly, Christ came into an evil, rebellious world that is full of idolatry (exalting all things above God) for the purpose of bringing God’s people out (those who will leave the rebellion and submit to Christ as Lord). Galatians 1:4-5, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” The Lord chooses His people based upon faith (and in no way upon the flesh). God hath redeemed us that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Gal 3:13 -14). James 2:5, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” One can only “follow” Christ through faith – the flesh is excluded! The flesh is a mighty (great, enormous, immense, powerful, forceful) hindrance! – a stumbling stone (that which causes to err). Please consider the depth of those last statements. Satan appealed to man through the flesh. Rebellious man serves the lusts of the flesh in seeking his way. God appeals to man through the spirit which denies the flesh (bypasses). Redeemed man serves God by faith in seeking the Lord’s will. One will live his life according to the flesh or according to the spirit. Galatians 5:16 , “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Those (i.e. religious) who are seeking God through fleshly means have been blinded by the god/prince of this world (2 Cor 4:4, Eph 2:2). Satan blinds through manipulation, deception and allures (appeals, temptations, enticements, attractions) to the flesh to keep one from finding (or desiring) the redemption that God has provided.

“I” Know Not the Lord

Exodus 5:1-2, “And 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. 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.” Pharaoh represents pride and the seeking of self and all those things that oppose God (self-centered will). The wicked, through the pride of his countenance (demeanor, superficial appearance), will not seek after God (Ps 10:4). He makes the statement that he does not know God (I know not the Lord). This is so completely true. Everyone who follows this self-centered nature does not know God, neither can they comprehend Him. How can one know that which is diametric (exact opposite, contrary) of the corrupted nature they embrace and serve? “I” serves “ME” (self) and not “THEE” (God). You can even be a very religious man, but have no knowledge of God, due to a life (actions) that opposes God. Those who are self seeking will always make the statement, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?” Generally, this statement is expressed in one’s actions. This statement of heart can be applied to so many daily things in one’s life. For instance (from the earlier example of idolatry), when one sits in front of the television idol, taking pleasure in unrighteousness, they are essentially saying, “who is the Lord that I should obey Him.” They say there is no harm in the things portrayed on the television, nor my devotion to it, which is the equivalent of saying: “I know not the Lord or His ways.” Perhaps this is ignorance or rather defiance through pride (self exaltation)? The religious man (those seeking God through the flesh) may spend quite a bit of time justifying why the Word of the Lord does not apply to him in a given situation or repetitive activity. Justification of that which is contrary to God’s will (as revealed in His Word) is “not knowing God” and is being froward. The “justification” becomes your own blindness to the truth (rejection of). God may answer such a one according to the multitude of his idolatries (Ez 14:4). In other words, when you seek God’s approval of your idolatry, He just confirms back your own error because you have no use for His truth (e.g. 1 Kgs 22:22 ). This becomes your own stumblingblock (cause of error) – of your iniquity (Ez 14:7). Pharaoh rules the people of Egypt (his subjects) by his strong arm and refuses to submit to God. Similarly, the devil rules over fallen man and a rebellious world (Lk 4:5-7) and refused to submit to God. The devil renounced God’s will and sought his own. Man (through the devil’s beguiling) renounced God’s will and sought his own (Is 14:13 -14). Man disobeyed God in Eden and obeyed the devil (that which opposes God). Man rebelled against God (exalted himself) and submitted to the devil. Man rejected God’s nature and chose the devil’s nature, which is the nature of “I.” Man is now ruled by the fleshly lusts that he followed in seeking Satan and self. These lusts are a great bondage and servitude and the end is death. The Lord is “life,” so to live that which is opposite of God must be “death.” God cursed the serpent and put enmity (hostility, hatred) between the devil and man (Gen 3:15 ). Thus, Satan and man are both in rebellion to God, but they are not united in their rebellion. Pharaoh was a cruel ruler and sought to destroy the Hebrews through his subtility – he killed their young. The devil is a cruel lord and seeks to destroy man through his subtility – he also kills the young (child sacrifice in pagans and Israel , abortion today, all to seek self). The devil has the power of death and destroys man through death (Heb 2:14 -15). Death results from continuing in your transgressions (rebellion) against God. The devil lures man to seek his own will (allures/entices/tempts through the lusts of the flesh, 2 Pt 2:18 ) and thereby continue in the rebellion which ends in death. The devil promised liberty (ye shall be as gods, Gen 3:5), but put man in bondage as servants of corruption (2 Pt 2:19 ) and produced death. Disobedience to God always ends in death. God is the giver of life and there is no life apart from Him. The devil snares (entraps, entangles, brings into evil and perplexity) and takes captive (2 Tim 2:26 ). Satan keeps you in bondage as an enemy of God – corrupted and unfit for the Lord’s use (2 Pt 2:19 ). Consider that “The Lie” the devil used to gain man’s submission was, “ye shall not surely die (Gen 3:4)” Well you do die and now the devil uses death to eternally separate you from God. The opposite of truth is a lie. Lies compete with, challenge, confuse and rebel against the truth. Herein is great wisdom: You must die now to the things of the flesh (forsake the sin and rebellion) so that you may live eternally in Christ. You must live the opposite of this fallen nature and ways of this fallen world. For if you find your life (in the flesh, your way/will) then you will lose it eternally; but if you lose your life now (forsake self and the things of the world) for Christ’s sake, you will find it eternally (Mt 10:39 , 16:25 , Mk 8:35 , Lk 9:24 , 17:33 , Jn 12:25 ). What this means is that you no longer submit to the devil’s rebellion which is sustained through the lusts of the flesh. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” You must “come out” of the world ( Egypt ) and submit to God – be the true “church” of Christ. You cannot come out on your own because of the bondage and strong arm of the devil (Pharaoh) and your own corruptness. You need a deliverer! Praise God, He has sent one! Jesus Christ came saying, “Let My people go!” God delivers us from the power of darkness and translates us into the kingdom of His dear Son ( Jesus , Col 1:13 ). 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 (set apart – not like the world) by faith that is in me.” Christ has abolished death and brought life through His gospel (2 Tim 1:10 ). Through Christ, you are redeemed and the prince of the world is judged (Jn 12:31 -33, 16:11 , Ps 34:22). Jesus has prepared the way back to God. Christ leads us out of the bondage and back to God. John 12:26 , “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Your desire must be that God will tear down and destroy anything in you that exalts itself above the Lord’s will. The rebellion must end! Anything in your life that exalts itself above the Lord’s will engenders (brings about, causes) bondage and produces separation (enmity). Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Jesus came to free you from those things, but you must desire the freedom (Rm 11:27 ). Recall from Chapter One that the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord due to their great bondage. They desired the freedom. We must also cry out to God due to our bondages and truly seek the freedom. Once free from those things which oppose God’s rule in your life, then you can begin to be reconciled with the Lord (2 Cor 5:19 ). Only those submitted to Jesus through faith will be reconciled at the end of a walk through the wilderness (walk as He walked – Col 2:6-8, life of faith, path of the cross, narrow way, etc.). The wilderness will humble one and destroy the things of the flesh. You are delivered unto death (to self) such that the life of Christ be manifested in you (2 Cor 4:11 ). For if one died for all (Jesus died for us, 2 Cor 5:21 ), then we are all dead to self and the things of Egypt (2 Cor 5:14 -15). Deuteronomy 7:8-10, “But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers (through a covenant of faith), 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. 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; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.” Isaiah 43:1, “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” The Lord has come to deliver those children of the promise out of bondage. These are those of faith that are blessed with faithful Abraham (Gal 3:9). The devil and all those who are submitted to him in his rebellion (that hateth God) will be repayed by God to their face. Woe to the rebellious! What a dreadful day that will be.

Increasing the Burden

Exodus 5:4-9, “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. And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. 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. Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.” Pharaoh is defiant toward God and refuses to let the people go. Pharaoh (the devil) tries to keep the people’s minds and hearts off of God through his bondage (temptations, enticements and resulting addictions and lifestyles). The devil exerts a restless burden and adds to it. Satan does not want you to seek God, but rather stay in bondage. Pharaoh keeps their minds on the things of Egypt and thus off of God. Similarly, the devil keeps our minds off of God through the seeking of self through our own lusts. These lusts become the bondages that keep us in his rigorous service and then the devil adds to these bondages. The devil is concerned that if you are “idle” with regards to Egypt (idolatry, self seeking, iniquity, etc.) then your heart may lean or soften toward God – that you will serve God in the wilderness (die to the things of Egypt). Jesus said: Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Rebellious man labors under a heavy burden and the wages are death (Rm 6:16 -23). Pharaoh offered the Hebrews a life of burdens and toil with the end result of death. There was just enough contentment along the way to keep them in line. For of whom/what a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage (2 Pt 2:19 ). Jesus sets the captives free, gives sight to the blind (deceived) and brings true liberty (Lk 4:18 , Rm 6:18 , 22, 8:2). God does not want you to be in bondage (bondmen, Lev 26:13). John 8:34-36, “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin (in bonds). And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” Christ’s yoke is light. We humbly submit to Jesus sincerely with a heart of love and follow Him obediently as led by His Spirit. If you are living in faith (walking in obedience, seeking first His kingdom) for Jesus’ purposes then He knows you by name (Jn 10:3, 14, 27); manifests Himself to you (Jn 14:27); makes His abode (dwelling) with you (Jn 14:23, 1 Cor 6:19, Ps 23:6); provides for your needs (Ps 23:1-2, 5, Mt 6:33, Jn 10:9); provides security (Ps 23:4, Jn 10:11, 15); heals (Mt 12:15, 14:14, 19:2, Mk 6:13, Lk 6:19, 9:11, Acts 10:38); and hears your prayers (Pv 15:29, Jn 9:31, 15:7, 1 Pt 3:12, 1 Jn 3:22, 5:14). Therefore, when we come back under God’s authority and things are restored to right order, our relationship with God becomes as it was before the fall in Eden when God provided for all of man’s needs. God provides, but does not accommodate the lusts of the flesh (patience, trust). Whenever one truly desires to serve the Lord and be free of bondage, the devil (Pharaoh) will increase the burden and bring pressure to bear – and will add to it. You must be stedfast in your resolve and the Lord’s deliverance will come – patience (Heb 3:14 ). 1 Thessalonians 3:8, “For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.” One only finds place in God when your heart is determined to serve Him – you will be tested. The world (all those things that oppose God) will seek to retain its own. God allows a certain amount of pressure to come to bear to test your resolve to serve Him (1 Thess 2:4). When we become weak and realize our helplessness, then God will show Himself strong (2 Cor 12:9). God says, By My strong arm will I deliver my people (Ex 6:1, Jer 32:21). Exodus 6:6-7, “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: 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 (i.e. the world, sin, rebellion, transgression, the devil).” Be strong! Submit to God, Resist the devil (Pharaoh) and he will depart (Js 4:7). All Egypt is guilty of the bondage and burdens placed upon God’s people. God says to His people: Psalms 55:22, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

No Way Out?

Exodus 5:15-18, “Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants? There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people. But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD. Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.” Pharaoh is strong, prideful, arrogant and haughty. Consider Pharaoh’s defiance of God: The Lord says, “Let My people go;” Pharaoh not only refuses to release them, but adds to their bondage. Those in rebellion to God will surely seek to do that opposite and opposed to Him. Those who desire to serve God will not do so without resistance. Satan often sets circumstances (using your lust driven choices) such that it seems there is no way out and seeking release only seems to make things worse. None may leave except through God’s mighty deliverance. Exodus 6:1, “Then 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.” The Lord thy God is mighty God and terrible and we are not to be affrighted (Deut 7:21 ). Psalms 95:3, “For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Deuteronomy 10:17, “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward.” God is looking for movement on your part – an acknowledgement of wrongs and your need for Him. We must cry out for our deliverer and then be prepared to forsake Egypt (iniquity, idolatry, rebellion, wickedness, the world). Surrender to God and then wait upon the Lord (Is 55:7, Ez 18:21 , 33:11, 14-15, 19, Dan 9:13 ).

Exodus 6:2-8, “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD: 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. 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. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel , whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. 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: 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. 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.” God calls us out of Egypt (the world) by a covenant of faith to be His own. The Lord honors His promises. God’s people are poor in spirit and mourn crying out to the Lord. We must groan and grieve over our lost and hopeless (despondent, miserable, despair, discouraging, impossible) condition and that which goes on around us (evil, wickedness and rebellion) and seek God’s authority over us and desire to dwell in the Lord’s dominion. This is the opposite of what transpired in Eden . We must now see the evil that our disobedience to God has wrought and the bondage and toil it has engendered (produced, brought about). We must see that “our way” (through the flesh) leads to misery and death (Rm 3:16 ). We now must renounce and forsake that which we transgressed God’s will to obtain, which is the seeking of our own way. Psalms 44:25-26, “For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the earth. Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.” God then wrenches us away from the serpent. When we come to such a place of seeing our absolute need, then God will show Himself strong on our behalf, but for His glory. We must realize that to come unto God, we must be sincere and forsake Egypt (that which is familiar). To come back under God’s authority is to renounce your own or any other. We leave the old land and way of life (our old nature and mannerisms) and journey to the new land and authority (take on God’s nature and become transformed along the journey). You cannot completely submit to God until you have torn down and destroyed your old life which opposes Him and exalts itself against the Lord’s purposes. God reveals intimacy concerning Himself to those who will follow (His name - JEHOVAH). Notice that God will take you from the servitude of another. Psalms 34:22, “The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.” God brings us out of burdens, rids our bondage and redeems us so that He becomes our God. You are no longer your own (authority, 1 Cor 6:19 ), but now surrender totally to God’s authority. 1 Corinthians 6:20 , “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” You no longer serve self or men (i.e. Pharaoh). 1 Corinthians 7:23, “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” God is a great Lord to those who are His – let us be sincere and genuine in our service!

By God’s Authority

Exodus 6:10-11, 13, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land. 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 .” God gave the commission for Moses to be the deliverer of His people out of the land (authority and domain) of Pharaoh. Aaron was to be Moses’ spokesman; God would speak to Moses and Moses would tell Aaron what to say to Pharaoh (Ex 4:10 -16). Exodus 7:1, “And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.” God gave the task and the authority to complete the task. The Lord always equips those whom He calls. God spoke His Words through Moses and performed miracles by Moses’ hands. Moses was as a god to Pharaoh. God works through our faith to accomplish His will and purposes. The Lord requires our submission and obedience. To serve God is to oppose the devil (Pharaoh) and his rebellion against God. The devil is full of fury (great wrath) because he knows his time is short ( Rev 12:12 ).  Exodus 7:2-6, “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. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt . 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. 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. And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.” When God hardens one’s heart, He withdraws the Spirit’s influence in their life. This leaves one to pursue his own corrupt inclinations (proclivity, selfish way) unconstrained (not restricted, not hindered). To have a hardened heart is to be obstinate (stiffnecked, stubborn, pertinacious) and unyielding when seeking one’s desire or will. God just gives Pharaoh over to his own desires. Pharaoh possesses the strength and glory of the world ( Egypt ) and is set against God’s purposes. The Lord is bringing judgment upon the wickedness of Egypt and will reveal His strength for the Egyptians and all the world to behold. The Lord will multiply His signs and wonders to tear down everything of Satan and that which rebellious man has put his trust in. Through this, God will receive due glory and honor. Pharaoh desires to control that which is God’s – to exalt himself (lofty). Man is God’s creation and the devil went to man in deceit and craftiness to gain such control. The devil corrupted man and controls him through lusts and bondage. Man’s transgression brought separation from God (Is 59:2). The devil knows that transgressing God’s will makes one an enemy of God and brings about separation. Thus, Satan seeks to control that which is God’s through transgression, and the resulting enmity and separation make those rebellious ones his. God gives Moses the Words which say: “let My people go,” and Moses is just to obediently speak them to Pharaoh. God never put a prophet or His Son in the position of determining the course of action. All they had to do was obediently “follow” His direction. They were always to speak the Words God gave them. When one comes with their own ideas, ways, doctrines, and words, they are following the rebellious flesh and not God’s Spirit. This is the tremendous problem in the religious world today! One of the most virtuous (righteous, worthy) and noteworthy statements made in the preceding scriptures is: “as the Lord commanded them, so did they.” Our love, trust and obedience (faith) is really the only thing we have of any value to offer God. You simply have nothing else that is really yours to give. If you believe that you do possess anything else, try taking it with you when you die (as the Egyptians did). If you have love, trust and obedience, this will follow you back to God. Conversely, if you have self seeking, unbelief and rebellion, this to will follow you beyond the grave like a millstone hanged about the neck and great chains for your utter shame. Remember in Eden , as the Lord commanded, Adam did not. This has caused great trouble and untold suffering in the world. Countless individuals have followed Adam’s rebellion. If we are ever to be reconciled back to God, we must obey. The opposite of obedience is rebellion. To not obey God is to walk in rebellion, and this is as the sin of witchcraft (1 Sam 15:22 -23). Witchcraft is intimacy with the devil. Satan is the king of disobedience and thus rebellion is as familiarity and closeness (understanding) with the devil. Of course there is no love with Satan (only hatred and subterfuge) and this is only in the sense of identification with his corrupt nature. Jesus came and lived in perfect obedience to the Father. Christ said, “the prince of this world hath nothing in me” (Jn 14:30 ). Satan had no hold or rebellion in Jesus because Christ totally obeyed the Father. Jesus had no identification with the nature of Satan. Moses fled Egypt in weakness under threat of death (Ex 2:14 -15). Moses returns under the strength of God (for the Lord’s purposes) bringing life to his people and death and destruction to Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Moses in his meekness is made superior to Pharaoh through faith in God to accomplish the Lord’s purposes. When we surrender to Jesus, we are given power and authority over all devils (in our humbleness) in order to accomplish the Lord’s purposes (Mt 10:1, Mk 3:15 , 6:7, 16:18 , Lk 9:1). Luke 10:19 , “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Moses had no strength or ability of his own and his strength was only found in obedience to God. When Moses obeyed God, mighty Words and Works came forth and all were amazed.

God’s Judgment Upon Egypt

The Lord sends Moses unto Pharaoh with His message. Before each judgment, God tells Pharaoh to: “let My people go.” The Lord then reveals what will happen if Pharaoh does not comply. Pharaoh is given a choice and his own disobedience to the edict of God brings wrath upon himself and his kingdom – he chooses his own misery. Each incidence of failure to comply (disobedience) with God’s purposes brings an additional judgment. Similarly, God has given every man a choice to make: “choose whom ye will serve.” The Lord has mercifully provided a way (through Christ) for man to come back under His authority. Disobedience to God, through your own choice, procures wrath. Your own choice will determine your ultimate judgment. Your own words and actions will be your eventual condemnation - as judged by God’s Word. In other words, your opinions and sentiments and the resulting actions (a life lived) will be judged against the Words Christ spoke and God’s Word shall prevail. John 12:48 , “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” Whose Word will prevail in your life? Let us consider how Pharaoh in his pride (exalting of self) held up in his stubborn refusal to yield to God. Exodus 7:8-13, “And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. 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. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt , they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.” The devil came to man in Eden , in the form of a serpent, and corrupted man and took him for his own (into bondage). God comes to Pharaoh (representative of Satan) with a familiar serpent saying give back that which is mine – release My people from your bondage (Job 26:13). The asp (or Egyptian cobra) was worshipped by the Egyptians and was the symbol on the crown of Pharaoh (his crowning glory). No doubt, Aaron’s rod turned into an “asp,” and in front of Pharaoh. The magicians and sorcerers duplicated this wonder with their enchantments (through those devilish practices which God forbids, 2 Kgs 17:17 ). God has since revealed His displeasure with such: Deuteronomy 18:10-12, “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.” This feat by the magicians and sorcerers is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders (2 Thess 2:9). The purpose of these lying signs is to seduce Pharaoh’s servants and lead them away from obedience to God (Mk 13:22 -23). To seduce is to draw aside from a path of rectitude (uprightness of mind, conformity to truth, moral conduct as prescribed by God); to tempt and lead to iniquity; to corrupt; to deprave. We are told elsewhere in God’s Word: 2 Timothy 3:8, “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.” It is believed that Jannes and Jambres (mentioned only once in scripture) were the Egyptian Princes over the sorcerers (through history – Hebrew writers, not scripture). This seems to fit the account well. In any case the scriptural point is that men of corrupt minds (on the creation rather than the Creator) and reprobate (lost in sin and error) concerning faith will always resist God’s will. These workers of evil opposed God with their charms (so do those who seek after such). They tried to neutralize Moses’ and Aaron’s authority as being from God by duplicating their signs and reinforce the authority of Pharaoh (who defies God). However, Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods proving who is the supreme authority. God used the serpent to consume Pharaoh’s power and authority right before his eyes. Pharaoh’s trust was in the serpent god which was the seal of his crown. God destroyed such confidence before his very eyes. Even so, he was adamant (unyielding, immoveable, resolute, unbending) in pridefully seeking his will above all else. Recall from Chapter One (Understanding God’s Plan) that God put enmity between Pharaoh (i.e. the serpent, Gen 3:15 ) and the Hebrews (i.e. man, Gen 3:15 ) by bringing them into bondage to preserve their identity (for later deliverance). It is important to note that God says sorcerers and idolaters will have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death (Rev 21:8). Wizards, magicians, and witches are very popular in today’s culture. Many who “profess Christ” allow (and encourage) their children to fill their minds with such (i.e. Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Goosebumps, etc.) and in doing so reveal that they do not “know” the Lord which they claim to serve. The devil works through such abominations to take the hearts of many into his bondage and servitude. What is innocent in the eyes of man is “forbidden fruit” according to God. Rebellious man will always reach for that fruit which is forbidden (as enticed by the ways of the devil). The devil always says, “ye shall not surely die” (Gen 3:4) – its innocent; fun make believe; using your imagination; we know its not real; everybody’s doing it; our religious organization says its OK; that’s not what we meant by it; etc. Transgression (and disregard) for God’s will (however justified) has only one reality – “thou shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17 , Ez 33:14). Your fleshly “opinion” and “sentiment” will always lead to forbidden (yet poisonous) fruit. Where does walking after the imaginations of your own heart always lead (Jer 3:17 , 7:24 , 9:14 , 11:7-8, 13:10 , 16:12 , 18:11 -12, 23:17 )? – It’s a path away from truth and God.

River Turned to Blood

Exodus 7:14-16, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go. 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. 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.” Pharaoh continues to seek his will, yet God’s message is unyielding, “Let my people go.” Notice that God wants to be worshipped in the wilderness. You cannot worship God in the midst of Egypt – you must “come out” of such evil (2 Cor 6:17 , Rev 18:4). God will not become a part of your idolatry and seeking of the things of the flesh. God will not simply become a part of your already established life. God must become your entire life – a new life with a new heart (nature). Egypt must be forsaken and abandoned. Your old ways must be left behind. God calls us out of Egypt (and all it represents) and we become the redeemed or the church (ekklesia – called out ones). Do not presume that you can serve Pharaoh and God. Pharaoh is greatly opposed to God as is Egypt (i.e. the world). The wilderness is not a place for the flesh, but is very conducive (advantageous, helpful, contributing) to faith and trust in the Lord. God has come to deliver those who will “follow.” Exodus 7:17-20, “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. And the fish that is in the river shall die, and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the water of the river. 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. 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.” The Egyptians greatly depended on the Nile river for food (fish), water and irrigation. They worshipped a Nile river god and considered the river to be a source of life. God destroys their confidence in such things and exalts Himself as supreme. Psalms 78:44, “And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could not drink.” The fish died and stank and the waters turned to blood for seven days (Ex 7:21 , 24-25). Thus the Nile river god becomes a dead stinking savor (smell, aroma) before the Egyptians. Recall that Pharaoh had charged all his people, saying, Every Hebrew son that is born ye shall cast into the Nile river (Ex 1:22 ). This blood has come back upon this wicked and evil people. For they have shed the blood of God’s people and He gives them blood to drink from this river of death -  for they are worthy (Rev 16:6). Notice again that Moses and Aaron did as they were commanded: “did so, as the LORD commanded” (Ex 7:20 ). God’s only requirement from Moses was his obedience. God did everything else. Moses had no ability to do this great miracle (Ex 6:30 ). His strength was in his obedience to God. Our strength is in our obedience to Jesus. We love Christ by obeying His commandments and thus follow and have life in Him (Jn 14:15, 21, 23, 15:10, 2 Thess 2:18, 1 Jn 2:3-5, 3:24, 5:2, 2 Jn 1:6, Rev 22:14). Pharaoh’s magicians and sorcerers again imitate the things of God to hinder the Lord’s purposes and strengthen the resolve of Pharaoh (Ex 7:22 ). Thus Pharaoh turned and went to his house and had no heart to yield to God (Ex 7:13 ). False prophets will always come mimicking the things of God in order to deceive and mislead the people. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” The devil presents himself as light, yet he is full of darkness. Those who serve him will come in great deception, pretending to be righteous, yet be full of iniquity. 2 Corinthians 11:13, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” These will come in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves (Mt 7:15 ). In other words, they will outwardly appear to be followers of Christ, but inwardly they will be full of evil. A false prophet will always have some version of the devil’s original lie which proposed you could sin against God and not die. These will justify or compromise transgression against God and will lead you away from Him. They will not stress the seriousness of sin and will play down obedience, righteousness, and holiness. False prophets will uphold the rebellious nature of the flesh and lead away from God, done very subtly and cleverly (in a religious way). Their gospel will always accommodate the flesh with little denial, sacrifice or death to it (2 Pt 2:18 , Jude 1:16 ). They will stress mercy, forgiveness, salvation as a free gift (with no godly expectations), and grace in terms of allowance for continuance in transgression and iniquity. They will turn forgiveness and grace into license (Jude 1:4). They will say, “ye shall not surely die” (Gen 3:4). These will profess Jesus and be very religious – beware! Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” The forbidden tree in Eden had poisonous fruit – but it was so pleasant to the fleshly eyes – to be desired (Gen 3:6). You must understand this: to compromise with the world is to lose your identity in Christ.

Frogs

Exodus 8:1-4, “And 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. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy borders with frogs: 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: And the frogs shall come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.” God told Pharaoh to, “let my people go that they may serve Me.” No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other (Mt 6:24 , Lk 16:13 ). Many want to love God and love the world ( Egypt , serve Pharaoh). This may be realized by briefly attending some sort of religious service on one or perhaps two days a week and then otherwise living for self. Faith in God must be all encompassing at all times. You’re always dying to one that you may live for the other. There are no dual loyalties and devotions. Those who think there are are only deceived and cannot see that self (the flesh, their way/will) is their real master. Just as a pig, by nature, is drawn to the mud, so is man, by fallen nature, drawn to seek self (2 Pt 2:22 ). If you are truly serving God, then your greatest concern will be that you obediently do that which pleases Him. No energy will be wasted trying to justify that which opposes Him. You must be willing to examine your heart and honestly and sincerely confront what is found therein. 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates (also Pv 4:26 )?” That which opposes God in your life (i.e Pharaoh and Egypt ) must be repented of, forsaken and torn down. Perhaps you’re blind to your own iniquity and rebellion? Ask God to examine you: Psalms 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 26:2, “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” Now you must realize that there is no point in examining your life unless you will honestly and sincerely address the things found therein – you must change. If you will not truly repent and forsake those transgressions that are uncovered, then the whole exercise is futile (useless, pointless, fruitless, ineffective). The author guarantees that when you go before the Lord and in the light of His Word, you will find things that will challenge the flesh and test and try your resolve (heart). As you obey, more things will be revealed and thus begins the process of being transformed into the image of Christ (Rm 8:29 , 12:2). God has come to deliver you from Pharaoh and out of Egypt , and lead you through the wilderness in the way everlasting. God has not come to be one of the many idols in your life. In other words, God does not intent to just be another “interest” in your established lifestyle. Exodus 8:5-7, “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. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt ; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt . And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt .” The Lord told Pharaoh that He would smite his borders with frogs. The Egyptians worshipped nature and innumerable deities (which changed over time). They worshiped the creation rather than the Creator. Although it is now difficult to ascertain, there was probably an Egyptian god related to frogs in some way. Egyptian gods were physically given human and animal features. Sometimes an animal expressed the characteristics of a particular Egyptian god (idol, vice versa) and if so, it was venerated (respected). These forms represented the forces of nature and elements found in Egyptain life. Perhaps the frogs were representative of one of the earth gods (i.e. Geb, Set, Horus). The point here is that the only true God is judging these false gods that the Egyptians have worshipped and trusted in and is destroying their confidence in them. As these false gods fall, the One True God is exalted. The Lord cannot be exalted in your life until the idols (false gods) begin to fall. If the idols are not removed willingly, then judgment will inevitably follow. God will ultimately receive “glory” through your obedience or just condemnation. The Egyptians corrupted God’s people through their wickedness. God is going to corrupt the daily lives of the Egyptians with these frogs such that they cannot sleep or eat because of them (Ex 8:3). The Egyptian magicians also called up frogs through their enchantments. There is an association between frogs and demons (unclean spirits) in scripture ( Rev 16:13 ). Idols also come about as a result of demonic influence. There is no doubt, spiritual wickedness behind every idol. Exodus 8:8-9, 13-15,  “Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat 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. And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory over me: when shall I intreat 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? 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. And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land stank. But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.” When the Pharaoh starts to become personally inconvenienced in the flesh, he begins to yield. One whose heart is set on self will often yield and draw toward God in times of difficulty, want or desire. However, once there is respite from the difficult situation or the need is met, they quickly back away. These have no heart or love toward God, but rather seek to manipulate or turn God into their servant to meet their self centered needs and desires. These are the types of things the devil tempted Christ with in the wilderness (Mt 4:1-11, Lk 4:1-13). These are the ones who make great promises, but never follow through on their word. They say and do not (Mt 21:28 -31, 23:3). These will often pray to God, not seeking His will, but with a request that meets their will and purposes. Some may pray for God’s will, but when they realize that the Lord’s will interferes with their own (sacrifices, self denial, suffer reproach, etc.), they also quickly back away. These serve God as long as there is personal benefit which meets their lusts. Pharaoh said he would let the people go, but as soon as there was relief from the difficult situation he changed his mind. Those who seek self do not keep their word and thus sacrifice their will. Everything centers around their own self. When the frogs died out they piled them in heaps and the whole land stank. Egypt represented the corrupt ways of man. These ways stink before God – they are noisome (offensive to the smell and disgusting). God allows them to wallow in the fruit of their own doings. The ways of man are as the smell of death (a great stench).

Lice

Exodus 8:16-17, “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. 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 .” God continues to judge the Egyptian gods of the earth. The very dust becomes full of annoying lice. Lice are parasites, they feed off of the blood of others. In scripture, the blood is defined as the life of one – the blood is the life of all flesh (Deut 12:23 ). Genesis 9:4, “But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat (also Lev 17:11 , 14).” Those who live their lives for self always feed off of the lives of others. These take and rarely give. They are always seeking advantage at the expense of others. This is exaltation rather than humbleness. The Egyptians sucked the very life out of the Hebrews through hard burdens, bondage and toil. These small annoying little creatures are now overwhelming and sucking the blood out of the Egyptians. Jesus would later state: John 6:53-54, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” The Lord was referring to entering into His covenant of faith that was sealed with His blood (discussed in Chapter Three). Our eternal life is found in Christ’s blood. Thus, life is truly found in the blood! Exodus 8:18-19, “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. 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.” God is incrementally judging and destroying the things the Egyptians put their faith in and increasing the pressure (by God’s strong and mighty hand and stretched out arm and greatness, Ex 13:9, 16, Deut 5:15, 6:21, 7:8, 19, 9:26). Exodus 13:14 , “And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt , from the house of bondage.” God brings them out through great terribleness, with plagues, signs, and with wonders (Deut 26:8, Josh 24:5). The magicians have now reached their limit on what they can do and concede to God. Their power was that of darkness (lying wonders of Satan) and it must now acknowledge the greater Light. Nevertheless rebellious man is defiantly unyielding. Psalm 36:1, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” God is destroying the Egyptian’s confidence in themselves (their abilities) and their idols and leaving them hopeless. Those who have not surrendered to God’s will are without hope awaiting the judgment, wrath and the fiery indignation of the great day (Rm 2:8, Jude 1:5-6, Heb 10:27 , Ez 22:31 , Is 30:27, 30, 34:2). On that day there will be a great rush to dispense with such idols. Isaiah 2:17-22, “And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?”

Flies

Exodus 8:20 -23, “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. 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. 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. And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.” Flies are a constant unrelenting nuisance (irritant). They are nasty and crawl all over your food and self. Flies are attracted to that which is dead and corrupted. Egypt is dead in its wickedness and thus there are swarms of flies to fill the land. There is something very important to realize here. God places a separation between those who are His and those who are not. The Lord scatters the proud in the imagination of their hearts, but has mercy on them who fear Him (Lk 1:50 -51). There will be a great separation in judgment at the end of the age. Consider: Revelation 20:11-15, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” The book of life contains those who have surrendered to God’s will through Christ. These have forsaken Egypt and all of its idolatry and have “come out from among them (2 Cor 6:17 )” into the wilderness to worship God. All others are judged according to their deeds which are undeniably self centered and in rebellion to God. Exodus 8:24-28, “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. And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. 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? We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us. 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: intreat for me.” Rather than surrender to God’s requirements, Pharaoh wants to set the terms. Those who are prideful and self centered always want to set the terms in their relationship with God. This is undeniably the problem with religion today. God has said over and over throughout His word that He will be approached with a sincere and humble contrite heart of love, obedience and trust. This is known as faith and it must become foundational in your life. God has sent His Spirit to teach, lead and guide us in a life of faith to conform us to the image of Christ such that we may be well pleasing in God’s sight. However, man always wants to approach God through the flesh which is through man’s terms. The flesh is in rebellion to God and the Lord will not yield to it nor will it glory in His presence. The vast majority of religion in the world today is built upon the precepts of man and is led of man. This is the only way man can have a form of godliness and yet still serve the flesh (2 Tim 3:5). God requires that we follow the Spirit and the Spirit will work to tear down the things of the flesh. To be led of the Spirit is to die to the flesh. These are two totally opposite paths and only one leads to God. Pharaoh wanted the people to stay in Egypt and worship God there. Many want to worship God while remaining in Egypt (in the midst of all the things that oppose God). This way they can live for the things of the world and serve God to. Most people live their lives this way and God will not allow this. Choose whom ye will serve (Josh 24:15). Many want to incorporate God into “their life” rather than forsake their life (die to) and be surrendered into God’s will. You cannot have Egypt and serve God also! Exodus 8:31-32, “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. And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.” Once again, when selfish man receives relief from his problems, he quickly reneges (goes back on) on any promises or agreements with God.

Smiting of Livestock (Murrain)

Exodus 9:1-7, “Then 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. For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, 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. 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 . And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. 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. 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.” This was most certainly a judgment upon the gods that the Egyptian’s looked upon to preserve their livestock. The infrastructure of Pharaoh’s kingdom was being destroyed and dismantled before his eyes and there was nothing he could do, but stubbornly and obstinately cling to his rebellious will. Pharaoh’s mighty army could not challenge the things God was sending upon him. There was no power in his gods to help in any way – they could not save him and are falling one after the other. This is symbolic of Satan, who, although powerful and prideful, has limitations and will be judged by God (who is Supreme). The things man puts his trust and faith in will ultimately disappoint him. The careers, homes, bank accounts, cars, investments, electronic gadgets, sports teams, entertainments, etc. will surely fail in the time of testing (fall one by one). The things that seem so important now (to the flesh) and that man strives for are eternally useless – without value or worth. One could have all the world has to offer and suddenly develop an incurable cancer. Then one’s possessions and goods will not save him nor will all the medical knowledge of man. When man’s gods start to fail, one by one, he still clings to his stubborn rebellious self seeking ways – in deeds (fruit of his doings, Rm 2:6). Few will truly and sincerely repent before God; not even in their misery and suffering (Rm 3:16 ) – but they will blaspheme God ( Rev 2:21 , 9:20 -21, 16:8-9, 10-11). God’s Word defines the “fear of the Lord” as the beginning of wisdom, which is seeking to know, serve, obey and trust in the Lord – walking in His will/ways (Ps 111:10, Job 28:28). Those that trust in themselves and “their way” are fools – they have no fear of God, nor do they know peace (Pv 28:26, Rm 3:17 -18, 5:1). A fool is one who pursues his own inclinations in a coarse contrary to the dictates of wisdom, which is the fear of God. A fool is also one who spends time in idleness (i.e. television), sports and mirth (amusement, entertainment, Eccl 2:1-2, 7:4). A wise man receives correction, but a fool turns in anger upon the source of the correction (Pv 1:5, 3:35 , 7:22 , 9:8-9, 10:8, 14, 11:29 , 12:15 , 13:1, 14, 13:20 , 14:3, 6, 24, 15:5, 24, 17:10 , 21, 26:4-5, 11). The author could fill this book with all wisdom and it would make no difference to a fool. Proverbs 15:12 , “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.” The author could talk endlessly about the correctness of yielding totally to God and it would make no difference to a fool. Proverbs 23:9, “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” The author could offer sound wisdom concerning modern idols such as the television, but would only receive ridicule as the fool mocks on. Religious or not, makes no difference, a fool is froward (not willing to yield or comply with what is expected from God, peevish, disobedient, unyielding) in all his deeds. Jesus said let them be as they are ( Rev 22:11 ). They cease not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way (Jdg 2:19 )! The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him (Ez 18:20 ). He that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong ( Col 3:10 ). The wicked shall do wickedly (Dan 12:10 ). Proverbs 17:10, “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” The wise man is a rare find: Proverbs 15:31, “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.” Be assured of this one thing: Proverbs 26:10, “The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors (also Rev 22:12 ).” So you have to decide, are you wise or a fool? Due to Pharaoh’s pride and rebellious heart, his cattle suffer tremendous loss. God preserves the cattle of His people. This is consistently true in all things. God will make a distinction between those that are His and those that are not. This does not mean that those who serve God will never encounter difficulties, but it does mean that they will always triumph (prevail in God’s will) in the end. God will test and try us, but our FAITH will see us through. Jeremiah 17:10 , “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Even so: 2 Thessalonians 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” Those who follow Christ are to be stedfast and faithful in all things (1 Cor 16:13 , 1 Thess 3:8, Heb 10:22 -23). The losses are mounting, but Pharaoh’s self will is more important to him (just like the devil, Is 12:14 -15). Many will continue to seek their own way, irregardless of the bondages and misery, refusing to yield to the astounding and amazing offer of reconciliation from God. Man continues to hold to the devil’s lie that ye shall be as gods and shall surely not die (Gen 3:4-5).

Boils

Exodus 9:8-12, “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. 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 . 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. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.” Moses was to perform God’s command in Pharaoh’s sight. Pharaoh was to fully understand the judgment that his rebellious, prideful, self will was about to cause (procure). God is faithful to His Word: Deuteronomy 7:10 , “And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.” A boil is an inflamed (redness, heat, loss of function, swelling), painful, pus filled swelling of the skin cause by infection – a tumor. The infection is the corrupt nature of man in transgressing the will of God. The painful boils represent the misery (extreme pain of body or mind, affliction, distress, calamity, wretchedness, fruit of the evil heart) that man has attained in his disobedience to God. When man is submitted to God, the Lord provides for all of man’s needs including his health (Ex 15:26 ). To do that which is opposite and opposed to God procures the opposite of blessings which is cursings – in this life and the one to come (see Chapter Four, Hell, Hades, Sheol, The Place of the Rebellious). Life and health become death and sickness. To do that which is rebellious to God’s purposes is to reap the fruit thereof. To align with Satan’s rebellion is to partake of his nature which is: wickedness, deceit, evil, misery, death, sickness, corruption, darkness, selfishness, transgression, fear, bondage, great burdens, captivity, etc. God’s Word clearly shows us that true love is the sacrifice of self for the benefit of others. Satan lives in hate which is the sacrifice of others for the benefit of self. This is one example of the opposite nature that rebellion takes on. Pharaoh allows (through his unyielding disobedience) horrible painful boils to be inflicted upon all his people so that he can maintain his self-centered and prideful will and exert his control over others (God’s people). Pharaoh and his people have inflicted much pain and suffering on God’s people (the Hebrews) and now it is being returned upon them – procured through their own obstinance. The magicians could not stand before God, nor will any evil doer or wicked rebellious man. God gives them over to their own uncleaness (adultery of the heart, foul with sin) and misery. Those who resist God’s truth will always fall in His presence and power. God once allowed Satan to afflict Job with a similar condition for the testing of his faith (Job 2:7). Job was a perfect and upright man that feared God and eschewed evil (Job 1:1). Job did not lash out or curse God in his misery, but justified Him (Job 2:9-10). Job put his trust in God and ultimately prevailed and was rewarded by God (Job 42:10, 12); and Satan suffered a crushing defeat in his accusations – God received glory! The misery that the Egyptians suffered was attained through their own disobedience, but there was an element of God’s mercy. The Lord allowed them to realize their own helplessness apart from Him and to see the vanity (emptiness, untruth, uncertainty, vain pursuit) of their idols and self-centeredness. One never truly examines one’s heart until they encounter great and insurmountable difficulties (have their world shaken up, hit rock bottom). When things are going well, man encourages himself in “his way.” Often “religious” man will live a self centered life opposed to God, but consider his material blessings to be from God. When things are in turmoil, one may look beyond “SELF” to God. God’s blessings are not to be found in the things the flesh desires (this will drive you away from God), but rather in mercifully turning us from the devil’s lie (seeking self) back unto Himself – what is eternally important. Our only hope is in the one true God, but we must first have eyes to see this. If we cannot grasp this understanding in this life, then we will be eternally separated with no more chance of hope. Men will not part with their idols until there comes a true change of heart. Material blessings and worldliness will cloud the carnal mind (pertaining to the flesh, opposed to the spiritual as practiced, unregenerate) from ever seeing its need for God. Many are of a religious mind, yet unregenerate (not renewed in heart, remaining at enmity with God) in deeds (fruit) because they live for self and are deceived (beguiled – deluded, misled) of their true state of being. Most live their lives in vanity until some devastating event (death of loved one, serious illness, near fatal accident, failed idol, etc.) comes along to put things in perspective. The majority will change but for a time (Mt 13:20 -21, Mk 4:16 -17, Lk 8:13 ) and then quickly fall away; however, a small remnant will cling to God in sincerity (Is 10:21 -22, Mt 7:14 , 20:16 , 22:14 , Lk 13:24 , Rm 9:27 ). If we can see the reality of life now, while life is still within us, then there is hope in turning to God and receiving mercy (Ps 86:5, 15, 103:8, 10-11, Pv 28:3, Jer 3:12, Mic 7:18-19). Once dead, there is no longer any hope of repentance and reconciliation – all hope is gone. The boils are a foreshadowing of what God will bring forth upon men during the coming Great Tribulation. Revelation 16:2, “And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” Those who take the mark of the beast have chosen the things of the world (to buy and sell – Rev 13:17 , self) over God.

Hail

Exodus 9:13-21, “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. 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. 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. As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go? 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. 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. He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.” The Lord is demonstrating His power over those who will exalt themselves against His purposes. The devil exalted himself in the heavens and sought to raise his throne above the most high, but was cast down (Is 14:12 -15, Lk 10:18 ). Similarly Pharaoh exalts himself and his kingdom is being thrown down all around him. Pharaoh is helpless and can only watch and grieve, yet he refuses to yield to God. The earth is the Lord’s and God is within His rights to cut off Pharaoh from his livestock and crops (Ex 19:5, Ps 89:11, 1 Cor 10:26 ). Psalms 24:1, “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” God is merciful in the midst of His judgment in providing warning that if heeded will save the remaining cattle and the men in the field. Those who do not heed the warning perish in their own unbelief; such as will be the case regarding faith in Christ and the Judgment Day. God has mercifully reached out to man in reconciliation, woe to him who rejects God’s provision (Christ) and remains in unbelief (disregard, disobedience and transgression toward God, frowardness, weak faith). Things always boil down to those who “fear” God and those who “regarded” Him not. Your eternal existence will one day be judged on whether in your heart you “feared” God or “regarded not” God. What is in the heart proceeds out into your actions. When you interject your opinions and sentiments into God’s truth, you have regarded Him not. God requires perfect obedience (Deut 18:13 , 1 Kgs 8:61, 2 Chr 19:9, Heb 13:21 ). Through Christ, we are given God’s Spirit to lead us in truth and obedience (discussed in Chapter Three). This judgment is primarily directed at the crops of the Egyptians (their staff of bread). Pestilence is death and destruction. This is one of God’s four sore judgments that He uses against rebellious man (Jer 15:2-3, Ez 5:8-12, 6:10 -14, 7:15 , 14:21 ). Exodus 9:23-26, “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 . 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. 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. Only in the land of Goshen , where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.” God is a consuming fire and this hail consumed the open land (Deut 4:24 , 9:3, Heb 12:29 ). God reserves the hail for just such a time of judgment (Job 38:22-23, Ps 148:8, Is 28:2). Exodus 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.” God gave the command and Moses obeys. This is how things are to be with all followers of Christ. We follow God’s direction. Exodus 9:23-24, “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 . 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.” The hail not only beat down the crops, but froze them and was accompanied by lightening which struck trees (and set ablaze) and the ground and ran along it. Psalms 78:47-48, “He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore trees with frost. He gave up their cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.” Psalms 105:32, “He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.” This must have been a dreadful (impressing great fear, terrible, formidable, awful, venerable) sight to behold. God later appears to the children of Israel in a cloud with great thundering and lightening (Ex 19:16 , 20:18 ). Many disregarded God’s warning and perished in the open (outside of shelter). Exodus 9:25, “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.” The “shelter” or “safety” was found in obedience to God’s direction. God had told them to gather the cattle and the men out of the field. The defiant and obstinate will always perish through disobedience to God in following in their “own way.” The crops and cattle were devastated. The Egyptian gods of sky and earth were powerless to help – vanity (Ex 12:12 ). God spared His people in the midst of this judgment. Exodus 9:26, “Only in the land of Goshen , where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.” God will spare His people (the children of promise) in the coming judgment upon the earth (keep safe on earth – no pre-trib rapture). God will again send hail during the time of the Great Tribulation which will soon engulf the earth. Revelation 8:7, “The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up (also Rev 11:19 , 16:21 ).” Ultimately, God’s people will be drawn to Him and the rebellious will be eternally separated (2 Thess 1:9).

Exodus 9:27-30, “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. Intreat 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. 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. But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God.” The Lord certainly got Pharaoh’s attention this time and this judgment was worthy of respect. The Egyptians are at the Lord’s mercy – as are all men. We must realize that there is nothing on this earth that is truly ours, not even your own soul. Refusal to give God due glory, praise and adoration (love, esteem, respect, high regard, adulation, worship, reverence, honor, exaltation, devotion) in all things comes from a heart of rebellion (the nature of the devil). Man makes great promises to God when he is in the midst of difficult situations. The true heart of a man will be revealed when the difficulty is removed for a period of time. The author has witnessed many a person who will turn to the Lord in a difficult or trying time only to return to their “own ways” once the difficulty has past. The sincere and genuine will make enduring changes and be stedfast in them. All things are recorded (i.e. book of remembrance, book of life, Ps 56:8, 69:28, Ex 32:32-33, Job 16:19, Dan 12:1, Mal 3:16, Lk 10:20, Rev 17:18, 20:12, 15, 21:27, 22:19) and there will be nothing done in secret that will not be one day revealed (Mk 4:22, Lk 8:17, 1 Cor 4:5). Psalms 90:8, “Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.” The Lord knows the heart of man (1 Sam 16:7, 1 Kgs 8:39 , 2 Chr 6:30 ). Proverbs 24:12, “If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” AND Jeremiah 17:10 , “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Moses could see the heart of Pharaoh and it was full of all wickedness (haughty, prideful, arrogant, rebellious, self seeking, sinful, idolatrous). Pharaoh has the heart of Satan. The devil’s heart was lifted up, and he said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas (peoples, Ez 28:2), He set his heart as the heart of God (Ez 28:2, 6). Lucifer was once (originally) full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty (Ez 28:12), but that very beauty corrupted him (Ez 28:15, 17). His heart was lifted up because of his beauty, he corrupted his wisdom by reason of his brightness (Ex 28:17). Brightness is acuteness (discernment, perception, understanding), splendor and sharpness of wit (to know, intellect, quickness of assembling and putting together ideas, reasoning). Many a man has been corrupted by his way (wisdom, materialism, resourcefulness, talents, independence, etc.). The flesh is opposed to God and God will never be reasoned (discovered, understood, grasped) through it. Man’s reasoning (unknown propositions derived from presumed ones, presumptions built upon presumptions – an unstable foundation) will lead him away from God into confusion and vanity (consider evolution). Man presumes (supposition of the truth without direct or positive proof of fact, but grounded on circumstantial or probable evidence which entitles it to belief)! Man will reason that he is a god (consider humanism, the devil’s lie: ye shall be as gods – Gen 3:5). Submission to God through faith (denial of human reasoning) will lead one to God through His Spirit. God told the devil that He will cast him to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee (Ez 28:17). This is exactly what God is doing to Pharaoh (Ex 7:3-5, 14:18 , Deut 4:34 -35, Ps 106:8). The Lord raised up Pharaoh to show His power and declare His name throughout the earth (the same could be said of Satan, Ex 9:16 ). All nations will tremble when they consider what God did to Pharaoh (i.e. Josh 2:9-10, 1 Sam 6:6). Pharaoh exalted himself against God’s people and would not let them go (Ex 9:17 ). God was going to humble Pharaoh in his pride and rebellion and make an open show of him for all creation to see. God allows Pharaoh’s rebellion so that He can show His power and name in all the earth (Ex 9:16 ). Similarly, God will triumph over Satan and rebellious man for all of creation to see. Moses was the instrument God used to accomplish this purpose. Pharaoh refuses to acknowledge God or the Lord’s rule over him. This is also true of Satan and rebellious man. Refusing to acknowledge God’s rule over you is as simple as just seeking your “own way” (path) everyday. This is excluding the Lord and not following in His way (path). Exodus 5:2, “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 (also Job 21:15 , 22:17 ).” The devil sought his will over God’s and is defiant unto this day. Pharaoh refuses to yield to God. Many “know not” the Lord because they do not read His Word or walk in His paths (Job 21:15 ). Their lives are filled with selfish pursuit. The Lord says to Pharaoh, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me (a message to Satan and rebellious mankind, Ex 10:3)? Moses was sent of God to deliver the children of promise (covenant with Abraham) from the idolatry, sin, rebellion, pride and death of Egypt . God humbled Pharaoh, destroyed Egypt , and judged their gods, while delivering Israel ; and the Lord was greatly exalted and glorified in it. Similarly, Jesus came to deliver us from our sins (1 Jn 3:5) which are also transgression, iniquity, idolatry, and rebellion (i.e. Egypt ). When Jesus came He triumphed over Satan. 1 John 3:8, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” What are the “works of the devil?” We must go back to the beginning  (Eden )  for the answer. The devil said that we could transgress God’s will and not die (ye shall surely not die, Gen 3:3-4). The works of the devil are that we can continue in our will (self, flesh) and not submit to God’s will. All sin (iniquity, transgression against God), rebellion and idolatry results from this one lie. Jesus brought the truth that we might be delivered from the devil’s lie and no longer be servants to sin (Jn 8:32 , 34, 36). Jesus preached deliverance and set the captives free (Lk 4:18 , Jn 8:36 ). Romans 6:18, “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Servants to God (righteousness) have their fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life (Rm 6:22 ). Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Bondage is sin! The works of the devil result in death! Hebrews 2:14-15, “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Jesus perfectly obeyed God and then laid down His unblemished sinless life (1 Jn 3:5, Heb 4:15 , 9:28 ) and died for you (in your place). 2 Corinthians 5:21 , “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Death could not hold Jesus and now He has risen and leads us back to God. Colossians 2:15 , “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” Revelation 1:18 , “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Romans 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” What is life in Christ (through the Spirit)? This is death to self will and coming back under God’s authority. Recall from Eden that man disobeyed God (to seek his will) and lost access to the “tree of life” due to transgression of God’s will. We must now give up that which we rebelled against God to obtain (self will) and submit to God through faith to be restored. In doing so we regain access to the “tree of life.” Revelation 22:14, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Our faith is as righteousness which is a tree of life (Pv 11:30 ). Giving up self will can only be accomplished through surrender to God and the working of His Spirit in your life. The flesh is a heavy and burdensome (oppressive) taskmaster and will not easily release you. Jesus brings the deliverance from bondage and freedom is only found in Him. John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

Exodus 9:31-32, “And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.” The grain and fiber crops were decimated (destroyed, laid waste). Barley was used for food and making fermented (alcoholic) beverages. Exodus 9:33-35, “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. 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. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.” The true hearts of Pharaoh and his servants are quickly revealed once the difficulty is removed.  Pharaoh not only reneged (break your word) on his pledge, but added sin on top of sin. Woe to the man who makes a vow to God and doesn’t keep it (Num 30:2, Deut 23:21 , Eccl 5:4). It would have been better not to make the vow at all (Eccl 5:5). Those who do not stand by their word have a character flaw and this is the nature of Satan. God’s character is to always uphold (perform, bring to pass) His Word. Many a person has made promises to God and later recanted. These broken promises and disobedient actions will one day come back upon them. Who hath hardened himself against God and prospered (Job 9:4)?

Locusts

Exodus 10:1-6, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: 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. 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. Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: 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: 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.” Pharaoh is mighty and has a great army, but how does one defend against such a threat – for they are without number and relentless (unremitting, unrelenting, merciless, continuous). God is showing Pharaoh his helplessness to stand against the Lord’s will. That which is left in the field is about to be consumed.

Exodus 10:7, “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? The servants of Pharaoh realize that God is true to his Word and that their gods are powerless. Egypt has been destroyed by a power that Pharaoh could not anticipate. For years the Egyptians had exerted great and merciless control on God’s people. The Hebrews were despised (loathed, reviled, despicable) and looked down upon (discriminated against) by the Egyptians (Gen 43:32, 46:34). What the Egyptians have sown is now being reaped by them (Job 4:8, Pv 22:8). God is returning their own way upon their heads. To be snared is to be brought into unexpected evil, perplexity, or danger. Exodus 10:8-11, “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? 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. 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. 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.” The rebellious always try and set the conditions, but there will be no negotiation. God said, “Let My people go.” Pharaoh dictates that only the men will go. This is not yielding to God, but rather retaining self will. Many will come to Christ and make some “profession” of faith, yet retain self will. This is not unconditional surrender to God and is unacceptable as such. Most would have God as an “unconditional” love God who serves them. God demands unconditional surrender of the will of man. These are two opposite positions and only God’s shall prevail. Pharaoh was not in any position to set the terms and neither is rebellious man. Man’s only hope is through submission – will you overpower God? We must be totally free of the bondage of Pharaoh (the devil). There can be no partial deliverance. Notice that Pharaoh wants the children. The devil does not want the children to learn of and serve God. The devil wants to blind the hearts and minds of the children through the lusts of the flesh. Deuteronomy 6:4-9, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 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. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates (also Deut 11:18 -21).” This is the key to victory. When we and our children obey God, the Lord drives out all our enemies (the devil). Deuteronomy 11:22-23, “For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.” Naturally, the devil wants to keep us in bondage to the things of Egypt (just as Pharaoh). Many of those who profess Christ are not obediently following. Parents are allowing popular culture (the world conforming you to its image) by way of television, music, and printed material to teach their children. This is most likely how they were taught. This is a temporal make-believe reality apart from the truth of God’s Word (and will be put down). Do you really suppose these things are leading you toward God and teaching death to self and surrender to His will? If you honestly answer no, then why? why? Are you doing them and giving your children over to them? These children are just as the world around them with maybe a façade of religious appearance (veneer, thin covering, mask). The parents are not “being” the examples for their children in a world full of bad examples. The children learn the ways of the world and walk therein. Just like the locusts, these things are eating their very life away. The locusts are all the fun things of the world that appeal to the flesh and they have come to destroy your devotion to God (placing Him foremost in your life). When the flesh finds such great entertainment and fulfillment in the things of the world, the things of God become as boring and tedious. The things of the Lord were never meant to entertain the flesh and certainly not compete with the ways of the world for attention. Who would ever choose such a path of self denial (Mt 16:24 , Mk 8:34 , Lk 9:23 , 14:27 )? There is a great conflict here and the flesh must die. Parents who “profess Christ” must start living for Christ. The religious institutions are not being the “examples” and are full of hypocrisy and seek to please men (Gal 1:10 ). These are teaching hypocrisy – perhaps they say, but they do not (Mt 23:3, 15). Religious institutions greatly err in trying to make the gospel entertaining to those already living in the flesh. They imitate the world to please men. They placate (pacify, appease, give into) the flesh and keep it in rebellion. The sad thing is that most will not even understand what was just said. The “Light” of the gospel is but a mere flicker (if even that) in most religious organizations. Their candlestick is put out and as such is of no use (Rev 2:5). Just where are the children to learn the truth and be encouraged to walk therein with real life examples??? These children are growing up and succumbing (yielding, surrendering, giving in) and falling prey to these worldly things they have been taught through the world’s media (divorce, substance abuse, adultery, fornication, foul language, theft, murder, violance, self seeking, idolatry, sensuality, perversion,  etc.). Parents are teaching of Egypt and not of the Lord. Your children are learning how to be in bondage to Egypt and serve the harsh taskmasters! Oh how incredibly grievous – you freely choose to do this. If you do not think these things worthy of great consideration and prayer, then you have been overcome by the world (1 Jn 5:4). Faith is not pretense (make-believe), but a daily walk in God’s way – following. The world has reached such a point through the rebellion of man and the compromises of those who “profess Christ,” but are not following, that all things are stacked against the children. Things are, as things were, in the days of Noah (tremendous wickedness, everyone is being corrupted in “their way,” Gen 6:5-7, 12, Mt 24:37, Lk 17:26). The locusts (things of the world exalting themselves above God) seem invincible and many have lost hope and succumbed. Only God can deliver and He must be our refuge. Do you seek the refuge of God or Egypt ? You and your children’s only hope is to surrender fully and sincerely to God and pray that He will draw you to Himself (Jn 1:12 -13, 6:44 ). Only God can deliver from this present evil – for God can do exceedingly above that which we can comprehend (Eph 3:20 ).

Exodus 10:12-15, “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. 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. 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. 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 .” The Lord said and Moses did (this is following God - faith). An incredible army has invaded Egypt from which only God can deliver. Proverbs 30:27, “The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands.” Where are the gods of the Egyptians? What are Pharaoh’s priests doing at such a time? Psalms 105:34-35, “He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number. And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.” All the toil of the Egyptians is but for nought. Psalms 78:46, “He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.” Exodus 10:16-20, “Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only. And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. 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 . But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.” Now the wheat and rye crops are smitten as well as any residual of anything else. Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” God’s Word stands true and prideful and haughty Pharaoh continues to fall. Pride will eat away at one and leave them destitute. God says, “A high look and a proud heart will not I suffer (Ps 101:5).” The locusts seem impossible to eradicate, but consider how easily God takes them away. The locusts judgment is a foreshadowing of a similar judgment to be inflicted upon rebellious man during the soon to come Great Tribulation period. Revelation 9:3, “And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.” God’s people will be sealed, but woe to the self seeking. The Lord says to His people: Revelation 3:10 , “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” The people of Egypt were tried and found wanting.

Darkness

Exodus 10:21-23, “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. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: 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.” This was a judgment directed upon the chief god of the Egyptians. Ra was the sun god and was powerless before the true God; and all the Egyptians yielded to the darkness. God gives Egypt over to its own darkness – one that can be felt. Psalms 105:28, “He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.” The Egyptians had no use for God’s light. Men love their darkness and God literally gives it to them (Jn 3:19 ). He that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth (they follow their own way, Jn 12:35 ). Egypt is: Job 10:22 , “A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.” The devil (i.e. Pharaoh) has the power of darkness. God is delivering His people from this darkness into His kingdom. Colossians 1:13 ,  “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Jesus).” The Lord’s kingdom is referred to as the kingdom of God (a few examples - Mt 6:33 , Mk 1:14 -15, 10:15 , 10:23 , Lk 4:43 , 6:20 , Jn 3:3) Proverbs 4:19 , “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” As for the children of Israel : Psalms 107:14, “He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.” God’s people are going to be delivered from the darkness that is Egypt . Ps 97:11, “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.” Jesus would later come and also deliver the people out of darkness (the devil’s lie). Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined (also Mt 4:16 , Lk 1:79).” Christ came: Isaiah 42:7, “To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” For those who follow Jesus: 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.” Those who reject God dwell in the shadow of death where there is great darkness and evil angels (Job 10:21 -22, 34:22). Those who are rebellious toward God are: Psalms 107:10, “Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron.” God, through Moses, was delivering His people from such bondage. Jesus also came to deliver us from such, but many do not really want the deliverance – they cling to “their ways” (paths). The Egyptians did not move from their places for three days. Psalms 78:49, “He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.” No doubt, they were terrified by what dwelt in the darkness. God’s people were in “the Light.” God is light (1 Jn 1:5) and we must must come to this wonderful light (2 Cor 4:6, 1 Pt 2:9). The Lord is my light and salvation – the strength of my life (Ps 27:1). Jesus said: John 12:46 , “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” Christ came to turn you from darkness to light, from the power of Satan (Pharaoh) unto God (Acts 26:18, Col 1:13 , 1 Thess 5:5). You must cast off the works of darkness (Rm 13:12 , Eph 5:11 ). This is a question of where your heart is – in darkness or light. 1 Samuel 2:9, “He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength (of flesh) shall no man prevail.” The wicked were quieted for three days to sit in their misery. This judgment of darkness is a foreshadowing of what God will sent upon the world during the coming Great Tribulation. Revelation 16:10-11, “And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain. And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.” The darkness coupled with a prior judgment of boils leaves men most miserable, but still unrepentant. Pharaoh and his servants have yet to truly repent and the same will ring true for rebellious man in the Great Tribulation. Man has the nature of Satan and as such is self seeking and rebellious until complete destruction. Is it any wonder that God’s harvest of the earth (those faithful) will be but a remnant (Is 10:21 -22). God removed His restraining influence from Pharaoh and hardened his heart. Pharaoh was given over to his own wretched evil nature with no more conviction. Similarly, God will remove His restraining influence from rebellious man in the time of the end and a new type of Pharaoh will arise (the son of perdition, 2 Thess 2:3-8). His workings will be after Satan and he will deceive and lead those who refused to accept the love of the truth (that they might be saved) in the devil’s lie that they might be damned in their love of unrighteousness (2 Thess 2:9-12).

See My Face No More

Exodus 10:24-29, “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. And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. 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. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go. 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. And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.” Again, Pharaoh tries to set the conditions of release. When God comes to deliver, we must be totally surrendered to Him and Pharaoh must not have any part of us remaining in bondage – no holds on us. We cannot presume to be serving God and yet be beholding to Satan in any area of our life. You cannot serve God and Pharaoh – Pharaoh opposes God. Similarly, you cannot serve Christ and the flesh – the flesh opposes the Spirit (Rm 8:5-8, 12-14, Gal 5:16 -17, 6:7-8). When you surrender to God, you must come totally out of Egypt with nothing left behind and no reason to ever return. If your cattle are left in Egypt , then so will be part of your heart. Many are trying to serve God while remaining in Egypt , but God’s will is to deliver you from Egypt (Rm 6:22 , 1 Jn 3:5). Any foothold left in Egypt will be your stumbling block in serving Christ. A foothold is a position that provides a base for advancement. Pharaoh (Satan) will increase any small hold into a great bondage. Any cracked door will eventually be swung wide open. Reservation or resistance to evil can soon become widespread acceptance if the devil is given foothold – Ephesians 4:27, “Neither give place to the devil.” Jesus comes to fully deliver, but you must willingly follow. Galatians 1:4, “(Jesus) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world (i.e. Egypt ),  according to the will of God and our Father.” The ways of Egypt have brought God’s judgment. You must forsake (die to) Egypt that you may live for God. The world ( Egypt ) is crucified unto you and you unto the world (Gal 6:14 ). If you are not prepared to completely leave then you are not willing to leave at all. God is unyielding to a rebellious creation. The Lord has made great sacrifice (love, Jn 3:16 ) to reconcile man and woe be to him who does not fully surrender – rejects Christ’s tremendous sacrifice of self for you. Pharaoh sends Moses away forbidding him to return. This is symbolic of disregarding God – ignoring or putting Him out of your life. Many disregard God’s Word in their lives. If one feels conviction from God’s Word, but are unwilling to comply, then they just stop reading it. Another way that man disregards the Lord is to present Him in a way that is not balanced – they turn the truth into a lie. Many in the religious world will greatly emphasize those passages of scripture dealing with God’s love, mercy and forgiveness while denying those scriptures that reveal God’s expectations of man through the tearing down of the flesh. Those passages dealing with sacrifice, denial, suffering, dying to self – losing one’s life, forsaking all, abhorring evil, etc. are largly ignored. In doing this a false god is constructed (using selected scripture) that no longer reflects the truth, but a lie. An unconditional love god emerges that only cares for our wellbeing and is only there to serve us. Love is redefined and no longer means personal sacrifice for God and others. Love takes on a more exclusive one-sided meaning of God’s sacrifice for “me” and my “self” importance. Suddenly everything is about “me” and “my” happiness and contentment – faith is just to procure blessings. By not conveying the whole truth of God, another Jesus, another gospel and another Spirit is presented (2 Cor 11:4). This act of Pharaoh’s defiance secures God’s greatest judgment. Just before Moses left he spoke God’s final Words to Pharaoh (Ex 11:1-3): Exodus 11:4-8, “And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: 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. 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. 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 . 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 went out from Pharaoh in a great anger.” All this time a prideful, haughty, arrogant, idolatrous and rebellious Pharaoh (representative of the devil) has been telling Moses (representing God) “No” with regards to God’s command of “let My people go.” He has either been trying to dictate terms or going back on his commitments. Moses (in God’s righteous anger) now tells Pharaoh how things are going to be once and for all. God is going to crush the people of Egypt and return blood upon their heads. There will be crying, wailing, lamentation, sorrow and woe – the Egyptians will be greatly humbled, the land is desolate and the idols have been judged (those things man puts confidence in). Not only will Egypt let God’s people go, but they will speed them on their way and give them whatever they request. This is a foreshadowing of the Second Coming of Christ and the doom of rebellious man. Isaiah 2:12, 17-21, “For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low: And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” Furthermore: Isaiah 13:6-7, 9, 11, “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man’s heart shall melt. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.” Therefore: Zephaniah 2:3, “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.”

Passover

Exodus 12:1-6, “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 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: 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. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 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.” This is the Lord’s passover and is totally symbolic (foreshadowing) of Christ. Everything about Passover points to Jesus and His sacrifice (of self). The modern day emergence of the pagan celebration of “Easter” has taken the place of Passover for most and thus all of God’s symbolism has been lost (not understood by most). There is no such thing as Easter in God’s established celebrations (has no meaning); only the Passover has scriptural meaning. Easter is a celebration of Pagan origins and has no place in the life of a true believer – it is an unnecessary distraction from truth (festival for the goddess Easter, often spelled various ways, celebrated in the month of April, fertility rites, eggs, bunnies, etc.). Christ’s resurrection occurred after the Passover celebration. Many “professed” believers have taken the resurrection of Christ and mixed it with bunnies and colored eggs and various nonsensical (irrational, illogical, absurd) things and call it Easter. Is their to be no truth in a child’s understanding – such confusion! Notice the lamb was to be male and unblemished. To be unblemished equates to being without sin (no transgression of God’s will, no rebellion). Jesus came and lived a perfect sinless life that was well pleasing to the Father. We are redeemed through Christ: 1 Peter 1:19 , “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” John the Baptist witnessed of Christ (upon first seeing Him) in saying, “behold the Lamb of God” (Jn 1:29 , 36). Jesus is the literal fulfillment of the Passover lamb. Christ was the only one who has ever lived upon the face of this earth who met the qualifications (Rev 5:1-6). Exodus 12:7-10, “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. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.” The blood of the lamb provides a covering for those who are called of God. This blood saved the children of Israel from the wrath (judgment) of God upon Egypt . Jesus’ blood also provides a covering for those found in Him. We are sanctified (set apart) through Jesus’ blood (Heb 13:12 , 1 Jn 1:7, Rev 1:5). Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him (also Eph 1:7, Col 1:4, Heb 9:14 , 1 Pt 1:18 -19).” This blood sealed Christ’s New Testament (discussed in Chapter Three) and those found therein (Mt 26:28, Lk 22:20, Acts 20:28, 1 Cor 11:25, Heb 9:12, 12:24, 13:20, 1 Pt 1:2, Rev 19:13). Through the blood of Christ, we have reconciliation with the Father (Eph 2:13 , Col 1:20 , Heb 10:19 ). By the law, most things are cleansed with blood (Heb 9:22 ). Christ’s precious blood was given for you. Notice that you are to eat the flesh of the Passover lamb and unleavened bread. One of God’s statutes required that a sacrifice have no leaven bread (Ex 23:18 , 34:25). Leaven represents sin (transgression against God), false doctrine and hypocrisy (insincerity) in scripture (Mt 16:6-12, Mk 8:15 , Lk 12:1). To be unleavened is to be without sin (iniquity). To be unleavened is also to be sincere in heart (opposite of hypocrisy). 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Jesus represented the unleavened bread and it also represents our sincerity and genuineness to walk in God’s truth – to solemnly abide in Christ’s covenant. We are to eat (partake) of this lamb (flesh) and unleavened bread. John 6:51 , “I am the living bread (unleavened) which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” Jesus is the “unleavened” bread of life (Jn 6:33 , 35, 48)! John 6:53-54, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” Christ was without sin (transgression) and well pleasing to God and we are to follow Him (who is the way, the truth and the life, Jn 14:6) in sincere faith. We partake of Christ’s flesh (unleavened bread, unblemished lamb) and conform to His image. When we are led of His Spirit (in paths of righteousness, Ps 23:3), we STOP transgressing the will of God (Rm 6:12 -18). Our “circumcised heart” (discussed in Chapter Three) must be to do God’s will in love and obedience and stop doing those things that oppose Him. We die to our pride, disobedience (transgression) and rebellion and become humble, obedient and submitted (surrendered). We partake of his nature and become one with Jesus (Jn 17:21 ). John 6:56, “He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” Jesus said, “I am in the Father and ye in me and I in you” (Jn 14:20 ). If Christ is truly in you, then how can you continue to live for self and the world and do that which opposes God (Whom you are suppose to be joined to)? John 6:57 , “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” We live only by abiding in Christ; by ourselves we can do nothing (Jn 15:1-10). We eat of Christ’s Word (truth) and thereby have life in our daily walk. Notice that the whole lamb was to be eaten. You cannot just partake of the parts of Christ that appeal to you. Many will love a Jesus who brings mercy and forgiveness; however, they may not be so delighted with the sufferings, sacrifice, tribulations, dying to self (self denial) and reproach that comes to those who follow Jesus. Philippians 1:29, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake (also Php 3:10).” Jesus said if the world hate Me it will hate you and if the world persecute Me it will persecute you (Jn 15:18 , 20). They will hate you for Christ’s sake and we must bear the reproach of Jesus in the fellowship of His sufferings (Heb 13:13 , Php 3:10 ). We take up a cross to die to self in order to perform God’s will (Mt 6:10, 16:24, 26:39, 42, Mk 8:34, 10:21, 38-39, 14:36, Lk 11:2, 9:23, 14:26-27, 22:42, 33, Jn 18:11). John the Baptist died to make way for Christ (fulfilled his course, Acts 13:25 ). Lazarus died that God may receive glory (Jn 11:4). Jesus died that God may receive glory (Jn 12:23 , 28, 13:31 -32). The children of Israel were in bondage that God may receive glory (Ps 105:23-25, Ex 14:4, 17). Many want to live for self and serve God, but self must die. To find “your” life in this world is to lose life in Christ. Who will partake of the nature (eat flesh) of One who says, “go and sin no more” (Jn 3:19 , 5:14 , 8:11 )? Those who follow Christ receive eternal life, but the path is the way of the cross and we must partake of all of Jesus. The Lamb was to be cooked in fire (roasted) – an offering made by fire for a sweet smelling savour unto the Lord (Ex 29:18, 25, 41, 30:20, Lev 1:9, 13, 17, 2:2-3, 9-11, 16, 3:3, 5, 9, 11, 14, 16, 4:35, 5:12, 6:17-18, 7:5, 25, 30, 35, 8:21, 28, 10:12, 13, 15, 21:6, 21, 22:27, 23:8, 13, 18, 25, 27, 36-37, 24:7, 9, Num 15:10, 13, 14, 25, 18:17, 28:2-3, 6, 8, 13, 19, 28:24, 29:6, 13, 36, Deut 18:1). Hebrews 12:29 , “For our God is a consuming fire (also Deut 4:24 , 9:3).” All things of God will be tried in fire (passeth through the fire). Exodus 24:17, “And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel .” Jesus was tried in the fire and found perfect. Our works will be tried in the fire (tested) to determine of what sort they are and the impurities will be burnt away (1 Cor 3:13 , 1 Pt 1:7, Rev 3:18 ). Fire is also representative of being filled with the Holy Ghost. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire (Mt 3:11 , Lk 3:16 ). The Passover was to be eaten with bitter herbs which represented the bitterness of sin (transgression against God’s will). This is the bitterness of bondage to Egypt (idolatry, iniquity, rebellion, worldliness, self, following the devil’s lie, etc.). Our rebellion against God is tremendously bitter and has caused much suffering. Through our disobedience to God, we brought about (necessitated) the bitter suffering and death of Christ for our transgressions. Jesus stepped into our place and assumed our liability (Rm 5:8, 11). When we partake of Christ we must be ever mindful of the bitterness of transgression against the will of God and the bondage that results (i.e. Egypt ). Nothing was to be left until the morning to see corruption. One of God’s statutes required that a sacrifice not remain until the morning (Ex 23:18 , 34:25, Deut 16:4). Christ was not left upon the cross until morning, neither did His body see corruption (Jn 19:31 , Ps 16:10 , 49:9, Acts 2:27 , 2:31 , 13:35 ).

Exodus 12:11-14, “And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover. 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. 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 . And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.” We are to be ready to forsake the wickedness, transgressions, and rebellion in our lives. God has come to deliver us from our bondage. We must be ready to leave Egypt and all it represents. Jesus sets you free from being a servant to sin (Jn 8:31 -36). We must leave immediately (not belaboring) and completely and not look back (Is 55:7, Ez 33:11, Lk 9:62, 17:32 , Gal 2:18 , 2 Pt 2:20 ). The Lord is going to execute judgment upon a wicked land and we are to be free from it – remember Lot ’s wife (Lk 17:32 ). We are going on a journey to be in the presence of the Lord. Notice that the blood of the unblemished lamb is our covering for deliverance from the coming judgment. The token for God’s covenant with Abraham was circumcision (discussed in Chapter Three). The token for God’s covenant with the children of Israel is the blood. Leviticus 17:11 , “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul (also Lev 7:14 , Deut 12:23 ).” Consider the sealing of the covenant: Hebrews 9:19-22, “For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” The blood was for the purifying (cleansing) of the flesh (Heb 9:12 -14). Our life is found in the blood, and this was symbolically pointing to Christ’s blood (the Lamb that was slain, Rev 5:6) that was shed for us that we may have eternal life (life in God). Christ’s blood purifies us from sin (Eph 1:7, Col 1:14 , 1 Jn 1:7, 9). We must partake of Christ’s blood to be saved or we have no life in us (Jn 6:53 -54). We have no righteousness of our own. Our righteousness is found our in obedience and faith to God through the provision He has made (Rm 1:17, 3:22, 25, 4:5, 9, 4:11-13, 9:30, 10:6, Gal 5:5, Php 3:9, Heb 11:7, 2 Pt 1:1). The Lamb (Jesus) is that provision (Rev 5:8, 12-13, 7:10 , 14, 17, 12:11 , 22:3). This feast was to be a memorial which Christ would one day fulfill. Jesus’ fulfillment of all the symbolism of this memorial feast gave additional credence (credibility, authority) that He was the Christ sent of God. There is coming a new feast. Pray that your name will be in the book of the Lamb; that you are a part of the marriage of the Lamb; and that you may participate in the marriage supper (Rev 13:8, 19:7, 9).

Exodus 12:15 , “Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel .” We are to put away our sin and hypocrisy and be sincere and genuine in our heart toward God. We must lay aside all wickedness (iniquity), disobedience, self seeking (lusts and pleasure seeking), anger, bitterness, wrath, clamour, malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings (1 Cor 5:8, Eph 4:31 , Ti 3:3, 1 Pt 2:1). Hypocrisy is feigning (pretend, counterfeit) to be what one is not – assuming a false appearance of virtue (false pretence). These are ostentatious (outward show with no inward substance, appearance only) and have a vain show intended to invite praise or flattery. We are to partake of God’s nature and prepare to leave Egypt . 1 Timothy 1:5, “Now the end of the commandment is charity (love directed first toward God and then toward each other) out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (genuine and not pretence).” Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” We must follow righteousness, faith, charity, and peace from such a pure heart (2 Tim 2:22 ). You purify your heart by obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love – faith (1 Pt 1:22 , Acts 15:9). In modern times, many who “profess Christ” are just pretenders (hypocrites) as evidenced by the way they live their daily lives. Jesus said of them: Matthew 15:8, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” These have impenitent hearts (opposite of contrite) which do not repent of sin (maybe justify sin) and are hardened (to their own will). Having a sincere heart for God is the bottom line (discussed in Chapter Three). Many play religious games with God on one or two days of the week. God is looking for those who live sincerely and genuinely for Him every day. These Jesus knows by name and confesses before His Father and the angels (Mt 10:32 , Lk 12:8, Jn 10:3, 14). Obedience is superior to religious attendance. Walking in true faith is far superior to mere religiosity (denominationalism, ceremony, ritual, doctrines, traditions, lip profession, etc.). Religiosity is no more than man usurping the position of the Holy Spirit and dictating his will (which he presumes to be God’s will) upon others. Let us be for real (genuine) and not be “lukewarm” pretenders (who are deceived – blind, sinful, spiritually lacking, and far from God) such that the Lord will not vomit us out of His mouth ( Rev 3:16 ). Be not as salt without flavor – fit for nothing; without virtue or redeeming value (Mt 5:13 , Mk 9:50 , Lk 14:34 -35).

Exodus 12:21-24, “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel , and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 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. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.” The Lord sent out the destroyer to judge the Egyptians. Those who were obedient to the Lord’s direction and covered their homes with the blood of the unblemished lamb were spared (Rm 5:9). Those who disregarded God’s direction (will, way, path) perished. Your obedience to God is for your benefit. God’s Word will stand regardless. The taking of hyssop and applying of blood represents our faith in obedience to God’s direction to the saving of our souls (1 Pt 1:9). Our salvation is found in Christ, whose testament (the declared will of Jesus that became valid upon His death, covenant) was sealed in His own blood that was shed for us. Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (also Col 1:14 ).  If we walk in the light, Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn 1:7). To remain in Egypt is to remain in the darkness. Jesus’ blood does not cleanse those who walk in darkness (darkness that can be felt) – come out! God stated in Eden that if you transgress His will, “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17 , Ez 33:14).” The only way we can escape such a just condemnation (judgment upon Egypt )  is through the blood of Christ in coming to His light. John 8:12 , “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” We must follow! You must approach God with a sincere contrite heart and forsake your transgressions. Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” The blood of Christ then covers us from the wrath of God. God redeemed (liberated from captivity, bondage and suffering) the children of Israel from Egypt and spared them from His judgment upon Egypt (He smote Egypt )  through the blood of the unblemished lamb (Ex 12:27 ). Christ redeems us from the world and spares us from wrath through the blood of His testament. God’s light will shine in your heart to give you knowledge of the glory of God (2 Cor 4:6). Exodus 12:28 , “And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.” God always requires our submission and obedience. To do otherwise is to have the rebellious heart of an Egyptian and thereby partake of all of God’s judgments. There were also some ordinances to be observed with the passover. No male who is uncircumcised may eat of eat (Ex 12:48 ). As previously discussed the circumcision represented the removing of the covering of flesh. We do not serve God through the flesh – our hearts must be uncircumcised (discussed in Chapter Three). Exodus 12:46 , “In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.” The prohibition of breaking a bone was symbolic and a sign concerning the coming Christ (Ps 34:20). Consider Jesus’ crucifixion: John 19:31-36, “The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.”

Death of the Firstborn

Exodus 12:29, “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.” In God’s judgment there is no partiality. It makes no difference whether you are a king or a beggar on the street, all will receive according to their deeds. All transgressors (those not found walking in Christ) will receive just condemnation. Exodus 11:5, “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.” Notice that God struck their firstborn (Ps 134:8, 136:10). The firstborn is the beginning of strength of the people (Gen 49:3, Deut 21:17 ). Exodus 12:30-32, “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. 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. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.” In scripture the firstborn is the chief and foremost; preceding others in rank, dignity and excellency; best beloved; first in privilege (favor, benefit); and beginning of strength. Psalms 78:50-51, “He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence; And smote all the firstborn in Egypt ; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham (also Ps 105:36).” The most significant thing of note here is that Israel ’s deliverance (release) from Egypt was gained through the death of the firstborn. Our deliverance was also secured through the death of the firstborn. John 3:16 , “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (only begotten Son = firstborn), that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Consider the Lord’s Words in Micah 6:4-7. Jesus, who was the best of man (foremost, perfect) took our sin upon Himself and became the atonement (bore our iniquities and provided recompense) for us through His death (Rm 5:6, 8, 11). 2 Corinthians 5:21 , “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Jesus became as Egypt and suffered similar fate that we might be delivered through His suffering (Is 54:7-8). Having taken the sin of the world, Jesus was hanged upon a tree; for he that is hanged is accursed of God (Deut 21:23 ). 1 Peter 2:24 , “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (reconciled to God).” Jesus walked the Father’s path perfectly and led the way for man to come back under God’s authority. Colossains 1:19-20, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven (also Rm 5:1-2, 10).” Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” God also refers to Israel as His firstborn. Exodus 4:22-23, “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: 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.” Jesus became the firstborn of every creature ( Col 1:15 ). Christ is the firstborn among many brethren (those who follow) and we are to conform to His image (Rm 8:29 ). Jesus loves us and washed us from our sin with his own blood and Christ became the first begotten (firstborn from the dead, Col 1:18 ) from the dead (Rev 1:5). Jesus delivered us from our fallen state and led the way back to God; now we must follow (Jn 12:26 ). We are now the church or body of the firstborn (Heb 12:23 ). If you are not following, then you reveal your will to stay in Egypt and thereby show contempt (distain, dislike, disapproval, disrespect, disregard) for all that Christ has done.

This is also a picture of God’s judgment upon sinful and rebellious man. Great will be the cry (howling, mourning, weeping) when Christ returns to this earth in His wrath upon rebellious man (Jer 10:10, 23:19-20, Is 13:6, 9, 11, 13, 26:21, Zeph 1:15, 3:8, Nah 1:6, Mal 4:1, Lk 32:30, 2 Thess 1:8-9, Rev 1:7, 6:15-17). Rebellious man will make war with the Lamb, but their fate is sealed ( Rev 17:14 ). They will cry, “hide us from the wrath of the Lamb ( Rev 6:16 ).” Jesus returns: 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” The gospel is Christ’s testament (covenant) – our obedience is not optional, but commanded. Remember this above all: Nahum 1:7, “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” AND Zephaniah 2:3, “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.” AND 1 John 2:28 , “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

And Bless Me Also

After God smote the firstborn in Egypt , Pharaoh conceded to the Lord’s will. Psalms 66:3, “Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.” For God rules the nations, let not the rebellious exalt themselves (Ps 66:7). The Egyptians slew Israel ’s children and now God returns such death upon all of them - there was not one house untouched. Numbers 33:4, “For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.” God brought judgment upon all the gods of Egypt (those things the Egyptians put their trust in). Deuteronomy 6:12-15, “Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt , from the house of bondage. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.” The children of Israel were brought forth (delivered, redeemed) with a high hand from the house of bondage and were not to enter back in (worship false gods, Num 33:3). God destroyed the strength of Egypt (firstborn) as will He destroy all those who transgress the Lord’s will. Deuteronomy 6:20-25, “And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you? Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand: And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes: And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.” We were under the bondage of the devil’s lie until Christ redeemed us. We must now walk in faith in Christ Jesus as led by His Spirit and it shall be our righteousness. Pharaoh did not see his error and turn to God, but rather conceded when his losses became unbearable. Pharaoh was still prideful, self seeking, idolatrous and rebellious. God could have just taken the children of Israel , but rather brought such pressure to bear (judgment) on Pharaoh that he lets them go by his own command. Pharaoh concedes (gives in, forfeits, acknowledges defeat) on every point – the people may go, their children may go, and their livestock may go. God does not negotiate on a give and take basis (no compromise); God’s will shall be done – Let My people go! God’s Word stands and is established for all eternity (Ps 119:89). Rebellious man (and religious rebellious man) best come to terms with the fact that God will not accept you on your terms. God is not an “unconditional love God.” “Unconditional” translates into man’s terms and not God’s purposes. God did not concede to Pharaoh (the devil) on any level and the Lord will certainly not concede to you. Eternity for all creation rests on God’s will and not man’s. Your opinion or sentiment has absolutely no place before God. Your surrendered and contrite heart is the only thing that will gain you audience before God. At first Pharaoh (through his magicians) matched God sign for sign and Pharaoh’s heart (resolve) was hardened (to his own demise). God continued to increase the signs and wonders until Pharaoh’s magicians capitulated (ceded, were out matched). Pharaoh continued to defiantly try and set the terms with God in the midst of his suffering. God just increased the wonders even more until He broke the will of Pharaoh, destroyed Egypt and their confidence in false gods; leaving the rebellious people broken. God will not answer to or negotiate with any of the rebellious of His creation. To do so would exalt the creation over the Creator. Notice that in the midst of all this, Pharaoh still thought of himself in asking, “and bless me also.” Those who seek their own will shall always be primarily concerned with self. He greatly opposed God in seeking his own, yet still wants God’s blessings. Many people serve themselves everyday in living outside the Lord’s will, yet still want God’s blessings. Pharaoh has an impenitent heart which does not truly repent and is hardened to selfwill – he releases Israel under duress (hardship, menaces, threats, sufferings) and not through a change of heart toward God. Many people serve God under duress (threat of hell, eternal damnation, lake of fire), but not with a true heart of love. Those who serve God in such a way have a form of “religion” that misses the mark (i.e. transgression) in that which is vital (Pertaining to life, fundamental, imperative, essential, crucial, necessary). Those who serve under compulsion (pressure, coercion, intimidation) are driven (serve begrudgingly) and will always seek the easy path (fleshly doctrines, God blessing ME); what is least required (where is the line I can’t pass); loop holes (that’s not specifically addressed in the Bible); itching ears (tell me what I want to hear, 2 Tim 4:3); and a large dose of personal sentiment (opinion mixed with emotion). Compulsion is not of God, but rather results when one realizes the certainty of eternal damnation (hell), yet has no heart (impenitent heart) to leave the darkness (Jn 3:19) or sincerely do what is required (froward heart). Faith will bypass the flesh (deny it). Romans 8:24-25, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Through the exercise of faith, your spiritual eyes will open. Seeking God through the flesh will make faith (and the Word of God) of none effect in your life. Living in the flesh will leave you spiritually blind (concerning the things of God – Spirit). God has designed the path to Himself such that you cannot traverse it apart from faith (Heb 11:6). You cannot enter apart from Christ (Lk 13:24 , Jn 10:9). You can only get there by following and this submission and trust will require faith and obedience to the Spirit (Mt 7:14 ). Those who seek God in the flesh will be forging their own path because the flesh is certainly opposed to the Spirit (contrary, Gal 5:17 ). The spiritual blindness (deception) of the flesh will have you think you are going toward God when you are traveling away from Him on a broad way (to eternal damnation, Mt 7:13 ). The flesh seeks comfort and the Spirit seeks to destroy the things of the flesh (its comfort, lusts, selfwill, iniquity, rebellion, etc.). So, those who think they can have it both ways are truly deceived. Christ walked a very difficult path for the flesh (read the Gospels). Do you suppose you can walk a different way? In other words, do you believe you can reach God apart from Christ? – perhaps on your own merits?

Recompense

Exodus 12:33-36, “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. And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 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: 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.” The Egyptians had shed innocent blood and now that blood has been returned upon them – “we be all dead men.” Woe to them who shed innocent blood (i.e. abortion – the killing of innocence to benefit self). 1 Samuel 2:6, “The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.” Not only did God redeem His people from bondage, but they did not go empty handed. The Lord restores that which the cankerworm hath eaten (Joel 2:25 ). The Egyptians not only let the people go, but also provided all their due wages for years of forced labor. The original word “shaal (שאל)” does not translate “borrowed” but rather “demanded.” This certainly fits the text more accurate. The Egyptians realized they were but as dead men and were urgent that Israel leave and were in no position to refuse demands for spoil. Psalms 105:37-38, “He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.” Therefore, we can conclude that Moses (through God’s Power) spoiled Pharaoh and Egypt (principalities and powers) and made a show of them openly (through the signs and wonders of God – the Lord’s judgments) and triumphing over them openly – Pharaoh did let God’s people go! Jesus through the cross (and the power of God, 2 Cor 13:4) spoiled principalities and powers (Satan’s kingdom of darkness, i.e. Pharaoh/Egypt) and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it ( Col 2:15 ). Jesus redeemed us from Satan’s bondage (Lk 1:68, Rev 5:9, 14:3-4, Ti 2:14 )! God also supernaturally provided for the health of His people.

God Delivers

Exodus 12:37-41, “And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 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. Now the sojourning of the children of Israel , who dwelt in Egypt , was four hundred and thirty years. 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 .” To be leavened is to be full of iniquity and hypocrisy. We are to “come out” of Egypt (i.e. the world) before we are corrupted. The unleavened bread represented sincerity (genuineness) and righteousness. The children of Israel were coming out of (forsaking) the corruption and wickedness which was Egypt to serve God (new life). We must come out of the wickedness of the world and serve God. When one tarries in Egypt , then one becomes leavened or corrupted. The children of Israel endured the wickedness of Egypt for a very long time, much of which they were in bondage. God is longsuffering with man, but there does come a time of judgment. Romans 9:22 , “What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.” We must commit ourselves in the hands of God and realize that His justice will prevail in the Lord’s timing. God’s wisdom and purposes transcend the will of man. Man wants immediate satisfaction and deliverance, but God’s purposes are eternal. If you suffer for Christ’s sake, be not ashamed, but glorify God - judgment begins in God’s own house (1 Pt 4:16 -18). 1 Peter 4:19, “Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” When Jesus came He totally committed Himself into the Father’s hands. Psalms 49:15, “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.” And a  mixed multitude went up with the children of Israel . This was a foreshadowing of God blessing of all nations through Christ. Ephesians 3:6, “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.” God has opened His arms to all men – whosoever will (Mt 16:25 , Mk 8:34-35, Lk 6:47-48, 9:24 ). Matthew 12:50, “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother (also Mk 3:35 ).” AND Revelation 22:17 , “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Many in the mixed multitude had ulterior reasons for following the children of Israel out of Egypt , but the wilderness is where God tries the heart of man to see who will genuinely serve Him. Many fell in the wilderness because their hearts were on themselves or pining away for the Egypt they had forsaken. Psalms 7:9, “Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins (also Jer 11:20 , 17:10 , 20:12 ).” For many are called, but few are chosen (Mt 20:16 ,  22:14 ). Those that bring the wicked things of Egypt with them in their hearts will surely fall in the wilderness.

God Leads the Way

Exodus 13:17-22, “And 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: 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. 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. And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 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: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” The path toward the Philistines (a wicked people whom God would judge) meant immediate war. The Lord knows His sheep and their faith is still weak. God never allows us to face more than we are able to bear (1 Cor 10:13 ). This people must first face the wilderness and learn trust and obedience to God. In a spiritual sense war is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph 6:12 ). We battle those things which oppose God and try to exalt themselves in our lives. These would be the temptations directed to the flesh (its lusts) which lead one to seek his will (or “my” path) rather than God’s (following the Lord’s path or direction). By living Christ’s gospel through faith, walking in truth and righteousness, thereby knowing and rightly applying Jesus’ Word, you begin to assemble the whole armor of God and are able to stand and face these battles (Eph 6:13-17). The way of the Philistines (wickedness, iniquity, rebellion) is always near and we must be mindful – there will be struggles, but our reliance must be upon God and not self. Notice that “God leads the way” and the children of Israel just obediently follow. They do not know where they are going, but must rely totally upon the Lord for their well being. God leads us in “the way” and we must stop going our own direction (our will) and submit to the Lord’s leading (His will). God is “the Light” and His Word is our direction. Psalms 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” We leave our darkness and come into His light (Jn 3:21 , Acts 26:18). God is our Light by day and by night. This means that we must be focused on God always (twenty four hours a day, every day) and not just on certain “religious days.” If you leave God’s path then you are no longer under His authority (but rather your own) and may become helplessly lost in the wilderness, be consumed by the Philistines or perhaps find “your way” back to the bondage of Egypt. God’s way requires our trust, submission and obedience.

The Horse and His Rider Hath He Thrown into the Sea

Exodus 14:1-4, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 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. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel , They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. 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.” Pharaoh has driven Israel out of the land Egypt and thrust them out altogether (Ex 6:1, 11:1), but his nature and attitude toward God has not changed. Pharaoh (the devil) wants to destroy the things of God by corrupting them with his nature. 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Pharaoh (the devil) devours by bringing into his bondage of Egypt (through your own lusts, Js 1:14 ) and placing great burdens and rigorous service unto death. The burdens and service are designed to keep our hearts off of God and death ultimately and eternally separates those who have not sought the Lord. Pharaoh promises his people life (ye shall not surely die, Gen 3:4) and self satisfaction (ye shall be as gods, Gen 4:5), but delivers misery, bondage and death. He promises liberty of self (from God’s rule or authority) and brings about captivity under himself. 2 Peter 2:19 , “While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” You have traded God’s “righteous” rule over you for that of the “corrupted” flesh (desires of). Pharaoh is no God (Ez 28:6, 17)! He has no power to deliver on his boasts. Pharaoh’s (the devil’s) power “lies” in his ability to deceive and manipulate. He makes you think you are getting what you are not. When one finds the true God, he is delivered from Satan’s control and actually gains power over him (through God). Egypt (Pharaoh’s domain) is in the valley of the shadow of death and we must trust in our God to lead us through it (Ps 23:4). God draws Pharaoh out of Egypt such that the Lord may receive glory. The same is true of rebellious man. You will either turn to God and give Him due honor, glory, reverence and respect in your life now or God will receive due honor by putting down your rebellion later. God will receive glory to your benefit or to your loss. Pharaoh refuses to honor God in his life, so God will receive glory in his demise by revealing the wrongfulness of his nature and end result (conclusion). Pharaoh seemingly now has every advantage and believes that Israel is a sitting target – easy prey. He has been helpless to fight against God’s previous judgments and the idols he trusted in failed. Pharaoh now sees the opportunity to use his own power and might (armies). God intentionally places Israel in a place (shut in, back against the wall) so that the Lord may reveal His glory. There is now no deliverance on the earth other than God that can save them. The source of salvation will be evident for all to see. The forces of evil are confident that they will prevail against the Lord. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty (Pv 18:12 ). This is a foreshadowing of world conditions just before the Second Coming of Christ ( Rev 19:19 ). Exodus 14:5-9, “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? And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt , and captains over every one of them. 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. 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.” There is no more restraining grace from God and Pharaoh’s heart is fully hardened and his iniquity is to the full (time for final judgment). The Egyptians have come “to themselves” and have realized that they have lost control of their captives. Often, just after a tradgedy such as death, emotions will yield toward God. When the emotions recede (diminish), the true nature of one resurfaces and any movement that was made toward God is cast aside. Many will come to God in their weakness, but quickly fall away again when strengthened. This is because their nature is bent on self-will and not God’s will. It is important to come to terms with this understanding. God considers the heart of man (what is inside a man, 1 Sam 16:7, 1 Kgs 8:39 , see Conclusion). Doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works (Pv 24:12)? Those who have a heart toward God as demonstrated by how they live on earth, will be gathered to Him eternally. Those who have a heart toward self are rebellious to God’s will and have no love toward Him – the object of their affection is found in a mirror. We are told of Satan: Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness (Ez 28:17). Man has this nature and also considers the beauty of his selfish way. God would not tolerate Satan’s rebellion (and look at the untold misery it has caused), and the Lord is certainly not going to welcome the rebellious into His eternal presence. You must come to terms with your true nature and beg God for mercy and change.

Pharaoh comes against the people of God with all his might (his determined self will). Do not expect when God delivers you from Satan’s bondage that he will give up without a fight. The devil will come against you with all the temptation and terror he can muster. You may seem weak, but your strength is found in God (faith and not flesh, 2 Cor 12:9-10) – be stedfast. 2 Corinthians 13:4, “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you (also Eph 3:16 ).” The devil wants to fight these battles in the flesh (to his advantage) because this is where he overpowers men – man is weak through the flesh (Mt 26:41, Rm 8:3). This is the strength and might of the devil. He overcame man in Eden through the flesh and has done so ever since. When you live for self, you are just a servant of sin and in bondage to the flesh (Jn 8:34 , Gal 4:3, 2 Pt 2:19 ). We must put down our flesh and rise up in faith for victory (1 Jn 5:4). God shows Himself strong through our fervent and enduring faith, and weakness of flesh. Christ brought great deliverance, but not through the flesh. Sin reigns unto death, therefore we must die to the flesh and its lusts thereof and be reborn with the nature of God (Rm 5:21 , 7:10 , 2 Cor 2:16 , 4:11 , Php 3:10 , 1 Jn 3:14 ). Romans 6:4-8, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.” 1 Peter 4:1, “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.” The flesh must be crucified to achieve the victory (Rm 6:6, Gal 2:20 , 6:14 ). Romans 6:8, “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him (also 2 Tim 2:12 ).” The victory is in submission to God’s will unto death (of self, Mt 26:42, Jn 18:11 , Php 2:8, Rev 2:10 , 12:11 ). Jesus obtained the victory and the glory after the crucifixion of the flesh (Jn 12:23 , Col 2:15 , Rev 1:18 ). Jesus destroyed the devil and released us from his bondages through death (Heb 2:14 -15). Galatians 5:24 , “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” When we crucify the affections and lusts of the flesh, then we do not give place to the devil (Eph 4:7). Be strong in faith and be not ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Cor 2:11 , such as our earlier example of sitting in front of the television and willingly exposing yourself to temptation). Do not let the devil have the high or preferred ground (flesh) in which to wage war. Yield to God in faith and find safety from the battle (Ps 61:3). Proverbs 18:10 , “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Satan cannot defeat God – the Lord is Almighty. Psalms 24:8, “Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.” The devil can only defeat you by corrupting you through the lusts of your own flesh and making you an enemy of God. Once separated from God (by your own free will), you are easily overcome – ensnared, taken captive at will (2 Tim 2:26 ). Where is your trust? Nahum 1:7, “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Therefore: Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” This armor consists of faith in God which produces righteousness; walking in the truth of Christ’s Word; reconciliation (peace) with God through Christ; salvation in Jesus; and the supplication (ask for humbly, earnestly entreat, appeal or pray for) of the Spirit (Eph 6:13-18). Notice that last statement; we must humbly and earnestly pray to receive God’s Spirit. This vital concern will be discussed in Chapter Three. How does that in which you trust factor into your daily life?

Trust or Despair?

Exodus 14:10 -12, “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. 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 ? 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.” Many cry out to the Lord in despair, which is not faith. They initially receive the Lord with great joy, but when trials, persecutions and tribulations come, they quickly fall away into unbelief (Mt 13:20 -21). They consider that it might be better to stay in sin and bondage than to serve the Lord. Many a man has come to the same wrongful conclusion. They serve Pharaoh, who brings death into the world, for fear of death (Rm 5:12 ). Through death Jesus destroyed him that had the power of death, that is, the devil (Pharaoh, Heb 2:14 ). Hebrews 2:15 , “And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Consider what Jesus does: Luke 1:71-75, “That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” To live in Egypt is to live in the wickedness and evil – unbelief and fear. When you live in Egypt , you will also partake of its burdens and bondages such as divorce, adultery, addictions, hatred, violence, misery, etc. Many would rather live for “self” (i.e. Egypt ) and suffer the burdens and bondages, than die to “self” (i.e. the wilderness) and serve God. These same ones will however want God to be on standby should such a need for His services arise (to serve them). Should such a need occur they will insist that God perform stat (to stabilize immediately, with great urgency). If we sincerely seek the Lord, then God destroys our enemies (Pharaoh and his host, servants) so that we may serve Him, without fear, in righteousness and holiness – opposites. You either serve Pharaoh (i.e. Satan) according to his nature or you serve God according to His nature – you must choose. Do you want the deliverance or would you rather return to your bondages? God has proven through great signs and wonders and mighty deeds that He possesses the ability to deliver His people (Ex 12:31 -33). God’s strong hand has brought them thus far out of the furnace of iron and house of bondage (Ex 13:3, 9, 14, 14:8, 20:2, Deut 4:20, 5:6, 6:12, 8:14, 9:29, 13:5, 10, Josh 24:17, Jdg 6:8, 1 Kgs 8:51, Neh 1:10). God does not serve the flesh and often confounds the flesh in His chosen methods of deliverance (1 Cor 1:27 ). The Lord has set circumstances to bring Himself glory and honor (Ex 14:4). Let us stand in battle and wait upon the Lord. Psalms 106:7-8, “Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt ; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea . Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” Man is undeserving of God’s mercy and continually provokes the Lord to wrath through his unbelief and reliance on the flesh (what it says, believes). There was no reason that God should save them other than for His own name’s sake and past promises. Those who live in the flesh are limited by the reasoning and ability of the flesh. Exodus 14:13-18, “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel , that they go forward: 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. 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. 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.” Moses demonstrates great faith and leadership in the midst of such unbelief. One man whose heart is set on God can make such an incredible difference in a world of darkness. Never underestimate the effect that you have upon others. Everyday, through your actions, you either lead others to God or away from Him. What will the influence of your life be and where is your witness? We are to go “forward” in our following of the Lord. If our hearts are set on Him, then there is no obstacle on the face of the earth that can hinder us in our path. The defeat is in going “backward” to the death from Pharaoh’s armies and bondages that await in Egypt . Jesus said: Mark 11:23, “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith (also Mt 21:21).” The mountain is the seemingly impossible obstacle in the path which hinders God’s purposes. The flesh will be immediately confounded. Seeking deliverance through the flesh will be futile. Faith in God and “bypassing” the logic of the flesh is the answer to its removal. We trust and believe (patiently) and God provides the victory – we have no certain ability. Moses was directed of God to use his faith in lifting up his rod, stretching it forth, and dividing the sea. God was not Moses’ servant, but rather Moses was using his faith (trust, belief, obedience) to fulfill God’s known (predetermined) purpose of delivering Israel out of Egypt (Ps 78:13). Our path to God will be filled with trials and tribulations that can only be overcome through our faith in God as keeping with His will. Hebrews 11:29 , “By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.” The flesh will always seek its benefit, yet the narrow path to God is designed to destroy confidence in self (your broad way). Pharaoh and his armies will follow God’s people in “their” ability and seeking their will and thus hindering the Lord’s purposes. Pharaoh will learn that he is no God and that his “way” leads to death. God will receive great honor through the deliverance of His people and the destruction of the might and power of Egypt . Those who are following God will pass through the sea (obstacles) and be delivered from their enemies (Egyptians) and receive life. Those who are following self will perish in the midst of the sea in defiance of God’s purposes (Heb 11:29, Ps 78:52-53, Neh 9:11, Ps 106:9-11). The Lord is showing us over and over through these events, that life is found in obedience and submission to God. All other confidences will end in death.

God’s Protective Shield

Exodus 14:19-20, “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: 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 (also Josh 24:7).” The Egyptians are in their darkness and the children of Israel are in God’s light. What a perfect picture of God’s separation of the two (Gen 1:4). Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Egypt is the land of the shadow of death (Job 24:13, Is 59:9, Eph 4:18 -19). Proverb 4:19 , “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” Israel has been delivered out of Egypt and are now in God’s light. Proverbs 4:18-20, “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Israel is following God and the Lord is the light of the way (1 Jn 1:5). John 8:12 , “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” There is a separation between those who are God’s and those who are not. Those in darkness will not harm those who are submitted to the light. We choose whom we will serve. Remember, a mixed multitude went out of Egypt (forsook) with Israel .

Baptism

Exodus 14:21-22, “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. 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.” The Lord always comes from the east (Ez 42:1-4, 43:4, 44:1-3, 46:1-2, Mt 24:27). Psalms 78:13, “He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.” The apostle Paul likened the passage of the children of Israel through the Red Sea to baptism. 1 Corinthians 10:2, “And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” This is symbolic of death to their old life in Egypt (which opposed God) and a new life unto God (under His authority). The children of Israel were forsaking Egypt on a journey of faith in the Lord. After all, they were going out to meet God in the wilderness. They “followed” the cloud, which was the Lord. They were no longer following their own path in the land of Egypt , but now have a new life in following God. The above scripture says, “He caused them to pass through.” We must be drawn of God. The flesh would never undertake a path on it’s own that will surely be its demise. God (the Father of all spirits, Heb 12: 9) calls our spirit, which He gave us (Gen 2:7). Jesus said: John 6:44 , “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” AND John 6:65, “And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” God draws us out of the darkness into His marvelous light and grants mercy (1 Pt 2:9-10). God calls as many as He will (Acts 2:39 ). 1 John 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us. Romans 9:15-17, “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. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.” It will also become evident within this study that: Matthew 22:14 , “For many are called, but few are chosen.” We shall consider this more perfectly as we determine how the children of Israel fare (manage, progress, do) in their trust and obedience toward God as they go through the wilderness. More importantly, what God’s expectations are for this people. Pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of man (Lk 21:36 ). In Egypt , the children of Israel had been “poor in spirit” (Mt 5:3) and “mourned” greatly (Mt 5:4); they had also been humbled (meek, Mt 5:5). God heard their cry and delivered them. Now there must come a “hungering and thirsting after righteousness (Mt 5:6).”

Death (to Self and Pharaoh) and Deliverance (from Egypt and the World)

Exodus 14:23-28, “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. 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, 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. 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. 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. 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.” Here we have a picture of the forces of evil (i.e. Egypt and all it represents) led by Pharaoh himself descending upon the seemingly defenseless people of God. In challenging the people of God, Pharaoh defies God Himself and His purposes (Is 47:10). Exodus 15:9, “The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them (seeking of self); I will draw my sword, my hand (“I”) shall destroy them.” Pharaoh comes in the force of  “self” will against the will (purposes) of the Lord God Almighty. The seeking of “self” has been the foundation of Satan’s rebellion since the beginning (and thus man’s, who has the devil’s nature). Notice there are five statements of “I” or self will. This bears remarkable resemblance (same in qualities, mannerisms, nature, things spiritual) with Lucifer’s (Satan’s) five “I” statements in his initial rebellion against God. Consider: Isaiah 14:13-14, “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” In both cases the creature rebelliously attempts to exalt his will above the Creator’s will. God’s reply to Lucifer’s (the devil) boasts was: Isaiah 14:15, “Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” God’s reply to Pharaoh’s boasts was: Exodus 14:17-18, “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. 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.” Shortly thereafter, the Lord overthrew the Egyptians and Pharaoh (Ex 15:4) in the midst of the sea (Ps 136:15). Nehemiah 9:11 , “And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.” So shall it be for all who transgress God and those He loves – forevermore. Luke 1:52, “He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.” Pharaoh exalted himself above all and humbled God’s people as slaves. God exalts His people and humbles the wicked (Pharaoh). All the great and exalted prideful men of today will be greatly humbled. Their life is as a vapor (grass in the field) and the day of reckoning approaches. The qualities of unrepentant fallen man are expressed as self seeking, prideful, fleshly, impatient, lustful, excessive, foolish, unbelieving, assertive, harsh, immoral, violent, sensual, wicked and rebellious. The qualities expressed in the repentant “born again” man are humbleness, submission, meekness, reservation, obedience, trust, temperance, goodness, patience, faithfulness, love, morality, forgiveness, righteousness and peace. The unrepentant follow their own path (imaginations of their heart, what is right in their own eyes) and are ruled by fleshly lusts (as led by the devil). The contrite in heart follow the path of Jesus (as led by the Spirit) and are surrendered to the authority of God (the Father). Following “your will” daily (i.e. your path) is disregard for God’s will daily (the Lord’s path). Put another way: following your path is as if you partake of the forbidden fruit of Eden daily and thereby transgress God’s command continually. Your fleshly lusts (as led of the devil) will keep you intoxicated with forbidden fruit until the poison takes its eternal effect as the second death. God says: Isaiah 30:3, “Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.”

Led by Who?

Those who are obediently following God are led by His Spirit in a narrow way that leads to eternal life (toward God, Mt 7:14 ). The Spirit leads in truth, righteousness and judgment (Jer 4:2, 9:24 , Is 16:5, Ps 33:4-5, 96:13). Those following their own selfish lusts are led of the devil in a broad way that leads to eternal damnation (away from God, Mt 7:13 , Eph 2:2-3, 6:12 ). The devil leads in deception (lies), wickedness and confusion. The Spirit and the devil are leading in opposite directions as are their natures. The Spirit is leading in obedience to God through the tearing down of the flesh ( Col 3:5-10). The devil is leading in rebellion to God though the tearing down (quenching, grieving) of the Spirit (blasphemy). Truth is established by God the Creator (Jn 17:17 , Ps 119:89). The Spirit is truth (Jn 15:26 ). Deception and lies are the failure to acknowledge God’s truth or to walk therein (whether willfull or ignorantly). The devil is deception (Rev 12:9, Jn 8:44 , 2 Cor 11:3, 13-15, 2 Thess 2:9). Righteousness equates to faith and wickedness equates to unbelief. Righteousness is following the Spirit (Ps 23:3) and wickedness is following the lusts of the flesh (Hos 10:13 , Mk 7:21 -23). Judgment is discernment, which is knowing how to correctly distinguish between good and evil and choosing the good – to understand light and darkness (black and white, Heb 5:14 ). Judgment applies truth and forsakes the darkness to come to the light. Confusion is the inability to differentiate (judge) right and wrong and thereby meld (join, mix) the two as shades of gray (Jer 3:25 , 7:19 , 20:11 , Dan 9:7-8, 1 Cor 14:33 , Js 3:16 ). The shades of gray may have a form of godliness and yet also do that which opposes God. To the unbelieving nothing is pure, meaning that nothing is white – just shades of gray. Many profess to know God, but in works they deny Him (being abominable and disobedient, Ti 1:15 -16). Confusion applies deception and considers that Christ allows one to stay in one’s rebellion and proposes that they can continue in transgression and sin due to God’s grace (defined as a free gift that cannot be earned, lost or maintained by man). God’s mercy does not establish iniquity (allow continuance, justify), but rather God’s mercy and truth purge (eradicate, remove, eliminate, cleanse of) iniquity (Pv 16:6). God’s grace will deny worldly lusts and wickedness and lead one to forsake iniquity and come to the light (Ti 2:11-13, Jn 3:19-21). Truth and righteousness equals judgment. Deception and wickedness equals confusion. Righteousness into judgment equals truth. Deception into confusion equals wickedness. Righteousness never equates to wickedness, nor does truth ever equal deception or judgment ever equal confusion. This is mixing apples and oranges – opposites. Righteousness will always be greater than (or superior) to wickedness, as will truth always prevail over deception and Judgment will always be greater than confusion. Mixing either of: righteousness, truth or judgment with either of: wickedness, deception and confusion (any combination), will produce error (shades of gray). God reigns “Supreme” over all His creation and His nature prevails. God loves righteousness and hates wickedness (Ps 45:7). Psalms 5:4  For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. This means eternal and complete separation of the wicked from God into damnation or the second death (Pv 10:2, 11:5, 14:32 , Rev 20:14 ). We must obey God and obedience equates with righteousness; disobedience equates to sinners (Rm 5:19 ).

Summary

Coming out of Egypt represents the first step in coming back to God. This is where you realize your sinfulness and transgressions against God and the bondage you are under and your great need for a deliverer. You are humble and see that you cannot deliver yourself, but are willing to forsake all and come to God. God had delivered the children of Israel from the angel of death (through the blood). Similarly, Christ delivers from death (your transgressions – though shalt surely die – Gen 2:17 ). The Lord had delivered (redeemed) the Hebrews from the bondage of Egypt (through judgment). Pharaoh and Egypt represented all that opposed God. The Lord said, “let My people go,” and Pharaoh defiantly said no – he would not open his prison house. Pharaoh said, “who is the Lord that I should obey Him” and “I know not God.” God was delivering and bringing Israel unto Himself in the wilderness. They were leaving Egypt and were not coming back. This was a total forsaking of Egypt and the things thereof. Ezekiel 20:7, “Then said I (God) unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt : I am the LORD your God.” God led them through the Red Sea which was further symbolic of death to self – the old life. They emerged in the wilderness which was the beginning of a new life in faith toward God. Similarly, the devil (like Pharaoh), opened not the house of his prisoners (Is 14:17 ). Jesus came to redeem us from that which opposes God (sin, iniquity, transgression against God’s will). Titus 2:13-14, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” AND 1 John 3:3, 5, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” For it was said of Christ: Isaiah 42:7, “To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” The prison house is the captivity of Satan (2 Tim 2:26 ). One is placed into the prison house (bondage – corruption, Rm 8:21 ) through seeking one’s own will (lusts of the flesh). Jesus came as a light to lead out of darkness (and the accompanying blindness). 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.” Jesus came and proclaimed liberty (deliverance) to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound – recovery of sight to the blind (Is 61:1, Lk 4:18 ). Christ “redeems” by paying the price for us through the sacrifice of Himself - the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all (Is 53:6, 12). However: John 3:19 , “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” If you do not leave (forsake) the darkness (that which opposes God), then you cannot be redeemed. Christ’s blood only cleanses us from all sin if we walk in the light as He is in the light (1 Jn 1:7). Those who stayed in Egypt were not redeemed from Egypt . Those who bring Egypt with them, wander in the wilderness until their carcases drop (discussed in Chap Four). The clear message here is that through the devil’s lie in Eden man was brought into the devil’s bondage through the transgression of God’s will. The resulting iniquity which is sustained by seeking your own will (lusts) keeps you in the prison house. God through His mercy came to set you free. To realize this freedom you must forsake (leave Egypt ) that which opposes God and be restored as prior to the devil’s lie in Eden . God redeems and restores those who submit and obey from a whole heart – and they shall be called the Holy people, the redeemed of the Lord (Is 62:12). If you desire to retain that which opposes God (continue to walk in “the Lie”), then Christ is to no avail for you – you walk in darkness and do not the truth (1 Jn 1:6). Prior to the Lord’s deliverance, the children of Israel were poor in spirit, mourning and were greatly humbled. We must come to this place in our lives to see our great inability of self and great need for a Savior – deliverer. When we cry out to God in our desperation and fully surrender to Him, then our deliverance is nigh. We must be ready and willing to forsake the familiar and wicked when Christ calls us out. This is called “repentance” and was Christ’s message to you. Matthew 4:17 , “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Repentance is the first step back to God.

Israel was following God (pillar of cloud), but knew not where they were going or what awaited them (Ps 105:39). The Lord prepares our way and we must follow in trust and obedience with a whole heart. The death of Pharaoh and his army also represents our death to Egypt and the destruction of the devil’s hold on us (Ps 78:11, Neh 9:11 ). The wilderness leads to the Promised Land. Abraham was promised the land in which he sojourned (a stranger, pilgrim). Genesis 17:8, “And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God (also Ex 12:7, 13:15, 17, 15:7, 24:7, 26:3, 28:4, 13, 35:12, 48:4).” AND Exodus 6:4, “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 (also Ex 6:8, 12:25, 13:5, 11, 32:13, 33:1, Lev 20:24, 23:10, 25:2, 38, Num 13:2, Deut 1:8, 5:31, 6:10, 23, 10:11, 28:11, 30:20, 31:7, Ps 105:11, Neh 9:23).” God’s judgment was to drive the evil out of that land and give it to the children of Israel . Exodus 3:8, “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.” God drives these nations out due to their wickedness. Deuteronomy 9:5, “Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Similarly, we are sojourning on this earth (present world) and God has promised to give us this land (a new earth, Js 2:5). Christ calls us out and forms a nation (Is 55:5-7). Evil doers will be cut off and those who walk in the way of the Lord and wait upon Him will inherit the earth (Ps 25:12-13, 37:9, 34, Dan 7:27 ). Jesus, the redeemer, shall turn us from transgression and ungodliness (Is 59:20, Rm 11:26 ). Proverbs 10:30 , “The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.” Christ will take dominion of the earth ( Rev 11:15 ). Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” AND 2 Peter 3:13 , “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness (also Is 65:17, 66:22, Rev 21:1).” God will first drive the wicked out of the earth (Ps 37:34). 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” The New Jerusalem will come down out of heaven and God will dwell with His people ( Rev 3:12 , Is 65:17-19, Ez 37:26-28). Revelation 21:2-5, “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” The Lord states: Psalms 37:11, “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” This equates with what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount (Beatitudes, “blessed” statements): Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” The meek are those who are submitted to God’s will and are not proud (self exaltation), self-sufficient or refractory (obstinate in non-compliance), not peevish (fretful, apt to mutter and criticize/protest, hard to please) and apt to complain of divine dispensations (the dealing of God with His creatures). Psalms 37:29, 38, “The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.” Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will also be in the kingdom of Heaven (Promised Land, Mt 8:11 -12) – all the righteous of the earth will be with their Lord forevermore.

After each of God’s judgments Pharaoh (and his servants) harden their hearts in their resolve (their will) to oppose the Lord’s command to let His people go. Similarly, when God brings comparable judgments upon the beast (i.e. Pharaoh) and rebellious man during the Great Tribulation the results will be much the same. They will harden their hearts and blaspheme God (Who has power over these plagues) and repent not to give Him glory ( Rev 9:20 , 16:9, 16:11 ). The very corrupt nature of fallen man is to seek his will (ye shall be as gods, Gen 3:5) and to transgress the will of God (ye shall not surely die in eating the forbidden fruit, Gen 3:4). God withdraws His convicting restraint and man transgresses to the full of what is in his heart. The evil is already there (unclean inside, Mt 15:18 -19) due to the exalting of self through seeking fleshly lusts rather than dying to that wretched nature and humbling oneself before God. Pharaoh killed God’s people (cast into the river, hard toil) and put them under hard bondage. Similarly, the beast will kill God’s people and put them in bondage in the Great Tribulation (Dan 8:24 , 11:35 -36, Rev 12:17 , 13:7, 10, 15, 20:4). God prevails after humbling rebellious Egypt through great judgments and Pharaoh is cast into the depths of the sea (Ex 15:1, 19). Exodus 15:4, “Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea ."  Similarly, God prevails at the conclusion of the Great Tribulation after humbling the rebellious world (devil, man) through great judgments and the beast is cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 19:20 ,  “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” The devil is later (in accordance to God’s purposes) cast into the lake of fire ( Rev 20:10 ). One thing will always be true: I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea (Ex 15:1). All those who rebel against God will be cast into the sea – whether water or fire. Wicked, sinful, rebellious man was drowned in the depths of the sea in the great flood while righteous Noah floated to safety. Wicked, sinful, rebellious man in Sodom and Gomorrah had fire rained down upon him while righteous Lot was led to safety.

Entering into the wilderness will present great challenges to the flesh. The flesh must be torn down and die. Those that love the flesh (self will) will die with it. Those that cast away the things of the flesh with a whole heart toward God will go forward a new man with God’s nature in their heart. All the trials and tribulations are designed (of God) to take reliance off of self and put it upon God. The narrow way (Mt 7:14) that leads to God is as an obstacle course in which the flesh has been blindfolded, and this course can only be traversed (crossed, navigated, passed through) through total surrender and obedience (faith) to God’s Spirit (the guide and teacher, Jn 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7). John 16:13 , “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” Luke 1:79, “To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death (i.e. Egypt ), to guide our feet into the way of peace (peace is reconciliation with God).” These will serve in faith and not through the flesh (Rm 7:18 ). This all goes back to man’s fall in Eden when man took reliance off of God and placed it upon self (ye shall be as gods, Gen 3:5) and thereby transgressed God’s will. That rebellion must now be reversed and all things must be restored as prior to the fall, for man to be reconciled with God. Pharaoh (the devil) tried to keep man’s reliance upon him and self (man’s ability) through his bondage. When Israel (man) wanted to seek God, Pharaoh (the devil) increased the burden (Ex 5:8). Pharaoh does not want reconciliation between man and God. Pharaoh says who is the Lord that I should obey Him – I know not God (Ex 5:2). Pharaoh is set (immovable, resolute, adamant, stedfast, firm) in his rebellion and he desires to spread that rebellion. If man returns to God then Pharaoh’s rebellion ( Egypt ) is weakened and he has no one to serve him. In Eden , the devil convinced man to join his rebellion by yielding to his counsel to partake of the forbidden fruit and thus transgress God’s authority. However, man and the devil are not united in this rebellion. As part of God’s curse upon the serpent, He put enmity between the devil and man (Gen 3:15 ). Therefore, the devil hates man and places him in bondage (ensnares) and devours him (2 Cor 2:11 , 1 Tim 3:7, 2 Tim 2:26 , 1 Pt 5:8). Satan is a hard taskmaster and unyielding. However, God is superior and has cast Pharaoh (the devil) into the sea (lake of fire – soon, Rev 20:10 ). Romans 9:17, “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.” God has broken Pharaoh’s power and bondage for those who will serve the Lord. Psalms 33:8, “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.”

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