And so Pharoah, having confidence in his wise men's abilities, allowed the plagues to begin. The fact that he had this confidence belies the fact that he really had no fear of the God of the Universe. This would prove to be a fact that he would live to regret. God told Moses to have Aaron "take his 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." (Ex. 7) And, just as Pharoah expected, his magicians were able to dig water and do the same with their enchantments.
If Pharoah had taken the warning of the water into blood seriously, he would have seen it as a serious warning from God about the wages of sin being death. Doom awaited. But Pharoah was not shaken. His people dug for water and his magicians did a trick. It was all cool. Today, there are many people who do not take death seriously. It is the wage for sin and judgement comes with it. There is only one thing that can turn this death away from judgement to "life unto life" (2 Cor. 2:16) and that is rejoicing in the provisions made by the Man who turned the water into wine. Confidence placed in Him is confidence well placed; confidence not placed in Him belies the fact that many do not fear the God of the Universe. Like Pharoah this is a decision that they will later regret.
In the final judgement God will once again give the earth a symbol of blood and the wages of sin being death. The book of Revelation says the moon will "become as blood" (Rev. 6). Let us pray that many will accept the pure water of the Word which brings grace and mercy and so avoid so great a judgement.
"Hey, Hey, if you trust me, I'll take you where the peaceful waters flow..."
As Sung by Gladys Knight
Monday, August 31, 2015
Monday, August 24, 2015
Bibledoorajar: The Value of Covenants
"Covenants presupposed a king, a domain, a way of life, people, and often mediating servants. The covenant was an important administrative means within a kingdom."
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary
I remember visiting with some friends once who were very upset that someone in their neighborhood had not lived up to the covenant established as how the neighborhood would look in some respects. A bond had been broken; a mediator was needed to correct the problem. Peaceful relations were in peril within the community. It is difficult when covenants are broken, is it not? Ways of life disappear unless mediation is successful.
When God heard the groaning of His people in Egypt perhaps they were being sorely stretched to believe God's covenant with them was still in tact . Even the mediator God had selected to assure the people that the bond with them was in tact had his doubts at times. But the value of a biblical covenant is that God never doubts. His people may not see the bond clearly, especially in times of stress, but He always does. When God moved with the plagues, He made Himself displayed in Pharoah's domain. What great value was this! It was more than wonderful for the Jews to have a God who had a plan that He Himself would ensure even though He would have to endure the sorcerers of Egypt and their conflict against His kingdom.
In 2 Timothy 3 we read of two of the sorcerers who resisted the bond God had with his people. Called by name they were Jannes and Jambres, men of corrupt minds. Paul says these are the types that arise in times of peril deluding God's people that the covenants of God will not stand. Why even they can do some of that supernatural stuff! We are challenged to keep our eyes open for this false opposition, but rather totally trust the covenant the Father made with His Son. He would come to earth and ensure the bond would not be broken even though He would have to endure many hardships and conflicts against His kingdom ending with His death on the cross. In Hebrews it is worded this way.
" And for this cause He is the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."
The new testament, the new covenant, was brought about by means of death and it will endure through eternity. Take that you modern Jannes and Jambres! You will never best the value of our covenant no matter the perils of life!
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary
I remember visiting with some friends once who were very upset that someone in their neighborhood had not lived up to the covenant established as how the neighborhood would look in some respects. A bond had been broken; a mediator was needed to correct the problem. Peaceful relations were in peril within the community. It is difficult when covenants are broken, is it not? Ways of life disappear unless mediation is successful.
When God heard the groaning of His people in Egypt perhaps they were being sorely stretched to believe God's covenant with them was still in tact . Even the mediator God had selected to assure the people that the bond with them was in tact had his doubts at times. But the value of a biblical covenant is that God never doubts. His people may not see the bond clearly, especially in times of stress, but He always does. When God moved with the plagues, He made Himself displayed in Pharoah's domain. What great value was this! It was more than wonderful for the Jews to have a God who had a plan that He Himself would ensure even though He would have to endure the sorcerers of Egypt and their conflict against His kingdom.
In 2 Timothy 3 we read of two of the sorcerers who resisted the bond God had with his people. Called by name they were Jannes and Jambres, men of corrupt minds. Paul says these are the types that arise in times of peril deluding God's people that the covenants of God will not stand. Why even they can do some of that supernatural stuff! We are challenged to keep our eyes open for this false opposition, but rather totally trust the covenant the Father made with His Son. He would come to earth and ensure the bond would not be broken even though He would have to endure many hardships and conflicts against His kingdom ending with His death on the cross. In Hebrews it is worded this way.
" And for this cause He is the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."
The new testament, the new covenant, was brought about by means of death and it will endure through eternity. Take that you modern Jannes and Jambres! You will never best the value of our covenant no matter the perils of life!
Monday, August 10, 2015
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Bibledoorajar: Not Forever
"He is merciful and tender toward those who don't deserve it; He is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever."
Psalm 103: 8-9
Not forever. When in the mix of difficult situations in which the enemy seems to be winning, it is a good thing to remember that God will not stay angry forever. He will, in His own time, take steps to route the enemy. In this story, the abuse of God's people had been going on at least 80 years. But the time was coming when the efforts of God against the enemy would pay off for His people. This would happen at a time when things could not look worse. But not forever. Judgement does come to the land of Pharoah. It will come against a hardened heart and it will come in the form of plagues--ten of them. Each plague would show forth the deep realities of the God of the Universe. No matter the talk among the Egyptians of this god and that god, of this Pharoah and that Pharoah, this unit of plagues, bitter though they be, would free the Israelites. The Hand of God would bring finality to slavery in progressively more difficult ways. Watch the enemy bend and sway. Will he ultimately fall?
Of course, this all makes us think of God's final judgement on the world and its' god. When the hand of God declares that time shall be no longer the Book tells us that seals--seven of them, will be broken upon the earth, each progressively more difficult. The enemy will bend and sway, but UL-
TIMATELY Jesus Christ will return and finish the final solution.
Take heart today. No matter how the enemy is assaulting you, you can place him on a timeline of judgement and speak to him as Moses spoke. This is what Martin Luther said to him one time when he was being assaulted: "Oh, it just you, you old fart." Minimize him; exalt the Christ. Seek freedom.
Psalm 103: 8-9
Not forever. When in the mix of difficult situations in which the enemy seems to be winning, it is a good thing to remember that God will not stay angry forever. He will, in His own time, take steps to route the enemy. In this story, the abuse of God's people had been going on at least 80 years. But the time was coming when the efforts of God against the enemy would pay off for His people. This would happen at a time when things could not look worse. But not forever. Judgement does come to the land of Pharoah. It will come against a hardened heart and it will come in the form of plagues--ten of them. Each plague would show forth the deep realities of the God of the Universe. No matter the talk among the Egyptians of this god and that god, of this Pharoah and that Pharoah, this unit of plagues, bitter though they be, would free the Israelites. The Hand of God would bring finality to slavery in progressively more difficult ways. Watch the enemy bend and sway. Will he ultimately fall?
Of course, this all makes us think of God's final judgement on the world and its' god. When the hand of God declares that time shall be no longer the Book tells us that seals--seven of them, will be broken upon the earth, each progressively more difficult. The enemy will bend and sway, but UL-
TIMATELY Jesus Christ will return and finish the final solution.
Take heart today. No matter how the enemy is assaulting you, you can place him on a timeline of judgement and speak to him as Moses spoke. This is what Martin Luther said to him one time when he was being assaulted: "Oh, it just you, you old fart." Minimize him; exalt the Christ. Seek freedom.
Monday, July 27, 2015
Bibledoorajar: "Now Wait Just a Minute"
Things were not going too well with gaining freedom from Pharoah. God had told Moses that He was going to harden Pharoah's heart, but even Moses seemed to have wondered how long God would continue to let His people suffer at the hands of Pharoah. The foremen of the work crews were having a hard time making bricks without straw. The situation was really bad. The foreman accused Moses and Aaron of causing their people to be offensive to Pharoah and subjecting them to death. Moses and Aaron were leaders with a bad situation on their hands. Finally, Moses went to God and said in a nutshell, "How long are you going to do evil toward your people?" Here are his comments from the Living Bible Version:
" Then Moses went back to the Lord. 'Lord, he protested, how can you mistreat your own people like this? Why did you ever send me, if you were going to do this to them? Ever since I gave Pharoah your message, he has only been more and more brutal to them, and you have not delivered them at all!" Exodus 5: 22ff.
When I read this, my imagination hears God saying, "now just a minute, who do you think you are young man?" But there is nothing in the scripture about God calling Moses to task. Instead, He patiently reminded Moses that Pharoah would have to be forced to let the people go, but in the end Pharoah would gladly drive them out of his land. And then God reminded Moses of who He was: the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They were not made privy of His name Jehovah, but Moses did know Him as Jehovah----Sacred---Covenant Keeping. Just a minute, Moses, steady on, don't lose sight of who I am.
In the face of evil today, God has said to overcome it with good. A good like Jesus exemplified over and over. We must pray for deliverance from evil, but we can also get to doing good always remembering the Sacred.
"Our Father who is in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever. Amen." Let's just wait a minute and ponder that.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Bibledoorajar: Hope and Monkey Wrenchs
Moses and Aaron met with the leaders in Israel and told them that it was God's intent to deliver the people. Word spread among the people and hope rested upon them and they began to relax a little. But soon their hope was dashed because Pharoah made things harder for them. They would not be given straw, but instead had to make just as many bricks by scouring the grounds for stubble. This raised the question, was Moses wrong? Pharoah was forcing them to focus on the material rather than the Eternal.
This is ever the case. When Jesus comes calling to deliver God's people, Satan has a way of holding on. The material becomes so much more important than the spiritual. It's hard for the new believer to stay focused on the Eternal and trust His time frame to win the battles. They hear He is able to deliver, but like the Children of Israel they do not immediately see it. Soon they are loosing focus. But it was a trustworthy statement that God had sent Moses to deliver the children of God. It was worthy to be talked about--over and over--so that all would be encouraged even as Pharoah redoubled his efforts to keep them enslaved.
Paul told Timothy that this was a trustworthy statement that could be talked about over and over to encourage believers away from enslavement:
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Tim. 1:15ff
Today might just be a day when you need to hear this trustworthy statement that deserves full acceptance or maybe it is a day when someone you know needs you to to encourage them to focus on the spiritual and the deliverance that God promises through the blood of Jesus. To the question--was Jesus wrong?---let us boldly believe and share "never"!!!!
This is ever the case. When Jesus comes calling to deliver God's people, Satan has a way of holding on. The material becomes so much more important than the spiritual. It's hard for the new believer to stay focused on the Eternal and trust His time frame to win the battles. They hear He is able to deliver, but like the Children of Israel they do not immediately see it. Soon they are loosing focus. But it was a trustworthy statement that God had sent Moses to deliver the children of God. It was worthy to be talked about--over and over--so that all would be encouraged even as Pharoah redoubled his efforts to keep them enslaved.
Paul told Timothy that this was a trustworthy statement that could be talked about over and over to encourage believers away from enslavement:
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Tim. 1:15ff
Today might just be a day when you need to hear this trustworthy statement that deserves full acceptance or maybe it is a day when someone you know needs you to to encourage them to focus on the spiritual and the deliverance that God promises through the blood of Jesus. To the question--was Jesus wrong?---let us boldly believe and share "never"!!!!
Monday, July 13, 2015
Bibledoorajar: Good Vs. Evil And Two Old Men
The Word says that Moses and Aaron were older when they went before Pharoah the first time. How did they do? They did tell Pharoah that God wanted him to let His people go. But they went a little political too. God had not told them to make an appeal to Pharoah. But they did. They said, "pray thee" let the people go. This brings up questions. Does evil have a "better part" that can be appealed to? Does evil have to be handled just as God says? Just how powerful is Satan and his dominions? And, if God is hardening the hearts of evil men for His own purposes, how are we supposed to respond?
When God spoke to Moses after the first encounter with Pharoah, He said two things: 1) I have made you gods before Pharoah and 2) do ALL that I command you to do. First of all, God had Himself established within Moses and Aaron His power that would sustain them before the evil one. Secondly, there could be no ""pray thee" with evil---no negotiating. It had to be handled as God commanded. His wording became very important in this great battle.
Yesterday in Bible class, we were discussing Paul's words to Timothy as to how to speak in the presence of evil. There was a trustworthy statement that Timothy should not veer from:
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen" 1 Tim. 1:15-17
This trustworthy saying is one that can be used over and over. It is the basis of our testimony to others to bring them to Christ and the thing well said that will overcome evil in our hearts. We do not understand all the ways that God is involved with the battle of evil. But it is clear that He is aware and is in charge. It is ours to use the trustworthy statement over and over giving praise to Him for His mercy and grace toward all who believe. Take that Devil!
When God spoke to Moses after the first encounter with Pharoah, He said two things: 1) I have made you gods before Pharoah and 2) do ALL that I command you to do. First of all, God had Himself established within Moses and Aaron His power that would sustain them before the evil one. Secondly, there could be no ""pray thee" with evil---no negotiating. It had to be handled as God commanded. His wording became very important in this great battle.
Yesterday in Bible class, we were discussing Paul's words to Timothy as to how to speak in the presence of evil. There was a trustworthy statement that Timothy should not veer from:
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen" 1 Tim. 1:15-17
This trustworthy saying is one that can be used over and over. It is the basis of our testimony to others to bring them to Christ and the thing well said that will overcome evil in our hearts. We do not understand all the ways that God is involved with the battle of evil. But it is clear that He is aware and is in charge. It is ours to use the trustworthy statement over and over giving praise to Him for His mercy and grace toward all who believe. Take that Devil!
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