Tag: Egypt

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Beginning to Forever, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study

Dry Ground

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Based on the LGG Study, From the Beginning to Forever/w3d3

Read: Ex 14:19-31; SOAP: Ex 12:13 / (for further reading Ex 12:33-37; Ex 14:5-18)

Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. 20 The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night.

21 Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. 22 So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!

23 Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea. 24 But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. 25 He twisted[a] their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”

26 When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.” 27 So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea. 28 Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.

29 But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. 30 That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. 31 When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

Exodus 14:19-31

As I read through this the first time, all I could think about was how the Israelites must have felt. The amazement at the dry ground…fear at the walls of water on their right and left…and undoubtedly at the army of Egyptians that pursued them. Then I read through it again and found myself jotting down phrases and verses that flooded my thoughts.

“If God is for us, who can stand against us?”

“Lean not on your own understandings.”

“Nothing is impossible for God!”

Trusting in God is essential to following Him wherever He leads. 🦋

We must always be ready to walk by faith and not by sight.

“Even the wind and seas obey Him.”

Listen and obey ~ right away, all the way, and in a cheerful way.

God is all-powerful! When we see this, we will fear (respect Him) and believe in His greatness and in those He places over us.

“My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty there’s nothing my God cannot do!”

Was it amazement or awe, fear or excitement, was adrenaline pushing them forward, or caution holding them back? Whatever they were feeling, Moses had stretched out his hand toward the sea, and the LORD had driven the sea apart by a strong east wind all that night, and He made the sea into dry land. The water was divided, and God’s people were delivered through the waters and saw that their pursuers were dead. Scripture records that they saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians; they feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses.

Friends, as today’s journal entry so beautifully puts it: “When we come to a crossroads in life, when it seems as if there’s no other option but defeat, lean on the power of God. Our job, like the Israelites’, is to be still, lay all our problems before the Almighty One, and wait for His deliverance. It will come, in His good time.”

From the Beginning to Forever/journal p103
Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Beginning to Forever, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study

The Power of the Blood

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based on the LGG Study, From the Beginning to Forever/w3d2

Read: Ex 12:1-13; SOAP: Ex 12:13 / (for further reading Ex. 7:1-7)

The First Passover

12 While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the Lord gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron: 2 “From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. 3 Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. 4 If a family is too small to eat a whole animal, let them share with another family in the neighborhood. Divide the animal according to the size of each family and how much they can eat. 5 The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects.

6 “Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight. 7 They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal. 8 That same night they must roast the meat over a fire and eat it along with bitter salad greens and bread made without yeast. 9 Do not eat any of the meat raw or boiled in water. The whole animal—including the head, legs, and internal organs—must be roasted over a fire. 10 Do not leave any of it until the next morning. Burn whatever is not eaten before morning.

11 “These are your instructions for eating this meal: Be fully dressed, wear your sandals, and carry your walking stick in your hand. Eat the meal with urgency, for this is the Lord’s Passover. 12 On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! 13 But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Exodus 12:1-15

Praise God, this side of the cross, we do not have to literally paint blood over the door frames of our home. We do not have to find a spotless lamb and go through all of the steps required of our ancestors. Why? Because our lamb was provided by God from Heaven, He gave His life on a sinner’s cross that was meant for us, and now He dwells in us through the Spirit we received from God. Jesus Christ is the spotless Lamb who takes away the sins of the world1, and His righteousness has been placed on all who have, by faith, believed in Him, the risen Lamb of God! It is by His blood and righteousness that the wrath of God passes over us.2

Friends, are you covered with the soul cleansing blood of the Passover Lamb? Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?

The More We Know

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh, and your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet. 2 Tell Aaron everything I command you, and Aaron must command Pharaoh to let the people of Israel leave his country. 3 But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 Even then Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you. So I will bring down my fist on Egypt. Then I will rescue my forces—my people, the Israelites—from the land of Egypt with great acts of judgment. 5 When I raise my powerful hand and bring out the Israelites, the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.”

6 So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded them. 7 Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty-three when they made their demands to Pharaoh.

Exodus 7:1-7

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing pow’r? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Friend, if you have never put your faith in Jesus, you are in danger, for only those who are covered in the blood of the lamb will be spared from the wrath of God. I would love to introduce you to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. Please visit the Know These Truths link below to learn more about the Lamb of God, whose blood can save your soul.

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, Choosing God Instead of the World, LGG Study

The Reality of the Dream

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Choosing God Instead of the World – Recap of Week-5

A Love God Greatly Study

REFLECTIONS

We first heard about Joseph when God “enabled Rachel to become pregnant” and give birth to a son in chapter thirty. However, we didn’t really become acquainted with him until he was seventeen years old and dreaming dreams that seemed to imply that one day he would be in authority over his family and they would be bowing down to him. In our journey this week we have seen the reality of this dream not once but twice. We have seen the beauty of God’s sovereign control positioning Joseph just where he needed to be. We have witnessed Joseph’s raw emotions, we’ve watched battles with forgiveness, anger, sorrow, and fears, and we have seen bold steps of faith and surrender. Through it all we have seen God work in ways unimaginable to man as He positioned not just Joseph but his family and eventually the “nation of Israel” exactly where they were meant to be. Oh how I hope that you are enjoying this journey and the history of God’s people and our faith. I pray that you are finding hope for your battles – in seeing that God is in control, working everything completely and perfectly together for His people and purpose.

*I invite you to message me if you do not know know Jesus as your Savior, or if you have questions concerning faith

PREVIEW: Week-6

During our final week we will continue to explore the reasons, ways, and benefits of Choosing God Instead Of The World . We will travel the rest of the way through Genesis forty-six and complete the journey in chapter fifty with a few detours through other Old and New Testament passages. May He open our hearts and minds to see Him all along the way.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE POSTS or LGG Blogs YOU’LL FIND THE LINKS BELOW.

The Brothers Go Down to Egypt: https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2022/08/14/7563/

Affection for His Betrayers: https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2022/08/15/7580/

Love One Another: https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2022/08/16/7598/

For God Sent Me: https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2022/08/17/7607/

Here I Am: https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2022/08/18/7620/

Posted in Bible study, Choosing God Instead of the World, LGG Study

The Brothers Go Down to Egypt

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WEEK 5, DAY 1 OF CHOOSING GOD INSTEAD OF THE WORLD, A LOVE GOD GREATLY STUDY

Scripture Reading: Genesis 42 (SOAP – 2 Corinthians 7:9-10)

Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.  2 Corinthians 7:9-10NLT
OBSERVATION:

THE GENESIS SAGA: The Brothers Bow Down

The famine was severe in the land of Canaan but Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt so he sent his sons, except for Benjamin, down to buy grain. Because Joseph was the ruler of the country, the one who sold grain to all the people, it was him that they appeared before with their request and him they bowed down to. Years had past but Joseph still recognized his brothers, however they did not recognize him, most likely because he would have been dressed like an Egyptian and addressed by his Egyptian name. Scripture says, he did not disclose his identity but acted like a stranger and treated them harshly. I imagine that the harshness was most likely in some ways his true emotions spilling out toward those who had betrayed him but perhaps also an attempt to keep his identity a secret not know knowing what they would do if they found out he was alive and well. He was undoubtedly curious too as to the condition of his father and other brother so he asked questions prompting the information. Unsatisfied with, or untrusting of, their answers – he sends all but one of them back to Canaan, keeping Simeon as a prisoner to be released upon their return with his brother Benjamin.

Back in Canaan they explained the events to their father but after much conversation and promises to protect him he refused to let Benjamin go.

Other Notable Observations:

  • Joseph originally had all of the brothers imprisoned for three days while he considered what to do.
  • Joseph had cried out to his brothers for mercy before they sold him into slavery.
  • At one point he turned away from them and wept because he had understood their language and their conversation about what they had done to Joseph. (They did not know Joseph had understood them because they were using an interpreter.)
APPLICATION: HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?

In a previous letter Paul had rebuked the Corinthians for a particular sin. He had been concerned that his rebuke would have angered them but instead learned that they had repented – which is the best outcome to any rebuke. God intends for knowledge of our sins to make us sorrowful and lead us to repentance, which is to stop whatever worldly behavior we’re doing and choose instead to follow Him. Whether it is a repentance of the lost that leads to salvation or a repentance of the believer that leads to a right relationship with God – repentance is always best. This is what we saw with the brothers after their trip to Egypt – even before they knew that they had bowed before Joseph, they, specifically Reuben, realized the wrongness of their actions and the debt they owed.

Prayer: Response to God’s Word.

Father, help us to live with yielded and repentant hearts – In Jesus’ name, amen.

YOUR TURN:PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
  • How does sadness lead to repentance and salvation ?
  • Have you experienced the sadness of God?
  • Did it lead you to repentance?