January 27th
When a brother sins against you
15: Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16: But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17: And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto: but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. 18: Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19: Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20: For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Forgiving others
21: Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? 22: Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven. 23: Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24: And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25: But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26: The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27: Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28: But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29: And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30: And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31: So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32: Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34: And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35: So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Christ here gives very clear and thoughtful instructions to the disciples as to how to sort out difficulties that arise between brethren. The three stages are simple and wise and they apply equally to the Disciples of the Lord and to the Church today. Peter then raises the question of how often he is to forgive his brother when he offends him. Most people would say once twice or three times and Peter suggests seven times, but the Lord comes back with 70 x 7. Seventy being the span of a mans life and seven being the number of completion. Maybe Christ is referring to total forgiveness. However, 70 x 7 is also the number of years in a whole era for Israel. 70 x 7 = 490. There were 490 years from The Promise to the Tabernacle. 490 years from the Tabernacle to the Temple. 490 years from the Temple to The deportation and the Times of the Gentiles is 490 years. Maybe Christ had this number in mind because the Kingdom would dawn at the end of the 490 years of The Times of the Gentiles. Was Christ saying to Peter you must forgive this year and next year and right on into the Kingdom? Christ then follows with a parable which shows the importance of forgiveness and how that the God of Israel will hold me responsible to forgive and on the basis of a forgiving heart they will be forgiven. This is not how Christ deals in Grace to the NT believers of the Church. They forgive, not to be forgiven but because they are forgiven.
Steve
26/01/2012
PM Jan 26th Ex 14
January 26th
Exodus, 14
14v1-31 The Lord divides the Sea
1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. 3: For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. 4: 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. 5: 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? 6: And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: 7: And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. 8: 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. 9: 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 Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon. 10: 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. 11: 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? 12: 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. 13: 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. 14: The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 15: And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16: 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. 17: 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. 18: 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. 19: 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: 20: 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. 21: 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. 22: 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. 23: 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. 24: 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, 25: 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. 26: 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. 27: 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. 28: 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. 29: But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 30: Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. 31: And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.
Exodus, 15
C The Marching to Mt Sinai
15v1-18 The song of Moses
1: Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2: The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. 3: The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. 4: Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. 5: The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 6: Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7: And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. 8: And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9: The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. 10: Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 11: Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12: Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. 13: Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 14: The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15: Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16: Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. 17: Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. 18: The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
15v19-21 The song of Miriam
19: For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. 20: And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21: And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
15v22-27 The bitter waters of Marah
22: So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23: And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24: And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25: And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26: And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. 27: And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
In today’s reading we have the momentous event of the crossing of the Red sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army. Israel fed from Pharaoh and went south east into the Sinai Peninsula. Now when Pharaoh realised that they were escaping by a route that would block Israel in he thought that he would chase them and get his revenge. However this was of the lords doing and he was heading for his own destruction. The passage says they were entangled in the land. When we look at the route they took it was an amazingly crooked path through great canyons towards the Red Sea. When the children of Israel saw the Egyptians coming, a very great army, with hundreds of chariots and foot soldiers they were afraid and complained to the Lord. But Moses said do not be afraid but stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord will fight for you – you must be quiet. The children of Israel found themselves on the beach of Nuweiba on the Red Sea (The gulf of Acabar) And with mountains right and left and the sea in front of them. The pillar of cloud removed from being in front of them and passed over to be behind them. Then Moses stretched out his staff over the sea and a strong east wind blew and parted the waters. In the gulf of Acabar there is a ‘land bridge’ about 300 feet below the surface of the water. With a steep cliff each side going down to 800 feet. In the time of Solomon he erected two pillars on each side of the crossing place and inscribed with detailed of the purpose of this memorial. The children of Israel crossed as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to follow Israelites into the sea the Lord disturbed them and took off their chariot wheels so that they dragged the chariots slowly. There are people who say that they crossed a river that was in drought. However it’s hard to imagine why the chariots of the Egyptians would get stuck in a trickle of water and even more difficult to imagine how they drowned. The truth is that those who visit the crossing site would realise that that idea is pure fiction. Then when the children of Israel were safe on the other side the Lord caused the waters to return and on the next day the children of Israel saw all the Egyptians drowned in the water. This event made a huge impression on Israel and the people feared the Lord and they listened to Moses. After it was all over Moses sang a song to the Lord. –
I will sing unto the LORD,
for he hath triumphed gloriously:
the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and song,
and he is become my salvation:
he is my God,
and I will prepare him an habitation;
my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea:
his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
The depths have covered them:
they sank into the bottom as a stone.
Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power:
thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown
them that rose up against thee:
thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together,
the floods stood upright as an heap,
and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them;
I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them:
they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods?
who is like thee, glorious in holiness,
fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed:
thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
The people shall hear, and be afraid:
sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed;
the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them;
all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
Fear and dread shall fall upon them;
by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone;
till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over,
which thou hast purchased.
Thou shalt bring them in,
and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place,
O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in,
in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
Nobody can imagine after so many years of hard labour and bitter bondage the joy of their deliverance. Then Miriam burst into song…
For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots
and with his horsemen into the sea,
and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them;
but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.
Miriam the other sister of Moses who was a prophetess took a timbrel in her hand and she led a merry dance in true Jewish style. After coming through the Red Sea the children of Israel soon came down to earth. They were thirsty! After three days the children of Israel came to a spring but the water was polluted and they began complaining at Moses for bringing them into the wilderness. If God was going to bless them then he was going to bring them into a place were only he could bless them. Moses was told by the Lord to cut down a particular tree and to throw it into the water and the waters became drinkable. The Lord entered into a covenant that if the Children of Israel obeyed the voice of the Lord then none of the diseases that the Egyptians had suffered would come upon then. The Lord would he the LORD who heals Israel. This was always the case with Israel and it goes a long way to explain the incidents of healing in the ministry of Christ and his Apostles. Later they came to Elim where there were twelve wells and seventy palm trees and the children of Israel camped there.
Steve
Exodus, 14
14v1-31 The Lord divides the Sea
1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Baal-zephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea. 3: For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. 4: 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. 5: 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? 6: And he made ready his chariot, and took his people with him: 7: And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them. 8: 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. 9: 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 Pi-hahiroth, before Baal-zephon. 10: 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. 11: 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? 12: 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. 13: 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. 14: The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 15: And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 16: 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. 17: 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. 18: 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. 19: 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: 20: 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. 21: 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. 22: 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. 23: 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. 24: 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, 25: 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. 26: 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. 27: 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. 28: 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. 29: But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. 30: Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. 31: And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.
Exodus, 15
C The Marching to Mt Sinai
15v1-18 The song of Moses
1: Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2: The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. 3: The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. 4: Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. 5: The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 6: Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7: And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. 8: And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9: The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. 10: Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 11: Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12: Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. 13: Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 14: The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15: Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16: Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. 17: Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. 18: The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
15v19-21 The song of Miriam
19: For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. 20: And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21: And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
15v22-27 The bitter waters of Marah
22: So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23: And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. 24: And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? 25: And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, 26: And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. 27: And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
In today’s reading we have the momentous event of the crossing of the Red sea and the destruction of the Egyptian army. Israel fed from Pharaoh and went south east into the Sinai Peninsula. Now when Pharaoh realised that they were escaping by a route that would block Israel in he thought that he would chase them and get his revenge. However this was of the lords doing and he was heading for his own destruction. The passage says they were entangled in the land. When we look at the route they took it was an amazingly crooked path through great canyons towards the Red Sea. When the children of Israel saw the Egyptians coming, a very great army, with hundreds of chariots and foot soldiers they were afraid and complained to the Lord. But Moses said do not be afraid but stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. The Lord will fight for you – you must be quiet. The children of Israel found themselves on the beach of Nuweiba on the Red Sea (The gulf of Acabar) And with mountains right and left and the sea in front of them. The pillar of cloud removed from being in front of them and passed over to be behind them. Then Moses stretched out his staff over the sea and a strong east wind blew and parted the waters. In the gulf of Acabar there is a ‘land bridge’ about 300 feet below the surface of the water. With a steep cliff each side going down to 800 feet. In the time of Solomon he erected two pillars on each side of the crossing place and inscribed with detailed of the purpose of this memorial. The children of Israel crossed as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to follow Israelites into the sea the Lord disturbed them and took off their chariot wheels so that they dragged the chariots slowly. There are people who say that they crossed a river that was in drought. However it’s hard to imagine why the chariots of the Egyptians would get stuck in a trickle of water and even more difficult to imagine how they drowned. The truth is that those who visit the crossing site would realise that that idea is pure fiction. Then when the children of Israel were safe on the other side the Lord caused the waters to return and on the next day the children of Israel saw all the Egyptians drowned in the water. This event made a huge impression on Israel and the people feared the Lord and they listened to Moses. After it was all over Moses sang a song to the Lord. –
I will sing unto the LORD,
for he hath triumphed gloriously:
the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
The LORD is my strength and song,
and he is become my salvation:
he is my God,
and I will prepare him an habitation;
my father's God, and I will exalt him.
The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea:
his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.
The depths have covered them:
they sank into the bottom as a stone.
Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power:
thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.
And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown
them that rose up against thee:
thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together,
the floods stood upright as an heap,
and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.
The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake,
I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them;
I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them:
they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods?
who is like thee, glorious in holiness,
fearful in praises, doing wonders?
Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them.
Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed:
thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.
The people shall hear, and be afraid:
sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina.
Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed;
the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them;
all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.
Fear and dread shall fall upon them;
by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone;
till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over,
which thou hast purchased.
Thou shalt bring them in,
and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place,
O LORD, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in,
in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established.
The LORD shall reign for ever and ever.
Nobody can imagine after so many years of hard labour and bitter bondage the joy of their deliverance. Then Miriam burst into song…
For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots
and with his horsemen into the sea,
and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them;
but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.
Miriam the other sister of Moses who was a prophetess took a timbrel in her hand and she led a merry dance in true Jewish style. After coming through the Red Sea the children of Israel soon came down to earth. They were thirsty! After three days the children of Israel came to a spring but the water was polluted and they began complaining at Moses for bringing them into the wilderness. If God was going to bless them then he was going to bring them into a place were only he could bless them. Moses was told by the Lord to cut down a particular tree and to throw it into the water and the waters became drinkable. The Lord entered into a covenant that if the Children of Israel obeyed the voice of the Lord then none of the diseases that the Egyptians had suffered would come upon then. The Lord would he the LORD who heals Israel. This was always the case with Israel and it goes a long way to explain the incidents of healing in the ministry of Christ and his Apostles. Later they came to Elim where there were twelve wells and seventy palm trees and the children of Israel camped there.
Steve
25/01/2012
AM Jan 26th Matt 18
January 26th
Matthew 18
The greatest
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Offences
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
The lost sheep
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
The disciples of Christ come to him to ask the question about who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. This may have been precipitated by the calling of only the three disciples up the mountain of transfiguration. Christ uses a little child to illustrate the sort of attitude that God respects more than any other and which is the secret of real greatness. Christ does not specifically state what is the childlike character of the one who will be greatest but whatever it was it would be important for the disciples to humble themselves in order to attain to it. Some have suggested the characteristic is humility, others a simple unadulterated faith and others the childlike desire to learn. I believe it is the childlike characteristic of total trust. The Lord then turns to the sanctity of children and of the utmost care in not offending them. He gives us the fearful sight of a man standing on the precipice with a millstone (This is the great millstone that is turned by a mule) around his neck ready to plunge into the depths. Christ is not suggesting that he should kill himself by drowning himself in the deepest sea, but that he should look eternity in the face and stop offending. Christ also describes a man standing with a large knife ready to cut off his own hand. He is not suggesting that anyone should actually do this, (Let alone that this is actually a punishment that courts could execute and blame Christ for the precedent, after all this man is alone in the passage, it is something that he would do to himself) rather Christ is saying that men should get to the point of crisis and withdraw never to use that hand again to sin. The Lord then speaks of the honour that little ones have in Gods heart and of the protection that God provides for them. The Lord gives the parable of the one sheep out of many in which the shepherd cares deeply for every individual. Then he states categorically that It is not the will of my Father that one of these little ones should perish.
Steve
Matthew 18
The greatest
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Offences
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
The lost sheep
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
The disciples of Christ come to him to ask the question about who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. This may have been precipitated by the calling of only the three disciples up the mountain of transfiguration. Christ uses a little child to illustrate the sort of attitude that God respects more than any other and which is the secret of real greatness. Christ does not specifically state what is the childlike character of the one who will be greatest but whatever it was it would be important for the disciples to humble themselves in order to attain to it. Some have suggested the characteristic is humility, others a simple unadulterated faith and others the childlike desire to learn. I believe it is the childlike characteristic of total trust. The Lord then turns to the sanctity of children and of the utmost care in not offending them. He gives us the fearful sight of a man standing on the precipice with a millstone (This is the great millstone that is turned by a mule) around his neck ready to plunge into the depths. Christ is not suggesting that he should kill himself by drowning himself in the deepest sea, but that he should look eternity in the face and stop offending. Christ also describes a man standing with a large knife ready to cut off his own hand. He is not suggesting that anyone should actually do this, (Let alone that this is actually a punishment that courts could execute and blame Christ for the precedent, after all this man is alone in the passage, it is something that he would do to himself) rather Christ is saying that men should get to the point of crisis and withdraw never to use that hand again to sin. The Lord then speaks of the honour that little ones have in Gods heart and of the protection that God provides for them. The Lord gives the parable of the one sheep out of many in which the shepherd cares deeply for every individual. Then he states categorically that It is not the will of my Father that one of these little ones should perish.
Steve
PM January 25th Ex 11
January 25th
Exodus, 11
11v1-10 Plague 10 All firstborn to die
1: And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether. 2: Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. 3: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people. 4: And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: 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. 6: 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. 7: 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. 8: 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. 9: And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. 10: And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
Exodus, 12
B The Deliverance
12v1-28 The Passover celebrated
1: And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2: This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3: Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5: Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7: And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8: And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9: 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. 10: 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. 11: 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. 12: 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. 13: 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. 14: 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. 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. 16: And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. 17: And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. 18: In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. 19: Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. 20: Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. 21: 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. 22: 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. 23: 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. 24: And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25: And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26: And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27: That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 28: And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
12v29-36 All the Firstborn die
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. 30: 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. 31: 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. 32: Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. 33: 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. 34: And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 35: 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: 36: 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.
12v37-51 Israel move out of Egypt
37: And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38: And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 39: 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. 40: Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41: 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. 42: It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. 43: And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: 44: But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 45: A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. 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. 47: All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48: And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49: One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. 50: Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 51: And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
Exodus, 13
13v1-16 The Firstborn dedicated
1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine. 3: And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. 4: This day came ye out in the month Abib. 5: And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. 6: Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD. 7: Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. 8: And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. 9: And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. 10: Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. 11: And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, 12: That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD's. 13: And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. 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: 15: And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. 16: And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.
13v17-22 The Lord leads them out
17: 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: 18: 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. 19: 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. 20: And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21: 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: 22: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
In today’s reading the Lord finally secures the release of Israel from bondage. The LORD brings the last plague on Egypt while Israel celebrate the Passover. Pharaoh expels Israel from Egypt and as the go out all the firstborn are dedicated to the LORD. The LORD tells Moses that he will bring one more plague on Egypt which will be so great that the Egyptians will thrust them out. However Israel had some special preparations to make to prevent them also from suffering from the plague. First all the women of Israel were to borrow from their neighbours jewellery of silver and gold and the neighbours were very willing to do so. Israel was viewed very favourably by the Egyptians and Moses himself was very highly respected. Then the LORD explained to Moses that the last plague would be the death of every first born son from Pharaohs own son to the lowest of the low. (Even the young girl and her baby who lives behind the mill) Even the first born of all animals will die. There will be a great cry or mourning in all the land, a cry so terrible that will be unique in all history. The LORD was going to put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. Then the Lord gave very specific instructions to Moses regarding the Passover night. First he said this month will be the beginning of a new year for all time. It will be start of a totally new life. On the 10th day every head of a household will take a lamb from the flock. The lamb is to have no outward signs of abnormality and it must be a first year male. (It can be from the sheep or goats) The lamb will be looked after in the house from the 10th to the 14th day. And on that day it will be killed, in the evening. Then the blood will be taken and painted on the posts of the door and on the lintel. Then the flesh is to be roasted and eaten with bread containing no yeast and it is be eaten with bitter herbs. The whole lamb or goat is to be eaten, nothing is to be left until morning. If anything is left then it to be burnt in the fire completely. It is to eaten with your coat and shoes on your feet and with your staff in your hand and it is to be eaten quickly. On this night the LORD will pass through the land and execute judgment on all the land and when the Lord sees the blood he will pass-over the house and not enter. This day is to be forever remembered by Israel. Every year for ever this day will be remembered. Then the Lord went on to explain who Israel is to remember the Passover as a holy Feast of the LORD. Anyone who refused to remember this feast will be executed or expelled from Israel. Moses called the elders of Israel and explained what the Lord had instructed him and they bowed down and worshipped the LORD. At midnight the LORD passed through the land killed ever firstborn in every family of every generation in all the land of Egypt. This effected Pharaoh in his family and even men in prison and all cattle. There was a very great cry of despair that arose over the whole land because this touched every family and in some families many members. Sons, fathers and grandfathers all died if they were the firstborn. Pharaoh called for Moses and demanded that they leave Egypt. He said take your whole herds and go and bless me as you go. They Egyptians sent them out with great urgency because they said, we are dead men! The children of Israel took their unleavened bread and their bread making tools and left. They had already borrowed great riches. The children of Israel did not leave without money or riches the Egyptians gave freely of their treasures. The children of Israel went out in number 600,000 men – not including children. This might have been perhaps a million people. There also went out people of other races that attached themselves to Israel. Israel had been in Egypt for 430 years. They went out on exactly the same day that they entered Egypt. The 14th day of the first month. The Lord stipulated that no uncircumcised man should ever celebrate the Passover. The common practise today of Gentile Christians celebrating the Passover is to be avoided. Quote. ‘for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof’. From this day onward the first born of every family was dedicated especially to the Lord. The first born of the herds were to be dedicated to the Lord also on offering of a sacrifice. When the Lord did lead the children of Israel out he did not lead then via the normal northern route to Canaan but he led them south east toward the Gulf of Aqabar. The Lord led them by a path in which there was no possibility of return. Israel would never be able to go back. In the day the Lords presence was a pillar of cloud and at night a pillar of fire.
Steve
Exodus, 11
11v1-10 Plague 10 All firstborn to die
1: And the LORD said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence: when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether. 2: Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold. 3: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the sight of the people. 4: And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: 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. 6: 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. 7: 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. 8: 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. 9: And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. 10: And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land.
Exodus, 12
B The Deliverance
12v1-28 The Passover celebrated
1: And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2: This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3: Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5: Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: 6: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. 7: And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. 8: And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9: 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. 10: 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. 11: 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. 12: 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. 13: 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. 14: 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. 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. 16: And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. 17: And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. 18: In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. 19: Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. 20: Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. 21: 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. 22: 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. 23: 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. 24: And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25: And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26: And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? 27: That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. 28: And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they.
12v29-36 All the Firstborn die
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. 30: 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. 31: 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. 32: Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. 33: 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. 34: And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 35: 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: 36: 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.
12v37-51 Israel move out of Egypt
37: And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38: And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. 39: 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. 40: Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. 41: 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. 42: It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. 43: And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: 44: But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. 45: A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. 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. 47: All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48: And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. 49: One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. 50: Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 51: And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.
Exodus, 13
13v1-16 The Firstborn dedicated
1: And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2: Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine. 3: And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten. 4: This day came ye out in the month Abib. 5: And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee, a land flowing with milk and honey, that thou shalt keep this service in this month. 6: Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to the LORD. 7: Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days; and there shall no leavened bread be seen with thee, neither shall there be leaven seen with thee in all thy quarters. 8: And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. 9: And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. 10: Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. 11: And it shall be when the LORD shall bring thee into the land of the Canaanites, as he sware unto thee and to thy fathers, and shall give it thee, 12: That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD's. 13: And every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem. 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: 15: And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. 16: And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.
13v17-22 The Lord leads them out
17: 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: 18: 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. 19: 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. 20: And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21: 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: 22: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
In today’s reading the Lord finally secures the release of Israel from bondage. The LORD brings the last plague on Egypt while Israel celebrate the Passover. Pharaoh expels Israel from Egypt and as the go out all the firstborn are dedicated to the LORD. The LORD tells Moses that he will bring one more plague on Egypt which will be so great that the Egyptians will thrust them out. However Israel had some special preparations to make to prevent them also from suffering from the plague. First all the women of Israel were to borrow from their neighbours jewellery of silver and gold and the neighbours were very willing to do so. Israel was viewed very favourably by the Egyptians and Moses himself was very highly respected. Then the LORD explained to Moses that the last plague would be the death of every first born son from Pharaohs own son to the lowest of the low. (Even the young girl and her baby who lives behind the mill) Even the first born of all animals will die. There will be a great cry or mourning in all the land, a cry so terrible that will be unique in all history. The LORD was going to put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel. Then the Lord gave very specific instructions to Moses regarding the Passover night. First he said this month will be the beginning of a new year for all time. It will be start of a totally new life. On the 10th day every head of a household will take a lamb from the flock. The lamb is to have no outward signs of abnormality and it must be a first year male. (It can be from the sheep or goats) The lamb will be looked after in the house from the 10th to the 14th day. And on that day it will be killed, in the evening. Then the blood will be taken and painted on the posts of the door and on the lintel. Then the flesh is to be roasted and eaten with bread containing no yeast and it is be eaten with bitter herbs. The whole lamb or goat is to be eaten, nothing is to be left until morning. If anything is left then it to be burnt in the fire completely. It is to eaten with your coat and shoes on your feet and with your staff in your hand and it is to be eaten quickly. On this night the LORD will pass through the land and execute judgment on all the land and when the Lord sees the blood he will pass-over the house and not enter. This day is to be forever remembered by Israel. Every year for ever this day will be remembered. Then the Lord went on to explain who Israel is to remember the Passover as a holy Feast of the LORD. Anyone who refused to remember this feast will be executed or expelled from Israel. Moses called the elders of Israel and explained what the Lord had instructed him and they bowed down and worshipped the LORD. At midnight the LORD passed through the land killed ever firstborn in every family of every generation in all the land of Egypt. This effected Pharaoh in his family and even men in prison and all cattle. There was a very great cry of despair that arose over the whole land because this touched every family and in some families many members. Sons, fathers and grandfathers all died if they were the firstborn. Pharaoh called for Moses and demanded that they leave Egypt. He said take your whole herds and go and bless me as you go. They Egyptians sent them out with great urgency because they said, we are dead men! The children of Israel took their unleavened bread and their bread making tools and left. They had already borrowed great riches. The children of Israel did not leave without money or riches the Egyptians gave freely of their treasures. The children of Israel went out in number 600,000 men – not including children. This might have been perhaps a million people. There also went out people of other races that attached themselves to Israel. Israel had been in Egypt for 430 years. They went out on exactly the same day that they entered Egypt. The 14th day of the first month. The Lord stipulated that no uncircumcised man should ever celebrate the Passover. The common practise today of Gentile Christians celebrating the Passover is to be avoided. Quote. ‘for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof’. From this day onward the first born of every family was dedicated especially to the Lord. The first born of the herds were to be dedicated to the Lord also on offering of a sacrifice. When the Lord did lead the children of Israel out he did not lead then via the normal northern route to Canaan but he led them south east toward the Gulf of Aqabar. The Lord led them by a path in which there was no possibility of return. Israel would never be able to go back. In the day the Lords presence was a pillar of cloud and at night a pillar of fire.
Steve
24/01/2012
AM Jan 25th Matt 17
January 25th
Matthew, 17
Christ is transfigured
1: And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2: And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3: And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4: Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5: While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6: And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7: And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8: And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 9: And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. 10: And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 11: And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 12: But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13: Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Christ delivers a young boy
14: And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15: Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16: And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17: Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18: And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19: Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20: And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Christ will die and be raised
22: And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: 23: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
Christ pays taxes
24: And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25: He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26: Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27: Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Matthew describes the Transfiguration. Peter, James and John and taken up into the mountain. Christ is glorified and Elijah and Moses appear to talk with Christ about his death. Peter is flustered and overcome so he suggests that three tabernacles should be set up. As he was speaking a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from the cloud said, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Christ was to eclipse all others. They fell on their faces but Christ came a touched them and encouraged them. When they opened their eyes they saw only Jesus. The next question that arises is the prophecy that Elijah must come before Christ. Christ explains that he has already come. A man comes to Christ to plead for his son. He has been to the disciples but they could not deliver him. The disciples ask why they could not heal him Christ says simply it’s your unbelief. He also reveals that this type could only be cast out by prayer and fasting. Christ reveals that he is to be crucified and that he will be raised again on the third day. Peter is accosted by men who ask about his and Christ’s taxes. Christ explains taxes to Peter and shows that they are free from taxes however he then sends Peter to catch a fish to pay their taxes.
Steve
Matthew, 17
Christ is transfigured
1: And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2: And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3: And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4: Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5: While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6: And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7: And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8: And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 9: And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. 10: And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 11: And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 12: But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 13: Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Christ delivers a young boy
14: And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15: Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16: And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17: Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18: And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19: Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 20: And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Christ will die and be raised
22: And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: 23: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
Christ pays taxes
24: And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 25: He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26: Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. 27: Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Matthew describes the Transfiguration. Peter, James and John and taken up into the mountain. Christ is glorified and Elijah and Moses appear to talk with Christ about his death. Peter is flustered and overcome so he suggests that three tabernacles should be set up. As he was speaking a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from the cloud said, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Christ was to eclipse all others. They fell on their faces but Christ came a touched them and encouraged them. When they opened their eyes they saw only Jesus. The next question that arises is the prophecy that Elijah must come before Christ. Christ explains that he has already come. A man comes to Christ to plead for his son. He has been to the disciples but they could not deliver him. The disciples ask why they could not heal him Christ says simply it’s your unbelief. He also reveals that this type could only be cast out by prayer and fasting. Christ reveals that he is to be crucified and that he will be raised again on the third day. Peter is accosted by men who ask about his and Christ’s taxes. Christ explains taxes to Peter and shows that they are free from taxes however he then sends Peter to catch a fish to pay their taxes.
Steve
PM Jan 24th Ex 9
January 24th
Exodus, 9
9v1-7 Plague 5 Animals die
1: 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. 2: For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, 3: 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. 4: 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. 5: And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. 6: 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. 7: 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.
9v8-12 Plague 6 Boils
8: 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. 9: 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. 10: 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. 11: And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. 12: And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.
9v13-35 Plague 7 Hail
13: 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. 14: 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. 15: 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. 16: 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. 17: As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go? 18: 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. 19: 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. 20: He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: 21: And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field. 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. 23: 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. 24: 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. 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. 26: Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. 27: 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. 28: 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. 29: 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. 30: But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God. 31: And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. 32: But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up. 33: 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. 34: 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. 35: And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.
Exodus, 10
10v1-20 Plague 8 Locusts
1: 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: 2: 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. 3: 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. 4: Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: 5: 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: 6: 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. 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? 8: 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? 9: 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. 10: 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. 11: 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. 12: 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. 13: 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. 14: 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. 15: 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. 16: Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. 17: 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. 18: And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. 19: 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. 20: But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
10v21-29 Plague 9 Darkness
21: 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. 22: And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: 23: 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. 24: 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. 25: And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. 26: 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. 27: But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28: 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. 29: And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.
In today’s Bible reading we have five more Plagues that the Lord sent onto Egypt. Again Moses asks Pharaoh to let the people go. The Lord warned that all the cattle of Egypt would die yet the Lord would divide the cattle of Egypt from the cattle of Israel. Pharaoh was amazed by this sign yet he refused to let the people go. So the Lord brought a sixth plague on Egypt. This would touch the flesh of the Egyptians. Moses took some ashes from the furnace and sprinkled it towards heaven in front of Pharaoh. This became a plague of boils in both men and beasts. It’s interesting that the Magicians could not come before Pharaoh because they had the boils too. Yet this did not soften the heart of Pharaoh. So the LORD sent another plague. This was a very great rain of hailstones. And Moses gave them a way of escape so that all the Egyptians that feared the Lord took their cattle and brought them inside the houses and they survived. The Lord sent hail and fire ran along the ground. (This was probably a meteor storm of huge proportions.) Every bush and tree was smashed and any man or beast caught in the open was killed. Pharaoh pleaded for the hail to cease and Moses went out of the city and called upon the Lord and it cease immediately. However as soon as the hail ceased Pharaoh changed his mind and hardened his heart against the Lord. Next Moses went in to say that the Lord will bring locusts into the land to destroy all vegetation. Now Pharaoh’s servants were beginning to ask him why he was so stubborn. So Pharaoh called on Moses and said you can go – your old and young. This was unacceptable to Moses. Then Moses stretched out his rod and an east wing blew all day and the next day locusts invaded the whole land of Egypt. There was not left one blade of green in the whole of Egypt. At this Pharaoh asked that Moses might forgive him of his sin and that he might ask the Lord to take them away. Then the Lord sent a strong West wind and blew them all away and they died in the red sea (The gulf of Aqabar). Again Pharaoh hardened his heart. Moses appeared before Pharaoh and told him that the land of Egypt would be in thick darkness for three days. The Darkness was so great that nobody could move in Egypt for three days, but the children of Israel had light in their houses. Pharaoh called Moses to ask that he might go but that he must leave his flocks and herds. But Moses refused this compromise. So Pharaoh hardened his heart and said l do not want to see your face again. Moses said that is true you will not see my face again. This showdown was the greatest contest between the God of Heaven the LORD of Israel that this world has ever seen. Whenever the children of Israel wanted to speak of the power of the Lord they always spoke of these days. Yet greater signs were yet to come.
Steve
Exodus, 9
9v1-7 Plague 5 Animals die
1: 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. 2: For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, 3: 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. 4: 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. 5: And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. 6: 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. 7: 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.
9v8-12 Plague 6 Boils
8: 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. 9: 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. 10: 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. 11: And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians. 12: And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.
9v13-35 Plague 7 Hail
13: 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. 14: 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. 15: 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. 16: 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. 17: As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go? 18: 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. 19: 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. 20: He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: 21: And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field. 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. 23: 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. 24: 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. 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. 26: Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. 27: 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. 28: 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. 29: 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. 30: But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God. 31: And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. 32: But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up. 33: 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. 34: 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. 35: And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.
Exodus, 10
10v1-20 Plague 8 Locusts
1: 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: 2: 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. 3: 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. 4: Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: 5: 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: 6: 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. 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? 8: 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? 9: 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. 10: 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. 11: 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. 12: 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. 13: 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. 14: 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. 15: 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. 16: Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. 17: 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. 18: And he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. 19: 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. 20: But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.
10v21-29 Plague 9 Darkness
21: 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. 22: And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: 23: 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. 24: 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. 25: And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. 26: 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. 27: But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28: 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. 29: And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.
In today’s Bible reading we have five more Plagues that the Lord sent onto Egypt. Again Moses asks Pharaoh to let the people go. The Lord warned that all the cattle of Egypt would die yet the Lord would divide the cattle of Egypt from the cattle of Israel. Pharaoh was amazed by this sign yet he refused to let the people go. So the Lord brought a sixth plague on Egypt. This would touch the flesh of the Egyptians. Moses took some ashes from the furnace and sprinkled it towards heaven in front of Pharaoh. This became a plague of boils in both men and beasts. It’s interesting that the Magicians could not come before Pharaoh because they had the boils too. Yet this did not soften the heart of Pharaoh. So the LORD sent another plague. This was a very great rain of hailstones. And Moses gave them a way of escape so that all the Egyptians that feared the Lord took their cattle and brought them inside the houses and they survived. The Lord sent hail and fire ran along the ground. (This was probably a meteor storm of huge proportions.) Every bush and tree was smashed and any man or beast caught in the open was killed. Pharaoh pleaded for the hail to cease and Moses went out of the city and called upon the Lord and it cease immediately. However as soon as the hail ceased Pharaoh changed his mind and hardened his heart against the Lord. Next Moses went in to say that the Lord will bring locusts into the land to destroy all vegetation. Now Pharaoh’s servants were beginning to ask him why he was so stubborn. So Pharaoh called on Moses and said you can go – your old and young. This was unacceptable to Moses. Then Moses stretched out his rod and an east wing blew all day and the next day locusts invaded the whole land of Egypt. There was not left one blade of green in the whole of Egypt. At this Pharaoh asked that Moses might forgive him of his sin and that he might ask the Lord to take them away. Then the Lord sent a strong West wind and blew them all away and they died in the red sea (The gulf of Aqabar). Again Pharaoh hardened his heart. Moses appeared before Pharaoh and told him that the land of Egypt would be in thick darkness for three days. The Darkness was so great that nobody could move in Egypt for three days, but the children of Israel had light in their houses. Pharaoh called Moses to ask that he might go but that he must leave his flocks and herds. But Moses refused this compromise. So Pharaoh hardened his heart and said l do not want to see your face again. Moses said that is true you will not see my face again. This showdown was the greatest contest between the God of Heaven the LORD of Israel that this world has ever seen. Whenever the children of Israel wanted to speak of the power of the Lord they always spoke of these days. Yet greater signs were yet to come.
Steve
23/01/2012
AM Jan 24th Matt 16
January 24th
Jesus is the Messiah
13: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14: And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15: He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16: And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17: And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19: And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20: Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
E The Passion of the King
Christ must die
21: From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22: Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23: But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. 24: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27: For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28: Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Christ enters into a discussion as to his identity. Who do men say l am? He asks. There are a few responses. Some say you are John the Baptist, some say you are Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the Prophets. These great men of God were like Christ is various ways. Then Christ asks OK Who do you say l am? Peter steps forward. You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Christ is overjoyed, because this is a direct revelation from God to Peter. Christ says Peter l will build my remnant (The Company of Jewish believers who will be the core upon which Christ will administer his kingdom) on you and your confession. Peter will have the keys of the Kingdom so that the judgments that Peter and is fellow judges will make in the kingdom will be ratified in heaven. From this time forth Christ begins to explain the cross to his disciples. And so Christ moves into the second phase of his ministry the Atonement for sin. Peter had no conception of Christ’s death let alone of his resurrection. And even came to the point of forbidding the Lord from going to the cross. This shows that the Gospel of the kingdom which had been preached by John, the twelve and the seventy had no aspect regarding the Cross resurrection and ascension. And therefore nobody was saved in the sense in which we know now. Because being saved means to believe in Christ’s atoning work at the cross. The way for a disciple of Christ to follow him is to go to the cross with Christ. All the disciples failed to do this. Christ says that when he comes again with his holy angels he will reward every man according to his works. There cannot be anything farther from Grace in that statement. The last phrase is said on the assumption that the interregnum of the Church will not come in.
Steve
Jesus is the Messiah
13: When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14: And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15: He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16: And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17: And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19: And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20: Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
E The Passion of the King
Christ must die
21: From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22: Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23: But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. 24: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27: For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28: Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
Christ enters into a discussion as to his identity. Who do men say l am? He asks. There are a few responses. Some say you are John the Baptist, some say you are Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the Prophets. These great men of God were like Christ is various ways. Then Christ asks OK Who do you say l am? Peter steps forward. You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Christ is overjoyed, because this is a direct revelation from God to Peter. Christ says Peter l will build my remnant (The Company of Jewish believers who will be the core upon which Christ will administer his kingdom) on you and your confession. Peter will have the keys of the Kingdom so that the judgments that Peter and is fellow judges will make in the kingdom will be ratified in heaven. From this time forth Christ begins to explain the cross to his disciples. And so Christ moves into the second phase of his ministry the Atonement for sin. Peter had no conception of Christ’s death let alone of his resurrection. And even came to the point of forbidding the Lord from going to the cross. This shows that the Gospel of the kingdom which had been preached by John, the twelve and the seventy had no aspect regarding the Cross resurrection and ascension. And therefore nobody was saved in the sense in which we know now. Because being saved means to believe in Christ’s atoning work at the cross. The way for a disciple of Christ to follow him is to go to the cross with Christ. All the disciples failed to do this. Christ says that when he comes again with his holy angels he will reward every man according to his works. There cannot be anything farther from Grace in that statement. The last phrase is said on the assumption that the interregnum of the Church will not come in.
Steve
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