 As Christians, Kingdom citizens of God’s Kingdom. We have to be mindful and as well as reminded that the deliverance of God’s people, the Israelites, was a process. Deliverance is rarely instantaneous – although it is possible to be delivered from a situation immediately. Deliverance is usually a long drag out process that involves the mind, heart, and soul (physical involvement and movement on the part of the one being delivered). A good example of this is the 10 plagues God brought upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians. It took a considerable time to get Pharaoh to release the Israelites. This deliverance resulted in two things (two understandings) among the Hebrews, Pharaoh, and Pharaoh's subjects.
The Israelites Miraculous JourneyThe Israelites experienced four major phenomena under God’s grace as He delivered them out of the hands of Pharaoh.
The entire point of the Hebrews' exodus experience from the hands of Pharaoh, the Egyptian king, was not only to set the Israelites free from bondage. But also, to show or prove to the Hebrew nation that God’s hand is on the lives of His people. Or as many like to say it. ‘God is in control.’ Therefore, we, as God’s people, can trust Him with all our hearts, all our mind, and all our strength. (Compare to Deuteronomy 28:1-2; 6:1-9). The demonstration of God’s deliverance power was an indication to God’s people that they need to ADUST their lives to His way and not the other way around where man tries to force God to adjust to their preferred way of living; which often time involves the installation (inauguration) and institutionalizing (incorporating) of idol worship to false gods, false traditions, and pagan teachings. In this way, when man follows the protocol or the programs (as man likes to call it); in the manner and as God has outlined for us. It is then, and only then, that God can bless us as His children. (Again, compare this to Deuteronomy chapter 28; Deuteronomy chapters 5 and 6). When Worship Is Misdirected And ALIGNS WITH FALSE GODS AND TEACHINGSGod is firm about His ways and His Word. Therefore, He is adamant about His children following the path He has carved out for them. To do so otherwise, will only make our journey difficult and lead us into the arms of unmerciful tyrants like Pharoah. This weekend is no different from God’s perspective and the expectation He sets before His people. “Obedience is better than a sacrifice.” This is what the LORD declared through his prophet Samuel. The Prophet Samuel said
Samuel goes on and explains. Whenever our worship of the Supreme God of the universe, exhibits any, ANY form of disobedience to the instructions and directions He has given. It is rebellion. It is sinful. It is witchcraft. It is stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols (1 Samuel 15:23). Why such a strong correction? Because to the LORD, when we fail to be obedient to His voice, His command, His direction – we have rejected the command of the LORD. We are rejecting Him as our King (1 Samuel 15:23). Unfortunately, during the most celebratory weekend of the year, most churches will join together to celebrate a false religious god called Eostre or Eastre. Eostre originates with the Saxon people as their great mother goddess or god. She was significant because she brought about the rebirth of life in the springtime, which was symbolized by a rabbit and egg – which both were sacred in this culture. Such traditions became a part of the Church's practices and doctrine, years later, after some members of the gentile nation converted to serve Elohim (God). Far too many did not truly abandon their pagan style of worship. They inserted their traditions and celebrations into the church. Instead of the church taking a stance against such corruption and hypocrisy. They embraced it and incorporated it into their service and worship to the LORD. As a result, instead of the Church celebrating the Passover. Many will give their allegiance to Eostre or Eastre or Easter – a false foreign god, during their weekend services. We have to be mindful that the tradition of man has nothing to do with the Kingdom. Such traditions as Easter are considered idol worship before a holy God. And this only leads to religious bondage for many Christians. Simple put! Easter is not a celebration of Jesus - Yeshua, the Messiah. The Scripture makes it very clear. Jesus is called “the Passover” (1 Corinthians 5:7-8). The purpose of israel DELIVERANCE Whenever God acts or speaks, it is always for a specific purpose. Isaiah chapter 55, verses 10 and 11 explain. Just like rain and snow fall to the ground from heaven to “cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry” (both man and beast). So, it is concerning God. Whenever He speaks a thing, it must product fruit (results) to whatever degree that man? No! To whatever degree that God commands or desires. Job, a blameless, upright, and God-fearing man said at Job chapter 37, starting with verse 1
The heaven and all its elements must do as Adonai (the LORD) commands or desires – whether this is in the form of correction, blessing, grace, or mercy. The earth and all that is in it must respond to the word (the command) of our Yeshua (Savior) Hamashiach (Messiah). God’s word will not return to Him void (empty). The Prophet Samuel continues by saying. It SHALL accomplish what the LORD pleases. It SHALL prosper (flourish, overgrow, bloom, triumph, succeed, thrive) into God’s desired results. Just like a farmer’s seed. Whenever he properly plants and cares for it, it will surely mature, grow, and produce for him beauty and food for him, his family, and even his entire community. Even more, the word of the Lord, when He speaks. It is a means by which God provides for His people and this crooked generation, along with all beasts. This is why God is good and merciful. He provides all by His Word – the words He speaks (commands). This leads us back to the Israelites' deliverance from the hands of Pharaoh. It was Adonai’s (the LORD’s) desire to bring back His people under His righteous covenant. As part of the deliverance process from bondage under the tyrannical god of Egypt, Pharaoh. God gave to His people 613 laws for them to govern their lives by. Of which, ten of them, most of us are somewhat familiar with. (See Exodus chapters 19 and 20). Again, God spoke these words because they serve a specific purpose for His people:
His words taught His people how to serve a holy and righteous God. God was expecting His people to adjust their lives to His ways and His way of doing things. His words spoken were to enforce and reestablish a righteous and holy covenant with all who were willing to submit and follow His ways. The purpose in which His convent served was to make us as His people, holy and fruitful and acceptable before Him. God’s people (the Israelites) deliverance did not occur instantaneously. His people were forced to watch and wait on the moving hand of the LORD. They had to wait until after the Passover meal was completed and after the angel of death had passed over each of their homes before the LORD spoke and commanded – GO. They had to wait on the Spirit of the LORD.
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The word of the lordWhen the LORD God gives a word, it is for the sole purpose to teach, reproof, correct, or train His servants - His Body, so that every member within the Body of Christ may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). For the LORD has given the Body of Christ apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the Saints for the work of service, to encourage one another, and to build up the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Archives
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