The Power of God to Save.

The Power of God to Save. Exodus 14:19- 23.

Fear had gripped the Israelite camp for the Egyptians were perusing the Children of Israel with over six hundred Chariots. Thoughts of dying in the dessert and the extinction of their race were spilling out of every mouth and accusations were hurled towards Moses.

The elders came to Moses demanding to know if he had set them up; took them out into the dessert so the Egyptians could kill and leave their bodies to rot in the distant sand.

Moses stared into their unbelieving eyes and announced with a loud voice, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

Their fear had become a terrible display of their unbelief in God. Where God is love and wants people to come to Him, God wants a person's complete devotion and trust. He does not want to see His people faint, complain, or murmur, at the sign of trouble.

God wants all people to believe in His saving power and with a dynamic courage stand still and watch God deliver them.

And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. Exodus 14:19-20 (NKJV)

When trials come your way, how do you react? Many say they are trusting God, but the words coming out of their lips are more of an incantation in hopes God will hear them and act. Inside they are fearful, complaining, and murmuring as they doubt their delivery. This is not faith.

In our passage, God does not rebuke their unbelief. As a caring parent, God is dismissing their child like fear and delivering them to strengthen their faith. They were in the early stages of a relationship with Him; however, as time goes on, God would grow tired of the way they grasp and hold on to unbelief.

When a Christian has seen the delivering hand of God and seen His goodness; to fear a circumstance becomes a way of disrespecting God.

Would Moses have coward at the accusations of the people, God would have had stern words with Moses. Yet Moses stood strong in faith that God was able to deliver.

God is able to protect His people in every situation they face. What is hard to understand is when God allows a trial to come into our life and become so dominating.

People lose their homes, suffer financial collapse, face physical problems that get the best of them and they often lose loved ones to death.

These problems tear at their very fabric of our beings; yet, God knows what we need in our lives to ready us to enter into His kingdom.

God could have stopped the Pharaoh at the gates of the treasure city. He could have taken their lives with a single word from His lips. However, God allowed Israel to see their pursuers and witness His love for them by His saving hand.

The trials were not over; the Israelites were expected to take great steps in faith. Their lessons were mounting before them; for God was building the character of His people trough trials.

Then 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 into dry land, and the waters were divided. So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. And the Egyptians pursued and went after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. Exodus 14:21-23 (NKJV)

The cloud behind them glowed with great light; they could see the salvation of the Lord. Word spread through the camp that the cloud was protection and then it began to get windy.

Moses had lifted his arms to part the sea and though none understood the effect it would have, the tremendous wind began to blow over their camp and towards the sea.

It would make sense that many took cover and the sands carried in the wind may have blocked their view of the waters parting. It would not be until morning that they would see two great walls of water held back by the power of God.

Then the word came through the camp that they were again moving forward into the sea. God expected each to muster the faith to walk into the paths of danger. Yet, as they entered it became clear that God salvation had come.

Millions of Israelites had entered and were walking across the sea and once they had all entered and developed some distance, God allowed the Egyptians to see them and in arrogance the Egyptians pursued them.

In this we see that trials are often allowed to be very dramatic events. Building the faith in sinful people must be like trying to get the attention of a donkey.

It often takes a great trial to cause people to cry out for God and we have to ask, "What does it take for a person to daily speak to God?"

It is amazing that people can go to church on Sunday and not take their Bible. Some who do, will take it home and set it down, not to open it till the following Sunday.

People pray over their food, thanking God for providing for them; however, they do not pray for their neighbor.

Some see the need of others and walk away. Others are in need and then do nothing about it. Where is faith in God? Where is the need for God? What is God worth?

Trials happen to get our attention and dramatic trials are allowed to get our attention so that God is not forgotten in our lives. Trials remind us that we need God and that is why trials are to be welcomed for they are times God wants us to watch Him at work.

What if a trial takes a close loved one and we are left alone? Could it not be that God wants to fill the void in your life by His own self? He wants us to draw to Him for comfort, love, and protection. God loves us and all things work together for good to them that know God and are called according to His purpose.

Israel was walking on dry ground and would soon be on the other side. Any fear had been unwarranted and rethinking how they approach trials was in order.

 

 

Your Role in the Congregation.

Your Role in the Congregation. Exodus 14:11-18.

Looking across the dessert, a person way in the back of the 2 to 3 million people saw faints signs of dust being kicked up by the 600 Chariots of the Pharaoh's army. He quickly shouted, pointing to what he saw and a chain reaction of fear traveled through the camp of the Children of Israel; for the Egyptians were coming after them.

From the back to the front, a wave of comments swelled and gained momentum as it made its way to Moses. As it splashed up on the shores of Moses tent, Moses was caught by a flurry of questions, accusations, and demands.

Then they said to Moses, "Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, 'Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness." Exodus 14:11-12(NKJV)

The accusation was made that Moses conspired with the Pharaoh to take them out into the dessert so they may be killed. If they were to be killed in Egypt the dead bodies would have stunk up their cities; now they could be killed far away and their bodies left to rot in the hot sun.

Moses shaking his head, denying the claims, recieved another accusation in the form of a question, "Why have you dealt with us this way?" Followed by, "Didn't we ask you to leave us alone to our work?"

The problem here is a lack of faith in extreme circumstances. So goes the story of every person who has had to face a life threatening disease. When diagnosed as terminal, people often question God and shrink in fear of dyeing. Yet God would have people to be strong in their faith and be as Job who said, "Though He slay me, I will trust in Him."

Paul the apostle thought that to die was gain. He would gain by leaving the corruption of earth and have his soul ascend to heaven to be given a new body.

"To live," Paul said, "is Christ." He meant life is a constant job of toiling with the way sinners think and trying to convince them God is the answer to their dilemmas. Therefore, after a person dies there is peaceful rest from the turmoil of earth.

These Israelites had not learned to trust in God and their faith was weak. Yet, God knew this and therefore, allowed them to face the trials of the Egyptians so He might build their faith.

And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:13-14(NKJV)

It was Moses' job to preach to the Children of Israel. As he spoke, the message had to be relayed from the front of the 2 to 3 million people, to the back. His message was to accomplish several things.

One, Moses' message was to inform Israel to have faith in their God. Two, his message was to calm the people down. Lastly it was to assure them that God will fight for them.

These three things, as Christians, we should know; and when faced with a trial we are to be still and know that He is God.

And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen." Exodus 14:15-18(NKJV)

It is quite interesting that God turned to question the pastor of the People. "Why do you cry to me?" God said to Moses. Evidently Moses looked at the unease of the people and though he delivered the message of peace, he was overcome with the vast unbelief of the people.

Being the pastor of such a large congregation was also a challenge to the faith of Moses. However, of all people who witnessed the saving hand of God, the pastor was not to falter in God's eyes.

If you think about the structure of their congregation, when Moses spoke, he spoke to elders. The elders then carried the message out to the congregation and the same process occurred with information coming into Moses.

A pastor must be so strong in his faith he is able to command the elders to preach with boldness. In God's thinking that cannot happen if the pastor wavers.

In a church, it is important that we all work together to strengthen each other so that our pastor has the support to be strong. Yet, Moses was being questions.

We must remember that God can talk to any person; however, here God was giving the main message to Moses, because God knew they needed a central leader. The same occurs in our congregation to this day.

We each hear from the Lord; but each week a sermon is laid upon the heart of the pastor to deliver to his congregation. That message should be considered as coming from the heart of the Lord and directed towards each and every person.

The strength of a church is bidirectional. God delivers his message through the pastor and it must filter down through the congregation; however, the congregation must send messages back to the pastor that they believe and support him. In faith we must honor God and His order for us.

 

 

 

No Rest for the Weary.

No Rest for the Weary. Exodus 14:1-10.

"I'm sorry for the way I have been. I want to give my life to God and go to church. I want my life to change." Oh do you?

Many who have said these words do not understand what they are saying. I would never encourage people not to give their life to the Lord; however, these words of commitment are going to be tested and when tested, made strong.

The Children of Israel had believed in God, fled Egypt, and were now in the classroom of the Lord. God was teaching them to have commitment, reverence, and devotion.

God had instituted an annual feast to celebrate the goodness of God in passing over their homes when the death angel came upon Egypt. In this celebration they were to teach their children and conduct the feast of Passover faithfully forever.

This was to be the start of many lessons Israel would learn as God would demand their respect with actions of holiness and faith. Yet, to be the people God wanted, it was going to take time; and one lesson at a time, they would face.

That leads us back to our opening about desiring to be a Christian. When committing your life to Christ, you enter into God's classroom, as did the Israelites.

God knows exactly what it will take to mature you to be a man or woman of God. For Israel, it began with a trip through tough rugged terrain.

For most all people, the hardships of traveling through this wilderness would be all they would choose and after they would expect some reprieve or a time to rest; however, God was about to increase their trials and it was for their own good.

Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zemphon; you shall camp before it by the sea.  Exodus 14:1-2(NKJV)

Moses was a go between; he took the message of the Lord and presented it the people. Like a pastor at church, Moses would deliver the message and it was up to the people to accept it and act upon it.

This message seemed agreeable for the place God was sending them was near the sea and being a peninsula, it provided an element of protection. Therefore, the message was easy to accept and they turned to the exact area the Lord led them to.

Life was going to be great; they would rest up, feed their livestock, and relax from their wilderness walk. This was an easy decision and was an ideal situation; so they thought.

For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, 'They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.' Then I will harden Pharaoh's heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD." And they did so.  Exodus 14:3-4(NKJV)

This is the second half of the message and it does not say if Moses delivered the second part; however, the Pharaoh was going to again desire to enslave the Israelites and haul them back to Egypt; so that work would restart on his treasure cities.

Hearing this, I would guess that Mosses' countenance greatly changed and staring towards the ground, his eyes shifted back and forth, Moses wondered how the people were going to react to the threat of being pursued. In addition, how would he tell them?

Meanwhile, back in Egypt, the streets were quiet and all work on the Pharaoh's project had stopped. The Pharaoh starred out a window wondering what he was going to do to get the treasure city built.

As Pharaoh pondered his dilemma, aids, confidants, and advisors approached him with ideas and each new idea seemed more ridiculous; so did the idea of letting Israel go free and leave the land of Egypt.

Now it was told the king of Egypt that the people had fled, and the heart of Pharaoh and his servants was turned against the people; and they said, "Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?" So he made ready his chariot and took his people with him. Also, he took six hundred choice chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt with captains over every one of them. And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness. Exodus 14:5-8(NKJV)

There is no better feeling to have come through a trial and sit on the other side in relaxation. Looking back it is easy to proclaim, "That was not so bad." Yet, it will never be God's intention that we should rest too much; for He is readying us to come to eternal rest with Him.

In the scriptures, God is referenced as being a shepherd. Jesus called Himself the good shepherd and as a good shepherd He tends to His flocks with diligence.

One truth, all Shepherds know, is you have to keep the sheep moving or they will eat and rest in the same place they defecate. Fields can produce mites, and bring diseases to the flock; therefore, the Shepherd must keep them on the move.

The same concept applies to those who dedicate their life to God. God will keep them on the move and often time's one trial will be followed by another. Because the trials help us in knowing God better, each new trial brings us one step closer to being ready to live in eternity with God. That is why the Apostle James told us to welcome trials and consider them precious. Now that is a big shift in thinking; welcome trials into our life?

So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zemphon. And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD. Exodus 14:9-10(NKJV)

Our focus is on Israel's response, they "cried out to the Lord." Their first instinct, which was a new instinct, was to cry out to God. Years before they would not have given the Lord a thought; yet, now they called out to God.

The classroom of the Lord taught them well. When we face adversity, we are to cry out to the Lord and seek refuge in Him.

The Hard Roads of Life.

The Hard Roads of Life. Exodus 13:17-22.

You might say that our life is a highway and we travel the earth for a short time. The Children of Israel were on the highway out of Egypt and heading towards their freedom. No longer would they be the slaves of Pharaoh, they would be an army of God and take the land that God had given them.

God had given the land to Abraham and in their future they would take it back from others who settled in their land.

The Children of Israel would fight and be victors; however, they did not know how to fight, they only knew how to build. Therefore, God was going to work in their life to toughen them up.

Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. Exodus 13:17-18(NKJV)

There was two ways to the land promised to Israel; the shortest route was the most dangerous and the longest was rugged. Therefore, God chose to lead them the long way, the tough way, a way that was going to increase their ability and build their character.

Do not feel alone if you question the direction God took you in life. When they gave their life to the Lord, many people thought that everything was going to be wonderful from that time on out. However, they found that life became filled with trials and at times that God seemed distant.

Because God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, He leads us in the way we should go, foreknowing the best direction for us. Yet people are weak, they grow quickly weary, and often do not know what is happening to them; thus, left to our own it is impossible to direct ourselves in the perfect way each and every time.

God sees what we need, what will hurt us, and He allows us at times to go through trials to toughen us up.

The children of Israel were going to face tough times; yet to survive their future, tough times were needed.

And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, "God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you." So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. Exodus 13:19-20(NKJV)

The children of Israel were heading in the right direction. It was the long way; but the safe way. Yet in this way there would be challenges and knowing how the story ends, from having completed the book, this way would help them to know and understand God in a very special way.

If we think of God as our father, most people will be able to understand this concept of putting His children through hardships.

The parent that does not challenge their children will lead them into trouble. Life will hurt them, their surroundings will be their teacher, and they will not know God, only survival.

Many parents have placed their job, business, or their enjoyment ahead of leading their children. Their children grow lacking a godly influence in their life and later these parents proclaim their mistakes in regret. However, that is not God way.

Joseph, their ancestor who helped rule the affairs of Egypt knew that his people needed a challenge. He told them that God would one day visit them and that they were to carry his bones back to the Promised Land to be buried.

As the family grew and multiplied, they had no personal knowledge of God and only had the challenge from Joseph. They did not know how they would be released from slavery and they did not know how to relate to God. They only had a promise and a commission to bury Joseph's bones.

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. Exodus 13:21-22(NKJV)

We are told by the John that Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." This is a declaration from God that God continues to lead His people this day.

For the Children of Israel, God led them away from a conflict with the Philistines; because they were not strong or organized enough to fight them.

God then became a pillar of fire to lead them through the darkness and a cloud to shield them from the heat in the day time.

In our time, God wants us to keep our eyes on Jesus so that we might continue to sanctify our selves before Him; that where He is, one day we might be there also.

As a Christian you are guaranteed a highway of life will be filled with challenges, difficulties, and because of sin in the world, sadness. However, if we keep our eyes on Jesus and the prize of salvation, the journey will be worth it. We will enter the promised land of Heaven.

How to Teach People about God.

How to Teach People about God. Exodus 13:1-16.

The Lord was very gracious in passing over the homes of the Children of Israel. Not so fortunate were those of the Egyptians; they had lost all of their first born children and their flocks experience death too. However, God delivered His people.

The people knew of God, but how to relate to God was beyond them. They all were like the new family that comes into church for the first time. They know there is a God, but what do you do now?

In a church, the most important responsibility is to teach people how to relate to God. I have been to churches that teach their people only to attend all the functions, pot lucks, outings, and other social events. Therefore, their people, when asked about the scriptures, are lost.

People need to not only learn about God, but learn how to teach others about God. This is the first thing on God's mind when tending to all these people who had just escaped the bondage of Egypt.

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine." Exodus 13:1-2(NKJV)

The work consecrate means to sanctify, honor, and dedicate. God wanted the Israelites to know how fortunate they were to have escaped the angel of death and teach them that their obedience made the difference.

Sanctification is what we teach to those who come to church. We teach them that Christ died for our sins and in reverence, we sanctify or dedicate our lives to Him. This is the first lesson taught to a person coming to know about God.

And Moses said to the people: "Remember this day in which you went out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out of this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. Exodus 13:3(NKJV)

For Israel, God saved them all from slavery in Egypt. Yet in our day, the New Testament writers teach that Egypt is a type of the world and the bondage we faced, in this world, is the bondage to sin. Therefore, we also teach people to reflect back to what Christ saved them from; for the life's we use to lead would have led to spiritual death.

On this subject I must make one interjection. Each of us had been saved from various sins and where it is wonderful to speak about our salvation, the details of our sin should be spared from the ears of your children. We are training them never to sink to that level and live consecrated to the Lord; therefore, our delight for sin should not be a focus.

On this day you are going out, in the month Abib. And it shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month. Exodus 13:4-5(NKJV)

Repetition and holding an annual observance was top on God's agenda for His people. This is why Roman Catholic Priests instituted the Christmas and Easter Observances; for creating traditions surrounding the goodness of God is a top priority to God.

Family traditions fit into this same thinking also. Families that have a stable event roster grow together and be it Easter, Christmas, or one a person made special, as long as the family reverences it, it will stand as a lesson for all generations that God is good to us.

In America our founding father instituted a day we call Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate our thankfulness, to God, for leading people to America and providing for our families. This is a most wonderful holiday.

Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD. Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened bread shall be seen among you, nor shall leaven be seen among you in all your quarters. And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, 'This is done because of what the LORD did for me when I came up from Egypt.' It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD's law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt. You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year. Exodus 13:6-10(NKJV)

Teaching your children how terrible sin can be, is as simple as teaching them about leaven. Leaven or yeast causes a whole lump of dough to rise. It can never go back to its original state again.

If the dough is to come into contact with other dough, that dough will rise also. Therefore, they had to sweep the house clean and get rid of all the leaven. They ate unleavened bread for seven days which is the number of perfection.

In this they can teach their children the principle of what it is to live a consecrated life. God wants his people to live without sinning. Though it is impossible to not sin, we can continue to sweep our lives clean of sin and that is essential to consecrating your life or dedicating one's self to God.

"And it shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, that you shall set apart to the LORD all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the LORD's. But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' that you shall say to him, 'By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed 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 males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.' It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt." Exodus 13:11-16(NKJV)

The allegories in the scriptures are vast and if we understand this, as we read Exodus a person can learn much about our own life with God. Through allegories, each of us can apply scriptures directly to our lives.

Do you fit the allegory of being a stubborn donkey? Pharaoh did; and so have many who resist God when God was speaking to their hearts. Many people refuse to listen and God will not pull a donkey to Him.

The blood of the lamb could sanctify even a dumb donkey, but if that lamb sacrifice does not cover the dumb donkey, its neck will be broken and it will die.

Three things we learn from this passage; first, consecrate your children to the Lord for the salvation of the Lord is precious.

Second, teach others to sweep the sin from their lives by having traditional remembrances of what salvation means.

Third, even a donkey can be spared and many of us were donkeys.

The Bible is a book for our learning and if we simply follow God's direction for His people we can survive this earth with its dangers. Let us consecrate our lives daily to our God who loves us.

Passover or Communion?

Passover or Communion? 1Exodus 12:43-51.

The road to Succoth was packed with travelers escaping the slavery of Rameses. God told them to go and changed the heart of the Pharaoh to release them.

These people obeyed God and were faithful to their instruction; but they knew nothing about where they were going. They were leaving their birthplace of Egypt and traveling to a new land. They were like teenagers heading out to face the world that they had only heard stories of.

Prior to the first plague their knowledge of God was passed down to them in the stories of their ancestors Adam, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel.

If the Children of Israel were to survive they must have faith in God which is belief in the unseen. Generation after generation spoke of the great faith of the patriarchs and they proclaimed God's deliverance; but many died before seeing the mighty hand of God.

From the time God made the promise to Abraham, that his family would be a great nation, it had been four hundred thirty years. It was this generation that would see the power of God as God would strike that land of Egypt with the terrible plagues leading up to the release of the Children of Israel from slavery.

This generation would learn to know the power of God and learn how to respect God as God. They would enter a new world, a world of great blessing for the faithful and terrible consequences to the unbeliever.

How to live godly lives had to come from instruction and the first instruction was how to prepare the Passover meal. Though they received the instruction once, while in Egypt; now they would receive it again, having escaped Egypt. As we study we must remember only the faithful would benefit from the observance of Passover.

And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it. But every man's servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then he may eat it. A sojourner and a hired servant shall not eat it. In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones. All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. Exodus 12:43-47(NKJV)

The Passover was to be an annual event. It was to remember the importance of keeping the ordinances of God; which brought life to those who obeyed and death to those who did not.

Most important to God was that the Passover was not to become a social event that unbelievers were invited to. It was first for the Hebrew people and second it was for those who converted to their belief and dedicated their life to God by being circumcised; a symbol of obedience to God.

This was to be strictly adhered to; even the meat was to stay inside their house so they would not be tempted to share it, for to let an unworthy person eat it would be disrespectful to God.

In addition, the lamb had to be prepared and ate in such a manor not a single bone was to break. This fact draws us to another story in the Bible taught to Christians by Jesus Christ Himself.

John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God; Jesus was unblemished by sin and chosen by God to be a sacrifice for many.

Later we read that Jesus was crucified and our sin placed upon Him by God; He was the sacrificial lamb and His blood spilled for us. We are also told that not a bone on His body was broken.

On the Passover, Jesus met for the last supper with His disciples and instituted a new ordinance which is a completion and perfection of the Passover feast.

Jesus took bread and broke it, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me."

Then he took a challis of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. Which caused the disciples to question why is He doing this?

They too were like young adults being introduced to a new world. He also told them that He would not do this again with them until they joined Him in His kingdom.

This ritual was instituted by Jesus to ensure that they church would observe more than one Passover a year; but that it might continue in churches as a regular observance of the significance of His death.

Inviting Jesus into your heart covers the threshold of your heart with His blood, protecting you from the Angel of Death and the bread is symbolic of the unleavened bread for our lives are to be swept clean of sin.

And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to 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 a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you." Exodus 12:48-49(NKJV)

Like the Passover, to partake of the elements of communion is for only those who have committed their lives to God and have had their hearts circumcised. To take communion unworthily is to eat and drink damnation to your soul.

It began with the Passover in Egypt and was to be kept through all generations so they may recognize the perfect sacrifice of Jesus. Now it exists as communion for all who believe.

As with the Children of Israel, Christians are to follow the ordinances of God with accuracy; taking their role in life and the performance of their obligations to God serious.

We need forgiveness, we need a covering for our sin, and we need to respect the God who brought that to us.

Thus all the children of Israel did; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. And it came to pass, on that very same day, that the LORD brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt according to their armies. Exodus 12:50-51(NKJV)

No longer were they slaves, they became the people of God who would enter into a new land and become not only the people of God, but an army to fight for what is right.

The same continues today if you have made Christ your savior. As Christians we keep ourselves according to God's instructions. We do those things we are instructed to do and we gladly allow those who would join themselves to us, into our congregations.

We partake of communion in remembrance of what the perfect sacrifice means for our life and we await entering the new land, the land of promise which is heaven; the place where we can dwell with God in perfection for eternity.

Obedience is the Difference.

Obedience is the Difference. Exodus 12:35-41.

The death angel had come upon the land of Egypt and all who did not obey the message from God had their first born children die. Crying was heard throughout the land and the Pharaoh and most Egyptians wanted the Hebrew slaves gone.

The difference between the grieving and those leaving Egypt was obedience to God. Did you know that obeying God's word and listening to the still small voice of the Lord can change your future?

Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. Exodus 12:35-36(NKJV)

Even though they had no advantage in Egypt, the Hebrew slaves left Egypt with great riches. The silver and gold they obtained cut deep into the Egyptian economy; the word used in our text, "plundered," means to strip away.

The Egyptians were ready to give up anything to have the Children of Israel leave their country. So they gave their most precious possession and sent them on their way.

We also are told that God granted the Hebrews favor in the eyes of the Egyptians. Is it not a wonderful find to see that God can change the intentions of those who oppose us?

At work, you can have the most terrible boss and God can change the bosses mind to grant you favor. Almost every situation that could occur, God can provide help to His own people. In this we should take counsel and build our faith as we watch God work miracles

Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock. And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. Exodus 12:37-39(NKJV)

Traveling from Pharaohs treasure city of Rameses the Israelites were joined by many Egyptians who were fleeing their own country. Some feared staying behind and others believed that the Hebrews worshiped the true God and they wanted God to be their God.

The trail was long and hundreds of thousands of people and animals set out on foot stretching for miles.

Succoth was over 20 miles away and the journey would take them several days. It must have been an amazing picture to see so many traveling out of the city Ramses, over hills, and ascending from the plains of the Nile delta to the city of Succoth.

The Hebrew was a very rugged person all their hard work as slaves readied them for this trip and more. It was easy to walk away, when you are used to carrying heavy bricks and totting heavy loads. Here again, God turned the hardship they faced into opportunity for them.

Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. Exodus 12:40-41(NKJV)

Four hundred thirty years to the day; God kept His promise to Abraham. God is faithful and nothing will stop God's plans from fulfillment. Even the devil himself cannot stop the plan of God for this world.

All God says will happen, will happen. The Children of Israel left on the very day they God intended.

The scriptures are full of time stamps. A studious person will see that God is never late and always caring for His people. The prophet Daniel was given a prophesy of when the Messiah, Jesus, would ride into Jerusalem and Jesus rode into Jerusalem on that very day.

All the scripture prophesies have come true, when they were supposed to. This leaves us to conclude that not a single prophesy will be left unfulfilled. Therefore, let us be faithful to the observance of God's commands in the scriptures and be those who faithful follow Him out of the bondage of sin.

It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations. Exodus 12:42(NKJV)

This night, that began the journey out of Egypt, was a very special night for God and well it should be for every Jewish person. It is a story of God's faithfulness and God's ability to deliver on time, every time.

Yet the key is the reference God uses to explain who He wants to be in our lives. He wants to be our Lord. No longer do we serve the Pharaoh as Lord, but we serve the Lord, our God.

We do what God says to do and live life according to God's plans, God's timing, and God's way. Obedience is the difference that makes us God's people and as seen here not only Hebrews are God's people, but those who join themselves to them are too, God's people. May the Lord be praised forever.