The departure of the Israelites and the slaying of the first-born of all Egypt was the ultimate test of God's power to set the people free. On the night of the "Passover" feast of Israel. That night Moses began to lead the slaves to freedom, as God killed the first-born of Egypt and spared the first-born of Israel through the sprinkling of the blood of the "Passover" lamb.

This pointed to the day when God's own Lamb would come into the world to deliver, by His own blood, all of those who put their trust in Him, setting them free from sin and death.

Remember, the ransom that was paid to free you from the useless way of life your ancestors handed down was not paid in anything corruptible, neither in silver nor gold, but in the precious blood of a lamb without spot or stain, namely Christ Jesus; who, though known since before the world was made, has been revealed only in our time, the end of the ages, for your sake. - 1 Peter 1:18-20 -

Now before we came of age we were as good as slaves to the elemental principles of this world, but when the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born of a subject of the Law, to redeem the subjects of the Law and to enable us to be adopted sons and daughters. - Gal. 4:3-5 -

The next day, seeing Jesus coming towards him, John said, "Look, there is the lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. - John 1:29 -

The "Passover Meal" first instituted by God for the deliverance of the Hebrews/Israelites/Jews from, slavery, became one of the local points of Israel's/Jacob's faith. Truly, it served as the base on which the Lord Jesus Christ instituted and developed "Last Supper" (Holy Eucharist/Holy Communion/Holy Mass) as a leading memorial for His apostles, disciples, followers and believers. 

With clear insight into the "Passover Meal" "Holy Eucharist" "Holy Communion" "Holy Mass" the message of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible and the meaning of the life of Jesus Christ dawns with greater understanding for all Christians. Amen!

The crossing of the Red Sea is one of the most dramatic events in all the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible; the scriptural/biblical writers repeatedly refer to it as the utmost sign and the most significant sign of God's love for Israel.

The Exodus from Egypt began, with the whole company (Hebrews/Israelites/Jews) under Moses being directed by a "Pillar Of Cloud" during the day. At night they were guided by a "Pillar Of Fire" which led them away from Etham, probably in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, facing Baal-zephon. 

At this site a body of water stood in the way. To the Egyptians this spelled the doom of a group of runaway slaves that had become thoroughly confused about their location as they struggled to get out of the Goshen area. This misunderstanding was part of God's plan to destroy the Egyptians armies. They closed in on the Israelite camp, eager to recapture their escaped slaves. While the Hebrews/Israelites/Jews assembled and rushed to the edge of the water, the "Pillar Of Cloud" moved to the rear of the fleeing Israelites/Hebrews/Jews, preventing the movement of the Egyptians armies.

Pharaoh's forces pursued them to the Red Sea (some scholars say the Sea of Reeds) threatening to destroy them before they could cross. "A Pillar Of Cloud And Fire" however, stood between the Israelites and the Egyptians, protecting the Israelites until they could escape. When Moses stretched his hand over the sea, the waters were divided and the Israelites passed to the other side. When Egyptians attempted to follow, Moses again stretched his hand over the sea, and the waters closed over the Egyptians army. The miracles of the Exodus were thus completed by the destruction of the Egyptians armies. - Ex. 14:1-31 -

A helpless slave people had been delivered from their enemies by their powerful Redeemer God. They celebrated their victory with a song of praise or song of victory that emphasizes the theme of the Exodus. It was then that Moses and the Israelites sang this song in honour of Yahweh:

Yahweh I sing: He has covered Himself in glory,

horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.

Yahweh is my strength and my song,

He is my salvation.

This is my God, I praise Him;

the God of my father, I extol Him.

Yahweh is His name.........

...............................................

Yahweh will be King for ever and ever. - Ex. 15:1-21 -

Israel In The Desert - Moses made Israel move from their camp at the Sea of Reeds, and they made for the wilderness of Shur where they travelled for three days without finding water. They reached Marah but the water was so bitter they could not drink it; this is why the place was named Marah. The people grumbled at Moses. 'What are we to drink?' they said. So Moses appealed to Yahweh, and Yahweh pointed out some wood to him; this Moses threw into the water, and the water was sweetened.

There it was he charged them with statute and with ordinance, there that he put them to the test.

Then He said, If you listen carefully to the voice of Yahweh your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to his commandments and keep his statutes, I shall inflict on you none of the evils that I inflicted on the Egyptians, for it is I, Yahweh, who give you healing.'

So they came to Elim where twelve water-springs were, and seventy palm trees; and there they picked their camp beside the water. - Ex. 15:22-27 -

From Elim they set out again, Moses led the people toward Mount Sinai, in obedience to the word of God spoken to him at the burning bush. During the long journey through the desert, the people began to murmur because of the trials of freedom, forgetting the terrible trials of Egyptians bondage. Through it all, Moses was patient, understanding both the harshness of the desert and the blessings of God's provision for them.

In answer to Moses' prayers, God sent bread from heaven - Manna and quail to eat. In the Wilderness of Sin, when they again had no water, and through God's power, Moses performed a miracle by striking a rock, and water came out of the rock. This is what Moses did, in the sight of the elders of Israel. The place was named Massah and Meribah because of the grumbling of the sons and daughters of Israel and because they put Yahweh to the test by saying, "Is Yahweh with us, or not?" - Ex. 16:1-36, 17:1-7 -

Again by God's power, Moses and the people of Israel defeated the Amalekites. The Amalekites came and attacked Israel at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, 'Pick out men for yourself, and tomorrow morning march out to engage Amalek. I, meanwhile, will stand on the hilltop, the staff of God in my hand.' Joshus did as Moses told him and marched out to engage Amalek, while Moses and Aaron and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

As long as Moses kept his arms raised, Israel had the advantage; when he let his arms fall, the advantage went to Amalek. But Moses' arms grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him and on this he sat, Aaron and Hur supporting his arms, one on one side, one on the other; and his arms remained firm till sunset. With the edge of the sword Joshua cut down Amalek and his people.

Then Yahweh said to Moses, "Write this action down in a book to keep the memory of it, and say in Joshua's hearing that I shall wipe out the memory of Amalek from under the heaven.' Moses then built an altar and named it Yahweh-nissi because he said, 'Lay hold of the banner of Yahweh! Yahweh is at war with Amalek from age to age!' - Ex. 17:8-16 -

The Exodus became for the Hebrews/Israelites/Jews the supreme occasion when God acted to deliver His people from harsh captivity, binding them to Himself by a solemn 'Covenant.' Even today when the Jews/Hebrews/Israelites celebrate "The Passover" they are reminded of God's mighty deliverance in that long-ago time.

When Moses and the people of Israel/Jacob reached the land of Midian, Moses' father-in-law........

                                                                
                                                                         Page 12

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By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

Yahweh said to Aaron, 'Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.' And so he went, and met Moses at the mountain of God; and he kissed him. Moses then told Aaron all that Yahweh had said when he set him His task and all the signs He had ordered him to perform.

Moses and Aaron then went and gathered all the elders of the sons of Israel together, and Aaron told all that Yahweh had said to Moses, and in the sight of the people he performed the signs. The people were convinced, and they rejoiced that Yahweh had visited the sons of Israel/Jacob and had seen misery, and they bowed down and worshipped. - Ex. 4:27-31 -

After this, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh. Pharaoh - the title of the kings of Egypt until 323 B.C. In the Egyptian language the word Pharaoh means 'great house.' This word was originally used to describe the palace of the king. Around 1500 B.C. this term was applied to the Egyptian kings. It meant something like 'his honor, his majesty.' In addition to this title, the kings also had a personal name (Amenhotep, Rameses) and other descriptive titles.

The Pharaoh was probably the most important person in Egyptian society. The Egyptians believed he was a god and the key to the nation's relationship to the cosmic gods of the universe. While the Pharaoh ruled, he was the son of Ra, the sun god, and the incarnation of the god Horus. He came from the gods with the divine responsibility to rule the land for them. Thus, there were no law codes, because the king upheld order and justice and insured the stability of society.

The Pharaoh was the head of the army as well as a central figure in the nation's religious life. As an inter-mediator between gods and men, the Pharaoh functioned as a high priest in the many temples in Egypt. The Egyptian people believed their fate was dependent on that of the Pharaoh, they seldom attempted to overthrow the government, although some pharaohs were very cruel.

In several instances the Israelites came into contact with a Pharaoh. Abram (Abraham) went to Egypt around 1900 B.C. because of a famine in the land of Palestine. However, after 300 more years in Egypt, a new dynasty came to power. Its kings did not acknowledge Joseph and his many deeds to save Egypt. Therefore, all the Israelites but Moses were enslaved. Moses was raised in the Pharaoh's own court.

After this, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, 'This is what Yahweh, the God of Israel/Jacob, has said, "Let my people go, so that they may keep a feast in the wilderness in honour of Me."' 'Who is your Yahweh' Pharaoh replied 'that I should listen to him and let Israel go? I know nothing of Yahweh, and I will not let Israel go.'

Pharaoh rejected the demand of this unknown God of whom Moses and Aaron spoke: He showed his contempt of this God of the Hebrews by increasing the oppression of the slaves. As a result, the people grumbled against Moses. - Ex. 5:1-5, 20-21 -

Moses did not waver in his mission but complaint to Yahweh, 'Lord', he said to Him 'why do You treat this people so harshly? Why did You send me here? God spoke to Moses and said to him, 'I am Yahweh. To Abraham and Isaac and Jacob I appeared as El Shaddai; I did not make myself known to them by my name Yahweh.

The promise of the Exodus began with God's revelation of Himself to Moses at the burning bush. This was followed by the commissioning of Moses and Aaron to stand before Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites.

When Pharaoh refused, a series of ten plagues began. Nine of these involved natural occurrences that were concentrated within a short period of time, affecting the Egyptians only and leaving the Israelites untouched. Each plague involved an Egyptian god in some manner, showing how powerless such deities were in comparison to Israel's/Jacob's God. - Ex. chapter 7 to 13 -

The final plague resulted in the death of all the first-born children and animals. Only when this had happened did Pharaoh agree to release the Hebrew/Israel people. They were spared from death by remaining in their houses and putting sacrificial blood on the doorposts of their houses before they ate the newly "Instituted Passover Meal." -

The Egyptians were so glad to be relieved of what had become a great burden to them that they gave the departing Israelites gifts of gold, silver, and clothing.

The sons of Israel did as Moses had told them and asked the Egyptians for silver ornaments and gold, and for clothing. Yahweh gave the people such prestige in the eyes of the Egyptians, that they gave them what they asked. So they plundered the Egyptians. - Ex. 12:35-36 -

The departure of the Israelites........

                                                                 Page 11
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By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

Moses said to God, 'Who am I to go to Pharaoh and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?' 'I shall be with you' was the answer 'and this is the sign by which you shall know that it is I who have sent you... After you have led the people out of Egypt, you are to offer worship to God on this mountain.' - Ex. 3:11-12 -

The departure of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt under the leadership of Moses, was the final event in a series of miracles by which God revealed Himself to His people in bondage, humbled the pride of the Pharaoh who opposed the Israelites, and enabled Jacob's descendants to live in freedom once again.

The promise of the Exodus began with God;s revelation of Himself to Moses at the 'Burning Bush.' - Ex. 3:2 - This was followed by the commissioning of Moses and Aaron to stand before Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. But Moses doubted that it was God who spoke, and ask what God name is? What am I to tell them if they ask me what His name is? And God said to Moses, 'I Am who I Am. This' he added 'is what you must say to the sons of Israel:

"Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you". This is my name for all times: by this name I shall be invoked for all generations to come. - Ex. 3:13-15 -

Moses instructed for his mission by God: Go and gather the elders of Israel together and tell them, "Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has appeared to me - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob/Israel; and He has said to me.

I will give this people such prestige in the eyes of the Egyptians that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. Every woman will ask the neighbor and the woman who is staying in her house for silver ornaments and gold. With these you will adorn your sons and daughters; you will plunder the Egyptians.

Then Moses answered. 'What if they will not believe me or listen to my words and say to me, "Yahweh has not appeared to you?"' Yahweh asked him, 'What is that in your hand?' 'A staff' Moses said. 'Throw it on the ground' said Yahweh; so Moses threw his staff on the ground - it turned into a serpent and he drew back from it. 'Put your hand out and catch it by the tail' Yahweh said to him. And he put out his hand and caught it, and in his hand the serpent turned into a staff... 'so that they may believe that Yahweh, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has really appeared to you.'

Again Yahweh spoke to Moses, 'Put your hand into your bosom. He put his hand into his bosom and when he drew it out, his hand was covered with leprosy, white as snow.' 'Put your hand back into your bosom.' He put his hand back into his bosom and when he drew it out, there it was restored, just like the rest of his flesh.

'Even so: should they not believe you nor be convinced by the first sign, the second will convinced them; but if they should believe neither of these two signs and not listen to your words, you must take water from the river and pour it on the ground, and the water you have drawn from the river will turn to blood on the ground.' - Ex. 4:1-9 -

In spite of God's assurance and these miraculous signs, Moses was still hesitant to take on this task. Then, Moses pleaded that he was 'slow of speech and not able to speak well, and have never been a man of eloquence, either before or since God have spoken to him. Yahweh answered him. 'Who gave man his/her mouth?' 'Who makes him/her dumb or deaf, gives him/her sight or leaves him/her blind? Is it not I, Yahweh? Now go, I shall help you to speak and tell you what to say. - Ex. 4:10-12 -

Moses implying that he was a stutterer or a stammerer. God countered Moses' hesitation by appointing his brother, Aaron to be his spokesman. Moses would be God's direct representative, and Aaron would be his mouthpiece and interpreter to the people of Israel. At last, and finally, Moses accepted this commission from God and returned to Egypt for a confrontation with Pharaoh.

This is how Moses excuses himself before he accepted God commission to leaves Midian and return to Egypt and do what God told and instructed him to do.

'If it please you, my Lord' Moses replied 'send anyone you will!' At this, the anger of Yahweh blazed out against Moses, and he said to him, 'There is your brother Aaron and Levite, is there not? I know that he is a good speaker. Here he comes to meet you. When he sees you, his heart will be full of joy. You will speak to him and tell him what message to give. I shall help you to speak, and him too, and instruct you what to do. He himself is to speak to the people in your place; he will be your mouthpiece, and you will be as the god inspiring him. And take this staff into your hand; with this you will perform the signs.' - Ex. 4:13-17 -

Moses went away and returned to his father-in-law Jethro, and said to him, 'Give me leave to go back to my relatives in Egypt to see if they are still alive.' And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace.'

Yahweh said to Moses in Midian, 'Go, return to Egypt, for all those who wanted to kill you are dead.' So Moses took his wife and his son and, putting them on a donkey, started back for the land of Egypt; and Moses took in his hand the staff of God. Yahweh said to Moses, 'Now you are going back to Egypt, be prepared to perform before Pharaoh all the marvels that I have given you power to do.

I myself will harden his heart, and Pharaoh will not let the people go. Then, you will say to Pharaoh, "This is what Yahweh says: Israel is my first-born son. I ordered you to let my son go to offer me worship. You refuse to let him go. So be it! I shall put your first-born to death."

On the journey, when Moses had halted for the night, Yahweh came to meet him and tried to kill him. At once Zipporah,taking up a flint, cut off her son's foreskin and with it she touched the genitals of Moses. 'Truly, you are a bridegroom of blood to me!' she said. And Yahweh let Moses live. It was then that she said, 'bridegroom of blood' on account of the circumcision.

Yahweh said to Aaron..........

                                                                     Page 10
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

After the Israelites experienced considerable suffering, God appointed Moses to liberate His people from bondage. Moses had been born to Hebrew slaves and at a time when the Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, had given orders that no more male Hebrew children should allowed to live. To save the infant Moses, his mother made a little vessel of papyrus waterproofed with asphalt and pitch. Moses was set adrift in a basket on Nile River in an attempt to prevent him from being killed by Pharaoh's troops.

By God's providence, Moses, the child of a Hebrew slave - was found and adopted by an Egyptian princess, the daughter of the Pharaoh himself. He was reared in the royal court as a prince of the Egyptians: "And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds." - Acts 7:22 - At the same time, God determined that Moses should be taught in his earliest years by his own mother. This meant that Moses was founded in the faith of his fathers, although he was reared as an Egyptian.

There was a man of the tribe of Levi who had taken a woman of Levi as his wife. She conceived and gave birth to a son and, seeing what a fine child he was, she kept him hidden for three months. When she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him; coating it with bitumen and pitch, she put the child inside and laid it among the reeds at the river's edge. They stood some distance away to see what would happen to him.

Now Pharaoh's daughter went down to bathe in the river, and the girls attending her were walking along by the riverside. Among the reeds she noticed the basket, and she sent the maid to fetch it. She opened it and looked, and saw a baby boy, crying; and she was sorry for him. 'This is a child of one of the Hebrews' she said. Then the child's sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, 'Shall I go and find you a nurse among the Hebrew women to suckle the child for you?'

'Yes, go' Pharaoh's daughter said to her; and the girl went off to find the baby's own mother. To her the daughter of Pharaoh said, 'Take this child away and suckle it for me. I will see you are paid.' So the woman took the child and suckled it. When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter who treated him like a son; she named him Moses because she said, 'I drew him out of the water.' - Ex. 2:1-10 -

Moses, a man by now, set out at this time to visit his countrymen, and he saw what a hard life they were having; and he saw an Egyptian strike a Hebrew, one of his countrymen. Looking round he could see no one in sight, so he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. On the following day he came back, and there were two Hebrews, fighting. He said to the man who was in the wrong, 'What do you mean by hitting your fellow countrymen?' 'And who appointed you' the man retorted, 'to be prince over us, and judge? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?'

Moses was frightened. 'Clearly that business has come to light' he thought. When Pharaoh heard of the matter he would have killed Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and made for the land of Midian. "Moses was 40 years old when this occurred." - Acts 7:23-29 - And he sat down beside a well.

Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's sheep. Shepherds came and drove them away, but Moses came to their defence and watered their sheep for them. When they returned to their father Reuel, he said to them, 'You are back early today!' 'An Egyptian protected us from the shepherds; they said 'yes, and he drew water for us and watered the flock. 'And where is he?' he asked his daughters. 'Why did you leave the man there? Ask him to eat with us.' So Moses settled with this man, who gave him his daughter Zipporah in marriage. She gave birth to a son, and he named him Gershom because, he said, 'I am a stranger in a foreign land.' - Ex. 2:11-22 -

Moses' was exile of about 40 years was spent in the land of Midian (mostly in northwest Arabia) in a desert between Egypt and Canaan. In Midian Moses became a shepherd and eventually the son-in-law of Jethro, a Midianite priest. Jethro gave his daughter Zipporah to Moses in marriage; and she bore two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. - Ex. 18:3-4; Acts 7:29 -

During his years as a shepherd, Moses became familiar with the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula, learning much about survival in the desert. He also learned patience and much about leading sheep. All of these skills prepared him to be the shepherd of the Israelites in later years when he led them out of Egypt and through the Wilderness of Sinai.

Near the end of his 40 years sojourn in the land of Midian, Moses experienced divine revelation in the wilderness. This call was given at the "Burning Bush" in the wilderness near the mountain of Sinai. Moses was ordered by God to return to Egypt where, with Aaron his brother, Moses would confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the captive Israelites.

God intention to deliver Israel from Egyptian captivity into a "land flowing with milk and honey" which God had promised centuries before to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel. The Lord assured Moses that He would be with him, and that by God's presence, Moses would be able to lead the people out.

During this long period the king of Egypt died. The sons of Israel, groaning in their slavery, cried out for help and from the depths of their slavery their cry came up to God. God heard their groaning and He called to mind His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God looked down upon the sons of Israel, and He knew... - Ex. 2:23-25 -

Moses was looking after the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law priest of Midian. He led his flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of Yahweh appeared to him in the shape of a flame of fire, coming from the middle of a bush. Moses looked; there was the bush blazing but it was not being burnt up.

'I must go and look at this strange sight, Moses said, and see why the bush is not burnt.' Now Yahweh saw him go forward to look, and God called to him from the middle of the bush. 'Moses, Moses!' he said, 'Here I am' he answered. 'Come no nearer' he said. Take off your shoes, for the place on which you stand is holy ground. I am the God of your father', he said 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' At this Moses covered his face, afraid to look at God.' - Ex. 3:1-6 -

The mission of Moses............

                                                                    Page 9
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

Israel - the name given to Jacob after his great struggle with God at Peniel near the brook Jabbok. - Gen. 32:26-33 - The name Israel has been interpreted as 'prince with God' because 'Jacob strives with God', 'God strives' or 'let God rule.' The name "Israel" was later applied to the descendants of Jacob, or the 'Hebrew' people. The twelve tribes were called "Israelites" "children of Israel" and "house of Israel" identifying them clearly as the descendants of Israel through his sons and grandsons.

Once more God appeared to Jacob in his return from Paddan-aram and blessed him. God said to him, 'Your name is Jacob, but from now on you shall be named not Jacob but Israel.' Accordingly, they named Jacob, Israel. - Gen. 35:9-10 -

I give you this land, the land I gave to Abraham and to Isaac; and I will give this land to your descendants after you.' Then God went up from Jacob/Israel. - Gen. 35:12-23 -

The ancient Hebrews were just one of the number of nations living in the ancient Near East. This region of the world included ancient Persia, Mesopotamia (the area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers) Syria, Anatolia, Palestine, and Egypt. Each of the nations in the area experienced at least one period in its history when it was more powerful or influential than its neighbors.

But the nature of empires is such that all of them destined to fall and to be replaced by a society that was more aggressive than those it overthrew.

The first of these great empires was that of the 'Sumerians.' It consisted of about a dozen small city-states located in southern Mesopotamia in an area about 245 kilometers (150 miles) northwest of the Persians Gulf. The Sumerians established the first high culture in human society about 4000 B.C. Apparently, they made fundamental discoveries in many important areas of life.

They were at their height when a person named Sargon founded an aggressive culture at Agade, some 128 kilometers (80 miles) northwest in central Mesopotamia, adopting much of the Sumerian culture.

Sargon's dynasty was overthrown ultimately by a nation that was itself conquered after a century of rule by a powerful Babylonian king named 'Hammurabi' (about 1790-1750 B.C.) During Hammurabi's reign, the Sumerian cities were conquered and a large Semitic empire was established in Mesopotamia.

Humanly speaking, it is difficult to assign an exact beginning to Hebrew history. But if we regard Abraham as the forefather of the Israelites, it is clear that they had their roots in ancient Sumer. Abraham came from Ur, a Sumerian city. - Gen. 11:31 -  Abram/Abraham became prosperous in Haran in northwestern Mesopotamia, then later moved to the land of Canaan as God told him. - Gen. 12:4-5 - Abraham received God's assurance that he would be the ancestor of a mighty people.

Abraham's promised son, Isaac had two sons of his own, Esau and Jacob. Jacob's had a dream and God chose Jacob for the renewal of His promise to Abraham. - Gen. 28:10-22 - Jacob/Israel later moved from Haran, where he had married Leah and Rachel, daughters of Laban, and settled in Canaan.

Jacob, whose name was changed to "Israel" was given by God, that is, after an encounter with God, - Gen. 32:22-33 - had 12 sons. Eleven of these sons plotted to sell their youngest brother Joseph into slavery in Egypt.

When God prospered Joseph and made him a high official in Egypt, the brothers were forgiven, after being humiliated. They were instructed to bring their father and other family members to Egypt, where they settled in the fertile Goshen area for over two centuries. Then a Pharaoh who did not acknowledge Joseph's achievements and fearing that, the Israelites may overthrow and conquer Egypt came to power. The descendants of Israel, now known as 'Hebrews' or 'Israelite', were rooted from their land and forced to work on the rebuilding of great Egyptian cities.

These are the names of the sons of Israel who went with Jacob/Israel to Egypt, each with his family: Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. In all, the descendants of Jacob numbered seventy persons. Joseph was in Egypt already. Then Joseph died, and his brothers, and all that generation. But the sons of Israel were fruitful and grew in numbers greatly; they increased and grew so immensely powerful that they filled the land. - Ex. 1:1-7 -

Then there came to power in Egypt a new king who knew nothing of Joseph. 'Look' he said to his subjects 'these people, the sons of Israel, have become so numerous and strong that they are a threat to us. We must be prudent and take steps against their increasing any further, or if war should break out, they might add to the number of our enemies. They might take arms against us and so escape out of the country.'

Accordingly, they put slave-drivers over the Israelites to wear them down under heavy loads. In this way, they built the store-cities of Pithom and Ramese for Pharaoh. But the more they were crushed, the more they increased and spread, and men came to dread the sons of Israel. The Egyptians forced the sons of Israel into slavery, and made their lives unbearable with hard labor, work with clay and with brick, all kinds of work in the fields; they forced on them every kind of labor.

The king of Egypt then spoke to the Hebrews midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah, and the other Puah. 'When you midwives attend Hebrew women' he said 'watch the two stones carefully. If it is a boy, kill him; if a girl, let her live.' But the midwives were God-fearing: they disobeyed the command of the king of Egypt and let the boys live.

So the king of Egypt summoned the midwives, 'Why' he asked them 'have you done this and spared the boys?' 'The Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women' they answered Pharaoh 'they are hardy, and they give birth before the midwife reaches them.' God was kind to the midwives. The people went on increasing and grew very powerful; since the midwives reverenced God he granted them descendants.

Pharaoh then gave his subjects this command: 'Throw all the boys born to the Hebrews into the river, but let all the girls live.' - Ex. 1:8-22 -

After the Israelites experienced considerable suffering, God appointed Moses............

                                                                Page 8
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

Hebrew people - an ethnic term designating the lineage of the Jewish people, the nation of Israel.

Abraham or Abram, was the first person in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible to be called a Hebrew. "A survivor came to tell Abram the Hebrew, who was living at the Oak of the Amorite Mamre, the brother of Eshcol and Aner; these were allies of Abram." - Gen. 14:13 -

Thereafter, his descendants through Isaac and Jacob were know as Hebrews. The term is used numerous times in the story of Joseph and in the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible.

I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews in the first place, and even here I have done nothing to warrant imprisonment. - Gen. 40:15 -

After bathing his face Joseph returned and, controlling himself, gave the order: 'Serve the meal.' Joseph was served separately; so were they, and so were the Egyptians who ate in his household, for Egyptians cannot take food with Hebrews: they have a horror at it. - Gen. 43:31-32 -

The origin of the term Hebrew is a mystery. Later use of the words Israelite and Jew add to the confusion. It was believe the word came from a prominent man of the ancient Middle East known as Eber. Eber was a descendant of Noah through Shem and an ancestor of Abraham. Eber, literally meaning 'on the other side of' may allude to Abraham's departure from Ur, a region east of the Euphrates River.

This possibility harmonizes with the statement made by God to the Hebrew people in Joshua's time:

Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel together at Shechem; then he called the elders, leaders, judges and scribes of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Then Joshua said to all the people:

Yahweh the God of Israel says this, In ancient days your ancestors lived beyond the River - such was Terah the father of Abraham and of Nahor - and they served other gods. Then I brought your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan. I increased his descendants and gave him Isaac.

To Isaac I gave Jacob and Esau. To Esau I gave the mountain country of Seir as his possession. Jacob and his sons went down into Egypt. Then I sent Moses and Aaron and plagued Egypt with the wonders that I worked there. So I brought your ancestors out of Egypt, and you came to the Sea; the Egyptians pursued your ancestors with chariots and horsemen as far as the Sea of Reeds.

There they called to Yahweh, and he spread a thick fog between you and the Egyptians, and made the sea go back on them and cover them. You saw with your own eyes the things I did in Egypt. Then for a long time you lived in the wilderness, until I brought you into the land of the Amorites who lived beyond the Jordan; they made war on you and I gave them into your hands; you took possession of their country because I destroyed them before you. Next, Balak son of Zippor the king of Moab arose to make war on Israel, and sent for Balaam son of Beor to come and curse you. But I would not listen to Balaam; instead, he had to bless you, and I saved you from his hand.

"When you crossed the Jordan and came to Jericho, those who held Jericho fought against you, as did the Amorites and Perizzites, the Canaanites, Hittites, Girgashites, Hivites and Jebusites, but I put them all into your power. I sent out hornets in front of you which drove the two Amorite kings before you; this was not the work of your sword or your bow. I gave you a land where you never toiled, you live in towns you never built; you eat now from vineyards and olive groves you never planted." - Jos. 24:1-13 -

Of Eber's descendants, Abraham, Nahor, and Lot stand out. The genealogist list in Genesis chapter 10 and other passages indicate that Abraham was the ancestor of the Hebrews; Nahor was the ancestor of the Arameans; and Lot was the ancestor of the Moabites and the Ammonites. - Gen. 10:21,24,25; 11:14-27 -

There is considerable evidence in the Old Testament that the Hebrews regarded themselves as a composite race. - Deut. 26:5 - In their wandering tribal days and during their early years in Canaan, the Hebrews experienced a mixture of bloods through marriage with surrounding peoples. When Abraham sought a suitable wife for Isaac, he sent to Padan Aram, near Haran, for Rebekah, daughter of the Syrian Bethuel. Jacob found Rachel in the same location. - Gen. 24:10; 25:20; chapter 28-29 -

Strains of Egyptians blood also appeared in the family of Joseph through Asenath's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. - Gen. 41:50-52 - Moses had a Midanite wife, Zipporah and an unnamed Ethiopian (Cushite) wife. - Num. 12:1 -

Although several unanswered questions about the origin of the Hebrews remain, no culture has equaled their contribution to mankind. In a pagan world with many gods, the Hebrews worshiped One Supreme, Holy God who demanded righteousness in His people.

In fact, from the the Hebrews also sprang Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, our Savior, who gave His life to set us free from the curse of sin. Amen. "All praises and thanksgiving to you, Lord Jesus Christ."

Israel - the name given to Jacob after his great struggle with God.......

                                                                 Page 7
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -

Joseph was the first child of Rachel - Gen. 30:24 - and his father's (Jacob/Israel) favorite son. - Gen. 37:31 - This is most clearly shown by the special coat which Jacob gave to Joseph. This favoritism eventually brought serious trouble for the whole family. Joseph's ten older brothers hated him because he was Jacob's favorite and also because Joseph had dreams which he interpreted to his brothers in a conceited way. It is no surprise that Joseph's brothers hated him enough to kill him. - Gen. 37:4 -

Joseph and his family were shepherds in the land of Canaan. One day Jacob sent Joseph to search for his brothers who were tending the flocks in the fields. When Joseph found them, they seized upon the chance to kill him. The only opposing voice was Reuben's but they finally sold Joseph into slavery to passing merchants.

To hide the deed from their father Jacob, Joseph's brothers took his coat and dipped it in animal blood. When Jacob saw the coat, he was convinced that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. - Gen. 37:34-35 -

Joseph was taken to Egypt, where he was sold to Potiphar, an officer of the ruling Pharaoh of the nation. Joseph good conduct soon earned him the highest position in the household. Potiphar's wife became infatuated with Joseph and tempted him to commit adultery with her. When he refused, she accused him of the crime and Joseph was sent to prison.

While in prison, Joseph's behavior earned him a position of responsibility over the other prisoners. Among the prisoners Joseph met were the Pharaoh's baker and his butler. When each of them had a dream, Joseph interpreted their dreams. When the butler left prison, he failed to intercede on Joseph's behalf, and Joseph spent two more years in prison.

When the Pharaoh had dreams that none of his counselors could interpret, the butler remembered Joseph and mentioned him to the Pharaoh. Then Joseph was called to appear before the Pharaoh. Joseph interpreted the Pharaoh's dreams, predicting seven years of plentiful food, followed by seven years of famine. He also advised the Pharaoh to appoint a commissioner to store up supplies during the plentiful years.

To Joseph's surprise, the Pharaoh appointed him as food commissioner. This was a position of great prestige. Under Joseph's care, many supplies were stored and the land prospered. - Gen. 41:37-57 - Joseph was given many comforts, including servants and a wife. He was called 'Zapenath-Paneah' which means 'Revealer of Secrets.' When the famine struck, Joseph was second only to the Pharaoh in power. People from all surrounding lands came to buy food from him.

Many years passed between Joseph's arrival in Egypt as a slave and his rise to power in the nation during the famine. The famine also struck Canaan, and Joseph's brothers eventually came to Egypt to buy grain. When they met Joseph, they did not recognize him but Joseph recognized them. However, Joseph decided to test them to see if they had changed. He accused them of being spies. Then he sold them grain only on condition that Simeon stay as a hostage until they bring Benjamin, the youngest brother, to Egypt with them.

Upon returning to Canaan, the brothers told Jacob of their experiences. He vowed not to send Benjamin to Egypt. But the continuing famine forced him to change his mind. On the next trip Benjamin went with his brothers to Egypt.

When they arrived, Joseph treated them royally, weeping openly at the sight of his youngest brother. Simeon was returned to them. After purchasing their grain, they started home. On their way home, however, they were stopped by one of Joseph's servants who accused them of stealing Joseph's silver cup. The cup was found in Benjamin's bag, where Joseph had placed it. The brothers returned to face Joseph who declared that Benjamin must stay in Egypt. At this point Judah pleaded with Joseph, saying that it would break their father Jacob's heart if Benjamin failed to return with them. Judah's offer to stay in Benjamin's place is considered one of the most moving passage in the Old Testament.

Joseph was overcome with emotion. He revealed himself to them as their brother whom they had sold into slavery years earlier. At first, Joseph's brothers were afraid that Joseph would take revenge against them, but soon they were convinced that Joseph's forgiveness was genuine. Judah's plea on Benjamin's behalf was evidence of the change that Joseph had hoped to find in his brothers. He sent them back to Canaan with gifts for his father and invited the family to come live in Egypt.

The grace of God working in the family of Jacob is evident in the way Joseph dealt with his brothers. Joseph did not want revenge against them. He realized that his personal suffering had preserved the family as an instrument of God's will. Joseph also aware that his rise to power was for the good of his family, not for his own glory.

God sent me before you to make sure that your race would have survivors in the land and to save your lives, many lives at that. So, it was not you who sent me here but God, and He has made me father to Pharaoh, lord of all his household and administrator of the whole land of Egypt. - Gen. 45:7-8 -

Jacob/Israel accepted Joseph's offer and moved his entire family to Egypt. During the journey, God appeared to Jacob/Israel at Beersheba, blessing him and renewing His promise about the destiny of Jacob's sons. God promised that the family would return to Canaan some day. The families of Jacob/Israel settled in the land of Goshen, where they tended the Pharaoh's herds. They remained here until Joseph's death.

After the 'Exodus' of the Hebrew people from Egypt years later, Joseph's faithfulness was rewarded. His two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were counted as ancestral fathers of two tribes of Israel, although their mother was an Egyptian woman. In Psalm 80:1 the word "Joseph" is used as a poetic designation for these two tribes.

So Joseph stayed in Egypt with his father's family; and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years. Joseph saw the third generation of Ephraim's children, as also the children of Machir, Manasseh's son, who were born on Joseph's lap. At length Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die; but God will be sure to remember you kindly and take you back from this country to the land that He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob(Israel). And Joseph made Israel's sons swear an oath, 'When God remembers you with kindness be sure to take my bones from here.' - Gen. 50:22-25 -

Israel in Egypt, and the prosperity of the Hebrews in Egypt, and the birth of Moses.......

                                                        Page 6
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless. 

By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -