When Moses and the people of Israel/Jacob reached the land of Midian, Moses' father-in-law Jethro came to meet them. He gave Moses sound advice on how to exercise his leadership and authority more efficiently by delegating responsibility to subordinate rulers who would judge the people in small cases.
'It is not right' the father-in-law Jethro of Moses said to him 'to take this on yourself. You will tire yourself out, you and the people with you. The work is too heavy for you. You cannot do it alone. Take my advice, and God will be with you. You ought to represent the people before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the statutes and the decisions; show them the way they must follow and what their course must be.
But choose from the people at large some capable and God-fearing men, trustworthy and incorruptible, and appoint them as leaders of the people: leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, tens. Let these be at the service of the people to administer justice at all times. They can refer all difficult questions to you, but all smaller questions they will decide for themselves, so making things easier for you and sharing the burden with you.
If you do this - and may God so command you - you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.' Moses took his father-in-law's advice and did as he said. - Ex. 18:1-27 -
The Covenant At Sinai - God appeared to Moses on Mount Sinai (Horeb) and entered into a relationship with the twelve tribes, which bound them to Himself and made them, in effect, the nation of Israel. The relationship was in the form of a "Covenant."
This "Covenant" is fundamentally important for Israelite history. Through it a number of independent tribes were bonded together into one Hebrew/Jew/Israel nation and given a specific destiny as the people chosen by God as a channel for divine revelation. The Israelites, however, were not to behave just like any nation of the ancient world. All of these were pagan, as part of their worship.
The Israelites were to live as a religious community in which each member cared for the others. The exploitation of such helpless persons as strangers, widows, and orphans was strictly forbidden under the Mosaic Law - Deut. 24:17 - since God Himself was their champion. - Duet. 10:14-22 -
God promised to provide a land for the Hebrews/Jews/Israelites in which they could settle in obedience to "Covenant Law' as a holy nation, and be witnesses of His existence and power to all the neighboring nations.
Moses then went up to God, and Yahweh called to him from the mountain, saying, 'Say this to the House of Jacob, declare this to the sons of Israel. "You yourselves have seen what I did with the Egyptians, how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to Myself. From this you know that now, if you obey my voice and hold fast to my Covenant, you of all the nations shall be my very own for all the earth is mine.
I will count you a kingdom of priests, a consecrated nation. Those are the words you are to speak to the sons of Israel.' So Moses went and summoned the elders of the people, putting before them all that Yahweh had bidden him, Then all the people answered as one, 'All that Yahweh has said, we will do.' And Moses took the people's reply back to Yahweh. - Ex. 19:3-8 -
Throughout Hebrew/Jew/Israel history, God's covenant people meant to be an example of spirituality to the world. This, rather than political activity or territorial conquest, was to be their true destiny. Unfortunately, much of Israelite history was marked by periodic disobedience of the Covenant Laws. - Ex. chapter 19 to 31 -
When God had finished speaking with Moses on the mountain of Sinai, God gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. - Ex. 31:18 -
- ISRAEL'S APOSTASY - THE COVENANT RENEWED -
Unfortunately, Israelite history began badly with an idolatrous act. The people made and worshiped a golden calf while Moses was still on Mount Sinai.
Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, 'Go down now, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have apostasised. They have been quick to leave the way I marked out for them; they have made themselves a calf of molten metal and have worshipped it and offered it sacrifice. "Here is your God, Israel" they have cried "who brought you up from the land of Egypt!"'
Yahweh said to Moses, 'I can see how headstrong these people are! Leave me, now, my wrath shall blaze out against them and devour them; of you, however, I will make a great nation.'
But Moses pleaded with Yahweh his God. 'Yahweh' he said 'why should your wrath blaze out against this people of yours whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with arm outstretched and mighty hand? Why let the Egyptians say, "Ah, it was in treachery that He brought them out, to do them to death in the mountains and wipe them off the face of the earth"?
Leave your burning wrath; relent and do not bring this disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel, your servants to whom by your own self you swore and made this promise: I will make your offspring as many as the stars of heaven, and all this land which I promised I will give to your descendants, and it shall be their heritage for ever.' So Yahweh relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had threatened. - Ex. 32:7-14 -
When Moses delayed in coming down from Mount Sinai, the faithless people became restless. They persuaded Aaron to take their golden earrings and other articles of jewelry and to fashion a golden calf for worship, offered holocausts and brought communion sacrifices; then all the people sat down to eat and drink, and afterwards got up to amuse themselves.
As Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the groups dancing, Moses' anger blazed. He threw down the tablets he was holding and broke them at the foot of the mountain. Moses seized the calf they had made and burned it, grinding it into powder which he scattered on the water; and he made the sons and daughters of Israel drink it.
To Aaron Moses said, 'What has this people done to you, for you to bring such a great sin on them?' When Moses saw the people so out of hand - for Aaron had allowed them to lapse into idolatry with enemies all round them - he stood at the gate of the camp and shouted. 'Who is for Yahweh? And of the sons of Levi rallied to him. And Moses said to them, 'This is the message of Yahweh, the God of Israel/Jacob, "Grid your sword, every man of you, and quarter the camp from gate to gate, killing one his brother, another his friend, another his neighbor"?
The sons of Levi carried out the command of Moses, and of the people about three thousand men perished that day. 'Today' Moses said 'you have won yourselves investiture as priests of Yahweh at the cost, one of his sons, another of his brother; and so God grants you a blessing today.' - Ex. 32:1-35 -
Yahweh said to Moses, 'Leave this place..........
Page 13
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 -
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Saturday, February 18, 2017
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:
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
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.
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
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 -
Monday, February 13, 2017
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
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 -
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
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 -
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)