Redeemed by the blood

January 29, 2013            Exod 11–12, Matt 19:1–26, Ps 18:1–4, Prov 3:15–16

Exodus 11-12

1. The plagues were designed to discredit the gods of Egypt. Before the tenth plague God asserted, “I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt” (Ex 12:12; cf. Nm 33:4). This is especially evident in the first, second, fifth and ninth plagues. In the first plague the sacred Nile was affected. By the end of the second plague the Egyptians detested Ptha, the frog headed god and Heka, a frog goddess. Apis the sacred bull could not spare his kind from the ravishing effects of the murrain. Ra the sun god could not penetrate the darkness in which Yahweh wrapped Egypt in the ninth plague.

2. The plagues also served to discredit the religious leaders of Egypt. The counsel of Pharaoh’s wisest men, the sorcery and magic of his personal ministers could not prevent or remove the plagues. In the third plague the magicians retreated from the contest; in the sixth plague they were rendered unclean by the festering boils and thus disqualified from officiating in their priestly role.

3. The plagues revealed the impotence of Pharaoh as a ruler and god. His total lack of integrity, his stubbornness, arrogance, and mortality are clearly shown in the narrative. He was forced during the contest to offer four compromises to Moses, and in the end he was compelled to release the Israelites.

4. With respect to the Israelites, the plagues were designed to free them from bondage and convince them of the sole divinity of Yahweh. They were a visual lesson of God’s awesome power.

5. The plagues were also God’s judgment on the land of Egypt for the years of mistreatment of his people.

6. The plagues were designed gradually to magnify the power of God. In the first two plagues the power of God was imitated by the magicians. They, however, were unable to remove the plagues. In plagues three through six the restrained power of God was manifested. God’s unbridled power was manifested in plagues seven through ten (9:14).

The above six purposes can be summed up in the word know. The contest began when Pharaoh declared that he did not know Yahweh. This word thereafter becomes a key word in the narrative. Through the plagues all parties would come to know Yahweh—Israel (6:7; 10:2; 11:7); the Egyptians (7:5; 14:4, 18); and Pharaoh (7:17; 8:10, 22; 9:14, 29). To know Yahweh means to recognize him because of personal experience and then submit to his authority.

With that definition would you say you know God?

The story of the Passover is vital in the history of the Israelite people and for Christians as well. It deserves great consideration and teaching, however I realize time is limited here so I will let it lay for now.

How did the Passover foreshadow the ministry of Christ?

Matthew 19:1-26

Divorce was a major issue in the day of Christ and it still is today. Some scholars say that the divorce rate in the Roman Empire was about 50%. Among the Jewish teachers of the day there was disagreement as well. The followers of Rabbi Hillel interpreted Deut. 24:1 to mean that a man could divorce his wife for any cause, while the followers of Rabbi Shammai held to a strict interpretation, that marriage could be broken only by adultery. How does Jesus answer this question? How does this apply to today?

Read 1 Corinthians 7 to get a better understanding.

Why did the rich young ruler leave sad?

See 1 Tim. 6:6–10

Many people at that time equated riches with God’s blessing, is this accurate?

How does the life of Christ seem to dispel this completely?

Psalm 18:1-4

David was overjoyed with praise and thanksgiving to God. When in your life have you been in this same state of worship? He says God is his rock. How is God like a rock? He is his horn, this is a symbol of strength.

David says he will love the Lord will all his strength, perhaps this is why he is a man after God’s own heart. Have you committed to loving the Lord with all your heart?

Proverbs 3:15-16

Wisdom is said to be more precious than rubies, all the things you may desire cannot compare with wisdom. With wisdom there are tremendous blessings.

What do you desire most in this life? What are you willing to work for, give up time and energy to get?

Praise God today for the Lamb of God that takes away your sins.

Consider what is most important in life and how your actions show this. 

The One True God

January 28, 2013            Exod 9–10, Matt 18:12–35, Ps 17:8–15, Prov 3:13–14

Exodus 9-10

The plagues were actually a “declaration of war” against the gods of Egypt (see 12:12). The Nile River was worshiped as a god since it was their source of life (Deut. 11:10–12), and when Moses turned it into blood, God showed His power over the river. The goddess Heqt was pictured as a frog, the Egyptian symbol of resurrection. The plague of frogs certainly turned the people against Heqt! The lice and flies brought defilement to the people—a terrible blow, for Egyptians could not worship their gods unless they were spotlessly clean. The murrain attacked the cattle which were sacred to the Egyptians; Hathor was the “cow-goddess” and Apis was the sacred bull. The gods and goddesses that controlled health and safety were attacked in the plagues of boils, [5 highlighted hail, and locusts. The plague of darkness was the most serious, since Egypt worshiped the sun god, Ra, the chief of the gods. When the sun was blotted out for three days, it meant that Yahweh had conquered Ra. The final plague (the death of the firstborn) conquered Meskhemit the goddess of birth, and Hathor, her companion, both of whom were supposed to watch over the firstborn.

All of these plagues made it clear that Yahweh was the true God!

We may trace these same plagues in the Book of Revelation, when God describes His final conflict with the god of this world, Satan: water to blood (Rev. 8:8 and 16:4–6); frogs (16:13); disease and afflictions (16:2); hail and fire (8:7), locusts (9:1ff); and darkness (16:10). The Egyptian magicians were able to imitate some of Moses’ miracles—turning the rod into a serpent (7:8–13) and the water into blood (7:19–25), and bringing forth the frogs (8:5–7). But they could not turn the dust into lice (8:16–19). Second Timothy 3:8–9 warns us that in the last days false teachers will oppose God by imitating His miracles. See 2 Thes. 2:9–10. Satan is a counterfeiter who deceives the lost world by imitating what God does (2 Cor. 11:1–4, 13–15).

Matthew 18:12-35

In context here Jesus is still talking about children. With the high priority Jesus puts on children how should to direct our children’s ministries?

How are commanded to deal with offenses? How do you normally deal with them.

In context what is Jesus talking about when He says that when two or more are gathered He is there also?

How many times should we forgive (1 Cor. 13:5)?

What is the meaning of the parable?

Is there someone you need to forgive?

Psalm 17:8-15

David asks God to protect him as one would protect the pupil of their eye. To what extent do you try to protect your eyes? To what extent does God go to protect us?

Like David we need to make a daily commitment to worship and follow the Lord.

Proverbs 3:13-14

In what ways is wisdom better than silver and gold?

Pray today that you can see the deceptions of the devil. Pray about what the gods of this age are and how God is superior.

Pray about your attitude of forgiveness. Praise God for his forgiveness.

Mighty Is The Lord

January 27, 2013            Exod 6:14–8:32, Matt 17:14–18:11, Ps 17:1–7, Prov 3:10–12

Exodus 6:14-8:32

Why do you think Moses needed so much encouragement? Do you? If so where do you find it?

How were the magicians able to make their staff’s turn to snakes?

What is the significance of Moses’ snake eating the others?

There are ten plagues each of which attack one of the false gods of Egypt. (Some other time I could explain that in detail, not enough time today.)

The first is turning the water of the Nile to blood.

In what ways would this be very difficult to deal with?

The second was a plague of frogs.

Why did Pharaoh believe he could negotiate with God? Do you? Why did he go back on his word?

The third plague was lice (or some other biting, blood sucking creature). In what two ways is this one different from the last two?

Matthew 17:14-18:11

Why were the disciples not able to cast out the demon?

What power is there in prayer and fasting? How much faith do you have?

What was the purpose of this miracle?

Chapter 18

Why do we care so much about greatness?
How must be we be like a child?

What warning does Jesus give us?

How serious does Jesus take sin? How serious do you?  

Psalm 17:1-7

David prayed for deliverance. He said that God has tested him. If God were to test your motives and thoughts what would He find?

Proverbs 3:10-12

The Lord corrects those He loves. Where has the Lord corrected you? Did you have the wisdom to see the Lord’s hand? Where do you need correction?

Today is Sunday. Pray about what you learned at church this morning. Pray how you can put it into practice.