January 22, 2013 / Exodus chapters 1 - 6
"But the descendants of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, and the land was full of them. Now a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph. He said to his people, Behold, the Israelites are too many and too mighty for us [and they[a]outnumber us both in people and in strength]. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply more and, should war befall us, they join our enemies, fight against us, and escape out of the land. So they set over [the Israelites] taskmasters to afflict and oppress them with [increased] burdens. And [the Israelites] built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh." Exodus 7-11 AMP
Footnotes: Is there in all human history a more amazing spectacle than the exodus? A family of 70 immigrants grows into a people of slavery. Suddenly, according to God’s detailed and preannounced plan, they are seen flinging away the shackles of generations of slavery and emigrating to a new country and a new life, with miraculous deliverances rescuing them from destruction again and again. The marvel of the exodus grows in wonder when, after more than 3,000 years, we see that same race, often persecuted almost to extinction, carrying out in startling detail God’s predictions for their amazing national revitalization and prominence “in the last days” (adapted from many historians). AMP
"Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, of whom one was named Shiprah and the other Puah, When you act as midwives to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, she shall live. But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded, but let the male babies live. So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, Why have you done this thing and allowed the male children to live? The midwives answered Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; they are vigorous and quickly delivered; their babies are born before the midwife comes to them. So God dealt well with the midwives and the people multiplied and became very strong. And because the midwives revered and feared God, He made them households [of their own]. Then Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son born [to the Hebrews] you shall cast into the river [Nile], but every daughter you shall allow to live." Exodus 1:15 - 22 AMP
I'm still appalled every time I read this.
"Then Herod, when he realized that he had been misled by the wise men, was furiously enraged, and he sent and put to death all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that territory who were two years old and under, reckoning according to the date which he had investigated diligently and had learned exactly from the wise men." Matthew 2:16
Some things never change. Now we call it abortion.
Endless Love
By Carol Tobias
As the right-to-life movement enters the 40th year of legalized abortion on demand in our country, it’s appropriate to look at the current state of affairs. Fifty-five million children have been killed by abortion. It’s difficult to comprehend that number. Almost 18% of our entire population, that number is equal to the population of the entire middle portion of the country. It’s almost the population of New York and California.
How different our country would be today if those 20- and 30-somethings were working, maybe creating jobs for others, getting married and raising children of their own. Grandchildren are missing, having been erased from the family tree. Women are hurting, knowing they cannot reverse the decision that took from them a part of their own life.
Our loss of respect for the innocent human life of that, oh so little, unborn child has created a mindset that no human life is special. If some elderly person is taking up necessary space in a hospital or nursing home, let’s determine that food and water are medical treatment and consider them to be unnecessary. Is a disabled person taking up too many medical resources and not giving enough back to the state? Deny him or her treatment.
Sometimes it seems that our society cares more about animals than people. Witness the television commercials asking for support to save abused dogs and cats. Don’t humans deserve as much compassion? Shouldn’t humans get even more?
How do we respond? I think that can be summed up in one word—LOVE.
Most of us have attended a wedding where those famous words from 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, are read:
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
While those words are wonderful for a couple looking to spend the rest of their lives together, how much more appropriate are they for those who seek to help and protect others simply because those others exist.
Beautifully expressed. The Lord said it even better.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you... For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." Jeremiah 1:5, 29:11 AMP
Nobody can convince me that supporting the pro choice movement is Christian behavior. There are God fearing, God loving Christians (some of my closest friends) who are going to stand before God one day, trembling with fear and wondering where their deeply held Christian beliefs (and their brains) were when they supported the killing of these innocent lives.
Moving on... I can't believe Moses argued with the Almighty God.
"And Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I am not eloquent or a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and have a heavy and awkward tongue. And the Lord said to him, Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall say. And he said, Oh, my Lord, I pray You, send by the hand of [some other] whom You will [send]. Then the anger of the Lord blazed against Moses; He said, Is there not Aaron your brother, the Levite? I know he can speak well. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed. You must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you what you shall do. He shall speak for you to the people, acting as a mouthpiece for you, and you shall be as God to him. And you shall take this rod in your hand with which you shall work the signs [that prove I sent you]". Exodus 40:10-17 AMP
In a weird way, this comforts me. I have encouraged, begged and pleaded with people so many times that they CAN do something, but to no avail. Moses wouldn't even believe God Himself(!!!), and God got so frustrated with him that His anger burned against him! Moses would later regret his acceptance of Aaron as his spokesperson, as we will find out.
Just DO IT, even if you do it scared! Believe God's word for you and take the action steps He is asking of you!
"Dear God, I know EXACTLY what You are calling me to do, but I'm scared. I have NO faith at all in my ability to do this. This task is monumental to me!!! Yet You keep tugging at my heart! Please give me the courage and the strength to obey Your call on my life. Even if I start with baby steps, help me to just do it. In Jesus name, the name above every name, AMEN."
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you... For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome." Jeremiah 1:5, 29:11 AMP
Nobody can convince me that supporting the pro choice movement is Christian behavior. There are God fearing, God loving Christians (some of my closest friends) who are going to stand before God one day, trembling with fear and wondering where their deeply held Christian beliefs (and their brains) were when they supported the killing of these innocent lives.
Moving on... I can't believe Moses argued with the Almighty God.
"And Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, I am not eloquent or a man of words, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and have a heavy and awkward tongue. And the Lord said to him, Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the dumb, or the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall say. And he said, Oh, my Lord, I pray You, send by the hand of [some other] whom You will [send]. Then the anger of the Lord blazed against Moses; He said, Is there not Aaron your brother, the Levite? I know he can speak well. Also, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be overjoyed. You must speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you what you shall do. He shall speak for you to the people, acting as a mouthpiece for you, and you shall be as God to him. And you shall take this rod in your hand with which you shall work the signs [that prove I sent you]". Exodus 40:10-17 AMP
In a weird way, this comforts me. I have encouraged, begged and pleaded with people so many times that they CAN do something, but to no avail. Moses wouldn't even believe God Himself(!!!), and God got so frustrated with him that His anger burned against him! Moses would later regret his acceptance of Aaron as his spokesperson, as we will find out.
Just DO IT, even if you do it scared! Believe God's word for you and take the action steps He is asking of you!
"Dear God, I know EXACTLY what You are calling me to do, but I'm scared. I have NO faith at all in my ability to do this. This task is monumental to me!!! Yet You keep tugging at my heart! Please give me the courage and the strength to obey Your call on my life. Even if I start with baby steps, help me to just do it. In Jesus name, the name above every name, AMEN."
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