37 The Lord brought his people out of Egypt, loaded with silver and gold; and not one among the tribes of Israel even stumbled.
38 Egypt was glad when they were gone, for they feared them greatly.
39 The Lord spread a cloud above them as a covering and gave them a great fire to light the darkness.
40 They asked for meat, and he sent them quail; he satisfied their hunger with manna—bread from heaven.
41 He split open a rock, and water gushed out to form a river through the dry wasteland.
42 For he remembered his sacred promise to his servant Abraham.
43 So he brought his people out of Egypt with joy, his chosen ones with rejoicing.
44 He gave his people the lands of pagan nations, and they harvested crops that others had planted.
45 All this happened so they would follow his decrees and obey his instructions.
Praise the Lord!
When we read the account in Exodus it doesn't really seem like Egypt feared Israel. Egypt had enslaved Israel and had her under their thumb. Yet, by the time Israel marched out of Egypt we're told "Egypt was glad when they were gone, for they feared them greatly." Furthermore..."The Lord brought his people out of Egypt, loaded with silver and gold; and not one among the tribes of Israel even stumbled."
Doesn't sound like an enslaved people to me.
Typology is a method commonly used to understand how God works today...by comparing it with how He worked in Old Testament times. In this case, the Church (Christians) is a "type" of Israel. We learn a lot about God today by observing his dealings with Israel.
Ever wonder why Christians are so maligned here in America? Could it be out of fear? Could it be the world (Egypt) has an intuitive awareness that the Church is very dangerous to their ungodly asperations? If that's the case...don't plan on things getting better for us.
And...when the Church is gone...the world will be relieved.
Even though we will take with us the greatest treasure known. Not gold and silver...the Holy Spirit. Even at that price the world will be relieved. They will regard it as a price well paid.
Why should we be held in such disregard? Why would a White House official, years back, claim that Christians "are not part of the solution...they are part of the problem?" Why would members of the media recently express disappointment that the Times Square bomber was a "Muslim?" Two reasons: First, if Paul was correct in Romans (and He was) that the knowledge of God has been created in the heart of every person...don't you think that our presence is a constant reminder to an unbeliever of his/her disobedience? Of course. And, that creates resentment.
Wouldn't it be much simpler to repent?
The second reason is that our presence inhibits pursuit of their unholy agenda. The Church constantly speaks up against laws and policies that are ungodly. The world doesn't want to hear it...because the world is not interested in the truth. This is self-evident. Michael Bloomberg had the audacity...when asked about the Times Square bomber...to speculate that it might be a homegrown american right-wing malcontent.
Seriously? Based on what?
So...America will celebrate every act of terrorism commited by a professed "Right-wing fundamentalist Christian. It will confirm their prejudice and will provide an excuse to enslave us all.
When we are gone...we won't be missed, or mourned. We are the whipping boy of 21st century america. So, what do we do? We don't react. We labor faithfully (as salt and light) until God calls us out. And He will. Be prepared. Gird yourself for the call...at an unnexpected time. Shed yourself of earthly attachments because we don't want to be of "two minds" when the call comes.
Why all this? "For he remembered his sacred promise to his servant Abraham." Remember. God will be faithful for "a thousand generations." He is allowing circumstances to unfold this way because He is "testing our character." We need to know that our faithfulness can withstand the realities of a hostile world...until we march out.
Are you ready?
Live boldly out there today...
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