One of the biggest breakthroughs I’ve ever had when it comes to studying the bible is the day I realized that the Old Testament points to the New. It doesn’t just talk about what’s going to happen in the New but the Very lives of his people told the story of what God was planning in Christ. His people the Jewish nation is meant to symbolize “US” Christ followers. Moses is symbolic of God, Aaron is symbolic of Christ. Once we understand this our eyes and hearts become open to understanding the Old Testament. With that in mind lets look at Exodus.
The Jewish nation grows so numerous that Pharaoh begins to fear them so he decides to enslave them so they wont have the chance to realize their power. He then puts them to work (forced labor). He beats them and overworks them so they fear him for one, and two are too tired to make babies. They do fear him but make lots of babies. Pharaoh fears their numbers even more so he has said babies killed.
TRANSLATION: Satan saw Adam and Eve and knew that they and their children would join with God and have power over him now he will not even have control of the lower regions. So he enslaved them and got them so busy focusing on their sin and their work that they had no time to focus on God himself and develop any kind of relationship with him. The more kids they had the more he caused them to focus on their own shortcomings and the work they had to do as a result of said shortcomings. Man still populated the earth and Satan still feared them so he sought to kill them (Spiritually by forcing them to focus on themselves rather than God)
Fast forward about 300 years Moses and Aaron come confront Pharaoh and free the slaves. They leave Egypt and wonder the wilderness for 40 years. Each time they encounter a problem or hardship they begin to desire a return to Egypt.
TRANSLATION: God and Jesus confront Satan and set us free from our bonds of Sin. Now as we spend/live our days we are constantly fighting the tug of returning to slavery because we fear the unknown in our current journey. God led them in a cloud by day and fire by night. We have the Holy Spirit. Now for today’s purposes lets stop right there.
The wilderness is the moment I want to focus on because that is where we are right now. We have been set free through Christ and are now Journeying to the Promised Land, Heaven Bound Baby! What happened while they were in the wilderness? They encountered a lack of water, no food, snakes, Pharaoh chasing them all sorts of nasty situations where they were forced to depend on God. Despite the clear leading of the spirit they always turned away and Moses constantly had to turn them back. They would have turned back to slavery if they could have. They longed for the safety of the Whip and chain. Even though they knew it meant certain destruction and total loss of freedom. In the desert they had total freedom and complete protection all they had to do was follow a fiery cloud.
Today as I look around this is exactly what I’m seeing and my heart hurts. I see brothers and sisters that have experienced the freedom and protection of Christ giving in to slavery because it’s easier it’s what they know. They’ve been set free but are putting the cuffs back on themselves. I see them living active sexual lives, giving into homosexuality, chasing after the dollar, positions of influence, liars, cheaters, drunkards, druggies. Most of them fought these temptations for years then just grew tired and gave in. Their brothers and sisters (Myself included here) were too busy fending for themselves to realize anyone else was struggling. We put on such an heir of righteousness or such a busy attitude that no one felt safe going to anyone else for help or support. Remember when Moses went onto MT Sinai and God gave him the 10 Commandments. He was gone for so long that Israel turned to Aaron and said “make us an Idle” They needed Moses to point them to God That cloud by day and fire at night wasn’t enough. Once they were set free Moses symbol was that of prophet (God spoke to him and he spoke to us) He was in Mt Sinai and Israel fell apart. After Christ died his Apostles stepped into that position pointing his family to God. Now I don’t have it altogether. I don’t have the answer to this question but who is pointing us to God now? Who has God called to stand in the place of the Apostles? You could say no one that’s why he gave us the Holy Spirit. They had that in the Desert and still needed Moses. They had the Holy Spirit after Christ but still needed the Apostles. God uses his people to point to him. He appointed Apostles, prophets, teachers… (1 Cor 12:28, Eph 4:11) Where today are those he has called to point us to him? We are Israel without a Judge! You may think I’m painting a pretty bleak picture here, you may think I’m being a little extreme but I ask. Where is his light? And the light shines in the darkness but the darkness does not comprehend it John 1:1. Yes that is out of context. But is it really? We know the light is Christ but we sure aren’t acting like we understand him. If we do we sure aren’t acting like we trust him. Who is going to take the mantle
My friends, as I said earlier my heart is breaking for these brothers and sisters that have given in and offered themselves back into slavery. And for those ready to turn back that don’t think they have the strength to fight anymore. (Lets not bring permanent salvation into this. That’s not what I’m talking about here.) This post today offers up no answers, no solutions just questions. I do offer an assignment though and that’s PRAY! First pray for forgiveness: That God forgive our casual attitude toward him, our unwillingness to trust him in ALL things. Second: Pray that he will give us those that point us to him. Those that live without compromise, that fearlessly call us to account. Lets not just pray for revival lets pray that we grow hearts sold out 110% dedicated to him, No compromise. So we can show the others that it is possible. That our God is indeed the 1 true God. Come on Gang lets spend this week on our knees. God has already given the call evidently those called are afraid of the call. Ask God to raise them up to cancel all fear. Ask God “Am I one that you are calling?” No it’s not presumptuous, it’s a question. Before you ask it make sure you’re willing to live with the answer. It may just turn your life Upsidedown.
Love you Gang!
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