Quite a few weeks have passed without me writing. To be honest, I just couldn't keep up. Following my Bible reading plan, reading somebody else's reflections on it (Nicky Gumbel from HTB), and other 'duties' coming in the way.
However, throughout the past weeks, I've felt the spirit moving in me more and more and actually inspire thoughts, ideas and visions. On a personal level, I often feel another force trying to dissuade me from taking those 20 minutes (approx.) to sit down and go over the scriptures.
Part II of Exodus gave me lots to think about and I'd like to comment on it now:
The Bridegroom of Blood
Moses is referred to as the 'bridegroom of blood', another foreshadowing of Jesus the Saviour, who was stripped off all dignity...hanging naked upon the cross. The circumcision of the heart became the new covenant in the New Testament. We, the followers of Christ, are his bride. This title to describe Moses would later be ascribed to Jesus.
10 - The Other Magic Number
Exodus is best-known for the miracles God performs to free His people from slavery. It is also known for the 10 plagues, which I won't go over now. But until now, one cannot help but notice the significance of numbers within the Bible. And certain numbers reoccur.
The ten plagues are a reflection of God giving us 10 (or more) chances, to soften our hearts. God never gives up on us, even with the most stubborn among us. Pharaoh's heart was hardened over and over...by God Himself. And I cannot quite explain it. Did God want to demonstrate His power to the entire nation?
Our God is a jealous God, and it does appear that He pulls out all the stops to show His people: "LOOK! With me the impossible is made possible! You can trust me!!!"
And throughout Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, one really gets fed up with God's people, because they rebel, grumble and basically just whine about their situation. They forget God's goodness. And we are fortunate, because compared to God's nation back then meandering in the desert, we have an entire BOOK that points towards God's goodness and love. Everyday, those qualities are brought to our attention! Even in times when we don't want to believe it...it's the TRUTH that cannot be changed.
But back to the Exodus story again:
Pharaoh repents and is forgiven, but he sins again by hardening his heart - over and over. And this happens to many of us...that we repent, but our hearts aren't fully in it. It's literally 'half-hearted' repentance. And the clear message here is that God only forgives truthful repentance. Laying bare the dirty crockery of our sins, so He can wipe them clean.
The Passover of Sin
By the end of the 9th plague, God decides to use the harshest measure against Pharaoh. In history, we see that the first-born son would become the heir to the throne. For a king (or royal of any kind) the Son is his most treasured possession. He continues the legacy of the father and the rule over the land. By bringing the last plague upon Egypt, God demonstrated his might over every other idol and false God (He tried it with his snake eating other snake-staffs scenario, but that didn't have a lasting impact).
Now this moment is crucial, because the 'Passover' came about due to this event. God would cause every firstborn to die, unless they sacrifice a lamb in His name and smear the blood upon their front doors (and windows etc.). Sounds gruesome, but in light of Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God, this story was written with a purpose. It's another POINTER towards the Christ, God's firstborn son who would be sacrificed. The blood smeared upon the wooden cross would cause the passover of EVIL (and ultimately all sin). Satan was defeated on the cross in the most destructible manner! The blood of the most innocent, the Son of Man, who came to fulfill all prophecies from the Old Testament.
During the final plague, the innocent were spared. God proves His love for US, by killing His son and not sparing him from pain and suffering. It's the ultimate testimony that he entrusts us with His legacy. The Holy Spirit broke out beyond the confines of a holy space to fill our hearts. The blood of Christ flows through our veins, whether we want it or not.
For more interesting information on Biblical Numerolgy (No. 10) chech out this LINK.
In the next blogpost I will group together Leviticus & Numbers and comment on both.
However, throughout the past weeks, I've felt the spirit moving in me more and more and actually inspire thoughts, ideas and visions. On a personal level, I often feel another force trying to dissuade me from taking those 20 minutes (approx.) to sit down and go over the scriptures.
Part II of Exodus gave me lots to think about and I'd like to comment on it now:
The Bridegroom of Blood
"But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses' feet with it. "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me," she said." (Exodus 4:25)
Moses is referred to as the 'bridegroom of blood', another foreshadowing of Jesus the Saviour, who was stripped off all dignity...hanging naked upon the cross. The circumcision of the heart became the new covenant in the New Testament. We, the followers of Christ, are his bride. This title to describe Moses would later be ascribed to Jesus.
10 - The Other Magic Number
Exodus is best-known for the miracles God performs to free His people from slavery. It is also known for the 10 plagues, which I won't go over now. But until now, one cannot help but notice the significance of numbers within the Bible. And certain numbers reoccur.
The ten plagues are a reflection of God giving us 10 (or more) chances, to soften our hearts. God never gives up on us, even with the most stubborn among us. Pharaoh's heart was hardened over and over...by God Himself. And I cannot quite explain it. Did God want to demonstrate His power to the entire nation?
Our God is a jealous God, and it does appear that He pulls out all the stops to show His people: "LOOK! With me the impossible is made possible! You can trust me!!!"
And throughout Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, one really gets fed up with God's people, because they rebel, grumble and basically just whine about their situation. They forget God's goodness. And we are fortunate, because compared to God's nation back then meandering in the desert, we have an entire BOOK that points towards God's goodness and love. Everyday, those qualities are brought to our attention! Even in times when we don't want to believe it...it's the TRUTH that cannot be changed.
But back to the Exodus story again:
Pharaoh repents and is forgiven, but he sins again by hardening his heart - over and over. And this happens to many of us...that we repent, but our hearts aren't fully in it. It's literally 'half-hearted' repentance. And the clear message here is that God only forgives truthful repentance. Laying bare the dirty crockery of our sins, so He can wipe them clean.
The Passover of Sin
By the end of the 9th plague, God decides to use the harshest measure against Pharaoh. In history, we see that the first-born son would become the heir to the throne. For a king (or royal of any kind) the Son is his most treasured possession. He continues the legacy of the father and the rule over the land. By bringing the last plague upon Egypt, God demonstrated his might over every other idol and false God (He tried it with his snake eating other snake-staffs scenario, but that didn't have a lasting impact).
Now this moment is crucial, because the 'Passover' came about due to this event. God would cause every firstborn to die, unless they sacrifice a lamb in His name and smear the blood upon their front doors (and windows etc.). Sounds gruesome, but in light of Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God, this story was written with a purpose. It's another POINTER towards the Christ, God's firstborn son who would be sacrificed. The blood smeared upon the wooden cross would cause the passover of EVIL (and ultimately all sin). Satan was defeated on the cross in the most destructible manner! The blood of the most innocent, the Son of Man, who came to fulfill all prophecies from the Old Testament.
During the final plague, the innocent were spared. God proves His love for US, by killing His son and not sparing him from pain and suffering. It's the ultimate testimony that he entrusts us with His legacy. The Holy Spirit broke out beyond the confines of a holy space to fill our hearts. The blood of Christ flows through our veins, whether we want it or not.
For more interesting information on Biblical Numerolgy (No. 10) chech out this LINK.
In the next blogpost I will group together Leviticus & Numbers and comment on both.
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