Exodus 14-23
Ch.14
3-4. See Revelation 13:5-7
At the time of the end, it will look this way for the Saints, but the Lord has promised to never leave us or forsake us, because they who are with us are infinitely more than those against us.
All of this will happen so that the Lord can - once and for all - deal out his full wrath upon Satan, Death and Hell.
Revelation 18:4-5
2Kings 6:15-17
Psalm 138:6-8
12. See Psalm 37:16
Psalm 84:10
13. Psalm 37
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
over the man who carries out evil devices!
Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.
In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
But the meek shall inherit the land
and delight themselves in abundant peace.
The wicked plots against the righteous
and gnashes his teeth at him,
but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that his day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose way is upright;
their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
14. See Joshua 6
15-16. Go forward; lift up your staff; stretch out your hand: see 1Samuel 17:48-49
The Staff: REMEMBER! See note on Ch.4
16-17. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians...
See Isaiah 54-
In righteousness you shall be established;
you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
If anyone stirs up strife,
it is not from me;
whoever stirs up strife with you
shall fall because of you.
Behold, I have created the smith
who blows the fire of coals
and produces a weapon for its purpose.
I have also created the ravager to destroy;
18. Here, is what truly matters; and here, the seed has already been sown, for Joshua 2:9-11 (where - as a result - one sinful woman and here entire family will be saved.)
19-20. See Numbers 16:46-49
The Angel of the LORD/God
Source: gotquestions.org
• He finds Hagar in the wilderness and gives her a promise concerning her son, Ishmael (Genesis 16:7–12; cf. 21:17–18).
• He stops Abraham from sacrificing Isaac (Genesis 22:11–18).
• He appears to Moses “in flames of fire from within a bush” (Exodus 3:2).
• He delivers a message to wayward Israel (Judges 2:1–4).
• He commissions Gideon and performs a miracle for him (Judges 6:11–24).
• He brings a plague on Israel during David’s time (2 Samuel 24:15–17).
• He appears in a vision of the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 1:11–13; cf. 3:1–10).
In various passages, the angel of the Lord speaks as God, identifies Himself with God, and exercises the responsibilities of God. In several of these appearances, those who saw the angel of the Lord feared for their lives because they had “seen God” (Judges 13:22; cf. Judges 6:22). Therefore, we can say that, in at least some instances, the angel of the Lord is a theophany, an appearance of God in physical form.
The appearances of the angel of the Lord cease after the incarnation of Christ.
From Got Questions
All of this, gives us clues that this Angel of the Lord may in fact, be the incarnate Christ Jesus; which, when comparing what he does here, with the account of Numbers 16, makes sense.
According to Hebrews 9:11-15, 24-28, Aaron the high priest, is merely a foreshadowing...and a forerunner...of Yeshua the Messiah: The Great and perfect High Priest; who through offering himself as the perfect sacrifice, will continually stand in the gap for us, that death would lose its sting. Romans 8:33-34 Hebrews 7:23-28
Through Messiah’s sacrifice on the cross, he will put himself between fallen humanity and the wages of our sin: Death.
“And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night.”
Because: John 1:4-5
21. Yeshua, the Son of Man, on behalf of fallen men, will - like Moses - stretch out his hands...not over the sea, but out towards the east and the west; offering himself as the sacrifice - the scapegoat - for our iniquity; and the LORD will deal our full punishment upon Him; that he can deal the fullness of his mercy upon us. John 1:12-14; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 43:1-4
Yeshua, like Moses, will stretch fore his hands - but it will be the LORD who does the work.
22-25. Picture this “Narrow Way”; the towering walls of water on either side, with nowhere to go except forward: Is this not a picture of how we as Christians, walk the narrow Way of Christ Jesus?...surrounded by evil, yet encompassed by the Lord; in this world - but not of it!
Satan will always be perusing us, but will never be allowed to overtake or overthrow us;
Until the night is finally over, and, in the fullness of time, comes that great and terrible Day of the LORD:
“... until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,”
2Peter 1:19
Vs.24 “And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,”
Here is a powerful foreshadowing of the End, when the enemies of the Lord will realize, too late, that it is the LORD whom they are fighting - and here is a battle that they cannot win. See Revelation 9
Vs.23 “The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea,”
But there is another prophetic foreshadowing also connected to this event:
Zechariah 14:1-5; Matthew 24:15-21
27. See Revelation 21:1-4
31. Again, here is the seed that will lead to the taking of the Promised Land forty years later (Joshua 2)
Ch.15
1. Psalm 32:6-7
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.
7 You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
1. See Isaiah 63:11-14
Psalm 124
2. A foreshadowing of Israel’s final salvation, at the unveiling of the Messiah...whose Name is “The LORD is Salvation”.
Zechariah 12-13:1; 14:1-15
3. The battle is the Lord’s: see 1Samuel 17:45-47
4. See Revelation 20:7-10
Psalm 118:1-16
All of this will be relayed from generation to generation Psalm 145:4
8. Psalm 18:8
Compare also, to Exodus 14:21: For, the LORD...the author and creator of all nature...displays His power through nature - hence, this metaphor.
9. See Revelation 12:13-17
11. We have just seen how the LORD deals with “other gods” Psalm 96:5
13. The LORD showing mercy and the might to save his own people - right in the midst of his judgment.
See Zechariah 14:4-5; Psalm 23:4-6; Psalm 84:4-7; Isaiah 43:1-3;
Revelation 15:2-4
16. Joshua 2:8-13
“I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you devoted to destruction. And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.”
Ezekiel 39:21
17-18. The LORD’s Promise, that their sojourning is not forever - just as, although we are sojourners in this world, because we do not belong to it, but to Christ - one Day the LORD will return, to bring us to Himself, so that where he is, we also will be. John 14:2-3
This is a promise, for EVERY believer; both the Jew and the Gentile. Revelation 20:4-6
22-25. Testing a of the wilderness...
Following the LORD into the desert:
Luke 4:1-2
After this “revelation” of the LORD, again cones the time of testing, explained by Moses in Deuteronomy 8:2-5. For comparison, see Matthew 3:13-17; 4:1-11.
Here, is where God will remove every distraction and carnel desire. This is where we learn to look to God - and Him alone - because He is all we need to look to.
For disciples of Yeshua, this wilderness is not so much physical as spiritual.
Three days: The Messiah will be three days in the belly of the earth (without water), facing judgment on our behalf;
At the same time, the disciples will be three days in fear...in hiding; Luke 24:21
During which time, they will all be forced to drink the bitter waters of their own fallen states...their own failures; so that when the Lord is resurrected, they will be humbled, broken and penitent. See 1John 1:5-9
Here is the purpose of the Wilderness test.
Vs23: Bitter waters of fallen humanity & separation from its Creator:
John 18:28-30; Mark 10:37-40
Until the sacrifice of Jesus - on a tree:
“and the LORD showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet.” John 16:19-22
(Galatians 3:13; Deuteronomy 21:22-23)
25-27. Here is the first wilderness test: Compare Yeshua’s words in Luke 18:31-33; - The disciples too, must make a journey.
However, it will take 40 years and the passing away of an entire generation, for the Hebrews to learn, what Yeshua’s disciples will learn in approximately 3...
27. Having tested them - and heard the condition of the hearts - the LORD will now show them the condition of HIS heart - through an incredible provision of grace and mercy. Here, he makes a distinction between blessings and curses; showing them clearly “this is the right way - walk in it; and revealing himself as the God of mercy as well as judgment.
Here, after the judgement and deliverance of His own people. (1Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 7)
Here, in the shadow of the Command ment of God, is a picture of is a foreshadowing of the Millennial Reign of Christ. Matthew 19:28; Revelation 20:4-6; a place of “renewal”...of respite and refreshing, after tasting the bitterness of Jacob’s Trouble (Jeremiah 30; Matthew 24:15-31
The twelve springs of water, representing the Twelve Apostles if the Lamb (John 4:13-14; 7:36-39) who will minister on behalf of Yeshua the Messiah, both the kindness and severity of God, to the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Seventy palm trees: Representing seventy Elders, who will shortly be appointed to assist Moses and Aaron, as shepherds to the people (Psalm 23) see: Exodus 24:1; Numbers 11:16; Luke 10:1,17
What will this look like in the Millennial Reign:
Psalm 23; Jeremiah 23:3-8; Ezekiel 34:11-31
and they encamped there by the water. Psalm 1:1-4
2but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Psalm 52:8
Psalm 92:12
The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13
They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14
They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
15
to declare that the Lord is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Jeremiah 17:5-8
Ch.16
2-3.A pattern is emerging: The ebb and flow of testing -> refreshing -> testing...and so on.
Why?
See Deuteronomy 8
“Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full,”
It seems that the Israelites would rather enslave themselves again, to the Egyptians, just to fill their own bellies (to satisfy their own carnal desire)
“...for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
But think upon this: Genesis 25:29-34
(“I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?”)
And also, upon this:
Psalm 37:16; Psalm 84:10; Matthew 6:24; 1John 2:15-17; Hebrews 11:13-16
And finally, upon this: Revelation 13:15-18
4-5. The second wilderness test:
What is its purpose?
Isaiah 30:15
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
And
Matthew 6:25-34
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Learning to live this way - to walk in the way of Messiah - will deliver us from both pride and greed.
If we’re trusting our lives into the hands of the Lord, then, not only will Deuteronomy 6:5 be automatic, but we will have no need to worry about our lives anymore; and, as a result, we can reach out to others - to love our neighbor as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18)
4. The Messiah: John 6:1-15, 26-58
5. Could this be a foreshadowing of Joel 2:28-32 & Acts 2:17-21; where, on the sixth day - the day almost before His return - the day of “man” - of anti-Christ (Revelation 13:18) -
Could it be that the LORD will pour down a double portion of “manna” for that exact reason? (Also Matthew 25:3-10 - extra oil)
6-7. Psalm 103:7
The people do not yet KNOW the LORD: for, it is not enough to see his deeds; He wants us to know His Ways - His heart. Exodus 33:12-23 (John 14:4-11)
Bible study
#FastforFamily
Spirit of Elijah...or spirit of deception? Revelation 13:11 Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13 And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people.
***And - (if we are still here in the tribulation period...or worse still, for people who have been left behind) - this sign in particular, poses a real threat of deception...to everyone not watching and praying. Why?...See 1Kings 18***
Cont. vs14 Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth....”Watch out the no one deceives you...”Jesus- (read Matt24:4,11)
My biggest concern is that we are being primed and set up for this, by the signs and wonders movement in the hyper-charismatic branch of the Church…and this branch is rapidly becoming part of the main trunk.
Signs and wonders are supposed to accompany the preaching of the True Gospel. They’re not supposed to make us believe; they’re supposed to “follow those who believe”(Mark16:15-18): Because Satan can also perform signs and wonders; they will accompany his false gospel. I love signs and wonders. But what if the Lord should tarry?...And in how much danger of deception are we the Church, if all we are looking for are “signs and wonders”?(Matt16:4)...even mistakenly thinking that this ‘sign’ performed by the false prophet (vs13-14) is the much proclaimed “Spirit of Elijah.” See Matt24:24-25
So what is the Spirit of Elijah?...
Luke 1:17 And he (John the Baptist) will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous--to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
This is the heart of God; the Spirit of Elijah; the same Spirit that dwells in us today...for the same work...This is the greatest sign and wonder, a hallmark of sincere repentance and true revival.
Do not be deceived- but discern the Ways of God.
Until:
At the dawning of the Day: they will discover the True Bread that comes from Heaven. Zechariah 14:4-21
“Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’”
You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy!
For your dew is a dew of light,
and the earth will give birth to the dead.
Isaiah 26:19
A picture of the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah. Because, with the dew, comes the manna - Life.
See John 6:27-58; John 5:28-28; Matthew 27:50-53
15. See Isaiah 53:1-2
John 1:10-11
Matthew 13:10-15
15. See Luke 22:19; 1Corinthians 11:23-24;
John 6:32-35
16-20. Compare to Exodus 12:3-4
The Passover Lamb is also the Bread (manna) that has come down from Heaven.
17-18. See Matthew 14:13-21; Matthew 15:29-39
In both the instances, we see the Lord’s sustenance was enough to feed the whole of Israel, with plenty left over (symbolic of the gentile nations - see note on these chapters)
For now, however, the Lord will give them what is absolutely sufficient for each individual, for the day. Matthew 6:34
20. See Matthew 25:1-13
21. Lamentations 3:22-23;
And:
Psalm 63:1
When we seek him first in the day, acknowledging that the day itself belongs to Him, then he will bring us safely through the day.
Matthew 6:31-33; Psalm 118:24
23. Here is the institution of the Sabbath - see Genesis 2:2-3 & Hebrews 4:1-11
Because, on the seventh Day the LORD finished his work (John 19:28-30) - and we can therefore also cease from ours. (Romans 4:4-5)
25. See Matthew 24:26-31
We are looking at a foreshadowing of this event.
29. See Luke 6:5-11; Mark 2:27
See! The LORD has given you the Sabbath
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world, that he GAVE his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
31. Jesus - The bread of Heaven - with the taste of Honey:
What a foretaste of the Salvation of the LORD;
who is the Word of God: John 1:1 ~ see Psalm 119:103
Who is the fulfillment of the perfect Law of God: Matthew 5:17 ~ see Psalm 19:9-10; Ezekiel 3:1-3
Who is the Rock:1Corinthians 10:1-4, Matthew 7:24-27 ~ see Psalm 81:16;
Who is our eternal Sabbath Rest: Matthew 11:28-30 ~ see Exodus 3:8
33. Again, John 6:31-25, Matthew 26:26
Just as we are instructed through the Lord’s supper, to proclaim his death until he comes again (1Corinthians 11:26), in preserving this omer from generation to generation, the Hebrews are proclaiming the Messiah - the Bread of Heaven - until he comes!
35. And we will - metaphorically - eat of Messiah’s flesh (John 6:50-58) and proclaim his death , until he comes again.(1Corinthians 11:26)
Ch.17
1. One stage at a time - one step at a time: with each step, hopefully learning obedience and trust in the Lord: That he will always protect and always provide - see also Genesis 21:19: when we cry out - not to man (see vs.2), but to God - he will hear us and SHOW us, what we did not see before!
5. If Moses ever begins to doubt he LORD or becomes worn down by the complaints of the people, the LORD will always remind him - “What is that in your hand?”
See note on Ch.4 -
The LORD uses Moses’s staff - something that was so much a part of Moses - that he would have relied upon - leaned upon (His name may as well have been written on it) - that would have been as much a part of Moses as his right arm; the LORD takes possession of it - and before Moses’s eyes, in true “I AM” fashion, transforms its matter entirely - from something dead to something alive! In this way - by transforming so dramatically, something that was no less than an extension of Moses’s arm, the LORD has - quite literally - invaded Moses’s life!
In vs.6-7, the Lord will take this even further, to transform Moses’s actual hand: from life - to death - and back to life again (for He holds both in his Hand!)
In this way, the LORD is demonstrating, both his judgment - on Egypt; and his mercy - on Israel;
Both his power to take life - and his power to give it back. (John 10:18).
Now, he has left an indelible mark on Moses, that will stay with him forever!
Imagine: He will never look upon, either his staff, or his hand again, without the knowledge that neither one belongs to him: They are the Lord’s - He is the LORD’s!
The One who has the power to do whatever he wills: Moses now knows: His life is not his own; he belongs to the LORD!
6. The Rock Matthew 7:24-27; 1Corinthians 10:4
A picture of the Messiah; the shepherd of Israel (John 10:14-18), who will be struck: See Zechariah 13:7. Who is this Shepherd? Matthew 26:31 - and this is the same Jesus who predicts this exact thing in Luke 18:31-35;
And also John 12:24-26 - Yeshua the Messiah is the Seed who will die...the Rock who will be struck; but once struck, will issue forth life giving water; not only for this life - but for Eternal Life. See John 4:7-14, 7:37-39
9.This is the same staff which he stretched forth over the Red Sea and the Israelites crossed over on dry land. Once again, the LORD is about to bring forth a great victory, in accordance with Moses’s one act of faith, which - because if his OBEDIENCE - is growing stronger and stronger!
10. Psalm 84:10
“For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.”
Here, is Joshua - the servant of Moses, the man of God; who, true to form, and regardless of how things appear the surface, will obey Moses’s instructions to the letter (as if coming from the LORD) Let us remember these little acts of obedience, when Joshua is forty years later, chosen as Moses’s successor.
11. The battle ALWAYS belongs to the LORD: Exodus 14:13-14 & 1Samuel 17:45-47
Why did Moses have to keep his hands raised? Some thoughts from Scripture:
1Timothy 2:8 - a possible counter action to what happened in vs.7 - where the people complain against Moses and quarreled about the LORD
Psalm 44:20 Worship
Psalm 27:2, Lamentations 2:19 Mercy
Psalm 141:2 Prayer and worship
Psalm 143:6 Thirsting for the LORD
Exodus 9:29, 1Kings 8:54 - a prayer - a plea
Luke 24:50 a blessing (Moses standing as a foreshadowing of Yeshua)
14. This needs to be declared before Joshua, because Joshua is the one who will begin the conquest of the Promised Land, to drive out the pagan peoples before them. Although Joshua will not see it in his lifetime, this Promise of the LORD will resonate with him, through battle after battle, stirring his courage and boosting his faith, until the Amalekites will be soundly and decisively defeated by David (1Samuel 30:17) approximately 400 years later.
15-16. Banners identify Peoples or nations; they act as unifiers and as rallying points in times of attack or war. When Moses declares “The LORD is my Banner” he is declaring the LORD as being the unifier and the rallying point for the People of Israel! The LORD is Israel’s banner; meaning that Israel are the People of the LORD!
A hand upon the throne (could also be translated as banner) of the LORD.
Ch.18
7-12. Vs.8 A person HEARS about the Way of God
⬇️
Vs.9-11 ...causing Faith to be birthed ⬇️
Vs.12 This person then RECEIVES the Sacrifice of Messiah (the forgiveness of sins)
⬇️
Vs.12(b)...thus, entering into a RELATIONSHIP with God
⬇️
Vs.13-27...and now becomes a vessel fit for his purpose and use.
8-12. vs.8-9 Here again, is the purpose behind the suffering. Hardship is turning our back on the world and everything it offers, to follow God. (Matthew 16:21-16)
This is to deny our fleshy carnal desires and follow an invisible God, by faith (Hebrews 11) down a narrow Way that we do not know. (Matthew 7:13-14)
Vs.10-12 And here is the PURPOSE behind the deliverance and wondering of Israel: That other nations and peoples of the world would know who is the True LORD!
10. This God, once unknown to Jethro, has now, through Moses and the Israelites, revealed himself Psalm 18:49
Jethro acknowledges that it was not by might, nor power that Israel was delivered out of the hand of pharaoh: It was by the Hand of the LORD Himself!
No Jethro will begin - in the way set by righteous Abel - to offer right and holy sacrifices in homage to the Lord, who he has just found - or, more truthfully and accurately put: The Lord has just found Jethro!
He will now join the Hebrews in the feast of fellowship with the Lord.
“Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.”
This a foreshadowing of Luke 22:14-20
14-23. Now that Jethro is the Lord’s vessel, he wastes no time in putting Jethro to work; gifting him with strength, wisdom and insight, and inserting him into the heart of the people.
Because, when we serve the Lord, we never do so alone: 1Corinthians 12:4-26
What Jethro advises Moses to do now, is a picture of how the Church should operate.
“men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe,”
These chosen “deacons” must fear God more than man; and their desire to do what is right in the Lord’s eyes, must outweigh everything else.
Compare this with Acts 6:1-7 & 1Timothy 3:1-13
Vs.24 “So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.” - See 1Kings 12:6-11
From here on is a warning and exhortation for a people stubborn by nature, to keep the commandment of God; and (vs.5) to be separate; taken out from among the nations as the Lord’s special possession.
All the earth is the Lord’s, therefore, to be God’s special possession, is to be chosen from among the nations.
vs.6: “and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’”
Compare this to 1Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
What is the difference between then and now?
1Peter 1:1-12 - The Sacrifice of Messiah; God’s fulfillment of the Promise (Genesis 3:15)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
10-11. Again, we read the reference to the third day: read Luke 18:31-33
During these three days, the Lord will have consecrated Messiah’s disciples, ready for his appearance; not through a billowing cloud of darkness, striking fear into the hearts of the people; but as the Son of the Living God, who has taken Death’s punishment and overcome the grave; and now offers - not judgment - but mercy and forgiveness forever; not Ten Commandments written in stone; but: “Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.”(Psalm 51:10)
His perfect Law, written into the hearts of people. Ezekiel 11:19; Jeremiah 31:33 (Matthew 22:36-40; 2 Corinthians 3:2-3)
“For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.”
And also on the third day: John 20:19-23 “Peace be with you.”
12-13. Why? Exodus 33:18-23
Sinful man, non matter how much he tries to be perfect, cannot stand in the Presence of the perfect and holy God, the LORD. Without the sacrifice of blood (Genesis 4:4)and the covering it provides (Genesis 3:21), the wages of sin is Death. Romans 6:23
See also John 20:17 Jesus said to her, “Touch me not, for I have not yet ascended to the Father;
Just like the mountain, Mary cannot yet “cling to” the Presence of the Lord. Why?
Having made atonement (a covering) for our sins, Jesus must now present that blood covering before the Holy Place (Hebrews 9:12-15), where the Father is; preparing the Way for us (John 14:1-6); so that we too can appear before the Father, no longer naked and ashamed and hiding from God( Genesis 3:6-11), but fully clothed in His mercy, love and righteousness ...Hallelujah! Here is the spectacular fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 - See: The LORD ALWAYS fulfills his promises!
See also Hebrews 4:16
And https://sarahshalom777.blogspot.com/2025/06/john-20.html?m=1
14. The washing of garments is merely symbolic; an act of obedience, pointing toward the One who will thoroughly cleanse our hearts, minds, consciences, with his own blood.
As the psalmist says:
“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,” Psalm 24:3-4
This type of deep and inward cleansing is something that only the Lord can do; and for each one of us, on a personal level, through the perfect Blood of Messiah!
This is why the people, only outwardly consecrated, will not be able to ascend to the Presence of the LORD.
16-20. “The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.”(Revelation 14:11) Here is a picture of the punishment for the sins of the whole world:
But, here is also a foreshadowing of the resurrection of the Messiah; on the third day - after taking this punishment, for the sins of the whole world: The thunders and lightnings and loud trumpet blasts, representing the wrath and judgment of the LORD -but only from afar: The sacrifice of Messiah also being as yet, afar off: Until that time, the Lord must set up a boundary line: The clouds and fire, although causing the people to tremble, are actually providing the covering...the veil...between the LORD and his fallen Creation - so that they can - technically - stand in his presence (all be it, afar off) and live. As we continue to read - what a contrast: The Presence of God then, compared to the Presence - the Grace - of God, now! See John 20:22 & Acts 2 - and all because of the Sacrifice...the Perfect Blood of Messiah...the Lamb of God (John 1) ...the Son of God (John 3:16-17; Matthew 16:16)
Then, they could not draw near to God and live! Now, we are INVITED to draw near - so that we CAN live! Matthew 11:29-30; James 4:8
All because of the Sacrifice...the perfect Blood...the Messiah!
19. See John 12:28-29
The voice of God, before the sacrifice of Messiah, was not discernible by men in general. “Only those “with eyes to see and ears to hear” - those who were genuinely searching and hungry for God in their hearts, were granted such access, to His heart.
21-22. See Genesis 3:23-24
Messiah will bring this barrier down through his sacrifice on the cross. Matthew 27:51-53
vs.23 The role of the priests will become clearer with the institution of the tabernacle system.
23. Moses, under the unction of the Holy Spirit, refers to a prophet like himself in Deuteronomy 18:15-19.
We believers on the New Covenant, recognize this prophet as Yeshua the Messiah: The one who has gone into the Presence of God ahead of us (Hebrews 9:1-15) and who now lives to make intercession for us. (Hebrews 7:25) This is exactly what Moses now begins to do for his people, from the Mountain of the Lord. And, he will do this for the entirety of his life.
Ch.20
2-6. Here is the bondage caused by the forbidden knowledge of good and evil. Read Romans 3:20; 7:7-25.
We cannot handle this knowledge; as long as we live, we will continue to crave what we can see, hear, touch, taste and smell; we will continue to desire them - over and above God, whom we cannot see, hear or touch
We cannot handle this knowledge, so now the Lord will introduce a moral Law, as a boundary of restraint, to awaken the seared consciences of the people, until He himself (through Messiah) will satisfy its requirements and take the punishment for all of us who cannot. Galatians 3:23-24
Vs.4: This is a huge temptation, and a second nature to our fleshly, carnal lives. See Romans 1:18-25
Here, is the first moral Law...moral boundary...ever to be given in the history of mankind
*The first time a defining line has been drawn between right and wrong, with God as the absolute authority.
*As Creator of all things, He is the only One capable of recognizing, and judging between, right and wrong...good and evil; and the only One with the absolute right to do this.
*When Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they were no longer without knowledge (no longer innocent) and consequently, put themselves - and all of us who would come from them - directly under the judgment of God. (Read Matthew 5:21-22,27-28)
*We are utterly incapable of keeping God’s Commandments, and are headed fast, toward his judgment: Only God Himself, will be able to rectify this...and, through the birthing of a New Covenant, he will.
These Ten Commandments form part of what we know as the Old Covenant - or Testament. They are summed up beautifully, by Jesus Christ, in the Gospel of Matthew:
Matthew 22:36-38 sums up the first four Commandments
Matthew 22:39 sums up the remaining six.
Jesus Christ, through his perfect sacrifice, will fulfill to perfection, all ten of these moral commandments -
So that, through his resurrection, and us being “born again” (John 3:3), we too, can begin to keep his commandments: Loving the Lord with all our hearts - and loving our neighbors as ourselves.
Looking at John 3:3 - how does being born again help us to obey the Commandments?
O/T See Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 36:26
N/T see Romans 6:5-14; Galatians 2:18-21; 2Corinthians 5:14-19; Colossians 3:1-17
Transliteration: shav'
Pronunciation: shahv
Phonetic Spelling: (shawv)
KJV: false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity
NASB: vain, false , falsehood, false visions, worthless, vanity, deceit
The sacred and holy Name of God: The LORD - I AM, is exactly that! See note on Exodus 3:14 - Encompassing of many names, describing many facets of his character, none will be more important, nor more encompassing, than the Name above all others (Philippians 2:5-11) that will change everything for humanity: Yeshua: The Lord is Salvation! It is, not only His Name - It is who He is! And to take his Name in vain, is to take him and his Salvation also in vain, and condemn ourselves to Hell and destruction.
8-11. See Hebrews 4
The Sabbath Day, or Sabbath Rest, points forward, to the finished work of Yeshua Messiah on the cross.
See Note on Exodus 16:24, 27
vs.9 Six is the number synonymous with man; who is cursed to labor, to no ends and no avail (Genesis 3:17-19; Psalm 127:1-2; Ecclesiastes 1:1-11): until the seventh Day, (a number synonymous with completion to perfection) when the LORD will finish to perfection, his work of full Salvation John 19:30 - (vs.11) for the Jew, for the Gentile, for the entire Earth. Romans 8:19-23
13-17. Here is what holds our society together: Without these Laws governing our nation, we would have nothing less than anarchy. Why? Because, the fallen nation of man, is to pursue for himself, the things - not of God - but this world.
Taking for example, the USA:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.-From the Declaration of Independence; Thomas Jefferson 1776
Considering this statement, I have come to realize many shocking and heartbreaking things:
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…
What this statement does not take into account is whose life and liberty is trampled on in another person’s pursuit of “happiness”.
This is what I find: That in the pursuit of one person’s happiness, another’s is sacrificed…
in one person’s desire for “life”, another’s life is sacrificed;
That when a nation (such as the USA) creates laws that condone the unwritten law of “everyone do as they think right in their own eyes” (Judges 21:25), then the good perfect and absolute Law of God is abandoned (John 15:12-13);
18-21. Another picture of the dire consequences of the fall in the Garden - Genesis 3:23-24:- The Holiness of God, displayed in terrible acts of nature; symbolic of our sin and subsequent separation;
Our fear of the Lord (Genesis 3:7-8)
And our need for a mediator: Moses acting as a forerunner, and foreshadowing of the One who will mediate before God, on behalf of the entire world. 1Timothy 2:5-6; Hebrews 7:22-28
24. Because: Genesis 3:19
...till you return to the ground,
for out of it you were taken;
for you are dust,
and to dust you shall return.”
And: Acts 17:24-25; Isaiah 66:1-2
2Chronicles 2:6 "But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?"
We cannot appease the Lord from any work of our own hands: We must take what was made from the Lord’s hand, to build our “altars” - to make our offerings: Here is where we surrender ourselves - our lives (from dust) back to the Lord: It is a way of giving our lives back to him; not in pride - through gold and silver carvings and altars, but in humility - through building our altars out of the very dust from which we came.
In the same way that Messiah himself - though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:6-8
25. Salvation (through a perfect Sacrifice on an Altar- John 3:14-17) CANNOT be by the work of ANY human hand. To think this way, is as futile as Adam & Eve sowing together fig leaves, to cover the shame of their nakedness. Salvation is not be our efforts, but by God’s pure and total GRACE! Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 3:21-24
26. You shall not in any way elevate yourself - even in “my name” Discouraging the great high altars and ziggurats, such as were used by Egypt and Canaan.
The Pharisees in the time of Jesus, were experts at performing their rituals and doing their “righteous acts”, for everyone else to see: So the Lord was not elevated - they were. And one sure way to expose a person’s true nakedness is through PRIDE ( Revelation 3) Therefore, build an earthen altar, with no steps, so that, in humbling themselves before God, the priests do not elevate themselves before man.
The Hebrew word for altar (mizbach) has the sense of a place of sacrifice or killing, coming from the Hebrew word to kill. Giving us a clue as to the Lord’s ultimate purpose for the Altar.
On a practical note: The robes worn by priests would likely expose them, if climbing steps to an altar.
Ch.21
2-6. Moses did not institute slavery in any shape; the laws concerning it were made on purpose to repress it, to confine it within very narrow bounds, and ultimately to put an end to it.” (Spurgeon)
iii. “The Torah accepts slavery as an inevitable part of ancient society, much as Paul did, but the new humanitarian approach will ultimately be the death-knell of slavery… In any case, slavery in Israel was rural, domestic and small scale.” (Cole)
Because:
Deuteronomy 24:18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there.
The first step to ending slavery for others, is by recognizing that we as Christians, have been freed from it, eternally.
“he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing.”
G. Campbell Morgan, after looking at the laws regarding slavery, wrote: “A careful consideration of them will show that they abolished slavery, and substituted for it, covenanted labour.”
2. Just as, on the seventh Day God rested from his work: see Hebrews 4
The work being freedom - for all of us who were enslaved to sin - as many as would believe and confess. Romans 6:16-18
5-6. ii. Psalm 40:6 later spoke of this ceremony taking place between the Father and the Son, where the Psalmist spoke prophetically for the Messiah: Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; my ears You have opened. Jesus was a perfect bond-slave to the Father (Philippians 2:7).
iii. “That awl represents the nail that affixed Christ to the cross, and we must expect it in every true act of consecration.” (Meyer)
From Enduring Word Commentary
11. The girl in this circumstance – out of her birth home, released by her natural parents – had no natural protector in that society. God directed the judges of Israel to be her protector.
ii. Thus, “The right of a parent to sell his daughter was carefully guarded against abuse.” (Thomas)
15. This goes hand in hand with Commandment no.5, taking it one step further and going into more detail concerning the word “honor”. Also vs.17
To create a civilized society (of which were virtually non-existent at that time), where right and wrong, according to the Commandments, are recognized as such; the consciences of men are pricked and reawakened; and where consequences are instituted for the breaking of those commandments.
Through these moral laws of justice, plaintiffs are satisfied and accidents and criminal actions are dealt with appropriately.
Without a basic knowledge of right or wrong in society, through the eyes of the Lord - we have a society that looks like this: Judges 17:6, 21:25
23-25. Jesus Christ will take every punishment...every vengeance...eye for eye and tooth for tooth...upon his own body, on the cross; so that God, through Christ, can show us mercy.
However, the fruit of this should be, that we in turn, show mercy - one to another.
Vengeance always belongs to God alone.
See Matthew 5:7, 18:21-35
33-34.These communal laws, teach lessons to the community of Israel, on how to be a community; how each person must treat and consider his neighbor.
35-36.The primary goal of all these social and moral laws, being peace - each man with his neighbor. Animals fight and accidents happen. So laws are instituted among men, so that accidents are not punished harshly, and restitution is dealt out fairly. After all “If men were angels, no law would be needed.” James Madison.
But we are not - we are fallen - and sinful - and therefore, because the Lord desires mercy over judgment, he held the Hebrews captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith (in Messiah) would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. Read Galatians 3:19-24
Ch.22
1-4. Exodus 20:15 - Commandment no.8 - explained further.
8. There are some issues that only the Lord - the righteous and omniscient Judge - can resolve.
9. These laws not only test a person’s actions, but also the integrity of their heart: Will you be your brother’s keeper? Will you fulfill your oath to your neighbor? Will you put the needs of others before yourself, for the sake of the community. All of this, can be summed up in what Jesus called, the second greatest commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39
11. Though the owner of the animal suffered loss, he was not allowed to compensate the loss by accusing and winning damages against an innocent party. He had to acceptthe outcome, even though justice left him uncompensated.
i. There is a parallel thought in the New Testament, that believers should avoid taking legal disputes among themselves to secular judges. They should allow the matter to be judged by the church (1 Corinthians 6:1-8).
Enduring Word Commentary
16. i. “This was an exceedingly wise and humane law, and must have operated powerfully against seduction and fornication; because the person who might feel inclined to take the advantage of a young woman knew that he must marry her, and give her a dowry.” (Clarke).
18. a. A sorceress: Among the ancients, the practice of sorcery had two associations. First, contact with dark or demonic powers or persons. Second, altered states through drugs and potions. There was understood to be a connection between drug taking and occultist practices.
i. The law shows that such communication is possible, and the penalty shows that it is dangerous.
For Israel to belong to God, they must be a separate...different...holy people: Why? Because, out of Israel, Messiah will come. (Genesis 3:15, 12:2-3 and note)
“It is clearly against the will of God that in this life men should hold any communication with the spirit world, save that of direct fellowship with Himself, through His Son, by the Holy Spirit.” (Morgan)
i. “This offensive sex act apparently was prevalent among the Canaanites.” (Kaiser)“Bestiality was not only an obvious perversion: it figured so often in the Canaanite cycle ‘Tales of Baal’ that it probably had a religious significance for the Canaanites.” (Cole)
20. See Exodus 20:1-6
21. We are strangers and sojourners in this world, when we choose to follow God.
1Peter 2:11
22. Showing God’s heart of compassion to the weak and vulnerable.
The widow and fatherless child were the weakest and most vulnerable members of society. In an unrestrained, survival-of-the-fittest society, they would be the first to suffer abuse and destruction. God here commanded that at the very least, they not be afflicted. Enduring Word Commentary
See Deuteronomy 10:18; Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 49:11; Zechariah 7:9-10; James 1:27
25. The reason for the prohibition is presumably that the poor man borrows in his need. The loan is seen as assistance to a neighbor, and to make money from his need would be immoral.” (Cole)
The Lord’s heart if mercy for the poor: This is not survival of the fittest, or natural selection.
Psalm 35:10
My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, Lord?
You rescue the poor from those too strong for them,
the poor and needy from those who rob them.”
Psalm 82:3
Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Psalm 113:7
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
Psalm 140:12
I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
Isaiah 58:6-8
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
26-27. Retaining one’s outer garment (used as temporary collateral) overnight was strictly forbidden, for even an interest-free loan apparently required some type of pledge or security.” (Kaiser)
16-31. The Lord begins to teach his people how to dwell together as a community: The moral standard and social justice, that has greatly shaped our western society:
The only change will be the death penalty - which Jesus Christ himself will take.
Jesus Christ will completely satisfy every demand of the entire Law, through giving himself as the final and complete sacrifice for the transgression of all mankind. John 3:16-17
28. i. According to Clarke and others, the context shows that God (elohim) here is a reference to judges. There were laws against the blaspheming of God, but here – combined with nor curse a ruler of your people– suggests that elohim here refers to Israel’s legal judges, as it sometimes does (Exodus 22:9, Psalm 82:6).
ii. “This is the famous verse quoted by Paul at his trial before the high priest (Acts 23:5).” (Cole)
See Romans 13:1-7
29-30. This was done through redemption, the giving of money to substitute for the son (Exodus 34:19-20). Money was also substituted for the firstborn among unclean animals, but the firstborn among clean animals was sacrificed to the LORD.
i. This law regarding the giving of the firstborn to God was important because:
· Since the firstborn was always regarded as best, it was a demonstrated way to give the best to God.
· It reminded Israel that God regarded them as His firstborn, His favored people.
· It reminded Israel that God spared their firstborn when He judged the firstborn of Egypt.
It is also points to the Messiah - the only Begotten Son of God - John 3:16-17
See also Genesis 4:4; 22:2
31. Kaiser adds two more thoughts: “Animals killed by another were unclean for two reasons: (1) the carnivorous beasts that tore it were unclean, and (2) the blood of such a slain animal would remain in its tissues, leaving it unclean. Instead, the people were to toss that meat to the dogs.”
ii. “In the conclusion of this chapter we see the grand reason of all the ordinances and laws which it contains. No command was issued merely from the sovereignty of God. He gave them to the people as restraints on disorderly passions, and incentives to holiness; and hence he says, Ye shall be holy men unto me.” (Clarke)
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Commandment no.9
The Lord is going back over all Ten Commandments, to drive them home further, explaining them, in a way that will apply to the lives of the Hebrews, as they wander the wilderness together, as a community under God. Again, this is about a people set apart from evil, for the Lord.
“The history of all right movements has been in the first place the history of lonely souls, who, having heard the authentic voice of God, have stood alone or in small minorities.” (Morgan)
This shows how important justice is to the Lord, who is the Righteous Judge. As he is, so his people MUST learn to be.
3. the poor were not to be favored just because they were poor, any more than the rich should be favored because they are rich. The facts of a case and the principles of justice should decide a dispute, not the high or low standing or perceived victim status of those involved.
Enduring Word Commentary
4. In other words “be you brother’s keeper”, the idea being that Israel are a community, and each one must look out for , not only his own good, but the good of his neighbors. Leviticus 19:18.
And vs.5 takes this even further - to come to the aid of even your enemies. Matthew 5:43-48
All of these are moral laws that Israel will fall short of, over and over again; until the coming of the Messiah, who will perfectly and completely fulfill the whole Law, to the last jot and tittle (Luke 23:34), and then write it - on the hearts of all who would follow him.
Matthew 5:17-20; Ezekiel 36:26; Jeremiah 31:33
7. This all began in Genesis 4:8 and God’s wrath will be reaffirmed in Proverbs 6:16-17. Hands that shed innocent blood (including that of unborn babies) are an abomination to the Lord.
Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live.
It is usually greed that causes someone to compromise their own convictions in this way.
The Lord forbids this - usurping the cause of justice, because of one’s greedy lust for gain.
Proverbs 17:23
The wicked accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the ways of justice.
9. Again, the Lord commands them: Remember from where I gave brought you - and with the mercy I gave shown you, go and show it to others. Matthew 10:8; Matthew 18:21-35; Revelation 2:5
This is where the statute of Sabbath Rest was established:
Rest for man and beast- Exodus 20:8-11
And now, we have a Sabbath rest, even for the land:
Because, we know- from Hebrews 4:1-11 - that every Sabbath Rest is pointing towards the One who, through his Sacrifice...his death, burial and resurrection...will grant to us eternal Rest, from all our labor: the burden of sin and separation from God.
See also (Leviticus 26:32-35, 2 Chronicles 36:21). This shows the importance in God’s plan, of the Sabbath Rest - because of what it was pointing to.
There is evidence to show that allowing the land to rest every seven years, greatly benefits the soil - just as allowing ourselves to rest every seventh day, is a great benefit to both our bodies and souls.
11. The Lord’s emphasis on his people taking care of their poor, becomes more and more evident, the further we read. Showing his heart of compassion, towards all people, the Lord commands that they do to one another, likewise. Luke 6:30-31
12. The Sabbath Rest demonstrates that the Lord is not running a slave state: He will not enslaved his people - neither does he desire that his people enslave one another:
This again, is all fulfilled in the Sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah, who will deliver us from the heavy yolk of slavery to sin and Death.
13. Be blameless - of clean lips and a clear conscience: See Isaiah 6:6-7
We, as fallen humanity, will fail on this, time after time -
But the burning coal on the altar shows us that the Lord himself will make atonement for our sins and cleanse both our mouths and our hearts forever (Matthew 15:17-20). See note on Exodus 30:1-6 The Tabernacle Tour
All of which, are pointing towards God’s plan of Salvation.
16. See Genesis 4:3-5
Abel understood that the first and the best belongs to God - and this involved sacrifice on his part. Cain did not understand or accept this - and was not willing to make the sacrifice. (To come before God flippantly, with anything less than this, is the equivalent to coming before him “empty handed” (vs. 15)
Abraham likewise, understood that the first and best belong to God. (Genesis 22)
Why?
Because one day in the future, the Lord will give to humanity, His very, very best...that ALL would be atoned for...that ALL would be saved! (John 3:16-17; 10:17-18). Jesus is our offering - who offered Himself to God, on our behalf. Hebrews 7:26-28; Ephesians 5:1-2
See also Acts 2
This outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Feast of Harvests, for the first of those redeemed in Messiah - Ephesians 1:11-12
So what of us - redeemed over 2000 years later?
“You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor.” See Deuteronomy 16:13-15
The Lord’s timing is a mystery: The Apostles in Acts 2, aware that they were witnessing the fulfillment of this feast of Ingathering (Pentecost), also believed mistakenly, that they were in the time of the End.
But, if that was the case, where does the Feast of Booths - the end time harvest fit in?
Here is a clue: Revelation 7:9-17
17. The emphasis is on the males to attend all three feasts, because they were the heads of their households - and as such, would be there as leaders and representatives on behalf of everyone else.
This again shows the importance of who families in God’s plan.
Where Adam failed, the Lord now commands, that men take responsibility and lead their families in the Way of the Lord.
18. See note on Exodus 12:8
The blood: symbolic of the spotless blood of Jesus - and pointing toward his sacrifice, cannot be eaten with leaven - symbolizing sin.
He - the Son of God - is without sin, and through his sacrifice, he will cleanse us of ours.
So, the Lord issues clear and firm commands here, to draw a line of separation: Between His Law and ordinances, and those of the surrounding pagans.
Meyer says this law was meant “to inculcate a tender appreciation of the natural order, and of the relation subsisting between the mother and her offspring. It was against nature to make the mother an accomplice in the death of her child.”
Enduring Word Commentary
20-22. “...to guard you on the way”, Compare to John 14:6
“...to bring you to the place that I have prepared.” Compare to John 14:2-3
As Christians, Jesus will guard us as we walk in His Way, to the place he has prepared for us.
The Angel (v. 20) was not a created angel but a divine manifestation, the Second Person of the Trinity in angelic form.” (Thomas) “My name is in him seems to translate the ‘messenger’ into the supernatural realm, for God’s ‘name’ is the equivalent of His revealed nature.” (Cole)
My name is in Him: Of course, the name Yahweh is inJesus. His name is literally Yah-shua. Jesus was with Israel in all their wilderness experience. “This Angel with the authority and prestige of the name of God was evidence enough that God himself was present in his Son.” (Kaiser)
This also brings to mind another encounter with “angels”, where, as time progresses, we realize that one of them, was no angel - but God in the form of man: the pre-incarnate Christ. See Genesis 18
Vs.21-22 See Psalm 2:10-12
22. A picture of salvation: Only through obedience to Jesus Christ, following him and putting our trust in him for Salvation, will we be translated, from being the enemies of God, to being- not only friends, but sons. Romans 5:9-10
23-24. Jesus Christ has gone before us: As fully man and fully God, he lived the perfect life that we could not. Then, taking the full punishment for our sins, he faced death, hell and the grave on our behalf: The wages of sin is death, but because Jesus Christ was sinless, Death could not hold him - and on the third day, he arose again, conquering death, breaking the curse of Genesis 3 and paving the way to eternal Life for all of us. See Romans 8:29; Hebrews 4:14-15.
This is how he “goes before us”
“...you shall not bow down to their gods nor serve them, nor do as they do, but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their pillars in pieces.”
See John 2:13-17
Our lives as Christians, must be thoroughly separated and dedicated to Jesus Christ. 2Peter 2 is just one warning given to us, not to return to the sins of our past, but, through the power of the Lord that now works within us, cut these sins off! Just like Jesus (John 2:13) Zeal for our Father’s House (which is our bodies) should consume us.
Romans 8:1-14, 13:13-14; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:13-32; Colossians 3:1-17; James 4:7-10
In this instance, the Lord uses the term “blot out” with reference to sinful practices, cultures and generations, lest the sin continues to propagate, forcing another global judgement.
But on another, future occasion, this same term will be used, for something far more permanent and pertinent: Isaiah 43:25.
“I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins.”
(Also Ezekiel 36:26 & Jeremiah 31:31-34)
The Lord Yeshua (Jesus) our Salvation, will accomplish all of this.
How:
“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2Corinthians 5:21
Isaiah 53:4-6
John 1:29
Here, is the over arching theme of the entire Bible.
However, there is another side to this coin: Revelation 3:3-5
He will either blot out our sin; or, if we do not repent, he will blot us out, just as he did the nations in Exodus 23:23
25-26. The first of 8 “I wills” (or 9, if we include the Lord referring to himself in the third person) - Promises of the Lord, as he commands the Hebrews to go forward, into the Land he has prepared ahead of time, for them.
The purpose of these blessings is for the preservation of a people...a chosen people, descended from Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3)...from out of whom, the Promise...the Chosen Seed...will come.
See John 1:26-34; 3:16-17
27-28. “I will send my terror” see Joshua 2:11
“will send hornets” From Joshua 24:12, we find that two kings of the Amorites were actually driven out of the land by these hornets, so that the Israelites were not obliged to use either sword or bow in the conquest.” (Clarke)
“He who is an angel to the saint is a hornet to His foes.” (Meyer)
Why?
Apart from preventing us from becoming so typically prideful (as we inevitably would, with such swift and easy victory), there is another reason:
In order to fulfill the future, the way He wants us to fulfill it, we must be present with the Lord in the Present:
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
We must walk steadfastly through this journey, one step at a time, one day at a time, embracing each one - for this is how we learn - to KNOW him, and that each day is a day of Grace…of Hope…of Salvation from the Lord, for all who have received the Sacrifice of His Son (Read Psalm 118:15-27). If we do not embrace each day he gives us…whether good, bad or mundane…if we jump too far ahead, we will not be trained, matured, sanctified and equipped, for where we find ourselves and what we find.
For example: If we were to jump from A to Z in just one or two steps, how would we learn the rest of the alphabet? How would we learn to read?
If we jumped from the first to the last chapter of a book, how would we have knowledge and understanding of the whole story;
If we ran in a race, but skipped most of the training, how would we ever run it to completion, much less win?”
There is treasure to be obtained - every step of the way: The treasure of lives refined like gold - transforming, step by step...day by day, to become more like Christ.
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