So last night at Bible Study we were looking into Moses and the exodus of Israel. We found that Jesus was actually the one that had given Moses instructions on where and when to lead the Hebrews out of the land of Egypt. And one thing I found very interesting was that the LORD did not lead them the short route but he lead His people by the sea.
Why could the Hebrews not serve God in Egypt? Why did they have to leave at least a three days journey away? What is Egypt?
Exodus 6:2-9 - Egypt = Bondage and Burdens
Hebrews 11:25-26 - Egypt = Pleasures of sin
Hebrews 11:25-26 - Egypt = Pleasures of sin
The Hebrews could not serve God when they were still slaves to sin! So the LORD sent Moses to lead them out and show them the route back to God.
Today, can we serve God while we are yet in sin and do not have the power to overcome it?
John 8:32-59 - Jesus says that if we sin, we are slaves to sin. How then can we serve God if we are still enslaved to sin? How do we get over this struggle? (Maybe Joe can help explain this one.)
Our whole point in life is to return back to God and worship and serve Him His way, not ours.
Isaiah 55:6-9 - Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
By following Jesus' ways, we will be free. In John 8 Jesus states that the Son can make us free indeed. But it first takes repentance (which means to change our minds - like in Isaiah) and to have faith on God. After Moses crossed the sea with all the Hebrews, it says they feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and Moses. They believed because they just witnessed the LORDS salvation. How can we believe something that we have not practiced and proven out for yourself?
Many people today try serving Jesus while they are still in bondage and a slave to sin. This is impossible to do. We must first change our mind about our ways and start reading about God's ways. Man will tell you that you are fine as you are - but the first thing Jesus preached was Matthew 14:17 - "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
That doesn't sound like the words, "You are alright as you are and I love you anyway." Thats all I heard in church. But Gods word proves otherwise. You be the judge...
So lets go on to this Land of Milk and Honey...what is it?