Walking on in the Power of His Might
"further up and further in"
As I have aged in my walk with God, I have come to realize that many experiences are layered in nature. God will use a situation to reveal a hidden sin or he will allow a circumstance that will draw me closer to him.
In Exodus chapter 5 we find Moses and Aaron before the Pharaoh asking for the Israelites release. Pharaoh refused, and in turn increased the labors of the Hebrews by requiring them to collect the straw needed to make the bricks. To understand the depth of this situation in God's sovereign layering system, I want to include a portion from Allan A. MacRae's, "The Relation of Archaeology to the Bible," in Modern Science and Christian Faith.
Archaeologists became interested early in examining Egyptian bricks of Moses' time to see if they contained straw. They found that, while many did contain straw, many also did not, leaving the impression that the Bible was wrong. But as usual in such cases, sooner or later it is shown that "the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." (Ps. 19:7)-who know no better than to doubt the truth of God's Word. It is now known that oat straw boiled in water, when added to clay, makes the clay much easier to handle. With out the organic material obtained from the straw, the difficulty of making bricks was greatly increased. The fact that brick makers of Egypt found the use of straw essential, whether visible evidence remains or not, is fully borne out, as various writers have asserted.
It is my belief that God allowed the Israelites labors to be increased to begin the process of revealing hidden sin and to unveil the layers of his character and nature to them. They must be broken from their dependencies regarding Pharaoh and learn to depend on God and God alone.
As the Hebrews worked for Pharaoh, he gave them a place to live and food to eat. They were physically oppressed and requested deliverance from him. They were spiritually oppressed and requested redemption from God. They needed to be able to view the Almighty, as both their Deliver and Redeemer. When Pharaoh increased their labor, they reported to him their frustration. He repeated his demands. As the officers of the Hebrews were returning to report to the people, they met Moses. The officers rebuked Moses.
Exodus 5:21- And they said unto them, the Lord look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
Reading Exodus 5:22-23, I get the sense that Moses was feeling dejected. But the Almighty was about to peel back a page in his master plan that would allow all mankind to see redemption.
Up to this point the Hebrews had only known God as El-Shaddai, or God Almighty. In Exodus 6, we see him introduce himself to Moses as JEHOVAH or Yahweh, the redemptive name of God. He continues in chapter 6 to reveal his future plans for the redemption of the nation of Israel. But in Exodus 6:9, we see the Israelite's refused to respond to this redeeming plan. They were anguished in spirit because of their cruel bondage.
Had the Israelites allowed God to condition their emotional responses? No! Instead of standing in awe of his wonderful plan for them, they whined because of their labors and refused to except God's consolation.
How often do we do the same thing? We doubt the truth of God's word and refuse to believe that things will ever get any better. How exasperated God must become with us! Yet, he loves us and continues to draw us "further up and further in." (C.S Lewis)
In Exodus chapter 5 we find Moses and Aaron before the Pharaoh asking for the Israelites release. Pharaoh refused, and in turn increased the labors of the Hebrews by requiring them to collect the straw needed to make the bricks. To understand the depth of this situation in God's sovereign layering system, I want to include a portion from Allan A. MacRae's, "The Relation of Archaeology to the Bible," in Modern Science and Christian Faith.
Archaeologists became interested early in examining Egyptian bricks of Moses' time to see if they contained straw. They found that, while many did contain straw, many also did not, leaving the impression that the Bible was wrong. But as usual in such cases, sooner or later it is shown that "the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." (Ps. 19:7)-who know no better than to doubt the truth of God's Word. It is now known that oat straw boiled in water, when added to clay, makes the clay much easier to handle. With out the organic material obtained from the straw, the difficulty of making bricks was greatly increased. The fact that brick makers of Egypt found the use of straw essential, whether visible evidence remains or not, is fully borne out, as various writers have asserted.
It is my belief that God allowed the Israelites labors to be increased to begin the process of revealing hidden sin and to unveil the layers of his character and nature to them. They must be broken from their dependencies regarding Pharaoh and learn to depend on God and God alone.
As the Hebrews worked for Pharaoh, he gave them a place to live and food to eat. They were physically oppressed and requested deliverance from him. They were spiritually oppressed and requested redemption from God. They needed to be able to view the Almighty, as both their Deliver and Redeemer. When Pharaoh increased their labor, they reported to him their frustration. He repeated his demands. As the officers of the Hebrews were returning to report to the people, they met Moses. The officers rebuked Moses.
Exodus 5:21- And they said unto them, the Lord look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
Reading Exodus 5:22-23, I get the sense that Moses was feeling dejected. But the Almighty was about to peel back a page in his master plan that would allow all mankind to see redemption.
Up to this point the Hebrews had only known God as El-Shaddai, or God Almighty. In Exodus 6, we see him introduce himself to Moses as JEHOVAH or Yahweh, the redemptive name of God. He continues in chapter 6 to reveal his future plans for the redemption of the nation of Israel. But in Exodus 6:9, we see the Israelite's refused to respond to this redeeming plan. They were anguished in spirit because of their cruel bondage.
Had the Israelites allowed God to condition their emotional responses? No! Instead of standing in awe of his wonderful plan for them, they whined because of their labors and refused to except God's consolation.
How often do we do the same thing? We doubt the truth of God's word and refuse to believe that things will ever get any better. How exasperated God must become with us! Yet, he loves us and continues to draw us "further up and further in." (C.S Lewis)
This lines right up with what the pastor preached today--God's Sovereignty in the Midst of Suffering! It's not always what we like to hear, but we need to hear it. Thank you!
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