Bible Pathways - Feb. 16, 2008
February 16
Highlights In Today's Reading:
The Lord reminds us of how much time has passed since the Exodus (9:1). Once again the nation celebrated the Passover. It was of vital importance that they remember why they were freed from slavery. Once again divine protection was evident in the cloud by day and the awesome pillar of fire by night. What a mighty God we serve!
The Passover was a memorial of the great historic deliverance from hopeless slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:41-42). In the first month of the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt. . . . they kept the Passover . . . according to all the Lord commanded Moses (Numbers 9:1,5).
The Israelites' only hope of deliverance from Egypt had been the blood of the Passover lamb sprinkled on their doorposts, outside their houses; while inside, the lamb was eaten by the poor undeserving slaves who believed God's words: About midnight . . . all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die (Exodus 11:4-5). . . . and when I see the blood (on your doorposts), I will pass over you . . . when I smite the land of Egypt (12:13). Yes, innocent blood satisfied God and protected Israel from the destroyer (12:23). The passover lamb satisfied and strengthened the family as they left Egypt. The Lord commanded that there be nothing left of the Passover meal. The Passover meal was not meant for those who would settle down in Egypt. It provided strength for the journey to the promised land. Today the believer's daily strength is in God's Word (Matthew 4:4) — ALL OF IT.
Egyptian slavery would have kept Israel in bondage until physical death. This illustrates how a person's sin keeps him in bondage until he is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Since Christ died for us and delivered us from eternal death, He must be received as Lord in full control of our lives. Jesus warns eight times that the destiny of the lost is eternal hell (Matthew 10:28; 11:23; 18:9; 23:15,33; Mark 9:43; Luke 12:5; 16:22-23). Jesus also let us know that hell was much more than separation from God. Six times He states that it is a place of outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12; 13:42,50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30).
Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things . . . But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot (I Peter 1:18-19).
Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Ephesians 5:11).
Thought for Today:
Egypt is a reminder that we are to come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you (II Corinthians 6:17).
Christ Revealed:
The Passover (Numbers 9:2) serves as a beautiful illustration of the redemption Christ accomplished at Calvary as the Lamb of God (John 1:29; I Cor. 5:7).
Word Studies:
8:2 over against =in front of; 8:4 beaten =hammered; 8:14 Mine =for God's special purpose; 8:18 for =instead of; 9:7 kept back =prohibited from; 9:8 Stand still =wait; 9:10 posterity =descendents; 9:11 unleavened bread =bread without yeast, a symbol of Christ as the sinless offering; 9:12 ordinances =biblical laws; 9:13 forbeareth =neglects, fails; cut off =excommunicated; season =time; 9:14 sojourn =live temporarily; 9:15 reared =erected; 9:17 abode =remained; 9:18 pitched =camped; 9:19 charge =order.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Benjamin Wallace • Country: Comoros (563,000) in the Mozambique Channel of the Indian Ocean • Major languages: Shaafi Islam (Swahili dialect) and Malagasy • Limited religious freedom • 99.7% Muslim; .2% Roman Catholic/Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for godly discernment to know His will (Ezekiel 44:23).
Optional Reading: Luke 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 118:29
