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Bible Pathways - Jan. 20, 2008

 

01202008

Exodus 8

Highlights In Today's Reading:

With frogs everywhere, including in his bed, the stubborn Pharaoh tells Moses to wait until "tomorrow" to remove them (8:10). Notice how the plagues grow in severity, setting the stage for God's grand finale. Today's reading completes the ninth plague.

Pharaoh gave permission for the men to go with Moses to sacrifice to God (10:10-11), but the little ones, women, and the aged were to remain in bondage. Moses, as the servant of God, would not yield to Pharaoh's offer to compromise. Moses said (to Pharaoh), We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the Lord. . . . Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence (10:9,11).The commands of God are supreme and nonnegotiable. The children of God must not compromise. We have but one Authority and are to yield to none other.

What does this mean to the individual today who would be delivered from Pharaoh's (Satan's) power? He must be willing to make a complete break from the world and forsake his sins by simply trusting the Risen Savior for cleansing power. The cross that ended the physical life of Jesus put an end to the power of Satan to control the sinner. The power that raised Christ from the dead now enables the believer to live a new life with Christ. Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4; II Corinthians 5:17).

There are some who consent to worship God on Sunday but never intend to forsake their sins on Monday. They worship on their own terms, avoid the cross, and conform to the contemporary, questionable worldly activities to please themselves.

If our worship and walk are to please our Savior and Lord there can be no compromise. If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9:23). That cross is a symbol of death to self-will, self-pleasing and symbolizes a separation from the old life of sin to be a true disciple of Christ.The criminal in Roman times who was forced to pick up his cross and start down the road for crucifixion had already said goodbye to his friends. He was not coming back — there would be no return. Jesus said: He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me (Matthew 10:38).

Thought for Today:

Hypocrisy leads to spiritual self-destruction. No man can serve two masters: for . . . he will hate the one, and love the other. . . . Ye cannot serve God and mammon (riches, possessions or whatever keeps you from allowing Christ to be Lord [Supreme] of your life) (Matthew 6:24).

Christ Revealed:

As the Light of the world in contrast to a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt . . . but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings (Exodus 10:22-23). Jesus said: I am The Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness (John 8:12).

Word Studies:

8:3 kneadingtroughs =mixing vessels; 8:9 Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee =the honor is yours to tell me when I am to pray for you; 8:19 finger =act; 8:22 sever =division between; 8:26 not meet =not proper; 9:20 feared the Word of the Lord =terrified by the threat of God; 9:28 Intreat =pray fervently; 9:31 bolled =was ripening; 10:7 snare =threaten to destroy us; 10:19 coasts =borders, territory.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Government Official: Rep. Shelley Berkley (NV) • Country: Azerbaijan (7.7 million) southern Transcaucasia between Europe and Asia • Major languages: Azeri and Russian • Religious freedom • 65% Shi'a Muslim; 30% Sunni Muslim; 2% Russian Orthodox; 2% Armenian Apostolic; 1% Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Read, study, and listen to the Word of God so that your prayers will be answered (Proverbs 28:9).

Optional Reading: Matthew 20

Memory Verse for the Week: Galatians 3:11



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