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Following God into the

Wilderness
Forsaking the Old
Travelling Forth in Faith to the New
A Comprehensive Study
Seek the LORD and His strength, seek His face continually. Remember His marvellous Works that He
hath done, His wonders, and the Judgments of His mouth. He is the LORD our God; His judgments
are in all the earth. Be ye mindful always of His covenant; the Word which He commanded to a
thousand generations; Even of the covenant which He made with Abraham – a covenant of faith.

Christ’s humble servant, David Neal

The Lord my God triumph over me

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: He also is to be feared above all gods. For all the
gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.Glory and honour are in his presence;
strength and gladness are in his place.

Introduction
 
This is the second book and follows the completion of the book,
“Jesus Said, Come Follow Me.” The content is much the same only
presented from a different view or perspective. After all the
gospel is simple and not all that complicated. Everything God does
has meaning and purpose. The Lord’s purpose for man right now
is reconciliation to Himself (after the fall in Eden) and to thereby
reap an acceptable harvest from the earth. God’s will is to put
down the devil’s rebellion and those who are participant, and to
restore all things back under His authority in a way that is
keeping with the Lord’s righteous character. The entire Bible is
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written to that end. God requires that you serve Him with all your
heart, mind, soul and strength (Mk 12:30, Lk 10:27). This means
that you surrender your life in love and total obedience to God’s
will. God also requires that you demonstrate this nature of love
(sacrifice for another) to your neighbor as well (Mk 12:31, Lk
10:27). This is very simple and straight forward. What
complicates things is that in order to do this you must die to self.
Self wants to follow its way (path) and love its lusts and desires
foremost (heart, mind, soul and strength) – self (the flesh) seeks
its own and will sacrifice whatever to obtain it. You must go
against the strong self will of the flesh (that which opposes God’s
purposes). Cummulatively (others living for self), you stand
against a fallen world (only through Christ you stand). Man
always considers that his partial obedience and mixed loyalties
(to God, self and the world) are equivalent to surrender to God.
The issue is yielding and devotion to God. Many refuse to yield
and do what is required – the froward. These are wicked,
stubborn, stiff-necked, obstinate, pertinacious, headstrong,
double-minded, hypocritical, impenitent, imputent, rebellious
toward God, and will not yield to the Lord’s working in them to
conform them to His nature and expectations. The Lord will take
one as far as they are willing to go. You cannot be to zealous,
fanatical, faithful, obedient and trusting toward God. There are no
limits on righteousness and holiness. The Lord is looking for
hearts that are stayed upon Him. God desires the one who will
stand for Him in the midst of those who will not. Standing against
the crowd will garner (get, gain, earn, procure) reproach and
suffering. Suffering for Christ’s name sake says more than words
(mere profession) could ever convey (Lk 6:22).
 
What is the need for a second book? The purpose of this book is
to reveal how remarkably consistent God is in dealing with man
and the Lord’s unchanging expectations of man since the creation.
The key words for all of creation are “love” and “obedience.” This
book will examine God’s dealings with the children of Israel in
delivering them from the land of Egypt, bringing them through the
wilderness, the difficulties encountered, and then on into the
Promised Land. These events will be related to the incredible
similarities (by God’s design) that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
There is a definite foreshadowing of future events in Christ
throughout God’s dealings with the children of Israel. We will
understand that nothing is changed in God’s original requirement
that man approach Him through faith. This book will show that

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only by yielding to God in love and obedience to His commands
will one be considered one of God’s peculiar people and enter into
the Promised Land (eternity with God). Obedience (an essential
element of faith) brings one into the Promised Land and also
sustains one there. God (in the garden of Eden) revealed the fate
of all the disobedient, “Thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17),”
and nothing has changed. God’s Word reverberates (resounds)
throughout the ages, across countless eons and time itself, and is
eternally unchanging, forever sealed – woe to all the disobedient
and rebellious. Great joy to those who willingly lay down their
lives before the Great King!
 
The things written within this book were placed heavily upon the
author’s heart through intensely seeking the Lord daily, study of
God’s Word, surrender to the Lord’s will and walking as led by the
Spirit daily (applying the Word). The author has no certain ability
nor wisdom, and true understanding is only gained through
sincere surrender to the Lord. This is not a work of the author’s
opinion or sentiment, but unfolded from the scripture. We cannot
come forth in our knowledge and words for they are fleshly and
flawed. There was much travail in writing this book, meaning
difficulty for self and the flesh. God brings us through difficult
travail such that “Life” may spring forth. The Words written herein
will bring life – for they are not my own, but of the One who sent
me. The author is just being the watchman that God has called
him to be (Ez 33:7). The watchman is sounding the alarm for
those caught up in their own way and following their own path.
You must not stray from the very narrow way in following your
Lord. There is drought, starvation (from lack of those Words
which proceedeth from the mouth of God), scorpions, serpents
and wolves (in sheep’s clothing) off of the narrow path. Our joy
must be in the Lord for He is our strength (Neh 8:10). This means
that your life and source of pleasure (enjoyment, delight) is found
in the relationship that develops by following Christ (Col 3:4). The
source of your joy must never be found in self or the world.
 
This book is intended to encourage you (not as the world does, Jn
14:27) in your walk with the Lord (although your flesh will be
offended) and to draw you to Him. If your flesh is not offended by
what is written herein, then the author has failed to properly
convey this Word of the Lord. This book is further intended to
inspire you (in the spirit) to begin to consistently and persistently
read the Word of God (Bible) and certainly not take away from

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that. Christ came to lead all men to God, yet His Words were
usually offensive to the flesh and thus He often spoke in parables
(see Chapter Five for an explanation why). Once Jesus spoke such
gracious Words in a synagogue that all wondered. The people
then began to question Christ’s authenticity because He was
familiar to them – Joseph’s son (Lk 4:22). Jesus elaborated (Lk
4:24-27) and when they heard these things, they were filled with
wrath and led Him to the brow of the hill to cast Him down
headlong (Lk 4:28-30). On another occasion, Christ revealed
some hard truths (for the flesh) and many of His followers were
offended (Jn 6:60) and followed Jesus no more (Jn 6:66). Should
any man who speaks God’s truth expect any different (1 Jn
3:13)? Were any of God’s prophets ever received with joy? The
author does not hold back or suppress God’s Word, but writes it
as was given. Luke 10:16, “He that heareth you heareth me; and
he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me
despiseth him that sent me (also 1 Thess 4:8, 1 Jn 4:5-6).”
Discern dear reader (through prayer, Word and Spirit) if these
things be not so. Jesus said: John 13:20, “Verily, verily, I say
unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me;
and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” Although
this book is entended to encourage and draw you closer to God
there are some very hard truths discussed herein. You alone will
have to decide if your hope is found in the Lord or your opinion of
the Lord. The author strongly encourages you to examine your
heart as you read, but cautions you to base that examination on
God’s Word and not your own (opinions, thoughts, sentiments,
what someone said, etc.). When you stand before the Lord at
Judgment, you will be judged based upon Christ’s Word and not
your own (Jn 12:48). All those “high things” (opinions, selfish
ways, sentiments, thoughts, etc.) that have exalted themselves
above the Lord (the thieves and robbers of Christ’s glory, Jn 10:8)
will be condemned on that day.
 
The author does not seek his own glory, but rather to give glory
to the God who sent him (and put the Words in my heart). This
book is offered freely. You are encouraged to freely give it to
others (without cost). The contents of the book have undergone
considerable prayer, fasting, effort, struggle and have been
walked out. There is no permission given to change the contents
in any way. The author’s hope is that Christ be formed in you, the
reader (Gal 4:19). One life changed will be worth all efforts. There
is no doubt that the author has been profoundly affected by the

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walk with Christ in developing this book and this alone is
priceless. However, the greater joy is to share life with others – to
give love (great sacrifices for others). This is not a work for those
living in the flesh. Those sincerely seeking God will be the only
ones that truly appreciate and recognize (perceive) the treasure
buried within. The Lord my God hath triumphed over me – may it
ever be so.
 
This is a work of faith and is not intended to appeal to the flesh.
Therefore, the presentation is plain (basic, simple, unadorned,
ordinary), but the real beauty is that which the flesh cannot see.
This has not been published in the form of a book in order
to economically distribute the message.
 
Dear Lord Jesus, you ARE the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and
God of Gods. You have a kingdom that will never end. You are
steeped (immersed) in glory and majesty that the human mind
cannot even comprehend. To you be all power, might, wisdom,
honor, authority, love, devotion, Excellency, rule, dominion, and
glory in a kingdom without end over both heaven and earth. You
are more than a conqueror and have triumphed in great victory.
At your name every knee shall bow and every tongue shall
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Oh, to see you as you are. You
are faithful and deserving in a creation that is not. The Great King
shall abundantly triumph over all that opposes His just, righteous
and holy rule. The Great Lord will receive what is due Him! Woe to
the rebellious of creation – is there anywhere that they can hide
from your all encompassing glory, power and might? May you
triumph over all as you have easily prevailed over me, my
righteous Lord. Amen.

Chapter One – God Prepares a Deliverer

 
There have been many outstanding men (none like them in all the earth)
whose lives God has detailed in His Word as examples for us to follow
culminating with His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. These men were
righteous in their generations due to their hearts of love, obedience and
devotion (faith) in seeking God and performing the Lord’s will. A perfect
man is one that feareth God and escheweth (to flee from, shun or avoid)
evil (Job 1:8, 2:3). These men were not talkers, but doers. They faced
great resistance from their fellow man who sought their own will, but
stood mighty among all men in God’s eyes. Moses was just such a man. In
many ways Moses was a foreshadowing of Christ. Moses was a man and
no god, but the Lord exalted him as a god among his fellow men due to

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his heart of obedience toward the Lord (Ex 7:1). All the while Moses was
the meekest of men and a servant to all with such a heart of love that he
offered up his own salvation in bearing the iniquity of the people before
God (Num 12:3, Ex 32:32). This study examines God’s expectations for
man and how Jesus Christ absolutely fulfilled those requirements and led
the way back to God. This book follows God’s dealings with Moses and the
children of Israel with scriptural commentary throughout to gain additional
perspective of God’s purposes and how they are equally applicable today
(see the Outline at the end of the Conclusion of this book). This book will
also consider the amazing parallels between Moses and Christ.
 
Man has been corrupted since the fall in Eden. The wickedness had
become so great upon the face of the earth that God was grieved that He
had even created man (Gen 6:5-6, 11-12, 17). God decided to destroy His
creation with a flood due to the complete rebellion and wickedness (2 Pt
3:6). Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord such that he and his family
were preserved. The Lord made a covenant (agreement) with them such
that Noah would construct an ark to preserve his family and
representative animals of the world (Gen 6:8-9, 13, 18). God’s creation of
man was saved through the faithfulness of this one man. 2 Peter 2:5,
“And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a
preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the
ungodly.” By faith, the wicked were condemned and the righteous were
saved (precursor to Judgment Day, Heb 11:7). Those who seek God with
a perfect heart, by nature of their obedience, will always condemn those
who do not. Noah obeyed God and built the ark and thereby sealed the
fate of the ungodly. After the flood, men began to again multiply upon the
face of the earth and their hearts were again turned to wickedness. The
people were of one language and one heart and decided to exalt
themselves (pride, self seeking) by building a tower that would reach the
very throne of God (Gen 11:1-4). This violated the covenant (agreement)
that God had made with Noah and all the living upon the earth (Gen 9:8-
17). Man was exalting his will before God. The Lord confounded their
language and the different groups went their ways and formed nations
(Gen 11:5-9). These nations (distinctions) provided a separation to
prevent man from unifying as one in wickedness again (as before the
flood which necessitated the flood). God’s plan was to create a nation that
would be surrendered and obedient to Him to be the example for all
nations (and thus all men). For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro
throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them
whose heart is perfect toward him (2 Chr 16:9). Sometimes, there is no
man to stand in the gap (Ez 22:30-31). However, the Lord found such a
man in Abram. This man would be the foundation upon which God would
build a nation. Nehemiah 9:7-8, “Thou art the LORD the God, who didst
choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and
gavest him the name of Abraham; And foundest his heart faithful before
thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites,
the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the

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Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words;
for thou art righteous.” Abram found favor in the eyes of the Lord God –
he was called a friend of God (Js 2:23). The Lord purposed to multiply his
descendants into a nation (giving them the land of Canaan) from which He
would bless all nations (Gen 18:18). Galatians 3:8, “And the scripture,
foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached
before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be
blessed.” Genesis 12:2-3, “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I
will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee:
and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” The reason that God
was going to bless all the nations of the earth through Abraham was
because of his obedience (Gen 22:18); for Abraham obeyed the voice of
the Lord, and kept His charge, His commandments, His statutes, and His
laws (Gen 26:4-5). Abraham was faithful to God with a complete heart of
love, devotion, trust and obedience known as faith. God said of Abraham:
Genesis 18:19, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his
household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do
justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which
he hath spoken of him.” This is what the Lord expects of all men. God
began His nation from seemingly impossible circumstances. Abram (later
to be called Abraham, Gen 17:5) was a hundred years old and his wife
was ninety when they had their only son, Isaac (offspring of the two, Gen
17:17, 21:5). God’s nation began on the foundation of faith. Faith reaches
beyond the flesh (the ability of) to accomplish God’s purposes. Hebrews
11:11-12, “Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive
seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she
judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of
one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in
multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.”
Human reasoning and ability could not have produced the offspring that
God did through the faith of Abraham (ceased to be with Sarah after the
manner of women, Gen 18:11). From this one son a people would come
forth numbered as the sand of the seashore and the stars in the heavens.
Genesis 13:14-16, “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was
separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place
where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for
ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man
can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.”
This land was the “Promised Land.” Similarly, God also promised
Abraham’s son Isaac and his son Jacob, that all nations of the earth would
be blessed through them by nature of the faith and obedience of Abraham
(Gen 26:4-5, 28:14). Galatians 3:6-9, 14, 29, “Even as Abraham believed
God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore
that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And
the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith,
preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations

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be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful
Abraham. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles
through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit
through faith. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs
according to the promise.” Jesus is the son of David, the son of Abraham
(Mt 1:1). Our faith is made perfect in Christ as we are led of His Spirit in
following Jesus to the Promised Land to dwell with God eternally(Rev
21:1-8).
 
Genesis 15:12-16, “And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell
upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he
(God) said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger
in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict
them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve,
will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And
thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old
age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the
iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full (see below).” A righteous God
judges nothing before the time. The inhabitants of the land which God had
promised Abraham had not yet reached the point of judgment in their
wickedness (Lev 18:24-29). God had a purpose in preparing His people for
future promises. Thus begins our journey…
 
Understanding God’s Plan
 
When the Lord selected Abram to become a holy nation (peculiar people,
Ex 19:5, Ps 135:4) he brought him into the land of Canaan. God promised
to give Abraham this land (Gen 12:7, 13:14-17, 15:18-21). However, the
land of Canaan was populated. The land belonged to nations such as the
Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaims, Amorites,
Canaanites, Girgashites, and the Jebusites (descendants of Ham, Gen
15:18-21, also Ex 3:8). The Lord God is a righteous and merciful God and
will not destroy the righteous with the wicked (Gen 18:23, 25, Ps 116:5).
Consider God’s character: Exodus 34:6-7, “And the LORD passed by
before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and
gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping
mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that
will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon
the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the
fourth generation (also Ps 86:15).” When God flooded the earth, everyone
was wicked and corrupted in their way except Noah (Gen 6:5, 8, 12). God
preserved Noah due to his righteousness (Heb 11:7). When God judged
Sodom and Gomorrah he told Abraham that he would not destroy the
righteous with the wicked (Gen 18:23, 25). The Lord agreed to spare the
cities if just ten righteous people could be found (Gen 18:32, 2 Pt 2:6).
Turns out that the cities were wholly (completely, entirely, utterly) given
over to wickedness, but God preserved righteous Lot (2 Pt 2:7-9).
Therefore, the Lord could not destroy the inhabitants out of the Promised

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Land (in keeping with His righteous character) as long as there were
righteous people living in it. This is why the Lord made the statement:
“the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full (Gen 15:16).” The Lord was
going to allow things to progress in there own way (men seeking self
rather than God) until the wickedness came to its evil and full conclusion
(the leaven working its way through the whole lump, 1 Cor 5:6, Gal 5:9) –
till the transgressors were come to the full (Dan 8:23). God knows the end
of a matter (foresees what will happen, omniscient). God is longsuffering
that all men would repent, but He does not force you (Ez 33:9-11, 2 Pt
3:9). In time, there would be no more righteous in the land and then God
would bring judgment upon the land – for everything a time and a season
(Eccl 3:1). Ecclesiastes 3:16-17, “And moreover I saw under the sun the
place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of
righteousness, that iniquity was there. I said in mine heart, God shall
judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every
purpose and for every work.” The land eventually (in the course of time)
became defiled (because of their wickedness) and the Lord said: Leviticus
18:25, “And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof
upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.” They did great
abominations and defiled the land and thus it would spue out the nations
and inhabitants before (in advance of) Israel (Lev 18:27-28). Thus, God
made the following statement: Deuteronomy 9:5, “Not for thy
righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to
possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy
God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the
word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
(also Deut 9:4).” God would judge these nations due to their own
wickedness and thus destroy the existing population from the land – drive
out nations greater and mightier and give thee the land (Deut 4:38, Josh
24:11-12). The condemnation and destruction would be just and thus not
impugn God’s righteous character - true and righteous are thy judgments
Lord God Almighty (Rev 14:7, 16:7, 19:2). However, the Lord could not
allow Israel (Jacob), his sons, and their families to remain in the land of
Canaan or they would have become corrupted just like all the other
nations in the land. God was going to send them to Egypt to sojourn for a
time and then bring them back and Israel would be the mechanism of
God’s judgment of the wicked (Deut 7:2, 16, 12:2, 20:17, Josh 6:21,
20:11). Similarly, those who follow Christ will have a role in God’s
judgment of the world. 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, “Do ye not know that the
saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are
ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall
judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” In order for
the Lord’s will to happen (come about, occur, take place), preparations
had to be made in advance. The Lord first sent Joseph ahead of the others
into the land of Egypt to prepare place (Gen 45:5-7). Joseph went under
great suffering and tribulation, yet God kept him in the midst (Gen 39:1-
5, 20-23). He was first sold as a slave (Gen 37:28, 36), then falsely
accused (Gen 39:19-20) and put into prison for over two years (Gen

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39:20-23, 41:1). The Lord then worked a truly astounding (unbelievable,
incredible, astonishing) miracle and exalted (vaulted, promoted, Genesis
Chap Forty One) Joseph from prison to ruler over Egypt, answerable only
to Pharaoh (Gen 41:39-44). Psalms 105:16-21, “Moreover he called for a
famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. He sent a man
before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they
hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came:
the word of the LORD tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the
ruler of the people, and let him go free. He made him lord of his house,
and ruler of all his substance.” The Lord God arranged the mechanism
(means, method) for Israel to leave Canaan and to have land (place) in
Egypt. This was accomplished by the seven years of plenty and the seven
years of great famine (dearth, Genesis Chap Forty One). When the great
famine came, all the Egyptians came to Joseph for food (Gen 41:57).
When their money was exhausted, they gave him their cattle (and
livestock) and then their land. Joseph gathered up all the land in Egypt
(with the exception of the priest’s land, Gen 47:14, 17, 20-23). At this
same time Israel sent his sons to buy food and Joseph recognized them
(Gen 42:1-3, 6-8). After some maneuvering, Joseph revealed himself to
his brothers and brought his father (Jacob) and all of Israel to Egypt (Gen
45:1-4, 8-10). Psalms 105:23, “Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob
sojourned in the land of Ham.” Joseph then gave Israel and his
descendants the best of the land (Goshen, with Pharaoh’s concurrence,
Gen 47:5-6) – for he controlled all the land. Genesis 47:11, “And Joseph
placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land
of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had
commanded (also Gen 50:20).” After Joseph and his generation died,
another Pharaoh rose up and placed Israel into great bondage (Ex 1:6, 8-
14). Israel became Pharaoh’s bondmen (Ps 107:11-12). This was also part
of God’s wisdom. Israel would have become assimilated (incorporated,
absorbed) into Egypt and would have lost their identity as a people had
God not purposefully put enmity between the Egyptians and the Israelis
(Hebrews). Israel would have also become totally corrupted as the
Egyptians were, had the Lord not put a separation in place. Psalms
105:24-25, “And he increased his people greatly; and made them
stronger than their enemies. He turned their heart to hate his people, to
deal subtilly with his servants.” At the appropriate time, God would
redeem (deliver) Israel from the land of Egypt by His strong arm and
judge Egypt for their wickedness (Gen 15:14, Ps 107:13-14). Egypt’s
wickedness toward and bondage of Israel would provide God the means to
later extract His people and again not impugn the Lord’s righteous and
merciful nature. God would also receive glory and great honor in all of this
(Ex 14:8). Having delivered Israel from Egypt, God would then judge the
seven nations of the Promised Land and drive these wicked people out.
Thus, Israel would inherit the land promised to Abraham. The Lord would
thus fulfill His promise given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Numbers 24:8,
“God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an
unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their

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bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.” Deuteronomy 7:1-10,
“When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest
to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites,
and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the
Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and
mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before
thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make
no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou
make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son,
nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy
son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger
of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. But thus
shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their
images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with
fire. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy
God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all
people that are upon the face of the earth. The LORD did not set his love
upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any
people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved
you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your
fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and
redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh
king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the
faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him
and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And repayeth
them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to
him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face (also Ex 23:23, 34:11,
Josh 24:8, 11-12, 18).” The Lord further stated: Numbers 33:52-53,
“Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you,
and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and
quite pluck down all their high places: And ye shall dispossess the
inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to
possess it.” To dispossess is to put out of possession by God’s means.
 
Similarly, God has made those who follow Christ sojourners in the world
and has put a separation (enmity) between the righteous and the wicked
(Ps 37:12-13, 44:8-13, 1 Jn 3:1). Proverbs 29:27, “An unjust man is an
abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination
to the wicked.” God delivers His people from Satan’s bondage and
redeems them (Ti 2:14, Rm 8:21, Gal 5:1, Heb 2:15-16, 1 Jn 3:8).
Galatians 1:4, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us
from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.”
The Lord preserves the righteous through His Holy Spirit as they yield,
follow and obey. Those who follow the ways of the world are just that –
one with the world (absorbed, assimilated, merged, worldlings). God has
not judged the world yet because the transgressors are not yet come to
the full (Dan 8:23, Mt 5:45). At the end of the age Christ will come and
destroy the wicked, and then the righteous will inherit the earth (Promised

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Land, Ps 37:11, 22, Mt 5:5). Psalms 37:9, “For evildoers shall be cut off:
but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” The
righteous are “called out” of this wicked world (i.e. Egypt, 2 Cor 6:17, Rev
18:4). These are the church: ekklesia – called out ones. We are of God,
and the whole world lieth in wickedness (1 Jn 5:19). We are brought
through the wilderness and into the Promised Land (new earth, new
Jerusalem, 2 Cor 4:18, Is 65:17, 66:22, Rev 3:12, 21:1-2). 2 Peter 3:13,
“Nevertheless we,according to his promise, look for new heavens and a
new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness (also Is 65:17-18).”
Throughout this book, we will examine the allegory between God’s
deliverance of Israel from Egypt and God’s ultimate deliverance of His
people from a fallen world (reconciled back to Himself). An allegory is a
figurative discourse (representing something else indirectly), in which the
principal subject is described by another subject resembling it in its
properties and circumstances. The principal subject is thus kept out of
view, and we are left to collect the intentions of the writer or speaker, by
the resemblance of the secondary to the primary subject. This allegory
concerns two very real events. The principle subject is God’s reconciliation
of fallen man back to himself and the overthrow of all rebellion
(throughout creation). The rebellious are those who align with Satan’s
rebellion (i.e. fallen angels, man) via “The Lie” which proposed that you
could transgress the will of God and not die – “ye shall not surely die”
(Gen 3:4). The “lie” further proposed that “ye shall be as gods” in
determining your “own way” – rebellion against God’s authority (which is
God’s control over His creation, Is 43:7, 44:24, 45:17). Satan taught
rebellion against the Lord by enticing man to trust in a lie – his lie, which
is to seek self (your will, your way, your path) rather than submit to the
authority of God (i.e. Jer 28:15-16, 29:30-31). Anyone who teaches that
which is contrary to God’s will (including many a religious man) teaches
rebellion and a lie as per their father’s (the devil) nature. Man can no
more exist independently of God than can a flower exist apart from the
sun, rain and nutrients of the soil. God is the giver of life and there is no
life apart from the Lord (second death). This is why transgressing the will
of God brings death – separation from God is death. God is the giver of
life! Man’s independence and self-seeking ways are founded on ignorance
and deception (blindness) from the father of all lies (Jn 8:44). Man’s fallen
existence (life) subsists only on the mercy of God in making His sun to
rise on the evil and on the good, and sending rain on the just and on the
unjust (Mt 5:45). To think/live in a prideful (self exaltation), arrogant,
haughty and self-sufficient way only reveals the true ignorance and
corrupted nature of the knowledge/ways of man. This book will show that
man has been corrupt in seeking his will above God’s since the fall in
Eden. This corruption as never been greater than it is today in this most
religious world.
 
Egypt
 

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The children of Israel (Jacob’s sons) went down to sojourn in Egypt during
a time of great drought and ended up in bondage for a period of four
hundred and thirty years (Ex 12:40-41). Egypt was the land of Ham (Ps
105:23, 27, 106:22). Ham was Noah’s son who was cursed by his father
due to an act of wickedness shortly after the ark came to rest upon dry
land (Gen 9:22-23). Noah cursed Ham’s descendants via Canaan (Gen
9:24-27). They settled in this whole region including Sodom and
Gommorrah (Gen 10:19). Egypt was a land of idolatry (Ex 12:12, Josh
24:14, Ps 96:4-5, Is 19:1, 3, Ez 20:7). Idolatry is the worship of idols,
images or anything which is not the one true God. This is an attachment
or veneration (worship, reverence, admiration, regard) which leads to
adoration (devotion, exaltation, glorification). More simply put, idolatry is
anything in your life that comes between or interferes with your devotion
to God (takes your attention). Since we are to love the Lord our God with
all our heart, mind, soul and strength it doesn’t take much to become
idolatrous (Mk 12:30, Lk 10:27). In a spiritual sense, Egypt is that which
hinders God’s purposes and is symbolic of “the world.” Egypt is the glory
of the world, man’s wisdom and transgression against the will of God
resulting in iniquity, rebellion, pride, arrogance, and self seeking. Pride is
self exaltation which is the seeking of your own way (ye shall be as gods,
Gen 3:5). This is self-adequacy (SELF-sufficiency, competence, capability)
and not submission to and reliance upon God. Seeking your way is always
an exaltation over God’s way. Pharaoh and Egypt are a very proud people.
The land of Egypt lies in wickedness – as does the world (1 Jn 5:19).
Egypt is that which refuses to yield to the authority of God and typifies
(characterizes, epitomizes, exemplifies, personifies, illustrates) Satan and
the fallen nature of man. Pharaoh is the ruler of Egypt and he greatly
opposes God (via Moses and Aaron) and personifies the beast (Satan,
antichrist, devil, serpent, dragon). Pharaoh (i.e. the devil) thinks he is a
god (Ez 28:2, 6, 9). Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is
called God, or that is worshipped (2 Thess 2:4). Rebellious man is proud
and also thinks he is a god through the devil’s lie in Eden: “ye shall be as
gods” (Gen 4:5). In both cases this desire to be a god is manifested by
seeking your own will over the one true God’s will. This is the strong
delusion that God sends to them that receive not the love of His truth –
the lie that they believe (2 Thess 2:10-11). To seek your will is to place it
foremost over all other (disregard for God’s will). The Lord God Almighty
rules in majesty (Ps 93:1-5, 95:3-4, 97:1-6, 9, 99:1-3, 113:4-5). God’s
will is the Divine determination for the course of His creation and having
the power (ability) to carry that purpose into effect (God said…and it was
so, creation – Genesis Chap One, Ps 100:3, 104:29-30). The devil’s or
man’s self-will is the creation’s rebellion (transgression, refusal to comply,
frowardness) against God’s will in seeking or determining its own course
with only presumed, but not substantive (actual, not imaginery) authority
– this is more a desire with the inability in reality to obtain (delusion,
cannot bring forth). Pharaoh exalts himself and rules with a mighty hand
and refuses to let God’s people go (Ex 4:23, 8:1, 20, 9:1, 17, 10:3).
Pharaoh (the devil) through his subtly keeps God’s people in his prison

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house (Ps 105:23-25, Is 42:7, 61:1, Jn 8:34, 36, 2 Tim 2:26). Egypt has
poured out their whoredoms (idolatry, worship of idols) upon God’s people
(Ez 23:3, 8). The children of Israel were influenced by the idolatrous and
wicked practices of the Egyptians, but were shielded to some degree as
bondmen, not having full rights and privileges. As mentioned, God
purposefully put enmity between Israel and Egypt. Pharaoh and his people
walk in hate, which is sacrifice of others (Hebrews and mixed multitude)
for the benefit of self (opposite of love). The Lord would have us walk in
love which is the sacrifice of self for the benefit of others. The Lord’s
people are not to do after the doings of Egypt or any wicked nation (Lev
18:3). God has come to deliver His people from the will of Pharaoh and
the Lord intends to demonstrate that He has the power to effect His will
(Ex 9:16). Pharaoh is mighty, but is powerless and helpless in the strong
arm of God. Pharaoh says, “I will --,” but has no power to back up his
boast (makes five prideful, arrogant, haughty boasts, but is cast down to
hell - Is 14:13-15, Ex 5:9). God says, “I AM” and demonstrates this with
great power and deliverance (Ex 3:14, Exodus Chap Fifteen). Isaiah 44:6,
“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of
hosts; “I AM” the first, and “I AM” the last; and beside me there is no
God (also Is 45:22, 46:9).” Woe to the man who thinks in his heart, “I
AM” as they go about in “their” way (path/self-will – to presume to be a
god, Ez 28:2). God is in control of all things: Romans 9:17-18, “For the
scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised
thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be
declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he
will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Perhaps the same can
be said of Lucifer (being hardened)? Egypt is a place of bondage, worldly
lusts, impurity, uncleanness, excess and great evil (Gal 4:3, 9, Ti 3:3, 1
Thess 4:7). Egypt is also a very “religious” place full of temples,
ceremony, devotion and ritual and this is often the deception that has one
believe they are serving God when actually they are not. This religion is
ultimately led (orchestrated, devised) of the flesh and not the Spirit. The
Spirit does not lead that which pertains to the flesh (Jn 3:6, Rm 8:1, Gal
3:3, 5:16-17). Egypt is an attitude of the heart which expresses itself
outwardly in one’s actions. Those in Egypt worship many gods for the
benefit of self. No one in Egypt worships the one true God in denial of self.
Many will endure the bondage if they consider the selfish benefit to
outweigh the misery. For the “follower” of Christ (who has been
delivered), Egypt was: Ephesians 2:2-3, “Wherein in time past ye walked
according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power
of the air (Pharaoh – the devil), the spirit that now worketh in the children
of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation (lifestyle)
in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and
of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.”
The children of disobedience are those in rebellion to God’s will and
purposes because they seek their own will (even religiously) and fleshly
lusts. They always choose that which opposes God - the world, the lust of
the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:15-17).

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The course of this world is a system that affects every part of your life
(built upon the desires of the flesh) – work, leisure, celebrations,
relationships, entertainment, social duties, politics, finance, and religion.
This is a tangled woven web that men are quickly caught up in. This
system demands that one “tow the line” and does tolerate some
religiosity, but has little/no tolerance for one truly following Christ in
sincere faith. God’s grace demands a complete recognition (surrender to)
of His Lordship and total obedience in all areas of your life. Therefore,
there is an immediate conflict in following the world’s system and
following God. Egypt also has a fascination with death and life beyond –
great tombs and elaborate embalming (preserving) techniques. The Lord
says naked came ye into the world and naked shall ye leave (Job 1:21).
God gave the spirit and the spirit will return to God (Gen 2:7, Eccl 12:7).
The Egyptians are very materialistic and self centered and intend to take
their possessions with them (to be used in the afterlife). Pharaoh (i.e. the
devil) has the power of death and uses it against God’s people (over those
not submitted to God, Heb 2:14).
 
Sojourners
 
Jacob (Israel, Gen 35:10) and his sons went down to sojourn in the land
of Egypt (Gen 47:4). To sojourn is to live in a place as a temporary
resident, not considering the place to be a permanent habitation. Israel’s
temporary stay turned into a bondage and great vexation of spirit. Acts
7:6, “And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a
strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat
them evil four hundred years.” Similarly, those who follow Jesus are just
sojourning in this present world (Ps 39:12). We are pilgrims and wayfaring
men just passing through on our way to dwell with our Lord. A wayfarer is
a traveler; and a pilgrim is one that has only a temporary residence on
the earth as we know it. We are not of the world (Jn 17:16)! Hebrews
11:16, “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly:
wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath
prepared for them a city.” Followers of Christ are also vexed by the
wickedness and bondages of this world and their hope is in the salvation
of the Lord (2 Cor 4:18). As strangers and pilgrims in a fallen world, they
abstain from the fleshly lusts all around them which war against the soul
because they do not want to arrive in the better country (that is, an
heavenly) before the King (Jesus) as corrupted and unfit for residence or
citizenship (1 Pt 2:11). Those found in Jesus confess that they are merely
strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Heb 11:13). Isaiah 35:8-10, “And an
highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of
holiness (A narrow way, Mt 7:13-14); the unclean shall not pass over it;
but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err
therein. No lion shall be there (the devil is as a lion seeking whom he may
devour, 1 Pt 5:8), nor any ravenous beast (false prophets which are
wolves in sheep’s clothing, Mt 7:15) shall go up thereon, it shall not be
found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: And the ransomed of the

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LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon
their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing
shall flee away.” The redeemed are those who are ransomed; they are
delivered from the world’s (Satan’s) bondage, distress, penalty, and
liability, by the atonement of Jesus Christ – they are called out by name
(Is 43:1). Jesus redeems those who will follow Him, out of the world (i.e.
Egypt). These are the church, known as the Ekklesia, meaning “called out
ones.” What have they been “called out” of? They have been called out of
Egypt/the world, for the purpose of being reconciled with their God. They
are not redeemed with corruptible things such as money (gold and silver),
but with the precious blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish and
without spot (sinless, 1 Pt 1:18-19). God comes to deliver the house of
Satan’s prisoners (Is 14:17). Psalms 39:12, “Hear my prayer, O LORD,
and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a
stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.” These are
delivered from Egypt (i.e. the world)! God delivers and redeems those
who trust in Him and leads them (they follow) to a better place (Promised
Land, new earth - new Jerusalem). The redemption that God brought to
the children of Israel who were in bondage to Egypt is a picture of the
redemption that we now have through Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:14, “In
whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of
sins.” Jesus also redeems us from bondage (Egypt) and brings us to God:
Colossians 1:21-23, “And you, that were sometime alienated and
enemies in your mindby wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the
body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and
unreproveable in his sight:If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled,
and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have
heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under
heaven…” The Lord leads us into the wilderness to teach death to self and
faith toward God (walking it out, living it). Faith is actually opposite of the
flesh and men will live their lives in one or the other. The wilderness will
bring about the separation of those in the flesh and those in the Spirit
(faith). The wilderness equates to the trials, tribulations and testings the
Lord sends into our lives (Ps 7:9, 11:5, Pv 17:3, 1 Thess 2:4, 1 Pt 1:7,
4:12-13). One’s true character emerges under pressure (duress). The
trials and testings tear down the things of the flesh and conform those
sincerely seeking God to Christ’s image (through faith).
 
Idolatry
 
Idolatry is giving your heart and attentions to “something” other than
wholly (fully, completely) to God. This is a worship of the creation rather
than the Creator. Anything apart from God is the creation (including the
devil). This could be the intentional (deliberate, purposeful) free will
worship (bowing down before) of some physical representation of a god or
other object of adornment (person, place, thing) other than the one true
God of the Bible or the unintentional reverence for people, places or
things. Whether you choose to call the object(s) of your desire (affections,

16
attention) a god or not is immaterial (beside the point) and irrelevant –
you may never see it that way (blindness of heart). Those who walk in
darkness are always blind to the truth around them (1 Jn 2:11); darkness
= cannot see. When Jesus calls us out of the darkness into His light, He is
also calling us out of the deception into seeing the truth (Jn 3:19-21) –
and living the truth. John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them,
saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in
darkness (iniquity, rebellion deceit, blindness), but shall have the light of
life (truth, righteousness and judgment).” To exalt “things” is to diminish
God. To “exalt” the creation is to lessen the Creator. These things will
manifest as what you enjoy (where your heart is) and give time and
attention to and make sacrifices for (time, place, resources, attention,
devotion). These are the things you think upon and are influenced and
motivated by (perhaps taught by) and become the essence of who you
are. As previously mentioned, idolatry is anything that you are devoted to
that comes before or interferes with your love and service to God – an
object of admiration. This could be self, religion, money, career, loved
ones, sports, pets (the Egyptians worshipped cats and gods with animal
qualities), personalities, hobbies, music, country/patriotism, possessions,
food, entertainments, addictions (vices), opinions, etc. These are all
things the flesh desires, and the flesh is in rebellion to God. Man serves
the flesh and the flesh places itself and its wants, desires (lusts) and
needs before God (ahead of, in advance of). Scriptures define
disobedience to God (rebellion and stubborness; obstinacy) as iniquity and
idolatry (1 Sam 15:23). This is because stubborness to do God’s will
exalts your will above His and this becomes a great idol. If you are not
obeying God, them you are obeying self. Those who seek the lusts of the
flesh always have a higher priority to self than God. Thus idolatry is a
bondage on the spirit made strong through fleshly lusts. Those in bondage
will actually defend the bondage due to the hold it has through the flesh
(i.e. alcoholics, smokers, sexual perversion, drug addicts, gamblers, over-
eating, excessive buying, etc.). The strongholds were placed upon
(acquired by) oneself through desire (Js 1:13-14). Those in bondage do
not necessarily seek freedom. Some who break free only return to the
bondages again to satisfy the lust of the flesh (Pv 26:11, Gal 2:18). 2
Peter 2:22, “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb,
The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to
her wallowing in the mire.” The dog returns to the vomit and the clean
sow to the mud because it is their very nature to do such. Since Eden,
man’s very nature has been to seek his will through the lusts of the flesh
(the nature of the devil). Until this nature dies and a new nature is given
there can be no change. Many attempt to rehabilitate the fallen nature or
add a form of godliness to it (add God to their interests, to their
idolatry or house of gods), but there will be no change until it completely
dies. Man transgresses God’s will in seeking his will. Seeking your own will
is nothing more than just placing your needs, wants, opinions, and desires
first (foremost) in your daily life – just that simple. This is determining
“your” own way. A less nice way to say this is “seeking after the

17
imaginations of your own heart,” or “doing what is right in your own eyes”
(Gen 6:5, Deut 29:19, Pv 6:18, Jer 3:17, 4:18, 7:24, 9:14, 11:8, 13:10,
16:12, 18:12, 23:17, Rm 1:21, Deut 12:8, Jdj 17:6, 21:25, Ps 36:2, Pv
3:7, 12:15, 16:2, 21:2, 30:12, Is 5:21). You are either submitted to and
following God or you are charting your own course (perhaps with a form
of godliness). When one sincerely submits to the Lord (Christ who sends
the Holy Ghost), the Spirit will begin to tear down the idols you have
placed in your heart. One by one they must fall and this is accomplished
through your obedience to God’s Word in your life as the Spirit unfolds it
to you – a walk of faith (practical application). The length of this process
is relational to your obedience and extent of idolatry therein – perhaps a
lifetime? The Spirit conforms us to the image of Christ through death to
self resulting in submission and love (if you love me keep my
commandments, Jn 14:15 - obedience) for God. Many will resist, quench
or grieve the Spirit because of their love of darkness (Eph 4:30, Acts
7:51, 2 Tim 3:8, 1 Thess 5:19). The Spirit must have free reign in your
life to accomplish God’s purposes if you want to be eternally reconciled –
the Spirit seals (2 Cor 1:22, 5:5, Eph 1:13, 4:30). Now most religious
folks will consider themselves exempt from such things due to a
profession of Christ and because they do not “know” God. However, notice
that religion was intentionally put in this less than comprehensive list of
potential idols. Most religion in this world is seeking God by man’s way
through the flesh rather than God’s Way through the Spirit (given by
Jesus, Jn 14:7, 26, 15:26, 16:7). Man likes to control and lead - to seek
his will – even religiously (Php 2:21). Most reading that last statement will
never understand it until you totally surrender to God and begin to know
Him. The religious mind can easily be put into bondage through doctrines,
traditions, rituals, holidays, ordinances, bylaws, images, celebrations,
presumed authorities, peer pressure, protocol and such. Jesus said:
Matthew 15:8-9, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and
honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain
they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men
(also Mk 7:7, Col 2:21-22).” Laying aside the commandments of God,
they hold to the traditions of men (Mk 7:8). These are an offence unto
Christ because they savourest not the things that be of God, but those
that be of men (have Satan’s nature, Mt 16:23). Romans 10:3, “For they
being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their
own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the
righteousness of God.” These actually exalt themselves (their flesh)
through their own religious way. So those religious ones that are
submitted to fleshly lusts must be strongly warned: Galatians 5:24,
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and
lusts.” No flesh will glory in God’s presence (1 Cor 1:29). Those that mind
earthly things are enemies of the cross (Php 3:18-19). The cross meant
death to the flesh, so to mind earthly things is to preserve the flesh and
resist the cross. You can be very religious and not “know” God at all. The
Jews certainly were extremely religious (to a greater level), but didn’t
“know” God, and they even killed the prophets and God’s Son (Jn 5:42,

18
7:17, 28, 8:19, 55). The Romish and Orthodox churches were very
religious, but devastated Europe and Russia through their inquisitions and
persecutions (seeking “their” religious way using fear of God in a twisted
evil way). Man often approches God (religiously) by what is right in his
eyes (Pv 16:2, 21:2, Is 5:21). Man exalts his opinions, sentiments,
thoughts, and emotions which are corrupted by his very nature (self
centered) and displeasing to God. We must become totally God centered
through the tearing down of the flesh (this is what the Spirit will do) and
surrender of our will (our way, path). Until you die, God cannot manifest
in you. There can only be one authority governing your actions. Man does
not like to religuish such control because “The Lie” (i.e fallen nature) says
“ye shall be as gods” and “thou shalt surely not die” (Gen 3:4-5).
 
The Idol of the End Times
 
The author will offer only one example of idolatry to reveal that the
majority of people in the world (religious or not) are idolaters. The
television set is perhaps the greatest idol in the world today. This idol
made its debut (first appearance, introduction) only very recently in
human history (end of the age), but has become so significant that most
cannot imagine life without it. Does anyone seek deliverance from it (or
even see the need)? Most plan their whole lives by it and offer up
enormous amounts of time and attention (cherish, dedicate a foremost
place in their life). This idol’s influence over the day to day lives of its
worshippers is immense (untold, vast). The flesh is filled to overflowing
and the spirit is made weak and subservient (submissive, obedient, docile)
to the flesh – the blindness is made strong. The programming spews out
the glory of the world through the wisdom of man (that which opposes
God). All the glory and glitter of the “broad way” and every sin imaginable
is portrayed in an entertaining fun filled fleshly way and is paraded before
very eager and attentive eyes and ears (Mt 7:13). Wicked abominations
and idols are portrayed upon the television screen (Ez 8:9-10) and this is
what most think about in their imaginations (Ez 8:12). Wicked
abominations do not have to be vile acts, just the subtle things that
encourage you to continue to seek self; not totally submit to God (remain
in rebellion); and take away from God (dishonor, oppose, disregard). God
is to be the focus (the center, foremost) of a believer’s life, yet the
television programming disregards (ignores, discounts, does not
acknowledge, Ps 10:4, Job 21:15) God or presents Him in a negative
or falsemanner. Sin is glorified – whether subtly (difficult to detect,
devious) or blatantly (unashamedly, deliberately, obviously, patently). To
not understand; fail to see the seriousness; or have no concern for the
things being said here is to not “KNOW” God (Jer 9:24). Many should
immediately take great heed to what Christ said: Mark 9:47-48, “And if
thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the
kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell
fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” You must
guard your heart (1 Jn 5:18). Jesus said if the eye be evil, then the body

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will be full of darkness – and great is that darkness (Mt 6:23). Everything
you could possibly covet (wish for, desire to obtain or possess, Lk 12:15,
Col 3:5) beckons and intensely appeals (allures, fascinates) to you
through the magic/wizardry of advertising (trance, spell). Advertising is
perhaps witchcraft at its best. Advertisers attempt to lure (tempt) you into
a course of action, for their selfish benefit, that you otherwise would not
take.1 Timothy 4:1, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter
times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits,
and doctrines of devils.” These have an heart they have exercised with
covetous practices (2 Pt 2:14). Man is in complete rebellion to God and
everything shown on the television reinforces this rebellion. The
programming opposes God and glorifies sin. Most take pleasure in the
very sins that nailed Christ to the cross, but see no wrong or hypocrisy –
they make a mock (parody, tease, laugh at, twist – perhaps through a
sitcom) of sin (Pv 14:9). Those who fill their hearts with all that opposes
God simply become one with it – they are joined (become worldlings, 1
Cor 6:15-16). For as a man thinketh in his heart so he is (Pv 23:7). Most
take pleasure in wickedness and sin (through thoughts, actions and
deeds) – they love their darkness (Jn 3:19). Jesus said that those who
believe on Him will not abide in darkness – they will freely forsake the
darkness as led by His Spirit in righteousness. Iniquity is the fruit of the
wicked (Pv 10:16). 2 Thessalonians 2:12, “That they all might be damned
who believed not the truth (live by the truth), but had pleasure in
unrighteousness (enjoyed those things which oppose God).” There is no
doubt that enjoying (being entertained by) acts of sin AS SEEN ON TV (or
anywhere else) is having “pleasure in unrighteousness.” Many say that
much of what is on television is awful, yet they still sit in front of the tube
taking it all in. James 4:8-9, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to
you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double
minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter
(amusement and glee over worldly fleshly things) be turned to mourning
(over your love of darkness and sin), and your joy (enjoyment and
pleasure in the flesh) to heaviness (realizing your own wickedness).”
Double mindedness is simultaneous belief in two opposing (contradictory)
things. To be double minded is to say you love Christ, yet love the world –
to be unstable and unsettled - confusion (Js 4:8). Confusion is the
opposite of the “fear of God” (discussed in the Conclusion) and is in a
general sense, the mixture of several things promiscuously (mingled and
without order). Confusion is a blending or confounding (i.e. mixing God
and the world, flesh – shameful blending of natures) – indistinct
combination; confusion of ideas (things that do not go together).
Confusion would be like saying, “I hate peanut butter,” yet I eat peanut
butter on everything. Confusion would be saying, “I love Jesus,” yet I take
great pleasure in things that oppose Him (things I watch and enjoy).
Psalms 97:7, “Confounded (confused, mixed or blended in disorder,
perplexed, abashed) be all they that serve graven images, that boast
themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.” God said that He will send
such a strong delusion that they may believe a lie (2 Thess 2:11). The lie

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is that they can transgress the will of God (take pleasure in the
unrighteousness, walk in darkness) and not die – that you do not have to
take God’s Word all that seriously. The lie says that: “ye shall not surely
die” (Gen 3:4). It’s all so innocent??? These will perish because they are
deceived by unrighteousness and receive not the love of the truth that
they may be saved (2 Thess 2:10). God’s Word is not read, meditated
upon, taken to heart, or applied. Prayers are not offered. How are you
redeeming the time in these evil days (Eph 5:16)? Do you set wickedness
before your eyes (Ps 101:3)? Do you really desire knowledge of God’s
ways or to walk therein (Job 21:14)? If so, how are you accomplishing
this? Those who profess are not “following” Christ (1 Jn 3:18). Jesus said
walk as I walked, and do as I said (Ps 119:3, 128:1, Hos 14:9, Mt 16:24,
Mk 8:34, 10:21, Lk 6:40, 46, 9:23, Jn 14:15-17, 20-21, 23, 15:10, 1 Jn
2:3-4, 3:24, 5:2-3, Rm 8:28-29, 2 Cor 3:18, 4:10-11, Gal 3:27, Eph
4:13, 15, 1 Thess 2:12, Col 1:20, 2:6, 3:10, 1 Jn 2:6, 2 Jn 1:6, Heb
13:21). Many profess Christ, but serve at their convenience. Perhaps you
will get around to reading God’s Word after the movie, sitcom or sports
event? More than likely not, but you will get around to it – right? God does
not desire to be worked-in (allotted time) between television programs or
during a commercial break! – nor does the Lord want to be at the end of
the list of things to do in a given day. The television has all the attention
(following), and is receiving all the glory and worship (adoration,
reverence, respect, devotion) that should be offered to God. The creature
worships the creation. This will be a great and tremendous shame to you
one day (Is 42:17). God tells those with a false (froward) heart to depart,
for He will not know a wicked person (Ps 101:4). A froward heart is one
that is unwilling to yield or comply with what is required – disobedient and
peevish (irritable, bad-tempered, crabby, spiteful, fretful, apt to mutter
and criticize/protest/whine, hard to please). The froward heart is perverse
(wicked, stubborn, stiff-necked, obstinate, pertinacious, headstrong,
rebellious) because of one’s reluctance and aversion (dislike, loathing,
repugnance) to turn from evil (Ps 18:26, Pv 21:8, Ez 33:11, Js 4:17). It is
an abomination to fools to depart from evil (Pv 13:19). Proverbs 11:20,
“They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such
as are upright in their way are his delight (also Pv 3:32).” Followers of
Christ are to cleanse themselves of all filthiness of flesh and spirit and
perfect holiness (purity of heart, sanctity, freedom from sin) in the fear of
God (2 Cor 7:1, Pv 14:16). This will be a great burden to the froward of
heart (i.e. forsaking the television idol). The Lord says we are to be holy
as He is holy (Mt 5:48, 1 Pt 1:15-16, 2 Pt 3:11-12). Blessed are they that
obey and seek God with a whole heart and do no iniquity, but walk in His
ways (Ps 119:1-2, Is 1:18-20). A person with a whole heart to seek God
is one who places no restrictions on their obedience and surrender of their
will (Ps 119:10, 34). Those who sit in front of this idol day after day and
profess to love God are deluded (deceived, misled, fooled, beguiled,
duped) by the wickedness that they have filled the hearts with. These
have eyes full of adultery (desiring the things of the world), and that
cannot cease from sin (fill their hearts with that which opposes God, 2 Pt

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2:14). Having forsaken the right way, are gone astray to the way of the
world (2 Pt 2:15). The television is as if you are looking into the eyes of a
serpent (the devil) – it seduces and mesmerizes wonderfully. This is how
the devil overcomes man – he appeals to the desires of the flesh. Those
who partake are constantly fixated on that which is contrary to God,by
your own choice (desire). Purposeful exposure to temptation, through
lusts, leading to sin and death (Js 1:13-15). They are totally blinded to
the truth of God and their own lives (2 Cor 13:5). If a man soweth to the
flesh he shall reap corruption (death, Gal 6:8). Here is some wise advice:
Romans 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not
provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Please re-read that last
statement. Those who sit in front of the television make provision for the
flesh and gloat (triumph, wallow, rejoice) in their lusts while making no
provision for Christ – the opposite. That which is in rebellion to God
is always opposite of God’s will. This is what Jesus was talking about when
He said, “they received me not” (Jn 5:43). Those who do not retain God in
their knowledge have a reprobate (degenerate, good-for-nothing-eternal,
abandoned in sin, lost to virtue or grace, impure, rejected) mind and as
such can enjoy such evil without grieving and thus take pleasure in the
wickedness (Rm 1:28-32) – they’ll defend it! These will call evil good and
put darkness for light (Is 5:20). In other words, they will say that the
television is not bad and there are many good things on it. They will put
their love of such darkness (Jn 3:19) before the Lord, who is the true
light. The Lord desires those with a contrite heart (Ps 34:18, 51:17, Is
57:17). A contrite heart is one that is broken hearted over sin; and is
deeply affected with grief and sorrow for offending God – penitent. Those
with contrite hearts are poor in spirit and tremble at God’s Word (Is 66:2).
In other words, God’s Word convicts them not to do those things which
oppose Him. If Jesus is your very life, then how can you do such things
that oppose Him (Gal 2:20, Col 3:3)? How can you possibly laugh with the
world over programming rife with iniquity and wickedness and yet
presume to have a contrite heart of grief over sin (which necessitated
Christ’s death)? – this is double-mindedness. We are suppose to let the
Word of God dwell in us richly in all wisdom (Col 3:16, Ps 111:10, Pv 1:7,
9:10). How is this accomplished in front of the television set? God says we
are to put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the
image of Him that created him (Col 3:10). What on the television
contributes to this? The list of things on television that detract from
godliness (righteousness, holiness) would be enormous and very revealing
– perhaps a wise man will make such a list and consider it. We are to
mortify (put to death) our selfish desires (Col 3:5). To mortify is to
subdue; to abase; to humble; to reduce; to restrain; as inordinate
passions (lusts, self will, transgressions, carnal and evil propensities) – no
more indulgence in wickedness. Our bodies are suppose to be the temple
of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor 12:16). Will God’s precious Spirit enjoy the
things you watch or will the Spirit vacate? What do the scriptures say? 1
Corinthians 3:17, “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God
destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” We are told

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to depart from evil (Pv 3:7, 16:17) – how much more will the Holy Spirit
depart from evil (in adhering to God’s eternal Word)? Ephesians 4:30,
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day
of redemption.” 2 Corinthians 6:16, “And what agreement hath the temple
of God with idols (i.e. television)? for ye are the temple of the living God;
as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be
their God, and they shall be my people.” Those who transgress the will of
God fall under God’s original penalty: “thou shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17,
Ez 33:14) – these are still in rebellion and under their own authority
seeking their own will (way, path). God says we are to teach our children
of Him, but parents are allowing the television to teach their entire family
of all that opposes God (such as covetousness, lusts, sensuality, foul
language, violence, adultery, divorce, fornication, homosexuality, occult,
greed, hatred, envy, lying, materialism, pride, course jesting, etc.). Do
you wonder why your children and grandchildren are falling prey to these
very things (lives being destroyed)? We are suppose to be: 2 Corinthians
10:5, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to
the obedience of Christ.” The television compels one to do just the
opposite. The programing takes the devoted and spellbound audience’s
mind captive and glorifies those imaginations and high things that exalt
themselves against God and casts down the things of Christ. Woe to them
that continue therein. Professed Christian, do you make a mockery of
Jesus through your enjoyment of all that opposes Him (2 Pt 2:20)? Are
you led of the flesh or the Spirit? Can you say? - Psalms 18:23, “I was
also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.” True
knowledge of God seeks and performs His will (Ps 128:1). Some have no
knowledge because their hearts are elsewhere (Hos 4:6). Their thoughts
are captive to the obedience of the world and not Christ (Ps 119:97). 1
John 5:5, “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth
that Jesus is the Son of God (also Rm 12:2)?” To be overcome by the
world is to exhibit no demonstrated (practical) belief in Christ (not
actually living in obedience). Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things, are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things.” Conversely, the thoughts of the
wicked are an abomination as are their ways (Pv 15:9, 26). The television
induces and nurtures wicked thoughts. The aforementioned list of virtues
can only apply to surrendering to God and performing the Lord’s will. You
cannot watch the television and yet love the Lord your God with all your
heart, mind, soul and strength. You are devoted to one or the other – The
Lord or an idol. Here is some wise advice concerning the television set:
Deuteronomy 7:26, “Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine
house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it,
and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.” That which comes
between you and God is an accursed thing. Where is your fellowship?
Ephesians 5:11, 13, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of

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darkness, but rather reprove them. But all things that are reproved are
made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.”
Take heed therefore (oh religious one) that the light which is in thee be
not darkness (Lk 11:35). The author understands that this bright light
(truth) concerning television (idolatry) hurts those eyes that are so
accustom to darkness. The author serves the Lord God Almighty and
points you to Him; and will not join the myriads of false prophets who
placate (pacify, mollify, appease) you in your wickedness and idolatry. The
prophet Jeremiah often confronted such men. For if I seek to please men
then I should not be a servant of God (Gal 1:10). The world will surely
hate those who testify of it that the works thereof are evil (Jn 7:7).
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way (Pv 15:10). No
chastening seemeth joyous (Heb 12:11). How are blinded eyes ever to
see if they never venture into the light (2 Cor 4:4)? How is one to come
out of Egypt if one does not even see the need? How is one freed from
bondage if one has accepted such and become content in it? John 8:12,
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world:
he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of
life.” Brethren, “follow” Christ and walk in His light and come out of all
darkness. For those who stubbornly cling to their idols (such as the
television) know this: stubborness is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Sam
15:23). Stubborness seeks “your way” and not God’s way and is an
affront to the Lord. Many will defend and justify the wickedness, evil,
rebellion, and iniquity of the programming, but may have a harder time
defending and justifying their devotion to it. Either way, you are a loser in
the eyes of God. Most will justify and defend the things that are the
priorities in their lives (their gods). The author exalts his God above the
television idol, will you in like manner exalt your god (television) above
mine? Ephesians 5:5-7, “For this ye know, that no whoremonger (those
who seek the world, idolatry, spiritual harlotry), nor unclean person
(defiled, foul with sin, adultery of the heart, no virtue), nor covetous man
(fleshly lusts), who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words (the false
prophets that lead you away from God): for because of these things
cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience (those
submitted to the flesh and in rebellion to God). Be not ye therefore
partakers with them.” 2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of
God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
We must depart from all evil (Ps 37:27, Pv 3:7, Rm 12:9). Let us reason
together: Proverbs 8:32-36, “Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye
children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be
wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching
daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me
findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth
against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”
Disobedience (frowardness, obstinacy) to God equates to hate which
always produces death. Hate is the opposite of love. Love is the sacrifice

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of self for others. Therefore, hate is the sacrifice of others for self –
disobedience so as not to incur personal loss (loss of fleshly
entertainments). The Lord would say to you: He that heareth, let him
hear; and he that forbeareth (to abstain from, omit, or avoid doing,
refrain, restrain from), let him forbear (Ez 2:7, 3:11, 27). AND Revelation
22:11-12, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy,
let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still:
and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and
my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
Every man shall give account of himself (Rm 14:12). 1 Corinthians 10:14,
“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” Consider your ways
and turn unto the Lord (Ps 119:59). Walk away from Egypt by following
Christ who comes to deliver. The television will be used as an example
from time to time in this book to relate scripture to real life
understandable circumstances in most people’s lives. Let us not be
unwise, but understand what the will of God is (as it relates to your daily
life, Eph 5:17). Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And having no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reproving them
(Eph 5:10-11). There are numerous examples that could have been used,
but the belief is that this (television) is perhaps one of the most
extensively used devices of Satan in these end times in which we live
(God speaks this to my heart, scripture bears witness). The flesh wants to
be constantly entertained and in doing so one will never see (perceive)
the path that leads to God (and certainly have no use for traveling on it).
The blindness in your life is a direct result of your own actions. The author
begs you to come to the true light (Jesus Christ) – not the erie glow of the
world’s most profound idol. 1 Peter 2:11, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you
as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war
against the soul.”
 
My son and I had a conversation one night in which he revealed how
some kids at school were making fun of him because he doesn’t watch the
television. The kids inquired “why?;” and my son answered by saying that
he followed Christ. The kids responded that they “went to church.” My son
said these same church kids usually discuss vile and wicked things at
school. Is it really about “going to church” (doing religious things) or
rather about having a heart toward God (living your faith in good
conscious)? The kids making fun of my son said that they could not
possibly imagine one day without the television. One said that the power
went off for a short time one night at his home and he went out to their
van and watched the television (built in). Folks, this is worship -
adoration. This is idolatry at its worse. What these kids are saying is that
the television is their life – what about the Christ they purport (claim,
assert) to profess? Maybe they just profess “religion” or “church.” What
these kids are saying is the television is a god to them (seated in the
place of). They give it a cherished place in their lives and reverence it -
devotion. Many people have asked the author about the “mark of the
beast.” The beast seats himself in the place of God and proclaims to be

25
God (Ez 28:2). Spiritually speaking, this seat is your heart – the temple of
the Holy Ghost (1 Cor 6:19). When that which opposes God (i.e. the
television) seats itself in the place of God (foremost – in the heart) then
you have aligned with the beast – physical mark or not. You are thus
marked and no man can force this mark on you – it is earned by your own
actions. Dear reader, the watchman is crying aloud about this threat to
your eternal wellbeing. The Lord has revealed that the television is the
largest of idols in this end time – men bow down to their image (Lev
26:1). Perhaps you are deluded about your attachment to it, but look at
your children. Cut the thing off for a day or two and consider their
reaction. How many days will your children go without the Word of God
without complaint? Do your children even have exposure to the Word of
God outside your “church?” Perhaps “going to church” has not been the
solution for most? The sad truth for most is: 2 Kings 17:41, “So these
nations (people) feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both
their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they
unto this day.” Perhaps the mindset of many of these religious institutions
has become that of the world (have been overcome)? The “church” was
never intended to be religious organizations and buildings (facilities). The
church is the ekklesia, meaning “called out ones.” This is a gathering
of Spirit led individuals who have been called out of the world (i.e. Egypt).
These individuals are to encourage one another to die to the things of
Egypt (world – i.e. idolatry, self) and be led by God’s Spirit – to draw near
to God. You cannot separate idolatry (i.e. television) from your devotion
to God and make place for both – this is double-mindedness; serving two
masters (Mt 6:24, Lk 16:13). Be warned: When you want to be as Egypt
(i.e. the world), you and your children will also partake of its burdens –
divorce, perversions, addictions, lying, materialism, selfishness, etc. and
reap its wages which is misery and death (Rm 6:23). He that heareth
(takes heed) Christ’s Words and doeth them builds his life on a firm
foundation (Mt 7:24). …and they were judged every man according to
their works (Rev 20:13, Mt 23:5) as they were required to give account of
themselves (Rm 14:12).
 
Most will realize that forsaking the television will leave a big void in their
lives, which only proves that it is an idol. What will you do with the time?
Where will you get your worldly information? You must realize that you
will either become blind to the things of the world or remain blind to the
things of the Spirit – you must choose. You cannot have both! To fill your
mind with the world (regardless of the source) brings blindness to the
things of God (or keeps one blind). Walking in darkness always brings
blindness – God has deemed it so (Lk 10:21). The wise (those seeking
God with all their heart) will understand what has just been said, fools will
not. The compromisers and justifiers will quickly cast it aside. Forsake the
television and take that which was once offered up for evil and turn it to
good. Start seeking God through His Word and in prayer. Meditate upon
the things the Lord reveals to you. Spend more time with family (get to
know your children) and others. Let the Lord do the leading and then

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follow. No doubt, the Lord has things for you to accomplish that bear
eternal meaning (significance) and merit. Take what use to be self-
centered and use it to perform Christ’s commands – Love the Lord your
God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and love your neighbor
as yourself. Sacrifice (denying self-centerdness) for the benefit of others.
 
Before we proceed further it is imperative (very important) that you
understand this: A true follower of Christ is given the Holy Spirit who
teaches, convicts and guides. We also have access to God’s Word (the
Bible and by the Spirit). Therefore, a follower has access to truth. Living in
the Spirit and Word produces judgment or knowing right from wrong –
and walking in the right (i.e. the light). Walking in faith is righteousness
(Rm 1:17, 3:22, 4:5, 9, 11, 13, 9:30, 10:6, Gal 5:5, Php 3:9, Heb 11:7, 2
Pt 1:1). So, a true follower walks in truth, judgment and righteousness.
The Father must be worshipped in Spirit and truth (Jn 4:23-24). We can
live religiously, but if we walk not in truth, then we have missed God. This
will be much more thoroughly discussed in Chapter Three. If you have a
sincere contrite heart before God, then you will understand the evil and
eschew (avoid, shun, , abhor, abstain from) it from a willing heart. You
will never justify or defend it! If you find yourself always defending your
actions (darkness) when compared with God’s truth (light), then I strongly
advise you to sincerely examine your heart and ask God to do the same,
to see if you are even found in Christ Jesus (1 Jn 5:12). Those who are
genuine will change to conform to the truth! Change (surrender to God) is
very painful to the flesh (denies it what it wants) and thus most will not
change (thus the crowded broad way to destruction). Many will modify
their darkness (attempt to sanitize) rather than forsake it. He that doeth
truth cometh to the light (Jn 3:21). He that is of God, heareth (doeth)
God’s Words and these that liveth and believeth in Christ will not die (Jn
7:47, 11:25, 18:37). The deceived, compromisers, wicked, justifiers of
evil, and rebellious will not conform to the truth (everything will be
relative to them). We are known by our fruit and this is very evident in
our actions (Mt 7:16, 20, 12:33, Lk 6:44). If you do not truly seek the
truth, then you will most certainly remain in your blindness (Jn 9:39,
12:39-40). To be in the dark is to be blind to those things around you (1
Jn 2:11). Most people have issues in their lives that they know to be in
violation of the Lord’s will. Rather than completely surrender these things
to the Lord and walk in obedience, many will follow the inclinations
(tendancy, liking, preference, proclivity, partiality, appetite, will) of the
flesh. They will believe (opinion, sentiment) that things are just going to
work out and that it will not be required of them – that they are basically
a good person. This may seem good to human reasoning, but realize that
for it to happen God must become a liar and His eternal unchanging Word
must become void (Jn 17:17). Is it possible that God will change
everything just for you? God’s Word is very clear on these matters, but
most place trust in their carnal (pertaining to the flesh, opposed to the
Spirit, unregenerate) instincts. Whose Word will ultimately prevail? – an
issue of eternal significance. We must have a heart to willingly and

27
sincerely surrender every area of our lives to the Lord and then walk in
obedience to His Spirit. Whether you ever achieve some moral perfection
in this life is in the Lord’s hands as you yield to Him. God works through
your faith to transform you into the image of Christ. If there is no
obedience and denial of self/flesh, then there is no transformation taking
place. If you are not yielding, then you are obstinate in your own will.
Many are transforming God’s Word into their will (opinion, sentiment) and
dying (denying) to the things of the Spirit to fulfill the flesh. Many would
have God serving their flesh!
 
Let us dig a little deeper and understand some foundational truths. When
man was put out of the Garden of Eden, after having transgressed the will
of God, he set about to do what became natural for him – to seek his own
will (way, path) – to be as a god. Man took on a fallen nature which is that
of Satan (whom he had obeyed rather than God). This nature is that of
pride (self exaltation), and self seeking (serving the desires of the flesh) –
and this nature produces death (there is no life apart from God). This was
almost immediately realized when Cain rose up (in seeking self) and slew
his brother Able (selfish sacrifice of another, Gen 4:1-9). Man then began
to multiply upon the earth and seek his way and establish a world
(systems, ways of doing things) that was agreeable (consistent) with his
fallen nature – one that catered to the desires of the flesh. Genesis 6:5-6,
“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and
that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the
earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” This was the result of man seeking
his way. God was so grieved with man that He destroyed the whole world
with a flood, except for righteous Noah and his family. Man again began to
multiply and this world was once again established by man’s fallen nature
in seeking the things of the flesh. This was demonstrated by the tower of
Babel, Sodom and Gommorah, many wicked nations (i.e. Egypt, Amorites,
Moabites, Babylon, Rome, etc.) and the continual wickedness and idolatry
of Israel/Judah. Religious man was no better in that they killed God’s
prophets and God’s own Son (Jesus). The wickedness and evil have
continued until this very day – and this is perhaps the most evil and
depraved of all generations. Man has been evil and rebellious toward God
throughout the ages and this is very evident in the scriptures. Man has
established (built, devised) a world that is based upon the desires of the
flesh. This is referring to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the
pride of life, the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the
pleasures of this life (1 Jn 2:15-17, Mk 4:19, Lk 8:14). Most everything
this flesh seeks after is opposed to God! This is just the honest truth. This
will become clear in this book in considering God’s dealings with the
children of Israel. This is your very nature (fallen) and it is no doubt very
hard for you to find fault in it. Most everything you have learned or been
taught is probably flesh based and in error. The fleshly man will even
interpret God’s Word to suit his fancy. For this reason, many will read this
book through eyes of flesh and probably not comprehend it. When the

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Bible says that we must “overcome,” this is what it is referring to – our
fallen nature and this world. This is why you must go against the strong
current of this world. This world is greatly opposed to God and you will
either join it or fight against it – meaning not becoming a part of it. You
must go against, not be like, and do the opposite of this world. The cares
(necessary things), riches, pleasures, and lusts of this world compete with
and oppose God’s will (His written Word). We are going to live in the flesh
or in the Spirit, but not both. Galatians 5:17, “For the flesh lusteth against
the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary
(opposed, divergent) the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things
that ye would.” Overcoming the world is only achieved by living in God’s
nature as led by His Spirit. The Holy Spirit conforms you to the image of
Christ. To live as the world (through television or anything else) is to be
conformed to the image of this very fallen and rebellious world. In
standing against the things of this world, you will be hated by this world.
The world hated the prophets; the world hated John the Baptist; and the
world hated Christ, John 15:18, “If the world hate you, ye know that it
hated me (Jesus) before it hated you (also Mt 24:9, Mk 13:13, Lk 21:17,
1 Jn 3:13).” Matthew 10:22, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my
name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Jesus said
you will be hated because you are not of the world. John 17:14, “I have
given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are
not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” This can only happen
when you “come out” of the world and stand against the world and refuse
to be as it is. The greek word for church is ekklesia, meaning “called out
ones.” If you are conforming to the world then the world loves its own.
Those who stand against the things of the world will be oddballs (just
wont fit in): Hebrews 11:35-38, “Women received their dead raised to life
again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they
might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings
and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were
stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the
sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute,
afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered
in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”
Because of the strong pressures of this world, most will conform to it. Why
would you stand against this world (we all have to live in it)? Because you
love the Lord your God more than life itself – more than the flesh or its
desires. 1 John 2:17, “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” Therefore, to prevail
(overcome, endure) one must live in the nature of God and place God
foremost in their life. This is a nature of love – sacrifice of self for God and
then neighbor (Christ’s gospel, Mt 22:37-38, Mk 12:29-31, Lk 10:27).
This is how Christ lived and we must conform.
 
God Prepares a Deliverer
 

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Moses was born in a time of great distress for the children of Israel. The
Hebrews were in bondage in the land of Egypt (Ham’s wicked
descendants, Gen 9:22-27). The Egyptians feared the Hebrews, and were
concerned that they were multiplying too fast, so Pharaoh exerted control
by putting them under hard bondage and instituting the forced killing of all
Hebrew male babies (Ex 1:7). Psalms 105:23-25, “Israel also came into
Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. And he increased his
people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies. He (God)
turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.”
God had a great purpose in all this that those living for the flesh may
never comprehend, as this study will reveal. Exodus 1:11-14, 22,
“Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their
burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And
they were grieved because of the children of Israel. And the Egyptians
made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: And they made their lives
bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of
service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was
with rigour. And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is
born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.”
They dealt subtilly (crafty) with the children of Israel and evil entreated
them, so that they cast out their young children, to the end that they
might not live (Acts 7:19). Pharaoh and his people were a self seeking
nation to the extent that they exalted their will over all others to
accomplish their self-centered desires. Any nation that would kill the
innocent children of the land (i.e. abortion) to seek its own freedom
(rights) or personal choice is an evil nation that seeks “self” (to be as
gods, Gen 3:5) and not the justice (will) and rule of God. Also, any nation
that would enslave an entire people to serve them is a wicked nation (life
is cheapened). The Egyptian people observed Pharaoh’s immoral dictate
(law of the land) to murder the Hebrew children because they sought to
exert their will over others in seeking their comfort (way, lifestyle, benefit,
Ex 1:22). The motivation was totally self centered and was justified as
being noble and for the good of the land (Ex 1:8-10). Author’s note:
perhaps you may want to consider the strong parallels between Egypt and
the United States? Those who seek “self” produce death rather than life.
Life (true love) results from the sacrifice of self for the benefit of others
(First God and then your neighbors – charity, Lk 10:27, Jn 15:13, 1 Cor
13:1, 13, 1 Jn 3:16). These two positions are in opposition to each other
and an produce entirely different fruits. One unto death and the other
unto life. Initially, Pharaoh commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill the
male children upon birth, but they refused (through their actions) to
comply with this wicked command (Ex 1:15-19). God blessed these
midwives in their stand for righteousness (Ex 1:20-21). God will always
bless those who stand for His righteousness and thereby suffer personal
reproach and persecution (Mt 5:10-13). The Egyptians looked down upon
the Hebrews as abominable (Gen 43:32, 46:34) and they made them their
servants (Ex 1:12-14). Egypt represents the world and all its idolatry. This

30
nation was the cultural center and strength of the world at that time.
Egypt had a multitude of gods that they worshipped and each one was for
the benefit of some aspect of their lives (bless me - gods of sun, earth,
weather, Nile, finance, agriculture, birth, etc.). Although a very religious
nation, they did not “know” God, but rather sought to be as God. The
bondage represents servitude to sin and the things of the world – those
things that oppose God’s purposes and established truth. God desires to
set us free, but first we must see our need and seek God’s deliverance
(Lev 26:13). Notice that the Hebrews were in bondage to the world
(Egypt) to build places to store the highly sought after things of the world
(i.e. treasure cities). When Moses was born, his mother hid him as long as
she could (Acts 7:20). Hebrews 11:23, “By faith Moses, when he was
born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a
proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment (to kill
all Hebrew male children).” Eventually his mother could not hide Moses
any longer and put him in a basket and floated him on the Nile river,
believing somehow he would be preserved (Ex 2:3). Exodus 2:5-6, “And
the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her
maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark
among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened
it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she
had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.”
Acts 7:21, “And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up,
and nourished him for her own son.” God arranged circumstances such
that Pharaoh’s daughter paid Moses’ own mother to nurse him (Ex 2:7-9).
The Hebrew male children were sought after for the purpose of being put
to death. God delivered and preserved Moses from such a sure death for
the Lord’s predetermined purposes (Moses’ mother exercised faith).
Similarly, when Jesus was born, He was also sought after to be killed by
order of King Herod and the religious ones (Mt 2:1-3). Psalms 2:2-3, “The
kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel
together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break
their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us (sought their own
will and continued rebellion against God).” Herod would later slaughter all
the male children two years old and under in the region in an attempt to
kill Jesus – to kill God’s own Christ (Mt 2:16). Rebellious man will always
set himself against the purposes of God, yet the Lord will always prevail.
Could man possibly be so self seeking, so rebellious, and so arrogant as to
kill the very Son of God? This is the nature of man – including religious
man. Religious man persecuted and nailed Christ to the cross (Mt 14:14,
21:46, 22:34, 26:4, 27:1, 20, 22-27) and hung Him as accursed upon a
tree (Deut 21:23, Acts 5:30, 10:39, 13:29, Gal 3:13, 1 Pt 2:24). Exodus
2:10, “And the child (Moses) grew, and she (his natural
mother, Jochebed, Ex 6:20) brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he
became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I
drew him out of the water.” Water is life giving and God was going to use
Moses in a mighty way to bring life to His people. Water is also symbolic
of the Holy Spirit and Moses was filled with the Spirit (Is 63:11, Jn 7:38-

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39, Rev 21:6). At God’s direction, Moses would later bring water from a
rock for the survival of the people (Ex 17:6, Num 20:8, 11, Deut 8:15,
Neh 9:15, Ps 114:8). That rock was Jesus Christ (1 Cor 10:4)! Jesus was
also filled with the Holy Ghost (Lk 4:1). Christ was justified in the Spirit (1
Tim 3:16). Christ’s wisdom, understanding, knowledge and counsel were
of the Spirit (Is 11:2, Jn 7:38-39). The Spirit leads us to obey God. Acts
10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with
power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed
of the devil; for God was with him.” Now consider the provision of the
Lord God Almighty: Moses is the man chosen of God to set free His people
from the wickedness and bondage of the Egyptians. Moses (God’s
deliverer) is raised in the very house of Pharaoh; the one who hates the
Hebrews and intends to enslave them forever – right under Pharaoh’s very
nose. Acts 7:22, “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the
Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.” God was preparing
Moses for a major future role to bring about the Lord’s purposes. God put
the desire in Moses’ heart to seek identity with his own people (he had
become estranged living in Pharaoh’s house). Acts 7:23, “And when he
was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the
children of Israel.” Moses had compassion for their suffering. Exodus
2:11-12, “And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that
he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied
an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this
way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the
Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.” This zealousness did not bode well for
Moses as his deed was discovered and the Pharaoh sought to slay him (Ex
2:15). Therefore, Moses had to flee from Egypt (Ex 2:13-15). Egypt
represented Moses’ old life of sin and rebellion to God’s purposes. God
“called” Moses “out” of Egypt. Similarly, Christ calls His people “out” of the
“world” (2 Cor 6:17). Ekklesia (church) - The Greek, to call out or call
together, denotes an assembly or collection; a calling out (Noah Webster’s
1828 Dictionary of American English and Strong’s Greek Dictionary). All
things must become new in Christ (2 Cor 5:17). Acts 7:25, “For he
supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand
would deliver them: but they understood not.” The men he tried to help
said, “who made thee a ruler and judge over us (Acts 7:27)?” Hebrews
11:24-27, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be
called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction
with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in
Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he
forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing
him who is invisible.” We all must approach God in faith: Hebrews 11:6,
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him.” Moses had all the world had to offer (literally), but came to a
fork in the road – which way to go? One path led to self satisfaction and
the things of the world that the flesh so desires (broad path). This path

32
was one of ease and glittered of fleshly contentment through pleasures,
popularity, position/place and entertainment. The other path was less
appealing for one with eyes of flesh (these are actually blinded to it), but
leads to God (narrow path). This is a path that leads through the harsh
waste howling wilderness and denies the flesh and puts it in its place – in
the dust. Traveling this path would be arduous and one would suffer
through the flesh – and be a great reproach. This path led into a
inhospitable (bleak, forbidding, desolate) place were one must reach
beyond the flesh and its self sufficiency and gratification (2 Cor 3:5). God
brought about circumstances that forced a choice and a separation. Moses
chose God over the things of the world. Moses forsook the palace for a
sheepcote (a great step backward in the eyes of fleshly man). Moses
forsook all the things of the flesh and stepped out in great faith (Is 55:7).
This was a tremendous indicator of heart and character (and still is
today). No one will serve God apart from walking this path. A true sincere
man of God will always choose God over self and situation. Sacrifices must
be made and self will be denied (killed) when one takes up their cross to
follow (Mt 16:24, Mk 8:34, Lk 9:23). 2 Timothy 2:11-12, “It is a faithful
saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we
suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.”
Taking up the cross literally spells death to all that was you (no longer
me, but thee, Gal 2:20). This choice will be manifested in your actions
(not just words). The gate to enter this path is through Jesus Christ (in
great humbleness and repentance, Mt 7:13-14, Lk 13:24, Jn 10:7). Moses
put his faith in God even though his understanding was incomplete. In
doing so, Moses became a reproach in the eyes of the rebellious world.
When we sincerely “follow” Christ, we will always be a reproach in the
eyes of a mostly rebellious (and religious) world. Jesus suffered many
things from religious men and was set at nought (Mk 9:12). We are
following Jesus and will be like our Lord (encounter the same things). God
called Moses out of Egypt (Heb 11:27) for the purpose of going to the
Promised Land. Similarly (as a strong parallel), Jesus was called out of
Egypt by God for His purposes – “out of Egypt, I have called My Son” (Mt
2:15). Jesus came out of Egypt and went into the Promised Land (Israel,
Mt 2:19-21). While rebellious Pharaoh continued to exalt himself in pride
and arrogance, Moses became very humble (meek), died to self, and
faced the wilderness (that place that tears down those very things of the
flesh). In a very real sense Moses was going before the children of Israel
and preparing a path to God through the wilderness (to bring them to
Mount Horeb - Sinai). Jesus later came to this earth and lived a perfect
and well pleasing life unto God and prepared (walked) “The Path” to God
for those who will follow. When we take up our crosses, we are following
in the way of Jesus (His nature, trials, sufferings, victories, works,
encounters, etc.). Jesus said: John 14:12, “Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater
works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” We follow His
path and enter into His fellowship! – for we shall be like Him (However, a
servant will never be greater than His Master, Mt 10:24).

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Moses fled from Pharaoh to the land of Midian and married Zipporah, the
daughter of Reuel (Ex 2:15-22). Moses spent the next forty years as a
shepherd keeping the flocks of sheep (Ex 2:17, 3:1). Keeping sheep is
great training and an object lesson for the men of God (David was a
shepherd, 2 Sam 7:8). The shepherd goes before and leads the sheep.
The shepherd cares for the sheep – feeding, watering, providing security
against the beasts of the earth and seeking the lost. Christ often liken
Himself to a shepherd and those who would follow Him as sheep (Mt 9:36,
15:24, 18:12-13, 25:32-33, 26:31, Mk 14:27, Lk 15:4-6, Jn 10:1-16,
26:29). Moses may have been learned in the wisdom of the Egyptians, but
his real training for leadership of God’s flock was learned in the
sheepcotes (such was said of David, 1 Chr 17:7). Exodus 2:23-25, “And it
came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the
children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and
their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. And God heard
their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with
Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and
God had respect unto them (also Deut 26:7-8).” The Hebrews had come
to a place of seeing their absolute need for the deliverance God brings.
The children of Israel were helpless and down (lacking) in spirit with no
ability to change their circumstances. There was no more self sufficiency
or self centeredness – this had been broken through their sufferings in the
flesh. They now recognized their inabilities and limitations and great need
for God. They were like a beggar crying in need of help displayed as
brokenness before God, and pleading for His mercy. Jesus said about
such: Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven (also Lk 6:20).” This is mourning over one’s condition
and the realization that you are powerless to deliver yourself. You realize
that “your way” (that of the flesh) will always come short of God, and that
rather than bringing you closer to God, your flesh (through
transgressions) is actually pulling you further away. The bondage and
servitude represented the sin and rebellion against God that one must
crave/desire deliverance from. To mourn is to see the shame of thy
nakedness (sinfulness). This is to also realize that you have nothing to
offer God except what He is due – your love, devotion and obedience.
Jesus said: Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be
comforted (also Lk 6:21).” The Hebrew’s condition also manifested itself
as humbleness before God. Their pride and rebellion had been broken
through years of suffering shame and reproach through hard servitude.
They could not even stop the Egyptian’s from killing their precious
children. Jesus said: Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall
inherit the earth.” Meekness (discussed in Chapter Five) is coming to the
place of yielding and being submitted to God’s divine will – a dying to self.
Many tend to be self centered, but the meek will be God centered. God
will teach the meek His way (Ps 25:9, 116:6). The Egyptians hated the
Hebrews; they were an abomination to them (Gen 43:32). Jesus said:
Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for

34
righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye,
when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of
evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for
great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which
were before you (also Lk 6:22).” The children of Israel had reached the
place of heart where God could now show Himself strong. The Lord was
about to deliver His people in a very miraculous way and there would be
no doubt as to the source of their liberation. Acts 7:30-35, “And when
forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of
mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. When Moses
saw it, he wondered at the sight (Ex 3:1-3): and as he drew near to
behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him, Saying, I am the God of
thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob (Ex 3:6). Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold. Then said the
Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou
standest is holy ground (Ex 3:4-5). I have seen, I have seen the affliction
of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am
come down to deliver them (Ex 3:7). And now come, I will send thee into
Egypt (Ex 3:10). Acts 7:35, “This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who
made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a
deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.”
Through Israel’s repentant heart, God had heard their cry. God patiently
and with longsuffering brings us to the place where we must realize our
need for Him. 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,
as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” We must
realize that our “way” or “path” is wrong and leads to bondage and death.
We must realize that there is no life apart from God. We must repent and
forsake our wicked ways (Ez 18:21, 28, 30-32). God must always be
initially approached through being poor in spirit (humble) and mourning
(over your transgressions and rebellion against God). God will never be
approached in pride and contentment (Lk 6:24-25). We must surrender
totally to God’s “way.” Many will approach God their way, with desire to
remain in their rebellion. This is because they love their darkness (Jn
3:19) – this self seeking must be broken. The Lord declared from the
beginning the edict (decree, statute) to all who transgress His will in
seeking their own, “thou shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17, Ez 33:14). Nothing
has changed (God’s Word is true, enduring and forever settled in heaven,
Ps 119:89, 160) and the rebellious will face the second death (regardless
of religious profession). God’s plan for Moses’ life was now beginning to
unfold. Sometimes we must be patient before the Lord; eighty years in
the case of Moses (forty in the wilderness keeping sheep). When Jesus
was born as a man, he grew and learned just like everyone else. Christ
did not start His ministry (purpose) until the age of thirty (Lk 3:23), which
was in God’s timing. Moses was given a direct commission from God to be
used to deliver the Lord’s people from Egyptian bondage (detailed below).
Many will assume (presume) divine calling and seek their way religiously
in their own mind and strength, but the “real” are called of God.

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The Lord told Moses at the burning bush that the time for the deliverance
of His people was at hand. Exodus 3:10-12, “Come now therefore, and I
will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the
children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I
should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of
Israel out of Egypt? And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this
shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought
forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.”
Notice Moses’ humbleness; he does not exalt self or even consider his
unique qualifications due to his past experience and position in the royal
Egyptian household. Also notice that Moses went (traveled) before the
children of Israel to Horeb and was going to now lead God’s people back
to this same place (upon this mountain). Moses was going to shepherd the
sheep to God. Jesus came to do the same thing: John 10:4, “And when he
putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow
him: for they know his voice.” Jesus went before all those who will follow
and prepared “The Path” back to God. Christ’s life is our example (or path)
to follow and conform to and His Spirit leads us back to God through our
faith (Rm 8:14, 29, 2 Cor 3:18, Gal 3:14). Faith is love, submission, and
obedience to God which allows the Lord to transform us through His grace
(the divine influence in renewing one’s heart through righteousness, Rm
5:21, Php 2:13). Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God that bringeth
salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness
and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this
present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing
of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us,
that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Therefore, through our
obedience, God delivers us from Egypt (worldly lusts, iniquity, impurity,
wickedness, ungodliness, and rebellion) by His grace that brings salvation.
Salvation might be thought of as being restored back to your created
position to spend eternity in service to God. God works in you through
faith to accomplish this restoration which is a tearing down of self will for
the purpose of submission to God’s will. This is God’s mercy, but most are
looking for a way back that accomodates the flesh (self will). To reject
God’s working in you is to reject the Lord’s offer of forgiveness and
restoration and thus leads to separation as a result of your self will
(stubborness, frowardness). Thus, the thing most seek (self-will, flesh,
your path/way) is that which brings separation. Ephesians 4:22-24, “That
ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is
corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of
your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness.” Exodus 3:13-15, “And Moses said unto
God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto
them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say
to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto
Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the

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children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover
unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God
of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of
Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my
memorial unto all generations.” Jesus is the great “I AM:” John 8:58,
“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham
was, I am.” Furthermore: John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way,
the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Additionally: John 6:35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life:
he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me
shall never thirst (also Jn 6:48, 51).” Many a man will live their life as if
they themselves are the great “I am,” always seeking their own way,
going about being “as gods” (Gen 3:5). Until we die to self (flesh) and
surrender to God as the great “I AM” then we shall never be reconciled
(through Jesus) to Him (Col 1:20). God set the terms of the reconciliation
and the poor in spirit; those that mourn; and are humble will yield to God.
These are pure in heart (sincere) and they hunger and thirst after
righteousness (Mt 5:6, 8). All others will seek God in a way that fulfills
their terms (allows their flesh to rule). We must understand this: Man
sought the flesh in disobeying (transgressing) Gods command. Man will
not be reconciled through the flesh. God has deemed: 1 Corinthians 1:29,
“That no flesh should glory in his presence.” Romans 8:8, “So then they
that are in the flesh cannot please God.” This means that all your fleshly
derived “good works” are as filthy rags to God (Is 64:6). No one will earn
place in heaven through self. Ephesians 2:9, “Not of works, lest any man
should boast.” Salvation will only be obtained through faith as God works
in us and we yield to Him. Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Grace is
God working in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Php 2:13).
This is accomplished through loving surrender and obedience on your part.
If man could be reconciled to God through the flesh, then the will of the
flesh would triumph over God. If the flesh could force its way back to God
(will of), then there would be no reason for it to submit to the Lord. Those
who are God’s are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of
the will of man, but of God (Jn 1:13). Many a religious man will live a form
of godliness that allows the flesh to rule. 2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” The
power is the cross and it means death to the flesh (Rm 6:5-13, 1 Cor
1:18). This is a great point of sifting and separation.
 
God desires to bless His people once they are submitted to Him. Exodus
3:16-17, “Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto
them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and
of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen
that which is done to you in Egypt: And I have said, I will bring you up out
of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites,
and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites,
unto a land flowing with milk and honey.” This is symbolic of the Lord

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delivering us from the devil’s lie that you can transgress the will of God
and be as gods (determine your own way, Gen 3:4-5). The devil’s lie in
Eden brought separation, bondage, affliction and death to all men – this is
Egypt! God desires to deliver us from this and reconcile us through Christ
back under His authority and then provide for us in the Lord’s midst (God
dwells among us). God delivers us from Egypt and brings us back to
Himself. To be delivered from Egypt is to totally forsake Egypt. Exodus
3:19-22, “And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not
by a mighty hand. And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all
my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let
you go. And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians:
and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty: But
every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in
her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall
put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the
Egyptians.” Pharaoh represents the devil in all his pride, arrogance and
defiance toward God. The Egyptians are those submitted to the devil and
they have his nature. The Lord intends to make an open show of Pharaoh
and receive due glory from Egypt and all the surrounding nations (Egypt
is the cultural center of the world). This is representative of God putting
down Satan’s rebellion and those submitted to it for all of creation to see.
1 Corinthians 15:24-28, “Then cometh the end, when he (Jesus) shall
have delivered up the kingdom to God (Christ is the deliverer), even the
Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power
(everything that has exalted itself above the most High; Satan and all
those who seek self, Is 14:13-15). For he must reign, till he hath put all
enemies under his feet (those who are rebellious toward God). The last
enemy that shall be destroyed is death (the result of rebellion against
God, Gen 2:17). For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he
saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which
did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto
him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things
under him, that God may be all in all (All things will be brought back
under God’s authority).” God will arrange circumstances such that the
people of Egypt will be gladly spoiled of their possessions that they love so
much (all their glory). God will restore all that was taken through hard
labor and servitude. The Lord also intends to judge all the gods of Egypt
(idols) that they trust in. This will also be a lesson to the Hebrews
concerning the vanity of such false gods. The Egyptians had many false
gods such as one each for the sun, sky, Nile river, mothers, war, crops,
etc. God was going to destroy trust in each of these gods one by one.
 
Moses considered his ability to do what God required. Exodus 4:10-12,
“And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither
heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of
speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath
made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or
the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy

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mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” Many want to serve God
based upon their perceived talents. God is not looking for your abilities
and self confidence. Quite the opposite; God is looking for your
humbleness, brokenness, dependance upon Him and obedience to perform
His will. So many serve God through their self sufficiency and miss Him
altogether. Your reliance upon self is what must be destroyed in your life.
The one consistent attribute of all the great men of God including Jesus
(as a man) is that they spoke God’s Words and not their own. God put His
Word in their heart and this is what they spoke (Is 59:21). The Lord is
telling Moses to just obey (do His will) and He will do the rest. That is our
job, to trust and obey. We can do nothing, but through God all things are
possible. When Jesus walked the earth, He said: John 6:38, “For I came
down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent
me.” AND John 12:49-50, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the
Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say,
and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life
everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto
me, so I speak.” AND John 9:4, “I must work the works of him that sent
me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” Notice the
complete dependence upon and obedience to the Father. We cannot trust
in the flesh (our thoughts, opinions, sentiments, direction, way, etc.) or
we shall surely die (Gen 2:17). John 3:34, “For he whom God hath
sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure
unto him.” Exodus 4:1, “And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they
will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The
LORD hath not appeared unto thee.” The next thing to consider is that
whom God calls, God equips. The Lord was not going to send Moses to do
a task that he was not first prepared to do. God puts His Spirit upon
Moses and equipped him with the ability (beyond his own ability) to
perform unquestionable miracles. Exodus 2-5, “And the LORD said unto
him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it
on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent;
and Moses fled from before it. And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth
thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught
it, and it became a rod in his hand: That they may believe that the LORD
God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God
of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.” Notice that the miracle came from
God – Moses was shocked at the results (it wasn’t his doing). This miracle
also showed Moses that he had power over the serpent (devil). Exodus
2:6-9, “And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into
thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out,
behold, his hand was leprous as snow. And he said, Put thine hand into
thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked
it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to
the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs,
neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the

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river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out
of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.” Jesus also came
working the miracles of God (Acts 10:38). The miracles gave validity to
the Words He spoke (Jn 10:37-38, 14:11, 16:24-25). John 10:24-25,
“Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost
thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus
answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my
Father’s name, they bear witness of me.” John 6:2, “And a great
multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on
them that were diseased.” Jesus healed sickness, gave sight to the blind
(physical and spiritual), restored hearing and speech, gave mobility to the
lame. Jesus raised the dead, calmed the winds and sea and delivered
people from demon possession. John 14:10-11, “Believest thou not that I
am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I
speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the
works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else
believe me for the very works’ sake.” God always requires our obedience:
Exodus 4:21-23, “And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to
return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh,
which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall
not let the people go. And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the
LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my
son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I
will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.”
 
Jesus is God’s Deliverer
 
Jesus came to this earth to perform the Father’s will. The Father’s will is:
Ephesians 1:10, “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might
gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and
which are on earth; even in him.” The devil brought his rebellion against
God to the earth (Job 1:7, 2:2). Luke 10:18, “And he (Jesus) said unto
them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Revelation 12:9, 12,
“Revelation 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent,
called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast
out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Therefore
rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of
the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having
great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time (short
time - Rm 9:28).” Jesus came (was manifested) that He might destroy the
works of the devil (1 Jn 3:8). Jesus came to destroy the rebellion against
God that was manifested from the devil’s lie (Gen 3:4-5). Christ came to
provide the necessary atonement and redeem those who would follow
Him, out of the rebellion, back under God’s authority. The atonement is
reconciliation after enmity whereby reparation is made by giving an
equivalent for a wrong committed. Redemption is procuring the
deliverance of persons or things from the possession and power of captors
(i.e. the devil) by the payment of an equivalent. In order to provide for

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the atonement and redemption of man, Jesus had to first live a perfect life
of obedience and submission to the Father. This is the life Adam was
intended to live, but failed when he sought self and submitted to the
authority (and bondage) of the devil via “The Lie.” Christ totally died to
self and was led by the Spirit (Is 11:2-5, Lk 4:1, 1 Tim 3:16). It’s like
this: Adam sought the flesh (self) and brought death into the world; Jesus
gave-up the flesh (self on a cross – the flesh is accursed hanging on a
tree, Deut 21:22-23, Acts 5:30, 10:39, Gal 3:13, 1 Pt 2:24) and brought
life into the world (opposites, Jn 6:51). The devil tempted man in the
garden of Eden and man sinned (Gen 3:11-13). The devil tempted Christ
in the wilderness and Jesus did not sin (Mt 4:1-11, Lk 4:1-13). Jesus,
having lived the perfect life (no transgression, no iniquity, no rebellion, Jn
8:46, Heb 4:15, 1 Pt 2:22), then became the only qualified sacrifice to
atone for man’s transgression (Rm 5:19). Jesus was obedient unto the
death, even the death of the cross (Php 2:8). Galatians 1:4, “Who gave
himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world,
according to the will of God and our Father.” Christ would restore that
which was lost (Ps 69:4). Psalms 23:3, “He restorethmy soul: he leadeth
me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Colossians 1:20,
“And, having made peace (between God and man) through the blood of
his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say,
whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” So, Christ laid down
the path back to God and then justified those who would freely, sincerely,
lovingly and obediently (otherwise known as faith) “follow” Him. Jesus is
the only “Way” or “Path” back to God (Jn 11:25, 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Jn
5:11). Therefore: John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to
condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He
that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is
condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God (God’s only provision for reconciliation).” Jesus came
to “deliver us” from the rebellion. In other words, you cannot “follow”
Christ back to God unless you first forsake the rebellion, which is your
transgressions against God (the iniquity). This is known as repentance (Is
55:7, Mt 4:17). Those who repent have forgiveness through the blood of
Christ (Mk 14:24, Lk 22:20, Acts 20:28, Rm 3:25, Eph 1:7, 2:13, Col
1:14, Heb 13:12, 1 Jn 1:7, Rev 5:9). If you do not forsake that which you
are forgiven then forgiveness has no meaning. Therefore: Acts 3:26,
“Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you,
in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.” 1 John 3:5, “And ye
know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.”
Christ came to deliver you from the rebellion against God (2 Pt 1:4).
Matthew 1:21, “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his
name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Many desire
Christ’s salvation, but not so much the deliverance. They are willfully
ignorant (1 Cor 14:38) and prefer Jesus to justify them in their “own way”
(to give license), which is seeking self, and as such is rebellion and sin

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against God (what Jesus came to destroy). These prefer their darkness
and no freedom is necessarily desired (Jn 3:19). Jesus said: 1 John 3:8,
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the
beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might
destroy the works of the devil.” To continue to seek self and rebel defeats
the whole purpose of why Christ came. This is to reject the Deliverer –
God’s offer of reconciliation. Jesus told a group of men who believed on
Him, but didn’t want to be set free (Jn 8:31-59): John 8:44, “Ye are of
your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a
murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is
no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is
a liar, and the father of it.” Those who do not desire Christ’s deliverance
only want to continue in the nature of their father the devil. They want to
remain under his bondage and seek their selfish lusts. The devil spoke a
lie to man that you could transgress the will of God and seek your own will
and not die (Gen 3:4-5). This lie kills (Gen 2:17) and the devil is thus a
murderer. The devil was proved a liar by the death he brought into the
world. Satan said you would not die, but you do. Christ delivers from the
bondage of Satan (Eph 2:1-7). Hebrews 2:14-15, “Forasmuch then as the
children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took
part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the
power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of
death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Jesus came as a man
(flesh and blood) and lived a perfect life. Because of Christ’s perfect life,
He was not subject to the penalty of death – He never transgressed (Gen
2:17). Death had no hold on Jesus (Rm 6:9) and He rose again in the
flesh (and blood, Lk 24:39-40, Jn 20:20-27, 1 Jn 4:2-3, Acts 2:31). Jesus
destoyed the power of the devil for those who will “follow” Him. There are
only two paths. One leads to God through Christ; and the other leads
away from God through the lie (and bondage) of Satan. Jesus now states:
Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am
alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
 
What Does It Mean to be Delivered?
 
Ephesians 2:2-3, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course
of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (the devil, i.e.
Pharaoh, as Egypt), the spirit that now worketh in the children of
disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation (general
course of manners and behavior, deportment – manner of acting in
relation to the duties of life such as conduct and demeanor) in times
past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the
mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” We were
in bondage under the elements of the world until God sent His Son to
redeem us and also the Spirit of His Son into our hearts (Gal 4:3-6). Most
people equate the outcome of such deliverance to a new requirement to
“go to church” and do religious things. This is really not the case at all and
in so doing (what has become known as “church”) you may actually find

42
yourself in a “religious” bondage and still serving the flesh. The Lord
delivers us from iniquity, rebellion, idolatry, self seeking, man’s
requirements and transgression for the intent to now follow Christ in the
will of God (Gal 1:4, Jn 12:26). This means that you are reborn a new
man (2 Cor 5:17, Eph 4:24) with a heart toward God (His nature, Mt 5:8,
2 Cor 3:3, Heb 8:10) to walk in His will everyday (1 Jn 2:17, Mk 3:35, Lk
11:28). You keep Jesus’ commandments and walk in His love (Jn 14:15,
21, 15:10, 1 Jn 5:2-3, 2 Jn 1:6). This is accomplished by placing God
foremost in your daily life (First Great Commandment, Mt 22:37-38, Mk
12:30, Lk 10:27) and in all your decisions. The things of the world that
the flesh desires (bank accounts, possessions, career, lifestyle, personal
desire, religious security, etc.) no longer guide and rule your daily
decisions. You learn to surrender to God’s will and die to your “own will” in
all situations (Mt 16:24-25, Mk 8:34-35, Lk 9:23-24, 14:26-27, 33, Gal
2:20, 1 Pt 4:2). You have God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to lead, guide,
and teach you (Jn 14:26, 2 Tim 3:16, 1 Jn 2:27, Acts 5:32). You assemble
with like-minded believers who are also submitted to and following the
Spirit. This is a fellowship to encourage, exhort, and admonish each other
to go forward in the Lord – dying to the world – coming “out” of the world.
Its not about building buildings and picking names and adhering to
religious protocol (procedure, etiquette, set of rules, modus operandi).
The spirit leads and God’s will is defined in His Word – we just “follow.”
Salvation is accomplished through being “set apart” of God’s Spirit and
belief (walking in) of the truth (2 Thess 2:13). You conform to Christ’s
image as you walk as He walked in following (Jn 10:27) – in Jesus’ steps
(Rm 8:29, 2 Cor 3:18, 1 Pt 2:21, 1 Jn 2:6). The Spirit leads in paths of
righteousness for Christ’s name’s sake (Ps 23:3). Romans 8:14, “For as
many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (also Gal
5:18).” You no longer do the things which oppose God nor do you have
pleasure in such unrighteousness (1 Thess 5:22, 2 Thess 2:12, Rm 12:9,
1 Pt 2:11, 3:11). As you submit to God and conform to Christ you will
have great love for others (Second Great Commandment, Mt 22:39).
Doing these things is abiding in Christ and walking in faith (love,
obedience, trust, sacrifice, and submission to God). The bottom line is that
if your relationship with Christ does not tremendously impact your daily
life, then you need to: 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether
ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves,
how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” Haggai 1:5,
“Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” Jesus
is not your religion, Jesus is your life (Col 3:4, 1 Thess 3:8). Read the
Gospels and pay particular attention to how Christ lived – you are to
follow. Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
 
We must realize that throughout the centuries, man has always usurped
the authority of the Holy Spirit within a religious context to continue to
seek self. Man seeks to control and impose his will through his religiosity –
doctrines, traditions, and fear. This has resulted in all manner of evil.
There have been religious wars/crusades, inquisitions, reigns of terror,

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spiritual idolatry (worship of statues, paintings, crosses, icons, saints,
mothers, exhalted leaders, worldliness, etc.), tremendous divisions and all
manner of false doctrines and organizations. The religious world is
probably one of the most “confused” entities on earth. Confusion only
results when man lives outside the will of God – His eternal “truth.” Where
truth reigns, there is righteousness and judgment.
 
God Sends Moses to Egypt
 
Exodus 4:18-20, 24-26, “And Moses went and returned to Jethro his
father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto
my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And
Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace. And the LORD said unto Moses in
Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy
life. And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and
he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his
hand. And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him,
and sought to kill him. Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the
foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody
husband art thou to me. So he let him go: then she said, A bloody
husband thou art, because of the circumcision.” Moses was required as
part of the covenant with Abraham to circumcise the males of his
household. Genesis 17:10-11, 14, “This is my covenant, which ye shall
keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child
among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your
foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And
the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised,
that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.”
Moses had not fully complied with the terms of Abraham’s covenant
(agreement) with God, most likely due to his wife’s resistance. The Lord
rightfully expects that His covenants be obeyed fully. Obedience to God is
what distinguishes those of faith from those of unbelief. There is ample
reason to believe that Moses’ wife was less than enthusiastic about
Abraham’s faith in his God. Zipporah’s father was a priest of Midian (Ex
2:16, 3:1). She had not been raised under the covenant of Moses’ God
and most likely did not consider it to apply to her or her sons. There is
also good reason to believe that Zipporah and Moses parted for a time
after this incident. Moses went to Egypt and she and his sons back to her
father. Moses father in law later brings Zipporah and Moses’ sons to him
(Ex 18:5). There was also a later contention between Moses and his
siblings (Aaron and Miriam, Num 12:1) over this Ethiopian wife (discussed
in Chapter Four). The point of this is that when God calls, sometimes
family can be the biggest hindrance. Our families exert a tremendous
influence upon us and the devil will use that to cause dissention to deter
(hinder, obstuct, thwart) God’s purposes in our lives. Perhaps Moses did
not insist on the circumcision of his son due to his wife’s protest, yet this
became a stumblingstone in his relationship with God (Hos 14:9).
Regardless of any potential family disagreements, Moses did proceed on

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to Egypt to perform the Lord’s direction. We must all consider that when
we truly commit to serve the Lord that there will be resistance to our new
found faith. Jesus said: Matthew 10:34-38, “Think not that I am come to
send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am
come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter
against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father
or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or
daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his
cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” What the Lord is
saying is within a given household there will be those who seek the Spirit
and those who seek the flesh. Since the two are opposed to one another
this will cause contention (argument, disagreement, conflict, strife,
controversy). Others may not be so thrilled with your new found devotion
to God and loved ones may become your foes (opponent, antagonist,
rival). The Lord is telling us that we must always place Him foremost in
our lives even if it causes us difficulties. Some have to leave homes,
families and children in service to the Lord (Mk 10:29-30, Lk 18:29-30).
Taking up the cross is dying to self and following is new life in Christ. We
are required to walk in faith, placing our complete trust in God. When we
seek the Lord first, all these other things are taken care of in God’s timing
according to our faith. Moses’ wife and sons were later restored to him
after he first went forth in obedience to the Lord. Our interaction with
others must be based upon our relationship with God. These relationships
cannot be based upon that which opposes God (seeking the lusts of the
flesh). To capitulate (cede, relent, yield, surrender, give up) to family or
others due to difficulties for the flesh is to deny Christ. This is placing the
will of man over the will of God. Therefore, if you have recently
surrendered your life to Christ, then expect some difficulties in the flesh.
Be strong in your new found faith and place your trust and confidence in
Jesus. Christ is where your hope is (and that of your family).
 
Summary
 
The children of Israel were chosen of God and they worshipped the Lord.
They went down to Egypt to sojourn for a time and became enslaved in
great bondage. Egypt represented the transgression of God’s will, pride
(self exaltation), rebellion and the resulting wickedness, idolatry, iniquity
(sin), stubbornness, worldliness, filthiness, and fleshly lusts. Man is in
great bondage to these things with no way to free himself. Pharaoh is
symbolic of Satan or the devil. Pharaoh enslaved the children of Israel
through his subtilty (craftiness, slyness deviousness, deceitfulness). This
is representative of the devil beguiling Eve (and thus all men) with his
“lie” that proposed you could transgress the will of God and not die (eat
the forbidden fruit – “ye shall not surely die,” and “ye as be as gods,” Gen
3:4-5). Through this lie man chose to submit to the devil rather than God
and to seek self rather than surrender to God’s authority. Satan is a hard
task master who rules through bondage, suffering and death. Man now

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serves the flesh (self, has the character and nature of the devil, Jn 8:44).
The devil enslaved man into his confusion, bondage, rebellion and death.
Man had no way to deliver himself. The children of Israel were poor in
spirit and mourned greatly in their fallen condition, They realized their
inability to save themselves and cried out to the Lord of their salvation.
Psalms 86:5, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and
plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” The children of
Israel looked to God for their hope. Psalms 130:7, “Let Israel hope in the
LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous
redemption (also Ps 103:8).” God sent Moses as a deliverer to bring the
children of Israel out of Egypt (redeem) and back to Himself. Thou calledst
in trouble, and I delivered thee (Ps 81:7). Consider God’s purpose: Psalms
102:20, “To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are
appointed to death (also Ps 146:7).” We are all facing a death sentence
for our transgressions: “thou shaly surely die (Gen 2:17).” Man submitted
to the devil’s lie and was taken captive. Our transgressions will produce
death. God is merciful to those who return and surrender in love seeking
His mercy and pardon (forgiveness, Ps 103:11). In order to redeem Israel,
Moses had to face the strong will and strength of Pharaoh (representative
of Satan). Psalms 106:10, “And he saved them from the hand of him that
hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy (also Ps
107:1-2).” Moses was weak, but through God he became as a god before
Pharaoh. Moses was a foreshadowing of Christ. Jesus came as God’s
deliverer to destroy the works of the devil (resultant from the lie) and lead
those who will follow (whosoever will) Him back to God (1 Jn 3:8). Jesus
became weak to the flesh, but mighty in Spirit. Moses came speaking
God’s Words and performing God’s works (miracles). Similarly, Jesus
came speaking God’s Words and performing God’s works. Moses and
Jesus lived selfless lives with full devotion to God and His purposes. The
path to God and His Promised Land leads through the wilderness where
the things of Egypt (the flesh) must be destroyed and man must lovingly,
humbly, and obediently submit to the will of God. Putting God first in your
life is faith. Placing God foremost in everything and all the time is “walking
in faith.” Jesus took the path of the cross which equates with the path
through the wilderness. The cross is death to self (old way, leaving Egypt)
and new life (resurrected, born again, new creature, Jn 3:3, Rm 6:4,
8:11, 1 Cor 15:52, 2 Cor 5:17, Gal 6:15, Eph 2:6) in Christ. 1 Corinthians
6:14, “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by
his own power.” Those who identify with Christ will follow Him in denying
themselves in love for another (sacrifice – to God and neighbor), taking
up their crosses (death to self) and following (new life and going back to
God, reconciliation) – Mt 16:24-25, Mk 8:34-35, 10:21, Lk 9:23-24. God
redeemed Christ from the grave and so it will be with those who follow.
Psalms 49:15, “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave:
for he shall receive me. Selah.”
 
 

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Chapter Two – God’s Judgment, Let My People Go
 
God raised up His deliverer (Moses) and sent him into and evil, rebellious
nation that was full of idolatry (serving things that have been exalted
above God) for the purpose of bringing His people out. The children of
Israel were a chosen people of God based upon faith (of Abraham). God
made a covenant (solemn agreement), with promises, based upon the
faith of one man (Gal 3:7-8). Galatians 3:9, “So then they which be of
faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” Similarly, Christ came into an
evil, rebellious world that is full of idolatry (exalting all things above God)
for the purpose of bringing God’s people out (those who will leave the
rebellion and submit to Christ as Lord). Galatians 1:4-5, “Who gave
himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world,
according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever
and ever. Amen.” The Lord chooses His people based upon faith (and in
no way upon the flesh). God hath redeemed us that the blessing of
Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might
receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Gal 3:13-14). James 2:5,
“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this
world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to
them that love him?” One can only “follow” Christ through faith – the flesh
is excluded! The flesh is a mighty (great, enormous, immense, powerful,
forceful) hindrance! – a stumbling stone (that which causes to err). Please
consider the depth of those last statements. Satan appealed to man
through the flesh. Rebellious man serves the lusts of the flesh in seeking
his way. God appeals to man through the spirit which denies the flesh
(bypasses). Redeemed man serves God by faith in seeking the Lord’s will.
One will live his life according to the flesh or according to the spirit.
Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil
the lust of the flesh.” Those (i.e. religious) who are seeking God through
fleshly means have been blinded by the god/prince of this world (2 Cor
4:4, Eph 2:2). Satan blinds through manipulation, deception and allures
(appeals, temptations, enticements, attractions) to the flesh to keep one
from finding (or desiring) the redemption that God has provided.
 
“I” Know Not the Lord
 
Exodus 5:1-2, “And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh,
Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold
a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD,
that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither
will I let Israel go.” Pharaoh represents pride and the seeking of self and
all those things that oppose God (self-centered will). The wicked, through
the pride of his countenance (demeanor, superficial appearance), will not
seek after God (Ps 10:4). He makes the statement that he does not know
God (I know not the Lord). This is so completely true. Everyone who
follows this self-centered nature does not know God, neither can they
comprehend Him. How can one know that which is diametric (exact

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opposite, contrary) of the corrupted nature they embrace and serve? “I”
serves “ME” (self) and not “THEE” (God). You can even be a very religious
man, but have no knowledge of God, due to a life (actions) that opposes
God. Those who are self seeking will always make the statement, “Who is
the Lord that I should obey His voice?” Generally, this statement is
expressed in one’s actions. This statement of heart can be applied to so
many daily things in one’s life. For instance (from the earlier example of
idolatry), when one sits in front of the television idol, taking pleasure in
unrighteousness, they are essentially saying who is the Lord that I should
obey Him. They say there is no harm in the things portrayed on the
television, nor my devotion to it, which is the equivalent of saying: “I
know not the Lord or His ways.” Perhaps this is ignorance or rather
defiance through pride (self exaltation)? The religious man (those seeking
God through the flesh) may spend quite a bit of time justifying why the
Word of the Lord does not apply to him in a given situation or repetitive
activity. Justification of that which is contrary to God’s will (as revealed in
His Word) is “not knowing God” and is being froward. The “justification”
becomes your own blindness to the truth (rejection of). God may answer
such a one according to the multitude of his idolatries (Ez 14:4). In other
words, when you seek God’s approval of your idolatry, He just confirms
back your own error because you have no use for His truth (e.g. 1 Kgs
22:22). This becomes your own stumblingblock (cause of error) – of your
iniquity (Ez 14:7). Pharaoh rules the people of Egypt (his subjects) by his
strong arm and refuses to submit to God. Similarly, the devil rules over
fallen man and a rebellious world (Lk 4:5-7) and refused to submit to God.
The devil renounced God’s will and sought his own. Man (through the
devil’s beguiling) renounced God’s will and sought his own (Is 14:13-14).
Man disobeyed God in Eden and obeyed the devil (that which opposes
God). Man rebelled against God (exalted himself) and submitted to the
devil. Man rejected God’s nature and chose the devil’s nature, which is the
nature of “I.” Man is now ruled by the fleshly lusts that he followed in
seeking Satan and self. These lusts are a great bondage and servitude and
the end is death. The Lord is “life,” so to live that which is opposite of
God must be “death.” God cursed the serpent and put enmity (hostility,
hatred) between the devil and man (Gen 3:15). Thus, Satan and man are
both in rebellion to God, but they are not united in their rebellion. Pharaoh
was a cruel ruler and sought to destroy the Hebrews through his subtility
– he killed their young. The devil is a cruel lord and seeks to destroy man
through his subtility – he also kills the young (child sacrifice in pagans and
Israel, abortion today, all to seek self). The devil has the power of death
and destroys man through death (Heb 2:14-15). Death results from
continuing in your transgressions (rebellion) against God. The devil lures
man to seek his own will (allures/entices/tempts through the lusts of the
flesh, 2 Pt 2:18) and thereby continue in the rebellion which ends in
death. The devil promised liberty (ye shall be as gods, Gen 3:5), but put
man in bondage as servents of corruption (2 Pt 2:19) and produced death.
Disobedience to Godalways ends in death. God is the giver of life and
there is no life apart from Him. The devil snares (entraps, entangles,

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brings into evil and perplexity) and takes captive (2 Tim 2:26). Satan
keeps you in bondage as an enemy of God – corrupted and unfit for the
Lord’s use (2 Pt 2:19). Consider that “The Lie” the devil used to gain
man’s submission was, “ye shall not surely die (Gen 3:4)” Well you do die
and now the devil uses death to eternally separate you from God. The
opposite of truth is a lie. Lies compete with, challenge, confuse and rebel
against the truth. Herein is great wisdom: You must die now to the things
of the flesh (forsake the sin and rebellion) so that you may live eternally
in Christ. You must live the opposite of this fallen nature and ways of this
fallen world. For if you find your life (in the flesh, your way/will) then you
will lose it eternally; but if you lose your life now (forsake self and the
things of the world) for Christ’s sake, you will find it eternally (Mt 10:39,
16:25, Mk 8:35, Lk 9:24, 17:33, Jn 12:25). What this means is that you
no longer submit to the devil’s rebellion which is sustained through the
lusts of the flesh. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist
the devil, and he will flee from you.” You must “come out” of the world
(Egypt) and submit to God – be the true “church” of Christ. You cannot
come out on your own because of the bondage and strong arm of the devil
(Pharaoh) and your own corruptness. You need a deliverer! Praise God, He
has sent one! Jesus Christ came saying, “Let My people go!” God delivers
us from the power of darkness and translates us into the kingdom of His
dear Son (Jesus, Col 1:13). Acts 26:18, “To open their eyes, and to turn
them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that
they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which
are sanctified (set apart – not like the world) by faith that is in me.” Christ
has abolished death and brought life through His gospel (2 Tim 1:10).
Through Christ, you are redeemed and the prince of the world is judged
(Jn 12:31-33, 16:11, Ps 34:22). Jesus has prepared the way back to God.
Christ leads us out of the bondage and back to God. John 12:26, “If any
man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my
servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Your desire
must be that God will tear down and destroy anything in you that exalts
itself above the Lord’s will. The rebellion must end! Anything in your life
that exalts itself above the Lord’s will engenders (brings about, causes)
bondage and produces separation (enmity). Isaiah 59:2, “But your
iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have
hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Jesus came to free you from
those things, but you must desire the freedom (Rm 11:27). Recall from
Chapter One that the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord due to their
great bondage. They desired the freedom. We must also cry out to God
due to our bondages and truly seek the freedom. Once free from those
things which oppose God’s rule in your life, then you can begin to be
reconciled with the Lord (2 Cor 5:19). Only those submitted to Jesus
through faith will be reconciled at the end of a walk through the
wilderness (walk as He walked – Col 2:6-8, life of faith, path of the cross,
narrow way, etc.). The wilderness will humble one and destroy the things
of the flesh. You are delivered unto death (to self) such that the life of
Christ be manifested in you (2 Cor 4:11). For if one died for all (Jesus

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died for us, 2 Cor 5:21), then we are all dead to self and the things of
Egypt(2 Cor 5:14-15). Deuteronomy 7:8-10, “But because the LORD loved
you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your
fathers (through a covenant of faith), hath the LORD brought you out with
a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the
hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he
is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them
that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will
not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.” Isaiah
43:1, “But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he
that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have
called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” The Lord has come to deliver
those children of the promise out of bondage. These are those of faith that
are blessed with faithful Abraham (Gal 3:9). The devil and all those who
are submitted to him in his rebellion (that hateth God) will be repayed by
God to their face. Woe to the rebellious! What a dreadful day that will be.
 
Increasing the Burden
 
Exodus 5:4-9, “And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye,
Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your
burdens. And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many,
and ye make them rest from their burdens. And Pharaoh commanded the
same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, Ye
shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them
go and gather straw for themselves. And the tale of the bricks, which they
did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought
thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and
sacrifice to our God. Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they
may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.” Pharaoh is
defiant toward God and refuses to let the people go. Pharaoh (the devil)
tries to keep the people’s minds and hearts off of God through his
bondage (temptations, enticements and resulting addictions and
lifestyles). The devil exerts a restless burden and adds to it. Satan does
not want you to seek God, but rather stay in bondage. Pharaoh keeps
their minds on the things of Egypt and thus off of God. Similarly, the devil
keeps our minds off of God through the seeking of self through our own
lusts. These lusts become the bondages that keep us in his rigorous
service and then the devil adds to these bondages. The devil is concerned
that if you are “idle” with regards to Egypt (idolatry, self seeking, iniquity,
etc.) then your heart may lean or soften toward God – that you will serve
God in the wilderness (die to the things of Egypt). Jesus said: Matthew
11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am
meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my
yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Rebellious man labors under a
heavy burden and the wages are death (Rm 6:16-23). Pharaoh offered

50
the Hebrews a life of burdens and toil with the end result of death. There
was just enough contentment along the way to keep them in line. For of
whom/what a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage (2
Pt 2:19). Jesus sets the captives free, gives sight to the blind (deceived)
and brings true liberty (Lk 4:18, Rm 6:18, 22, 8:2). God does not want
you to be in bondage (bondmen, Lev 26:13). John 8:34-36, “Jesus
answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin
is the servant of sin (in bonds). And the servant abideth not in the house
for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you
free, ye shall be free indeed.” Christ’s yoke is light. We humbly submit to
Jesus sincerely with a heart of love and follow Him obediently as led by
His Spirit. If you are living in faith (walking in obedience, seeking first His
kingdom) for Jesus’ purposes then He knows you by name (Jn 10:3, 14,
27); manifests Himself to you (Jn 14:27); makes His abode (dwelling)
with you (Jn 14:23, 1 Cor 6:19, Ps 23:6); provides for your needs (Ps
23:1-2, 5, Mt 6:33, Jn 10:9); provides security (Ps 23:4, Jn 10:11, 15);
heals (Mt 12:15, 14:14, 19:2, Mk 6:13, Lk 6:19, 9:11, Acts 10:38); and
hears your prayers (Pv 15:29, Jn 9:31, 15:7, 1 Pt 3:12, 1 Jn 3:22, 5:14).
Therefore, when we come back under God’s authority and things are
restored to right order, our relationship with God becomes as it was
before the fall in Eden when God provided for all of man’s needs. God
provides, but does not accommodate the lusts of the flesh (patience,
trust). Whenever one truly desires to serve the Lord and be free of
bondage, the devil (Pharaoh) will increase the burden and bring pressure
to bear – and will add to it. You must be stedfast in your resolve and the
Lord’s deliverance will come – patience (Heb 3:14). 1 Thessalonians 3:8,
“For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.” One only finds place in God
when your heart is determined to serve Him – you will be tested. The
world (all those things that oppose God) will seek to retain its own. God
allows a certain amount of pressure to come to bear to test your resolve
to serve Him (1 Thess 2:4). When we become weak and realize our
helplessness, then God will show Himself strong (2 Cor 12:9). God says,
By My strong arm will I deliver my people (Ex 6:1, Jer 32:21). Exodus
6:6-7, “Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I
will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid
you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm,
and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I
will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your
God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians (i.e.
the world, sin, rebellion, transgression, the devil).” Be strong! Submit to
God, Resist the devil (Pharaoh) and he will depart (Js 4:7). All Egypt is
guilty of the bondage and burdens placed upon God’s people. God says to
His people: Psalms 55:22, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall
sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
 
No Way Out?
 

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Exodus 5:15-18, “Then the officers of the children of Israel came and
cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy
servants? There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us,
Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine
own people. But he said,Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us
go and do sacrifice to the LORD. Go therefore now, and work; for there
shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.”
Pharaoh is strong, prideful, arrogant and haughty. Consider Pharaoh’s
defiance of God: The Lord says, “Let My people go;” Pharaoh not only
refuses to release them, but adds to their bondage. Those in rebellion to
God will surely seek to do that opposite and opposed to Him. Those who
desire to serve God will not do so without resistance. Satan often sets
circumstances (using your lust driven choices) such that it seems there is
no way out and seeking release only seems to make things worse. None
may leave except through God’s mighty deliverance. Exodus 6:1, “Then
the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh:
for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall
he drive them out of his land.” The Lord thy God is mighty God and
terrible and we are not to be affrighted (Deut 7:21). Psalms 95:3, “For the
LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Deuteronomy
10:17, “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great
God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh
reward.” God is looking for movement on your part – an
acknowledgement of wrongs and your need for Him. We must cry out for
our deliverer and then be prepared to forsake Egypt (iniquity, idolatry,
rebellion, wickedness, the world). Surrender to God and then wait upon
the Lord (Is 55:7, Ez 18:21, 33:11, 14-15, 19, Dan 9:13).
 
Exodus 6:2-8, “And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the
LORD: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the
name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to
them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them
the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were
strangers. And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel,
whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my
covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I
will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid
you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm,
and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I
will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God,
which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I
will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it
to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage:
I am the LORD.” God calls us out of Egypt (the world) by a covenant of
faith to be His own. The Lord honors His promises. God’s people are poor
in spirit and mourn crying out to the Lord. We must groan and grieve over
our lost and hopeless (despondent, miserable, despair, discouraging,
impossible) condition and that which goes on around us (evil, wickedness

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and rebellion) and seek God’s authority over us and desire to dwell in the
Lord’s dominion. This is the opposite of what transpired in Eden. We must
now see the evil that our disobedience to God has wrought and the
bondage and toil it has engendered (produced, brought about). We must
see that “our way” (through the flesh) leads to misery and death (Rm
3:16). We now must renounce and forsake that which we transgressed
God’s will to obtain, which is the seeking of our own way. Psalms 44:25-
26, “For our soul is bowed down to the dust: our belly cleaveth unto the
earth. Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies’ sake.” God then
wrenches us away from the serpent. When we come to such a place of
seeing our absolute need, then God will show Himself strong on our
behalf, but for His glory. We must realize that to come unto God, we must
be sincere and forsake Egypt (that which is familiar). To come back under
God’s authority is to renounce your own or any other. We leave the old
land and way of life (our old nature and mannerisms) and journey to the
new land and authority (take on God’s nature and become transformed
along the journey). You cannot completely submit to God until you have
torn down and destroyed your old life which opposes Him and exalts itself
against the Lord’s purposes. God reveals intimacy concerning Himself to
those who will follow (His name - JEHOVAH). Notice that God will take you
from the servitude of another. Psalms 34:22, “The LORD redeemeth the
soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.”
God brings us out of burdens, rids our bondage and redeems us so that
He becomes our God. You are no longer your own (authority, 1 Cor 6:19),
but now surrender totally to God’s authority. 1 Corinthians 6:20, “For ye
are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your
spirit, which are God’s.” You no longer serve self or men (i.e. Pharaoh). 1
Corinthians 7:23, “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of
men.” God is a great Lord to those who are His – let us be sincere and
genuine in our service!
 
By God’s Authority
 
Exodus 6:10-11, 13, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Go in,
speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out
of his land. And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave
them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt,
to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.” God gave the
commission for Moses to be the deliverer of His people out of the land
(authority and domain) of Pharaoh. Aaron was to be Moses’ spokesman;
God would speak to Moses and Moses would tell Aaron what to say to
Pharaoh (Ex 4:10-16). Exodus 7:1, “And the LORD said unto Moses, See,
I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy
prophet.” God gave the task and the authority to complete the task. The
Lord always equips those whom He calls. God spoke His Words through
Moses and performed miracles by Moses’ hands. Moses was as a god to
Pharaoh. God works through our faith to accomplish His will and purposes.
The Lord requires our submission and obedience. To serve God is to

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oppose the devil (Pharaoh) and his rebellion against God. The devil is full
of fury (great wrath) because he knows his time is short (Rev
12:12). Exodus 7:2-6, “Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and
Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of
Israel out of his land. And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my
signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. But Pharaoh shall not hearken
unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine
armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by
great judgments. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when
I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel
from among them. And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded
them, so did they.” When God hardens one’s heart, He withdraws the
Spirit’s influence in their life. This leaves one to pursue his own corrupt
inclinations (proclivity, selfish way) unconstrained (not restricted, not
hindered). To have a hardened heart is to be obstinate (stiffnecked,
stubborn, pertinacious) and unyielding when seeking one’s desire or will.
God just gives Pharaoh over to his own desires. Pharaoh possesses the
strength and glory of the world (Egypt) and is set against God’s purposes.
The Lord is bringing judgment upon the wickedness of Egypt and will
reveal His strength for the Egyptians and all the world to behold. The Lord
will multiply His signs and wonders to tear down everything of Satan and
that which rebellious man has put his trust in. Through this, God will
receive due glory and honor. Pharaoh desires to control that which is
God’s – to exalt himself (lofty). Man is God’s creation and the devil went
to man in deceit and craftiness to gain such control. The devil corrupted
man and controls him through lusts and bondage. Man’s transgression
brought separation from God (Is 59:2). The devil knows that
transgressing God’s will makes one an enemy of God and brings about
separation. Thus, Satan seeks to control that which is God’s through
transgression, and the resulting enmity and separation make those
rebellious ones his. God gives Moses the Words which say: “let My people
go,” and Moses is just to obediently speaks them to Pharaoh. God never
put a prophet or His Son in the position of determining the course of
action. All they had to do was obediently “follow” His direction. They were
always to speak the Words God gave them. When one comes with their
own ideas, ways, doctrines, and words, they are following the rebellious
flesh and not God’s Spirit. This is the tremendous problem in the religious
world today! One of the most virtuous (righteous, worthy) and noteworthy
statements made in the preceeding scriptures is: “as the Lord commanded
them, so did they.” Our love, trust and obedience (faith) is really the only
thing we have of any value to offer God. You simply have nothing else
that is really yours to give. If you believe that you do possess anything
else, try taking it with you when you die (as the Egyptians did). If you
have love, trust and obedience, this will follow you back to God.
Conversely, if you have self seeking, unbelief and rebellion, this to will
follow you beyond the grave like a millstone hanged about the neck and
great chains for your utter shame. Remember in Eden, as the Lord
commanded, Adam did not. This has caused great trouble and untold

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suffering in the world. Countless individuals have followed Adam’s
rebellion. If we are ever to be reconciled back to God, we must obey. The
opposite of obedience is rebellion. To not obey God is to walk in rebellion,
and this is as the sin of witchcraft (1 Sam 15:22-23). Witchcraft is
intimacy with the devil. Satan is the king of disobedience and thus
rebellion is as familiarity and closeness (understanding) with the devil. Of
course there is no love with Satan (only hatred and subterfuge) and this is
only in the sense of identification with his corrupt nature. Jesus came and
lived in perfect obedience to the Father. Christ said, “the prince of this
world hath nothing in me” (Jn 14:30). Satan had no hold or rebellion in
Jesus because Christ totally obeyed the Father. Jesus had no identification
with the nature of Satan. Moses fled Egypt in weakness under threat of
death (Ex 2:14-15). Moses returns under the strength of God (for the
Lord’s purposes) bringing life to his people and death and destruction to
Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Moses in his meekness is made superior to
Pharaoh through faith in God to accomplish the Lord’s purposes. When we
surrender to Jesus, we are given power and authority over all devils (in
our humbleness) in order to accomplish the Lord’s purposes (Mt 10:1, Mk
3:15, 6:7, 16:18, Lk 9:1). Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give unto you power to
tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy:
and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Moses had no strength or
ability of his own and his strength was only found in obedience to God.
When Moses obeyed God, mighty Words and Works came forth and all
were amazed.
 
God’s Judgment Upon Egypt
 
The Lord sends Moses unto Pharaoh with His message. Before each
judgment, God tells Pharaoh to: “let My people go.” The Lord then reveals
what will happen if Pharaoh does not comply. Pharaoh is given a choice
and his own disobedience to the edict of God brings wrath upon himself
and his kingdom – he chooses his own misery. Each incidence of failure to
comply (disobedience) with God’s purposes brings an additional judgment.
Similarly, God has given every man a choice to make: “choose whom ye
will serve.” The Lord has mercifully provided a way (through Christ) for
man to come back under His authority. Disobedience to God, through your
own choice, procures wrath. Your own choice will determine your ultimate
judgment. Your own words and actions will be your eventual
condemnation - as judged by God’s Word. In other words, your opinions
and sentiments and the resulting actions (a life lived) will be judged
against the Words Christ spoke and God’s Word shall prevail. John 12:48,
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth
him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last
day.” Whose Word will prevail in your life? Let us consider how Pharaoh in
his pride (exalting of self) held up in his stubborn refusal to yield to God.
Exodus 7:8-13, “And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then
thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it

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shall become a serpent. And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and
they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod
before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then
Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of
Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast
down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod
swallowed up their rods. And he hardened Pharaoh’s heart, that he
hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.” The devil came to man
in Eden, in the form of a serpent, and corrupted man and took him for his
own (into bondage). God comes to Pharaoh (representative of Satan) with
a familiar serpent saying give back that which is mine – release My people
from your bondage (Job 26:13). The asp (or Egyptian cobra) was
worshipped by the Egyptians and was the symbol on the crown of Pharaoh
(his crowning glory). No doubt, Aaron’s rod turned into an “asp,” and in
front of Pharaoh. The magicians and sorcerers duplicated this wonder with
their enchantments (through those devilish practices which God forbids, 2
Kgs 17:17). God has since revealed His displeasure with such:
Deuteronomy 18:10-12, “There shall not be found among you any one
that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth
divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a
charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a
necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the
LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive
them out from before thee.” This feat by the magicians and sorcerers is
after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders (2
Thess 2:9). The purpose of these lying signs is to seduce Pharaoh’s
servants and lead them away from obedience to God (Mk 13:22-23). To
seduce is to draw aside from a path of rectitude (uprightness of mind,
conformity to truth, moral conduct as prescribed by God); to tempt and
lead to iniquity; to corrupt; to deprave. We are told elsewhere in God’s
Word: 2 Timothy 3:8, “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so
do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning
the faith.” It is believed that Jannes and Jambres (mentioned only once in
scripture) were the Egyptian Princes over the sorcerers (through history –
Hebrew writers, not scripture). This seems to fit the account well. In any
case the scriptural point is that men of corrupt minds (on the creation
rather than the Creator) and reprobate (lost in sin and error) concerning
faith will always resist God’s will. These workers of evil opposed God with
their charms (so do those who seek after such). They tried to neutralize
Moses’ and Aaron’s authority as being from God by duplicating their signs
and reinforce the authority of Pharaoh (who defies God). However,
Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods proving who is the supreme authority.
God used the serpent to consume Pharaoh’s power and authority right
before his eyes. Pharaoh’s trust was in the serpent god which was the seal
of his crown. God destroyed such confidence before his very eyes. Even
so, he was adamant (unyielding, immoveable, resolute, unbending) in
pridefully seeking his will above all else. Recall from Chapter One
(Understanding God’s Plan) that God put enmity between Pharaoh (i.e.

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the serpent, Gen 3:15) and the Hebrews (i.e. man, Gen 3:15) by bringing
them into bondage to preserve their identity (for later deliverance). It is
important to note that God says sorcerers and idolaters will have their
part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the
second death (Rev 21:8). Wizards, magicians, and witches are very
popular in today’s culture. Many who “profess Christ” allow (and
encourage) their children to fill their minds with such (i.e. Harry Potter,
Lord of the Rings, Goosebumps, etc.) and in doing so reveal that they do
not “know” the Lord which they claim to serve. The devil works through
such abominations to take the hearts of many into his bondage and
servitude. What is innocent in the eyes of man is “forbidden fruit”
according to God. Rebellious man will always reach for that fruit which is
forbidden (as enticed by the ways of the devil). The devil always says, “ye
shall not surely die” (Gen 3:4) – its innocent; fun make believe; using
your imagination; we know its not real; everybody’s doing it; our religious
organization says its OK; that’s not what we meant by it; etc.
Transgression (and disregard) for God’s will (however justified) has only
one reality – “thou shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17, Ez 33:14). Your fleshly
“opinion” and “sentiment” will always lead to forbidden (yet poisonous)
fruit. Where does walking after the imaginations of your own heart always
lead (Jer 3:17, 7:24, 9:14, 11:7-8, 13:10, 16:12, 18:11-12, 23:17)? –
It’s a path away from truth and God.
 
River Turned to Blood
 
Exodus 7:14-16, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is
hardened, he refuseth to let the people go. Get thee unto Pharaoh in the
morning; lo, he goeth out unto the water; and thou shalt stand by the
river’s brink against he come; and the rod which was turned to a serpent
shalt thou take in thine hand. And thou shalt say unto him, The LORD God
of the Hebrews hath sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go, that
they may serve me in the wilderness: and, behold, hitherto thou wouldest
not hear.” Pharaoh continues to seek his will, yet God’s message is
unyielding, “Let my people go.” Notice that God wants to be worshipped in
the wilderness. You cannot worship God in the midst of Egypt – you must
“come out” of such evil (2 Cor 6:17, Rev 18:4). God will not become a
part of your idolatry and seeking of the things of the flesh. God will not
simply become a part of your already established life. God must become
your entire life – a new life with a new heart (nature). Egypt must be
forsaken and abandoned. Your old ways must be left behind. God calls us
out of Egypt (and all it represents) and we become the redeemed or the
church (ekklesia – called out ones). Do not presume that you can serve
Pharaoh and God. Pharaoh is greatly opposed to God as is Egypt (i.e. the
world). The wilderness is not a place for the flesh, but is very conducive
(advantageous, helpful, contributing) to faith and trust in the Lord. God
has come to deliver those who will “follow.” Exodus 7:17-20, “Thus saith
the LORD, In this thou shalt know that I am the LORD: behold, I will smite
with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river,

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and they shall be turned to blood. And the fish that is in the river shall die,
and the river shall stink; and the Egyptians shall lothe to drink of the
water of the river. And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take
thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their
streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools
of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood
throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of
stone. And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he
lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight
of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were
in the river were turned to blood.” The Egyptians greatly depended on the
Nile river for food (fish), water and irrigation. They worshipped a Nile river
god and considered the river to be a source of life. God destroys their
confidence in such things and exalts Himself as supreme. Psalms 78:44,
“And had turned their rivers into blood; and their floods, that they could
not drink.” The fish died and stank and the waters turned to blood for
seven days (Ex 7:21, 24-25). Thus the Nile river god becomes a dead
stinking savor (smell, aroma) before the Egyptians. Recall that Pharaoh
had charged all his people, saying, Every Hebrew son that is born ye shall
cast into the Nile river (Ex 1:22). This blood has come back upon this
wicked and evil people. For they have shed the blood of God’s people and
He gives them blood to drink from this river of death - for they are worthy
(Rev 16:6). Notice again that Moses and Aaron did as they were
commanded: “did so, as the LORD commanded” (Ex 7:20). God’s only
requirement from Moses was his obedience. God did everything else.
Moses had no ability to do this great miracle (Ex 6:30). His strength was
in his obedience to God. Our strength is in our obedience to Jesus. We
love Christ by obeying His commandments and thus follow and have life in
Him (Jn 14:15, 21, 23, 15:10, 2 Thess 2:18, 1 Jn 2:3-5, 3:24, 5:2, 2 Jn
1:6, Rev 22:14). Pharaoh’s magicians and sorcerers again imitate the
things of God to hinder the Lord’s purposes and strengthen the resolve of
Pharaoh (Ex 7:22). Thus Pharaoh turned and went to his house and had
no heart to yield to God (Ex 7:13). False prophets will always come
mimicking the things of God in order to deceive and mislead the people. 2
Corinthians 11:14-15, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed
into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be
according to their works.” The devil presents himself as light, yet he is full
of darkness. Those who serve him will come in great deception,
pretending to be righteous, yet be full of iniquity. 2 Corinthians 11:13,
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves
into the apostles of Christ.” These will come in sheep’s clothing, but
inwardly they are ravening wolves (Mt 7:15). In other words, they will
outwardly appear to be followers of Christ, but inwardly they will be full of
evil. A false prophet will always have some version of the devil’s original
lie which proposed you could sin against God and not die. These will
justify or compromise transgression against God and will lead you away
from Him. They will not stress the seriousness of sin and will play down

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obedience, righteousness, and holiness. False prophets will uphold the
rebellious nature of the flesh and lead away from God, done very subtly
and cleaverly (in a religious way). Their gospel will always accommodate
the flesh with little denial, sacrifice or death to it (2 Pt 2:18, Jude 1:16).
They will stress mercy, forgiveness, salvation as a free gift (with no godly
expectations), and grace in terms of allowance for continuance in
transgression and iniquity. They will turn forgiveness and grace into
license (Jude 1:4). They will say, “ye shall not surely die” (Gen 3:4).
These will profess Jesus and be very religious – beware! Matthew 7:20,
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” The forbidden tree in Eden
had poisonous fruit – but it was so pleasant to the fleshly eyes – to be
desired (Gen 3:6). You must understand this: to compromise with the
world is to lose your identity in Christ.
 
Frogs
 
Exodus 8:1-4, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, Go unto Pharaoh, and
say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may
serve me. And if thou refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all thy
borders with frogs: And the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which
shall go up and come into thine house, and into thy bedchamber, and
upon thy bed, and into the house of thy servants, and upon thy people,
and into thine ovens, and into thy kneadingtroughs: And the frogs shall
come up both on thee, and upon thy people, and upon all thy servants.”
God told Pharaoh to, “let my people go that they may serve Me.” No
servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love
the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other (Mt 6:24,
Lk 16:13). Many want to love God and love the world (Egypt, serve
Pharaoh). This may be realized by briefly attending some sort of religious
service on one or perhaps two days a week and then otherwise living for
self. Faith in God must be all encompassing at all times. You’re always
dying to one that you may live for the other. There are no dual loyalties
and devotions. Those who think there are are only deceived and cannot
see that self (the flesh, their way/will) is their real master. Just as a pig,
by nature, is drawn to the mud, so is man, by fallen nature, drawn to seek
self (2 Pt 2:22). If you are truly serving God, then your greatest concern
will be that you obediently do that which pleases Him. No energy will be
wasted trying to justify that which opposes Him. You must be willing to
examine your heart and honestly and sincerely confront what is found
therein. 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the
faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that
Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates (also Pv 4:26)?” That
which opposes God in your life (i.e Pharaoh and Egypt) must be repented
of, forsaken and torn down. Perhaps you’re blind to your own iniquity and
rebellion? Ask God to examine you: Psalms 139:23-24, “Search me, O
God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there
be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms
26:2, “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.”

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Now you must realize that there is no point in examining your life unless
you will honestly and sincerely address the things found therein – you
must change. If you will not truly repent and forsake those transgressions
that are uncovered, then the whole exercise is futile (useless, pointless,
fruitless, ineffective). The author guarantees that when you go before the
Lord and in the light of His Word, you will find things that will challenge
the flesh and test and try your resolve (heart). As you obey, more things
will be revealed and thus begins the process of being transformed into the
image of Christ (Rm 8:29, 12:2). God has come to deliver you from
Pharaoh and out of Egypt, and lead you through the wilderness in the way
everlasting. God has not come to be one of the many idols in your life. In
other words, God does not intent to just be another “interest” in your
established lifestyle. Exodus 8:5-7, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say
unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over
the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land
of Egypt. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and
the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did
so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.”
The Lord told Pharaoh that He would smite his borders with frogs. The
Egyptians worshipped nature and innumerable deities (which changed
over time). They worshiped the creation rather than the Creator. Although
it is now difficult to ascertain, there was probably an Egyptian god related
to frogs in some way. Egyptian gods were physically given human and
animal features. Sometimes an animal expressed the characteristics of a
particular Egyptian god (idol, vice versa) and if so, it was venerated
(respected). These forms represented the forces of nature and elements
found in Egyptain life. Perhaps the frogs were representative of one of the
earth gods (i.e. Geb, Set, Horus). The point here is that the only true God
is judging these false gods that the Egyptians have worshipped and
trusted in and is destroying their confidence in them. As these false gods
fall, the One True God is exalted. The Lord cannot be exhalted in your life
until the idols (false gods) begin to fall. If the idols are not removed
willingly, then judgment will inevitably follow. God will ultimately receive
“glory” through your obedience or just condemnation. The Egyptians
corrupted God’s people through their wickedness. God is going to corrupt
the daily lives of the Egyptians with these frogs such that they cannot
sleep or eat because of them (Ex 8:3). The Egyptian magicians also called
up frogs through their enchantments. There is an association between
frogs and demons (unclean spirits) in scripture (Rev 16:13). Idols also
come about as a result of demonic influence. There is no doubt, spiritual
wickedness behind every idol. Exodus 8:8-9, 13-15,  “Then Pharaoh called
for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away
the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that
they may do sacrifice unto the LORD. And Moses said unto Pharaoh, Glory
over me: when shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy
people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may
remain in the river only? And the LORD did according to the word of
Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out

60
of the fields. And they gathered them together upon heaps: and the land
stank. But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his
heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.” When the
Pharaoh starts to become personally inconvenienced in the flesh, he
begins to yield. One whose heart is set on self will often yield and draw
toward God in times of difficulty, want or desire. However, once there is
respite from the difficult situation or the need is met, they quickly back
away. These have no heart or love toward God, but rather seek to
manipulate or turn God into their servant to meet their self centered
needs and desires. These are the types of things the devil tempted Christ
with in the wilderness (Mt 4:1-11, Lk 4:1-13). These are the ones who
make great promises, but never follow through on their word. They say
and do not (Mt 21:28-31, 23:3). These will often pray to God, not seeking
His will, but with a request that meets their will and purposes. Some may
pray for God’s will, but when they realize that the Lord’s will interferes
with their own (sacrifices, self denial, suffer reproach, etc.), they also
quickly back away. These serve God as long as there is personal benefit
which meets their lusts. Pharaoh said he would let the people go, but as
soon as there was relief from the difficult situation he changed his mind.
Those who seek self do not keep their word and thus sacrifice their will.
Everything centers around their own self. When the frogs died out they
piled them in heaps and the whole land stank. Egypt represented the
corrupt ways of man. These ways stink before God – they are noisome
(offensive to the smell and disgusting). God allows them to wallow in the
fruit of their own doings. The ways of man are as the smell of death (a
great stench).
 
Lice
 
Exodus 8:16-17, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch
out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice
throughout all the land of Egypt. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out
his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice
in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all
the land of Egypt.” God continues to judge the Egyptian gods of the earth.
The very dust becomes full of annoying lice. Lice are parasites, they feed
off of the blood of others. In scripture, the blood is defined as the life of
one – the blood is the life of all flesh (Deut 12:23). Genesis 9:4, “But flesh
with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat (also Lev
17:11, 14).” Those who live their lives for self always feed off of the lives
of others. These take and rarely give. They are always seeking advantage
at the expense of others. This is exaltion rather than humbleness. The
Egyptians sucked the very life out of the Hebrews through hard burdens,
bondage and toil. These small annoying little creatures are now
overwhelming and sucking the blood out of the Egyptians. Jesus would
later state: John 6:53-54, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say
unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood,
ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,

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hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” The Lord was
referring to entering into His covenant of faith that was sealed with His
blood (discussed in Chapter Three). Our eternal life is found in Christ’s
blood. Thus, life is truly found in the blood! Exodus 8:18-19, “And the
magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they
could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast. Then the
magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s
heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had
said.” God is incrementally judging and destroying the things the
Egyptians put their faith in and increasing the pressure (by God’s strong
and mighty hand and stretched out arm and greatness, Ex 13:9, 16, Deut
5:15, 6:21, 7:8, 19, 9:26). Exodus 13:14, “And it shall be when thy son
asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto
him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the
house of bondage.” God brings them out through great terribleness, with
plagues, signs, and with wonders (Deut 26:8, Josh 24:5). The magicians
have now reached their limit on what they can do and concede to God.
Their power was that of darkness (lying wonders of Satan) and it must
now acknowledge the greater Light. Nevertheless rebellious man is
defiantly unyielding. Psalm 36:1, “The transgression of the wicked saith
within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” God is
destroying the Egyptian’s confidence in themselves (their abilities) and
their idols and leaving them hopeless. Those who have not surrendered to
God’s will are without hope awaiting the judgment, wrath and the fiery
indignation of the great day (Rm 2:8, Jude 1:5-6, Heb 10:27, Ez 22:31, Is
30:27, 30, 34:2). On that day there will be a great rush to dispense with
such idols. Isaiah 2:17-22, “And the loftiness of man shall be bowed
down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone
shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And
they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth,
for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to
shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver,
and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to
the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the
tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his
majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. Cease ye from man,
whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?”
 
Flies
 
Exodus 8:20-23, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the
morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and
say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may
serve me. Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send
swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people,
and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of
swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. And I will sever in
that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of

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flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in
the midst of the earth. And I will put a division between my people and
thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.” Flies are a constant unrelenting
nuisance (irritant). They are nasty and crawl all over your food and self.
Flies are attracted to that which is dead and corrupted. Egypt is dead in its
wickedness and thus there are swarms of flies to fill the land. There is
something very important to realize here. God places a separation
between those who are His and those who are not. The Lord scatters the
proud in the imagination of their hearts, but has mercy on them who fear
Him (Lk 1:50-51). There will be a great separation in judgment at the end
of the age. Consider: Revelation 20:11-15, “And I saw a great white
throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven
fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead,
small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and
another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were
judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to
their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death
and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged
every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the
lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found
written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” The book of life
contains those who have surrendered to God’s will through Christ. These
have forsaken Egypt and all of its idolatry and have “come out from
among them (2 Cor 6:17)” into the wilderness to worship God. All others
are judged according to their deeds which are undeniably self centered
and in rebellion to God. Exodus 8:24-28, “And the LORD did so; and there
came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his
servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by
reason of the swarm of flies. And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron,
and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. And Moses said, It is
not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians
to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the
Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? We will go three
days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as
he shall command us. And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may
sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very
far away: intreat for me.” Rather than surrender to God’s requirements,
Pharaoh wants to set the terms. Those who are prideful and self centered
always want to set the terms in their relationship with God. This is
undeniably the problem with religion today. God has said over and over
throughout His word that He will be approached with a sincere and humble
contrite heart of love, obedience and trust. This is known as faith and it
must become foundational in your life. God has sent His Spirit to teach,
lead and guide us in a life of faith to conform us to the image of Christ
such that we may be well pleasing in God’s sight. However, man always
wants to approach God through the flesh which is through man’s terms.
The flesh is in rebellion to God and the Lord will not yield to it nor will it
glory in His presence. The vast majority of religion in the world today is

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built upon the precepts of man and is led of man. This is the only way
man can have a form of godliness and yet still serve the flesh (2 Tim 3:5).
God requires that we follow the Spirit and the Spirit will work to tear down
the things of the flesh. To be led of the Spirit is to die to the flesh. These
are two totally opposite paths and only one leads to God. Pharaoh wanted
the people to stay in Egypt and worship God there. Many want to worship
God while remaining in Egypt (in the midst of all the things that oppose
God). This way they can live for the things of the world and serve God to.
Most people live their lives this way and God will not allow this. Choose
whom ye will serve (Josh 24:15). Many want to incorporate God into
“their life” rather than forsake their life (die to) and be surrendered into
God’s will. You cannot have Egypt and serve God also! Exodus 8:31-32,
“And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the
swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people;
there remained not one. And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also,
neither would he let the people go.” Once again, when selfish man
receives relief from his problems, he quickly reneges (goes back on) on
any promises or agreements with God.
 
Smiting of Livestock (Murrain)
 
Exodus 9:1-7, “Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and
tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that
they may serve me. For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them
still, Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field,
upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and
upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. And the LORD
shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there
shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel. And the LORD
appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in
the land. And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of
Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one. And
Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites
dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the
people go.” This was most certainly a judgment upon the gods that the
Egyptian’s looked upon to preserve their livestock. The infrastructure of
Pharaoh’s kingdom was being destroyed and dismantled before his eyes
and there was nothing he could do, but stubbornly and obstinately cling to
his rebellious will. Pharaoh’s mighty army could not challenge the things
God was sending upon him. There was no power in his gods to help in any
way – they could not save him and are falling one after the other. This is
symbolic of Satan, who, although powerful and prideful, has limitations
and will be judged by God (who is Supreme). The things man puts his
trust and faith in will ultimately disappoint him. The careers, homes, bank
accounts, cars, investments, electronic gadgets, sports teams,
entertainments, etc. will surely fail in the time of testing (fall one by one).
The things that seem so important now (to the flesh) and that man strives
for are eternally useless – without value or worth. One could have all the

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world has to offer and suddenly develop an incurable cancer. Then one’s
possessions and goods will not save him nor will all the medical knowledge
of man. When man’s gods start to fail, one by one, he still clings to his
stubborn rebellious self seeking ways – in deeds (fruit of his doings, Rm
2:6). Few will truly and sincerelyrepent before God; not even in their
misery and suffering (Rm 3:16) – but they will blaspheme God (Rev 2:21,
9:20-21, 16:8-9, 10-11). God’s Word defines the “fear of the Lord” as the
beginning of wisdom, which is seeking to know, serve, obey and trust in
the Lord – walking in His will/ways (Ps 111:10, Job 28:28). Those that
trust in themselves and “their way” are fools – they have no fear of God,
nor do they know peace (Pv 28:26, Rm 3:17-18, 5:1). A fool is one who
pursues his own inclinations in a coarse contrary to the dictates of
wisdom, which is the fear of God. A fool is also one who spends time in
idleness (i.e. television), sports and mirth (amusement, entertainment,
Eccl 2:1-2, 7:4). A wise man receives correction, but a fool turns in anger
upon the source of the correction (Pv 1:5, 3:35, 7:22, 9:8-9, 10:8, 14,
11:29, 12:15, 13:1, 14, 13:20, 14:3, 6, 24, 15:5, 24, 17:10, 21, 26:4-5,
11). The author could fill this book with all wisdom and it would make no
difference to a fool. Proverbs 15:12, “A scorner loveth not one that
reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.” The author could talk
endlessly about the correctness of yielding totally to God and it would
make no difference to a fool. Proverbs 23:9, “Speak not in the ears of a
fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” The author could offer
sound wisdom concerning modern idols such as the television, but would
only receive ridicule as the fool mocks on. Religious or not, makes no
difference, a fool is froward (not willing to yield or comply with what is
expected from God, peevish, disobedient, unyielding) in all his deeds.
Jesus said let them be as they are (Rev 22:11). They cease not from their
own doings, nor from their stubborn way (Judges 2:19)! The
righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of
the wicked shall be upon him (Ez 18:20). He that doeth wrong shall
receive for the wrong (Col 3:10). The wicked shall do wickedly (Dan
12:10). Proverbs 17:10, “A reproof entereth more into a wise man than
an hundred stripes into a fool.” The wise man is a rare find: Proverbs
15:31, “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.”
Be assured of this one thing: Proverbs 26:10, “The great God that formed
all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardethtransgressors (also Rev
22:12).” So you have to decide, are you wise or a fool? Due to Pharaoh’s
pride and rebellious heart, his cattle suffer tremendous loss. God
preserves the cattle of His people. This is consistently true in all things.
God will make a distinction between those that are His and those that are
not. This does not mean that those who serve God will never encounter
difficulties, but it does mean that they will always triumph (prevail in
God’s will) in the end. God will test and try us, but our FAITH will see us
through. Jeremiah 17:10, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins,
even to give everyman according to his ways, and according to the fruit of
his doings.” Even so: 2 Thessalonians 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful, who
shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.” Those who follow Christ are to

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be stedfast and faithful in all things (1 Cor 16:13, 1 Thess 3:8, Heb
10:22-23). The losses are mounting, but Pharaoh’s self will is more
important to him (just like the devil, Is 12:14-15). Many will continue to
seek their own way, irregardless of the bondages and misery, refusing to
yield to the astounding and amazing offer of reconciliation from God. Man
continues to hold to the devil’s lie that ye shall be as gods and shall surely
not die (Gen 3:4-5).
 
Boils
 
Exodus 9:8-12, “And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to
you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the
heavenin the sight of Pharaoh. And it shall become small dust in all the
land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and
upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. And they took ashes of the
furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward
heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and
upon beast. And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of
the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.
And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he hearkened not unto
them; as the LORD had spoken unto Moses.” Moses was to perform God’s
command in Pharaoh’s sight. Pharaoh was to fully understand the
judgment that his rebellious, prideful, self will was about to cause
(procure). God is faithful to His Word: Deuteronomy 7:10, “And repayeth
them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to
him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.” A boil is an inflamed
(redness, heat, loss of function, swelling), painful, pus filled swelling of
the skin cause by infection – a tumor. The infection is the corrupt nature
of man in transgressing the will of God. The painful boils represent the
misery (extreme pain of body or mind, affliction, distress, calamity,
wretchedness, fruit of the evil heart) that man has attained in his
disobedience to God. When man is submitted to God, the Lord provides
for all of man’s needs including his health (Ex 15:26). To do that which is
opposite and opposed to God procures the opposite of blessings which is
cursings – in this life and the one to come (see Chapter Four, Hell, Hades,
Sheol, The Place of the Rebellious). Life and health become death and
sickness. To do that which is rebellious to God’s purposes is to reap the
fruit thereof. To align with Satan’s rebellion is to partake of his nature
which is: wickedness, deceit, evil, misery, death, sickness, corruption,
darkness, selfishness, transgression, fear, bondage, great burdens,
captivity, etc. God’s Word clearly shows us that true love is the sacrifice of
self for the benefit of others. Satan lives in hate which is the sacrifice of
others for the benefit of self. This is one example of the opposite nature
that rebellion takes on. Pharaoh allows (through his unyielding
disobedience) horrible painful boils to be inflicted upon all his people so
that he can maintain his self-centered and prideful will and exert his
control over others (God’s people). Pharaoh and his people have inflicted
much pain and suffering on God’s people (the Hebrews) and now it is

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being returned upon them – procured through their own obstinance. The
magicians could not stand before God, nor will any evil doer or wicked
rebellious man. God gives them over to their own uncleaness (adultery of
the heart, foul with sin) and misery. Those who resist God’s truth will
always fall in His presence and power. God once allowed Satan to afflict
Job with a similar condition for the testing of his faith (Job 2:7). Job was a
perfect and upright man that feared God and eschewed evil (Job 1:1). Job
did not lash out or curse God in his misery, but justified Him (Job 2:9-10).
Job put his trust in God and ultimately prevailed and was rewarded by
God (Job 42:10, 12); and Satan suffered a crushing defeat in his
accusations – God received glory! The misery that the Egyptians suffered
was attained through their own disobedience, but there was an element of
God’s mercy. The Lord allowed them to realize their own helplessness
apart from Him and to see the vanity (emptiness, untruth, uncertainty,
vain pursuit) of their idols and self-centeredness. One never truly
examines one’s heart until they encounter great and insurmountable
difficulties (have their world shaken up, hit rock bottom). When things are
going well, man encourages himself in “his way.” Often “religious” man
will live a self centered life opposed to God, but consider his material
blessings to be from God. When things are in turmoil, one may look
beyond “SELF” to God. God’s blessings are not to be found in the things
the flesh desires (this will drive you away from God), but rather in
mercifully turning us from the devil’s lie (seeking self) back unto Himself –
whats eternally important. Our only hope is in the one true God, but we
must first have eyes to see this. If we cannot grasp this understanding in
this life, then we will be eternally separated with no more chance of hope.
Men will not part with their idols until there comes a true change of heart.
Material blessings and worldliness will cloud the carnal mind (pertaining to
the flesh, opposed to the spiritual as practiced, unregenerate) from ever
seeing its need for God. Many are of a religious mind, yet unregenerate
(not renewed in heart, remaining at enmity with God) in deeds (fruit)
because they live for self and are deceived (beguiled – deluded, misled) of
their true state of being. Most live their lives in vanity until some
devastating event (death of loved one, serious illness, near fatal accident,
failed idol, etc.) comes along to put things in perspective. The majority
will change but for a time (Mt 13:20-21, Mk 4:16-17, Lk 8:13) and then
quickly fall away; however, a small remnant will cling to God in sincerity
(Is 10:21-22, Mt 7:14, 20:16, 22:14, Lk 13:24, Rm 9:27). If we can see
the reality of life now, while life is still within us, then there is hope in
turning to God and receiving mercy (Ps 86:5, 15, 103:8, 10-11, Pv 28:3,
Jer 3:12, Mic 7:18-19). Once dead, there is no longer any hope of
repentance and reconciliation – all hope is gone. The boils are a
foreshadowing of what God will bring forth upon men during the coming
Great Tribulation. Revelation 16:2, “And the first went, and poured out his
vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the
men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped
his image.” Those who take the mark of the beast have chosen the things
of the world (to buy and sell – Rev 13:17, self) over God.

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Hail
 
Exodus 9:13-21, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the
morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the
LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. For
I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy
servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none
like me in all the earth. For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may
smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from
the earth. And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to
shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout
all the earth. As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt
not let them go? Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a
very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation
thereof even until now. Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all
that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be
found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come
down upon them, and they shall die. He that feared the word of the LORD
among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into
the houses: And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his
servants and his cattle in the field.” The Lord is demonstrating His power
over those who will exalt themselves against His purposes. The devil
exalted himself in the heavens and sought to raise his throne above the
most high, but was cast down (Is 14:12-15, Lk 10:18). Similarly Pharaoh
exalts himself and his kingdom is being thrown down all around him.
Pharaoh is helpless and can only watch and grieve, yet he refuses to yield
to God. The earth is the Lord’s and God is within His rights to cut off
Pharaoh from his livestock and crops (Ex 19:5, Ps 89:11, 1 Cor 10:26).
Psalms 24:1, “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world,
and they that dwell therein.” God is merciful in the midst of His judgment
in providing warning that if heeded will save the remaining cattle and the
men in the field. Those who do not heed the warning perish in their own
unbelief; such as will be the case regarding faith in Christ and the
Judgment Day. God has mercifully reached out to man in reconciliation,
woe to him who rejects God’s provision (Christ) and remains in unbelief
(disregard, disobedience and transgression toward God, frowardness,
weak faith). Things always boil down to those who “fear” God and those
who “regarded” Him not. Your eternal existence will one day be judged on
whether in your heart you “feared” God or “regarded not” God. What is in
the heart proceeds out into your actions. When you interject your opinions
and sentiments into God’s truth, you have regarded Him not. God requires
perfect obedience (Deut 18:13, 1 Kgs 8:61, 2 Chr 19:9, Heb 13:21).
Through Christ, we are given God’s Spirit to lead us in truth and
obedience (discussed in Chapter Three). This judgment is primarily
directed at the crops of the Egyptians (their staff of bread). Pestilence is
death and destruction. This is one of God’s four sore judgments that He
uses against rebellious man (Jer 15:2-3, Ez 5:8-12, 6:10-14, 7:15,

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14:21). Exodus 9:23-26, “And Moses stretched forth his rod toward
heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon
the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. So there
was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was
none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail
smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man
and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every
tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel
were, was there no hail.” God is a consuming fire and this hail consumed
the open land (Deut 4:24, 9:3, Heb 12:29). God reserves the hail for just
such a time of judgment (Job 38:22-23, Ps 148:8, Is 28:2). Exodus 9:22,
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven,
that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast,
and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” God gave
the command and Moses obeys. This is how things are to be with all
followers of Christ. We follow God’s direction. Exodus 9:23-24, “And
Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder
and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail
upon the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the
hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt
since it became a nation.” The hail not only beat down the crops, but froze
them and was accompanied by lightening which struck trees (and set
ablaze) and the ground and ran along it. Psalms 78:47-48, “He destroyed
their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost. He gave up their
cattle also to the hail, and their flocks to hot thunderbolts.” Psalms
105:32, “He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.” This
must have been a dreadful (impressing great fear, terrible, formidable,
awful, venerable) sight to behold. God later appears to the children of
Israel in a cloud with great thundering and lightening (Ex 19:16, 20:18).
Many disregarded God’s warning and perished in the open (outside of
shelter). Exodus 9:25, “And the hail smote throughout all the land of
Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote
every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.” The “shelter” or
“safety” was found in obedience to God’s direction. God had told them to
gather the cattle and the men out of the field. The defiant and obstinate
will always perish through disobedience to God in following in their “own
way.” The crops and cattle were devastated. The Egyptian gods of sky and
earth were powerless to help – vanity (Ex 12:12). God spared His people
in the midst of this judgment. Exodus 9:26, “Only in the land of Goshen,
where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.” God will spare His
people (the children of promise) in the coming judgment upon the earth
(keep safe on earth – no pre-trib rapture). God will again send hail during
the time of the Great Tribulation which will soon engulf the earth.
Revelation 8:7, “The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and
fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third
part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up (also Rev
11:19, 16:21).” Ultimately, God’s people will be drawn to Him and the
rebellious will be eternally separated (2 Thess 1:9).

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Exodus 9:27-30, “And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and
said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and
my people are wicked. Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no
more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay
no longer. And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city,
I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall
cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how
that the earth is the LORD’S. But as for thee and thy servants, I know that
ye will not yet fear the LORD God.” The Lord certainly got Pharaoh’s
attention this time and this judgment was worthy of respect. The
Egyptians are at the Lord’s mercy – as are all men. We must realize that
there is nothing on this earth that is truly ours, not even your own soul.
Refusal to give God due glory, praise and adoration (love, esteem,
respect, high regard, adulation, worship, reverence, honor, exaltation,
devotion) in all things comes from a heart of rebellion (the nature of the
devil). Man makes great promises to God when he is in the midst of
difficult situations. The true heart of a man will be revealed when the
difficulty is removed for a period of time. The author has witnessed many
a person who will turn to the Lord in a difficult or trying time only to
return to their “own ways” once the dificulty has past. The sincere and
genuine will make enduring changes and be stedfast in them. All things
are recorded (i.e. book of remembrance, book of life, Ps 56:8, 69:28, Ex
32:32-33, Job 16:19, Dan 12:1, Mal 3:16, Lk 10:20, Rev 17:18, 20:12,
15, 21:27, 22:19) and there will be nothing done in secret that will not be
one day revealed (Mk 4:22, Lk 8:17, 1 Cor 4:5). Psalms 90:8, “Thou hast
set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy
countenance.” The Lord knows the heart of man (1 Sam 16:7, 1 Kgs 8:39,
2 Chr 6:30). Proverbs 24:12, “If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not;
doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy
soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according
to his works?” AND Jeremiah 17:10, “I the LORD search the heart, I try
the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to
the fruit of his doings.” Moses could see the heart of Pharaoh and it was
full of all wickedness (haughty, prideful, arrogant, rebellious, self seeking,
sinful, idolatrous). Pharaoh has the heart of Satan. The devil’s heart was
lifted up, and he said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of
the seas (peoples, Ez 28:2), He set his heart as the heart of God (Ez
28:2, 6). Lucifer was once (originally) full of wisdom, and perfect in
beauty (Ez 28:12), but that very beauty corrupted him (Ez 28:15, 17). His
heart was lifted up because of his beauty, he corrupted his wisdom by
reason of his brightness (Ex 28:17). Brightness is acuteness
(discernemnt, perception, understanding), splender and sharpness of wit
(to know, intellect, quickness of assembling and putting together ideas,
reasoning). Many a man has been corrupted by his way (wisdom,
materialism, resourcefulness, talents, independence, etc.). The flesh is
opposed to God and God will never be reasoned (discovered, understood,
grasped) through it. Man’s reasoning (unknown propositions derived from

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presumed ones, presumptions built upon presumptions – an unstable
foundation) will lead him away from God into confusion and vanity
(consider evolution). Man presumes (supposition of the truth without
direct or positive proof of fact, but grounded on circumstantial or probable
evidence which entitles it to belief)! Man will reason that he is a god
(consider humanism, the devil’s lie: ye shall be as gods – Gen 3:5).
Submission to God through faith (denial of human reasoning) will lead one
to God through His Spirit. God told the devil that He will cast him to the
ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee (Ez
28:17). This is exactly what God is doing to Pharaoh (Ex 7:3-5, 14:18,
Deut 4:34-35, Ps 106:8). The Lord raised up Pharaoh to show His power
and declare His name throughout the earth (the same could be said of
Satan, Ex 9:16). All nations will tremble when they consider what God did
to Pharaoh (i.e. Josh 2:9-10, 1 Sam 6:6). Pharaoh exalted himself against
God’s people and would not let them go (Ex 9:17). God was going to
humble Pharaoh in his pride and rebellion and make an open show of him
for all creation to see. God allows Pharaoh’s rebellion so that He can show
His power and name in all the earth (Ex 9:16). Similarly, God will triumph
over Satan and rebellious man for all of creation to see. Moses was the
instrument God used to accomplish this purpose. Pharaoh refuses to
acknowledge God or the Lord’s rule over him. This is also true of Satan
and rebellious man. Refusing to acknowledge God’s rule over you is as
simple as just seeking your “own way” (path) everyday. This is excluding
the Lord and not following in His way (path). Exodus 5:2, “And Pharaoh
said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I
know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go (also Job 21:15, 22:17).”
The devil sought his will over God’s and is defiant unto this day. Pharaoh
refuses to yield to God. Many “know not” the Lord because they do not
read His Word or walk in His paths (Job 21:15). Their lives are filled with
selfish pursuit. The Lord says to Pharaoh, “How long will you refuse to
humble yourself before Me (a message to Satan and rebellious mankind,
Ex 10:3)? Moses was sent of God to deliver the children of promise
(covenant with Abraham) from the idolatry, sin, rebellion, pride and death
of Egypt. God humbled Pharaoh, destroyed Egypt, and judged their gods,
while delivering Israel; and the Lord was greatly exhalted and glorified in
it. Similarly, Jesus came to deliver us from our sins (1 Jn 3:5) which are
also transgression, iniquity, idolatry, and rebellion (i.e. Egypt). When
Jesus came He triumphed over Satan. 1 John 3:8, “He that committeth sin
is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose
the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the
devil.” What are the “works of the devil?” We must go back to the
beginning (Eden) for the answer. The devil said that we could transgress
God’s will and not die (ye shall surely not die, Gen 3:3-4). The works of
the devil are that we can continue in our will (self, flesh) and not submit
to God’s will. All sin (iniquity, transgression against God), rebellion and
idolatry results from this one lie. Jesus brought the truth that we might be
delivered from the devil’s lie and no longer be servants to sin (Jn 8:32,
34, 36). Jesus preached deliverance and set the captives free (Lk 4:18, Jn

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8:36). Romans 6:18, “Being then made free from sin, ye became the
servants of righteousness.” Servants to God (righteousness) have their
fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life (Rm 6:22). Galatians 5:1,
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,
and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Bondage is sin!
The works of the devil result in death! Hebrews 2:14-15, “Forasmuch then
as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise
took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had
the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear
of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Jesus perfectly
obeyed God and then laid down His unblemished sinless life (1 Jn 3:5,
Heb 4:15, 9:28) and died for you (in your place). 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For
he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be
made the righteousness of God in him.” Death could not hold Jesus and
now He has risen and leads us back to God. Colossians 2:15, “And having
spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly,
triumphing over them in it.” Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and
was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys
of hell and of death.” Romans 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” What is life in
Christ (through the Spirit)? This is death to self will and coming back
under God’s authority. Recall from Eden that man disobeyed God (to seek
his will) and lost access to the “tree of life” due to transgression of God’s
will. We must now give up that which we rebelled against God to obtain
(self will) and submit to God through faith to be restored. In doing so we
regain access to the “tree of life.” Revelation 22:14, “Blessed are they that
do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and
may enter in through the gates into the city.” Our faith is as righteousness
which is a tree of life (Pv 11:30). Giving up self will can only be
accomplished through surrender to God and the working of His Spirit in
your life. The flesh is a heavy and burdensome (oppressive) taskmaster
and will not easily release you. Jesus brings the deliverance from bondage
and freedom is only found in Him. John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall
make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
 
Exodus 9:31-32, “And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley
was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. But the wheat and the rie were
not smitten: for they were not grown up.” The grain and fiber crops were
decimated (destroyed, laid waste). Barley was used for food and making
fermented (alcoholic) beverages. Exodus 9:33-35, “And Moses went out of
the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and
the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were
ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, neither would he let the children
of Israel go; as the LORD had spoken by Moses.” The true hearts of
Pharaoh and his servants are quickly revealed once the difficulty is
removed.  Pharaoh not only reneged (break your word) on his pledge, but

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added sin on top of sin. Woe to the man who makes a vow to God and
doesn’t keep it (Num 30:2, Deut 23:21, Eccl 5:4). It would have been
better not to make the vow at all (Eccl 5:5). Those who do not stand by
their word have a character flaw and this is the nature of Satan. God’s
character is to always uphold (perform, bring to pass) His Word. Many a
person has made promises to God and later recanted. These broken
promises and disobedient actions will one day come back upon them. Who
hath hardened himself against God and prospered (Job 9:4)?
 
Locusts
 
Exodus 10:1-6, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I
have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew
these my signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy
son, and of thy son’s son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my
signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am
the LORD. And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto
him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse
to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.
Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the
locusts into thy coast: And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one
cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that
which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat
every tree which groweth for you out of the field: And they shall fill thy
houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the
Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers’ fathers have seen,
since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned
himself, and went out from Pharaoh.” Pharaoh is mighty and has a great
army, but how does one defend against such a threat – for they are
without number and relentless (unremitting, unrelenting, merciless,
continuous). God is showing Pharaoh his helplessness to stand against the
Lord’s will. That which is left in the field is about to be consummed.
 
Exodus 10:7, “And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him, How long shall this
man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD
their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? The servants of
Pharaoh realize that God is true to his Word and that their gods are
powerless. Egypt has been destroyed by a power that Pharaoh could not
anticipate. For years the Egyptians had exerted great and merciless
control on God’s people. The Hebrews were despised (loathed, reviled,
despicable) and looked down upon (discriminated against) by the
Egyptians (Gen 43:32, 46:34). What the Egyptians have sown is now
being reaped by them (Job 4:8, Pv 22:8). God is returning their own way
upon their heads. To be snared is to be brought into unexpected evil,
perplexity, or danger. Exodus 10:8-11, “And Moses and Aaron were
brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD
your God: but who are they that shall go? And Moses said, We will go with
our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with

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our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the
LORD. And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let
you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. 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.” The rebellious always try
and set the conditions, but there will be no negotiation. God said, “Let My
people go.” Pharaoh dictates that only the men will go. This is not yielding
to God, but rather retaining self will. Many will come to Christ and make
some “profession” of faith, yet retain self will. This is not unconditional
surrender to God and is unacceptable as such. Most would have God as an
“unconditional” love God who serves them. God demands unconditional
surrender of the will of man. These are two opposite positions and only
God’s shall prevail. Pharaoh was not in any position to set the terms and
neither is rebellious man. Man’s only hope is through submission – will
you overpower God? We must be totally free of the bondage of Pharaoh
(the devil). There can be no partial deliverance. Notice that Pharaoh wants
the children. The devil does not want the children to learn of and serve
God. The devil wants to blind the hearts and minds of the children through
the lusts of the flesh. Deuteronomy 6:4-9, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our
God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words,
which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt
teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou
sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou
liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign
upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And
thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates (also
Deut 11:18-21).” This is the key to victory. When we and our children
obey God, the Lord drives out all our enemies (the devil). Deuteronomy
11:22-23, “For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I
command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his
ways, and to cleave unto him; Then will the LORD drive out all these
nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and
mightier than yourselves.” Naturally, the devil wants to keep us in
bondage to the things of Egypt (just as Pharaoh). Many of those who
profess Christ are not obediently following. Parents are allowing popular
culture (the world conforming you to its image) by way of television,
music, and printed material to teach their children. This is most likely how
they were taught. This is a temporal make-believe reality apart from the
truth of God’s Word (and will be put down). Do you really suppose these
things are leading you toward God and teaching death to self and
surrender to His will? If you honestly answer no, then why? why? Are you
doing them and giving your children over to them? These children are just
as the world around them with maybe a façade of religious appearance
(veneer, thin covering, mask). The parents are not “being” the examples
for their children in a world full of bad examples. The children learn the
ways of the world and walk therein. Just like the locusts, these things are
eating their very life away. The locusts are all the fun things of the world

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that appeal to the flesh and they have come to destroy your devotion to
God (placing Him foremost in your life). When the flesh finds such great
entertainment and fulfillment in the things of the world, the things of God
become as boring and tedious. The things of the Lord were never meant
to entertain the flesh and certainly not compete with the ways of the
world for attention. Who would ever choose such a path of self denial (Mt
16:24, Mk 8:34, Lk 9:23, 14:27)? There is a great conflict here and the
flesh must die. Parents who “profess Christ” must start living for Christ.
The religious institutions are not being the “examples” and are full of
hypocrisy and seek to please men (Gal 1:10). These are teaching
hypocrisy – perhaps they say, but they do not (Mt 23:3, 15). Religious
institutions greatly err in trying to make the gospel entertaining to those
already living in the flesh. They imitate the world to please men. They
placate (pacify, appease, give into) the flesh and keep it in rebellion. The
sad thing is that most will not even understand what was just said. The
“Light” of the gospel is but a mere flicker (if even that) in most religious
organizations. Their candlestick is put out and as such is of no use (Rev
2:5). Just where are the children to learn the truth and be encouraged to
walk therein with real life examples??? These children are growing up and
succumbing (yielding, surrendering, giving in) and falling prey to these
worldly things they have been taught through the world’s media (divorce,
substance abuse, adultery, fornication, foul language, theft, murder,
violance, self seeking, idolatry, sensuality, perversion,  etc.). Parents are
teaching of Egypt and not of the Lord. Your children are learning how to
be in bondage to Egypt and serve the harsh taskmasters! Oh how
incredibly grievous – you freely choose to do this. If you do not think
these things worthy of great consideration and prayer, then you have
been overcome by the world (1 Jn 5:4). Faith is not pretense (make-
believe), but a daily walk in God’s way – following. The world has reached
such a point through the rebellion of man and the compromises of those
who “profess Christ,” but are not following, that all things are stacked
against the children. Things are, as things were, in the days of Noah
(tremendous wickedness, everyone is being corrupted in “their way,” Gen
6:5-7, 12, Mt 24:37, Lk 17:26). The locusts (things of the world exalting
themselves above God) seem invincible and many have lost hope and
succumbed. Only God can deliver and He must be our refuge. Do you seek
the refuge of God or Egypt? You and your children’s only hope is to
surrender fully and sincerely to God and pray that He will draw you to
Himself (Jn 1:12-13, 6:44). Only God can deliver from this present evil –
for God can do exceedingly above that which we can comprehend (Eph
3:20).
 
Exodus 10:12-15, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand
over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up upon the
land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail hath
left. And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the
LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night;
and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. And the

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locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of
Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts
as they, neither after them shall be such. For they covered the face of the
whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb
of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there
remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field,
through all the land of Egypt.” The Lord said and Moses did (this is
following God - faith). An incredible army has invaded Egypt from which
only God can deliver. Proverbs 30:27, “The locusts have no king, yet go
they forth all of them by bands.” Where are the gods of the Egyptians?
What are Pharaoh’s priests doing at such a time? Psalms 105:34-35, “He
spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number.
And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their
ground.” All the toil of the Egyptians is but for nought. Psalms 78:46, “He
gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the
locust.” Exodus 10:16-20, “Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in
haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against
you. Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat
the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only. And
he went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. And the LORD turned
a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them
into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.
But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the
children of Israel go.” Now the wheat and rye crops are smitten as well as
any residual of anything else. Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before
destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” God’s Word stands true
and prideful and haughty Pharaoh continues to fall. Pride will eat away at
one and leave them destitute. God says, “A high look and a proud heart
will not I suffer (Ps 101:5).” The locusts seem impossible to erradicate,
but consider how easily God takes them away. The locusts judgment is a
foreshadowing of a similar judgment to be inflicted upon rebellious man
during the soon to come Great Tribulation period. Revelation 9:3, “And
there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was
given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.” God’s people will
be sealed, but woe to the self seeking. The Lord says to His people:
Revelation 3:10, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also
will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the
world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” The people of Egypt were
tried and found wanting.
 
Darkness
 
Exodus 10:21-23, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand
toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even
darkness which may be felt. And Moses stretched forth his hand toward
heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three
days: They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three
days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.” This was a

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judgment directed upon the chief god of the Egyptians. Ra was the sun
god and was powerless before the true God; and all the Egyptians yielded
to the darkness. God gives Egypt over to its own darkness – one that can
be felt. Psalms 105:28, “He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they
rebelled not against his word.” The Egyptians had no use for God’s light.
Men love their darkness and God literally gives it to them (Jn 3:19). Egypt
is: Job 10:22, “A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow
of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.” The devil
(i.e. Pharaoh) has the power of darkness. God is delivering His people
from this darkness into His kingdom. Colossians 1:13, “Who hath
delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the
kingdom of his dear Son (Jesus).” The Lord’s kingdom is referred to as the
kingdom of God (a few examples - Mt 6:33, Mk 1:14-15, 10:15, 10:23, Lk
4:43, 6:20, Jn 3:3) Proverbs 4:19, “The way of the wicked is as darkness:
they know not at what they stumble.” As for the children of Israel: Psalms
107:14, “He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and
brake their bands in sunder.” God’s people are going to be delivered from
the darkness that is Egypt. Ps 97:11, “Light is sown for the righteous, and
gladness for the upright in heart.” Jesus would later come and also deliver
the people out of darkness (the devil’s lie). Isaiah 9:2, “The people that
walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of
the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined (also Mt 4:16, Lk
1:79).” Christ came: Isaiah 42:7, “To open the blind eyes, to bring out the
prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison
house.” For those who follow Jesus: Isaiah 42:16, “And I will bring the
blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they
have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked
things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”
Those who reject God dwell in the shadow of death where there is great
darkness and evil angels (Job 10:21-22, 34:22). Those who are rebellious
toward God are: Psalms 107:10, “Such as sit in darkness and in the
shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron.” God, through Moses,
was delivering His people from such bondage. Jesus also came to deliver
us from such, but many do not really want the deliverance – they cling to
“their ways” (paths). The Egyptians did not move from their places for
three days. Psalms 78:49, “He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger,
wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.”
No doubt, they were terrified by what dwelt in the darkness. God’s people
were in “the Light.” God is light (1 Jn 1:5) and we must must come to this
wonderful light (2 Cor 4:6, 1 Pt 2:9). The Lord is my light and salvation –
the strength of my life (Ps 27:1). Jesus said: John 12:46, “I am come a
light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in
darkness.” Christ came to turn you from darkness to light, from the power
of Satan (Pharaoh) unto God (Acts 26:18, Col 1:13, 1 Thess 5:5). You
must cast off the works of darkness (Rm 13:12, Eph 5:11). This is a
question of where your heart is – in darkness or light. 1 Samuel 2:9, “He
will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness;
for by strength (of flesh) shall no man prevail.” The wicked were quieted

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for three days to sit in their misery. This judgment of darkness is a
foreshadowing of what God will sent upon the world during the coming
Great Tribulation. Revelation 16:10-11, “And the fifth angel poured out his
vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and
they gnawed their tongues for pain. And blasphemed the God of heaven
because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.”
The darkness coupled with a prior judgment of boils leaves men most
miserable, but still unrepentant. Pharaoh and his servants have yet to
truly repent and the same will ring true for rebellious man in the Great
Tribulation. Man has the nature of Satan and as such is self seeking and
rebellious until complete destruction. Is it any wonder that God’s harvest
of the earth (those faithful) will be but a remnant (Is 10:21-22). God
removed His restraining influence from Pharaoh and hardened his heart.
Pharaoh was given over to his own wretched evil nature with no more
conviction. Similarly, God will remove His restraining influence from
rebellious man in the time of the end and a new type of Pharaoh will arise
(the son of perdition, 2 Thess 2:3-8). His workings will be after Satan and
he will deceive and lead those who refused to accept the love of the truth
(that they might be saved) in the devil’s lie that they might be damned in
their love of unrighteousness (2 Thess 2:9-12).
 
See My Face No More
 
Exodus 10:24-29, “And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve
the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little
ones also go with you. And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices
and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God. Our
cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for
thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with
what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither. But the LORD
hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go. And Pharaoh
said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no
more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die. And Moses said,
Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.” Again, Pharaoh
tries to set the conditions of release. When God comes to deliver, we must
be totally surrendered to Him and Pharaoh must not have any part of us
remaining in bondage – no holds on us. We cannot presume to be serving
God and yet be beholding to Satan in any area of our life. You cannot
serve God and Pharaoh – Pharaoh opposes God. Similarly, you cannot
serve Christ and the flesh – the flesh opposes the Spirit (Rm 8:5-8, 12-
14, Gal 5:16-17, 6:7-8). When you surrender to God, you must come
totally out of Egypt with nothing left behind and no reason to ever return.
If your cattle are left in Egypt, then so will be part of your heart. Many are
trying to serve God while remaining in Egypt, but God’s will is to deliver
you from Egypt (Rm 6:22, 1 Jn 3:5). Any foothold left in Egypt will be
your stumbling block in serving Christ. A foothold is a position that
provides a base for advancement. Pharaoh (Satan) will increase any small
hold into a great bondage. Any cracked door will eventually be swung

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wide open. Reservation or resistance to evil can soon become widespread
acceptance if the devil is given foothold – Ephesians 4:27, “Neither give
place to the devil.” Jesus comes to fully deliver, but you must willingly
follow. Galatians 1:4, “(Jesus) Who gave himself for our sins, that he
might deliver us from this present evil world (i.e. Egypt), according to
the will of God and our Father.” The ways of Egypt have brought God’s
judgment. You must forsake (die to) Egypt that you may live for God. The
world (Egypt) is crucified unto you and you unto the world (Gal 6:14). If
you are not prepared to completely leave then you are not willing to leave
at all. God is unyielding to a rebellious creation. The Lord has made great
sacrifice (love, Jn 3:16) to reconcile man and woe be to him who does not
fully surrender – rejects Christ’s tremendous sacrifice of self for you.
Pharaoh sends Moses away forbidding him to return. This is symbolic of
disregarding God – ignoring or putting Him out of your life. Many
disregard God’s Word in their lives. If one feels conviction from God’s
Word, but are unwilling to comply, then they just stop reading it. Another
way that man disregards the Lord is to present Him in a way that is not
balanced – they turn the truth into a lie. Many in the religious world will
greatly emphasize those passages of scripture dealing with God’s love,
mercy and forgiveness while denying those scriptures that reveal God’s
expectations of man through the tearing down of the flesh. Those
passages dealing with sacrifice, denial, suffering, dying to self – losing
one’s life, forsaking all, abhorring evil, etc. are largly ignored. In doing
this a false god is constructed (using selected scripture) that no longer
reflects the truth, but a lie. An unconditional love god emerges that only
cares for our wellbeing and is only there to serve us. Love is redefined and
no longer means personal sacrifice for God and others. Love takes on a
more exclusive one-sided meaning of God’s sacrifice for “me” and my
“self” importance. Suddenly everything is about “me” and “my” happiness
and contentment – faith is just to procure blessings. By not conveying
the whole truth of God, another Jesus, another gospel and another Spirit
is presented (2 Cor 11:4). This act of Pharaoh’s defiance secures God’s
greatest judgment. Just before Moses left he spoke God’s final Words to
Pharaoh (Ex 11:1-3): Exodus 11:4-8, “And Moses said, Thus saith the
LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the
firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that
sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is
behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts. And there shall be a great
cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor
shall be like it any more. But against any of the children of Israel shall not
a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how
that the LORD doth put a difference between the Egyptians and
Israel. And all these thy servants shall come down unto me, and bow
down themselves unto me, saying, Get thee out, and all the people that
follow thee: and after that I will go out. And he went out from Pharaoh in
a great anger.” All this time a prideful, haughty, arrogant, idolatrous and
rebellious Pharaoh (representative of the devil) has been telling Moses
(representing God) “No” with regards to God’s command of “let My people

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go.” He has either been trying to dictate terms or going back on his
commitments. Moses (in God’s righteous anger) now tells Pharaoh how
things are going to be once and for all. God is going to crush the people of
Egypt and return blood upon their heads. There will be crying, wailing,
lamentation, sorrow and woe – the Egyptians will be greatly humbled, the
land is desolate and the idols have been judged (those things man puts
confidence in). Not only will Egypt let God’s people go, but they will speed
them on their way and give them whatever they request. This is a
foreshadowing of the Second Coming of Christ and the doom of rebellious
man. Isaiah 2:12, 17-21, “For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be
upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted
up; and he shall be brought low: And the loftiness of man shall be bowed
down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone
shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish. And
they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth,
for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to
shake terribly the earth. In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver,
and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to
the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the
tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his
majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” Furthermore: Isaiah
13:6-7, 9, 11, “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come
as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint,
and every man’s heart shall melt. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh,
cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he
shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. And I will punish the world for
their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy
of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”
Therefore: Zephaniah 2:3, “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth,
which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it
may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.”
 
Passover
 
Exodus 12:1-6, “And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of
Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it
shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak ye unto all the
congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall
take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a
lamb for an house: And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him
and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of
the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the
lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall
take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until
the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the
congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.” This is the Lord’s
passover and is totally symbolic (foreshadowing) of Christ. Everything
about Passover points to Jesus and His sacrifice (of self). The modern day

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emergence of the pagan celebration of “Easter” has taken the place of
Passover for most and thus all of God’s symbolism has been lost (not
understood by most). There is no such thing as Easter in scripture (has no
meaning; one instance of mistranslation of a word in King James version);
only the Passover has scriptural meaning. Easter is a celebration of Pagan
origins and has no place in the life of a true believer – it is an unnecessary
distraction from truth (festival for the goddess Easter, often spelled
various ways, celebrated in the month of April, fertility rites, eggs,
bunnies, etc.). Christ’s resurrection occurred after the Passover
celebration. Many “professed” believers have taken the resurrection of
Christ and mixed it with bunnies and colored eggs and various nonsensical
(irrational, illogical, absurd) things and call it Easter. Is their to be no
truth in a child’s understanding – such confusion! Notice the lamb was to
be male and unblemished. To be unblemished equates to being without
sin (no transgression of God’s will, no rebellion). Jesus came and lived a
perfect sinless life that was well pleasing to the Father. We are redeemed
through Christ: 1 Peter 1:19, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of
a lamb without blemish and without spot.” John the Baptist witnessed of
Christ (upon first seeing Him) in saying, “behold the Lamb of God” (Jn
1:29, 36). Jesus is the literal fulfillment of the Passover lamb. Christ was
the only one who has ever lived upon the face of this earth who met the
qualifications (Rev 5:1-6). Exodus 12:7-10, “And they shall take of the
blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of
the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh in that
night, roast with fire, andunleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they
shall eat it. Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with
fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. And ye shall
let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it
until the morning ye shall burn with fire.” The blood of the lamb provides
a covering for those who are called of God. This blood saved the children
of Israel from the wrath (judgment) of God upon Egypt. Jesus’ blood also
provides a covering for those found in Him. We are sanctified (set apart)
through Jesus’ blood (Heb 13:12, 1 Jn 1:7, Rev 1:5). Romans 5:9, “Much
more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath
through him (also Eph 1:7, Col 1:4, Heb 9:14, 1 Pt 1:18-19).” This blood
sealed Christ’s New Testament (discussed in Chapter Three) and those
found therein (Mt 26:28, Lk 22:20, Acts 20:28, 1 Cor 11:25, Heb 9:12,
12:24, 13:20, 1 Pt 1:2, Rev 19:13). Through the blood of Christ, we have
reconciliation with the Father (Eph 2:13, Col 1:20, Heb 10:19). By the
law, most things are cleansed with blood (Heb 9:22). Christ’s precious
blood was given for you. Notice that you are to eat the flesh of the
Passover lamb and unleavened bread. One of God’s statutes required that
a sacrifice have no leaven bread (Ex 23:18, 34:25). Leaven represents sin
(transgression against God), false doctrine and hypocrisy (insincerity) in
scripture (Mt 16:6-12, Mk 8:15, Lk 12:1). To be unleavened is to be
without sin (iniquity). To be unleavened is also to be sincere in heart
(opposite of hypocrisy). 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, “Your glorying is not good.
Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out

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therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are
unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let
us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice
and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”
Jesus represented the unleavened bread and it also represents our
sincerity and genuiness to walk in God’s truth – to solemnly abide in
Christ’s covenant. We are to eat (partake) of this lamb (flesh) and
unleavened bread. John 6:51, “I am the living bread (unleavened) which
came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for
ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life
of the world.” Jesus is the “unleavened” bread of life (Jn 6:33, 35, 48)!
John 6:53-54, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto
you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye
have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath
eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” Christ was without sin
(transgression) and well pleasing to God and we are to follow Him (who is
the way, the truth and the life, Jn 14:6) in sincere faith. We partake of
Christ’s flesh (unleavened bread, unblemished lamb) and conform to His
image. When we are led of His Spirit (in paths of righteousness, Ps 23:3),
we STOP transgressing the will of God (Rm 6:12-18). Our “circumcised
heart” (discussed in Chapter Three) must be to do God’s will in love and
obedience and stop doing those things that oppose Him. We die to our
pride, disobedience (transgression) and rebellion and become humble,
obedient and submitted (surrendered). We partake of his nature and
become one with Jesus (Jn 17:21). John 6:56, “He that eateth my flesh,
and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” Jesus said, “I am in
the Father and ye in me and I in you” (Jn 14:20). If Christ is truly in you,
then how can you continue to live for self and the world and do that which
opposes God (Whom you are suppose to be joined to)? John 6:57, “As the
living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me,
even he shall live by me.” We live only by abiding in Christ; by ourselves
we can do nothing (Jn 15:1-10). We eat of Christ’s Word (truth) and
thereby have life in our daily walk. Notice that the whole lamb was to be
eaten. You cannot just partake of the parts of Christ that appeal to you.
Many will love a Jesus who brings mercy and forgiveness; however, they
may not be so delighted with the sufferings, sacrifice, tribulations, dying
to self (self denial) and reproach that comes to those who follow Jesus.
Philippians 1:29, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only
to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake (also Php 3:10).” Jesus
said if the world hate Me it will hate you and if the world persecute Me it
will persecute you (Jn 15:18, 20). They will hate you for Christ’s sake and
we must bear the reproach of Jesus in the fellowship of His sufferings
(Heb 13:13, Php 3:10). We take up a cross to die to self in order to
perform God’s will (Mt 6:10, 16:24, 26:39, 42, Mk 8:34, 10:21, 38-39,
14:36, Lk 11:2, 9:23, 14:26-27, 22:42, 33, Jn 18:11). John the Baptist
died to make way for Christ (fulfilled his course, Acts 13:25). Lazarus died
that God may receive glory (Jn 11:4). Jesus died that God may receive
glory (Jn 12:23, 28, 13:31-32). The children of Israel were in bondage

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that God may receive glory (Ps 105:23-25, Ex 14:4, 17). Many want to
live for self and serve God, but self must die. To find “your” life in this
world is to lose life in Christ. Who will partake of the nature (eat flesh) of
One who says, “go and sin no more” (Jn 3:19, 5:14, 8:11)? Those who
follow Christ receive eternal life, but the path is the way of the cross and
we must partake ofall of Jesus. The Lamb was to be cooked in fire
(roasted) – an offering made by fire for a sweet smelling savour unto the
Lord (Ex 29:18, 25, 41, 30:20, Lev 1:9, 13, 17, 2:2-3, 9-11, 16, 3:3, 5,
9, 11, 14, 16, 4:35, 5:12, 6:17-18, 7:5, 25, 30, 35, 8:21, 28, 10:12, 13,
15, 21:6, 21, 22:27, 23:8, 13, 18, 25, 27, 36-37, 24:7, 9, Num 15:10,
13, 14, 25, 18:17, 28:2-3, 6, 8, 13, 19, 28:24, 29:6, 13, 36, Deut 18:1).
Hebrews 12:29, “For our God is a consuming fire (also Deut 4:24, 9:3).”
All things of God will be tried in fire (passeth through the fire). Exodus
24:17, “And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on
the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.” Jesus was tried
in the fire and found perfect. Our works will be tried in the fire (tested) to
determine of what sort they are and the impurities will be burnt away (1
Cor 3:13, 1 Pt 1:7, Rev 3:18). Fire is also representative of being filled
with the Holy Ghost. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with
fire (Mt 3:11, Lk 3:16). The Passover was to be eaten with bitter herbs
which represented the bitterness of sin (transgression against God’s will).
This is the bitterness of bondage to Egypt (idolatry, iniquity, rebellion,
worldliness, self, following the devil’s lie, etc.). Our rebellion against God
is tremendously bitter and has caused much suffering. Through our
disobedience to God, we brought about (necessitated) the bitter suffering
and death of Christ for our transgressions. Jesus stepped into our place
and assumed our liability (Rm 5:8, 11). When we partake of Christ we
must be ever mindful of the bitterness of transgression against the will of
God and the bondage that results (i.e. Egypt). Nothing was to be left until
the morning to see corruption. One of God’s statutes required that a
sacrifice not remain until the morning (Ex 23:18, 34:25, Deut 16:4).
Christ was not left upon the cross until morning, neither did His body see
corruption (Jn 19:31, Ps 16:10, 49:9, Acts 2:27, 2:31, 13:35).
 
Exodus 12:11-14, “And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your
shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in
haste: it is the LORD’S passover. For I will pass through the land of Egypt
this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man
and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am
the LORD. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses
where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the
plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of
Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it
a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast
by an ordinance for ever.” We are to be ready to forsake the wickedness,
transgressions, and rebellion in our lives. God has come to deliver us from
our bondage. We must be ready to leave Egypt and all it represents. Jesus
sets you free from being a servant to sin (Jn 8:31-36). We must leave

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immediately (not belaboring) and completely and not look back (Is 55:7,
Ez 33:11, Lk 9:62, 17:32, Gal 2:18, 2 Pt 2:20). The Lord is going to
execute judgment upon a wicked land and we are to be free from it –
remember Lot’s wife (Lk 17:32). We are going on a journey to be in the
presence of the Lord. Notice that the blood of the unblemished lamb is our
covering for deliverance from the coming judgment. The token for God’s
covenant with Abraham was circumcision (discussed in Chapter Three).
The token for God’s covenant with the children of Israel is the blood.
Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given
it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the
blood that maketh an atonement for the soul (also Lev 7:14, Deut
12:23).” Consider the sealing of the covenant: Hebrews 9:19-22, “For
when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the
law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet
wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying,
This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels
of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood;
and without shedding of blood is no remission.” The blood was for the
purifying (cleansing) of the flesh (Heb 9:12-14). Our life is found in the
blood, and this was symbolically pointing to Christ’s blood (the Lamb that
was slain, Rev 5:6) that was shed for us that we may have eternal life
(life in God). Christ’s blood purifies us from sin (Eph 1:7, Col 1:14, 1 Jn
1:7, 9). We must partake of Christ’s blood to be saved or we have no life
in us (Jn 6:53-54). We have no righteousness of our own. Our
righteousness is found our in obedience and faith to God through the
provision He has made (Rm 1:17, 3:22, 25, 4:5, 9, 4:11-13, 9:30, 10:6,
Gal 5:5, Php 3:9, Heb 11:7, 2 Pt 1:1). The Lamb (Jesus) is that provision
(Rev 5:8, 12-13, 7:10, 14, 17, 12:11, 22:3). This feast was to be a
memorial which Christ would one day fulfill. Jesus’ fulfillment of all the
symbolism of this memorial feast gave additional credence (credibility,
authority) that He was the Christ sent of God. There is coming a new
feast. Pray that your name will be in the book of the Lamb; that you are a
part of the marriage of the Lamb; and that you may participate in the
marriage supper (Rev 13:8, 19:7, 9).
 
Exodus 12:15, “Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first
day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth
leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be
cut off from Israel.” We are to put away our sin and hypocrisy and be
sincere and genuine in our heart toward God. We must lay aside all
wickedness (iniquity), disobedience, self seeking (lusts and pleasure
seeking), anger, bitterness, wrath, clamour, malice, and all guile, and
hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings (1 Cor 5:8, Eph 4:31, Ti
3:3, 1 Pt 2:1). Hypocrisy is feigning (pretend, counterfeit) to be what one
is not – assuming a false appearance of virtue (false pretence). These are
ostentatious (outward show with no inward substance, appearance only)
and have a vain show intended to invite praise or flattery. We are to

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partake of God’s nature and prepare to leave Egypt. 1 Timothy 1:5, “Now
the end of the commandment is charity (love directed first toward God
and then toward each other) out of a pure heart, and of a good
conscience, and of faith unfeigned (genuine and not pretence).” Matthew
5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” We must
follow righteousness, faith, charity, and peace from such a pure heart (2
Tim 2:22). You purify your heart by obeying the truth through the Spirit in
sincere love – faith (1 Pt 1:22, Acts 15:9). In modern times, many who
“profess Christ” are just pretenders (hypocrites) as evidenced by the way
they live their daily lives. Jesus said of them: Matthew 15:8, “This people
draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips;
but their heart is far from me.” These have impenitent hearts (opposite of
contrite) which do not repent of sin (maybe justify sin) and are hardened
(to their own will). Having a sincere heart for God is the bottom line
(discussed in Chapter Three). Many play religious games with God on one
or two days of the week. God is looking for those who live sincerely and
genuinely for Him every day. These Jesus knows by name and confesses
before His Father and the angels (Mt 10:32, Lk 12:8, Jn 10:3, 14).
Obedience is superior to religious attendance. Walking in true faith is far
superior to mere religiosity (denominationalism, ceremony, ritual,
doctrines, traditions, lip profession, etc.). Religiosity is no more than man
usurping the position of the Holy Spirit and dictating his will (which he
presumes to be God’s will) upon others. Let us be for real (genuine) and
not be “lukewarm” pretenders (who are deceived – blind, sinful, spiritually
lacking, and far from God) such that the Lord will not vomit us out of His
mouth (Rev 3:16). Be not as salt without flavor – fit for nothing; without
virtue or redeeming value (Mt 5:13, Mk 9:50, Lk 14:34-35).
 
Exodus 12:21-24, “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said
unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and
kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the
blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with
the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of
his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the
Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two
side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the
destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And ye shall observe
this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever.” The Lord sent
out the destroyer to judge the Egyptians. Those who were obedient to the
Lord’s direction and covered their homes with the blood of the
unblemished lamb were spared (Rm 5:9). Those who disregarded God’s
direction (will, way, path) perished. Your obedience to God is for your
benefit. God’s Word will stand regardless. The taking of hyssop and
applying of blood represents our faith in obedience to God’s direction to
the saving of our souls (1 Pt 1:9). Our salvation is found in Christ, whose
testament (the declared will of Jesus that became valid upon His death,
covenant) was sealed in His own blood that was shed for us. Ephesians
1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of

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sins, according to the riches of his grace (also Col 1:14).  If we walk in the
light, Jesus’ blood cleanses us from all sin (1 Jn 1:7). To remain in Egypt
is to remain in the darkness. Jesus’ blood does not cleanse those who
walk in darkness (darkness that can be felt) – come out! God stated in
Eden that if you transgress His will, “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17, Ez
33:14).” The only way we can escape such a just condemnation
(judgment upon Egypt) is through the blood of Christ in coming to His
light. John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the
light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but
shall have the light of life.” We must follow! You must approach God with
a sincere contrite heart and forsake your transgressions. Psalm 34:18,
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such
as be of a contrite spirit.” The blood of Christ then covers us from the
wrath of God. God redeemed (liberated from captivity, bondage and
suffering) the children of Israel from Egypt and spared them from His
judgment upon Egypt (He smote Egypt) through the blood of the
unblemished lamb (Ex 12:27). Christ redeems us from the world and
spares us from wrath through the blood of His testament. God’s light will
shine in your heart to give you knowledge of the glory of God (2 Cor 4:6).
Exodus 12:28, “And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD
had commanded Moses and Aaron,so did they.” God always requires our
submission and obedience. To do otherwise is to have the rebellious heart
of an Egyptian and thereby partake of all of God’s judgments. There were
also some ordinances to be observed with the passover. No male who is
uncircumcised may eat of eat (Ex 12:48). As previously discussed the
circumcision represented the removing of the covering of flesh. We do not
serve God through the flesh – our hearts must be uncircumcised
(discussed in Chapter Three). Exodus 12:46, “In one house shall it be
eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the
house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.” The prohibition of breaking
a bone was symbolic and a sign concerning the coming Christ (Ps 34:20).
Consider Jesus’ crucifixion: John 19:31-36, “The Jews therefore, because
it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross
on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought
Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other
which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that
he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with
a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth
that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that
the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.”
 
Death of the Firstborn
 
Exodus 12:29, “And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all
the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on
his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and

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all the firstborn of cattle.” In God’s judgment there is no partiality. It
makes no difference whether you are a king or a beggar on the street, all
will receive according to their deeds. All transgressors (those not found
walking in Christ) will receive just condemnation. Exodus 11:5, “And all
the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh
that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant
that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts.” Notice that God
struck their firstborn (Ps 134:8, 136:10). The firstborn is the beginning of
strength of the people (Gen 49:3, Deut 21:17). Exodus 12:30-32, “And
Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the
Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house
where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by
night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both
ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.
Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and
bless me also.” In scripture the firstborn is the chief and foremost;
preceeding others in rank, dignity and excellency; best beloved; first in
privilege (favor, benefit); and beginning of strength. Psalms 78:50-51,
“He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but
gave their life over to the pestilence; And smote all the firstborn in Egypt;
the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham (also Ps 105:36).”
The most significant thing of note here is that Israel’s deliverance
(release) from Egypt was gained through the death of the firstborn. Our
deliverance was also secured through the death of the firstborn. John
3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son
(only begotten Son = firstborn), that whosoever believeth in him should
not perish, but have everlasting life.” Consider the Lord’s Words in Micah
6:4-7. Jesus, who was the best of man (foremost, perfect) took our sin
upon Himself and became the atonement (bore our iniquities and provided
recompense) for us through His death (Rm 5:6, 8, 11). 2 Corinthians
5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we
might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Jesus became as Egypt
and suffered similar fate that we might be delivered through His suffering
(Is 54:7-8). Having taken the sin of the world, Jesus was hanged upon a
tree; for he that is hanged is accursed of God (Deut 21:23). 1 Peter 2:24,
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we,
being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye
were healed (reconciled to God).” Jesus walked the Father’s path perfectly
and led the way for man to come back under God’s authority. Colossains
1:19-20, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to
reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in
earth, or things in heaven (also Rm 5:1-2, 10).” Zechariah 12:10, “And I
will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom
they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his
only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for
his firstborn.” God also refers to Israel as His firstborn. Exodus 4:22-23,

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“And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son,
even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve
me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy
firstborn.” Jesus became the firstborn of every creature (Col 1:15). Christ
is the firstborn among many brethren (those who follow) and we are to
conform to His image (Rm 8:29). Jesus loves us and washed us from our
sin with his own blood and Christ became the first begotten
(firstborn from the dead, Col 1:18) from the dead (Rev 1:5). Jesus
delivered us from our fallen state and led the way back to God; now we
must follow (Jn 12:26). We are now the church or body of the firstborn
(Heb 12:23). If you are not following, then you reveal your will to stay in
Egypt and thereby show contempt (distain, dislike, disapproval,
disrespect, disregard) for all that Christ has done.
 
This is also a picture of God’s judgment upon sinful and rebellious man.
Great will be the cry (howling, mourning, weeping) when Christ returns to
this earth in His wrath upon rebellious man (Jer 10:10, 23:19-20, Is 13:6,
9, 11, 13, 26:21, Zeph 1:15, 3:8, Nah 1:6, Mal 4:1, Lk 32:30, 2 Thess
1:8-9, Rev 1:7, 6:15-17). Rebellious man will make war with the Lamb,
but their fate is sealed (Rev 17:14). They will cry, “hide us from the wrath
of the Lamb (Rev 6:16).” Jesus returns: 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9, “In
flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey
not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory
of his power.” The gospel is Christ’s testament (covenant) – our obedience
is not optional, but commanded. Remember this above all: Nahum 1:7,
“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth
them that trust in him.” AND Zephaniah 2:3, “Seek ye the LORD, all ye
meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness,
seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.”
AND 1 John 2:28, “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he
shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at
his coming.”
 
And Bless Me Also
 
After God smote the firstborn in Egypt, Pharaoh conceded to the Lord’s
will. Psalms 66:3, “Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works!
through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves
unto thee.” For God rules the nations, let not the rebellious exalt
themselves (Ps 66:7). The Egyptians slew Israel’s children and now God
returns such death upon all of them - there was not one house untouched.
Numbers 33:4, “For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the
LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed
judgments.” God brought judgment upon all the gods of Egypt (those
things the Egyptians put theit trust in). Deuteronomy 6:12-15, “Then
beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the
land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy

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God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after
other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the
LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy
God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the
earth.” The children of Israel were brought forth (delivered, redeemed)
with a high hand from the house of bondage and were not to enter back in
(worship false gods, Num 33:3). God destroyed the strength of Egypt
(firstborn) as will He destroy all those who transgress the Lord’s will.
Deuteronomy 6:20-25, “And when thy son asketh thee in time to come,
saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments,
which the LORD our God hath commanded you? Then thou shalt say unto
thy son, We were Pharaoh’s bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us
out of Egypt with a mighty hand: And the LORD shewed signs and
wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his
household, before our eyes: And he brought us out from thence, that he
might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers.
And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD
our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at
this day. And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these
commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us.”
We were under the bondage of the devil’s lie until Christ redeemed us. We
must now walk in faith in Christ Jesus as led by His Spirit and it shall be
our righteousness. Pharaoh did not see his error and turn to God, but
rather conceded when his losses became unbearable. Pharaoh was still
prideful, self seeking, idolatrous and rebellious. God could have just taken
the children of Israel, but rather brought such pressure to bear
(judgment) on Pharaoh that he lets them go by his own command.
Pharaoh concedes (gives in, forfeits, acknowledges defeat) on every point
– the people may go, their children may go, and their livestock may go.
God does not negotiate on a give and take basis (no compromise); God’s
will shall be done – Let My people go! God’s Word stands and is
established for all eternity (Ps 119:89). Rebellious man (and religious
rebellious man) best come to terms with the fact that God will not accept
you on your terms. God is not an “unconditional love God.”
“Unconditional” translates into man’s terms and not God’s purposes. God
did not concede to Pharaoh (the devil) on any level and the Lord will
certainly not concede to you. Eternity for all creation rests on God’s will
and not man’s. Your opinion or sentiment has absolutely no place before
God. Your surrendered and contrite heart is the only thing that will gain
you audience before God. At first Pharaoh (through his magicians)
matched God sign for sign and Pharaoh’s heart (resolve) was hardened
(to his own demise). God continued to increase the signs and wonders
until Pharaoh’s magicians capitulated (ceded, were out matched). Pharaoh
continued to defiantly try and set the terms with God in the midst of his
suffering. God just increased the wonders even more until He broke the
will of Pharaoh, destroyed Egypt and their confidence in false gods;
leaving the rebellious people broken. God will not answer to or negotiate
with any of the rebellious of His creation. To do so would exalt the

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creation over the Creator. Notice that in the midst of all this, Pharaoh still
thought of himself in asking, “and bless me also.” Those who seek their
own will shall always be primarily concerned with self. He greatly opposed
God in seeking his own, yet still wants God’s blessings. Many people serve
themselves everyday in living outside the Lord’s will, yet still want God’s
blessings. Pharaoh has an impenitent heart which does not truly repent
and is hardened to selfwill – he releases Israel under duress (hardship,
menaces, threats, sufferings) and not through a change of heart toward
God. Many people serve God under duress (threat of hell, eternal
damnation, lake of fire), but not with a true heart of love. Those who
serve God in such a way have a form of “religion” that misses the mark
(i.e. transgression) in that which is vital (Pertaining to life, fundamental,
imperitive, essential, crucial, necessary). Those who serve under
compulsion (pressure, coercion, intimidation) are driven (serve
begrudgingly) and will always seek the easy path (fleshly doctrines, God
blessing ME); what is least required (where is the line I can’t pass); loop
holes (that’s not specifically addressed in the Bible); itching ears (tell me
what I want to hear, 2 Tim 4:3); and a large dose of personal sentiment
(opinion mixed with emotion). Compulsion is not of God, but rather results
when one realizes the certainty of eternal damnation (hell), yet has no
heart (impenitent heart) to leave the darkness (Jn 3:19) or sincerely do
what is required (froward heart). Faith will bypass the flesh (deny it).
Romans 8:24-25, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not
hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for
that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Through the
exercise of faith, your spiritual eyes will open. Seeking God through the
flesh will make faith (and the Word of God) of none effect in your life.
Living in the flesh will leave you spiritually blind (concerning the things of
God – Spirit). God has designed the path to Himself such that
you cannot traverse it apart from faith (Heb 11:6). You cannot enter apart
from Christ (Lk 13:24, Jn 10:9). You can only get there by following and
this submission and trust will require faith and obedience to the Spirit (Mt
7:14). Those who seek God in the flesh will be forging their own path
because the flesh is certainly opposed to the Spirit (contrary, Gal 5:17).
The spiritual blindness (deception) of the flesh will have you think you are
going toward God when you are traveling away from Him on a broad way
(to eternal damnation, Mt 7:13). The flesh seeks comfort and the Spirit
seeks to destroy the things of the flesh (its comfort, lusts, selfwill,
iniquity, rebellion, etc.). So, those who think they can have it both ways
are truly deceived. Christ walked a very difficult path for the flesh (read
the Gospels). Do you suppose you can walk a different way? In other
words, do you believe you can reach God apart from Christ? – perhaps on
your own merits?
 
Recompense
 
Exodus 12:33-36, “And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that
they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all

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dead men. And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their
kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. And
the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they
borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and
raiment: And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the
Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And
they spoiled the Egyptians.” The Egyptians had shed innocent blood and
now that blood has been returned upon them – “we be all dead men.”
Woe to them who shed innocent blood (i.e. abortion – the killing of
innocence to benefit self). 1 Samuel 2:6, “The LORD killeth, and maketh
alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.” Not only did God
redeem His people from bondage, but they did not go empty handed. The
Lord restores that which the cankerworm hath eaten (Joel 2:25). The
Egyptians not only let the people go, but also provided all their due wages
for years of forced labor. The original word “shaal (ùàì)” does not translate
“borrowed” but rather “demanded.” This certainly fits the text more
accurate. The Egyptians realized they were but as dead men and were
urgent that Israel leave and were in no position to refuse demands for
spoil. Psalms 105:37-38, “He brought them forth also with silver and gold:
and there was not one feeble person among their tribes. Egypt was glad
when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.” Therefore, we
can conclude that Moses (through God’s Power) spoiled Pharaoh and
Egypt (principalities and powers) and made a show of them openly
(through the signs and wonders of God – the Lord’s judgments) and
triumphing over them openly – Pharaoh did let God’s people go! Jesus
through the cross (and the power of God, 2 Cor 13:4) spoiled principalities
and powers (Satan’s kingdom of darkness, i.e. Pharaoh/Egypt) and made
a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Col 2:15). Jesus
redeemed us from Satan’s bondage (Lk 1:68, Rev 5:9, 14:3-4, Ti 2:14)!
God also supernaturally provided for the health of His people.
 
God Delivers
 
Exodus 12:37-41, “And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to
Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside
children. And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and
herds, even very much cattle. And they baked unleavened cakes of the
dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened;
because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had
they prepared for themselves any victual. Now the sojourning of the
children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.
And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even
the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out
from the land of Egypt.” To be leavened is to be full of iniquity and
hypocrisy. We are to “come out” of Egypt (i.e. the world) before we are
corrupted. The unleavened bread represented sincerity (genuineness) and
righteousness. The children of Israel were coming out of (forsaking) the
corruption and wickedness which was Egypt to serve God (new life). We

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must come out of the wickedness of the world and serve God. When one
tarries in Egypt, then one becomes leavened or corrupted. The children of
Israel endured the wickedness of Egypt for a very long time, much of
which they were in bondage. God is longsuffering with man, but there
does come a time of judgment. Romans 9:22, “What if God, willing to
shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much
longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.” We must commit
ourselves in the hands of God and realize that His justice will prevail in the
Lord’s timing. God’s wisdom and purposes transcend the will of man. Man
wants immediate satisfaction and deliverance, but God’s purposes are
eternal. If you suffer for Christ’s sake, be not ashamed, but glorify God -
judgment begins in God’s own house (1 Pt 4:16-18). 1 Peter 4:19,
“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the
keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
When Jesus came He totally committed Himself into the Father’s hands.
Psalms 49:15, “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave:
for he shall receive me. Selah.”
 
God Leads the Way
 
Exodus 13:17-22, “And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people
go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines,
although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent
when they see war, and they return to Egypt: But God led the people
about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children
of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. And Moses took the
bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel,
saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away
hence with you. And they took their journey from Succoth, and encamped
in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. And the LORD went before them
by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar
of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the
pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the
people.” The path toward the Philistines (a wicked people whom God
would judge) meant immediate war. The Lord knows His sheep and their
faith is still weak. God never allows us to face more than we are able to
bear (1 Cor 10:13). This people must first face the wilderness and learn
trust and obedience to God. In a spiritual sense war is not against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places
(Eph 6:12). We battle those things which oppose God and try to exalt
themselves in our lives. These would be the temptations directed to the
flesh (its lusts) which lead one to seek his will (or “my” path) rather than
God’s (following the Lord’s path or direction). By living Christ’s gospel
through faith, walking in truth and righteousness, thereby knowing and
rightly applying Jesus’ Word, you begin to assemble the whole armor of
God and are able to stand and face these battles (Eph 6:13-17). The way
of the Philistines (wickedness, iniquity, rebellion) is always near and we

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must be mindful – there will be struggles, but our reliance must be upon
God and not self. Notice that “God leads the way” and the children of
Israel just obediently follow. They do not know where they are going, but
must rely totally upon the Lord for their well being. God leads us in “the
way” and we must stop going our own direction (our will) and submit to
the Lord’s leading (His will). God is “the Light” and His Word is our
direction. Psalms 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto my path.” We leave our darkness and come into His light (Jn 3:21,
Acts 26:18). God is our Light by day and by night. This means that we
must be focused on God always (twenty four hours a day, every day) and
not just on certain “religious days.” If you leave God’s path then you are
no longer under His authority (but rather your own) and may become
helplessly lost in the wilderness, be consumed by the Philistines or
perhaps find “your way” back to the bondage of Egypt. God’s way requires
our trust, submission and obedience.
 
The Horse and His Rider Hath He Thrown into the Sea
 
Exodus 14:1-4, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the
children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between
Migdol and the sea, over against Baalzephon: before it shall ye encamp by
the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled
in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in. And I will harden Pharaoh’s
heart, that he shall follow after them; and I will be honoured upon
Pharaoh, and upon all his host; that the Egyptians may know that I am
the LORD. And they did so.” Pharaoh has driven Israel out of the land
Egypt and thrust them out altogether (Ex 6:1, 11:1), but his nature and
attitude toward God has not changed. Pharaoh (the devil) wants to
destroy the things of God by corrupting them with his nature. 1 Peter 5:8,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Pharaoh (the devil)
devours by bringing into his bondage of Egypt (through your own lusts, Js
1:14) and placing great burdens and rigorous service unto death. The
burdens and service are designed to keep our hearts off of God and death
ultimately and eternally separates those who have not sought the Lord.
Pharaoh promises his people life (ye shall not surely die, Gen 3:4) and self
satisfaction (ye shall be as gods, Gen 4:5), but delivers misery, bondage
and death. He promises liberty of self (from God’s rule or authority) and
brings about captivity under himself. 2 Peter 2:19, “While they promise
them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom
a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” You have
traded God’s “righteous” rule over you for that of the “corrupted” flesh
(desires of). Pharaoh is no God (Ez 28:6, 17)! He has no power to deliver
on his boasts. Pharaoh’s (the devil’s) power “lies” in his ability to deceive
and manipulate. He makes you think you are getting what you are not.
When one finds the true God, he is delivered from Satan’s control and
actually gains power over him (through God). Egypt (Pharaoh’s domain) is
in the valley of the shadow of death and we must trust in our God to lead

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us through it (Ps 23:4). God draws Pharaoh out of Egypt such that the
Lord may receive glory. The same is true of rebellious man. You will either
turn to God and give Him due honor, glory, reverence and respect in your
life now or God will receive due honor by putting down your rebellion
later. God will receive glory to your benefit or to your loss. Pharaoh
refuses to honor God in his life, so God will receive glory in his demise by
revealing the wrongfulness of his nature and end result (conclusion).
Pharaoh seemingly now has every advantage and believes that Israel is a
sitting target – easy prey. He has been helpless to fight against God’s
previous judgments and the idols he trusted in failed. Pharaoh now sees
the opportunity to use his own power and might (armies). God
intentionally places Israel in a place (shut in, back against the wall) so
that the Lord may reveal His glory. There is now no deliverance on the
earth other than God that can save them. The source of salvation will be
evident for all to see. The forces of evil are confident that they will prevail
against the Lord. Before destruction the heart of man is haughty (Pv
18:12). This is a foreshadowing of world conditions just before the Second
Coming of Christ (Rev 19:19). Exodus 14:5-9, “And it was told the king of
Egypt that the people fled: and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants
was turned against the people, and they said, Why have we done this,
that we have let Israel go from serving us? And he made ready his
chariot, and took his people with him: And he took six hundred chosen
chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of
them. And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he
pursued after the children of Israel: and the children of Israel went out
with an high hand. But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses
and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook
them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.” There
is no more restraining grace from God and Pharaoh’s heart is fully
hardened and his iniquity is to the full (time for final judgment). The
Egyptians have come “to themselves” and have realized that they have
lost control of their captives. Often, just after a tradgedy such as death,
emotions will yield toward God. When the emotions recede (diminish), the
true nature of one resurfaces and any movement that was made toward
God is cast aside. Many will come to God in their weakness, but quickly
fall away again when strengthened. This is because their nature is bent on
self-will and not God’s will. It is important to come to terms with this
understanding. God considers the heart of man (what is inside a man, 1
Sam 16:7, 1 Kgs 8:39, see Conclusion). Doth not he that pondereth the
heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and
shall not he render to every man according to his works (Pv 24:12)?
Those who have a heart toward God as demonstrated by how they live on
earth, will be gathered to Him eternally. Those who have a heart toward
self are rebellious to God’s will and have no love toward Him – the object
of their affection is found in a mirror. We are told of Satan: Thine heart
was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by
reason of thy brightness (Ez 28:17). Man has this nature and also
considers the beauty of his selfish way. God would not tolerate Satan’s

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rebellion (and look at the untold misery it has caused), and the Lord is
certainly not going to welcome the rebellious into His eternal presence.
You must come to terms with your true nature and beg God for mercy and
change.
 
Pharaoh comes against the people of God with all his might (his
determined self will). Do not expect when God delivers you from Satan’s
bondage that he will give up without a fight. The devil will come against
you with all the temptation and terror he can muster. You may seem
weak, but your strength is found in God (faith and not flesh, 2 Cor 12:9-
10) – be stedfast. 2 Corinthians 13:4, “For though he was crucified
through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are
weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you
(also Eph 3:16).” The devil wants to fight these battles in the flesh (to his
advantage) because this is where he overpowers men – man is weak
through the flesh (Mt 26:41, Rm 8:3). This is the strength and might of
the devil. He overcame man in Eden through the flesh and has done so
ever since. When you live for self, you are just a servant of sin and in
bondage to the flesh (Jn 8:34, Gal 4:3, 2 Pt 2:19). We must put down our
flesh and rise up in faith for victory (1 Jn 5:4). God shows Himself strong
through our fervent and enduring faith, and weakness of flesh. Christ
brought great deliverance, but not through the flesh. Sin reigns unto
death, therefore we must die to the flesh and its lusts thereof and be
reborn with the nature of God (Rm 5:21, 7:10, 2 Cor 2:16, 4:11, Php
3:10, 1 Jn 3:14). Romans 6:4-8, “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. For if
we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be
also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is
crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that
henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with
him.” 1 Peter 4:1, “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath
suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin.” The flesh must be crucified to
achieve the victory (Rm 6:6, Gal 2:20, 6:14). Romans 6:8, “Now if we be
dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him (also 2 Tim
2:12).” The victory is in submission to God’s will unto death (of self, Mt
26:42, Jn 18:11, Php 2:8, Rev 2:10, 12:11). Jesus obtained the victory
and the glory after the crucifiction of the flesh (Jn 12:23, Col 2:15, Rev
1:18). Jesus destroyed the devil and released us from his bondages
through death (Heb 2:14-15). Galatians 5:24, “And they that are Christ’s
have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” When we crucify the
affections and lusts of the flesh, then we do not give place to the devil
(Eph 4:7). Be strong in faith and be not ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Cor
2:11, such as our earlier example of sitting in front of the television and
willingly exposing yourself to temptation). Do not let the devil have the
high or preferred ground (flesh) in which to wage war. Yield to God in faith

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and find safety from the battle (Ps 61:3). Proverbs 18:10, “The name of
the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
Satan cannot defeat God – the Lord is Almighty. Psalms 24:8, “Who is this
King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.”
The devil can only defeat you by corrupting you through the lusts of your
own flesh and making you an enemy of God. Once separated from God
(by your own free will), you are easily overcome – ensnared, taken
captive at will (2 Tim 2:26). Where is your trust? Nahum 1:7, “The LORD
is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that
trust in him.” Therefore: Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” This
armor consists of faith in God which produces righteousness; walking in
the truth of Christ’s Word; reconciliation (peace) with God through Christ;
salvation in Jesus; and the supplication (ask for humbly, earnestly
entreat, appeal or pray for) of the Spirit (Eph 6:13-18). Notice that last
statement; we must humbly and earnestly pray to receive God’s Spirit.
This vital concern will be discussed in Chapter Three. How does that in
which you trust factor into your daily life?
 
Trust or Despair?
 
Exodus 14:10-12, “And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel
lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and
they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast
thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt
thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? Is not this the word that we
did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the
Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that
we should die in the wilderness.” Many cry out to the Lord in despair,
which is not faith. They initially receive the Lord with great joy, but when
trials, persecutions and tribulations come, they quickly fall away into
unbelief (Mt 13:20-21). They consider that it might be better to stay in sin
and bondage than to serve the Lord. Many a man has come to the same
wrongful conclusion. They serve Pharaoh, who brings death into the world,
for fear of death (Rm 5:12). Through death Jesus destroyed him that had
the power of death, that is, the devil (Pharaoh, Heb 2:14). Hebrews 2:15,
“And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject
to bondage.” Consider what Jesus does: Luke 1:71-75, “That we should be
saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To
perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy
covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would
grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies
might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him,
all the days of our life.” To live in Egypt is to live in the wickedness and
evil – unbelief and fear. When you live in Egypt, you will also partake of
its burdens and bondages such as divorce, adultery, addictions, hatred,
violence, misery, etc. Many would rather live for “self” (i.e. Egypt) and

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suffer the burdens and bondages, than die to “self” (i.e. the wilderness)
and serve God. These same ones will however want God to be on standby
should such a need for His services arise (to serve them). Should such a
need occur they will insist that God perform stat (to stabilize immediately,
with great urgency). If we sincerely seek the Lord, then God destroys our
enemies (Pharaoh and his host, servants) so that we may serve Him,
without fear, in righteousness and holiness – opposites. You either serve
Pharaoh (i.e. Satan) according to his nature or you serve God according to
His nature – you must choose. Do you want the deliverance or would you
rather return to your bondages? God has proven through great signs and
wonders and mighty deeds that He possesses the ability to deliver His
people (Ex 12:31-33). God’s strong hand has brought them thus far out of
the furnace of iron and house of bondage (Ex 13:3, 9, 14, 14:8, 20:2,
Deut 4:20, 5:6, 6:12, 8:14, 9:29, 13:5, 10, Josh 24:17, Jdg 6:8, 1 Kgs
8:51, Neh 1:10). God does not serve the flesh and often confounds the
flesh in His chosen methods of deliverance (1 Cor 1:27). The Lord has set
circumstances to bring Himself glory and honor (Ex 14:4). Let us stand in
battle and wait upon the Lord. Psalms 106:7-8, “Our fathers understood
not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy
mercies; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. Nevertheless
he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power
to be known.” Man is underserving of God’s mercy and continually
provokes the Lord to wrath through his unbelief and reliance on the flesh
(what it says, believes). There was no reason that God should save them
other than for His own name’s sake and past promises. Those who live in
the flesh are limited by the reasoning and ability of the flesh. Exodus
14:13-18, “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and
see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the
Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for
ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. And the
LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the
children of Israel, that they go forward: But lift thou up thy rod, and
stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of
Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. And I, behold,
I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I
will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots,
and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall know that I am the
LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots,
and upon his horsemen.” Moses demonstrates great faith and leadership
in the midst of such unbelief. One man whose heart is set on God can
make such an incredible difference in a world of darkness. Never
underestimate the effect that you have upon others. Everyday, through
your actions, you either lead others to God or away from Him. What will
the influence of your life be and where is your witness? We are to go
“forward” in our following of the Lord. If our hearts are set on Him, then
there is no obstacle on the face of the earth that can hinder us in our
path. The defeat is in going “backward” to the death from Pharaoh’s
armies and bondages that await in Egypt. Jesus said: Mark 11:23, “For

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verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be
thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his
heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to
pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith (also Mt 21:21).” The mountain is
the seemingly impossible obstacle in the path which hinders God’s
purposes. The flesh will be immediately confounded. Seeking deliverance
through the flesh will be futile. Faith in God and “bypassing” the logic of
the flesh is the answer to its removal. We trust and believe (patiently) and
God provides the victory – we have no certain ability. Moses was directed
of God to use his faith in lifting up his rod, stretching it forth, and dividing
the sea. God was not Moses’ servant, but rather Moses was using his faith
(trust, belief, obedience) to fulfill God’s known (predetermined) purpose of
delivering Israel out of Egypt (Ps 78:13). Our path to God will be filled
with trials and tribulations that can only be overcome through our faith in
God as keeping with His will. Hebrews 11:29, “By faith they passed
through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do
were drowned.” The flesh will always seek its benefit, yet the narrow path
to God is designed to destroy confidence in self (your broad way). Pharaoh
and his armies will follow God’s people in “their” ability and seeking their
will and thus hindering the Lord’s purposes. Pharaoh will learn that he is
no God and that his “way” leads to death. God will receive great honor
through the deliverance of His people and the destruction of the might and
power of Egypt. Those who are following God will pass through the sea
(obstacles) and be delivered from their enemies (Egyptians) and receive
life. Those who are following self will perish in the midst of the sea in
defiance of God’s purposes (Heb 11:29, Ps 78:52-53, Neh 9:11, Ps 106:9-
11). The Lord is showing us over and over through these events, that life
is found in obedience and submission to God. All other confidences will
end in death.
 
God’s Protective Shield
 
Exodus 14:19-20, “And the angel of God, which went before the camp of
Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went
from before their face, and stood behind them: And it came between the
camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and
darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one
came not near the other all the night (also Josh 24:7).” The Egyptians are
in their darkness and the children of Israel are in God’s light. What a
perfect picture of God’s separation of the two (Gen 1:4). Isaiah 9:2, “The
people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in
the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Egypt
is the land of the shadow of death (Job 24:13, Is 59:9, Eph 4:18-19).
Proverb 4:19, “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at
what they stumble.” Israel has been delivered out of Egypt and are now in
God’s light. Proverbs 4:18-20, “But the path of the just is as the shining
light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Israel is following
God and the Lord is the light of the way (1 Jn 1:5). John 8:12, “Then

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spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that
followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
There is a separation between those who are God’s and those who are
not. Those in darkness will not harm those who are submitted to the light.
We choose whom we will serve. Remember, a mixed multitude went out of
Egypt (forsook) with Israel.
 
Baptism
 
Exodus 14:21-22, “And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and
the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night,
and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children
of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the
waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.” The
Lord always comes from the east (Ez 42:1-4, 43:4, 44:1-3, 46:1-2, Mt
24:27). Psalms 78:13, “He divided the sea, and caused them to pass
through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.” The apostle Paul
likened the passage of the children of Israel through the Red Sea to
baptism. 1 Corinthians 10:2, “And were all baptized unto Moses in the
cloud and in the sea.” This is symbolic of death to their old life in Egypt
(which opposed God) and a new life unto God (under His authority). The
children of Israel were forsaking Egypt on a journey of faith in the Lord.
After all, they were going out to meet God in the wilderness. They
“followed” the cloud, which was the Lord. They were no longer following
their own path in the land of Egypt, but now have a new life in following
God. The above scripture says, “He caused them to pass through.” We
must be drawn of God. The flesh would never undertake a path on it’s
own that will surely be its demise. God (the Father of all spirits, Heb 12:9)
calls our spirit, which He gave us (Gen 2:7). Jesus said: John 6:44, “No
man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:
and I will raise him up at the last day.” AND John 6:65, “And he said,
Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were
given unto him of my Father.” God draws us out of the darkness into His
marvelous light and grants mercy (1 Pt 2:9-10). God calls as many as He
will (Acts 2:39). 1 John 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us.
Romans 9:15-17, “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will
have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God
that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this
same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee,
and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.” It will also
become evident within this study that: Matthew 22:14, “For many are
called, but few are chosen.” We shall consider this more perfectly as we
determine how the children of Israel fare (manage, progress, do) in their
trust and obedience toward God as they go through the wilderness. More
importantly, what God’s expectations are for this people. Pray always, that
ye may be accounted worthy to stand before the Son of man (Lk 21:36).
In Egypt, the children of Israel had been “poor in spirit” (Mt 5:3) and

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“mourned” greatly (Mt 5:4); they had also been humbled (meek, Mt 5:5).
God heard their cry and delivered them. Now there must come a
“hungering and thirsting after righteousness (Mt 5:6).”
 
Death (to Self and Pharaoh) and Deliverance (from Egypt and the
World)
 
Exodus 14:23-28, “And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to
the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his
horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD
looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the
cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And took off their chariot
wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us
flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the
Egyptians. And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the
sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their
chariots, and upon their horsemen. And Moses stretched forth his hand
over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning
appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the LORD overthrew the
Egyptians in the midst of the sea. And the waters returned, and covered
the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came
into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.”
Here we have a picture of the forces of evil (i.e. Egypt and all it
represents) led by Pharaoh himself desceding upon the seemingly
defenseless people of God. In challenging the people of God, Pharaoh
defies God Himself and His purposes (Is 47:10). Exodus 15:9, “The enemy
said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be
satisfied upon them (seeking of self); I will draw my sword, my hand (“I”)
shall destroy them.” Pharaoh comes in the force of “self” will against the
will (purposes) of the Lord God Almighty. The seeking of “self” has been
the foundation of Satan’s rebellion since the beginning (and thus man’s,
who has the devil’s nature). Notice there are five statements of “I” or self
will. This bears remarkable resemblance (same in qualities, mannerisms,
nature, things spiritual) with Lucifer’s (Satan’s) five “I” statements in his
initial rebellion against God. Consider: Isaiah 14:13-14, “For thou hast
said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above
the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the
sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be
like the most High.” In both cases the creature rebelliously attempts to
exalt his will above the Creator’s will. God’s reply to Lucifer’s (the devil)
boasts was: Isaiah 14:15, “Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the
sides of the pit.” God’s reply to Pharaoh’s boasts was: Exodus 14:17-18,
“And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall
follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his
host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen. And the Egyptians shall
know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh,
upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.” Shortly thereafter, the Lord
overthrew the Egyptians and Pharaoh (Ex 15:4) in the midst of the sea

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(Ps 136:15). Nehemiah 9:11, “And thou didst divide the sea before them,
so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their
persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty
waters.” So shall it be for all who transgress God and those He loves –
forevermore. Luke 1:52, “He hath put down the mighty from their seats,
and exalted them of low degree.” Pharaoh exalted himself above all and
humbled God’s people as slaves. God exalts His people and humbles the
wicked (Pharaoh). All the great and exalted prideful men of today will be
greatly humbled. Their life is as a vapor (grass in the field) and the day of
reckoning approaches. The qualities of unrepentant fallen man are
expressed as self seeking, prideful, fleshly, impatient, lustful, excessive,
foolish, unbelieving, assertive, harsh, immoral, violent, sensual, wicked
and rebellious. The qualities expressed in the repentant “born again” man
are humbleness, submission, meekness, reservation, obedience, trust,
temperance, goodness, patience, faithfulness, love, morality, forgiveness,
righteousness and peace. The unrepentant follow their own path
(imaginations of their heart, what is right in their own eyes) and are ruled
by fleshly lusts (as led by the devil). The contrite in heart follow the path
of Jesus (as led by the Spirit) and are surrendered to the authority of God
(the Father). Following “your will” daily (i.e. your path) is disregard for
God’s will daily (the Lord’s path). Put another way: following your path is
as if you partake of the forbidden fruit of Eden daily and thereby
transgress God’s command continually. Your fleshly lusts (as led of the
devil) will keep you intoxicated with forbidden fruit until the poison takes
its eternal effect as the second death. God says: Isaiah 30:3, “Therefore
shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow
of Egypt your confusion.”
 
Led by Who?
 
Those who are obediently following God are led by His Spirit in a narrow
way that leads to eternal life (toward God, Mt 7:14). The Spirit leads in
truth, righteousness and judgment (Jer 4:2, 9:24, Is 16:5, Ps 33:4-5,
96:13). Those following their own selfish lusts are led of the devil in a
broad way that leads to eternal damnation (away from God, Mt 7:13, Eph
2:2-3, 6:12). The devil leads in deception (lies), wickedness and
confusion. The Spirit and the devil are leading in opposite directions as are
their natures. The Spirit is leading in obedience to God through the tearing
down of the flesh (Col 3:5-10). The devil is leading in rebellion to God
though the tearing down (quenching, grieving) of the Spirit (blasphemy).
Truth is established by God the Creator (Jn 17:17, Ps 119:89). The Spirit
is truth (Jn 15:26). Deception and lies are the failure to acknowledge
God’s truth or to walk therein (whether willfull or ignorantly). The devil is
deception (Rev 12:9, Jn 8:44, 2 Cor 11:3, 13-15, 2 Thess 2:9).
Righteousness equates to faith and wickedness equates to unbelief.
Righteousness is following the Spirit (Ps 23:3) and wickedness is following
the lusts of the flesh (Hos 10:13, Mk 7:21-23). Judgment is discernment,
which is knowing how to correctly distinguish between good and evil and

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choosing the good – to understand light and darkness (black and white,
Heb 5:14). Judgment applies truth and forsakes the darkness to come to
the light. Confusion is the inability to differentiate (judge) right and wrong
and thereby meld (join, mix) the two as shades of gray (Jer 3:25, 7:19,
20:11, Dan 9:7-8, 1 Cor 14:33, Js 3:16). The shades of gray may have a
form of godliness and yet also do that which opposes God. To the
unbelieving nothing is pure, meaning that nothing is white – just shades
of gray. Many profess to know God, but in works they deny Him (being
abominable and disobedient, Ti 1:15-16). Confusion applies deception and
considers that Christ allows one to stay in one’s rebellion and proposes
that they can continue in transgression and sin due to God’s grace
(defined as a free gift that cannot be earned, lost or maintained by man).
God’s mercy does not establish iniquity (allow continuance, justify), but
rather God’s mercy and truth purge (erradicate, remove, eliminate,
cleanse of) iniquity (Pv 16:6). God’s grace will deny worldly lusts and
wickedness and lead one to forsake iniquity and come to the light (Ti
2:11-13, Jn 3:19-21). Truth and righteousness equals judgment.
Deception and wickedness equals confusion. Righteousness into judgment
equals truth. Deception into confusion equals wickedness. Righteousness
never equates to wickedness, nor does truth ever equal deception or
judgment ever equal confusion. This is mixing apples and oranges –
opposites. Righteousness will always be greater than (or superior) to
wickedness, as will truth always prevail over deception and Judgment will
always be greater than confusion. Mixing either of: righteousness, truth or
judgment with either of: wickedness, deception and confusion (any
combination), will produce error (shades of gray). God reigns “Supreme”
over all His creation and His nature prevails. God loves righteousness and
hates wickedness (Ps 45:7). Psalms 5:4  For thou art not a God that hath
pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. This means
eternal and complete separation of the wicked from God into damnation or
the second death (Pv 10:2, 11:5, 14:32, Rev 20:14).
 
Summary
 
Coming out of Egypt represents the first step in coming back to God. This
is where you realize your sinfulness and transgressions against God and
the bondage you are under and your great need for a deliverer. You are
humble and see that you cannot deliver yourself, but are willing to forsake
all and come to God. God had delivered the children of Israel from the
angel of death (through the blood). Similarly, Christ delivers from death
(your transgressions – though shalt surely die – Gen 2:17). The Lord had
delivered (redeemed) the Hebrews from the bondage of Egypt (through
judgment). Pharaoh and Egypt represented all that opposed God. The Lord
said, “let My people go,” and Pharaoh defiantly said no – he would not
open his prison house. Pharaoh said, “who is the Lord that I should obey
Him” and “I know not God.” God was delivering and bringing Israel unto
Himself in the wilderness. They were leaving Egypt and were not coming
back. This was a total forsaking of Egypt and the things thereof. Ezekiel

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20:7, “Then said I (God) unto them, Cast ye away every man the
abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of
Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” God led them through the Red Sea
which was further symbolic of death to self – the old life. They emerged in
the wilderness which was the beginning of a new life in faith toward God.
Similarly, the devil (like Pharaoh), opened not the house of his prisoners
(Is 14:17). Jesus came to redeem us from that which opposes God (sin,
iniquity, transgression against God’s will). Titus 2:13-14, “Looking for that
blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of
good works.” AND 1 John 3:3, 5, “And every man that hath this hope in
him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. And ye know that he
was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” For it was
said of Christ: Isaiah 42:7, “To open the blind eyes, to bring out the
prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison
house.” The prison house is the captivity of Satan (2 Tim 2:26). One is
placed into the prison house (bondage – corruption, Rm 8:21) through
seeking one’s own will (lusts of the flesh). Jesus came as a light to lead
out of darkness (and the accompanying blindness). Isaiah 42:16, “And I
will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths
that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and
crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake
them.” Jesus came and proclaimed liberty (deliverance) to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to them that are bound – recovery of sight
to the blind (Is 61:1, Lk 4:18). Christ “redeems” by paying the price for us
through the sacrifice of Himself - the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of
us all (Is 53:6, 12). However: John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation,
that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than
light, because their deeds were evil.” If you do not leave (forsake) the
darkness (that which opposes God), then you cannot be redeemed.
Christ’s blood only cleanses us from all sin if we walk in the light as He is
in the light (1 Jn 1:7). Those who stayed in Egypt were not redeemed
from Egypt. Those who bring Egypt with them, wander in the wilderness
until their carcases drop (discussed in Chap Four). The clear message here
is that through the devil’s lie in Eden man was brought into the devil’s
bondage through the transgression of God’s will. The resulting iniquity
which is sustained by seeking your own will (lusts) keeps you in the prison
house. God through His mercy came to set you free. To realize this
freedom you must forsake (leave Egypt) that which opposes God and be
restored as prior to the devil’s lie in Eden. God redeems and restores
those who submit and obey from a whole heart – and they shall be called
the Holy people, the redeemed of the Lord (Is 62:12). If you desire to
retain that which opposes God (continue to walk in “the Lie”), then Christ
is to no avail for you – you walk in darkness and do not the truth (1 Jn
1:6). Prior to the Lord’s deliverance, the children of Israel were poor in
spirit, mourning and were greatly humbled. We must come to this place in
our lives to see our great inability of self and great need for a Savior –

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deliverer. When we cry out to God in our desperation and fully surrender
to Him, then our deliverance is nigh. We must be ready and willing to
forsake the familiar and wicked when Christ calls us out. This is called
“repentance” and was Christ’s message to you. Matthew 4:17, “From that
time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand.” Repentance is the first step back to God.
 
Israel was following God (pillar of cloud), but knew not where they were
going or what awaited them (Ps 105:39). The Lord prepares our way and
we must follow in trust and obedience with a whole heart. The death of
Pharaoh and his army also represents our death to Egypt and the
destruction of the devil’s hold on us (Ps 78:11, Neh 9:11). The wilderness
leads to the Promised Land. Abraham was promised the land in which he
sojourned (a stranger, pilgrim). Genesis 17:8, “And I will give unto thee,
and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the
land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God
(also Ex 12:7, 13:15, 17, 15:7, 24:7, 26:3, 28:4, 13, 35:12, 48:4).” AND
Exodus 6:4, “And I have also established my covenant with them, to give
them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were
strangers (alsoEx 6:8, 12:25, 13:5, 11, 32:13, 33:1, Lev 20:24, 23:10,
25:2, 38, Num 13:2, Deut 1:8, 5:31, 6:10, 23, 10:11, 28:11, 30:20,
31:7, Ps 105:11, Neh 9:23).” God’s judgment was to drive the evil out of
that land and give it to the children of Israel. Exodus 3:8, “And I am come
down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them
up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with
milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and
the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.” God
drives these nations out due to their wickedness. Deuteronomy 9:5, “Not
for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go
to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD
thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform
the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob.” Similarly, we are sojourning on this earth (present world) and God
has promised to give us this land (a new earth, Js 2:5). Christ calls us out
and forms a nation (Is 55:5-7). Evil doers will be cut off and those who
walk in the way of the Lord and wait upon Him will inherit the earth (Ps
25:12-13, 37:9, 34, Dan 7:27). Jesus, the redeemer, shall turn us from
transgression and ungodliness (Is 59:20, Rm 11:26). Proverbs 10:30,
“The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit
the earth.” Christ will take dominion of the earth (Rev 11:15). Hebrews
11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but
having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced
them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
AND 2 Peter 3:13, “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for
new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness (also Is
65:17, 66:22, Rev 21:1).” God will first drive the wicked out of the earth
(Ps 37:34). 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on
them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus

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Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall
come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that
believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.”
The New Jerusalem will come down out of heaven and God will dwell with
His people (Rev 3:12, Is 65:17-19, Ez 37:26-28). Revelation 21:2-5, “And
I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of
heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great
voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself
shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor
crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are
passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all
things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and
faithful.” The Lord states: Psalms 37:11, “But the meek shall inherit the
earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” This
equates with what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount (Beattitudes,
“blessed” statements): Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall
inherit the earth.” The meek are those who are submitted to God’s will
and are not proud (self exaltation), self-sufficient or refractory (obstinate
in non-compliance), not peevish (fretful, apt to mutter and
criticize/protest, hard to please) and apt to complain of divine
dispensations (the dealing of God with His creatures). Psalms 37:29, 38,
“The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. But the
transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be
cut off.” Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will also be in the kingdom of Heaven
(Promised Land, Mt 8:11-12) – all the righteous of the earth will be with
their Lord forevermore.
 
After each of God’s judgments Pharaoh (and his servents) harden their
hearts in their resolve (their will) to oppose the Lord’s command to let His
people go. Similarly, when God brings comparable judgments upon the
beast (i.e. Pharaoh) and rebellious man during the Great Tribulation the
results will be much the same. They will harden their hearts and
blaspheme God (Who has power over these plagues) and repent not to
give Him glory (Rev 9:20, 16:9, 16:11). The very corrupt nature of fallen
man is to seek his will (ye shall be as gods, Gen 3:5) and to transgress
the will of God (ye shall not surely die in eating the forbidden fruit, Gen
3:4). God withdraws His convicting restraint and man transgresses to the
full of what is in his heart. The evil is already there (unclean inside, Mt
15:18-19) due to the exalting of self through seeking fleshly lusts rather
than dying to that wretched nature and humbling oneself before God.
Pharaoh killed God’s people (cast into the river, hard toil) and put them
under hard bondage. Similarly, the beast will kill God’s people and put
them in bondage in the Great Tribulation (Dan 8:24, 11:35-36, Rev
12:17, 13:7, 10, 15, 20:4). God prevails after humbling rebellious Egypt
through great judgments and Pharaoh is cast into the depths of the sea

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(Ex 15:1, 19). Exodus 15:4, “Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast
into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea.”
Similarly, God prevails at the conclusion of the Great Tribulation after
humbling the rebellious world (devil, man) through great judgments and
the beast is cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 19:20, “And the beast
was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before
him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the
beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive
into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” The devil is later (in
accordance to God’s purposes) cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:10). One
thing will always be true: I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed
gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea (Ex 15:1).
All those who rebel against God will be cast into the sea – whether water
or fire. Wicked, sinful, rebellious man was drowned in the depths of the
sea in the great flood while righteous Noah floated to safety. Wicked,
sinful, rebellious man in Sodom and Gomorrah had fire rained down upon
him while righteous Lot was led to safety.
 
Entering into the wilderness will present great challenges to the flesh. The
flesh must be torn down and die. Those that love the flesh (self will) will
die with it. Those that cast away the things of the flesh with a whole heart
toward God will go forward a new man with God’s nature in their heart. All
the trials and tribulations are designed (of God) to take reliance off of self
and put it upon God. The narrow way (Mt 7:14) that leads to God is as an
obstacle course in which the flesh has been blindfolded, and this course
can only be traversed (crossed, navigated, passed through) through total
surrender and obedience (faith) to God’s Spirit (the guide and teacher, Jn
14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7). John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of
truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of
himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will
shew you things to come.” Luke 1:79, “To give light to them that sit in
darkness and in the shadow of death (i.e. Egypt), to guide our feet into
the way of peace (peace is reconciliation with God).” These will serve in
faith and not through the flesh (Rm 7:18). This all goes back to man’s fall
in Eden when man took reliance off of God and placed it upon self (ye
shall be as gods, Gen 3:5) and thereby transgressed God’s will. That
rebellion must now be reversed and all things must be restored as prior to
the fall, for man to be reconciled with God. Pharaoh (the devil) tried to
keep man’s reliance upon him and self (man’s ability) through his
bondage. When Israel (man) wanted to seek God, Pharaoh (the devil)
increased the burden (Ex 5:8). Pharaoh does not want reconciliation
between man and God. Pharaoh says who is the Lord that I should obey
Him – I know not God (Ex 5:2). Pharaoh is set (immovable, resolute,
adament, stedfast, firm) in his rebellion and he desires to spread that
rebellion. If man returns to God then Pharaoh’s rebellion (Egypt) is
weakened and he has no one to serve him. In Eden, the devil convinced
man to join his rebellion by yielding to his counsel to partake of the
forbidden fruit and thus transgress God’s authority. However, man and the

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devil are not united in this rebellion. As part of God’s curse upon the
serpent, He put enmity between the devil and man (Gen 3:15). Therefore,
the devil hates man and places him in bondage (ensnares) and devours
him (2 Cor 2:11, 1 Tim 3:7, 2 Tim 2:26, 1 Pt 5:8). Satan is a hard
taskmaster and unyielding. However, God is superior and has cast
Pharaoh (the devil) into the sea (lake of fire – soon, Rev 20:10). Romans
9:17, “For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose
have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my
name might be declared throughout all the earth.” God has broken
Pharaoh’s power and bondage for those who will serve the Lord. Psalms
33:8, “Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world
stand in awe of him.”

Chapter Three – Into the Wilderness

 
The wilderness in scripture represents that place that is hostile to the flesh (those living for
self and seeking their way). This is not a place of comfort and ease by God’s design. Those
seeking the flesh (pleasures, riches and lusts of this world and the cares of life – one’s own
way), would never venture into the great and terrible wilderness by choice (Deut 1:19); it is
far away from the comforts the flesh desires. The Lord uses the wilderness to teach faith, trust
and obedience to God and to tear down the things of the flesh. This is a place where your self
sufficiency, resourcefulness and ingenuity reach their limitations. The waste howling
wilderness (desert place, Deut 32:10) is the place where you realize your inabilities and
helplessness and see your great need for God. Your idols are powerless and fall by the
wayside. The wilderness is a place of fiery serpents, scorpions, deserts, pits, drought (dearth,
deficiency, famine) and no water and thus the flesh becomes a great hindrance. (Deut 8:15,
Jer 2:6). The fiery serpents and scorpions are venomous and represent the devil and those
who follow him in his rebellion, such as the demons and fallen man (Ez 2:5, Lk 10:19). These
are found in the shadow of death that we must walk through (Ps 23:4, Jer 2:6). You must
reach beyond that which the flesh can provide or understand. The flesh and its rebellion to
God must be broken. The pride and self seeking must die in the wilderness (starved to death).
God uses the wilderness to humble you and teach you that you must surrender to and live by
every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth (Deut 8:3, Mt 4:4). The wilderness is a place of
temptation intended to see whom you will serve – God or the flesh. This is where God will
purge the rebels (Ez 20:38). The flesh is a tremendous hindrance (difficulty, obstacle, barrier,
impediment, encumbrance) in the wilderness. All the things the flesh desires are not to be
found there. Many will turn back (in seeking their way/path) or drop along the way (Jn 6:66),
but a remnant will proceed forward (Is 10:21-22, Rm 9:27-28, 11:5). The wilderness will
reveal just who you are serving if you have eyes to see. The Lord makes a way in the
wilderness and gives water where there is none (Is 43:19-20). The Lord is the water and He is
life (Jer 2:13, 17:3, Jn 7:38-39, Rev 7:17). God led Moses and the children of Israel into the
wilderness to humble them and prove their heart and obedience to Him for the intent to do
them good at their latter end (Deut 8:2, 16). God’s purpose was to have a people (nation) who
would lovingly surrender to His will and be an example to the world (Ex 19:5, Deut 4:7-8,
20, 34, 14:2). 1 Kings 8:53, “For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the
earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou
broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.” The children of Israel were to incline their
hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and
his judgments (1 Kgs 8:58, 61) for the intent: 1 Kings 8:60, “That all the people of the earth
may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.” Hosea 12:13, 13:4-5, “And by
a prophet (Moses) the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved.
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Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for
there is no saviour beside me. I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.”
Jesus said you must be converted (change of nature) and become as a little child to enter into
the kingdom of Heaven (Mt 18:3, 19:14). A little child is loving, trusting, submitted and
obedient toward its parents. A little child depends upon its parents for everything. This is how
we must be toward God. This is how things were to be in Eden before the fall of man. The
wilderness tears down self and teaches us to love, trust, submit and obey God. In turn, the
Lord provides for all our needs (manna, meat, water, shoes and clothes do not wax old,
direction, defense against enemies, healing from disease and poisonous bites, etc). Many in
the wilderness will have no appreciation for God’s provisions (water, manna, quails), but will
pine away for the world’s provisions (i.e. that of Egypt). Those who are peevish (Fretful;
petulant; apt to mutter and complain; easily vexed or fretted; querulous; hard to please,
express discontent, froward) hold onto self-will and seek the flesh, and are always unthankful
(unappreciative) of the things of the Spirit. God’s provision forced one to live one day at a
time (i.e. gathering of manna) focusing upon God’s giving of our daily bread. We must be
mindful of the Lord (foremost) every day of our life and not just the world’s religious days –
we must be thankful.
 
The wilderness is your journey with God through life on your way to the Promised Land
(eternity). The wilderness will determine who will truly surrender to God’s authority and
serve Him of a free and loving heart of obedience and who will not. This journey can only be
completed by faith in God and yielding to His direction and provision along the way. Many
who start out on this journey will never go beyond the flesh and their carcasses will drop
along the way. Those who seek the flesh are said to be in unbelief (seeking their way) and will
not enter into God’s rest (entered by God’s way – faith). Hebrews 3:16-19, “For some, when
they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with
whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in
the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them
that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” Unbelief is not
just a refusal to mentally accept of the reality of God. Unbelief is a refusal to cleave to God in
love, trust and obedience which is known as faith – to walk in His ways. One could believe in
God, but refuse to live for God. This is a refusal to truly leave Egypt from the heart and
forsake the things of self. Unbelief is to have a froward heart (unwilling to yield or comply
with what is required because of one’s reluctance to turn from evil) that loves the darkness
(Jn 3:19). We reveal our belief or unbelief through our actions. Unbelief is living and trusting
in your way rather than God’s Word. God brings pressure to bear in the wilderness that
reveals the true intent of our hearts. The real you will surface under pressure, which is a denial
of the things that the flesh desires such as water, food, and security. At this point (which
cannot be fully appreciated until you are in the circumstance), you will either seek “my will”
or “thy will.” You either cleave in trust and belief or rebel in seeking immediate satisfaction –
seeking your will which is having no confidence in God’s will and is thus unbelief.
 
John the Baptist and Jesus (who had no sin) both spent time in the wilderness (Lk 9:10). John
grew up in the wilderness and later ministered from the wilderness (Mt 11:7, Lk 3:2, 7:24). It
was said of John: Luke 1:80, “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the
deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.” John learned to have faith, trust and reliance
upon God in the wilderness. Consider God’s provision: Matthew 3:4-6, “And the same John
had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts
and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round
about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.” John was a man that
had died to self in the wilderness and was truly submitted to God’s purposes. John was weak

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to the things of the flesh, but mighty in the Spirit – the greatest prophet ever to arise (Mt
11:11, Lk 7:28, Jn 5:35). Had he been raised in the cities (i.e. Egypt), John most probably
would have never come to this place of surrender to God. John was truly unique in his time
and his message came to him from God in the wilderness (Lk 3:2). Matthew 3:1-3, “In those
days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias,
saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his
paths straight.” John was a lone (solitary) voice in a very religious world pointing the one true
way to God. He was an oddballto those living in the flesh, but was sent to prepare the way for
God’s own Son. Mark 1:4-5, “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of
repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and
they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”
John was teaching death to self and a forsaking of the ways of the world (i.e. Egypt) and
surrender to God in sincere sorrow for transgressions against the Lord (repentance). He may
have seemed a bit rough (irregular, coarse, forceful), but displayed true love in sacrificing
self (forsaking of “self” life, reputation) for the benefit of others (to draw men unto God).
John came as a servant to all and faced the ridicule of religious man (Mt 21:25, 32, Mk
11:31). John said: Matthew 3:8-11, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And
think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that
God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid
unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn
down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that
cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you
with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” There must be more than just an association with God in
our lives. The way in which we live every day must reflect the new life that we have in Christ
through the faith we live – “evidences” of that faith. Christ was coming who would provide
the power (Holy Ghost, Comforter) such that we can be truly transformed and walk in His
ways (fire). When Jesus came he also faced the wilderness. Matthew 4:1, “Then was Jesus led
up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” In the wilderness there was no
food or water and it was an isolated place. Jesus was tempted of these things to seek self
rather than the will of God (Mt 4:2-11, Lk 4:1-13). Christ prevailed in all temptations
revealing that He walked after the Spirit and not after the lusts of the flesh (Rm 8:4-5, 1 Pt
4:2). God will bring us all into the wilderness to reveal the heart. Many will assume that
evidence of their faith is attendance at a church building (religious organization). When one
looks upon such a facility will they see the glory of the world (steeples, stained glass
windows, giant auditoriums, gymnasiums, convention style kitchens, banquet halls, fellowship
and youth facilities, orchestras or bands, buses, etc.) or will they see lives devoid of self and
totally surrendered to God walking in His will every day in their every action? Are these the
ones “called out” of the world or the ones religiously comfortable in the world – such were
the Pharisees and Sadducees.
 
This chapter considers the travels of the children of Israel from their triumphant Red Sea
crossing to Mount Horeb (Sinai) where they meet with God. God speaks His will to Israel
through Moses and audibly (verbally, out loud, from His own mouth) from the mount. In all
cases the people agree to abide in (keep, obey) God’s commandments and serve Him.
However, the people’s actions revealed a different nature than their profession. Many people
will profess great things to God with their lips while their actions reveal a heart of unbelief
(Mt 15:8, Mk 7:6). The Lord had done tremendous miracles before this people and spoke to
them in all His glory, yet the rebellious nature of man continually surfaced to claim its own.
God said to them: Deuteronomy 4:32-36, “For ask now of the days that are past, which were
before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of

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heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath
been heard like it? Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire,
as thou hast heard, and live? Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst
of another nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty
hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your
God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know
that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. Out of heaven he made thee to hear
his voice, that he might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou
heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.” The people proclaimed that they would serve
God, but it turns out that they really preferred that God would serve them. Lucifer wanted to
live in his will and be served and so does rebellious man – for man has the devil’s nature. The
Lord’s commandments were designed to take one’s attention (focus) off of self and place it
upon God first and then others. Herein lied a great problem for a stiff-necked people.
 
From the Red Sea Into the Wildreness
 
Exodus 15:22-24, “So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the
wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And
when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter:
therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying,
What shall we drink?” It doesn’t take the flesh very long to rise up and declare its dominance.
Psalms 106:13-14, “They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: But lusted
exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert.” The moment one has to suffer
any discomfort in the flesh for God’s purposes; self shall rise up and declare its independence.
This is the fallen nature of man; to seek self and be ruled by the lusts of the flesh (to seek
one’s own). Give me this and give me that! The flesh “waited not” for God because it has no
patience – it wants to be served. The people were peevish; meaning they were apt to mutter
and complain (fretful, petulant) and were hard to please. Those living in the flesh are always
this way. God did not deliver Israel from Egypt through mighty miracles, divide the Red Sea,
and destroy Pharaoh’s army such that He could lead them out into the desert to die from a
lack of water. Where will our trust be? There can only be one authority in your life, the flesh
or the Spirit (Gal 5:16-17). To seek God is to deny the flesh. To seek the flesh is to deny God.
It really comes down to this: Romans 8:5-6, 8, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the
things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally
minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. So then they that are in the
flesh cannot please God.” Which one will be the priority? God declares that He will be the
authority and you must be submitted and obedient to the Lord’s will. God will test and try us
and no doubt this was the first test of the Hebrews (Ps 7:9). The children of Israel had just
been rejoicing three days prior over their miraculous passage across the Red Sea (on dry
ground) and the Lord’s total destruction of the Egyptian armies (the most powerful in the
world, Ex Chap 14, 15:1-21). Suddenly the flesh is denied something it wants (perhaps
something it needs) and it rises up in rebellion. We will discuss in this book how Moses twice
went forty days and nights without food and water, yet was sustained of God (Deut 9:18, 25,
10:10). Moses should have died both times, yet faith preserved him. Moses sought God first,
and the Lord provided for his needs supernaturally (Mt 6:33). Our trust must be in God,
especially in times of need. Many focus on self, but that is what must die. To focus on the
needs or self is to not focus on God - unbelief. Often when the flesh has reached its
limitations, then God will move – and thus the flesh does not glory or triumph (1 Cor 1:29).
The objective is to tear down trust in and reliance upon the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, “And
he (Jesus) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ

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may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” When
you are weak in the flesh, then you are strong in the Spirit. God’s grace is His work in your
heart (and life) as you walk in faith (Php 2:13, Heb 13:20-21). This work begins on the inside
and manifests on the outside (Mt 23:27).
 
The flesh was once denied the forbidden fruit in Eden (Gen 2:16-17). Man did not require this
fruit it was just a desire (temptation). The devil convinced man to transgress God’s will and
get the fruit his flesh desired. Man thereby submitted to the devil’s rebellion against God and
took on Satan’s nature of rebellion. This is the nature of man that must die in the wilderness.
It’s easy to love and seek a God who serves you (gives you what you want), but will you love
and serve God if you are denied? This is a great indicator of sincere love and trust. One way
makes God your servant (as the devil tried to do) and the other makes you God’s servant (as
all things will be eternally). The devil tried to tempt Jesus into making God (the Father) His
servant when Christ was in the wilderness. Matthew 4:5-7, “Then the devil taketh him (Jesus)
up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou
be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge
concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot
against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt (make God your
servant) the Lord thy God.” The devil tempted Jesus for forty days with lusts of the flesh
(three specific temptations noted) in hopes that Christ would submit to him (Mt 4:1-11, Mk
1:12-13, Lk 4:1-13). In all cases Jesus declared His absolute surrender and obedience to the
Father and denied the flesh to accomplish this. Jesus was forty days and forty nights without
food or water, yet God sustained Him – He did not perish (Mt 4:2). Seek God first and He
will meet your needs (Mt 6:33). To profess God without actions (evidence) is meaningless.
Many will profess love for God while doing the very things that oppose god. The devil tempts
the flesh with wants and needs (its lusts) in the wilderness (place of denial, lack or desire).
Those who live in the flesh will be taken captive (snared – caught through deception and
fleshly bait) at his will (2 Tim 2:26). He who is begotten of God keepeth himself that the
wicked one touch him not (1 Jn 5:18). Let us consider a deeper meaning of the forty days and
forty nights. In the days of Noah when man had become wicked upon the face of the earth,
God said He would send a flood to destroy all flesh (Gen 6:17). In order to do this, it would
rain upon the earth for forty days and forty nights (Gen 7:4, 12). After forty days and forty
nights, the flesh would be dead (Gen 7:21-22) and the ark (containing the righteous) would be
lifted up (Gen 7:17). The forty days and forty nights is symbolic of “death to the flesh.” Jesus
fasted forty days and forty nights just prior to being tempted in the flesh. The flesh had to die!
Moses fasted forty days and forty nights (more than once) to enter into God’s presence where
no flesh will glory (Ex 34:28, Deut 9:9, 18). The flesh had to die! Elijah fasted forty days and
forty nights prior to coming into God’s presence where no flesh will glory (1 Kg 19:8). The
flesh had to die! The children of Israel wandered forty years in the wilderness until the men of
the flesh (unbelief) died out (Josh 5:6). Later in this chapter we will also consider an
additional and equally applicable meaning. How does your faith hold up when things are not
going your way? You will either whine and cry or say to God, “thy will be done.” The
Hebrews had to learn faith and trust in God alone, for all their needs. The waters were bitter
and the way back was too far, what were the people to do? Exodus 15:25-27, “And he
(Moses) cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into
the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance,
and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD
thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments,
and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought
upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. And they came to Elim, where were

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twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the
waters.” God was proving the hearts of the people through the denial of their flesh. Would
their faith be strong in Him or would they rebel? Notice what God desired in the people; their
obedience to God’s will. The Lord was telling them that He would be their provider in all
things (necessary things and their health), but they must look to Him in trust and obedience
this is where our wellbeing is found. The Lord proved Israel at Marah and made a statute and
an ordinance that they would walk in His ways and keep His commandments (Ex 15:25-26).
Everyone who enters the wilderness must be of a ready and willing heart to obey God. One
can only survive the wilderness by “following” the direction of the Lord.
 
The initial trek into the wilderness revealed that the people’s minds were on self. The Lord
counselled them to obey Him and keep His commands and He would see them through. God
now leads them further into the wilderness. Exodus 16:1-3, “And they took their journey from
Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which
is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out
of the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against
Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God
we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and
when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this
whole assembly with hunger.” Once again the flesh rises up claiming its lordship (ye shall be
as gods, Gen 3:5). The flesh demands its way, but the wilderness produces leanness, patience
and suffering (longsuffering), self control, and denial (Jn 16:18-19, 20, 16:33, 17:14, Rm 5:3-
4, 8:17, 24-25, 12:12, 1 Cor 4:12, 2 Cor 6:4, Gal 5:22, Eph 4:2, Php 1:29, Col 1:11, 3:12, 2
Thess 1:5, 2 Tim 2:12, 3:12, 4:2, 1 Pt 2:20, 2 Pt 3:9, Js 1:3-4, 5:10, Rev 14:12). Those living
for self consider such things to be negative because they deny them what they want –
immediate fleshly gratification (indulgence, fulfillment, enjoyment, pleasure, entertainment)
and satisfaction. The flesh will quickly deny and sacrifice the things of God to get what it
wants. The flesh does not want to follow God’s leading, it wants to take its own path, to seek
its own way - what satisfies it. If going back to Egypt gets the flesh what it wants, then man’s
desire says, “so be it! Those seeking self want to do the leading and have God follow them -
to serve them. The flesh wants to rise above the most High, but the flesh must be cast down
(Is 14:13-15). Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate (through Jesus, Jn 10:7): for
wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go
in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few
there be that find it.” Egypt (idolatry, wickedness, rebellion, pride, self) is very representative
of the broad path. The broad path glitters of all the flesh desires. The broad path satisfies and
caters to self. Even so, there are bondages on the broad path and it does lead to death. The
gate to the broad path is called “death” and the doors are the shadow of death (Job 38:17).
Most people believe that having all their needs met and material excess is the blessing of God.
The author submits to you that if you are not spiritually mature, these things will be the
greatest obstacles you may face in your relationship with God. These things will actually keep
your focus off of God and on self. Notice that the children of Israel were willing to die just to
sit by the flesh pots and eat bread to the full. If they could seek their desires, they would pay
the price later. Many today are willing to die as long as they can seek self to the full. Of
course no one who is seeking self really thinks they will truly die one day – they live for the
moment and love the darkness. On the broad path, the flesh will live now and the spirit will
die eternally. The day of death is looming, for God says to those who transgress His will (and
seek their own – rebellion), “thou shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17, Ez 33:14). God does not lie (Ti
1:2)! The majority will always travel the way of the flesh which is the broad path – Egypt.
Each step down the broad path is one closer to death and one further from God. The
wilderness is very representative of the narrow path. It is plain, unappealing and very hard on

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the flesh (Ps 27:11). Jesus Christ is the strait gate (door) to the narrow path. One only enters
through repentance and surrender to Christ’s Lordship (Mt 4:17). On the narrow path the flesh
will die now and the spirit will live eternally - opposites (Mt 10:39, 16:25, Mk 8:35, Lk 9:24,
17:33, Jn 12:24-25). For ye are dead! And your life is hid in Chrisy (Col 3:3). The plain
narrow path leads to God and only those who sincerely seek Him over self will travel it. One
must trust in Jesus and “follow” as He leads in righteousness. Jesus restores your relationship
with God. Psalms 23:3-4, “He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Very few people will
walk the narrow path because it is arduous and rugged and there is denial of the flesh, with
suffering and reproach. You truly must be seeking God to even see (recognize) this path (its
hidden to those seeking the flesh, Jn 3:3). No man would seek such a path apart from God’s
calling (Jn 6:65, Rm 3:11). The narrow path is foolishness to those who are seeking their own
way. 1 Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God:
for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned.” Those who seek self (including religious man) could never understand denying
the very thing they love and cherish (worship). For what reason they would say? The reason
you must deny (relinquish) your way is so that you can humble yourself and absolutely
submit to God’s way. There can only be one authority in your life. There will certainly be
only one authority throughout eternity. To seek your way is to rebel against God’s way. This
is what the devil did and he is the father of all who follow him. To seek self (your way) is to
submit to and follow Satan (the devil’s lie: that you can transgress God’s will and not die and
shall be as gods in determining your own way, Gen 3:4-5). Therefore: 1 Corinthians 1:18,
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved
it is the power of God.” The reason the cross is foolishness is because it represents death to
self – death to your rebellious way (Rm 6:6, Gal 2:20, 5:24, 6:14). Those who are seeking
themselves are perishing, but they do not see it that way. The cross is also the way of
reconciliation with God (Heb 2:17), which is coming back under God’s authority (through
Christ) by way of faith (sincere love, submission and obedience to God’s will). God perfects
our faith by tearing down the things of the flesh in the wilderness (on the narrow path). This
is a lifelong struggle with sacrifice, persecution, suffering, denial and reproach. These are the
things Christ endured and He is the firstborn of many brethren. Those who follow Christ will
experience the same things He did and through these experiences will be conformed to His
image. Romans 8:29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed
to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
 
Flesh and Bread From Heaven
 
The Lord proved Israel once again by raining bread from heaven. Exodus 16:4, “Then said the
LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out
and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law,
or no.” God had Moses assemble the congregation. Exodus 16:11-15, “And the LORD spake
unto Moses, saying, I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them,
saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye
shall know that I am the LORD your God. And it came to pass, that at even the quails came
up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. And when the
dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round
thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. And when the children of Israel saw it, they
said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them,
This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.” God provided for the necessary
needs of the children of Israel. In so doing God was going to teach them to rely upon and

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obey Him as we will discuss shortly. The bread was God’s life giving provision that although
nutritious and filling, was not what those living in the flesh would desire – certainly not what
was expected. God does not cater to the will of the flesh, but provides in His way and for His
purposes. Psalms 106:14-15, “But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in
the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” Leanness is want
of flesh and meagerness (destitution of fat) – not enough to indulge in (treat, spoil, give into
the desires to excess) – thinness of body. This means there was not an excess whereby the
body may produce fat (store up calories) or be satisfied through the flesh. Exodus 16:16-28,
“This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, Gather of it every man according to his
eating, an omer for every man, according to the number of your persons; take ye every man
for them which are in his tents. And the children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more,
some less. And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over,
and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating. And
Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto
Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses
was wroth with them. And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating:
and when the sun waxed hot, it melted. And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they
gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation
came and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To
morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day,
and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until
the morning. And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither
was there any worm therein. And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the
LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh
day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none. And it came to pass, that there went out
some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. And the LORD said
unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?” The manna was
very small (like an hoar of frost or coriander seed) and much had to be gathered to make a
little bread. Exodus 16:31, “And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it
was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.” This
required much effort. Those living in the flesh were not content with the manna and yet had to
labor much to obtain it. When the sun rose it melted away so there was not much time to
gather it. This whole process required daily obedience and surely kept the people’s thoughts
on God the source. Only one day’s worth could be gathered at a time (except prior to the
Sabbath), otherwise it bred worms and stank. This means that the flesh was denied its security
of having a supply (store) or hoard (reserve, stockpile) of food. The people had to trust and
depend upon the Lord daily. The people had to obey and gather the manna daily. Although the
manna sustained their lives, this was what they ate every single day. Some (those who
gathered much) had to sacrifice for the benefit of others – this is Love. Similarly, those who
follow Christ must trust in God through faith everyday. If you do not feel leanness to
absolutely need and depend upon God everyday, then perhaps your flesh has found comfort in
its surroundings. Perhaps your flesh is indulged, full, content and thriving? If this is the case,
you can be guaranteed that your relationship with God is lacking and in need of immediate
attention. If things are going well in your life, do not necessarily consider it to be God’s
blessings. More than likely your flesh is not being challenged to conform to the image of
Christ through death to self (Col 3:10). You must be actively denying the flesh all its lustful
fulfillment by obediently seeking God’s will. If you are truly seeking first the kingdom of
God and His righteousness, then the flesh will be attempting to exalt itself for attention and
regain what it is being denied or has lost. Exodus 16:35, “And the children of Israel did eat
manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came
unto the borders of the land of Canaan.” The commandments for gathering manna were

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clearly given, but the rebellious people continued to exert their will. Some attempted to keep
the manna over night, while others looked for manna on the Sabbath. They continually
rebelled against God and would not obey simple directions. Consider God’s purposes:
Deuteronomy 8:3, “And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with
manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know
that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of
the LORD doth man live.” God’s purposes were to tear down the flesh and humble the people
to obey His Words – that they might know that “I AM” the Lord your God (Deut 29:6). God
wanted them to have faith in Him. This equates with Christ’s statement on the Sermon on the
Mount (Beattitudes) when He said: Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they which do hunger and
thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Our necessary meat must be to do the will
of God (Jn 4:34). God provides us with what we need to perform His will, but the flesh will
never be satisfied with God’s provision. Most people will not seek God when things are going
well in their lives, only during times of duress (pressure) and great need. Many have a cyclic
(recurring, repeated, habitual) relationship with God that is only relational to the duration
(extent, interval) of a provision for a given need in their lives. These occasional sudden
interests in God are one-sided based upon what God can do for me (self). At other times, most
are a comfortable (to the flesh) as being lukewarm, which is nauseous to God (Rev 3:16). God
desires those who will truly love Him and will personally sacrifice to obey His every Word.
Psalms 78:23-38, “Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors
of heaven, And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of
heaven. Man did eat angels’ food: he sent them meat to the full. He caused an east wind to
blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind. He rained flesh also upon
them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea: And he let it fall in the midst of
their camp, round about their habitations. So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave
them their own desire; They were not estranged (withdrawn, alienated) from their lust. But
while their meat was yet in their mouths, The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the
fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. For all this they sinned still, and
believed not for his wondrous works. Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their
years in trouble. When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired
early after God. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their
redeemer. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with
their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his
covenant. But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not:
yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.” God was very
longsuffering toward this rebellious people. They were never content. They had no faith or
trust in God. They did not obey. They followed grudgingly and were ruled by their flesh
(their constant lusts). Their God was their fleshly lusts and needs which they clung to
(cleaved). They only sought God for need and their hearts were not right. These people were
full of unbelief. The same is true of all men. Most in this world (including religious man) seek
their way (with or without a form of godliness). God is looking for those who will lovingly
and freely submit to Him in obedience and be led for His purposes. God was teaching Israel
reliance and obedience in sending manna. Israel never responded with the heart that God
desired. Had you asked any of them they would have told you they were following and
worshipping the Lord (as the religious always say), yet…God said of them: “A stubborn and
rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not
stedfast with God (Ps 78:8).” Throughout the existence of man, there has always been only a
remnant that would give God their heart and soul (Is 10:21-22). This is the harvest that God is
after in this earth (Js 5:7-8). God has great mercy and forgiveness, but it is a longsuffering
that all would come to repentance and truly turn to Him (2 Pt 3:9, Rm 2:4). The rebellious
will perish – the guilty will not be cleared (Num 14:18).

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The Bread of Life (Jesus)
 
The manna (bread from heaven) was very symbolic of Jesus. John 6:30-35, “They said
therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what
dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread
from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you
not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the
bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said
they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of
life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
Recall what Jesus had once said on the mount: Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they which do
hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Thus, they will never hunger or
thirst (filled with the Spirit). The children of Israel were to believe on God (heart faith) and
obey His commands with respect to manna (or anything else). Consider Jesus’ obedience:
John 6:38, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that
sent me.” AND John 14:31, “But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the
Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.” AND John 8:29, “And
he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that
please him.” Christ was surrendered to do the Father’s will and Jesus is the one we must
“follow” and become like – to conform and be in His likeness. Jesus was saying that God sent
Him and that whosoever receives Him (believes on Him with heart faith) will be sustained of
God (seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteouness and all these things shall be
added unto you, Mt 6:33). John 6:40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one
which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up
at the last day.” They wanted to satisfy their flesh (lusts) – to be carnally (pertaining to the
flesh) fed. Jesus was telling them their desire must be to live by every word that proceedeth
out of the mouth of God. True life is found only in God. John 6:46-51, “Not that any man hath
seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto
you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat
manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven,
that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven:
if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh,
which I will give for the life of the world.” This is foolishness to those seeking to fulfill the
lusts of the flesh. Those who love God and desire His will more than life itself will understand
how Christ atoned for and reconciled the path back to the Father. These will “follow” Jesus
for He leads the way back to God. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life – the bread of life
(Jn 14:6). Most seek their own will and have no desire to relinquish their will and cease all
rebellion. These are following their father the devil down his path that leads to hell. Jesus
went back to God and sits on His right hand (Mk 16:19, Lk 22:60, Jn 13:3, 14:12, 28, 16:5,
10, 16-17, 28, 17:13, 20:17, Acts 2:23, 5:31, 7:55).The devil is going to hell (Rev 20:10,
separation from God). These are two opposite paths that have distinct (separate) and opposite
terminations (end points). Those who deny self (die to self) and take up their crosses and
“follow” Jesus will find heaven at the end of Christ’s path (Mt 16:24, Mk 8:34, 10:21, Lk
9:23, 14:27). All the rebellious ones who live for self (denying and sacrificing nothing) will
find the lake of fire at the end of Satan’s path. God said if you transgress his will that you will
die. The devil said you can do your own thing and live. Well, you do die! This verified the
truth of God’s Word and exposed the lie of the devil. John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto
them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but
shall have the light of life.” You must release your love of darkness and Jesus will light the

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path back to God. Otherwise: John 8:21, “Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and
ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.” Those who love
darkness cannot follow a path of light. John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that
whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” Those who love darkness cannot
live in the light – light overcomes darkness (Jn 1:5). Those who do not follow will die in their
rebellion to God (living for self). Those who say they are in the light, but do not walk in the
light are only deceived while in darkness. 1 John 1:6-7, “If we say that we have fellowship
with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he
is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.” You cannot go your own way and still come to God – the paths are
divergent. John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that
believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in
me shall never die. Believest thou this?” Notice that we must live in Christ. Jesus must
become your very life and not just your religious observance. Jesus said, John 8:51, “Verily,
verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” To keep Christ’s
commandments is to live them daily. God wants your loving obedient heart and all else will
fall short.
 
Exodus 17:1-3, “And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the
wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and
pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. Wherefore the people did
chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them,
Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD? And the people thirsted there for
water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast
brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?” This is
beginning to be a very familiar occurrence. The children of Israel were again seeking their
will rather than submitting to God. The Lord had provided for all their needs, but they
exhibited no faith in God whatsoever. There was no patience, trust or thankfulness. Exodus
17:4-7, “And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be
almost ready to stone me. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take
with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine
hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt
smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did
so in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the name of the place Massah, and
Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the
LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not? (also Is 48:21)” The rock was symbolic of
Jesus (Deut 32:15, 18, Is 51:1, Mt 7:24-25, 12:10, Lk 6:48-49, Rm 9:33, Eph 2:20, 1 Pt 2:7-
8). Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a
God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” 1 Corinthians 10:4, “And did all drink
the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that
Rock was Christ.” Isaiah 28:16, “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for
a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth
shall not make haste.” The water that proceeded for the rock was symbolic of the Holy Spirit
whom Christ gives to those who “follow” Him. God would later say: Deuteronomy 6:16, “Ye
shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.” This was what Jesus
referred to when He was tempted of the devil forty days and nights in the wilderness. Rather
than produce water from a rock, the devil suggested that Jesus turn rocks into bread (Mt 4:3,
7, Lk 4:3, 12). We are not to tempt our Lord God. Psalms 107:35, “He turneth the wilderness
into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.” The Lord God brings life out of
death. We die now (to selfish want/lusts) that we may live later (eternally submitted to God).
 

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The Holy Spirit
 
Moses and Jesus were both filled with the Holy Spirit (Num 11:16-17, Is 11:2, 42:1, 59:21,
61:1, 63:11, Acts 10:38, Mt 12:18, Mk 1:10, Lk 4:1-2). All the prophets of old were filled
with the Holy Ghost (Zech 7:12, 1 Pt 1:10-11, 2 Pt 1:21, Mic 3:8, Mk 12:36, Lk 1:6, 15, 41,
67, 2:25-27, 1 Sam 10:6, Ez 2:2, 3:24). The children of Israel did not have such a filling of
the Holy Spirit. Man had God’s written Word (Moses and the prophets), but always
interpreted it through fleshly eyes and misapplied it (Rm 8:7). Jesus has made a new covenant
(testament, Heb 10:16) and now we have more perfect access to God. John 14:15-16, “If ye
love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another
Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” If we obey we will receive the Spirit (Acts
5:32). If you are double minded (dual loyalties with things that oppose one another such as
with God and the world/self/flesh), do not expect to receive anything (Js 1:6-8, 4:8).
Ephesians 2:18, “For through him (Christ) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
John 7:37-39, “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any
man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath
said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which
they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that
Jesus was not yet glorified.)” Jesus the rock, gives living water. 1 Corinthians 10:4  And did
all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and
that Rock was Christ.” Jesus was the rock and water flowed from the rock. This was a
foreshadowing of Jesus giving the Holy Spirit (baptism of). John 4:10, “Jesus answered and
said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to
drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” Jesus
leads unto living fountains of waters (Rev 7:17, 22:1-3, Zech 14:8) and these are as a well of
water springing up into everlasting life (Jn 4:14). The Spirit produces living water, but the
flesh would never be satisfied with such nor will it be given to it. Why should one need living
waters (the Holy Spirit)? Because the Spirit gives you life in God. Jesus came to baptize in the
Holy Ghost and fire (Mt 3:11, Lk 3:16, Jn 1:33). Jesus said, John 16:7-8, “Nevertheless I tell
you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will
not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will
reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” To be expedient is to be
advantagous, profitable and beneficial (as to a given purpose) for our being able to follow
Christ. John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to becomethe sons of
God, even to them that believe on his name.” What is this power? Acts 1:8, “But ye shall
receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth
(also Rm 15:13, 19, 1 Cor 2:4-5, 4:20, Eph 3:20, 1 Thess 1:5).” Jesus came in the power of
the Holy Ghost (Lk 1:35, 4:14, 32, 36, 5:17, Acts 10:38, Rm 1:4). Those given power are
“born again” of God (Jn 1:13, 3:3, 5-6). Those that “receive” Christ are sealed by His Spirit
(Jn 3:33, 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13, 4:30). Jesus was sealed with the Spirit (Jn 6:27). The Spirit
rebukes (admonishes, reprimands) one of iniquity (pulls down idols in one’s life) such as to
lead them in Jesus’ path. The Spirit leads in paths of righteousness (Ps 23:3). Judgment
concerns making righteous decisions based upon the truth. This is the ability to choose the
good and refuse the evil (Is 7:15-16). Proverbs 28:5, “Evil men understand not judgment: but
they that seek the LORD understand all things.” The Lord gives us His Spirit that we may
understand. John 15:26, “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from
the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.”
This is how God puts His laws into our hearts and minds – the Holy Ghost is the witness of
God (Heb 10:14-24). The Holy Spirit dwells within those who are sincere and obedient to
God (Acts 5:32, 1 Cor 3:16, 6:19). The scriptures present a question: Romans 11:34, “For

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who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?” The answer to the
question is the Spirit of God. Through the Spirit we have access to God’s wisdom and Christ’s
direction all the time (Eph 1:17-18). The Holy Spirit searches and reveals the deep things of
God and we thereby have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:10-16). Can we possibly have greater
understanding than this? John 16:13-15, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he
will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear,
that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall
receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore
said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” The Holy Ghost teaches us the
true meaning and intent of God’s Word (unfolds) and leads us in the way – correct
understanding and application (Rm 8:14, Gal 5:18). Man will always read God’s Word with
fleshly intent and interpret it in ways that benefit self. There are so many doctrines and
religious denominations of man – contradictory and confusing. The Spirit guides those who
are submitted and obedient to understand the truth of God’s Word (lifts the blindness which is
there due to the flesh) who will deny the flesh (and its lusts) and sincerely live within God’s
Word. Those who read God’s Word with no intent to apply it, quench the Spirit (put out,
exstinguish, douse, stifle, smother, 1 Thess 5:19) and grieve the Spirit (Eph 4:30) and thus
become lost in their own blindness of flesh. The Spirit’s direction will always agree with
God’s Word because He testifies of Jesus who is the Word – and they are One (Jn 17:17, Js
1:18, 1 Pt 1:25, 1 Jn 5:6-7).John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom
the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” If we truly want to know God’s will and
desire to perform it, then the Holy Spirit will ensure that we understand it. 1 John 2:27, “But
the anointing which ye have received of him (Christ sent the Spirit) abideth in you, and
ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and
is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him (also 1 Jn 2:27).”
The Holy Spirit’s role is absolutely vital and cannot be understated or underestimated
(misjudged, misvalued). If you have not the Spirit, then you are none of His (Christ’s, 1 Jn
4:13). Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God
dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” It is also
important to note that man does not control the Spirit in anyway. If man is leading then the
Spirit is not. Religious error quickly manifests itself when the Spirit is absent. Man cannot
know God or serve Him apart from the Spirit. God has sealed us with the Spirit in our hearts:
2 Corinthians 1:20-22, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto
the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us,
is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” Earnestness
is the seriousness in the pursuit to meet a given objective – a fixed attention (a sincere and
serious quest). To be earnest is to be ardent in pursuit, eager to obtain and longing in desire
(devoted, zealous, intent). The objective is to be stablished (made firm) in Christ. The Spirit
works to stablish us in Christ by combatting (coming against) that which opposes Jesus in our
lives (idolatry, iniquity, rebellion, transgression, frowardness, etc.). Therefore, those who are
stedfast in the flesh (holding to darkness) resist, quench and grieve the Spirit. Yielding to the
Spirit allows you to be transformed into the image of Christ which is to be perfectly obedient
to the Father’s will (speak the Lord’s Word, work the Lord’s works, die to self, walk in truth,
etc.). Colossians 3:10, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after
the image of him that created him.” Jesus said: Mark 16:15-16, “And he said unto them, Go
ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Those that are “baptized” shall be
saved! This is not referring to water baptism. Certainly you must take to heart the symbology
of water baptism to be saved - which is death to self; forsaking your transgressions and
rebellion; and surrender to God through Christ. However, this is referring to the baptism of

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the Holy Ghost. How do we know? – read the next verse. Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall
follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils;they shall speak with new
tongues.” Speaking with tongues is exclusive of the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, 19:6,
10:44-47). John the Baptist said Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire (Mt 3:11,
Lk 3:16). Now consider what happened at Pentecost: Acts 2:3-4, “And there appeared unto
them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Notice the symbology of “tongues” (speaking in) and “fire.” We just covered that if you do
not have the Spirit, then you are not Christ’s (1 Jn 4:13). We cannot walk this walk of faith
without the Spirit; it cannot be done! – Jesus said it was expedient that He go that the Spirit
may come (Jn 16:7-8). Can it be anymore clear? Without the Spirit there is no teaching
(understanding); no leading; no conviction; no restraint; no power; and no intercession. So, do
you have evidence of “tongues (tongue talker)?” Best seek the Lord (sincerely) who gives
good gifts (Acts 1:5, 2:33, 38, 4:31, 8:15-17). Luke 11:13, “If ye then, being evil, know how
to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the
Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” 1 John 4:13, “Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and
he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”
 
Consider how God draws us unto Himself: 1 Peter 1:2, “Elect according to the foreknowledge
of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the
blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” We are justified by Christ’s
blood and set apart of the Spirit for obedience unto God. Our faith keeps us through the power
of God unto salvation (1 Pt 1:5). Again, the power of God is the Holy Spirit working in your
life. God tries or tests our faith along the way as we encounter multiple temptations (1 Pt 1:6-
8). Our souls are purified as we obey God’s truth through the Spirit (1 Pt 1:22). At the end of
our faith we receive salvation for our souls (1 Pt 1:9). We must realize that the Holy Spirit is
integral (essential, vital, fundamental) in all this in leading, teaching and empowering. If you
do not exercise your faith through obedience, then God cannot work within you (given your
free will) to transform you and thus your faith is dead (Js 2:17, 20, 26). The Lord works
within willing hearts through faith (Php 2:13). God will not force a rebellious and froward
heart to be something it doesn’t want to be. All will be judged according to their deeds (Job
34:11, Eccl 3:17, 11:9, 12:14, 2 Kg 8:39, Ps 62:12, Pv 24:12, 29, Is 59:18, Jer 17:10, 25:14,
32:19, Ez 7:3-4, 8-9, 27, Oba 1:15, Zech 1:6, Mt 12:36-37, 16:27, Jn 5:29, Rm 2:6, 16,
14:12, 1 Cor 3:13, 4:5, 2 Cor 5:10, Col 3:24-25, 2 Tim 4:1, 1 Pt 1:17, 4:5, Jude 1:15, Rev
2:23, 20:12-13, 22:12). If you come to the end of your life and there has been no faith, then
there certainly can be no eternal reconciliation. Those who have served the flesh will be given
over to its strong desires - eternally.
 
Mount Horeb (or Sinai)
 
The Lord told Moses at the burning bush (on Mount Horeb), that when Moses brought the
children of Israel out of Egypt that he would serve God on the same mountain of Horeb (Ex
3:2, 12). Mount Horeb is also referred to as Mount Sinai in scripture. This is the place where
the children of Israel would initially meet (encounter) and serve the Lord their God. Mount
Horeb is also the place that God (having spoke to Moses there prior) spoke to the children of
Israel concerning His Law. Israel’s love, trust and worship toward God and obedience to His
law was what would distinguish Israel from all other peoples. Deuteronomy 4:5-8, “Behold, I
have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye
should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is
your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these
statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation

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is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that
we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so
righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?” God would separate Israel from all
other people as a testimony to a dying world (Lev 20:24). Deuteronomy 26:18-19, “And the
LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and
that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all
nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be
an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken (also Ex 19:4-6, Deut 14:2).” God
made a covenant with the people at Horeb to obey His law. The problem was that the very
essence of faith, which is willful surrender to God in love and trust could not be legislated
through the law. Obedience was required by the covenant, but true sincere love and devotion
had to emanate (radiate, spring forth) from the heart. Abraham was justified by faith, but his
descendants sought justification through ancestry and the law. The Lord does not want a
heartless observance. Soon after God spoke, Moses went upon the mount to receive the
written Law from God, and the Hebrews corrupted themselves by making a golden image (Ex
32:1-4). The Lord had warned the people: Ezekiel 20:6-12, “In the day that I lifted up mine
hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them,
flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands: Then said I unto them, Cast ye
away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of
Egypt: I am the LORD your God. But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto
me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake
the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger
against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it
should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made
myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt. Wherefore I caused
them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness. And I gave
them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in
them. Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they
might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.” God delivered the children of Israel out
of the wickedness and bondage of Egypt which is representative of the devil and all the things
in the world that oppose God (idolatry, self, materialism, etc.). The intent was that the people
would come back under God’s authority through faith and be a most peculiar people in a
rebellious world. Most of the people did not cast away or forsake the evil of Egypt, but
brought it with them. These clung to their darkness, and remained in blindness and unbelief.
These same ones would also drop along the way in the wilderness, never having set foot in the
Promised Land.
 
God Speaks to His People
 
Exodus 19:1-8, “In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the
land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. For they were departed
from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and
there Israel camped before the mount. And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called
unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the
children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’
wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and
keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the
earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the
words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the
elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded
him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will

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do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.” The Lord wanted to bless
Israel above all nations (Gen 26:4, 28:14, Deut 7:6, 14:2, 27:18-19, 28:1, 9-10, Acts 3:25).
God had demonstrated to Israel that He was capable of doing this. They were to be God’s
earthly example of what the Lord expected of all men. For this to be accomplished, God
required the people’s love and obedience (faith, loyalty, devotion). The Lord was about to
make a covenant (agreement, promise, pledge) with the children of Israel, and the people
agreed to abide by God’s conditions. This covenant represented the people willfully laying
down all rebellion and self seeking and coming back under God’s authority. This was God
reconciling a people to Himself having brought them out of the bondage of the devil’s lie
(represented by Egypt). In Eden, man made an agreement (or covenant) with the devil to
willfully disobey God, come out from under God’s authority and seek self (join the devil’s
rebellion, Gen 3:4-6). Man had disobeyed God in order to obey the devil and seek self. The
devil called God a liar and man accepted Satan’s proposition (Gen 2:17 verses Gen 3:4). This
is the rebellion that must be destroyed in man in order for man to be reconciled back to God.
This study will show that there is no way that you can give God the love, devotion and
obedience He requires and also seek self (that which opposes God). You will have to decide
whom you will serve. The people agreed to serve with their lips, but God will judge us by our
hearts and actions (deeds, ways, fruits). This covenant was a foreshadowing of what God
would later do perfectly through Christ. Jesus destroyed the works of the devil (resultant from
the lie, 1 Jn 3:8) and brought about the possibility of ultimate reconciliation to God (through
faith in Christ). God choose Israel as His peculiar treasure through obedience to the Lord’s
commands and this is such a foreshadowing of what Christ would also do. The Lord would
later state: 1 Chronicles 17:21, “And what one nation in the earth is like thy people Israel,
whom God went to redeem to be his own people, to make thee a name of greatness and
terribleness, by driving out nations from before thy people, whom thou hast redeemed out of
Egypt?” Similarly, through Jesus Christ: Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might
redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good
works.” 1 Peter 2:9-10, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the
people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” Consider the
similarities: God took Abram, who was not a people, and multiplied him into the people of
God – a peculiar treasure. God later called them out of darkness (Egypt) unto Himself (Who is
light, Ps 104:1-2, 1 Jn 1:5). Jesus calls whosoever will, who are not a people, as the people of
God – a peculiar people. Christ calls them out of darkness (our rebellion, iniquity and self
seeking, 1 Jn 1:6) into His light (Mt 5:16, Jn 1:4-5, 8:12, 12:35-36, Rm 13:12, Eph 5:8, Php
2:15, 1 Jn 1:5). The children of Israel became God’s peculiar people by virtue of their
forsaking their old life and obeying God’s laws through faith. The “followers” of Jesus
become God’s peculiar people by forsaking their old life and obeying Christ’s commands
through faith (Jn 14:15, 21, 23, 15:10, 1 Jn 2:3-4, 3:22, 24, 5:2-3, 2 Jn 1:6). Transgressors
are those who seek self and forsake God, and these shall be consumed (Is 1:28). Jesus
“purifies” His people as they walk in faith and are transformed into His image along the way
as led and taught by the Spirit (Rm 8:29, Col 3:10). To be a peculiar people is to be as a light
shining in darkness (Mt 5:14-16). Every one of us affects the others around us. We can draw
men to God or away from God through our actions. We are to be a light that lives the truth
and walks by example. Consider what happened to many of the children of Israel who
followed God, but did not walk in faith. Hebrews 3:8-12, 14-19, “Harden not your hearts, as
in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me,
proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and
said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my
wrath, They shall not enter into my rest. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an

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evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. For we are made partakers of Christ,
if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye
will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had
heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he
grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the
wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that
believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” God was not
pleased with them because they murmured, complained, lusted after things, committed
fornication, made a false God, were unthankful, disobedient, obstinate, and self centered – no
faith (1 Cor 10:1-11). These provoked God to anger – wrath. Therefore: Hebrews 4:1, “Let us
therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem
to come short of it.” AND 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he
standeth take heed lest he fall.” God is consistent throughout His Word. Whether in the days
of the prophets (i.e. Moses) or His Son (Jesus), the Lord is calling a peculiar people of faith
out of the world (mankind) and unto Himself – if they be willing and obedient (Is 1:18-20).
They will be distinguished by their love, submission, trust and obedience to God (faith) and
their fellow man (canon of love – the gospel, 1 Jn 3:23-24, 4:9-11, 21). Isaiah 26:2-3, “Open
ye the gates, that the righteous nation (those who trusted in faith through the ages)
which keepeth the truth (God’s Word) may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect
peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” 1 Peter 4:2, “That he no
longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.”
The children of Israel followed Moses (who was directed of God). Moses walked by example
(as do all who are truly sent of God). We are now to follow Jesus (Who was directed of God).
Christ left us an example, that ye should follow righteously in His steps (1 Pt 2:21-24). We
are to walk as He walked (1 Jn 2:6).
 
The Ten Commandments
 
The Lord had Moses prepare the people for His appearance on the third day and to set bounds
around the mount (Ex 19:9-15). Deuteronomy 4:10, “Specially the day that thou stoodest
before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people
together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that
they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” Exodus 19:16-19, “And
it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a
thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the
people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to
meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount. And mount Sinai was
altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof
ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice
of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered
him by a voice.” God is exceedingly awesome and greatly to be feared. Words are not
adequate to describe the magnificence of God and thus He revealed Himself in a cloud and
the people feared exceedingly. Psalms 68:8, “The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the
presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.” God
revealed Himself to the people to show them that He is the only God and mighty in power.
Deuteronomy 4:35-36, 39, “Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD
he is God; there is none else beside him. Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he
might instruct thee: and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words
out of the midst of the fire. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the
LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else (also Deut
4:11-12, 32-37).” The Lord called Moses and Aaron up to the mount, but had them warn all

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the people that no one else was to come near (Deut 19:20-24). Moses said: Deuteronomy
4:14, “And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that
ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it.” Similarly, the follower of
Christ must learn obedience through faith in conforming to the image of Christ that he may do
so when dwelling with God in eternity. God then proceeded to speak His commandments unto
the people (which they were commanded to perform) as detailed in the following paragraphs
(Deut 4:13): Psalms 99:7, “He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar: they kept his testimonies,
and the ordinance that he gave them.”
 
Nothing Before God or Images to Represent God
 
Exodus 20:1-6, “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have
brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other
gods before me (also Deut 5:7). Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any
likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the
water under the earth (also Deut 5:8): Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve
them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the
children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me (also Deut 5:7-9, 6:14);
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments (also
Deut 5:10).” This is the first command in submitting to God’s authority. God is to be the
center of your life. God is your life’s priority – God is your very life (Col 3:4). Nothing shall
come before God (not self, family, things, activities, jobs, opinions, religiosity, etc., Lk 14:26).
Ye shall not be as a god (Gen 3:5) in exalting self. To exalt self (pride) is to deisregard God –
there can only be one authority in your life. In Egypt the people (of the flesh) worshipped their
various gods through physical representations or graven images. The same is true today. For
example, no one knows what Jesus looked like, yet images of Christ abound. There are
paintings, drawings and sculptures (statues) and all have a very similar (comparable) figure or
image (likeness) that most everyone has come to accept and embrace as Jesus. Children are
taught through the use of these images in religious classes (printed materials). In reality no
one knows what Jesus looked like, but through false conditioning everyone is sure that they
do know what Jesus looked like (they believe a deception and a lie). This is worshipping an
image. If the image is not the exact truth then it is a lie and if you worshipped Christ (in the
Spirit) then there would be no need for an image. A representative image (not factual) is a
false image (Is 40:18, 25). Isaiah 46:5, “To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and
compare me, that we may be like?” Most likely this image is in most people’s minds when
they pray or think upon Christ. Christ came to the earth as a man, yet was God. God has stated
that He cannot be worshipped as a fleshly image. No graven images of anylikeness of things
in heaven, in earth or in the waters under the earth is all inclusive. What this is saying is: John
4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in
truth.” Images are for those who live by the flesh and not in the Spirit (Rm Chap 8)! We
approach God through faith and not physical representations (Heb 11:6). Many movies (or
dramas) have been made that have actors representing Christ. These are false images. Not
only are the physical features wrong, but also the personality, mannerisms, body language,
temperament, thought processes, expressions, etc. This is very damning, it violates God’s
command. For man to grave an image of God is for man to conform God to his image (the
one man makes). Can you see how this subjugates God to the will (opinion, sentiment) of
man? God says that we are to conform to the image of Christ (Rm 8:29). This does not mean
the physical image, but the character Christ revealed by His example (love, devotion, and
obedience to God, death to self, sacrifice, love to others, etc.). This is a faith verses flesh
issue. Man wants to worship something he can see, touch, feel or generally relate to in a
physical way. God requires faith which denies the flesh what it wants. Faith bypasses the flesh

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and this confounds (mystifies, confuses, baffles, perplexes) the will of man (by God’s intent).
Faith denies (makes void) the wisdom of man (requires trust in God, 1 Cor 1:19-20, 22-23,
27-31). Many assume that because their images are religious and suppose they relate to God
in some way that this makes them acceptable with God. You must understand that the whole
context of this commandment is of a religious nature. It deals with what man religiously does
to worship a god, verses what God says you will do. This is an obedience issue. You either
obey God’s command or you obey your version of what you presume. So you think this is all
innocent? Then you will most likely exalt your will above God’s command. Making an image
and calling it Christ or making a cross does not mean you have authority to disobey God.
Crosses are images! Nowhere in the Bible is the cross ever designated as a “Christian”
identifier. People bow before crosses and pray. Where is the authority for such? There is no
such authority given anywhere! God showed Himself to the Children of Israel and they were
exceedingly afraid. A physical representation could never portray the totality of God, but that
is not the point. To worship (highly revere, possess or wear images) religious images
(representations of Christ, crosses, etc.) is to worship another god. This is a god of your own
making in the likeness of something in heaven, in earth or in the sea under the earth. The issue
is clear, but the blind cannot see. God brought His people out of the land of Egypt where
images abounded (idolatry and bondages). In today’s religious world images also abound
(crosses, fish, doves, stained glass, praying hands, teaching materials/aides, etc.). There is no
difference. The question is, “do you want the deliverance?” The Holy Spirit descended upon
Christ in the form of a dove (Mt 3:16, Mk 1:10, Lk 3:22, Jn 1:32). Should we therefore build
dove statues and bow down to them? Those worshipping in the flesh just might (or perhaps
just wear a pin). God said that those who actually keep His commandments are the ones who
love Him and they will receive mercy. Jesus said the same thing (Jn 14:15, 21, 23-24, 15:10).
Jesus also loved the Father and kept His commandments (Jn 14:31). Those who do not (no
matter how well intentioned their presumptions are) have iniquity and hate God (are in
rebellion to God’s will). Many people “religiously” violate God’s will. May God give you
eyes to see.
 
Under the law the penalty for worshipping other gods was death (Ex 22:20, Deut 17:2-5).
Deuteronomy 13:6-11, “If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or
the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying,
Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; Namely, of
the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from
the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; Thou shalt not consent unto him,
nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt
thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him
to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that
he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought
thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. And all Israel shall hear, and fear,
and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.” The death penalty also
applied to religious leaders (false prophets, Deut 13:1-5) or whole groups of people (cities,
Deut 13:12-18) who sought after and led others after different gods.
 
Using God’s name in Vain
 
Exodus 20:7, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will
not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain (also Deut 5:11).” You are not to use God’s
name profanely (not hallowed or consecrated, Lev 19:12) or irreverently (to desecrate, defile,
blaspheme) showing disrespect or contempt (less worthy) – to put to base or improper use.
The command is straight forward and the penalty is severe: Leviticus 24:11-16, “And the

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Israelitish woman’s son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought
him unto Moses: (and his mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of
Dan:) And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. And the
LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let
all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. And
thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his
sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all
the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land,
when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.” You can always tell a
person’s heart by the things they say. Matthew 15:18-19, “But those things which proceed out
of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed
evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” We live in
a time when most people routinely use God’s name in vain and dishonor God through the
things they say (blaspheme). To most God’s name has become an expression of accentuation
(emphasis). They will irreverently use God’s name to emphasize a moment of excitement,
disapproval, tension, surprise, near mishap or tradgedy, etc. This shows no respect or fear of
God. How could God’s precious Holy Spirit be in such a person? This is such a habit
(bondage, addiction) for some that only God’s deliverance will completely set them free. One
must first see and understand the transgression with a grieving heart and then repent to be set
free. Most people would see this as minor (their will) yet it violates God’s written will. Who
will be obeyed; self or God? Those who love God, obey God – if you love Jesus, keep His
commandments (Jn 14:15)!
 
Sabbath
 
Exodus 20:8-11, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and
do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not
do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor
thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven
and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD
blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it (also Deut 5:12-14).” God set apart the seventh day
as special. Genesis 2:2-3, “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made;
and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the
seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God
created and made.” God designated that the children of Israel observe the sabbath day. Over
time calendars and names (days, weeks, months) have changed. The sabbath was traditionally
observed from sundown on Friday (the modern calendar equivalent) to sundown on Saturday
(the modern calendar equivalent of the seventh day) which is the seventh day of the week.
Sunday (calendar equivalent of the first day of the week) is not nor has it ever been the
sabbath day. The sabbath was intended to be a time of rest, worship, meditation, and
reflection upon God. Man was to stop/cease all his fleshly activities and put his mind upon his
Creator and give God due glory (wholly seek God with a perfect heart). The penalty for
violation of the Sabbath was severe: Numbers 15:32-36, “And while the children of Israel
were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And they
that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the
congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to
him. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the
congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought
him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded
Moses.” Violation of the Sabbath brought death. Exodus 31:15, “Six days may work be done;

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but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the
sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.”
 
By the time of Christ, the Jews (scribes, lawyers) had considerable intepretations (derived
requirements) in place regarding the sabbath. They came up with a heartless regiment of
hundreds of specific rules that even specified down to the weight of an object that a person
was allowed to lift. This became a heavy burden upon all (Mt 23:4, Lk 11:46). Even though
the religious authorities demanded strict adherance to their interpretations, they themselves
routinely violated them to do things such as circumcision (Jn 7:22-23); or to loose and lead
away an animal for watering (Lk 13:15); or lift/pull an animal out of a ditch (Mt 12:11-12, Lk
14:5). When Jesus came and went about teaching, healing, and delivering, the sabbath
observance became one of the primary issues among the Jews regarding Him. Jesus was
constantly accused of not observing the sabbath and was closely watched (Mt 12:10, Mk 3:2,
Lk 13:14, 14:1, Jn 5:16, 7:23). Jesus was persecuted by them and they sought to kill Him (Jn
5:16, 18). They said Jesus was not of God because He did not keep the sabbath (Jn 9:16, 24).
On one instance (repeated in three of the gospels for emphasis), Jesus and His disciples were
walking through a field of corn on the sabbath. Christ’s disciples began to pluck the ears of
corn, rub them in their hands and eat them (Mt 12:1-6, Mk 2:23-26, Lk 6:1-4). This was
considered a major violation of the sabbath since they were harvesting, preparing food and
eating with unwashed hands (a tradition of the elders, Mk 7:5) on the sabbath. Jesus said the
sabbath was made for man and not man for the sabbath; and that His disciples were guiltless;
and that He was Lord of the sabbath (Mt 12:7-8, Mk 2:27-28, Lk 6:5). This brought new light
on the requirements of man verses the requirements of God. Jesus intentionally did many of
His healings and deliverances on the sabbath because this exposed the cold hearts of the
religious ones (Mt 12:9-14, Mk 3:1-5, 5:5-15, Lk 6:6-11, 13:10-17, Jn 5:1-16, 9:1-38). Mark
3:4, “And he (Jesus) saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do
evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.” Jesus chastised them concerning their
own hypocrisies and this infuriated them. Since they considered Christ to have broken the
fourth commandment (which they themselves definitely did, Mt 7:3), these religious ones set
about to kill Him by setting up false witnesses and thereby break the sixth and ninth
commandments, yet they saw no wrong or inconsistency (contradiction) in their actions (Mt
12:14, Mk 3:6, 5:16-18, Jn 5:18). Jesus came and revealed God’s love and compassion. Jesus
and His disciples did not violate the sabbath because all Christ did was go about and do the
will of the Father – He perfectly kept the law (Mt 5:18). Man’s interpretation of the law was
wrong (incorrect) and was bent on denying others (controlling, Lording over) for God and
self rather than love which denies self for God and others. Christ’s heart, mind, soul and
strength was given in total surrender and obedience to the Father. This is how we are to be
today. We must be following Christ and obeying His commandments. God must be the
priority in our lives, over all things and at all times (Lk 14:26, 33, Gal 2:20). The Spirit will
lead us to focus upon God in all that we do. Our lives cannot consist of serving this world and
the flesh for benefit of self (careers, possessions, entertainments, pleasures, etc.). We are to
be focused upon God with our heart, mind, soul and strength continually. In doing so, we
more than keep the intent of the sabbath. In focusing on God, you must spend personal time
alone seeking God through His Word, prayer, fasting and being led of the Spirit. Those whose
hearts belong to God will seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other
things will come later or not at all (Mt 6:33). God compared the sabbath with entering into
His rest – God rested on the seventh day (Heb 4:4-5). The Lord further equated entering into
His rest with Israel entering into the Promised Land (Heb 3:8-11). The people feared and
would not obey the Lord and thus it was said of them: Hebrews 3:19, “So we see that they
could not enter in because of unbelief.” The Promised Land (and hence God’s rest) could
only be entered into by faith. Therefore, we enter into the sabbath rest of the Lord through

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faith. We cease from our own works (Heb 4:10), which is following our own way (seeking
your own will, the flesh), and submit fully to the Lord (thy will be done) such that God
provides for us.
 
Honoring Parents
 
Exodus 20:12, “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land
which the LORD thy God giveth thee (also Deut 5:16).” Honoring your father and mother is
an object lesson for honoring God. We are to respect our parents, love them, obey them, trust
them and serve them. These are also the things we are to do unto God – above all. Ephesians
6:2-3, “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it
may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Those who are obedient
receive life and this is the key message. When we honor and obey God we receive life
(eternal). God is referred to as our Father in scripture (examples: Mt 5:16, 48, 6:9). We are
told to be obedient children, not seeking after our own will (former lusts, 1 Pt 1:14, Mt 5:47)
We submit to our parents and our parents provide for our needs. Similarly, will must
absolutely submit to God and seek Him foremost and He provides for our needs (Mt 6:33).
Whoso curseth his father and mother shall have his lamp put out in obscure darkness (Pv
20:20, also Mk 7:10). Similarly: Leviticus 24:15-16, “And thou shalt speak unto the children
of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the
name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly
stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name
of the LORD, shall be put to death.” Honoring our parents (authority over us) who gave us
life (through God) is like honoring God (the giver of life, Creator, the authority over us).
What about the rebellious? Deuteronomy 21:18-21, “If a man have a stubborn and rebellious
son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when
they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: Then shall his father and his mother lay
hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; And
they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not
obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him
with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear,
and fear.” Similarly, Psalms 37:38, “But the transgressors (rebellious to God) shall be
destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.” They shall be destroyed from all
the earth and rooted out of it (Pv 2:22). Death was the penalty under the law for not honoring
parents. The penalty for not honoring God is: “ye shall surely die.” This reveals the heart of
God toward disrespect of His instituted authority. We are to respect our mother and father and
also respect our God (foremost, Lev 19:3). Man disregarded God’s authority in Eden and thus
brought death into the world (Gen 2:17). Exodus 21:15, “And he that smiteth (strikes) his
father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.” The rebellious will lose their lives
(eternally). Exodus 21:17, “And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to
death (also Lev 20:9).” Those who blaspheme and dishonor God (curseth, idolatrous,
disobedient, unloving, unthankful, etc.) are rebellious and will surely die (Lev 24:16).
Proverbs 28:24, “Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the
same is the companion of a destroyer.” Just because your parents are familiar to you, gives
you no right to transgress their authority and take liberties. Just because you “profess Christ”
and believe you are walking in God’s grace, you have no authority to transgress His will or
have some presumed “Christian liberty” to violate His commandments (1 Pt 2:16).
 
This study will reveal that God considered most of the children of Israel (His children) to be
stiffnecked, stiffhearted, stubborn, and rebellious to the Lord because they would not obey
Him. Most did not enter into God’s promises (Promised Land). Rebellious children are

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always seeking after their own will rather than honoring that of their parents. The character of
Satan is rebellion and self seeking and those who are submitted to him will be like him.
Lucifer (the created) rebelled in disrespect and disgregard for God (the Creator). The
rebellious will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus pointed out how the religious
through their traditions had violated this commandment. Mark 7:9-13, “And he said unto
them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For
Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him
die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say,
a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no
more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through
your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” The religious ones
came up with a tradition that if a son where to designate his property to the religious system
then he would not longer be responsible to help his parents with their needs. This violated
God’s intent even though the religious would have said they would put the money to better
use to “win people to the Lord” or “serve God.” You cannot dishonor and disregard God in
presuming to serve God. Does God take more pleasure in “religious works” or obedience to
His will (Mt 7:21-23)?
 
Parents
 
The author wrote in the first book that the Lord required him to walk the things he wrote.
Further, the author had written concerning the issue of birth control – just whose will is to
prevail? This was the last major area of the author’s life to be yielded to the Lord as eyes were
opened (blindness removed). The Lord triumphed over me – Praise God! The Lord required it
of me. I am quite thrilled to say that after some absence on my behalf, there is a new child in
the world – Luke. The Lord spoke several things to my heart: Surrender and obedience to God
produces life. This was dramatically revealed to the author in a very real, tangible and
beautiful way. Disobedience to God inevitably (unavoidably, with certainty) produces death.
Parents are entrusted with a tremendous responsibility. One or more lives are placed into their
hands to nurture, teach and guide. Words cannot adequately describe the importance of such a
task. You have the capacity to develop or destroy a life. To lead to God or completely turn
away. You are facing a world that is largly in rebellion and dead set against the purposes and
principles of God (1 Jn 5:19). How will you stand? Will you guard this precious one’s heart
and lead in the ways of the Lord or will you allow the world to conform the child into its
likeness? Will you (as the parent) be a godly example or a worldly example? As the child
grows, a nature will be reflected and evidenced in the youth’s actions. This nature will be that
of God or that of the world – one will prevail. The nature will also be indicative of the
parent’s hearts as well. Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he
is old, he will not depart from it.” God’s Word is true and so is this statement. Unfortunately
the opposite may also be said. If you train a child in they way he should not go (to be as the
world), then when he is old he is just as likely not to depart from it (however, the Lord is
merciful and all things are possible, Lk 1:37, Mt 19:26, Mk 9:23, 10:27, 14:36). What does it
mean to be as the world? It means to be culturally similar (conforming to popular culture).
You may be religious and have a slightly higher morality and some “profession of belief;”
however, do you live basically like the world around you? For instance, is the Lord being
taught and lived in your home or perhaps the world through television? Many consider
themselves to be good Christians and are amazed that their grown children have largely fallen
victims to the ways of the world – divorce, adultery, fornication, addictions, foul language,
failure, self seeking, intemperance - perhaps disrespectful to the parent (or others). They say,
“my child was not raised that way,” but perhaps they were. Perhaps their lives are just like all
the things they put into their hearts from watching the television, movies and such (and

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following the world). All the teaching, temptations and enticements that were sown were also
later reaped (Gal 6:7-8, Job 4:8, Pv 22:8, Hos 10:13). Sow to the wind and reap a whirlwind
(Hos 8:7, Jer 23:19, 30:23). The Amish and Mennonites were correct in their hard stance
against the things of the world (we must be guarded; we are not ignorant of the devil’s
devices, 2 Cor 2:11). The battles were to have been won (years earlier) through standing in
faith for God and taking the ridicule of the world. The battles were to have been won by
refusing to allow the world’s entertainment (television, music, written materials) and
celebrations (halloween, Christmas, Easter, etc.) into your home and hearts of your children.
The battles were to have been won through brokeness and obedience to God and not through
material blessings (rather, leanness of flesh). The battles were to be won in surrendering to
God daily, living God’s truth (Word) by example, and teaching your children the same in all
situations. The battles were to have been won in pointing and leading your children to God,
not in allowing things that draw them away. The battles were lost in compromise
(everybody’s doing it) and justification of the evil. The battles were lost though ignorance of
God’s Word, unbelief (not placing God foremost in your life) and a froward heart (refusing to
do what is required). This culture is extremely seductive – tremendously. The broad path is
not so greatly (vastly, widely) traveled because people are wise to it. You may find that your
values are more in line with this culture (world) than the Word of God. I challenge you to start
reading God’s Word and walking in it. As you walk, the blindness will lift, but not until.
 
Killing
 
Exodus 20:13, “Thou shalt not kill (also Deut 5:17).” To kill is to exalt self and  impose
control over another to such an extent that you take their very life away. Love (giving of self
for the benefit of others) produces life. Jesus gave Himself that all might live (Gal 2:20).
Killing (the sacrifice of others for the benefit of self) produces death. The devil deceived man
into transgressing God’s will (sacrifice of others for his selfish purposes) and thus produced
death – thus the devil is a murderer (Jn 8:44). Those who follow in Satan’s rebellion can also
only produce death. Killing is hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness taken to their conclusion.
The first murder was committed by Cain against his brother Abel (Gen 4:1-10). Cain and
Abel both offered sacrifices unto the Lord (Gen 4:3-5). Hebrews 11:4, “By faith Abel offered
unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was
righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” Cain became
wroth and jealous of his brother and slew him. We must love one another: 1 John 3:12, “Not
as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him?
Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.” Those who kill are always
seeking self at another’s expense. The Lord said: Genesis 9:5-6, “And surely your blood of
your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at
the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood,
by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” The penalty for
killing under the law was death (Ex 21:12). Leviticus 24:17, “And he that killeth any man
shall surely be put to death.” Numbers 35:31, “Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the
life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.”
 
Most will generally agree that killing is wrong. However, these same ones will also look for
loop holes such as “self” defense or killing associated with war. Jesus would later come and
condemn all forms of killing by combining this commandment into the two great
commandments (canon of love, 1 Jn 3:23-24, 4:9-11, 21): Matthew 22:39, “And the second is
like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” One man asked Jesus who his neighbor
was and Christ answered with the story of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:29-37). The Jews hated
and despised Samaritans and it turns out that they represented the neighbors (fellow man) that

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this man should love. Now mankind will always justify hatred for their enemies (Lk 6:35).
Some wanted to continue with an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, so Christ elaborated
on the intent of the second commandment: Matthew 5:43-45, “Ye have heard that it hath been
said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father
which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain
on the just and on the unjust.” Notice how some tried to bypass (find loophole in) the second
commandment through the use of the term “enemy.” Jesus said you are to “love” enemies if
you want to be a child of God; and couldn’t have been more specific and clear (Pv 25:21-22,
Rm 12:20). As an example: Romans 12:20, “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he
thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Can you see
how these acts of love are the sacrificing self for the benefit of another (no pride, which is self
exaltation, involved here)? Your act of love diffuses another’s act of hate (which is sacrificing
others for the benefit of self – the devil’s nature). If you return retribution, then hate has
overcome love (Mt 5:39)! What Jesus is telling us is that we cannot allow the hate of others to
overcome our love and also transform (conform) us to have the nature of hate. Luke 6:35-36,
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward
shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful
and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” We must walk in
the Lord’s nature - If we become as the evil then we are evil! We must walk in God’s nature
and not that of Satan. Leviticus 19:17, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou
shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” A profession of Christ
does not allow you to walk contrary to Him. This may seem hard because the wicked are
aggressive and just “take.” We must die to self and entrust our lives to God. It may seem like
you are the loser and the wicked are triumphing over you, but this is strickly a fleshly
perspective. You are the victor because you have not yielded your righteousness and allowed
the wicked to change and transform you (to corrupt) into that which dishonors God. One who
stands for righteousness at the expense of self brings honor to God (consider Job). If the
rotten apples corrupt (spoil) all the good apples in the barrel, then what is fit for consumption?
Our perspective must be godly and eternal and not fleshly and temporal. We praise God even
in our own demise – this is surrender. If we keep Jesus’ Word, we know we are in Him (1 Jn
2:5). Luke 6:27-28, 32-33, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to
them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use
you. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise (the second
commandment). For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love
those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye?
for sinners also do even the same (also Rm 12:14).” Whenever you talk to someone about
enemies and justification for hating them, it always boils down to loving those who love you.
What shall we say of our enemies? Job 31:15, “Did not he that made me in the womb make
him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?” Therefore, those who “what if” Christ’s clear
commandments on this subject or justify alternatives are simply not willing to obey the Lord.
This is just the honest truth! These simply “feel” or “reason” that their thoughts on the subject
are more valid and this is how they live. Consider the case of the American Civil War.
Brother hated brother in a brutal war. 1 John 4:21, “And this commandment have we from
him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” The religious men on both sides were
sure that their side’s cause was right and God was on their side. Both sides held religious
services and prayed for their troops, yet their very endorsement of such things (the war),
violated Christ’s commandment (which they knew) – did that matter? Recompense no man
evil for evil (Rm 12:17). Modern day Christians “voluntarily” send their sons and daughters
off to war to fight for their country (always assuming the other guy’s kid will do the actual

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fighting and dying). Jesus said, if you love me (the first commandment), then keep the second
commandment – does this matter? What do your actions say? Shall we all hate one another –
who will show love (put into practice Christ’s commands)? Would it not be better to suffer
the evil (1 Cor 6:7, die)? Shall the whole world be filled with hate and violence? Religious
man, you err greatly in furthering such thought. The dying should be to self and the fleshly
reluctance (or refusal) to obey the Lord. If you do not keep Christ’s Words then He is not in
you and there is no relationship (1 Jn 2:5). 1 John 2:9, 11, “He that saith he is in the light,
and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. But he that hateth his brother is in
darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness
hath blinded his eyes.” Many will say: “But we are defending our nation or ourselves.” Go
back and ponder the verses you just read – you’re seeking your way and are blinded by your
own darkness. My “sentiment (opinions mixed with strong feelings)” will rise above the most
High. God’s way is not nullified with what seems reasonable and justifiable to the flesh
(make the Word of God of none effect, Mk 7:13). God’s kingdom will not operate in hate and
neither will its citizens. No one goes off to war without having hatred and unforgiveness in
their heart. How could you kill otherwise? Who kills without emotion – the heartless? 1 John
3:10, 15, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil:
whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother (we
are all brothers going back to Noah and ultimately back to Adam, family of man, brotherly
love). Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal
life abiding in him.” To be a murderer is to have the nature of your father the devil (Jn 8:44).
Those who follow Christ must love and overcome evil with good (Rm 12:20-21). We must
bless those who persecute and curse not (Rm 12:14). Jesus said we cannot seek revenge either
(Mt 5:38-42, Pv 24:29, Rm 12:17, 1 Pt 3:9). Religious men greatly honor their veterans and
have “prayerfor the troops” – a mockery of true love. Matthew 26:52, “Then said Jesus unto
him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with
the sword.” Some perish in the war, some perish “according to their deeds” at judgment. Does
God answer prayers that violate His declared will (Second Commandment)? Does God just
understand your violations religious man (bow to your sentiment)? Oh religious man, go and
pull out all of your biblical arguments to “justify” your “way.” Continue to justify the hate of
war rather than the love of God; your only moving away from a truly loving God (Is 41:21).
Try and justify your hatred before a God whose Magnificence (splendor, glory, radience,
majesty, brilliance) you cannot even comprehend in your limited human reasoning – a God
who does not have hate in His nature (God is love – but will show Himself froward or
unsavory to the froward and wicked, Ps 18:26, 2 Sam 22:27). Try and explain to God why
one with a heart of hate should dwell with Him eternally – no doubt many have. Make sure
that you understand the difference between killing and judgment, and understand that you do
not have such capacity, knowledge or authority to know such things. Sons and daughters
should be counselled not to go to war! – These are pivotal (fundamental) concerns that are
ignored. There is a time and a season for everything a purpose under heaven. From this day
until the coming of the Lord, we have been COMMANDED to abide in Christ’s covenant of
“love (Mt 22:37-38, Mk 12:30-31, Lk 10:27, 1 Jn 3:23-24, 4:9-11, 21).” This is the gospel!!!
Will you disregard? John 15:12, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I
have loved you (also Jn 12:34-35, 15:17, Rm 12:10, 13:8, Gal 5:13, Eph 4:2, 1 Thess 3:12,
4:9, Heb 10:24, 1 Pt 1:22, 3:8, 1 Jn 3:11, 23, 4:7, 11-12, 2 Jn 1:5).” Many a religious man
will profess, “I love God” while waving their flags and endorsing America’s violent actions
around the world. Perhaps they turn on their television and listen to man’s reasoning of why
they should hate a certain people. Man is very good at justifying the evils he does – his heart
is deperately wicked (Jer 17:9). Those in the flesh will find consolation with the world.
Consider: 1 John 4:20-21, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he
that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not

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seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother
also.” Perhaps your reasoning is a bit self centered: John 12:43, “For they loved the praise of
men more than the praise of God.” Many religious men will justify many things because they
do not want to suffer reproach for Christ (reproach goes against the flesh). Every country that
enters into war considers God to be on their side. Man (in the flesh) sees those who go off to
war to fight for their nation as heros. God sees those who refuse to go as heros. These lay their
lives down (and incur the wrath of society, loss of reputation) for another (those who will not
perish as a result of them not supporting or participating in the war and its hate). 1 John
3:16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought
to lay down our lives for the brethren.” This verse is the counterpart to John 3:16. Love is
giving and sacrifice for another. Love denies the flesh (even the strong desire for self
preservation) to fulfill God’s purposes. Your hate will reveal your heart. Proverb 16:7, “When
a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” In
conclusion: 1 John 3:23-24, “And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the
name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that
keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he
abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” Jesus commands that we love one
another! Will you rise above the most High in your hatred? OR Will you keep Christ’s
commandments and be found in Him? Jesus (as a man) never fought in wars nor endorsed
them. Will you abide in Christ and walk as He walked (1 Jn 2:6) or will you walk your “own
way?” Love your enemies and do good and great shall be your reward (Lk 6:35) – forgive and
ye shall be forgiven (Lk 6:37). Consider Christ’s desire that will be implemented: Isaiah 2:4,
“And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat
their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks:nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they learn war any more (also Micah 4:3).” Do you desire to be
rebuked by the Lord Almighty? Live peaceably with all men and overcome evil with good
(Rm 12:18, 21). 1 John 4:21, “And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth
God love his brother also.” Dear reader, if you only knew how the Lord changed the author’s
heart on this issue. The Lord absolutely showed and the author yielded – My God hath
triumphed over me. Will God’s love triumph over you?
 
Most understand the physical act of killing someone, but killing is more inclusive than just
that. Jesus said: Matthew 5:21-22, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou
shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you,
That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:
and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever
shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” You must attempt to reconcile with those
you have hard feelings against (Mt 5:23-24). To hate or wish harm to others in your heart is
the same as committing a physical act against them. 1 John 3:15, “Whosoever hateth his
brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” Christ
would have us submitting one to another in love. Killing stems from the roots of bitternesses,
hatred, and unforgiveness. You cannot harbor such feelings against others. God has forgiven
those who are sincere toward Him of much and we are expected to do the same to others who
have transgressed us. Matthew 6:14-15, “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses.” Your forgiveness from God depends upon your forgiving of
others (Mk 11:25-26). We are to be as our Father who art in heaven and not set limits on how
many times we are willing to forgive (Mt 18:21-22). Consider the parable Jesus told (read Mt
18:23-35). Murder, hatred and bitterness are the devil’s nature and that of his children (Jn
8:44). Galatians 5:19-21, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,

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emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and
such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which
do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God (also Rm 1:25-32).”
 
Adultery
 
Exodus 20:14, “Thou shalt not commit adultery (also Deut 5:18).” Adultery is commonly
understood to be sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than the
spouse. The broader scope would also include unfaithfulness of heart and spiritual adultery
against God. This is a severing (disunite, dissolve, undo) of devotion, trust and commitment
that you have made toward another – the one you are bound to in love. Let us understand how
God views the marriage covenant. Genesis 2:24, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and
his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Jesus later reiterated
(repeated) the point: Matthew 19:4-6, “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not
read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For
this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain
shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath
joined together, let not man put asunder (also Mk 10:6-9).” For two to become one is as close
and intimate (cherished) as can be achieved – perfect closeness and unity. This is a
commitment for life – only death can separate (Rm 7:2-3). The two make a vow before each
other and God (Eccl 5:4). A vow is a solemn promise to love, honor, obey, trust, be faithful,
and make sacrifice for hereafter in total commitment to the other. He who makes a vow must
be careful to perform it (Eccl 5:5). In marriage one must take focus off self and place it upon
another. Marriage teaches the concept of dying to self for the benefit of another (sacrifices).
The woman is to love, honor, obey and submit to her husband as per God’s established order
(Gen 3:16, 1 Cor 11:3, 7-9, Eph 5:22-24, Col 3:18, Ti 2:5, 1 Pt 3:1, 5). The husband is to
cherish his wife and love her as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it (Eph 5:25,
Col 3:19). Men are to love their wives as their own bodies, giving them honor (for the two
are one, Eph 5:28-29, 33, 1 Pt 3:7). There is to be complete faithfulness between the two.
What God joins together, man is not to pull apart – it is sacred (blessed, hallowed, holy).
Therefore, neither marriage partner nor anyone outside the marriage is to violate this sacred
vow. Adultery is a violation of sacred trust and faithfulness. Unfaithfulness brings about
disunity and separation. Similarly, when one makes a vow to follow Christ, you are also
agreeing to love, honor, obey, trust, be faithful, and make sacrifice for hereafter in a walk of
faith with Jesus as led by His Spirit. Woe to him who breaks the vow. Your focus is no longer
on yourself, but your Lord. Lets repeat that; your focus is no longer on SELF, but upon
JESUS – to whom you are betrothed (Rev 19:7-9, 21:2). Christ and His church (Ekklesia –
called out ones, out of the world/Egypt, those redeemed) are one (Eph 5:29-33). This is a
great mystery, Christ (the head) and his redeemed (the body, church, Ekklesia) are one! If you
have been unfaithful in these aforementioned characteristics regarding your spouse (whom
you intimately know and are one with), then you can be sure that you have also violated your
relationship with God (whom you have not seen). Marriage between husband and wife is very
similar to your relationship with Christ. In order to maintain oneness (faith, trust, love) with
your spouse, you should never seek close friendship with a member of the opposite sex.
Revealing personal details to another that should be sacred between spouses destroys
intimacy. Often one will confide in another thoughts and feelings that should belong only to
your spouse. What starts as an innocent friendship can quickly become lustful and a great
temptation. Proverbs 6:27-29, 32-33, “Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not
be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? So he that goeth in to his
neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. But whoso committeth
adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. A

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wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.” Under the law
the adulterer was to die – without mercy (Deut 22:22-25). Leviticus 20:10, “And the man that
committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his
neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.” This would
certainly seem extreme in today’s society, but then consider the untold amount of adultery
that goes on routinely and indiscriminately. The media (television, radio, magazines) present
adultery as a normal and acceptable thing and in appealing, seductive and enticing ways.
Thus, most of the population does not consider this all that serious a thing. One religious man
whose wife was an adulteress described her as, “only human.” How trivial and mundane –
lack of self control, unfaithfulness, betrayal, and adultery are fruits of the flesh and not the
Spirit. Proverbs 30:20, “Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her
mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.” The adulterer died under the law (written with
the finger of God, Ex 31:18), fortunately, Christ amended the law (written with the finger of
Jesus, Jn 8:4-8) to provide mercy for the truly repentant and sincere individual (consider Jn
8:3-11). All others will be judged according to their actions. Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage is
honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge
(also Pv 30:17).” God does not consider us “only human” and will hold us accountable to our
actions.
 
The primary definition of adultery is well bounded and generally understood. However,
abstaining from physical intimacy (contact) with another outside the marriage vow is not
sufficient alone. Jesus made further clarification regarding adultery with regards to the heart.
Matthew 5:28, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath
committed adultery with her already in his heart.” The intent of this statement would also
apply to a woman having lustful feelings toward another man. One does not have to
physically perform an act to be guilty of adultery. Adultery deals with the intent to violate the
trust, love and faith between spouses, however (in whatever way) the desecration is
manifested. From a practical standpoint this means that you cannot ogle or fantasize about
another. These have eyes full of adultery (2 Pt 2:14). This world is geared toward causing you
to do just that. Consider the television (discussed in Chapter One). The television is full of
sensuality and tempting situations specifically designed to cause your mind to take notice,
think upon and fantasize about another (soap operas, talk shows, movies, sitcoms, etc.) – very
seductive. Sensuality is the gratification of the senses, particularly the sexual appetite. This is
adultery of the heart. Many sit in front of this idol and imagine lives and situations with those
other than their spouses. Magazines have front covers specifically designed to draw your
immediate attention with scantily clad women that have highly suggestive poses and looks
with headlines of a sexual nature. Romance novels are designed such that the reader will
imagine, bond with, and dream of another (wishful thinking). Pornagraphy (books, magazines,
videos, and internet) is a complete giving over to sensuality and desire for others – very little
left to the imagination. Most modern music is written and instrumented to appeal to your
sensuality. These things will cause great discontentment between you and your spouse. The
two are to be as one, but these things tear apart - they assault the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy,
happiness, goodness, peace, faithfulness, truth, righteousness, self control or temperance).
This definitely has a bearing on how you conduct yourself. Ladies when you apply the make-
up, put on the jewelry and dress in ways to show off your features (dress provocatively), are
you trying to draw attention to yourselves (1 Tim 2:9, 1 Pt 3:3)? Do you want men to ogle at
you and perhaps fantasize – perhaps married men? Moms and dads, do you allow your
daughters to dress in sexually suggestive ways. Many young ladies now wear shorts that have
writing across the seat of their pants. Why do young ladies wish to draw such attention to
their behinds (this is to be as a harlot)? What about mini skirts, halter tops and bikinis? Do
you encourage your sons to look at the ladies? This society is consumed in sensuality and this

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is driven by the media (television, radio, magazines, etc.). The people basically love to have it
so including so many who say they love Jesus (love the darkness, Jn 3:19). Jesus said if you
love Him, keep His commandments. Those who are entertained by the media of this country
will become one with it’s ideals and this will manifest in their daily lives. Many live in this
artificial world created by the media and have become dissatisfied with their own reality
including their spouse (whom they are suppose to be one with). These things are not so
innocent and will destroy your life or those of your children. How do you as a professed
believer in Christ (and your family) fit into this society? Do you disregard Christ’s
commandments in your daily life (what you are entertained by, how you dress, what you think
about)?
 
The next consideration regarding adultery concerns your relationship with God. Many will
make commitments to God and then have eyes for another (self, the world, idolatry). This
relates to the first commandment, Thou shalt have no other gods before me. The Lord said:
Deuteronomy 13:4, “Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his
commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him (also Deut
10:20, 11:22, 30:20, Josh 22:5, 23:8).” Recall that in marriage a man is to cleave to his wife.
In relationship to God, we are to cleave to the Lord. Deuteronomy 10:12-13, “And now,
Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in
all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all
thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee
this day for thy good?” Jesus slightly restated this as the first great commandment: Mark
12:30, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” We are to love,
honor and obey God in complete faithfulness. Marriage between a husband and wife is liken
to the relationship between Christ and the church (Eph 5:23-32). You make a solemn
(serious, earnest, sincere, firm) vow when you submit to Jesus as Lord. Who wants to enter
into relationship with someone who is insincere (disingenuous, feigned)? The insincere are
only seeking selfish benefit at the expense of another. This describes the relationship that
many desire to have with God. God took the children of Israel for His own (covenant,
marriage, Jer 3:14). God warned the children of Israel that he had chosen them to be a special
people unto Himself and they were not to make marriages with the peoples around them
because they were evil and idolatrous and would turn their hearts from serving God – they
were to destroy their altars, images, writings, pictures and groves (Deut 7:1-9, 12:30, Num
33:52, Josh 23:11-13). Similarly today, we are not to join ourselves with the evil culture
around us by participating in its wicked practices (television, magazines, music,
entertainments). These will be great snares to turn our hearts from God. When Israel was
coming into the Promised Land, Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers Chapter 22,
also discussed in Chapter Four). God would not allow it for Israel was blessed (Num 23:12,
Deut 23:4-5, Josh 24:9-10). Balak understood that God was on Israel’s side and that Israel
was to mighty for him to defeat. God had also said through Balaam: Numbers 23:21, “He hath
not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is
with him, and the shout of a king is among them.” This became the basis for Balaam’s
counsel to Balak. Balaam advised Balak to corrupt the object of God’s desire. If Israel became
a reproach to God, not only would God not defend them, but would fight against them. Balak
would seduce the children of Israel through the wiles of the flesh. Numbers 31:16, “Behold,
these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against
the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the
LORD.” This became known as the doctrine of Balaam. Numbers 25:1-3, “And Israel abode
in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab (people of
Balak). And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat,

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and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the
LORD was kindled against Israel.” God sent a great plague among Israel because of this
(Num 24:9). God then had Israel utterly destroy the Moabites including Balaam (Num 31:8).
Therefore, those who fornicate with and partake of the world’s idolatry are following the
doctrines of Balaam. Jesus had grave things to say of such things in His message to the
churches. Revelation 2:14, “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them
that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the
children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.” AND
Revelation 2:20-23, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest
that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants
to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent
of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them
that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I
will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth
the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” When
you become as a harlot with the world, you become one with it. 1 Corinthians 6:15-16,
“Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of
Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he
which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.” This is to be
unfaithful to God and brings separation. Proverbs 2:18-19, “For her house inclineth unto
death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold
of the paths of life.” You cannot follow Christ and follow the world – they are going in
separate directions. God does not want to be married to an adulterer anymore than you would
want to be. James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the
world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of
God.”
 
Adultery is a serious issue. It undermines and destroys the very nature that God desires us to
have. This nature is love, trust, obedience, submission, patience and faithfulness. One must
sacrifice self to obtain these godly attributes. Adultery seeks self at the expense of all other.
Adultery is a work of the flesh (Gal 5:19). Galatians 5:24, “And they that are Christ’s have
crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” If you cannot be faithful to your spouse
whom you have seen, then you certainly cannot be faithful to God whom you have not seen.
Either way, those unfaithful to God’s Word will be eternally separated from Him (2 Thess
1:9). Therefore, Adulterers (whether physical, of the heart, or against God) will not inherit
the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit
the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
 
Additional Considerations Regarding Adultery
 
We are told that the divorce rate for couples within the church now meets or exceeds that of
unbelievers. There is absolutely no reason to doubt this premise given what can easily be
observed. Matthew 19:3-9, “The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto
him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And he answered and said
unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and
female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his
wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. They say unto him, Why
did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith

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unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives:
but from the beginning it was not so. And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife,
except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth
her which is put away doth commit adultery (also Mk 10:2-12).” Many who “profess Christ”
seek divorce usually resulting from seeking self rather than sacrifice of self for another. These
hate their own flesh (i.e. two become one, Eph 5:28-29). To hate is sacrificing another for the
benefit of self. Some consider the clause for “fornication” to be their legal way out of a
marriage (before God). However, most ignorantly do not understand what this means.
Fornication is voluntary sexual intercourse between an unmarried man and an unmarried
woman (incontinence or lewdness of unmarried persons). What Jesus was saying is that if a
man marries a woman and discovers that she is not a virgin (has had sex prior to the
marriage), then he has a legal means for divorce. The marriage covenant would have been
made through deceit. Jesus did not say that after the marriage if one of the partners were
unfaithful (during the course of the marriage) that one had a legal means of divorce,
otherwise Christ would have used the word adultery. Now many will protest and say, “this is
not right;” it is not your fault if your spouse commits adultery (and continues to). Under
Mosaic law, which was certainly in force when Christ made the statement (and Jesus
perfectly kept the law), the adulterer and the adulteress were taken out and stoned (killed, Lv
20:10). Once the violator was dead the spouse was naturally free from the marriage covenant.
Many will now say that modern law does not allow for the killing of adulterers and
adulteresses. This does not change God’s Word concerning His desire that the marriage
covenant be until death. There was also a clause to determine guilt or innocence of a woman
suspected of committing adultery – curse of the bitter water (Num 5:11-31). Jesus brought
mercy and forgiveness for those guilty of adultery as was exhibited by His forgiveness of the
woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:3-11). However, Jesus clearly did not repeal the
commandment regarding adultery. There will be a judgment and the deeds of many will be
revealed (Mt 12:36-37, 16:27, Jn 5:29, Rm 2:6, 16, 14:12, 1 Cor 3:13, 4:5, 2 Cor 5:10, Col
3:24-25, 2 Tim 4:1, 1 Pt 1:17, 4:5, Jude 1:15, Rev 2:23). There is no mercy for those who
presumptuously (willfully in bold defiance of known truth) do such things without true
repentance (Heb 10:26). This is not a matter of doing “your will” and then asking forgiveness
later. Does not the Creator of all things know the true intent of the heart? God hates divorce!
It ruins lives – think of the innocent children. Marriage is intended to be sacred, but is rather
observed as trivial and insincerely (what can you do for ME). This is why there are so many
marriage contracts and hyphenated names. If your spouse commits adultery then you have
two options. You can seek reconciliation (forgive) or separate and not remarry until such a
time as your spouse should die. If you remarry while your spouse lives, then you clearly
commit adultery yourself. Many will continue to defend the indefensible – that is the
darkness. God would have you to stop justifying that which opposes Him and come to the
light (Acts 26:18). Marriage is sacred and is symbolic of Christ and the church. Woe to him
that detracts (disregards) from God’s will and justifies and teaches others. If you are guilty of
divorce and remarriage then you must seek the Lord in sincere repentance and follow the
Spirit’s leading. The Lord God is merciful to those who truly repent and surrender to His will.
 
Many will say that it is not right for one spouse to suffer (not be able to remarry) if the other
commits adultery. The author is certainly not without compassion in such matters, but you
must also consider if all parties are truly innocent. We have discussed how many who
“profess Christ” are not following and are living as the world. When men and women (those
married) sit in front of the television, go to movies, rent videos, read magazines or romance
novels and/or have close worldly friends that do the same, you are opening yourselves up to
seducing spirits, your own lusts and those things that oppose God. The popular culture in this
world will conform you to its image. This is an image that opposes God and most certainly

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glorifies adultery, fornication, sensuality, teasing (provocation, flirting) with the opposite sex,
pornography, violence, drugs, alcohol, gambling, foul language, course jesting, etc. This is the
image of the beast (antichrist – against Christ). These things will create desire, tempt, induce
fantasy, and will make you feel as if your life is mundane (ordinary, dull, routine, boring,
unexciting, humdrum, dreary) and wasting away. These things will make you and/or your
spouse feel dissatisfied with the reality of your lives when compared with make believe
fantasy worlds of fictitious creations. Spouses will start seeking their own excitement like
what they see on television or read about in literature. The devil tempted Eve with forbidden
fruit in Eden. The devil (via the things of the world) will constantly tempt those who willingly
subject themselves with such things with the forbidden fruit also. In a moment of weakness or
gradual change of attitude, the things you put in your heart will manifest themselves
outwardly. Therefore, when you build your life on a worldly foundation, don’t be surprised
when things take on the similarity of a soap opera. This is called “reaping what you sow” for
God is not mocked (Gal 6:7). They that plow in iniquity (sin) and sow in wickedness reap the
same (Job 4:8). You make a choice to follow the seemingly glamorous and easily traveled
broad path and these are the burdens and bondages along the way. The children of Israel
chose to walk as the world (i.e. like nations around them) and disregarded God’s warnings.
This is what happened: Isaiah 42:22-24, “But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all
of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none
delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore. Who among you will give ear to this? who will
hearken and hear for the time to come? Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the
robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned? for they would not walk in his
ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.” God protects (fights for) those who are
submitted to Him. Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and
every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage
of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” Those who
walk in their own way are a prey for the devourer (God Himself fights against you – see
Chapter Four, “The Doctrine of Balaam). To be robbed and spoiled is to have your life in
ruins (the devil is a theif and a robber and snares at will). God has clearly counseled in His
world not to love the world or the things therein (lusts of flesh, eyes, pride of life, etc., 1 Jn
2:15-17). We have been told to come out of such things (2 Cor 6:17, Rev 18:4). If you and
your spouse are submitted to God, cannot He sustain you and your marriage (the covenant of
marriage is in God’s will)? Divorce results when you are submitted to the world – the wise
will carefully consider this (Pv 9:9). When you dance with the world, it always picks the tune.
So, men, are you as the world or do you allow your wives and children to be as the world?
Prepare to reap the same. So those who continually defend (justify) the evil, prepare to partake
of it. Conforming to the world has another effect known as deception. Those who are as the
world never see themselves as such. This is the blindness given to those who seek “their
way.” To live in darkness is to be blind to whats going on around you – to the truth. The more
you die to self and the things of the world, the closer you will be with Christ. This is a
difficult path for those who love and serve the flesh – who will you serve? Jesus must increase
and you must decrease (Jn 3:30). You must overcome the world (Rm 12:2, 1 Jn 5:4, Rev 2:7,
11, 17, 26, 3:5, 12, 21, 21:7). You must conform to the image of Jesus (Rm 8:29, 1 Cor
15:49, 2 Cor 3:18, Col 3:10). You must abstain, abhor, eschew, refrain, depart, hate, cease,
reprove and cleanse ourselves from all evil (Eph 5:11, 1 Pt 3:11, 1 Thess 5:22, Rm 12:9, Ps
37:27, 97:10, 119:101, Pv 3:7, 8:13, 14:16, 16:17, Is 1:16, Amos 5:15, 2 Cor 7:1).
 
Consider the other implications of all the divorce in this country. Pastors who perform
marriage ceremonies involving divorced individuals (one or both) are consenting in their
wickedness (violation of Christ’s command) and are not walking in God’s righteousness, truth
and judgment. Preachers who do this are encouraging “adultery!” These men will be held to a

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higher standard because they knew the truth, and rather than warn others, were actually
participant in opposing the truth (Heb 13:7). Acts 20:28, “Take heed therefore unto
yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to
feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” The religious man of
today has at best a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy regarding divorce and remarriage – they seek
the praise of men. Does not the purposeful ignorance of the truth not equate to complete
denial and rejection of the truth? Please do not fault the author for all the confusion in today’s
very “loose” religious world. I am only proclaiming the truth and am not the author of it
(Christ is) – although I do completely submit to the truth (Jesus) and absolutely see the
wisdom therein. I will gladly bear reproach for Christ’s namesake. Consider all the maga-
churches of today that seek acceptance within the world (1 Jn 5:4). Do the leaders of these
religious organizations preach against divorce or rather provide understanding? Do they call
adultery for what it is or justify and placate the adulterers and adulteresses by stretching
God’s forgiveness into acceptance? Do they seek the praise of men or do they suffer reproach
for Christ (the truth) concerning wedding ceremonies for divorcees (Jn 12:43)? Is it even
possible to be the pastor of a large church and still maintain membership (audience) while
preaching the truth about issues such as divorce? If truth is not being preached, then what are
your itching ears coming to hear (2 Tim 4:3)? Which is more important, membership or truth?
Which is superior, entertaining feel good experiences or convicting heart rending truth? The
clear answers regarding many of these questions is that the majority of pastors (so-called) in
this country do not rock the boat over incredibly important truths such as divorce and adultery
(especially given the widespread transgressions). These seek the praise of men rather than the
honor of God (Jn 5:44) – and their memberships love to have it so (Jer 5:31). They seek big
churches with large memberships. They seek good reputation (popularity) with all men. They
seek self and not God! Now consider prayerfully if your participation with such groups is not
also consenting in these practices. The largest most entertaining churches in town may be
(probably are) traveling a broad way opposite of Christ. One thing that is clearly evident in
the scriptures is that the “truth” has never drawn a big crowd.
 
Stealing
 
Exodus 20:15, “Thou shalt not steal (also Deut 5:19, Lev 19:11).” Stealing is exalting self and
taking that which belongs to another for selfish benefit. This is an act of aggression that seeks
your will at the expense (detriment) of another - To obtain something through the violation of
another. If you have stolen in the past and now realize your fault, you must make amends
(reparation for loss, compensation, reimburse, make up for) so much as is possible (Ez
33:15). To make amends is to provide restitution (providing the equivalent, recompense,
restoration) for the wrong committed (Ex 22:1-2, 7, Ez 33:15). The best show of remorse
(regret, repentance) and the intent of the heart is to make right through your actions rather
than your words (including whatever sacrifices are necessary, 1 Jn 3:18). You must provide
an atonement; the scriptures consider amends to be restoration (Ex 22:1-4, 12, Pv 6:30-31).
Luke 19:1-2, 5-10, “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a
man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And when
Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make
haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came
down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he
was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the
Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing
from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is
salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is
come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Notice Zacchaeus’ repentant heart to more

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than restore and make amends for past wrongs. Jesus said that salvation had come to him
through such a change of heart and actions (evidences). Thieves will not enter into the
kingdom of heaven (1 Cor 6:9-10).” Those who kidnapped (stole people) were to be put to
death (Ex 21:16). We are not to defraud our neighbor. To defraud is to withhold wrongfully
from another what is due him (to cheat, deprive another). Leviticus 19:13, “Thou shalt not
defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with
thee all night until the morning (also Mk 10:19).”
 
Most understand the primary meaning of stealing and its wrongfulness. This is a great shame
for those caught in the act. There are also other considerations that many do not consider.
Man took something very precious from God in Eden. Man took from God’s glory and honor
by judging the Lord as not worthy to obey and be submitted to. Man chose rather to obey
Satan, the enemy of God, and follow that which opposes God (rebellion, self centerness).
Rather than give God due honor, glory, and worship, man sought his own honor and glory and
continues to even today. Man defrauds God what is due Him – all glory, honor, praise,
obedience, sacrifice, love, thanksgiving, and worship. Man could not provide an equivalent to
God for the wrong committed in Eden. Man is full of iniquity and rebellion and had nothing
comparable to offer for the transgression committed. God in His mercy and love sent His only
begotten Son (Jesus) to provide the atonement for man (Is 53:6, Jn 3:16, Rm 5:11, Gal 1:4).
Jesus restored that which He took not away (Ps 69:4). Man only receives God’s atonement
and reconciles with God by relinquishing (abandoning, renouncing, giving up) all his
rebellion and self seeking and living a life of faith through Christ. Man may offer some small
measure of restitution (only through God’s working in him) by living a life of sincere faith to
give (restore) glory and honor to the Lord. This is only possible through Christ. Faith is
humble surrender in love, obedience and trust to the will of God. Faith is accomplished
through the leading of the Holy Spirit (teaching, guidance, direction, etc., Jn 14:26, 15:26,
16:7-8, 13-15, Acts 2:38, Rm 8:9, 1 Cor 2:10, 16, 3:16, 6:19, Gal 3:2, Eph 1:13, 1 Pt 1:22-
23, 1 Jn 2:27, 4:13) who is given by Christ to those who obey (Acts 5:32). Through your
faith, God works in you and transforms you to His expectations (which was mirrored in
Christ, Rm 5:1-2). This is the grace of God and it produces acceptable fruit (Jn 15:1-8). Those
who sincerely follow Jesus are they which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word
(God’s will), keep it (obey), and bring forth fruit with patience (Lk 8:15).
 
Jesus said: John 10:8, “All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep
did not hear them.” The thieves and robbers that Jesus is referring to are those things that you
put before Him in your life. This could be a myriad of things such as career, home, family,
religion, hobbies, entertainments, pleasures and self. These things rob Christ of the glory that
He should receive and absolutely deserves from you. Those things placed above Jesus
relegate the Lord to a position of lesser importance – less worthy of due consideration. Also,
when you fill your life with things that oppose Christ, then you steal from His glory. We have
discussed the filth and iniquity that is spewed from the television idol. These are the things
Christ came to deliver you from and Jesus laid His life down to do it. When you sit in front of
the television and enjoy and fill your heart with these evil things, you make a complete
mockery of everything Christ did through your willful actions. You have no regard for Lord’s
sacrifice or His presence. You say you love Jesus, but through your actions you reveal you
love the things that oppose Him. This robs Christ of His glory and greatly dishonors Him. The
creation should yield and worship the Creator, yet much of the creation has rebelled against
the Creator in seeking to bring glory to itself. Notice that Jesus said that his sheep did not hear
them. They do not give place to the things which oppose their Lord. Those who love Jesus are
actively living their faith everyday and are keen (wholehearted, devoted, zealous, ardent,
fanatical, eager, acute, sensitive) to put Christ first in all things and abhor and eschew that

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which is evil. These individuals will grieve over (Ez 9:4, 2 Pt 2:7-8) the evil and be quick to
repent of any personal failure (1 Jn 1:9). John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it
more abundantly.” The devil is a thief as are those things we place above Christ. The devil
lures us away from Jesus with those things we lust after (that which the flesh desires). The
devil stole man’s heart away from God by tempting him in his flesh. The devil corrupted man
and took him into his bondage and rebellion. The devil separates you from God in order to kill
and destroy you. The devil can only accomplish this through your free will. God will not
allow him to overpower your free will. Therefore, those things you lust after separate you
from Christ and deny the Lord His due glory from His creation. These things (through your
choices) and the devil’s enticement will kill and destroy you (keep you in rebellion against
God).
 
False Witness
 
Exodus 20:16, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour (also Deut 5:20).” To
be a false witness is to give an untrue or misleading (generally first hand) account (by
altering or adding to) of an action or event in providing evidence against another. A false
witness will utter lies (Pv 14:5, 25) and lying lips are an abomination to the Lord (Pv 12:22).
Exodus 23:1, “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an
unrighteous witness.” To misrepresent fraudulently (deceitfully, dishonestly, falsely) -
treacherous. To intentionally assert or declare false testimony or witness against another as if
true. Exodus 23:1, “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to
be an unrighteous witness.” Generally a false witness seeks to gain from his deed, whether
advantage, reward or acceptance and popularity (Is 5:23) – he is motivated for self. A false
witness is a maul (wound in a course manner), and a sword, and a sharp arrow (Pv 25:18).
Exodus 23:7, “Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not:
for I will not justify the wicked.” Jesus was the victim of false witnesses (Mk 14:56-57).
Psalms 35:11-12, “False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.
They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.” Christ is saying that through their
words, they destroyed His very being (character, good name, reputation, essence of who He
is). False witness is character assassination and murder. A false witness that speaketh lies is
one of the seven things that God hates and that are an abomination to Him (Pv 6:19). These
destroy the righteousness of one to uphold wickedness (deceit, treachery, etc.). Proverbs
17:15, “He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are
abomination to the LORD.” Punishment for a false witness under the law is as follows:
Deuteronomy 19:16-21, “If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that
which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the
LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall
make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified
falsely against his brother; Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his
brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. And those which remain shall hear,
and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you. And thine eye shall
not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” A
false witness shall not go unpunished, but shall perish (Pv 19:5, 9, 21:28). From an eternal
standpoint (i.e. The Judgment): False witnesses shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven
(Mt 15:18-20). God made special provisions for sentencing of crimes due to false witnesses:
Deuteronomy 17:6-7, “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is
worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death
(also Num 35:30, Deut 19:15, Mt 16:18). The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him
to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away

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from among you.” There is less chance for two to collude (conspire, plot, scheme) to both
become false witnesses.
 
One can also be a false witness in the way they represent Christ to others. They may live a life
that is false or hypocritical (insincere) regarding their profession of faith. Their actions/deeds
around others bring dishonor to Jesus. One may also twist the meanings or intent of Christ’s
Words (gospel) into another gospel altogether, perhaps to seek benefit in the flesh (2 Cor
11:4). A sincere follower of Christ will be a light or “witness” to the truth. Matthew 5:16,
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your
Father which is in heaven.” One who is false will be a dark witness to that which is wicked.
 
Coveting
 
Exodus 20:17, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy
neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any
thing that is thy neighbour’s (also Deut 5:21).” Covetousness misdirects affections which
belong to God (for His glory) to other things for the purpose of self glory (for man’s lusts).
Rather than placing your attention upon God, it exalts created things (seeking after, desire for)
above god (i.e. idolatry) to satisfy the flesh. The flesh is thereby exalted and God is
diminished. This is why covetousness is linked to idolatry in scripture (Col 3:5). Jesus said:
Luke 12:15, “And he said unto them,Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life
consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Your life is in God. Take
heed and beware are strong words coming from God and one best pay attention to them. To
covet (want, yearn for, and crave) is also to desire enviously that which belongs to another
(take rather than give). Coveting springs from the root of greed (materialism, worldliness)
and centers on selfishness. Those who covet are never content (satisfied) and thus never truly
thankful. Covetousness is not just the desire for what you cannot have, but also for that which
you can readily obtain – avaricious (greedy of gain or possession). Much of the world’s
advertising is geared toward creating a strong desire in you to have a certain thing. This is
witchcraft and is wickedness. Psalms 10:3, “For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and
blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.” In advertising, the item for attention will
be presented to you in such a way that you are led to think that everyone wants or has one and
that you must have it also. Advertisers will link their products to activities or entertainments
that you enjoy. These advertisers will constantly tempt (entice, appeal to, lure, excite,
convince) and provoke (bring about, trigger, cause) you to covetousness through messages
that mainly appear on television, radio, and in magazines. The author is told there exists
shopping channels on television that appeal to your lusts twenty-four hours a day. They want
to create a desire where no need exists. Advertisers must fixate your attention on their product
in a short moment of time by appealing to your inner lusts such that the enticement will
remain long after the appeal and result in a later action. This is serious manipulation! They
create factitious (needs created  by advertising) lusts! Many will allure through the lusts and
desires of the flesh and exercise the heart though covetous practices (2 Pt 2:14, 18). In all this
we must remember that one who is covetous has their heart on SELF and their wants/desires
rather than on God’s will. A wise man will seek God wholeheartedly and remove himself
from such temptations. This is done by not partaking of the television or thumbing through
the magazines (especially the catalogs) – in other words, do not give place in your heart.
Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation (lifestyle) be without covetousness; and be content with
such things as ye have: for he (Jesus) hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” The
key is to be “content,” to have “self control,” to not let the flesh rule your actions. Psalms
119:36, “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.” Those who profess
Christ are specifically told: Ephesians 5:3-5, “But fornication, and all

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uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving
of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man,
who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
 
Summary of Ten Commandments
 
Man rebelled in the garden of Eden to seek his selfish wants rather than deny self and submit
to the will of God in perfect obedience. Man’s fallen nature is that of the devil which is self
centered; and he is now ruled by the lusts of the flesh. God’s Ten Commandments go against
this fallen nature of the flesh. These commands focus man’s devotion and attention first on
God and then others (one’s neighbors). To be devoted to another (loving God or neighbor) is
to deny self (or vice versa). God’s commands deny the flesh and restrain (contain, confine,
hold back) man’s self seeking ways. The heart of man is desperately wicked (Jer 17:9). Jesus
said: Mark 7:20-23, “And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.
For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications,
murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy,
pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Matthew
15:19  adds “false witness” to this most unsavory list of works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-20).
When you sincerely submit (surrender, yield) to God, the Spirit will work to tear down these
things of the flesh. The flesh will resists and your devotion will manifest itself. The nature of
God is opposite of this list, namely love, joy, peace, goodness, meekness, self control
(temperance), truth, righteousness, longsuffering, gentleness, and faith (Gal 5:22-23, Eph
5:9). These are the fruits which must manifest in your life. Galatians 5:16, 6:7-8, “This I say
then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Be not deceived; God is
not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his
flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap
life everlasting.”
 
Under the law, breaking the commandments by seeking other gods; using the Lord’s name in
vain; breaking the sabbath; dishonoring parents, killing; and adultery were penalized by death.
False witness could be penalized up to and including death. Stealing could result in death (Ex
21:16, 22:2). However: Deuteronomy 19:15, “One witness shall not rise up against a man for
any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the
mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” There was no mercy under the law.
Hebrews 10:28, “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three
witnesses.” Deuteronomy 5:32-33, “Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God
hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Ye shall walk in
all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it
may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.”
As previously mentioned and one of the great points of this book: Obedience to God produces
life, life more abundantly and life eternal (Jn 10:10, 1 Jn 5:11). Disobedience to God
produces death including the second death. Obedience draws you to God who is the giver of
life. Disobedience separates you from God where there is no life. Disobedience equates to
“thou shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17). The Lord said of the people after He spoke His law:
Deuteronomy 5:29, “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and
keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children
for ever!” Obeying the Lord was equated with wellbeing. We die to ourselves in obedience to
God such that life will spring forth. A seed dies to produce life which bears much fruit (Jn
12:24). The majority of the children of Israel never truly clung to the Lord with the heart of
love that God desired. Most sought after the idolatry of the nations around them or had a

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“legal” obedience. Jesus came and amended the law (which offered no mercy) to provide
mercy for sincere and repentant individuals (Is 16:5). Christ also provided the Holy Spirit
such that one could live a life of sustained faith and fulfill the intent of the law. The law was
not done away with, but was written in the hearts of those who genuinely seek God. Hebrews
10:16-17, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I
will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and
iniquities will I remember no more (also Jer 31:33-34, Ez 36:26-27, 2 Cor 3:3).” God
through His mercy and grace conforms us to His expectations. Those who are insincere and
persist in any such violations (including those who make profession of Christ) will not inherit
the kingdom of God (Rm 1:26-32, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Gal 5:19-21). These will face the second
death.
 
Christ’s Commandments
 
Jesus took the Ten Commandments of God and reduced them down to two. These Two Great
Commandments bear repeating (gospel of love): Mark 12:29-31, “And Jesus answered him,
The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and
with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
We discussed how the Ten Commandments could be observed through “legal obedience”
whereby one might seemingly keep the letter of the law, yet not the intent of the law. The
religious system that Christ came to religiously observed the law (through man’s doctrines
and traditions), but had no love or compassion for their fellow man. This was revealed when
Jesus healed on the Sabbath (Mt 12:10, Lk 6:6, 13:14, Jn 5:9, 9:14) or told individuals that
their sins were forgiven them (Mt 9:2, 5, Mk 2:5, 9, 3:28, Lk 5:20, 23, 7:47-48). The religious
men were infuriated by these acts of love and compassion (Mk 2:7, Lk 5:21, Jn 5:18, 9:16).
The law itself does not necessarily produce “heart obedience” whereby one loves and obeys
God with all their heart and also loves their fellow man (1 Jn 4:21). The law made nothing
perfect (but faith in Christ did – the surety of a better testament, Heb 7:19, 22). The Ten
Commandments were to direct man’s attention off of “self” and onto first God and then his
fellow man – to restrain “self” (the wicked nature of man). Many used the law to condemn
others. However, the Ten Commandments do not actually (explicitly) contain the word “love.”
Notice the use of the word “love” in the Two Great Commandments. What does “love” mean?
Consider the popular verses: John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For
God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him
might be saved.” God defines love as “sacrifice” or giving of yourself for another. God so
loved the world He “gave” or “sacrificed” His own Son for us – for our benefit. Jesus came
not to justifiably (with good reason) condemn us, but to “give” or “sacrifice” Himself for us
that we might be saved (to do us good in the end). Jesus came and led by example (1 Pt 2:21-
24). He denied Himself for the benefit of others (we must also - 1 Jn 2:10). Man used the law
to condemn (and unto death). Jesus came and forgave (and unto life, 1 Jn 2:25). Consider
what Jesus said: John 15:12-13, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another (your
neighbor), as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends.” If we do not love others as Christ loves us, then we have no right to
Christ’s love. John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one
another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye
are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Jesus loved by continually giving of Himself
for others as a servant (Lk 22:27, Jn 6:38, 13:12-17, 2 Cor 8:9, Php 2:7-8). He fed, healed,
delivered, taught, suffered, served, showed compassion (wept), sacrificed, defended, prayed

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for, encouraged, and forgave. The greatest “love” is the complete “sacrifice” of self for
another – to lay down one’s life (1 Jn 3:16). Consider this relation: John 3:16 reveals that God
“gave” His only begotten Son for man (Christ laid down His life for us). 1 John 3:16 reveals
that man is to “give” himself for his fellow man (We lay down our lives for each other, 1 Jn
4:21). Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister,
and to give his life a ransom (to liberate, set free) for many.” Therefore, the Two Great
Commandments completely take your attention off of self and direct it in love (giving,
sacrifice) to first God and then others (this is known as charity). So, to obey Christ’s
commandments is to live in the law of love (1 Jn 5:2). 1 John 4:19, “We love him, because he
first loved us.” This produces obedience from the heart and true “faith.” You can never truly
die to self and serve God and others without such “love.” Therefore: 1 John 4:10-11, “Herein
is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for
our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” Now, consider what
Jesus said: John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” Those who make a vow
(solemn promise) and enter into Christ’s covenant (which was sealed by His blood, 1 Cor
11:25), must keep Jesus’ commanments. Christ’s covenant is “love” and to keep this
testament you must obey. In Christ, faith worketh by love (Gal 5:6, Eph 3:17). 1 John 4:7-8,
16, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of
God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. And we have
known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love
dwelleth in God, and God in him.” John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man
love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him,
and make our abode with him.” In other words, if a man sacrifices self to keep Christ’s
Words, then God will sacrifice for your benefit and dwell with you. Love is reciprocal – but
must first place God foremost. When we come back under God’s authority in obedience as
reconciled through Christ, we have a personal relationship with God (Rm 5:10, 2 Cor 5:18).
The Holy Spirit resides within us (1 Cor 6:19). 1 John 3:24, “And he that keepeth his
commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by
the Spirit which he hath given us.” If you do not have the Spirit, then you are not Christ’s (Rm
8:9, 1 Jn 4:13). You cannot “know” Christ apart from submission and obedience to Him. 1
John 2:3-4, “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He
that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in
him.” John 15:10, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have
kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.” Consider how well this fits with
what God had told the children of Israel: Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the LORD
thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love
him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.” Jesus totally died to self in
keeping the Father’s will and obeyed perfectly, thus abiding in His love. We must die to self
and obey Christ’s commandments and thereby abide (continue, dwell, endure, be present,
remain, stand firm, tarry, in the same state, be one with) in His love. This is saying that we
must follow Christ’s example – to walk as He walked (1 Pt 2:21, 1 Jn 2:6). If we do not abide
in Christ in love, then we are cast forth as a fruitless branch to be gathered and burned (Jn
15:1-8). John 15:9, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my
love.” Your vow of faith to Christ is for love and obedience hereafter – stedfastness (firmly
fixed or established, constant, resolute, not wavering). 1 John 2:5, “But whoso keepeth his
word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.” Our
assurance that we are in Christ is found in our obedience to Him, and this perfects our love.
Sacrifice of self equates to obedience which equates to love. 1 John 5:2-3, “By this we know
that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is
the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
We sacrifice self for the benefit of God. Therefore, we can conclude that God is amazingly

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consistent in His Word and dealings with man. God’s desire has always been that man will
approach Him in faith (love, contrite heart, obedience, trust, submission and humbleness) - as
did Abraham. Consider what God said at the time of the first covenant (at Mount Horeb)
when the Ten Commandments were given: Deuteronomy 10:12-13, “And now, Israel, what
doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his
ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day
for thy good?” - to cleave to Him in obedience (Deut 13:4). Is this not the First Great
Commandment that Jesus stated? All things will be reconciled to God as they were prior to
the fall of man in Eden. For this to happen, man must renounce (relinquish) his self will (self
seeking) and submit (to yield, resign, or surrender to the power, will and authority of God) to
God’s authority freely in love, obedience and trust with all due humbleness. God is not
compromising with man (or Satan) in any way, but is offering man forgiveness, mercy,
restoration (replacing to the former state as in Eden; recovery from man’s fallen rebellious
state) and grace if man will surrender to God freely through Christ. The second covenant of
faith is exercised in following Christ as led by the Spirit down the narrow path that leads back
to God. John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall
also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” We no longer serve
“self,” but another – God and our neighbor. Your life must be found in Christ (1 Jn 4:9, 5:11-
12). 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Let
us be faithful! As you travel through the wilderness, God will work through your faith to tear
down and destroy the flesh and bring you fully under His will.
 
Just After God Spoke His Law to the People at Horeb
 
Exodus 20:18-23, “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise
of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and
stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not
God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to
prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. And the people stood
afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. And the LORD said
unto Moses, Thus thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, Ye have seen that I have talked
with you from heaven. Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto
you gods of gold.” God was definitely getting the people’s attention in a very real convincing
way. The people greatly feared to hear God directly and requested to hear God via (through)
Moses. This set the foundation for a priest (one who offers sacrifices to God), and intercessor
(one who interposes between God and man with a view to reconcile them) or advocate (one
who pleads on behalf of another, intermediary). The children of Israel did not want to hear
directly from God in all His Glory because the flesh was exceedingly fearful and could hardly
stand in God’s presence. God’s presence brought great conviction and is all consuming.
Deuteronomy 5:24-27, “And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory
and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this
day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. Now therefore why should we die? for this
great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall
die. For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of
the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God
shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we
will hear it, and do it.” Rather than talk directly with God, man desired a mediator (advocate,
intercessor). Moses filled this position initially (talked with God and spoke His Words to the
people, Deut 4:11, 5:31-33). Jesus later came and became our intercessor and advocate (high
priest, prophet and King) to bring peace (reconciliation) between God and man (1 Tim 2:5-6).

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Hebrews 2:17, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that
he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make
reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Jesus bare the sin of many, and made intercession
for the transgressors (Is 53:12). It is written: Hebrews 12:18-21, “For ye are not come unto
the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness,
and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard
intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure
that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned,
or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear
and quake:)” Moses would later say: Deuteronomy 18:16-19, “According to all that thou
desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear
again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die
not. And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will
raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in
his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to
pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will
require it of him (also Deut 5:27, 18:15-19, Jer 23:5).” Moses (through God’s direction) was
referring to Jesus Christ. This was also acknowledged by the disciples of Jesus shortly after
the resurrection of Christ (just after Pentecost). Acts 3:22-23, “For Moses truly said unto the
fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me;
him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass,
that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.”
The people did not want to see or hear from God in all His glory for fear that they would die.
The people wanted God to speak to them through Moses. God later sent His Son to the earth
as a man. John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his
glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Jesus came in
the flesh from the seed of David (Heb 2:16). Romans 1:3, “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ
our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.” Christ ultimately
descended from Abraham: Galatians 3:16, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises
made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
Jesus came speaking God’s Words (not His own, Jn 3:34, 7:16-17, 8:28, 38, 12:49-50, 14:10-
11). So you see, Jesus came as a prophet (yet a Son) who was raised up among the brethren
whose heart contained God’s Words and He spoke as He was commanded (Deut 18:18). John
12:49-50, “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a
commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his
commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto
me, so I speak.” Can you see how Jesus exactly fulfilled the prophesy of Moses and fulfilled
God’s purpose? Now consider that God said whatever Jesus spoke (which came from God the
Father) that He would require it of man and he who will not hear and obey shall be destroyed
from among the people. Jesus later added: John 12:47-48, “And if any man hear my words,
and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He
that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him:the word that I have
spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” We will consider just what Jesus had to say
later in this chapter. Jesus also came as a King and a High Priest (as Melchisedec, Heb 7:1-2,
15, 20-21). So, Christ is all in all - King, Priest, and Prophet (1 Cor 8:6, Eph 1:3, Col 1:18,
3:11). Colossians 1:19, “For it pleased the Father that in him (Jesus) should all fulness dwell.”
The King, Priest and Prophet could also be likened to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Colossians 2:9, “For in him (Jesus) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Moses
was faithful to God to do what the Lord required. He spoke God’s Words, performed God’s
Works and had a whole heart of love to do God’s will. Moses failed to do God’s will once
(speak His Word) and was not allowed the enter into the Promised Land (Num 20:8-12). Jesus

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was completely faithful to God to do what the Lord required. He spoke God’s Words,
performed God’s Works and had a whole heart of love to do God’s will with no transgression
or iniquity. Hebrews 3:1-6, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling,
consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him
that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted
worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more
honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is
God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those
things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house
are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” We are
in Jesus’ house “if” we are stedfast (unwavering, dedicated, devoted, loyal, dependable,
resolute, firm, unyielding, determined), committed) and enduring (continuing, lasting,
permanent) in our faith (obedience to Christ’s commands, Mt 10:22). 1 Peter 1:9, “Receiving
the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” Our confidence is our certainty of
faith as expressed in our actions/deeds/fruits, which will always be a devotion to God.
Therefore, Jesus, as High Priest (also King and Prophet), sacrificed Himself for the people
and interceded before God to obtain God’s mercy and reconciliation for those who would
abide in His testament sealed with His own blood (1 Jn 2:28). Jesus redeemed (delivered
from bondage, distress, penalty, liability, or from the possession of another, by paying an
equivalent) us by His blood (Rev 5:9-10).
 
Notice that God has now verbally told the people twice that they are to make no other gods
(such as were in Egypt) and particularly not of gold or silver. Keep in mind that the people
were clearly advised by God’s verbal commands. Exodus 20:24-25, “An altar of earth thou
shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings,
thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I
will bless thee. And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn
stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.” Man is always drawn to
physical representations to appease the flesh. Man wants to see, feel and touch since he has
submitted himself to the desires of the flesh. This is why God said that an altar was to be
made of unaltered stones. Carving the stones pollutes the altar because man will inevitably
worship and revere the physical object rather than God. As mentioned earlier, modern
Christians have deified (sacred, holy, blessed, sanctified) the symbol of the cross. Most
people do not understand what the cross even represented. However, they will pray before it
and be baptized under it. The cross and baptism represented death to these very things of the
flesh. God will be worshipped in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:23-24). Faith “bypasses” these things
of the flesh (Rm 8:8) and this is how God must be pleased (Heb 11:6). So, Without faith it is
impossible to please God (Heb 11:6) and they that are in the flesh cannot please God (Rm
8:8). The flesh wants its images, but God says there will be no such images.
 
The Covenant at Horeb (Sinai)
 
Exodus 24:3  And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the
judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the
LORD hath said will we do.” God is not after forced servitude, but a ready, willing and
surrendered heart. No one approaches God unless they have a willing heart to yield to Him.
The creation must recognize and surrender to the will of the Creator. The Creator gave life
and the creation has no ability to maintain life on its own. To disobey the Creator is to choose
certain death. The children of Israel agreed to abide in God’s laws – to live within them.
Similiarly, when one approaches Christ, they must agree to abide in Him and to follow His
commands (Jn 15:1-8). John 15:10, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my

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love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” Notice that
Jesus set the example! Jesus absolutely obeyed and yielded to the Father during His entire
time on earth. This cannot be over emphasized. This is a yielding of your entire life. As Jesus
absolutely surrendered to the will of the Father and perfectly obeyed His laws, we are to
absolutely surrender to Christ and keep His commandments. Those who come under God’s
authority (as prior to the fall in Eden) obey Him – thy will be done in earth (in your life), as it
is in heaven (Mt 6:10, Lk 11:2). Those who wish to remain as their own authority (as after the
fall in Eden) do not obey God and are in rebellion. Psalms 37:38, “But the transgressors shall
be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off (also Pv 2:22, Is 1:28).” The
unjust are reserved unto the day of judgment to be punished. These are those who walk after
the flesh (as per the devil’s lie in Eden) in the lust of uncleanness (Rm 6:19, 2 Cor 12:21, Eph
4:19, 5:3). Defilement by transgressions and iniquity is uncleanness (lewdness, filthiness,
foulness, sinfulness). Exodus 24:4-8, “And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose
up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to
the twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered
burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD. And Moses took half
of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took
the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the
LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on
the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you
concerning all these words.” A covenant is a formal binding agreement sealed in blood – a
solemn (serious and sincere, sacred) agreement. Hebrews 9:20, “Saying, This is the blood of
the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.” To be enjoined is to be admonished with
authority (ordered, directed, commanded). Deuteronomy 5:2-3, “The LORD our God made a
covenant with us in Horeb. The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us,
even us, who are all of us here alive this day.” Man made a covenant with God whereby man
agreed to be obedient to God’s laws which were first verbalized by God and then written by
Moses in a book and read before the people (Deut 5:1, 4-22). Romans 10:5, “For Moses
describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall
live by them.” A sacrifice (animal) was made and the covenant was enacted by the sprinkling
of blood. The law was binding and to be kept with no clause of mercy for transgressors (Neh
9:29). Through the law God was laying a foundation of understanding for the people.
Galatians 3:19, “Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till
the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the
hand of a mediator.” Jesus is the seed which would come to Whom the “promise” was made.
Until such a time, man was not to continue in his transgressions against God (seeking of self
and the resulting iniquity which has continued since Eden). This would have led to total
corruption as before the flood. Worshipping God (reverence, love, devotion, trust, faith) and
abiding in His laws would set the children of Israel apart (sanctify) as God’s people. Galatians
3:24, “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (the seed that shall
come), that we might be justified by faith (as Abraham).” Consider what God told Israel after
verbalizing the law: Deuteronomy 6:4-6, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.” This is
the First Great Commandment that Jesus would later state (Mt 22:36-37, Mk 12:29-30, Lk
10:27). Now consider what God also told the children of Israel: Leviticus 19:18, “Thou shalt
not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” This is the Second Great Commandment that Jesus
would later state (Mt 22:38-39, Mk 12:31, Lk 10:27). Christ’s gospel has been there all along
(discussed below). Old Testament or New Testament, makes no difference; God has been
completely consistent with His expectations for man all along. There were some men

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(consider Simeon, Lk 2:25-32) who lived prior to Christ’s coming (the seed) that grasped
God’s expectation of man and walked in His Spirit. These two commands revealed the law
and what the prophets had been saying when they spoke God’s Words; this is superior to
burnt offerings and sacrifices (Mt 22:40, Mk 12:33). Luke 1:50, “And his mercy is on them
that fear him from generation to generation.” The fear of the Lord is wanting to know and
please Him – to walk in His ways (Deut 6:13, 24, 8:6, 10:12, 20, 13:4, 17:19, 31:12, Josh
4:24, 24:14, 1 Sam 12:14, 24, 2 Kgs 17:36, 2 Chr 19:9, Job 28:28, Ps 2:11, 19:9, 25:14,
33:8, 18, 34:9, 86:11, 96:9, 103:13, 111:10, 115:11, 135:20, 147:11, Pv 1:7, 2:5, 3:7, 8:13,
9:10, 10:27, 14:26-27, 15:33, 16:6, 19:23, 23:17, Is 11:2, 33:6). This was God’s desire from
the beginning (Eden). The law could not in and of itself (apart from love of God) produce this
“heart” faith. The law was weak through the flesh (Rm 8:3). Although God’s desire has
always been that man approach Him in faith, obedience to the law itself does not engender
(produce, create, bring about) true faith. Galatians 3:23, “But before faith came, we were kept
under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.” Observance of the
law can easily become ritualistic and heartless to those living in the flesh (apart form the
Spirit). This could be thought of as “legal obedience.” This is as foolishness, which is the lack
of true understanding (truth), wisdom (righteousness) or good judgment (Mk 7:20-23). Legal
obedience would be going through the motions without the devotion (zeal, fervor, dedication),
heart, sincerity, willing sacrifice (love)and compassion toward God and others. Romans 3:20,
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law
is the knowledge of sin.” Knowledge of sin without an antidote (cure, remedy, solution) is
lacking. The antidote (justification before God) was to be found in faith, which most never
grasped. Faith takes the law (God’s will) and adds love (sacrifice of self for others), devotion,
surrender, trust and a willing heart. The law can be legislated, but faith must emanate and
proceed from within. Romans 9:31-33, “But Israel, which followed after the law of
righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought
it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that
stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I (Jesus) lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of
offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Most of Israel sought “legal
obedience” and not “heart obedience.” The law provided understanding of iniquity, but not
justification through sole (exclusive) rigid obedience to the law (must be mixed with heart and
love). The law provided no justification of past violations. Justification is remission of sin and
absolution (forgiveness, pardon) from guilt and punishment. Acts 13:38-39, “Be it known
unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus) is preached unto you the
forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye
could not be justified by the law of Moses.” This is not justification for continued
transgressions, but rather for past iniquity prior to sincere repentance (Rm 3:25). Let no man
think he can walk in transgression against God (Is this where the Spirit will lead?). Christ
turns us from our iniquities (Acts 3:26, 1 Jn 3:5). It is by faith (not the law) that we stand and
we must continue therein being grounded and settled and not moved away from the hope of
the gospel (Col 1:22-23). Romans 4:13, “For the promise, that he should be the heir of the
world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness
of faith.” Following the underlines above we conclude: The promise was not through the law,
but through faith. Our righteousness is through faith and not through the flesh. Galatians 3:12,
“And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.” One can
grudgingly keep the law (forced will of the flesh), yet have no real heart toward God (love and
trust) or others. We discussed that one could seemingly obey the law and not physically
commit the act of adultery, but still desire to do so in their heart through lustful thoughts
toward others; thus violating the intent. One could seemingly obey the law and not physically
murder, but still have hatred, bitterness and unforgiveness in their heart and wish evil toward
others; thus violating the intent. After all God said: Leviticus 19:17, “Thou shalt not hate thy

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brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon
him.” When Christ came, the religious leaders hated Him without a cause and suffered
(wished) sin upon Him (hoped to catch Him doing wrong); yet Jesus was innocent and
without sin (Jn 15:25). One could seemingly adhere to the law in their actions, but not be
contrite (remorseful, penitent, ashamed, regretful) or sincere (genuine) in their heart. This
attitude would be rebellious because you would still be transgressing God’s will and purposes
in your heart even if you had a “forced” (compulsory) outward adherance. God’s desire was
that the law would be kept through right intent. Galatians 3:21, “Is the law then against the
promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life,
verily righteousness should have been by the law.” Obedience (adherance) to the law itself
does not necessarily produce the accompanying love, trust, devotion, and surrender that is
known as faith or “heart obedience.” The law will not necessarily produce a contrite heart. A
contrite heart is one that is greatly grieved and sorrowful in offending God (mourns over
sinfulness) – being poor in spirit. This is what Jesus referred to as being clean on the inside
and not just having a righteous outward appearance (Mt 23:25, Lk 11:39-40). Matthew 23:28,
“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and
iniquity.” However, faith will not only produce the attributes that God desires, but will also
keep the intent of the law. Romans 3:28, “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by
faith without the deeds of the law.” God has given man a free will and you cannot be made to
love; you must choose to love. You cannot legislate faith and only faith brings life. This is
why Christ later came and brought a better covenant that amended the foundation of the law.
Hebrews 7:22, “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.” The law provided
the knowledge of God’s will (Gal 3:24) and your faith is the desire and ability (through God)
to correctly live within it. Keeping the law was dependent upon the strength (resolve) of the
flesh, yet the flesh is opposed to God. Man continually gave in to the flesh and transgressed
God’s law. Those under the law did not have the Spirit. Galatians 3:2-3, “This only would I
learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye
so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” We must be led
to obedience through the Spirit (by our faith) and not through wrong motivation (i.e. fear of
hell) and the forced will of the flesh. Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith
into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Galatians 2:21, “I
do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in
vain.” Grace is God working in your heart to transform to His will (conformed to the image of
Christ) you as enacted by your faith (Ti 2:11-14). Romans 8:3-5, “For what the law could not
do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be
fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh
do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” You
must decide, are you going to live your life in the flesh with a form of godliness (forced
adherance with no real heart – being religious) or surrender to Jesus in true faith? The
“religion” of man was seeking God through the “works” of the flesh and they didn’t
“KNOW” God. What was true then, is equally true today.
 
Christ’s Testament
 
Let us next consider Christ’s covenant (New Testament). This testament is Jesus’ declared
will which became effective after His death (Heb 9:16). Hebrews 9:17, “For a testament is of
force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” Jesus
gave His life to secure the covenant. Mark 15:37-38, “And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and
gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.”

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Recall that the veil separated the holy from the most holy (where God dwells, Ex 26:33). That
one rip signified direct access to God (in the Holy of Holies) for all men through Christ by His
blood (Eph 2:13-18, Lk 23:45, Heb 10:19). Ephesians 2:18, “For through him we both have
access by one Spirit unto the Father (also Eph 4:4-6).” We can now approach the Father
through the Spirit with nothing in between; not through man, doctrines, religion, priests,
pastors, denominations, ceremonies, rituals, memberships, works, etc., can hinder us from
God. We approach God through Jesus (the Head) and by the Holy Spirit (whom He has given
us). This covenant of grace (testament, doctrine) procures eternal life (salvation) from
God; upon the condition that man “receives” Christ and yields obedience to the terms of the
gospel remaining stedfast until the end (Heb 3:14). We have discussed that Jesus’ gospel was
one of love. 2 John 1:9, “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ,
hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”
Abiding in Christ’s covenant is a very solemn binding agreement. Jesus has been
misrepresented by modern day religion as only being there to forgive continued transgression
to the point of endorsing the evils men do. Jesus is a great King and will not be endlessly
mocked! Hebrews 8:6-13, “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much
also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For
if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make
a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the
covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them
out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not,
saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those
days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I
will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man
his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from
the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their
iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first
old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” God puts His law in
our inward parts and we shall all know Christ, from the least of us unto the greatest, saith the
LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more (Jer 31:33-34,
Ez 36:26-27). Jeremiah 24:7, “And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the
LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me
with their whole heart.” Jesus didn’t come to destroy the law or what the prophets had said,
but rather to fulfill (Mt 5:17-19). Consider that the prophets’ message (they spoke God’s
Words) was always to turn from your wickedness (idolatry, man’s ways, transgressions,
Egypt, etc.) and submit to God. The first covenant was the one established with Moses and the
children of Israel at Mount Horeb. The people did not abide by obedience in the first covenant
and it did not produce saving faith (from the heart). The Lord wants to take out that stony
heart and put in one of flesh, a new heart and a new spirit – a clean heart and a right spirit (Ez
11:19, Ps 51:10). This is what Jesus was referring to when He said you must be “born again”
(Jn 3:3, 1 Pt 1:23, Eph 4:24, Col 3:10). Ezekiel 11:20, “That they may walk in my statutes,
and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their
God.” The Lord will put His Spirit within you to accomplish this (Ez 36:26-27). Hebrews
10:9, “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may
establish the second.” The Lord has given us the Holy Spirit and written His laws in our very
hearts and minds (also Heb 10:14-17). We become “born again” with God’s nature (Jn 3:3, 1
Pt 1:23). 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” We are now led of the Holy
Ghost with hearts of love toward the Lord. Romans 8:4, “That the righteousness of the law
might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Galatians 5:18, “But

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if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” We are led of the Spirit through faith.
Romans 3:31, “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish
the law.” Conversely, Romans 4:14, “For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made
void, and the promise made of none effect.” Galatians 3:11, “But that no man is justified by
the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” The law does not
produce faith, but faith conforms one to the full intent of the law. The righteousness of the law
is contained in faith. The Spirit will lead us in paths of righteousness to perform the will of
God and thus abide in His grace; keeping the intent of the Lord’s law. Consider what was
prophesied of Christ: Luke 1:72-75, “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and
to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he
would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him
without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” Remember
that Abraham was justified by his faith prior to the law through the righteousness of faith (Rm
4:13, Heb 11:8, 17, Js 2:21-23). Abraham had surrendered to God’s will in love, trust and
obedience (Rm 4:3). Galatians 3:16-17, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises
made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which
was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of
none effect.” Christ’s covenant establishes faith and procures the promise (Gen 22:18). The
“promise” will be discussed in the next paragraph. God made a covenant (agreement with
promises) with Abraham based upon faith and this covenant predates the giving of the law
(Gal 3:19). Consider God’s covenant with Abram: Genesis 17:7, “And I will establish my
covenant between me and thee and thy seed (Christ) after thee in their generations for an
everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.” God required a token
for the covenant which was symbolic of a deeper purpose which was revealed at a later date
(Deut 10:16, Acts 28:27, Rm 10:10). Genesis 17:10-11, “This is my covenant, which ye shall
keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be
circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the
covenant betwixt me and you.” God would later state: Deuteronomy 10:12-16, “And now,
Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in
all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all
thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee
this day for thy good? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God,
the earth also, with all that therein is. Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love
them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this
day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. ALSO:
Deuteronomy 30:6, “And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy
seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest
live.” The foreskin represented the fleshly covering of the heart (lusts, self will) that detered
(prevented) one from truly loving God with heart, mind, soul and strength. Loving God with
all your heart leads to fulfillment of the law. The foreskin is a covering of flesh. Man sought
his flesh in Eden in transgressing God’s will. The flesh and its opposition to God’s will must
be removed to enter into relationship with God. They that are in the flesh cannot please God
(Rm 8:5-8). Being no more stiffnecked is to remove (cut away) all rebellion to God and to
surrender in obedience to His will. How is this circumcision of the heart accomplished and
what does it mean? Colossians 2:11-12, “In whom also ye arecircumcised with the
circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the
circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him
through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being
dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him,
having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against

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us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,nailing it to his cross.” The flesh (its
lusts and selfish will) must be removed from one’s heart in order to approach God. The flesh
leads us to seek our will and thus continue to transgress God’s will. Every covenant that God
makes has a token. The token for the covenant with Noah was God’s bow (rainbow). A
rainbow is produced by light and water. Jesus is the “light” and the Holy Spirit is “the water”
in scripture (Jer 2:13, 17:13, Mt 4:16, Lk 1:79, Jn 1:4-5, 9, 3:19-20, 4:10, 7:38-39, 8:12, 9:5,
12:46, Acts 9:3, 1 Pt 2:9, 1 Jn 1:5, 5:6, Rev 21:16, 22:1, 17). The combination of the two
produce the brilliant and beautiful colors of God’s bow. This bow is around the throne of God
(God remembers and keeps His covenants, Ez 1:26-28). Circumcision was the token of God’s
covenant with Abraham. Blood was the token of God’s covenant with the children of Israel
and it purifies the flesh (discussed in Chapter Two, Ex 12:13). Baptism is the token of the last
covenant (Christ’s, Mt 28:19, Mk 16:16, Acts 1:5, 2:38). Blood is the life of the flesh (ours is
corrupted) and our life is found (justified) in Christ’s spilt blood (Lev 17:11, Rm 5:9, 1 Jn
1:7). Baptism is symbolic of death to self. You must yield to God and His purposes and die to
your own. In baptism, the old man who transgressed God’s will (sin, iniquity) and lived in
rebellion (disobedience, disregard) dies, and the new man in Christ arises (born again, Jn
3:3, Rm 6:3-4, 1 Pt 1:23). This is baptism of repentance. The old man dies that the body of sin
might be destroyed such that we no longer serve sin (Rm 6:6). God (only God) circumcises
the heart such that you may love and serve Him. God thus works His grace in us (if you live
obediently in faith) to do that which is pleasing to Him. God’s love is shed abroad in our
hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Rm 5:5) – this is true circumcision of the
heart. To be an heir to the promise (given Abraham, Gal 3:14, 29, Heb 10:36) we must be
circumcised in the heart - inwardly. (Rm 2:29). Those who seek the flesh (children of the
flesh) are not of God (children of God), but those of the promise are counted as the seed (of
Abraham). Galatians 3:27-29, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put
on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male
nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s
seed, and heirs according to the promise.” There is no more Jew and Gentile (no difference -
Rm 10:12-13) only those of the flesh and those of the Spirit (big difference). All are baptized
into one Spirit (1 Cor 12:3). Stephen did a good job of stating the problem with the children
of Israel (just after the time of Christ): Acts 7:51, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart
and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” They
had blindness of heart and never put on the new man which after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:17-24). They were not led of the Spirit, but rather the
flesh (thus uncircumcised in heart). Rather than blindness of heart, we must have singleness
of heart (sincerity, purity of mind and purpose, singleness of belief – one only) for Jesus.
Circumcision and baptism are essentially saying the same thing; your self will must die (and
the resulting transgressions against God’s will) such that you totally surrender to God’s
purposes with all due obedience. We can now conclude: Galatians 3:7, 9, “Know ye therefore
that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. So then they which be of
faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.” This faith is what God was establishing (built the
foundation) the nation of Israel upon (Abraham’s descendants upon, Rm 4:13). Romans 4:16,
“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all
the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham;
who is the father of us all.” Jesus said: John 8:56, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my
day: and he saw it, and was glad.” Christ was establishing the covenant of faith. Galatians
3:14, “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we
might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Many didn’t understand this statement
so Jesus elaborated by saying, “before Abraham was, I AM” (Jn 8:58). Now consider it was
the great “I AM” who spoke to Moses through the burning bush (Ex 3:14). The great I AM
has come in the flesh to amend the covenant at Horeb (Heb 2:16). The law would now allow

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for mercy. Those under the law did not walk in the Spirit. You must have God’s Spirit to walk
in faith because faith is blindness of the flesh. Recall that the people wanted God to speak to
them through Moses and God spoke through Moses saying He would raise up a prophet
among them to speak His Words – the prophet is Jesus, The Son (Deut 18:18, Acts 3:22,
7:37). Jesus brought and obediently spoke God’s Words that essentially said the “just” shall
live by faith (Rm 1:17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38) – not by sight (human senses and reasoning, 2
Cor 5:7). Galatians 3:29, “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs
according to the promise.” Therefore: Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near with a true heart in
full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies
washed with pure water.” Consider God’s incredible blessing on Abraham (procured through
faith): Genesis 14:19-20, “And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high
God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered
thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.” God is the possessor of heaven
and earth and in a sense so is Abraham through Jesus Christ. Jesus came into the world from
the seed of Abraham (lineage Heb 2:17, Rm 1:3; - Eph 1:10, Col 1:16, 20, Rev 5:13).
Philippians 2:10-11, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
 
What is the “promise” of the Father? Luke 24:49, “And, behold, I send the promise of my
Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on
high.” Jesus told the apostles (whom He had designated) to gather with the disciples and wait
in Jerusalem for this needed (necessary) power. Acts 1:4-5, “And, being assembled together
with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the
promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with
water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” The promise is the
Holy Spirit and life (Gal 3:14, 1 Jn 2:25, 5:19, Ti 1:2, 1 Tim 4:8, 2 Tim 1:1)! John the Baptist
had proclaimed that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire (Mt 3:11, Lk 3:16).
Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the
uttermost part of the earth.” The apostles and disciples gathered: Acts 2:1-4, “And when the
day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly
there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where
they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon
each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other
tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Jesus fulfill His Word: Acts 2:33, “Therefore
being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the
Holy Ghost, he (Jesus) hath shed forth this (The Holy Spirit), which ye now see and hear.”
You must call out to God (Lk 11:13), repent (Acts 3:19) and obey (Acts 5:32) to receive the
Spirit. Jesus said if you love Him you will keep His commandments and he will pray to the
Father to send you the Comforter (Holy Spirit) and He will abide with you forever - for he
dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (Jn 14:15-17). Acts 2:38-39, “Then Peter said unto
them,Repent, and be baptized (representative of death to self and new life in Christ) every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even
as many as the Lord our God shall call.” All who are Christ’s receive “the promise” of the
Father. Ephesians 1:13-14, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy
Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the
purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” If you are not filled with the Holy Spirit,
then you are not Christ’s. Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be

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that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of
his.” Having received the Holy Spirit, this is how God puts His laws into their mind, and
writes them in their hearts – according to Christ’s covenant (Ez 11:19-20, Heb 8:10). The
Spirit teaches, unfolds and leads (in paths of righteousness, Ps 23:3). Through the Spirit we
understand the deep things of God and have the mind of Christ and can judge all things (1
Cor 2:10, 15-16). Thus, we can understand judgment which is that which enables a person to
correctly discern (understand from God’s truth) right and wrong (good and evil). We
ascertain the truth through the Spirit and the Word. This is the ability to walk
in wisdom (knowledge and fear of God, and sincere and uniform obedience to his commands,
Ps 111:10, Job 28:28) and prudence (wisdom applied to practice, forseeing and avoiding evil,
actions to be done in due means, order and season as unto the Lord, sound judgment in
avoiding evil or attempting good, Hos 14:9, Eph 1:8-12). Wisdom dwells with prudence (Pv
8:12). Ephesians 1:8-9, “Wherein he (Jesus) hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and
prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
which he hath purposed in himself.” Proverbs 3:5-7, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart
(this is wisdom); and lean not unto thine own understanding (man’s ways are in rebellion to
God; faith makes man’s wisdom void). In all thy ways acknowledge him (God is foremost in
your life), and he shall direct thy paths (you must obediently follow). Be not wise in thine own
eyes (every way of a man is right is his eyes, Pv 14:12, 16:25, 21:2): fear the LORD (walk in
His ways), and depart from evil (this is prudence). Through the Spirit we have wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of Jesus (Eph 1:17). The eyes of your understanding are
enlightened to know Christ’s will (Eph 1:18). Jesus said of the Comforter (Holy Spirit): John
16:8, “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin (through knowledge of the
truth), and of righteousness, and of judgment.” Therefore, we have truth, righteousness and
judgment. Now consider: Jeremiah 9:24, “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he
understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment,
andrighteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight saith the Lord (also Jer 4:2).” Also
consider: Psalms 33:4-5, “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done
in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.”
God loves truth, righteousness and judgment (Ps 15:1, 33:5, 96:13, Jer 4:2, 9:24, Zech 8:8).
Through the Spirit we have truth, righteousness and judgment. The very fruit of the Spirit
(what is produced in you) is truth and righteousness which brings correct judgment (Eph 5:9,
6:14, 2 Cor 6:7). Therefore: God puts His laws (will, purposes) in our mind and writes them
in our heart (which are truth, righteousness and judgment). Moses came and walked in truth
(God gave him His laws), righteousness (Moses loved and obeyed God – Spirit and faith) and
judgment (Ex 18:13, 15-16, 26). Jesus (as a man) also walked in truth (Jn 1:17, 3:21, 4:23-
24, 8:31-32, 40, 45-46, 14:6, 17, 16:13, 17:17, 19, 18:37), righteousness (Mt 3:15, 5:6, 20,
6:33, Rev 16:5) and judgment (Mt 12:18, 23:23, Jn 5:22, 27, 30, 7:24, 8:16, 9:39, 12:31).
Christ’s throne will be established in truth, seeking judgment and hastening righteousness
(Isaiah 16:5). Jesus came to bear witness of the truth and everyone that is of the truth hears
His voice (Jn 18:37). Jeremiah 4:2, “And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in
judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him
shall they glory.” Jesus told the religious men that they omitted the weightier matters
of law (truth),judgment, mercy (the merciful shall receive mercy, Mt 5:7),
and faith (righteousness, Rm 1:17, 4:5, 9:30) – Mt 23:23. We are to be as our Father.
Leviticus 19:2, “Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them,
Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.” We are not to do after the doings of the
land of Egypt – after their ordinances (Lev 18:3). We are to follow God’s judgments and
ordinances (Lev 18:4-5). Jesus would later confirm: Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect,
even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” We are to walk as Christ walked.
 

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The second covenant was made between Christ, who represented man, and God (the Father).
This agreement requires man to live by faith (Rm 1:17, Gal 3:11). Hebrews 9:12-13, “Neither
by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place,
having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes
of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more
shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,
purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Dead works is serving the
law without a contrite heart and love toward God. Moses was sent by God to redeem the
children of Israel from the bondage of Egypt (Ex 3:7, Micah 6:4, Acts 7:35). Jesus came to
redeem them that were under the law. Galatians 4:4-6, “But when the fulness of the time was
come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that
were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God
hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Jesus provided
better promises – eternal redemption and eternal inheritance (Heb 8:6, 9:12, 15). Jesus
perfectly kept the first covenant (Law), with total love and surrender to God. We are not to
serve God through mundane heartless motions, but have a living vibrant love for Him. Jesus
has sealed this covenant with His own blood! Romans 3:25-26, “Whom God hath set forth to
be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of
sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his
righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”
Through our faith in His blood, we are sanctified (set apart) and Christ remembers our sins
and iniquities no more (Heb 10:17). Hebrews 9:18-24, “Whereupon neither the first testament
was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people
according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool,
and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the
testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the
tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged
with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the
patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things
themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places
made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the
presence of God for us.” Jesus appears before God and seals His testament (covenant) with
God for us. Under the first covenant: “the man which doeth those things (keeping the law)
shall live by them” (Rm 10:5). Under the second covenant: Hebrews 10:38, “Now the just
shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him (also Hab
2:4).” Notice that you shall live by the rules of your covenant (binding agreement sealed in
blood). God said of the first covenant: Jeremiah 11:3-4, “And say thou unto them, Thus saith
the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant,
Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt,
from the iron furnace, saying,Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command
you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God (also Gal 3:10).” Those who commit to
the second covenant under Christ are also expected to be obedient in their faith, otherwise
God has no pleasure in them. This faith becomes their life (Rm 1:17, Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38).
Faith will produce love toward God and death to self. In either case, if one makes a vow (a
solemn promise to God – to be done hereafter), then you must perform it (Num 30:2, Deut
23:21, Eccl 5:4). Better to have not made a vow than to make one and not keep it – that would
be a heinous offense (Eccl 5:5). Those who vow to follow Christ will live by faith which is a
contrite heart of surrender, love and obedience to Jesus’ commandments. Those who do not
are transgressors. God told the children of Israel: Jeremiah 11:3-5, “And say thou unto them,
Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this
covenant, Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the

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land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all
which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God: That I may perform
the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and
honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.” The same is true for
the covenant one makes with Christ – woe to them who disregard! We are justified and bound
by the blood of Christ to live in faith through Him. We surrender to Jesus as absolute Lord
and obey His commandments. We love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and
our neighbors as ourselves (Mt 22:37-38, Mk 12:30-31, Lk 10:27). We are filled with His
Spirit and are taught and led and transformed into His likeness or image (Rm 8:29, 2 Cor
3:18, Col 3:10). Faith, by nature of what it is, allows God to transform you through His Spirit.
If one is unyielding and froward (refusal to do what is required) toward the things of God,
then they are not walking in faith and how violated the covenant. In other words, if you are
walking if the flesh and following your will, then you most certainly are not yielding to God’s
will. Romans 8:12-13, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the
flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the
deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Now recall God’s promise to Abraham: Galatians 3:8, “And
the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the
gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.” There is now a covenant of
faith in force (through the blood of Christ) whereby all nations have been blessed. God is
faithful and keeps His promises. Consider what happened with the first covenant at Horeb:
Jeremiah 11:7-8, “For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up
out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my
voice. Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of
their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I
commanded them to do; but they did them not.” Many people profess Christ, yet walk after
their own imaginations – whether their way (seeking self, world, etc.) or their sentiments
(opinions mixed with emotions). Man continually seeks to be his own authority and walk in
his own will as per the devil’s lie in Eden – “you shall be as gods.” Many in the religious
world think God’s hands are tied and that somehow His “free gift” is a one way relationship –
to serve them. Those who do not genuinely walk in God’s covenant receive curses and do not
enter in to God’s rest (eternal life). Vengeance is the Lord’s and He will recompense face to
face (Deut 7:10, 32:35, Ps 94:1, Is 61:2, 63:4, Jer 51:6, Mi 5:15, Heb 10:30). 2
Thessalonians 1:8, “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that
obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Let us be faithful in Christ: Psalms 25:10, “All
the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his
testimonies.” Christ testimony was a declaration of witness for the purpose of establishing or
proving God’s Word – a declaration of God’s will.
 
Just before Christ died He instituted an observance. Mark 14:22-24, “And as they did eat,
Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my
body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all
drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for
many” (also Lk 22:14-20, 1 Cor 11:25 – New Testament in my blood). Jesus said, “this do in
remembrance of me” (Lk 22:19, 1 Cor 11:24-25). 1 Corinthians 10:16, “The cup of blessing
which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is
it not the communion of the body of Christ?” When we partake of the Lord’s supper, we
remember (spiritual union, empathy, relationship) Christ’s broken body and spilt blood that
sealed His testament before God, that we are to live in faith. 1 Corinthians 11:27, “Wherefore
whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of
the body and blood of the Lord.” Similarly, if we walk unworthily in Christ’s covenant then
we are guilty of the blood of Christ (Gal 5:16, 25, Eph 2:10, 4:1, 5:8, Col 1:10, 2:6, 1 Thess

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2:12, 4:1, 1 Jn 1:7, 2:6, 2 Jn 1:6). Hebrews 10:28-31, “He that despised Moses’ law died
without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye,
shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the
blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite
unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I
will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful
thing to fall into the hands of the living God (also 2 Pt 2 20-22).” Grace is the Spirit renewing
the heart and restraining from sin. Woe to them who disregard the seriousness of Christ’s
covenant (do not regard genuinely) – lessen (reduce in importance in their daily life). Most
make a life of asking forgiveness rather than a life of obedience. Doing despite grace is
resisting the Spirit and not yielding or refusing to depart from evil. John 6:53-56, “Then Jesus
said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and
drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath
eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood
is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”
Jesus was not referring to physically eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Christ was
referring to entering (partaking) into His covenant. Jesus’ blood (which is the life of the flesh)
flowed freely sealing His testament and giving us life through Him. Leviticus 17:11, “For the
life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement
for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Man transgressed
God’s will in Eden and greatly wronged God. Due to man’s fallen nature and resultant
iniquity (sin), he could not possibly provide (Pv 20:9, Rm 3:23) the due reparation (amends,
recompense). Man also could not in and of himself correct his condition. Christ provided for
our atonement. Atonement is reconciliation after enmity whereby reparation is made by
giving an equivalent for a wrong committed. Romans 5:8-11, “But God commendeth his love
toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now
justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were
enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled,
we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Jesus’ testament corrects past wrongs
and reconciles God and man (makes peace) whereby man can come back under God’s
authority through faith (Eph 1:7, Col 1:14). Faith encompases the surrender, love and
obedience to God that existed prior to the fall. Jesus was wounded for our transgressions,
bruised for our iniquities and chastised (punishment and correction) for our peace (Is 53:5, 1
Pt 2:23-24). Christ bear the sin of many and made intercession (mediate between two parties
at odds with the desire for reconciliation) for the transgressors (Is 53:12). Christ intercedes
ording to the will of God (Rm 8:27, 34). Christ ever liveth to provide intercession for us (Heb
7:25). Ephesians 2:13-18, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made
nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken
down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even
the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new
man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,
having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off,
and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the
Father.” This new man is the one who is “born again” with the nature of God and filled with
the Spirit. Colossians 3:10, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge
after the image of him that created him.” The new creature lives in faith (Rm 6:4, 2 Cor 5:17,
Gal 6:15). Colossians 1:19-23, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto
himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that
were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he

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reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and
unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved
away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every
creature which is under heaven...” Jesus’ will was that we live in faith as led by His Spirit.
This covenant was sealed with His blood. The agreement justifies all who walk in faith
through Christ before the Father. Through faith (surrender to God, love, obedience and trust)
the Spirit conforms us to the image of Christ our Lord (Eph 4:15). Only those who continue in
faith (walk, follow Jesus, led of the Spirit) will be justified before the Father and reconciled. If
one is not moving forward in faith, then they are doing despite the Spirit of grace (not being
renewed in the heart and conforming to Christ). That which is not of faith is rebellion to God
(His will and purposes).
 
Christ’s covenant brought Mercy
 
Under the covenant at Horeb there was no mercy for those who transgressed the law (Heb
10:28). Jesus made a new and better covenant (testament). John 1:17, “For the law was given
by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” Romans 11:27, “For this is my covenant
unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” As we submit and obey (in faith – for we are
now under God’s authority and not our own), the Lord remembers our sins no more (Heb
8:12, 10:17). Isaiah 16:5, “And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon
it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting
righteousness.” Consider what Christ hath done: Psalms 85:10, “Mercy (Jesus’ provision) and
truth (God’s law, Ps 119:142) are met together; righteousness (through faith, Rm 1:17, 3:22,
4:5, 9, 4:13, 9:30, Gal 5:5, Php 3:9) and peace (reconciliation with God through Christ, Rm
5:1, 8:6, 14:17, Gal 5:22, Eph 2:14-17, 4:3, Col 1:20) have kissed each other.” This is best
explained through a situation that occurred in Jesus’ earthly walk. John 8:3-6, “And the
scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her
in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This
they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and
with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.” Notice that these religious
men were setting Jesus up such that they might accuse Him. This was a seemingly no win
situation for Christ. Jesus had been going about offering forgiveness of sin in mercy and
compassion (Mt 9:10, Mk 2:5, 3:28, 4:12, Lk 5:20, 7:47). Jesus said: Matthew 9:13, “But go
ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call
the righteous, but sinners to repentance (also Hos 6:6).” This idea of forgiveness and
compassion did not set well with these religious men who had a heartless form of observing
the law. Jesus proclaimed that He came to judge no one (Jn 8:15-16, 12:47-50), but to seek
that which was lost (Ez 34:11-12, 16, 31, Mt 18:11, Lk 15:4, 19:10). There was no mercy
under the law and it clearly stipulated that the penalty for adultery was death (Lv 20:10, Heb
10:28). If Jesus agreed to stone her as per the law, then they would have destroyed His
message of mercy and forgiveness. However, if Jesus told them not to stone her (exhibiting
mercy), then He would have violated the law and they would have great reason to accuse
Him. Recall: Exodus 31:18, “And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of
communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with
the finger of God (also Deut 9:10).” The original law was written by the finger of God!
Notice in the preceeding verses that Jesus stooped down and wrote with His finger on the
ground. Jesus was amending the law to allow for mercy and compassion. Our love toward
God through faith is reciprocated with God’s love toward us (although God first loved us, 1
Jn 4:19). Through Christ, God forgives us and we forgive each other (Mt 6:14). We live
under the two commandments of love (Mt 22:37-38, Mk 12:30-31, Lk 10:27). The law

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became heartless with the focus on the penalty for sin. These men had no love, concern or
compassion for God or this woman. John 8:7-9, “So when they continued asking him, he
lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a
stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it,
being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even
unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.” Jesus appealed
to their own heart and conviction of personal transgressions. They realized that if they stoned
her, they would have to save the really big stones to be used on themselves. God’s Word
brings great conviction upon sinful man. John 8:10-11, “When Jesus had lifted up himself,
and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath
no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I
condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” Jesus offered undeserved mercy and compassion. Many
will gladly receive Christ’s forgiveness, but what about the “go, and sin no more?” Those who
are following in faith will never use mercy and forgiveness as license to continue to
transgress. Those who are truly thankful for forgiveness will serve Christ with a sincere heart.
If the lady continued in adultery than the mercy and forgiveness would have had no meaning.
Those who live in faith will have a contrite heart and will forsake the things that oppose God
due to their love of God – they want to please Him. Those who love self more, will continue
in those things which please self. Romans 11:27, “For this is my covenant unto them, when I
shall take away their sins.” Jesus came to take away sin and those who continue therein have
cause for great concern. Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will
of God.” Christ takes away our sin and transforms us into His image. Jesus had no sin and we
must become as our Lord. Romans 13:12, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us
therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” –
reconciliation with God (shoes), truth (belt), faith (shield), righteousness (breastplate), and
salvation (helmet - Eph 6:13-18, 1 Thess 5:8).
 
Just After the Covenant at Horeb
 
Exodus 24:15-18, “And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. And
the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the
seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. And the sight of the glory of
the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in
the mount forty days and forty nights.” Deuteronomy 9:9-11, “When I was gone up into the
mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which the LORD made
with you, then I abode in the mount forty days and forty nights, I neither did eat bread nor
drink water: And the LORD delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of
God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the LORD spake with you in
the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly. And it came to pass at the
end of forty days and forty nights, that the LORD gave me the two tables of stone, even the
tables of the covenant.” Notice that Moses sat in the cloud six days waiting to be called of
God and was called on the seventh. Man is to wait upon God. Six is the number of man (Gen
1:24-31) and seven is the number of God (Gen 2:1-3). Patience is a denial of the flesh (Lk
21:19, Rm 5:4, 8:25, 2 Cor 6:4, Heb 6:12, 10:36, Rev 14:12). Does the flesh like to wait upon
anything? The flesh would rather have God stay upon (serve) man. James 1:3-4,” Knowing
this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that
ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Everything about faith is designed of God to

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deny the flesh; whether patience, hope or trust in that which is beyond the flesh’s ability to
understand or control. Faith compels us to live one day at a time with trust in that which is
outside our reasoning and in obedience which denies our will. Moses fasted during this time.
The flesh will not glory whatsoever in God’s presence and this includes eating and drinking.
Moses did not partake of food or drink in God’s presence. God sustained Moses
supernaturally during this time, but not through the lusts of the flesh. It is not physically
possible to go without food and water for forty days; yet when we seek God’s will all things
are possible (Mt 19:26, Mk 9:23, 10:27, 14:36). The flesh must be denied to perform God’s
will. If you are not denying the flesh, then you are denying God. 1 Corinthians 1:29, “That no
flesh should glory in his presence.” Man transgressed God’s will in Eden to seek the desires
of the flesh and this nature is enmity with God. Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness
where He fasted for forty days and nights. Christ was seeking God’s will as He was about to
enter into His earthly ministry. During this time Jesus was tempted of the devil. When the
flesh is denied in order to seek God’s will, then one is strong in the Spirit. Jesus overcame the
devil’s temptations, because He sought God’s will more than His own. This is our way of
escape when temptations come – we must seek God’s will more than our own. To understand
this, you must realize the source of temptations. James 1:13-15, “Let no man say when he is
tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any
man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then
when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth
death.” Man is tempted through the wants of his flesh. These are choices you make that
engender (create, produce) bondage. Notice the process: lusts and desire bring about a
temptation; conceding (yielding, surrendering, compromise, giving in, everybody’s doing it)
to a temptation brings about sin. Sin is bondage – servitude (Jn 8:34-36, 2 Pt 2:19). The
penalty for sin is death (Gen 2:17, Rm 5;12, 6:23, 1 Jn 5:17). Death is separation from God
(the giver of life). Sin is anything that transgresses God’s will. Sin originates from seeking the
desires of the flesh (your will, self) rather than submitting to God’s will. It all goes back to
Eden. Sin entered the world through Adam’s transgression (Rm 5:12). Consider the devil’s
ploy: Man submitted to the devil’s rebellion in Eden. However, as part of God’s curse, there is
enmity (hostility and hatred) between the devil and man (Gen 3:15). Although both are in
rebellion to God, they are not united (allied) in their rebellion. Apart from God there is always
disunity, confusion, hostility, incontinence (no restraint of passions or appetites, free or
uncontrolled indulgence) and hatred (the opposite of God’s nature of love, joy, peace,
goodness, meekness, self control, etc., Gal 5:22-23, Eph 5:9). God through His love and
mercy has made possible a way for man to come back under His authority and be reconciled.
The devil has no such hope. Therefore, 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your
adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” How
does the devil devour man? Satan accomplishes this by separating man and God through the
aforementioned process of temptation, capitulation (surrender to the temptation), sin and
death. He makes you an enemy of God by keeping you in your transgressions and rebellion
against God through your fleshly lusts. This is unbelief and is the opposite of faith. The devil
corrupts you through your own selfish lusts. Those living for self through the flesh will never
yield to God in the Spirit. The great condemnation is that this is brought about through your
own freewill choice. The devil just sways you in the wrong direction, but you freely choose –
the power is in your hands. Thus, you will stand before God justly condemned according to
your own deeds. You will not be able to shift blame to others (even to the devil) or even
Adam (you are equally guilty). The devil doesn’t make you do it, he entices you to freely do it
through your lusts – your choices (arrived at through your opinion – your way, your path).
For those who truly and sincerely seek God, the Lord has made a way of escape. 1
Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the

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temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” All men are tempted
and the temptation itself is not a sin. How you respond to the temptation is what is important.
God will not allow a temptation to be unbearable or against your freewill to choose. God has
provided a way of escape, but it is definitely not through the flesh. The flesh is what got you
into the temptation. God’s way of escape is to submit to His will through the Spirit. This is a
denial of the flesh. Your desire must be toward God and not toward yourself. The whole point
of the temptation is to beguile you into choosing self. Recall from above that it is the lusts of
the flesh that result in the temptation. Giving into these lusts results in sin. Therefore, the path
of escape cannot be through the flesh. How did Jesus escape the devil’s temptations in the
wilderness? Jesus fully sought God’s will and made His intentions known by responding with
God’s Word. Christ said in response to the devil’s temptations: “Man shall not live by bread
alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God;” and “Thou shalt not tempt
the Lord thy God;” and “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou
serve.” This shows a surrender to God’s will. Jesus was also actively denying the flesh (His
will) to achieve God’s will (fasting forty days and nights). These Words were backed up by
the way Jesus lived His life daily – His actions. So if you are actively living for your will
daily (just doing your own thing), with disregard for God’s will, then how can you possible
escape such temptations? You cannot! Christ will aid those who are sincere: Hebrews 2:18,
“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are
tempted.” Succour is assistance that relieves and delivers from difficulty or distress. However,
this does not apply to those who intentionally flirt with temptation by placing themselves in
situations they know to be without virtue – thus tempting God. The devil doesn’t mind if you
are the most religious person on the face of the earth as long as your words are not backed up
by your actions – as long as you are a hypocrite (assumes the appearance of piety and virtue,
one who feigns himself as something he is not, false appearance, façade, thin covering,
pretentious, etc.). The devil wants you to be religious as long as you are deceived to the truth
of your actions. Thus, you think you are serving God, when in actuality you are serving self.
What is the hope of a hypocrite when God taketh his soul (Job 27:8)? Consider this oh
religious man – be not deceived. Recall the discussion on television is Chapter One (Idolatry).
Can you now see how that purposefully placing yourself in front of constant temptations, “as
seen on TV,” will only lead to sin? There is no way of escape because your mind is not on
God, but rather your flesh (self) and its entertainment. Ephesians 4:27, “Neither give place to
the devil.” Seeking self (the flesh, your will, following your path) is what gives place to the
devil. So, how do we keep from being devoured by Satan? We must resist by being stedfast
(unwavering, resolute, committed, Heb 3:14, Ps 78:8) in our faith toward God (1 Pt 5:9). To
freely place yourself in evil or wicked situations is to depart from God in unbelief (place
yourself above the Lord). To partake of the world is to not partake of Christ (Heb 3:14). Many
have given in to temptation and have been brought into bondage. To be in bondage is to be the
servant of one or many types of sins. Freedom is only found through Christ as one must
subdue the strong will of the flesh to break free. You must truly desire the freedom in order to
confront and overpower the flesh. Jesus will give you strength and the struggle is won through
faith and sacrifice. Once free you must forsake and not look back (i.e. looking back to Egypt).
If you do not forsake, what is the point of the battle (struggle)? It all boils down to this:
Romans 6:16, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants
ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death (yielding to your temptations through
seeking self), or of obedience unto righteousness (living God’s will and denying the flesh)?”
We must be led of God’s Spirit (as Christ was led of the Spirit into the wilderness, Mt 4:1, Lk
4:1) through the wilderness. Your faith transforms you, it compels you to choose obedience to
God rather than capitulation (submission, defeat) to the desires of the flesh. This is God’s
grace working in you. Romans 8:2, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made
me free from the law of sin and death.” God will test or prove you, but God will not tempt

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you. Let us understand the difference. When God tests or proves you He is trying your heart
to see if you will follow and obey him. God’s intent is to draw you to Himself. However, if
you are not willing to surrender to Him, the Lord will not force you. God is longsuffering for
the purpose that you will repent and come back to Him the way God has designated and that
you do not perish (2 Pt 3:9, Rm 2:4). The devil tempts you for the purpose of drawing you
away from God to the intent that you will perish (die the second death, be separated from
God eternally). These two objectives are in opposition to each other. God has no pleasure in
the death of the wicked, turn ye, turn ye from “your” wicked ways (Ez 33:11, Is 55:7). Man
will often seek God to endorse or validate his own idolatry (beliefs, opinions, doctrines,
lifestyle, own way, desires, etc.). In such cases, God will most likely answer you according to
the idols in your heart. In other Words, God just gives you the answer you want to hear
because you are seeking self and not His truth. Ezekiel 14:4-5, “Therefore speak unto them,
and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up
his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and
cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of
his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged
from me through their idols.” God is not mocked (Gal 6:7). When you seek for God to
endorse “your way” then your heart is not toward serving God, His way. Suddenly your error
(rebellion/iniquity) becomes your own stumbling block because you suppose God is own
“your side.” God says you must repent and turn from your idols and abominations (Ez 14:6).
If you do not the Lord will set His face against you and cut you off (Ez 14:7-8). Deuteronomy
13:1-4, “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or
a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let
us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not
hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God
proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all
your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his
commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.” If anyone
leads you in a “religious” path that is away from God, they are a false prophet. This will
always be done as some variation of the devil’s original lie (you can transgress God’s will by
seeking your own will and not die, Gen 3:4-5). These false prophets will tell you that you can
seek the flesh and not die – they seduce you through the flesh (1 Jn 2:26). The lusts of the
flesh become the idols that are set before God. This could be anything that you do that takes
priority (comes before) over God in your life. An idol could also be a person, place or thing.
Many religious people will play down obedience to God and make a mock of sin (Pv 14:9).
They do not take “sin” or surrender to God’s will seriously. Their doctrines or gospel will
always appease the flesh. To seek the flesh is to seek your way. Notice what God said in the
preceeding verses. You must walk in God’s way and totally obey Him such as to cleave to the
Lord. The false prophets will lead you away from God’s way (maybe subtly) by seeking your
way or theirs. The devil essentially said, “you can sin and not die.” These will tell you that
everyone sins or nobody is perfect. They will placate you in the flesh – no need for
deliverance. They may say that once you are saved that you are always saved – no matter
what. They will twist God’s Words to allow for the lusts of their flesh. They will presume that
God “just understands” or will look the other way. This is to make God a liar and invalidate
His Word! They will strongly imply that salvation is to be found in a repeated prayer
(sinner’s prayer) and once said, you will have eternal life. This denies Christ’s covenant of
faith. As we have discussed, faith is a lifetime of devotion and commitment in yielding to God
and being transformed by Him. One can easily repeat a sinner’s prayer and spend the rest of
their life virtually unchanged (although religious still seeking self) – and not even have God’s
Spirit. The author has witnessed this so many times. Deuteronomy 13:5, “And that prophet, or
that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from

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the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of
the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded
thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.” The punishment for
such false prophets is severe because they not only walk away from God, but they lead others
away from God. God leads you out of your transgressions, iniquities, rebellion and resulting
bondage (Egypt, the land of idolatry). The false prophets want to bring you back to Egypt or
keep you there – the iron furnace (Deut 4:20, 1 Kg 8:51, Jer 11:4). God further says that you
are not to take such wicked counsel from family members or close friends (Deut 13:6). God
must be the authority in your life.
 
Bearing Iniquity
 
During Moses time on Mount Horeb, he was clearly bearing the sins of the people before
God. He totally put self aside (denial of the flesh through fasting) in pleading for the people.
The number “forty” represents the bearing of iniquity (Num 14:34, Ez 4:6, Deut 9:18-19, 25,
10:10, 25:3, Jonah 3:4, Gen 6:7:4, 12). We will discuss in the next chapter that the children
of Israel are punished for their disobedience to God and unbelief to wander in the wilderness
to bear their iniquities (Num 14:33-34, Ps 95:10). Deuteronomy 8:2-3, “And thou shalt
remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness,
to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest
keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed
thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make
thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of the LORD doth man live.” What this is saying is that God expects you to die to your
will (self) and live for His will – His every Word; your very sustenance. To live by every
Word of God is to come totally under God’s authority (Lk 4:4). Christ repeated these same
words when tempted of the devil (Mt 4:4). Jesus was led of the Spirit into a wilderness where
He fast for forty days and forty nights (Mt 4:1, Lk 4:1). Jesus bore the iniquity of all men (Is
53:11-12 – “for he shall bear their iniquities”). During this time Jesus was tempted of such
things as His hunger (to use the power of God to serve the flesh, Mt 4:2-4, Lk 4:2-4). We are
not to be guided by our flesh (i.e. hunger in this case), but by God’s purposes. Jesus said to
seek first (foremost) the kingdom of God and His righteousness and the needful things of the
flesh God will provide (Mt 6:32-33). Your will must be to obey God with all your heart in
humbleness (meekness). To live by God’s Word will cause you to have to deny self. Jesus was
refusing the evil and choosing the good and bearing the sins of the people (just as Moses had
done – Deut 9:18-19, Ps 106:23) in the wilderness experience (Is 7:14-15). Christ would later
state: John 4:34, “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to
finish his work.” Christ esteemed the Father’s Words more than necessary food (Job 23:12).
Moses was frustrated by this people’s unbelief and obstinate hearts that were set on self.
Deuteronomy 9:24-28, “Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew
you. Thus I fell down before the LORD forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first;
because the LORD had said he would destroy you. I prayed therefore unto the LORD, and
said, O Lord GOD, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed
through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
Remember thy servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; look not unto the stubbornness of this
people, nor to their wickedness, nor to their sin: Lest the land whence thou broughtest us out
say, Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land which he promised them, and
because he hated them, he hath brought them out to slay them in the wilderness.” Moses
interceeded for the people based upon what would ultimately bring God glory. Moses
defended God and man and placed himself as the advocate to bring reconciliation. Jesus

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would later do this perfectly in His testament. The purpose is to draw man to the Lord for
God’s glory.
 
The Lord’s Tabernacle
 
The Lord spake unto Moses in the mount and said: Exodus 25:8-9, “And let them make me a
sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of
the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” A
tabernacle is a tent which is mobile and serves as a temporary habitation. The tabernacle is a
place of worship where God would dwell among the people. It is very important to note that
the design (pattern) was specifically given by God and was not to be deviated from (Ex
25:40). Man always wants to improve upon the things of God and in doing so they become
something altogether different. God wants our obedience and not our sentiments and opinions.
We are to follow and not lead. The leader is the one that determines the course (path, way)
and the things that are required along the way. The Lord went on to describe the materials that
would be required to construct the tabernacle (Ex 25:2-8). The instruments consisted of an ark
with a mercy seat above it (Ex 25:10-31); a table (Ex 25:23-30); a candlestick (Ex 25:31-39);
an altar (Ex 27:1-8); and an altar to burn incense (Ex 30:1-5). The ark was where God would
communicate with man: Exodus 25:22, “And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune
with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark
of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of
Israel.” All the details concerning the construction of the tabernacle were also specified in
detail (Exodus Chapter 26) and an outer court (Ex 27:9-21). A vail was to separate the two
interior rooms of the tabernacle. Exodus 26:33-35, “And thou shalt hang up the vail under the
taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail
shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. And thou shalt put the mercy
seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. And thou shalt set the table without
the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the
south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.” The altar for incense was located:
Exodus 30:6, “And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before
the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.” The design and
tailoring of the holy garments for the priests were also specified in detail (Exodus Chapter
28). There were also lavers for washing (Ex 30:18-21); holy ointment (anointing oil, Ex
30:23-33); and perfume (sweet incense, Ex 30:34-38). Exodus 31:18, “And he gave unto
Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of
testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.” Therefore, in the mount, Moses
was given specific details (patterns) for constructing a dwelling place for God (tabernacle)
and all the necessary things for worship. Moses was then given two tables of stone which God
had written (with His finger) which were the Ten Commandments that the Lord had earlier
spoke to the children of Israel.
 
The Golden Calf
 
Exodus 32:1, “And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount,
the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods,
which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of
Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” Less than forty days prior God had spoken to the
children of Israel from the very mount they were camped about (Mount Horeb, in
thunderings, lightings, trumpets and smoke) and said: Exodus 20:3-4, “Thou shalt have no
other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any
thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the

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earth.” When Moses did not immediately return, they started seeking “their way” again.
Patience and trust are elements of faith (they deny self). Focusing on self is a major
component of unbelief (this denies God). Those seeking self cannot relate to self denial, self
sacrifice (love), patience, and trust. Psalm 106:19-22, “They made a calf in Horeb, and
worshipped the molten image. Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that
eateth grass. They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt; Wondrous
works in the land of Ham, and terrible things by the Red sea.” Where were the people
yearning to go with their new god? The people desired that which was most familiar; they
were wanting to return to Egypt (Num 14:3-4). Nehemiah 9:16-17, “But they and our fathers
dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments, And
refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but
hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but
thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness,
and forsookest them not.” Many will start out into the wilderness with God and the moment
things seem difficult to the flesh, they will reminisce (muse over, remember fondly) aspects of
their old life. Acts 7:39-40, “To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from
them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to
go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not
what is become of him (also Neh 9:18).” They won’t abandon the concept of serving God;
they will just create their own god. Acts 7:41, “And they made a calf in those days, and
offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.” They will create
a god of the flesh – one that is in touch with what they desire (bless me, serve me, minister to
me) – one that they can control. They will attribute things of the real God to the one they
create. Religious people do this all the time by twisting scripture. They will play up or
misinterpret (through eyes of flesh) the scriptures that allow them ease of flesh and play down
or ignor the ones that do not. They will build their own god from scriptural text and then add a
heavy dose of their own sentiments (opinions mixed with emotions, Gal 1:6-8). Romans 10:3,
“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own
righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” God’s
righteousness is through faith – with the heart man believeth unto righteousness (Rm 10:6-
10). Man will contrive his own criteria for righteousness and thus disannul (cancel
completely) the Word of God. Irregardless, God’s Word will stand (eternally) and these will
be judged by it (Jn 12:48). Man also likes to serve God through physical representations –
that which the flesh can see and touch or visually relate to. The application of faith is beyond
the flesh or its ability to understand or control. The people were ready to return to Egypt – to
be entangled again! They think, perhaps Egypt wasn’t that bad – there were some good things
about it. Their minds were on self and its gratification (their way/will) even if it meant
bondages for the flesh. Our minds (heart, desire, devotion, hope, trust) will always be on
either God or self. Those who seek God have forsaken self and seek a better place (Promised
Land), and are just sojourners and pilgrims in the land (Heb 11:13). Hebrews 11:14-16, “For
they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country (Promised Land, New
Jerusalem, dweling with God). And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from
whence they came out (Egypt, the world, self-old man), they might have had opportunity to
have returned (Lk 9:62, Gal 2:18, 2 Pt 2:20). But now they desire a better country, that is, an
heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them
a city (New Jerusalem).” We have to decide (choose) if we are seeking God and His provision
or self and the world (i.e. Egypt). Majorities will always seek self – this has been
demonstrated throughout scripture and is easily observed today. Exodus 32:2-6, “And Aaron
said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your
sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden
earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their

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hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said,
These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron
saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a
feast to the LORD. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and
brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”
The Lord specifically stated (spake, Ex 20:22) personally to them and stressed: Exodus 20:23,
“Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.”
They had agreed to obey God in this matter (Ex 19:8, 24:3). They had made a covenant
(solemn agreement) with God and it was sealed with the sprinkling of the blood of sacrifice
(Ex 24:7-8). They greatly dishonored God and brought shame upon Him by disobeying the
covenant and making a golden calf (reminiscent of Egyptian gods) and then they attributing
their deliverance to it (they were opprobrious and ignoble toward God – expressing
contemptuous reproach; disgraceful through shameful conduct; disrespectful; dishonorable
in character or purpose). Nehemiah 9:18, “Yea, when they had made them a molten calf, and
said, This is thy God that brought thee up out of Egypt, and had wrought great provocations.”
Acts 7:40, “Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which
brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” How disrespectful
(insolent, impertinent), unthankful, rebellious and disingenuous (insincere, untruthful) – such
disregard! Psalms 78:40-41, “How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him
in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.”
They had total disregard (no use for) the Righteous God that had freed them from their
bondages – who had redeemed them from great misery (Ez 20:16). The people despised the
oath in breaking the covenant (i.e. Ez 16:59, 17:18-19). They wanted to return to the very
wickedness and evil that God had delivered them from. Notice that the people created a god
that allowed them to indulge themselves – to eat, drink and play. Many who profess Christ
today, do not serve the Lord described in the Bible, but rather one who will allows them to
eat, drink and play; which they attribute to “grace” by their presumption of license (to
continue in the flesh, Jude 1:4). Man, who is true (faithful) to his fallen nature, still desires
that forbidden fruit (as in Eden) – to seek self and be as a god in determining his own way
(Gen 3:5). This is the type of contempt (disdain, scorn, disrespect, condescension, arrogance)
that Lucifer had for God in seeking self. Man has the devil’s nature and generally refuses
God’s reconciliation. The gods the children of Israel had known in Egypt were considered
fun-gods which allowed for excess in the flesh. The One true God came against the flesh and
the people realized they identified more with the false gods. The same is true today, but is
never viewed in this context. The gods of this world accommodate the flesh and most people
are attracted to them. Who wants to die to the desires of the flesh? Be honest! The broad way
to destruction accomodates the desires of the flesh. There are many people (who, like the
children of Israel) who have stated they will obey God and who (like the children of Israel)
have agreed to live in God’s covenant (they profess Jesus) that have built such golden calves
to return to the ways of Egypt. These are eating, drinking and playing with the world as they
dance around the calf. God had destroyed the gods of Egypt and shown them to be false and
powerless and the children of Israel were witnesses to this. Now the children of Israel have
resurrected one of these Egyptian gods and have even attributed their deliverance to it -
shame. Shame to those who “profess” Christ and do the same.
 
Exodus 32:7-10, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which
thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside
quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and
have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel,
which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD said unto Moses, I have
seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my

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wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a
great nation (also Deut 9:12-14).” Moses must have been stunned by God’s revelation of what
was going on back in the camp. How could such a thing be? The Lord rightly stated
(righteous judgment) that this people were stiffnecked. They were hard hearted, stubborn,
impudent, obstinate, pertinacious and full of unbelief. God would have been more than
justified under the covenant to completely consume these self centered people. Notice that
God tells Moses that He will create a nation from him. Exodus 32:11-14, “And Moses
besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy
people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a
mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them
out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn
from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac,
and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will
multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give
unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the LORD repented of the evil which he
thought to do unto his people.” Moses demonstrates the attributes of a true leader by
defending the people and pleading for God’s forgiveness. God (who is longsuffering, Ex 34:6,
Num 14:18, Ps 86:15, Rm 2:4, 9:22-23, Gal 5:22, 2 Pt 3:9) was most likely testing Moses in
this matter. Moses was probably tempted with the idea of becoming a great nation, but put his
self interest aside and stood up for both God and the people (Christ was tempted similarly in
the wilderness). God was testing Moses for the intent of drawing him closer to himself. Moses
defended God’s honor (before the nations of the world) while pleading for the people (i.e.
remember the promise to Abraham). Psalm 106:23, “Therefore he said that he would destroy
them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he
should destroy them.” Moses was walking in faith by denying self and seeking God’s
purposes. God thought to destroy them: Ezekiel 20:13-14, 17, “But the house of Israel
rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my
judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly
polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose
sight I brought them out. Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither
did I make an end of them in the wilderness.” Many religious people do the same to Christ
today. They have vowed to walk through the wilderness in faith, following Christ; yet they
seek their own desires to follow (fulfill) self. Nahum 1:3, “The LORD is slow to anger, and
great in power, and will not at all acquit (exonerate, set free, dismiss from guilt, obligation or
accusation) the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the
clouds are the dust of his feet.” God is patient to draw men unto Himself, but woe to the
wicked, your time will come (Ez 18:21-23, 27-28, 30-32, 33:11, 14-16, 19). The Lord
encourages you to turn (cast away) your transgressions and make you a new heart and a new
spirit (Ez 18:31).
 
Exodus 32:15-19, “And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of
the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and
on the other were they written. And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the
writing of God, graven upon the tables. And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as
they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. And he said, It is not
the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being
overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear. And it came to pass, as soon as he came
nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses’ anger waxed hot, and
he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount (also Deut 9:15-17).”
Moses had the law of God which was written in stone (by the finger of God). This was the

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documented version of what God had spoken to the children of Israel some forty days before.
This was the covenant which the people had agreed to abide by. The people purposefully
(presumptuously – willfully in bold defiance, insolently) ignored the covenant, made a false
god and were singing and dancing around it. They sought the flesh and denied the Spirit.
Many today who profess Christ will sing, clap and sway to Christianized “rock and roll”
praise music (the foundation of which is pagan and fleshly) to honor a Jesus (who is quite
different from the one described in God’s Word) while ignoring Christ’s covenant in their
daily lives. Most disregard (set aside) Jesus’ covenant so they can seek self through the things
they place above (before) Him (idols). Christ’s covenant is one of denying self and taking up
your cross (which spells death to self) and following in submission and obedience (Mt 10:38,
16:24, Mk 8:34, 10:21, Lk 9:23, 14:27). Jesus didn’t live in the flesh and does not desire that
in you either. Jesus often denied the flesh in seeking the Father. When one follows Jesus they
lose their life (of self) and find new life in Him (Mt 10:39, 16:25, Mk 8:35, Lk 9:24, 17:33, Jn
12:25, Rm 8:13, 2 Cor 5:15, Gal 2:20, Eph 4:24, Col 3:2-3). This is a life of faith and love
(sacrifice). They walk in His steps and not their own (Ps 119:3, 128:1, Hos 14:9, Col 2:6, 1
Jn 2:6, 2 Jn 1:6). 1 John 2:6, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk,
even as he walked.” We must put Christ first (foremost, exclusive) in all things because we
keep His commandments and that includes the First Great Commandment (Mt 22:37, Mk
12:30, Lk 10:27). We have been warned: 1 Corinthians 10:7, “Neither be ye idolaters, as were
some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
Upon seeing the children of Israel seeking the flesh and greatly dishonoring God through their
golden calf, Moses was overcome with righteous anger and broke the tables of God’s law
before the eyes of the people (Deut 9:17) – for they were not worthy to receive them – they
showed their disregard for God’s law. Exodus 32:20-24, “And he took the calf which they had
made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and
made the children of Israel drink of it. And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto
thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? And Aaron said, Let not the anger of
my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. For they said unto
me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up
out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And I said unto them,
Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire,
and there came out this calf.” Aaron (as a leader) knew better and allowed his flesh to rise up.
He was caught up in the peer pressure and was in great error in what he did. Aaron seems to
have had a casual attitude (impudent, make light of, glib) about the whole event. God did not
view this so lightly and Moses later said: Deuteronomy 9:20-21, “And the LORD was very
angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time. And I
took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it
very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that
descended out of the mount.” Dust represents what man is made from – the elements of the
earth. The brook or water represents the life we have in God – given of the Lord (Ex 7:16,
consider Ez 47:1-13). This water flowed from the rock of Horeb that Moses struck with the
rod. Recall: 1 Corinthians 10:4, “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of
that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” Apart from the one true
God, man has no life – he is just as the dust. Apart from Jesus, we quickly wither and are
gathered for the fire (Jn 15:6). Man was worshipping the creation (dust fashioned as a calf),
rather than the Creator. The creation has no life apart from the Creator. This was an object
lesson in the truth. The golden calf had no power and was not a god – it was as the dust of the
earth (creation, not Creator). The workmen made it, therefore it is not a God (Hos 8:6). The
animal that the image/idol represented is also made from the dust of the earth (Gen 2:19).
There is no god like power or ability in either. Man’s worship of such is vanity! Most people
in the world today worship similar objects. Consider money, which is nothing more than

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pieces of paper or metal and perhaps just digits in a data base (computer screen, receipt, on a
statement). People are consumed in their lust to possess it. They serve it; are devoted to it; it
brings them joy; motivates them; rules their decisions; they value themselves and others and
most everything by it; they look to it for their daily provision; they trust in its (perceived or
allocated) power; and yet it is eternally worthless. Many worship people, places, or things
which equates to worshipping the creation rather than the Creator. Romans 1:21-25, “Because
that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became
vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be
wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made
like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore
God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their
own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped
and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” Therefore,
when man submits to and puts his faith, trust, hope, obedience and love in a false god, such as
money, he denies the uncorruptible God and dishonors Him greatly (to man’s own loss and
confusion). This act of having the people drink the gold dust water will be further considered
in a later paragraph.
 
Exodus 32:25-28, “And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made
them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) Then Moses stood in the gate of the
camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi
gathered themselves together unto him. And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of
Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the
camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his
neighbour. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the
people that day about three thousand men.” In scripture, nakedness always represents sin or
iniquity (Rev 16:15). After Adam and Eve had transgressed God’s will in Eden, they realized
their nakedness and attempted to make a covering and hid from God (Gen 3:7-8).
Transgressing God’s will is always to man’s shame. Those things that we do that we would
not want God to know will surely find us out and be broadcast for all creation to hear. There
will always be a separation from those who seek the Lord and those who seek self. God will
by no means clear the guilty and thus they will perish (Ex 34:7). Exodus 32:31-35, “And
Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have
made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray
thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever
hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Therefore now go, lead the people
unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee:
nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. And the LORD plagued
the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.” Consider the remarkable
leadership of Moses. He offers up his own eternal salvation in intercession (adjudication,
arbitration) for forgiveness of the people – he bore their iniquities. God hearkened unto
Moses as he stood in the breach and turned away His wrath (Ps 106:23). John 15:13, “Greater
love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Jesus later came and
offered up His earthly life for the sins of the people. Jesus laid down His perfect life and bore
the sins of the people. Isaiah 53:11, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be
satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their
iniquities.” Christ revealed His true love (demonstrated through sacrifice) for man through
His actions. 1 John 3:16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life
for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” Can you see how Moses was
willing to lay down his life for the people? Moses revealed his love by his willingness to
sacrifice his own self for God’s purposes. Exodus 32:34-35, “Therefore now go, lead the

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people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before
thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. And the LORD
plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.” The lord plagued
(afflicts and troubles with disease that is deadly) the people because they made the calf. God
was justified in this righteous judgment (did not impugn His just character, Ex 34:6-7) upon
them (plague) because they had agreed to follow His statutues (Ex 19:7-8, 24:3). The Lord
had specifically stated: Exodus 22:20, “He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD
only, he shall be utterly destroyed.” They made this false god and sacrificed to it (Ex 32:4-6,
8, 34:15) after agreeing to obey God and abide by His covenant. Punishment was carried out
(served) to the guilty (never the innocent). The Lord had said that if the people would keep
His commandments that He would bless them: Deuteronomy 7:15, “And the LORD will take
away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou
knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.” The Egyptians were
idolators and this is where the inspiration for the molten calf had come from (probably some
variation of Hathor). God had delivered the children of Israel from Egypt (this wickedness)
and they were suppose to have forsaken it in obedience to God’s commandments. Let us give
further consideration to why Moses ground the gold calf to dust and strawed it upon the water
and made the people drink it. In the book of Numbers, there is a God ordained method for
determining guilt or innocence for a woman suspected of committing adultery. Making and
worshipping idols is spiritual adultery against God. Moses had just been given the Lord’s
ordinances (including this one) upon Mount Horeb. No doubt, this was on Moses’ mind and
he applied it in his righteous anger. In God’s procedure, the woman appears before the priest,
is set before the Lord and is given bitter water to drink (Num 5:12-28). The bitter waters are
composed of dust from the earth (floor of the tabernacle) and holy water (Num 5:17). Moses
mixed the gold, which was ground to dust (elements from the earth), with the water that God
provided from the rock of Horeb (holy water, Ps 78:15-16, 20, Neh 9:15). To determine guilt
or innocence, the woman drinks the bitter water and is cursed with a plague if she is guilty,
and blessed if she is innocent. Moses had given the children of Israel the bitter water and
many were cursed with a plague. Many were guilty of spiritual adultery against God in
violating their solemn vow to Him to keep His Commandments (have no other gods, Ex 20:3-
4). Their sin was visited upon them (Ex 32:34, Dan 9:11, 14-15). The wicked were not
acquited, but procured indignation and wrath (Nah 1:2-3). Indignation is the effects of God’s
anger against sinful men for their disobedience, ingratitude (lack of thankfulness for favors
received) and rebellion. Ingratitude is not just unthankfulness, but also retribution
(repayment, that given for good done) of evil for good. The children of Israel disobeyed and
dishonored God by making an image and worshipping it after all the good the Lord had done
for them. Deuteronomy 32:41, “If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on
judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.” The
children of Israel’s doings are our warning to take heed: Psalms 78:8, 10-11, “And might not
be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart
aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. They kept not the covenant of God, and
refused to walk in his law; And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.”
Woe to those who continue in such a path. You must ponder in your heart if you have shown
ingratitute toward God in your life. Have you set up idols (images, things of priority) before
God? Do you live a life of obedience and thankfulness before your Lord? Take heed lest you
be due God’s indignation! A wise man will make corrections now on bended knees with the
time God has given you (in longsuffering toward you, 2 Pt 3:9). A fool will ignore God’s
merciful convictions (the act of convincing of transgressions or sinfulness, the act of
compelling one to acknowledge one’s error) and will face great wrath at Judgment.
 

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Let us consider in general what the children of Israel did in the wilderness that provoked God
to such anger (wrath). Psalms 78:40-42, “How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness,
and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy
One of Israel. They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the
enemy (ingratitude).” They did not completely cast away or forsake their old lives
(wickedness, transgressions, self centeredness, idolatry, etc.) in Egypt by bringing aspects of
it along with them (mindset, idols, self seeking, disobedience). How many who “profess
Christ” today, do the same? The people whined, complained and showed little trust in God
when they were inconvenienced in the flesh (trouble, difficulties, suffering, denial, sacrifice,
lack). Today, how many who claim Jesus do the same? The children of Israel made a solemn
vow to obey God’s laws as spoken by God and in His presence (sealed in blood), and then
began to disobey and break God’s laws almost immediately. They didn’t seem to understand
the seriousness (we’re only human, everybody’s doing it, we all sin, God loves me, God
understands, etc.). How many who have made a serious promise to Jesus and have made Him
Lord also disgregard or treat casually and flippantly (frivolously, superficially, facetiously,
dismissively) His covenant of faith (sealed in His blood) and reveal their contempt and
insincerity? How many do not take Christ’s covenant seriously because they have always
been taught that Jesus is so ready to forgive (as in turning the head the other way) and this
forgiveness just about equates with license for most desires (lusts, temptations)? How many
do things they know to be wrong with the thought of asking forgiveness later (after the fact)?
The Hebrews had no appreciation of God’s provision of bread (manna) and were unthankful
(Ps 78:17-31, 106:14-15, Neh 9:20). How many are thankful today and content which such
things as they have or whatever God may add (God’s provision which will most likely not be
what the flesh desires)? The people wanted to indulge (pander to, coddle, strengthen, spoil)
their flesh, so they made a god and danced, sang and feasted before it. How many today want
to serve a God who allows them to live in the flesh and caters to them (bless me, serve me,
heal me, rescue me, etc.)? How many who profess Jesus have actually re-created Him to their
liking through the twisting of scripture (or ignorance of the scripture) and their own
sentiments (strong heartfelt opinions)? The people actually wanted to return to Egypt from
which they had been delivered. How many who say they love Jesus live more in Egypt (the
world, for self) than under God’s authority? How many think you can live in Egypt (for self)
and still serve God (2 Cor 6:17, Rev 18:4)? How many people today who are very religious,
find after an honest and sincere examination of the heart, that they love the world and the
darkness (Egypt) more than God as evidence through their thoughts, sentiments and daily
actions? 1 John 2:15-17, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any
man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of
the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for
ever.” To love the world is spiritual adultery against God. Take heed that you not drink of
bitter waters. How many diligently read God’s Word daily and apply it to their lives (live it,
doers of the Word, Js 1:22) and thus KNOW the Lord whom they claim to serve? Luke 11:28,
“But he (Jesus) said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
Perhaps you have created your own Jesus, who most likely serves you? The children of Israel
did not want to deny themselves, submit to God, follow, trust, be thankful, obey, sacrifice, or
have a heart of love for God. They were full of unbelief. Perhaps this describes many today if
they are honest and sincere in examining their hearts and lives? The strong message here is
that many who profess Christ need to remember their first love whom they have left. Jesus
says, regarding your religiosity and disregard: Revelation 2:4, “Nevertheless I have somewhat
against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” They need to remember the vow (solemn
promise as in a marriage covenant) they made to submit to, love, honor and obey Jesus.
Many need to have a contrite heart (repentance and grieving over transgressions) and forsake

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their unfaithfulness (unbelief, spiritual adultery, wickedness, iniquity, rebellion, idolatry,
worldliness, etc.) and return to their first Love with all due remorse (godly sorrow – 2 Cor
7:10, regret, shame, repentance – Mt 4:17) over their actions. Christ’s covenant of love must
be treated with sincerity and genuineness and must govern your very life and all your actions.
You must now live in faith daily and follow in the steps of your Lord. Pray that the Lord will
fill you with His Holy Spirit – then be led as you walk (Lk 11:13, Rm 8:14, 1 Jn 2:6).
 
Exodus 33:1-6, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the
people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto
Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: And I will send an angel
before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite,
the Hivite, and the Jebusite: Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in
the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way. And when
the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.
For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked
people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now
put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. And the children of
Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.” The Lord was
longsuffering and forgiving to fulfill His promise, but the people had a froward heart (Ps
78:38-39). They did not want to lovingly and freely do what was required. They begrudgingly
followed God even after all the miracles and provisions. Psalms 78:36-37, “Nevertheless they
did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was
not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.” God did not want to be in the
midst of such a stiffnecked people. The Lord said if He came amidst the people He would
destroy them due to their insolence (disrespect, impertinence). The ornaments are those things
that embellish (to make more beautiful, earrings, jewelry, nice clothes) man – to exalt (bring
attention upon one’s self). The people were to mourn and lament their pitiful condition before
God. Most of their ornaments most likely had images or inscriptions of idols (they came from
Egypt). God had warned them: Ezekiel 20:7-8, “Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every
man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the
LORD your God. But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not
every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of
Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in
the midst of the land of Egypt.” Exodus 33:7, “And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it
without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation.
And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of
the congregation, which was without the camp.” The people’s hearts were not right before
God. The Lord had Moses set His place of dwelling (tabernacle) far away from the camp.
Those who loved the Lord must “come out” of the rebellion and transgression against God, in
order to serve Him. This represents the church, which is the ekklesia, meaning: “called out
ones” – those redeemed. You must leave the camp and be separate. Those who “come out” of
the wickedness to serve the Lord will be a reproach to those who do not (Gal 4:29, 1 Tim
4:10). In the book of Exodus, God gives His method for consecrating (to set apart, sanctify,
or make holy) the priest. Aaron and his sons are told to kill a bullock before the Lord and take
the blood of the bullock and put it upon the horns and beside the bottom of the altar (Ex
29:10-14). The body of the bullock was to be burnt outside the camp for a sin offering (Ex
29:14, Lev 4:11-12, 21, 16:27). Hebrews 13:11-13, “For the bodies of those beasts, whose
blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without
the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” Jesus
became a reproach for our sakes. Jesus is our High Priest (Heb 2:17, 3:1). Hebrews 7:27,

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“Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and
then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” Jesus offered His own
blood to God in the heavenlies: Hebrews 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged
with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the
patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things
themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places
made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the
presence of God for us.” We now become a reproach by follow Christ, in the eyes of a
rebellious world whose hearts are not upon God. We “come out” of the world (form the
church, Christ’s body) and walk in faith as led by the Spirit. Those “in the camp” are seeking
the flesh. Those who “come out” are seeking God.
 
Exodus 33:8-11, “And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the
people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was
gone into the tabernacle. And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy
pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.
And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose
up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face,
as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua,
the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” Moses had a close
relationship with God due to his faith and obedience to God. Moses grieved over the evil all
around him and went out from it to seek God (outside the camp to the tabernacle). Speaking
face to face as to a friend is about as close at it gets. Those who follow Christ are given this
same opportunity to have close relationship with God (through the Spirit). Like Moses, this
relationship is based upon obedience and faith. John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments,
and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father,
and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” AND John 14:23, “Jesus answered and
said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we
will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” Jesus knows those who are His by name
(Jn 10:3, Mt 10:32, Rev 3:5)! God desires that we surrender to Him in love and have that
close relationship. The people recognized God’s presence, but worshipped from afar. This
people had mostly been self seeking, stiffnecked and rebellious (disobedient) to God. Many
people in the world today are religious. They recognize God’s presence, but do not know
Him. They worship from afar due to their own disobedience, transgressions and rebellion.
They want to have a form of worship, but just do not want to go outside the camp (they love
the darkness, Jn 3:19). Oh, that they would truly surrender and have that close personal
relationship. There will always be a remnant with a real heart for God. Joshua was just such a
man. We can see his surrender and love for God through his actions. He departed not out of
the tabernacle (God’s presence). Joshua (put God before him) served the Lord all the day
long. God used Joshua to lead the armies of Israel in defeating the Amalek (Ex 17:9-14).
Joshua waited for Moses at the foot of Horeb (he wanted to be in God’s presence) when
Moses talked with God. This young man was one of the two who brought back a good report
from having scouted out the Promised Land (Num 14:6-10). He trusted in God to deliver it
into the hands of the people (Num 14:9). God later put Joshua in Moses place (authority to
lead the people) and he led the children of Israel into the Promised Land and all the nations
fell before him – none could stand (Num 27:15-23, Duet 31:7, 14, 23, 34:9). Joshua and Caleb
were the only two of all their generation (of hundreds of thousands) that had come out of
Egypt, that were allowed to enter into the Promised Land (Num 32:11-12). The only reason
was because of their trust and faith in God. The Lord also used Joshua to help divide the land
to the tribes of Israel (Num 34:17). Joshua made the famous statement: Joshua 24:15, “And if
it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether

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the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the
Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
God was with Joshua because Joshua was totally dedicated/devoted to God. This is definetly a
message for us today. You cannot be too zealous and fanatical in serving the Lord. You
cannot love and obey God too much. We must put the Lord before our eyes every day and in
all our actions. The Lord must become your life such that there is no other. Who will you and
your house serve? Some will serve the gods of the land (such as our examples of television
and money). Some will lose all (Mt 10:39, 16:25, Mk 8:35, Lk 9:24, 17:33, Jn 12:25) and
follow Christ (Mt 16:24, Mk 8:34, 10:21, 9:23, Jn 12:26) and these will not be disappointed
(1 Cor 2:9).
 
Intercession
 
Exodus 33:12-17, “And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this
people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I
know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if
I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find
grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall
go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me,
carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found
grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy
people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. And the LORD said unto
Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight,
and I know thee by name.” The Lord had told Moses that He would not go up with the
children of Israel to the Promised Land due to their siffnecked rebellion, disobedience and
lack of faith. The Lord was going to send an angel instead (Ex 32:34). Moses appealed to the
Lord and God hearkened to him in this matter (due to his faith and obedience to God) and
decided to go up with the children of Israel. Moses was a true leader in that he led through
example (1 Pt 5:3). Because of his righteous relationship with God (i.e. if I have found grace
in thy sight) he was able to be an advocate (one who pleads the cause of another) for the
people (i.e. we know we have found grace in that thou goest with us). However, notice that
Moses’ intercession was based upon God’s will and purposes, to lead the people to God and
not away (i.e. we shall be separated from all other people upon the face of the earth unto
God). Intercession is mediation between two parties at variance with the purpose of
reconciliation – entreaty for another. Moses would not have been able to interceed for the
people had they refused to yield to God. When Jesus established the second covenant, He
became our advocate before the Father who provides intercession (1 Jn 2:1). Romans 8:34,
“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even
at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” AND Hebrews 7:22, 24-25,
“By so much wasJesus made a surety of a better testament. But this man, because he
continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to
the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for
them.” The Holy Spirit whom the Father has given through Christ also provides intercession
for those who follow. Romans 8:26-27, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities
(faults, weaknesses): for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit
itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that
searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession
for the saints according to the will of God.” Notice that the intercession is based upon the will
of God. We must understand this: reconciliation between God and man is only accomplished
on God’s terms and not man’s. Ephesians 1:11-12, “In whom also we have obtained an
inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after

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the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in
Christ.” Christ and the Spirit will interceed for those who desire to forsake their evil and
surrender to God’s authority on God’s terms. The Lord’s intercession is to bring you to the
Father in accordance with His will. The Lord’s intercession will never be to keep you in your
sin or allow you to take a path away from the Father (your own path, Gal 1:4, Mt 1:21, Jn
1:29, Acts 3:26, 1 Jn 3:5). If you want to remain in darkness, then reconciliation is not
possible for you. If you want to reconcile on your terms, then reconciliation is not possible for
you. The intercession is for those with a contrite heart who surrender to God on the Lord’s
terms. For those who seek their own will and yet ask for continual forgiveness with no real
evidence of change, beware, God is not mocked (Gal 6:7)!
 
Exodus 33:18-23, “And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make
all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and
will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew
mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And
the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall
come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will
cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see
my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.” Herein lies the sovereignty (dominion, power,
rule) of God. Romans 9:13-18, “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to
Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I
will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God
that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I
raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared
throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he
will he hardeneth.” Esau chose his flesh over God and greatly dishonored Him. Esau had
complete disregard for the precious promise of God and was willing to trade it for a
momentary fleshly comfort (one meal). Esau’s casual approach in sacrificing the promise of
God for something trivial (one meal) showed his love of self and hatred toward God and the
Lord’s purposes. Most people seek self everyday with little regard for God in their lives.
Pharaoh was rebellious, prideful, arrogant and haughty and rejected God’s authority in favor
of his own. God chose to have no mercy on either. 2 Peter 3:17, “Ye therefore, beloved,
seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the
wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” Moses could not look upon the face of God and
live, so the Lord passes by and lets him see His back. This is a continuing of the close and
personal relationship (fellowship) that Moses has with God. Exodus 34:1-8, “And the LORD
said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these
tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest. And be ready in the morning,
and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai (Horeb), and present thyself there to me in the
top of the mount. And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen
throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount. And he
hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and
went up unto mount Sinai (Horeb), as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand
the two tables of stone. And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and
proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed,
The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness
and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that
will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and
upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation. And Moses made
haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.” Moses had handled the

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abomination of the golden calf well and the Lord was going to write again His Law on tables
of stone. Notice how Moses always does as the Lord commands him. This is how we are to
be; the Lord says and we must willingly do. The Lord passed by Moses and not only allowed
Moses to catch a glimpse, but revealed His precious nature. The book of Deuteronomy adds,
“visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of
them that hate me, And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my
commandments. (Deut 5:9-10).” We can conclude that God is merciful, gracious,
longsuffering and forgiving of those who submit to Him in love and truth and keep His
commandments. The Lord will by no means clear the guilty which are those who disregard
His will and thereby hate Him – they disobey. This same righteous judgment applies to
Christ’s covenant. If we walk in faith and keep His commandments, then we have live in
Christ. If we obey our own will then we do not have life.
 
Exodus 34:9-11, “And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I
pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and
take us for thine inheritance. And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I
will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the
people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I
will do with thee. Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out
before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite,
and the Jebusite.” Those who surrender to God’s will shall surely be sustained by God. Is not
the Creator of all the earth able to care for those who are called by His name (Ps 34:22,
36:7)? This is the nature of faith. We must overcome the strong will of the flesh and thereby
trust and hope in God for all of our needs. Often the Lord will delay His provision to test our
hearts and resolve – we must wait upon the Lord (Ps 37:9, 123:2, Is 40:31). Patience is an
element of faith and a denial of the will of the flesh. The Lord’s provision may further deny
the flesh when it comes. The children of Israel realized this when God sent manna. They
wanted to indulge in bread and flesh to the full, but God sent leanness to the flesh. Many
today seek God for indulgences (gratification of lusts or appetite, not to restrain or oppose)
for the flesh, but the Lord would never strengthen (enhance) that which opposes Him. The
Lord tells us to trust in Him and He will do great marvels (Ps 2:12, 5:11, 7:1, 9:10, 16:1,
17:7, 18:2, 18:30, 20:7, 25:2, 56:4, 11, 64:10, 73:28, 91:2, 115:11, Pv 3:5, Is 26:4). Notice
that God does not require us to do anything unless specifically directed. We must follow and
obey, not formulate and direct. The former is faith toward God and the latter is the will of the
flesh. Exodus 34:12-17, “Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants
of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: But ye shall destroy
their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: For thou shalt worship no other
god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God: Lest thou make a covenant with
the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their
gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; And thou take of their daughters unto thy
sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after
their gods. Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.” The Lord is clearly establishing that we are
to submit to Him alone. You are to love and obey the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and
strength (Deut 6:5, 10:12-13, 11:1, 8, 13, 22, 13:3-4, 18, 15:5, 18:3, 19:9, 27:10, 28:9, 13-
15, 29:9-15, 30:2, 8, 10, 16, 20). You cannot have any other interest above God. This includes
those things that you give your heart; time and attention; devotion and interest; thought;
actions; trust and confidence; resources; and hope to. The Lord then gave Moses various
ordinances for the people to observe. Exodus 34:27, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Write
thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with
Israel.”
 

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The Lord next required Moses to come back up to Mount Horeb. Exodus 34:28, “And he was
there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water.
And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.”
Deuteronomy 10:1-4, “At that time the LORD said unto me, Hew thee two tables of stone like
unto the first, and come up unto me into the mount, and make thee an ark of wood. And I will
write on the tables the words that were in the first tables which thou brakest, and thou shalt
put them in the ark. And I made an ark of shittim wood, and hewed two tables of stone like
unto the first, and went up into the mount, having the two tables in mine hand. And he wrote
on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake
unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD
gave them unto me.” Deuteronomy 10:5, “And I turned myself and came down from the
mount, and put the tables in the ark which I had made; and there they be, as the LORD
commanded me.” Exodus 34:29-35, “And it came to pass, when Moses came down from
mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the
mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him (God).
And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone;
and they were afraid to come nigh him. And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the
rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them. And afterward all
the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had
spoken with him in mount Sinai. And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail
on his face. But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off,
until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was
commanded. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face
shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him (God).”
Not only had Moses not eaten or drank during his time in God’s presence, but God’s glory
reflected off of him. You cannot be in God’s presence without being changed in some way
(transformed). The intensity of Moses face shining added credence (credibility, authority,
acceptance) to the commandments that were being delivered to the people, but there was
more... Consider what Paul said: 2 Corinthians 3:13-18, “And not as Moses, which put a vail
over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is
abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken
away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this
day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the
Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the
Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the
Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
This vail also equates to the foreskin covering the heart. The vail or foreskin must be removed
(or circumcised) so that we may fully love the Lord with all our hearts. When we surrender to
Christ and obey with heart, we are led of His Spirit and conformed to His image. The vail
over Moses face also equates to the vail which separated the holy from the most holy in the
tabernacle. Beyond the vail is the presence of God (who is light). Through Christ that vail has
been removed (rent, Mt 27:51, Mk 15:38, Lk 23:45) such that we can now be reconciled to
God and come into His presence. Jesus once took two disciples and went up to a high
mountain in the presence of God (and talked with Moses and Elias, Mt 17:1-9, Mk 9:2-10):
Matthew 17:2, “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his
raiment was white as the light.” The Father expressed His pleasure in His beloved Son Jesus
and told his disciples to “hear Him” (Lk 9:35, Mk 9:7) The disciples were fell on their face
and were sore afraid. This event added further credence to what Jesus spoke. We must look
into His glorious face and love with all our hearts.
 
Summary

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God redeemed His people from the land of Egypt. He called them out to Himself in the
wilderness. Egypt was a place which catered to the flesh (even though burdens and bondages
resulted). The waste howling wilderness was a place of great lack concerning the things of the
flesh. No man could have survived it irregardless of his self-sufficiency or resourcefulness, let
alone over one million souls. There was no food, there was no water – it was utterly desolate.
God’s purpose was that His people would learn to trust in Him for their every need, which He
was more than capable of providing. The conditions (terrain, environment) were intentionally
set (by design) such that no one could survive apart from faith and trust in God. Rather than
placing trust and obedience in God and seeking His purposes, the people thought only of self
and situation. Such unbelief could only result in death. The key to survival in the wilderness
was found in surrender and obedience to the Lord God – this faith produced life. Those who
sought the things of the flesh had their carcasses drop along the way. Trust and hope in those
things apart from God only produces death. This allegory is a picture of the two ways that
Jesus described. Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because
strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Egypt (i.e. the world) is the broad way that leadeth to destruction. Those who seek the way of
the flesh (their way, ye shall be as gods) transgress God’s will and the Lord has said, “thou
shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17). Most follow the ways of Egypt (rebellion and transgression to
God’s will, idolatry, iniquity, self seeking, pride, etc.) because it is the fallen nature of man
(Satan’s nature). Men are irresistibly drawn to the broad way in seeking self will. Those
living in the flesh will be blinded to the narrow path – they do not know its there. Jesus said
you must be “born again” (given God’s nature) to even see the kingdom of God (Jn 3:3). The
narrow way represents the path that leads to God. This is the wilderness that is intentionally
designed to destroy the flesh (its lusts, will). No man would ever choose such a rugged
inhospitable (hostile, forbidding, bleak, harsh, desolate) path – few travel it. One must
literally be “called out” of Egypt by God. John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the
Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day (also Jn 6:65).”
This path cannot under any circumstances be traversed through the ability of the flesh. The
only way one will survive to the end of this path is to “follow” in obedience the direction of
another (Jesus). The Spirit will navigate (steer, plot the course, lead, guide, maneuver)
through all the obstacles, difficulties, and lack to arrive successfully at the end. We obediently
follow. Along the way the Spirit destroys the ideals of Egypt and all self centerness such that
we arrive at the end of the path as surrendered and obedient to God’s will – suitable for the
Master’s use.

Chapter Four – A Most Rebellious People

 
The children of Israel had shown themselves to be a most obstinate and rebellious people
toward the things of God (Ex 32:9. 33:3, 5, 34:9, Deut 9:6, 13, 10:16). The trials of the harsh
wilderness had revealed that their true hearts were on themselves rather than God. The Lord
brings us through ever increasing and difficult situations (obstacles) on the way to His rest.
These are designed to destroy confidence in the flesh and produce faith and trust in God so
that we might enter in. One can only enter into God’s rest through faith and obedience. God
had told Israel: Deuteronomy 11:22-23, “For if ye shalldiligently keep all these
commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in
all his ways, and to cleave unto him; Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from
before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.” An entire
generation could not seem to part with the self seeking and idolatrous ways of Egypt, and thus
sincerely surrender to God. This should be a great lesson for those who “profess” Christ, but

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largly live as the world (i.e. Egypt). The children of Israel journeyed on from mount Horeb
unto the border of the Promised Land. They could not enter in because of unbelief which
always manifests in the form of disobedience to God. There were obstacles in the path – great
and powerful nations, walled cities and giants. They had no trust in the God who had
delivered them from and destroyed Egypt. They had no faith in the Lord who provided for
their every need. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him (Ps 2:12, 31:14) – cursed are
those who do not. If God said enter in, they refused. If God said do not enter in, then they
entered. The rebellious at heart always resists the purposes of God in favor of their own way.
When the people faced great and seemingly insurmountable difficulties they did not put trust
in God, but rather blamed the Lord and considered Him their opponent – they lashed out. The
people said, “Oh that we had died in the wilderness.” Therefore, God gave them their desire –
He granted them their way. Man’s way always produces death and God said, So be it! This
entire people were sent back into the wilderness until an entire generation (twenty years old
and upward) died off (wandering about their own way). God allowed a small faithful remnant
of that generation (two men) and the children to later enter the Promised Land. Jesus had said
we must become as children to enter the kingdom of God (Mt 18:3). Children are trusting,
obedient and faithful to their parents (i.e. God). Children must be trained in the way they
should go such that they will not depart from it (i.e God’s lessons in the wilderness, Pv 22:6).
We only enter into the kingdom of God through faith which always manifests as obedience.
 
Numbers 9:15, “And on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the
tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it
were the appearance of fire, until the morning.” The cloud represented God’s presence, and
God was in the cloud (Ex 13:21, 19:9, 40:34, Lk 9:34-35). God dwelt among the people.
Exodus 25:8, 29:45, “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. And I
will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.” Numbers 9:16, “So it was
alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.” God dwelt among
His people day and night. The cloud provided a covering for God’s glory which no man can
look upon. Exodus 33:20, “And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man
see me, and live.” Numbers 9:17-18, “And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle,
then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there
the children of Israel pitched their tents. At the commandment of the LORD the children of
Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud
abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.” This is an incredibly important concept
that man must learn. God leads and man follows – so simple, yet so misunderstood. God is the
authority who sets the path or course, determines the direction and makes provision along the
way. The Lord leads and is in charge. Those who follow must be submitted and obedient to
God. Those who follow need only to trust and rely on the Lord and obey His direction along
the way. Those who follow must humble themselves and receive what God provides with all
thankfulness (Ps 100:4). The follower surrenders his will to the Leader. The ones who do not
want to follow are in rebellion to the Lord. These want to be their own authority and seek
their own way. Their objective is not the same as God’s (even though they often say it is) and
they are going in a different (opposite) direction. They do not know where they are going, but
are sure they know the way (confusion). Those who wander away from God’s leading become
lost and perish in the harsh wilderness. The condemnation is that they perish due to their own
freely chosen stubborn and rebellious way. These seek after what they want and when they
want it. They want immediate satisfaction of the desires of the flesh (lusts) – they serve the
flesh. These cannot be pleased unless they are doing the leading, yet they do not have the
capacity for either. The wise learn that self is a great impediment (obstacle, barrier,
hindrance) in the wilderness and that strength is gained through weakness to the flesh and
faith in God. The carcass of a fool will drop along the way. Numbers 9:21-23, “And so it was,

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when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the
morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up,
they journeyed. Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon
the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed
not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed. At the commandment of the LORD they rested
in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of
the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.” Day or night; month or
year; rain or shine; we are to serve the Lord. Jesus is our life twenty-four hours a day every
day. We do not serve the Lord at our convenience, but at His every command.
 
The Two Paths (or Ways)
 
From the beginning, God said if you transgress My will and authority (Gen 2:17), “thou will
surely die” and the devil said (Gen 3:4), “ye shall not surely die.” These are two completely
opposite positions (resultant ways or paths of life). God states, you will obey Him and the
devil says, you do not have to – one position is in rebellion to the other (as is the devil to
God). Man will live his life in conformance to one or the other of these statements and the
consequences will be eternal. Since the fall of man (transgressing of God’s will), there has
existed two paths. Throughout the Word of God these paths are known as either: the narrow
and broad ways; light and darkness; faith and unbelief; God’s way and man’s way; Spirit and
the flesh; sheep and the goats; wheat and the tares; the wise and the fool; and the contrite and
froward (discussed in the Conclusion of this book). The two paths are the same, just
characterized differently. The wise should ponder the two paths and consider which they are
truly traveling. It is also very important to note that many will “religiously” sugar coat or
throw a sheep skin over the devil’s way (lie) in order to “Christianize” it (Pv 17:15, 24:24, Mt
7:15). This means that they will have a form of religion that professes Jesus Christ and
appears righteous, but allows one to “walk” in his “own way” supposedly with Christ’s
approval or by God’s grace (Mt 7:22-24, Lk 13:27, Rm 8:8, 1 Cor 15:34, Gal 2:17, 6:8, 2 Tim
3:1-9, 1 Jn 2:4, Jude 1:4). These are false prophets and you must beware (2 Cor 11:13-15).
This is the deception that the devil is working in you through your lusts. These men drive the
flock away from God (Jer 23:2, 14). He that despiseth God’s ways (commands) shall die (Pv
19:16). How can a man understand his own way (Pv 20:24)? Jeremiah 10:23-24, “O LORD, I
know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O
LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.”
Psalm 17:5, “Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” The paragraphs that
follow will briefly consider each of the expressions of the two “ways” or “paths.”
 
The narrow and broad paths - Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the
gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that
find it.” Since the strong nature of fallen man is to seek his own way, most are on the broad
path which leads to destruction. The broad path “glitters” of all that appeals to one’s flesh
(pleasures, entertainments, comforts, satisfactions). The broad path is the equivalent to the
fruit of the forbidden tree – “it is pleasant to the eyes” (Gen 3:6) – to be desired. Most are
drawn to this path and find it agreeable. Jesus is the strait gate to the narrow path (Jn 10:7-9).
Psalms 118:19-20, “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will
praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.” The narrow
path is plain and very unappealing to the flesh. The narrow path would be equivalent to the
fruit of the tree of life – unattractive (ordinary, plain) and not attractive to the flesh. Those
seeking the things of the flesh will be blinded to the fact that the narrow path is even there.
The narrow path leads to God and only those who come out of the rebellion (nature of the

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devil’s lie) and are “born again” through Christ (come under God’s authority and take on the
Lord’s nature) will even see it (Jn 3:3). This path will cause great difficulty for the flesh. One
must override (by faith) the desires of the flesh (in repentance) to even see it (Jn 3:3). Psalm
27:11, “Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.”
Those who choose this path must look beyond the beauty that the flesh seeks and see the great
value which will be realized only through sacrifice, denial and loss in the flesh – it goes
against the reasoning of the flesh. The strait gate to the narrow path is only entered by total
surrender of one’s own will or “way” to Jesus and total obedience to Christ’s will
(commandments, Mk 12:29-31) or “Way.” This does not mean some mental identification
such as some superficial sinner’s prayer type of confession (Heb 4:2). Say this prayer and “ye
shall surely not die” (Gen 3:4-5). This means a total and complete yielding of one’s entire life
as demonstrated through one’s actions (actions suitable for the repentance you have
confessed, Acts 26:20) – a life of faith. This is a total change of character that will be
noticeably (evidently, distinctly, clearly) manifested in your life. In other words, not just a
religious observance. Few will find this path because this will be a life long journey of
“following” in the steps of another (Christ). Righteousness sets us in the way of His steps (Ps
85:13). Most are too busy forging their own paths. Jesus “goeth before” and those who love
Him follow (Jn 10:4, Mk 10:32). This means that this path is set of another’s doing. Jesus
forged the path through absolute submission and obedience to the Father’s will. The Father
was well pleased (Mt 3:17, 12:18, 17:5). The path was made at great cost – woe to him that
seeks another. This is the direction one is going (toward God) when one follows this path and
it leads to life eternal; dwelling with God. This path is very arduous (by divine design) and
will certainly deny the flesh. This path will put the flesh in its place – in the dust. The flesh is
temporal and does not profit (Jn 6:63). One must die to selfto even walk upon it. One walks
as Jesus walked and through the ruggedness of the path is conformed to Christ’s image along
the way. Seeking one’s own way will quickly lead off of this path and onto the broad path –
the fleshly eye is drawn by the glitter. Not “following” Jesus is “walking away” (opposite)
from Him. Each step is one farther away, culminating in total and eternal separation. This is
by God’s pattern to determine the true intent of one’s heart. Woe to them who leave the path
of uprightness to walk in paths of darkness (Pv 2:13). Here is wisdom: Proverb 3:6, “In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Jesus is worthy to follow because He
was tried and found to be sure and true (Is 28:16).
 
Light and darkness – Jesus is “the way” and is characterized as being “The Light” and there is
no darkness in Him (He did God’s will, didn’t seek His own way, 1 Jn 1:5). Darkness is the
devil’s work, which are all things resultant from “The Lie” (Eph 2:2). Light is opposite from
darkness as is God’s way from the devil’s. Therefore, men walking in their way (seeking their
will or flesh) are in darkness. Due to man’s disobedience the whole world lieth in darkness (1
Jn 5:19). However, God’s light always overcomes the darkness (Jn 1:5) – when light is
present, darkness flees. Ecclesiastes 2:13, “Then I saw that wisdom (the fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom) excelleth folly (foolishness – seeking your own way), as far as light
excelleth darkness.” Proverbs 4:18-20, “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” However, Proverb 4:19, “The way of the
wicked is asdarkness: they know not at what they stumble.” After man had transgressed God’s
will in Eden, he walked in the darkness of his “own way.” Isaiah 9:2, “The people that walked
in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon
them hath the light shined.” The darkness they walked in was their “own path” which is in the
“shadow of death.” Your way is just a step from eternal and complete separation from the
Lord God Almighty. The gates of death are opening for you (Job 38:17). This gate is the
opposite from Jesus who is the strait gate leading to life. Everything about Christ is righteous
(including His sceptre, Heb 1:8) and we enter in through gates of righteousness (Ps 119:19).

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Jesus brought hope that we could come out of “our way” and into “Christ’s path.” Jesus said:
John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not
abide in darkness.” So those who follow Christ will not abide in their “own way” which is
man’s rebellion against God. John 8:12, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the
light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of
life.” We must follow Jesus on that narrow path that He forged, otherwise we walk in our
“own” darkness (Jude 1:12-13). However, few will travel the narrow path, rather choosing
their “own way,” but why? John 3:19-20, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come
into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For
every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be
reproved.” These actually prefer their own path (Pv 15:9). Those who love darkness are not
necessarily doing vile things such as murder and adultery, but rather just seeking their own
will daily. However, seeking your own way does lead to all manner of sin. 1 John 1:6-7, “If
we say that we have fellowship with him, andwalk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another (Christ
and you), and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” These are content
to remain in the rebellion under the authority of the devil via the devil’s lie. Job 24:13, “They
are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths
thereof.” AND Job 12:25, “They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them
to stagger like a drunken man.” They behold obscurity (shadows, muriness); for brightness,
but walk in darkness (Is 59:9). These may be adamant that they know the way and are
walking it, while professing Christ as they go, but they still walk in their own paths. Only the
Lord is our light (path) and salvation from our own darkness (way, Ps 21:7). Psalm 36:9, “For
with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” For those who choose their
“own way,” great peril awaits at the end thereof (Rm 2:5-6, 8-9, Eph 4:18-19). Ephesians
5:14, “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall
give thee light.” Lastly, a special note to the religious man: Luke 11:35, “Take heed therefore
that the light which is in thee be not darkness.” Slightly restated: Take heed that the path you
are following be not “your own.” Take heed that there be not great darkness within you (Mt
6:23).
 
Faith verses unbelief - Faith is walking by God’s direction. God cannot be approached in any
other way (Heb 11:6). Romans 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from
faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Living by faith means applying it to
every area of your live (being a doer, Js 1:23-24). Faith does not walk by sight (2 Cor 5:7,
Heb 11:1) – but by total trust and reliance on that which is beyond self (God alone, Gal 2:20,
Ps 2:12). Faith bypasses the flesh because it cannot be understood through human reasoning
and emotion (is as foolishness, 1 Cor 1:18, 2:14) or perceived by the five senses (touch, sight,
smell, hearing, taste). Faith is not exercised by “what is pleasant to the eyes.” Faith often
requires denial and sacrifice to the things of the flesh. The flesh will not like the notion of
forsaking anything - faith denies the flesh its control. Therefore, to follow the flesh or “your
way” is unbelief. Unbelief is rejection of Christ’s gospel by not actually living it – applying it.
Mere profession of Christ or words are hollow and require no sacrifice (Js 2:19), but actions
bring forth sacrifice and fruit and establish the heart’s intent (Jn 15:2). If the flesh or unbelief
is strong, then faith is weak (and vice versa, Rm 4:20). The things that the flesh seeks (sees)
are temporal and passing; but the things that are known (unfolded, revealed) through faith are
eternal (2 Cor 4:18). Faith will save us and unbelief will surely cause us to perish. Hebrews
3:19, “So we see that they could not enter in (to God’s promises) because of unbelief.” You
cannot enter the strait gate (Jesus) through unbelief (your way, religious or not). The narrow
path is walked by faith. Faith is not religious observance, but rather trust in God everyday,
which goes beyond your abilities. Faith is to cast away those things in your life that oppose

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(and shame) God so that you may bring glory to God. Faith is standing for truth (even if
alone) when everyone else doesn’t. Faith is denying the flesh its desires (pleasures,
entertainments) so that your heart and mind can be stayed upon the Lord. Through our faith,
God divinely influences our hearts (i.e. grace, Eph 2:8) and this is manifested in our actions
to the saving of our souls. Faith is saying, “Thy will be done” no matter what God directs or
brings. Faith doesn’t question, it does. Faith pleases God. Those seeking their way or path
say, “My will be done.” This is prideful, arrogant and rebellious to God. Those that walk in
their way often ask God (through prayer) to bless “their way” – they want God to be their
servant. Those that are contentious (headstrong) and do not obey the truth, but obey
unrighteousness (their way, doeth evil) can expect to receive indignation, wrath, tribulation
and anguish from God (Rm 2:8-9).
 
God’s way and man’s way - God’s way is only followed by yielding totally to Him with all
your heart, mind, soul, and strength (Luke 10:27). Deuteronomy 10:12-13, “And now, Israel,
what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his
ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day
for thy good?” - to cleave to Him in obedience (Deut 13:4)! This is how things were prior to
man’s fall and this is how things will be eternally forever more. If you are not living such a
life now, what makes you think you will be in eternity? If you are not obedient now, does not
the Creator of all things know that you will have no such desire later? Man’s way (seeking
self or your own way) could also be characterized as “seeking after the imaginations of your
own heart” or “doing what is right in your own eyes.” The thoughts of the wicked are an
abomination to the Lord (Pv 15:26). Man has continued to follow his way since being put out
of Eden. Consider the fruit of man’s doings: Genesis 6:5-6, “And GOD saw that the
wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his
heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth,
and it grieved him at his heart.” God was so grieved that He decided to completely destroy
man in a flood (Gen 6:7). Fortunately, Noah found grace in God’s sight and he and his
offspring were preserved. Genesis 6:12-13, “And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it
was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The
end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and,
behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” The same can certainly be said of the time in
which we live – things couldn’t be much worse. Man has almost exclusively followed “his
way” since the transgression in Eden. This has been unacceptable and abominable to God.
Man’s way has revealed itself time and again such as through the tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-
9); evil nations like the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and the
Jebusites (Deut 7:1-8, 9:4); or in wicked cities like Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 13:13, 18:20,
19:13, 2 Pt 2:6). God has appealed to man over and over to turn from “his way” and to submit
and obey the Lord. Isaiah 65:2, “I have spread out my hands all the day unto
a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good; after their own thoughts.” The
Lord also said, “Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their
abominations.” Man continually choses his own way because it is in his very nature (the lie
he accepted to be as gods). Therefore, man never sees anything wrong in what he does.
Proverb 16:25, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man (his way), but the end thereof
are the ways of death.” AND Proverb 21:2, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but
the LORD pondereth the hearts (intent, who is seeking God).” When man commits
abomination through “his ways,” he is not ashamed, neither does he blush (Jer 8:12) because
he does not delight in God’s Word (seeking and living in God’s way); for it is a reproach to
him (Jer 6:10). Man has historically always sought to place his will or way above God’s. This
has been shown (revealed) over and over again in God’s Word. This is easily proven by

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looking at the world around us. Psalm 128:1, “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD;
that walketh in his ways (also Pv 3:6).”
 
Spirit and the flesh – Jesus has given the Holy Spirit to those who will follow Him. The Spirit
leads us down the narrow path and teaches us along the way. Romans 8:14, “For as many as
are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” The flesh is the nature of man that
seeks “self” or it’s “own way.” The Spirit and the flesh are contrary (opposed) to one another
(Gal 5:17). Obviously you cannot seek your way and also seek God’s way simultaneously –
they are always opposed. Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” To walk after the
Spirit is to walk the narrow path, living completely to the will of God (Mk 3:35) having no
confidence in the flesh (Php 3:3). The narrow path is contrary to the flesh as is the Spirit. To
walk after the flesh is to walk as you see fit under your own authority – your thoughts,
opinions, sentiments, desires, and imaginations. The Lord searches the hearts and understands
all the imaginations of the thoughts (1 Chr 28:9). The eyes of the LORD run to and fro
throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is
perfect toward him (2 Chr 16:9). To profess Jesus, yet not walk as He walked (to be religious)
is to be condemned (while being blind and deceived, Mt 7:21). If we claim to live in the
Spirit, then we must walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:25). Romans 8:5, “For they that are after the
flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”
We will either travel one path or the other, but not both (simultaneously). God is not ridiculed
concerning those who think they can alternate back and forth between the paths. Galatians
6:7-8, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also
reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to
the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” If you live to the flesh (the devil’s lie), then
God’s original truth stands: “Thou shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17, Ez 33:14). The way we do
things will reveal which path we are on (Mt 7:16, 20) – what we mind (give place to,
seek/serve). The fleshly mind (way of doing things) is enmity (deep hatred, as between
enemies, bitter attitude toward) with God: Romans 8:8, “So then they that are in the flesh
cannot please God.” If we have Christ’s Spirit we will walk accordingly, if we do not then we
are none of His (Rm 8:9, 1 Jn 4:10). Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh (your way),
ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body (die to self or your
way, Col 3:5-6), ye shall live.” So we must travel God’s path and have no confidence in our
way (flesh, Php 3:3). Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit (God’s narrow path),
and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (man’s wrongful way). 1 John 2:17, “And the world
passeth away, and the lust thereof (ways of man): but he that doeth the will of God (God’s
way) abideth for ever.” Here is some wise advice: earnestly seek the Lord through His Word,
Spirit and prayer; then carefully examine your life (ponder) and have eyes to see the reality of
how these things must apply to your specific actions.
 
Sheep and the goats – Sheep are gentle, humble and loving by nature and follow where they
are led. Sheep follow when called! Goats are gruff, assertive, ornery (irritable, crabby,
grouchy) and like to go about their own way. Goats must be driven! Sheep represent those
submitted to Christ. Goats represent those submitted to the devil. John 10:3-4, 7-8, 14, 26-27,
“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by
name (relationship, Jn 14:21, 23), and leadeth them out (Psalm chap. 23). And when he
putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them (Christ came and led by example, also Mk
10:32), and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice (relationship, obedience, Jn
12:26). Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the
sheep (Christ’s authority). All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers (anything we
put ahead of Christ robs us of our life in Him): but the sheep did not hear them (our eyes must

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be on Jesus). I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, andam known of mine (precious
close relationship). But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you
(those who seek their own path and do not follow, but think they are His sheep). My
sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me (this is all day, everyday). Jesus
looks for every lost sheep: Luke 15:4, “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose
one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is
lost, until he find it?” The goats are not submitted to the shepherd, just themselves and their
endless lusts – they eat anything – even a big fat lie! Matthew 25:34, 41, “Then shall the King
say unto them on his right hand (sheep), Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom
prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then shall he say also unto them on the
left hand (goats), Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and
his angels.” If serving God seems compulsory, restrictive or like a burden, then you are being
driven like a goat. Those who are driven will be quick to compromise or find a less restrictive
path. Those who are driven will only want to do the minimum that seems to be required.
Those who are driven will always wonder, “what’s in it for me (Job 21:15, 35:3).” Those who
are driven may do things in secret. Those who are driven find comfort in numbers. Those who
are driven will at best grudgingly follow God. Those who are driven will seek a multitude of
counsels until they hear what they are looking for (Ps 5:10). Hosea 14:9, “Who is wise, and
he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD
are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.”
 
Wheat and the tares – The wheat grain represents the good seed of the harvest that one
expects to reap from one’s efforts. This is the fruit resulting from the life of the plant that is fit
for use (life giving). Tares are the weeds that grow up amongst the wheat and their lives have
no redeeming value, and they actually hinder the growth and productivity of the wheat. Jesus
told a parable concerning wheat and tares (Mt 13:24-43). A parable is a simple story dealing
with a very real circumstance (situation, fact, event) in which the principal subject is
described by another subject resembling it in its properties and circumstances. In this story, a
man (representing Jesus) sows wheat into a field (the world). His enemy (representing the
devil) comes and sows tares among his wheat (the devil’s children). The wheat and the tares
look alike until the fruit appears (Mt 13:26). This is how you know them: by their fruits (Mt
7:20). The fruits are what they produce in their life. Tares soak up the water and use the
nutrients and spread all about seeking their way, but produce nothing useful, just more of their
kind (they transgress). The man’s servants (angels) inform him of the situation and request to
remove the weeds. He tells them to let them grow together until the end of the harvest, lest
uprooting them, they should hurt the wheat. Until such time, God sends rain and sun on the
good and the bad, the just and the unjust (Mt 5:45). At harvest time, the tares are gathered first
and put into bundles and burned in the fire (eternal torment, Rev 20:11-15); then the wheat is
gathered to the barn (dwelling with God, Mt 13:30). Matthew 13:41-43, “The Son of man
shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and
them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and
gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their
Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
 
The wise and the fool – The wise man will fear the Lord (seeks to know God and live in His
will). The fool will seek his folly (own way) - the foolishness of fools is folly (Pv 14:24,
26:11). Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise
wisdom and instruction.” The wise man receiveth correction and changes accordingly (all
along the way – conforms to Christ’s image, Eph 4:15). Proverbs 1:5, “A wise man will hear,
and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” AND
Proverbs 8:33, “Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not (also Pv 10:17, 18:15, 19:20,

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22:17).” AND Proverbs 15:31, “The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the
wise.” The fool lashes out at the one giving correction and justifies his actions (to his own
blindness and folly). Proverbs 9:7-8, “He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame:
and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate
thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” AND Proverbs 15:12, “A scorner loveth not
one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.” AND Proverbs 17:10, “A reproof
entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” The fool cannot receive
instruction because he considers it an affront to the thing he loves most – self. A wise man has
died to self and graciously receives instruction as to how to please the one he loves most –
Jesus. Proverbs 9:9, “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just
man, and he will increase in learning.” The wise man will utilize such knowledge to change
for the better to please his Lord. A wise man will consider his ways and embrace that which is
of God. Psalms 119:59, “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.”
Knowledge (truth of God’s Word) will be wasted on a fool, he has no desire to change.
Proverbs 23:9, “Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.”
Many reading this book will disregard wisdom in favor of their own way (Pv 27:22). The
wise do not cast their pearls (truths) before a fool (swine) lest he trample them under feet and
turn upon you and cause much distress (Mt 7:6). This is why God sends blindness upon those
who do not seek His ways. Proverbs 10:8, “The wise in heart will receive commandments: but
a prating fool shall fall.” Those who are wise will receive the truth of God’s Word
(particularly as it condemns their flesh) and will change themselves to conform to it. The fool
will not receive the truth of God’s Word, but will rather conform the Word to suit himself
(twist scripture, justify self, compromise). Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his
own eyes (always): but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” The wise will understand the
merit of sacrifice and self denial, but the fool will take the path of least resistance (comfort of
the flesh). The wise are prudent (foresee and avoid evil) and are careful in their way. The fool
seeks his will wherever it will take him. Proverbs 18:2, “A fool hath no delight in
understanding, but that his heart may discover itself (seek his own way).” Proverbs 28:26, “He
that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.” The
wise will examine their heart and know the truth (2 Cor 13:5). Proverbs 14:16, “A wise man
feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” Proverbs 13:20, “He
that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
Proverbs 15:24, “The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.”
This means that the wise will seek God with all his heart and thus go to be with the Lord
throughout eternity (avoids separation to hell). Proverbs 3:35, “The wise shall inherit glory:
but shame shall be the promotion of fools.” Shame is eternal separation into torment of soul.
 
Jesus leads!
 
Jesus came to the earth and forged the way back to God through the wilderness. The path was
laid down through Christ’s totally yielding to the will of the Father through perfect obedience
(Heb 10:7). John 6:38, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will
of him that sent me.” Jesus walked in humbleness as a servant and died to self and the things
of the world (Rm 15:3). Christ spoke the Father’s Words and did the Father’s work (Mk
10:45, Lk 22:7, Jn 3:34, 4:34, 5:17, 19-20, 30, 36, 7:16-17, 8:28-29, 38, 54-55, 9:4, 12:49-
50, 14:31, 17:4-5, Php 2:7-8, 2 Cor 8:9). Jesus withstood all the temptations of the devil by
denying self (dying to the flesh) and surrendering to the will of the Father (Mt 4:1-10). Jesus
was led of the Spirit in the way He should go (Mt 4:1, Lk 4:1). In other words, Jesus came to
the earth as a man and was then led of God back to the Lord through His obedience to God.
Christ did all things perfectly and His life was found acceptable by the Father (Mt 3:17,
12:18, 17:5, Mk 1:11, Lk 3:22). Jesus then laid down His perfect life as recompense for the

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sin of the world so that all men could follow Him. Colossians 1:20, “And, having made peace
through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say,
whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Jesus never transgressed the will of God
and thus had no iniquity or rebellion in Him (Heb 4:15, 1 Pt 2:21-22). Death is the result of
transgression of the will of God (Rm 5:12. 6:23). Therefore, death had no power of Christ
(Rm 6:9). However, Jesus took on the sin of the world and suffered death for all men to bring
reconciliation to the Father (Heb 2:9). Jesus restored that which He took not away (Ps 23:3,
69:4). Jesus was the atonment to make peace with God and allow others to follow Him back
to God (Ps 85:10, Rm 5:1, 11). 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” This
means that we cannot use human faculties (Fleshly senses, ability or reasoning).
 
Let us consider what it means to follow Jesus through Christ’s own analogy (similarity,
likeness, comparision, correlation, equivalence, representation, resemblance, parallel). John
10:2-3, “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter
openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth
them out.” The shepherd is the authority. The shepherd and the sheep have a relationship, for
Christ knows those who are His by name. The sheep respond to the will of the shepherd and
follow. John 10:4, “And when he (Jesus) putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them,
and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” Notice that Christ “goes before” the
sheep and the sheep obediently (submissively, unquestionably) follow as they recognize the
voice of their Master. John 10:5, “And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him:
for they know not the voice of strangers.” The stranger is clearly the devil who beckons the
sheep to transgress the will of the shepherd and submit to his rebellion – to come off the path.
The stranger is as a wolf who calls to the sheep to leave the security of the shepherd. When
the sheep leave the path of the shepherd they are quickly taken by the wolf who comes to kill
and devour (1 Pt 5:8). Christ provided further clarification for those who could not discern.
John 10:7, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of
the sheep.” This statement clearly establishes the authority of Christ. No man enters the
narrow path that leads to eternal life without first passing through the strait gate which is
Jesus (Mt 7:13-14). No one enters that strait gate without sincere repentance and total
surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord. John 10:8-9, “All that ever came before me are thieves and
robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be
saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” The thieves and robbers are anything that
you value in your life more than Christ. This especially includes “self” and seeking “your
way.” This robs you of any life you may otherwise have in Christ. The true sheep will
surrender to Jesus and not seek after those things (of the flesh) that oppose Him. This is why
Jesus said: Luke 9:23, “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” We must deny self (our will) and take up
that cross which represents death to self (Rm 6:6); then we humbly and obediently follow (as
a sheep). Conversely: Luke 14:27, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after
me, cannot be my disciple.” This is stated as plain as it gets. Jesus stated the first great
commandment as loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. This is complete
surrender with no room for self. This is a forsaking of all that is you. Luke 14:33, “So
likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my
disciple.” To hold onto anything of self is to not completely surrender to the lord and thus not
give all your heart, mind, soul and strength. There can be no areas of your life off limits at
anytime. Most people retain areas of their lives that they are not willing to release. A little self
will is the leaven that will corrupt you. When man submits to the Spirit of God, the Holy
Ghost will work to tear down these areas of self to conform you to the will of God. The flesh
will rise up and must be overcome.
 

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Numbers 9:19, “And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the
children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.” When the Lord was not
leading the children of Israel to some new place then they were to be faithful in their prior
direction. God was to always be their life’s priority above all things. When we submit to God,
we will be led as the Lord wills. We are always to remain faithful in those things the Lord has
already revealed to us. We always obey the Lord in our daily lives whether moving forward or
tarrying in one place. If the way seems unclear, we are to be steadfast in our devotion to God
and patiently wait for the Lord to move forward. We just follow! The details and direction are
not for us to be concerned with. Numbers 9:20-23, “And so it was, when the cloud was a few
days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their
tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed. And so it was, when
the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning,
then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they
journeyed. Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the
tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not:
but when it was taken up, they journeyed. At the commandment of the LORD they rested in
the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the
LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.” Now the flesh does not
like that which it cannot control. The flesh wants to know where it is going, when, what its
benefit will be, and what it will encounter along the way. The flesh wants to navigate or
control the course. God denies the flesh through the faith He requires in us. To obey God is to
die to the flesh and be blind to it (2 Cor 5:7). The flesh would never follow God into the
wilderness. The flesh would much rather prefer to stay in Egypt. The fastest way through the
wilderness is complete surrender and obedience to God. The flesh hinders and slows the
journey. The flesh will cause many to linger in the wilderness their whole life such that they
drop before the finish.
 
Complaining
 
Numbers 10:33-34, “And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey: and
the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey, to search
out a resting place for them. And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they
went out of the camp.” The Lord is orchestrating the movement of the people according to His
will. Note that the Lord makes the preparations and the people just obediently follow. The
Lord does not help those who help themselves (self-sufficiency), but rather those who
patiently wait upon and trust in Him. God may require an action on your part (obedience), but
far too often man exherts his self will in presumption of God’s. Numbers 11:1-3, “And when
the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was
kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the
uttermost parts of the camp. And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto
the LORD, the fire was quenched. And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the
fire of the LORD burnt among them.” The Lord always provided for this people (in His
timing and way), yet they were continually rebellious and ungrateful. The people were at best
reluctantly (halfheartedly, grudgingly, unenthusiastically) following the Lord and this was
most certainly not what God desired. God had delivered the people from great bondage and
misery, destroyed their enemies and provided for all their needs. Further, God was leading
them to a wonderful land that was promised their father Abraham (Heb 11:8-10). Abraham
died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and was
persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that he was a stranger and pilgrim on
the earth (Heb 11:13). Now his descendants stood to receive all things. Yet all the people
could think about were themselves with no real love, faith, trust and obedience toward God as

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Abraham had. This was a most rebellious, stiffnecked, hardhearted (callous, unfeeling, hard),
impudent (presumptuous, impertinent, rude, disrespectful), impenitent (unrepentant,
unremorseful, shameless), stubborn (self willed), obstinate, and pertinacious people – they are
sottish (stupid) children. Jeremiah 4:22, “For my people is foolish, they have not known me;
they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do
good they have no knowledge.” They may have been the physical descendants of Abraham,
but they certainly didn’t do the works of Abraham (Jn 8:39). They represented the nature of
man since the fall in Eden. Nothing has changed in man, even today there is absolutely no
difference (religious or not). Numbers 11:4-6, “And the mixt multitude that was among them
fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to
eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons,
and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing
at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.” God had brought about a great deliverance of the
people out of Egypt, yet they continually looked back with regret of having left. Such
unthankfulness and ingratitude (lack of appreciation, Rm 1:21)! They were now embracing
the things of Egypt (rebellion, idolatry, self) and summarily (swiftly, abruptly, immediately)
rejecting the things of God. Consider their attitude toward God’s life giving provision
(manna). Such disdain (reject as unworthy) for God! Their whole focus was on themselves
and not God. This is such a clear example of seeking self over God. This is raising self above
the most High. This is the nature of the devil. Isaiah 14:12-15, “How art thou fallen from
heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst
weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my
throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides
of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet
thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” The devil’s whole focus was on
himself and what he desired. God casts such a one to hell (garbage pit). God was not well
pleased with this people (1 Cor 10:5). The children of Israel were poor in spirit toward the
things of God, desiring rather the things of the flesh. They bemoaned (bewailed, lamented,
mourned) the lusts of the flesh. Jesus said we must do just the opposite to inherit the kingdom
of God. We must be poor in spirit regarding the flesh and mourn our transgressions and sin
toward God. Matthew 5:3-8, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for
they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the
pure in heart: for they shall see God. Similarly Jesus said: Luke 6:20-21, “And he lifted up his
eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed
are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall
laugh.” The people seeking the opposite of what God desired. They desired to be poor toward
the things of God and rich toward the flesh. They cried and hungered to satisfy the flesh.
These rebellious ones wanted to be full and joyful in their flesh aside from God’s provision
and will. Christ said: Luke 6:24-25, “Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe
unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye
have received your consolation.” Jesus also later added: Luke 11:28, “But he said, Yea rather,
blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.”
 
The children of Israel were delighted to follow God as long as the Lord was serving them in
their needs. They were not at all delighted to follow the Lord when He required them to deny
self and be obedient to His direction and leading. Similarly today, man will follow a Jesus
who only requires a quick repeated little prayer and offers unlimited mercy and forgiveness.
However, not many are so willing to follow the true Jesus who requires self denial (Mt 10:39,
16:25, Mk 8:34-35, Lk 9:23-24), forsaking of sin (darkness, Jn 3:19), sacrifice, suffering (Mt

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10:22, 24:9, Lk 21:17, Jn 17:14, 2 Tim 3:12) and reproach (Heb 13:13). These will simply
redefine Jesus into a Lord who allows them to pursue the things of the flesh (lusts). Jesus
says: John 12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my
servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” Christ went the way of the
Spirit and not the flesh. Those who worship Christ in the flesh are not following. Those who
seek their way after the flesh are walking away from God on a broad path that leads to
destruction (Mt 7:13). They may be as religious as they can be, but are still walking away
from God seeking their own. These will often say, “If God will serve me, let Him follow me
and Him will I honor.” If you are comfortable in the flesh, then you are most likely not
following.
 
Numbers 11:10-15, “Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man
in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was
displeased. And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and
wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people
upon me? Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto
me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land
which thou swarest unto their fathers? Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this
people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. I am not able to bear
all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I
pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my
wretchedness.” The cares of the people were a tremendous weight for one man to carry, but
God had provided the strength and ability. Even Moses had his limits when sufficient pressure
came to bear on his flesh. Moses capitulates in a time of weakness (the relentless complaints
and dissatisfaction of the people). Had the burden been less or greater, Moses would still have
required the strength from above. Jesus bore the cares and sins of the people perfectly.
Consider: Matthew 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus takes away our heavy burdens and provides rest for our souls. Jesus took on a
tremendous burden: Isaiah 53:11-12, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be
satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their
iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil
with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with
the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Travail is to labor with pain and severe toil (to exert strength with pain and fatigue of body or
mind for a continuance or duration) – the burden of many troubles. Truly Christ hath
interceeded for many, bearing their burdens and reconciling with God. Many a man followed
Adam away from God in transgression and rebellion (Rm 5:12). Christ offers to many a man
to follow Him back to God in reconciliation, mercy and forgiveness. Romans 5:19, “For as by
one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be
made righteous.” 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be
made alive (also Rm 5:15, 17-18).”
 
Lusting
 
Numbers 11:18-20, “And say thou unto the people, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow,
and ye shall eat flesh: for ye have wept in the ears of the LORD, saying, Who shall give us
flesh to eat? for it was well with us in Egypt: therefore the LORD will give you flesh, and ye
shall eat. Ye shall not eat one day, nor two days, nor five days, neither ten days, nor twenty
days; But even a whole month, until it come out at your nostrils, and it be loathsome unto

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you: because that ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before
him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?” The Lord God gives them their request, but
turns their blessing into a curse. They seek the things of the flesh and God gives it to them
until they are physically sick from it. The people loathed (despised) God, so the Lord will
make the object of their desire equally loathsome. The people considered deliverance from
Egypt to be an opportunity for their flesh. God’s intent was to draw the people to Himself in
faith (love, trust, obedience, surrender, devotion) and then bless them in their obedience
(Promised Land flowing with milk and honey). God places things in correct order before He
renders the blessing. This order has man submitted and obedient to the will of God and thus
God provides for man’s needs. Rebellious man would have God submitted and obedient to
meet his needs with no real submission to God’s authority – man wants to be as a god (Gen
3:5). Numbers 11:21-23, “And Moses said, The people, among whom I am, are six hundred
thousand footmen; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh, that they may eat a whole month.
Shall the flocks and the herds be slain for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea
be gathered together for them, to suffice them? And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the
LORD’S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto
thee or not.” Man must never doubt the ability of the Creator of all things to bring His Word
to pass (Is 45:12, Col 1:16). God has never shown Himself to be unable to perform that which
He has said. Moses tried to reason through his flesh (slaughter cattle, gather fish), and God
will not be limited by the flesh. Ours is just to submit and obey, the Lord will do the providing
– trust and obey for theres no other way. Numbers 11:31-34, “And there went forth a wind
from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a
day’s journey on this side, and as it were a day’s journey on the other side, round about the
camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. And the people stood up all
that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered
least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the
camp. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the
LORD was kindled against the people, and the LORD smote the people with a very great
plague. And he called the name of that place Kibrothhattaavah: because there they buried the
people that lusted.” The people went out and greedily (insatiably, ravenously) hoarded (to lay
up a large quantity) as many quails as they could catch for themselves to fulfill their lusts
(longing desire, eagerness to possess and enjoy). Ten homers translates into ten heaps
(accumulated mass or pile). The Lord was very displeased with their gluttony which led to
surfeiting (to overfeed such as to produce sickness). The people had manna, so the quails were
not so much consumed out of need, but rather wantonness (inability to restrain oneself). The
people took the provision of the Lord and turned it to a great evil. The flesh left to its own
devices will always SELF-destruct. God had said He would provide flesh for a month, but this
unbelieving people considered it to be but for the present. Those who take such great joy in
the lusts of the flesh will surely face the same judgment of death as was visited upon this
people. Restraint, self control and patience are the characteristics of the Spirit, but none of
these were manifested here. The wanton, greedy, and gluttonous were destroyed from among
the people. Psalms 78:26-31, “He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his
power he brought in the south wind. He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered
fowls like as the sand of the sea: And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their
habitations. So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire; They
were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths, The wrath of
God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of
Israel.” The wilderness will separate those seeking the flesh from those seeking God. Some
seek their lusts to the full. These rebels were destroyed from among the people. Similarly,
Jesus is coming back to this earth for the harvest (Rev 14:15). The good fruit (faithful) will be
gathered and the bad destroyed (Mt 13:30, 41-43, 24:31, Mk 13:27, Lk 3:17, Jn 15:8).

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Family Troubles
 
When any sincere and true man of God comes speaking God’s Words (Jn 3:34), his authority
and purpose will be questioned by those who are not willing to receive the message (usually
the religious ones, Jn 13:20). Numbers 12:1-2, “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses
because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian
woman. And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken
also by us? And the LORD heard it.” Moses’ authority was being questioned with the
justification being a presumed personal fault. After all, how could Moses truly represent God
if he is guilty of whatever the “ascribed (sought after) fault” may be? If he is not representing
God, then his message and direction must be wrong. The purpose of this dispute was to exalt
one’s self to gain authority (hath not God spoken through us) and also relegate (demote,
lessen in importance) the position of Moses; and downgrade his message to just another
opinion. The intent was that casting doubt upon Moses’ leadership and authority (Acts 7:35)
would gain the desired position while also redirecting the course or “Way” (direction) in
which things were proceeding. The direction (or message) was from God and was not being
received (embraced to be followed) and this was what was being brought into question.
Throughout the history of the children of Israel God sent prophets with messages that were
constantly questioned and rejected by those who were not willing to receive them. The
messenger’s authority was always questioned and dealt with in an inappropriate manner. The
content of God’s messages were always rejected by self-seeking man. Numbers 12:3, “(Now
the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”
Moses was humble and totally submitted to God. Moses was a true servant both to God and
the people – never Lording over others. Moses had put his very salvation on the line (Ex
32:32) while interceeding for the transgressions of the people. God’s authority is never gained
(usurped, assumed) through exaltation (pride, arrogance, self-seeking), but is
rather given through submission and obedience to God’s will. Moses was faithful in all his
house (Heb 3:2). He did what God required of him and often suffered the rebuke of the people
because of it. There are two types of people. Those who seek the flesh, who always reject the
things of God. These whine and complain and are never satisfied(Num 11:1, 10, 33, 14:37).
The second group are those who seek God through the Spirit (Jn 7:38-39). These are
submitted, make necessary sacrifices and proclaim (and thus live): “Thy will be done.”
Numbers 12:4-8, “And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto
Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.
And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle,
and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If
there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and
will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the
similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against
my servant Moses?” God Himself will set things right when others seek to destroy the
message He has placed in His true servants. God upholds those who are faithful to Him (Is
41:10). Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue
that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants
of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” Notice that Moses’
submission and faithfulness to God gained him relationship and special place with God. God
knew Moses by name (Ex 33:12, 17), and this is intimacy. Moses was allowed to see God’s
simlitude (but not His face). The righteousness (truth of the message) is of God, and not the
man speaking it. The speaker is just submitted to God to do His will – at whatever personal
cost. Those who do not receive God’s messages, surely do not know Him (Jn 13:20).

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Religious men (those seeking God their way, not submitted, fleshly) may question the
authority of a true man of God; they may reject and invalidate the message; they may seek to
gain authority; and they may justify their “own way” as being more true and righteous. One
thing that these men cannot do (in such a rebellious condition) is have that intimate
relationship with God. Their authority is their own and not from God. Their message is their
own and not from God. The “way” they are leading is false and opposite (or away from) God.
Their messages are only validated (authorized, confirmed, endorsed) by the desire of the flesh
and the rebellious nature of man. Their wrongfulness will result in confusion. One thing they
cannot take (make their own) is the truth and authority behind the messenger (that being the
power of God). Moses submitted, obeyed and was led by God. Moses was a servant to all.
God honored such faithfulness through the mighty miracles and workings He wrought
through Moses. God gave Moses his authority. The works that Moses (or any true man of
God) did bore witness that he was sent of God (Jn 5:36, 10:25). Those who are self-seeking
and fleshly will not be able to do such works. Their authority is not in God. Numbers 12:9-11,
“And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud
departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and
Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas,
my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein
we have sinned.” Apparently Miriam was the instigator in transgressing God’s will to seek her
own. Aaron must have followed in her counsel. This is very similar to Adam and Eve (Eve
transgressed and Adam followed). Moses forgave and prayed that the Lord would heal her,
which God did after a period of chastisement (Num 21:13-15). Let us beware what God said
when He later warned once again: Deuteronomy 24:9, “Remember what the LORD thy God
did unto Miriam by the way, after that ye were come forth out of Egypt.” Moses’ position was
a foreshadowing of what Christ would later do perfectly. Hebrews 3:2, “Who was faithful to
him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.” Moses was a leader (Ex
3:10-12, 7:1, Acts 7:35); who bore the iniquities of the people (Deut 9:18-20, 24-25); and was
an intercessor for the people before God (Ex 32:9-14, 31-32, 34:9, Num 11:1-2, 16:20-22,
42:46-47, 21:7, Deut 9:26, 10:10). He was servant, humbled and submitted to God’s direction
(Heb 11:24-29). Deuteronomy 34:10-12, “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like
unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the
LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his
land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight
of all Israel.” God’s leaders will have these same characteristics. They will be humble;
obedient to God’s purposes; always leading others toward God and not away; and will often
suffer reproach for the messages given them by God. Moses was a great prophet (mighty
before God), but even his authority was questioned by rebellious man.
 
God’s messages do not appeal to those seeking the flesh, because they require faith (a denial
and bypassing of the flesh) and sacrifice, through submission and obedience. They require one
to rise above the flesh to perform God’s purposes. God’s messages will destroy the things of
the flesh (self-sufficiency, self-trust, self-seeking, pride, independence) and will leave one
broken before God, and trusting in Him alone. God leads us back under His authority. This is
what Moses leading the children of Israel through the wilderness toward the Promised Land
represented. Those messages that placate (pacify, appease and sooth) the rebellious and sinful
nature of man; those that exalt one to partake of all the world offers (things the flesh desires);
and those that justify the love of such darkness, are surely leading opposite of God and
keeping those who receive them in the rebellion that Christ came deliver from. Those that
seek the flesh (will of man) will wonder in the desert until their carcasses fall by the way (Heb
3:8-12). Jesus later came speaking God’s Words and working God’s works. Christ’s authority
was also questioned by rebellious man and He suffered great reproach. Jesus came to destroy

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the works of the devil (you can sin and not die, Gen 3:3-4, follow self will) and lead us back
to God (1 Jn 3:8). Christ leads us through the wilderness (valley of the shadow of death) to
break our rebellion (self-sufficiency, self-seeking, self-trust, independence, pride) such that we
may enter the Promised Land (eternity, dwelling with God). The wilderness will reveal those
who are seeking self (things of the flesh, their way) and those who are sincerely seeking God.
Jesus leads, will you submit and follow?
 
The Spies
 
Deuteronomy 1:20-22, “And I said unto you, Ye are come unto the mountain of the Amorites,
which the LORD our God doth give unto us. Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land
before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear
not, neither be discouraged. And ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will
send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what
way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.” The Lord had previously stated His
purposes over and over which were to bring Israel to the land of promise (Gen 50:24, Ex 3:8,
17, 6:8, 13:5, 33:1, Deut 1:8). Exodus 23:27, “I will send my fear before thee, and will
destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their
backs unto thee.” Just after Israel had made the golden calf and greatly provoked God, the
Lord had thought to destroy them. Moses intervened and pleaded for the people such that God
would not destroy them. However, the Lord said: Exodus 33:2-3, “And I will send an angel
before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite,
the Hivite, and the Jebusite: Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in
the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.” Israel was
stubborn, obstinate, froward, disobedient, pertinacious, hard-hearted, idolatrous, unthankful,
and self seeking. Moses was extremely concerned that God was not going to be in their midst
during this conquest of the Promised Land. After pleading for the Lord’s forgiveness of the
people, Moses pressed this issue. Exodus 33:12-17, “And Moses said unto the LORD, See,
thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt
send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my
sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way,
that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy
people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said
unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be
known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest
with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face
of the earth. And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken:
for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.” Moses had pleaded with
God to go with them into the Promised Land and the Lord agreed to go. One man standing
faithful before God can make all the difference. There have been periods of time when no
man could be found to make a difference; consider: Ezekiel 22:30, “And I sought for a man
among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that
I should not destroy it: but I found none.” We live at the end of the age in an exceedingly
wicked generation. You could be the one, the only one, that could make the difference for
friends, family and even great multitudes of people. God takes note of the faithful (Job 34:21,
Ps 34:15, Pv 5:21, 15:3). For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him (2 Chr 16:9).
Exodus 34:10-11, “And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do
marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people
among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do
with thee. Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before

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thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the
Jebusite.” Therefore, as God had stated so many times, He would fight Israel’s battles. There
was no reason to fear or doubt, God had demonstrated is power in bringing them out of Egypt,
just as He said He would (through great signs and wonders – judgments, through parting the
Red Sea). Psalms 18:30, “As for God, his way is perfect:the word of the LORD is tried (it has
been proven, demonstrated): he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.” Doubt comes from
a heart of unbelief (Mt 14:31). Hebrews 3:12, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you
an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” To depart from the living God
would be not trusting and obeying Him.
 
Numbers 13:1-2, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may
search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their
fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them (also Deut 1:22).” Moses sent one
man from every tribe of Israel (Ex 13:3-15, Deut 1:23). Of the twelve men were Caleb and
Joshua (Ex 13:6, 8, 16). Numbers 13:17-20, “And Moses sent them to spy out the land of
Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain:
And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or
weak, few or many; And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and
what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; And what the land
is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good
courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.”
The people wanted to send men before them and God allowed it (Deut 1:22). The Lord had a
purpose in allowing this advanced scout. Their report would determine the hearts of the
people. For the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins and establisheth the just (Ps 7:9, Jer
11:20, 17:10, 20:12). This people had murmured, complained, tempted, disobeyed and
provoked the Lord exceedingly in the wilderness. The wilderness was meant to tear down the
flesh (will of man, dependance upon self) and teach reliance upon the Lord God. Would they
be prepared to go forth in faith (trust, obedience)? How would the people react to the
observations of the spies? This is something we must all consider in our lives. Where is your
trust in difficult (or all) situations, in self, man or God? Most will seek self-sufficiency,
ingenuity, capability, resourcefulness, and man’s capabilities until all fails, before turning to
God, whom they suppose is there to serve them in their needs, when required. The flesh must
be torn down such that our life is a continual ongoing daily trust in the Lord for all things.
Numbers 13:21-25, “So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto
Rehob, as men come to Hamath. And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron;
where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were. (Now Hebron was built
seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down
from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff;
and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs. The place was called the brook Eshcol,
because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from thence. And they
returned from searching of the land after forty days.” We can tell from the initial description
that the land is very fruitful just as the Lord had always described. All the more fruitful to
those who have been in the wilderness for some time. The Lord is always true to His promises
and is faithful to that which He covenants with man.
 
The Bad Report
 
Numbers 13:26-29, “And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the
congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought
back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.
And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it

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floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that
dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children
of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the
Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and
by the coast of Jordan (also Deut 1:24-25).” Each one of us has the capacity to effect another
(others) through our actions. We can draw people to the Lord through our faith and
encouragement or we can push them away from God through our unbelief and doubt. We can
seek God fully with our heart and be as a great light to those around us (Mt 5:16) or we can
seek self (our welfare) and become as darkness such that all stumble (Pv 4:19). Your
individual actions will effect another, perhaps a spouse, child, relative, friend, stranger, co-
worker, neighbor, religious person, etc. God shows Himself strong through the faith of those
who seek Him. Abraham’s faith was the reason that over a million people were poised to enter
the Promised Land. The faith of one man created a nation – blessed of God (Heb 11:8-10, 17-
19). The faith of Moses had brought the children of Israel out of the bondage of Egypt (Heb
11:24-29). You must be that one person of faith because it may mean the difference for the
weaker ones around you. Your actions could steer a person into a whole different direction in
life and life eternal. Generally, there will be many voices of support for a wrong course of
action. Few if any will be that wise voice of reason that speaks the truth and stands against the
crowd (popular opinion). Why? Because the truth will deny and convict the flesh what it
wants to do and the one speaking the truth will become a reproach to the ones around him.
Suppose, as an example, someone had just announced plans to get married (for the third time).
The family members and friends (and later religious clergy) will most likely be offering
support and encouragement. How do you think the one that tells the couple that they will be
committing adultery will be received (Jesus said it: Mk 10:11-12, Lk 16:18)? They will be a
great reproach yet will also have showed the most love and concern. Most will coddle and
appease others in their darkness (justify the wicked) rather than speak the truth and bear the
reproach. True love is sacrifice for another (even of self, reputation, popularity). Most likely
you will get lots of religious advice on not being too extreme or fanatical in your love of God;
or not to take things to literally (scriptures); or to just accept things the way they are (known
wickedness or error); everybody’s doing it; or don’t isolate yourself. Few will support you
(and walk along side) in laying your complete life down for the Lord. That would require one
to come into the “light” of Christ and few are willing (in a true meaningful sense, as applied
and lived). John 3:20-21, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the
light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his
deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” The report from the men that
searched out the land acknowledged the truth (validated) of what God had said – the land
flowed with milk and honey (Ex 3:8, 17, 13:5, 33:3, Lev 20:24, Deut 1:25, 11:19). However,
there was a negative report; the people of the land were strong, there were walled cities and
giants in the land. This perspective was from a heart of unbelief. This view sees things as they
are rather than how God deems they shall be. Numbers 13:30, “And Caleb stilled the people
before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome
it.” Notice Caleb’s faith and confidence intended to draw the people from considering
(pondering) the bad report whose fruit is unbelief and disobedience (leading to transgression
of God’s will). Jeremiah 17:7, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope
the LORD is.” Numbers 13:31-33, “But the men that went up with him said, We be not able
to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report
of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through
which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the
people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of
Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we
were in their sight.” These men are pushing the people away from God through their hearts of

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unbelief. They looked at the circumstances with fleshly logic and human reasoning with no
trust in God’s intervention. Faith prevails where the flesh capitulates (gives up, surrenders)
because faith mixes with the power (purposes) of God. Faith must reach beyond self and
situation in keeping with God’s will. As you walk through the wilderness on the narrow path
that leads to God there will always be strong people, walled cities and giants in the way.
Psalms 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of
them all.” These must be overcome through the power of God as you trust in the Lord and
walk by following Christ in faith. We surrender to God and reach beyond our own ability
through trust and obedience to God’s Word. The Lord then honors His Word and receives
glory through our belief.
 
Numbers 14:1-4, “And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people
wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron:
and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt!
or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto
this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not
better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let
us return into Egypt (also Neh 9:17).” This incident is just as grave or serious as when the
people had made the golden calf. This reveals a complete confidence in what the flesh has
determined, a total lack of faith toward God, and an unwillingness and refusal of the Lord’s
promises. They had rather have died than to trust in God. They had rather return to their
bondages than to trust in God. When the author wrote the first book, “Jesus said, Come
Follow Me,” one of the feedbacks he received (more than once) was that it is impossible to
live such a life as described in the book (taken from scripture). In other words, there are
strong people, walled cities and giants in the path – it cannot be done. The path is too narrow
and leads through a harsh (to the flesh) and terrible wilderness. This reasoning comes from a
heart of unbelief as determined through eyes set on the flesh and an unwilling heart – more
confidence in the flesh than in God. This denies the ability of God working in you through
faith to do the impossible – to reach beyond what the flesh can comprehend. Is the LORD’S
hand waxed short (Num 11:23)? This is a rejection of the essence of what faith is – trust in
God beyond SELF. God only requires that we “follow” Him in faith. Faith is a surrendered
heart of love, trust, obedience and humbleness toward God. The Lord also tells us to live one
day at a time and not to try and grasp the future – for it is not guaranteed (Js 4:13-15).
Matthew 6:34, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought
for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” We only have to submit to
and trust in God for the day at hand. Just be obedient to God’s Word for the day at hand and
the Lord will take care of the rest. Step out in sincere faith and see if these things be not so.
You must realize that in your life, you are either going forward in faith through the wilderness
and tearing down all the “high places” of the flesh along the way or you are going backward
in “unbelief” to Egypt. You will find that very few people will truly encourage you to seek
God wholly with a complete (perfect) heart and totally live for Him (talking about religious
people). Most people will try and hinder you or pull you back. They will want you to join
their complacent lukewarm lifestyle that has ceased to grieve over the evil and wickedness all
around them – accepting and content in their own frowardness (disobedience, peevishness,
reluctance to yield); and unmindful, ignorant and oblivious in their approach to error. What
do the scriptures say? 1 Peter 1:14-16, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves
according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be
ye holy in all manner of conversation (the way you live every day); Because it is written, Be
ye holy; for I am holy.” God is sure to confound the flesh and receive glory in it. When you
are following the Lord (i.e. cloudy pillar), cannot He part the sea, pull down the walls or drive
out the enemies or place them in the depths of the sea? The key is that you are following in

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God’s path and not your own. God’s path is not understood by the flesh, but rather through
His Word, the Spirit, and daily submission (application). It all starts with willingness of heart
and belief such as Caleb counseled (Num 13:30). Now consider the confusion that unbelief
brings: It would have been easier to have gone forward in God’s will than to go backward in
their own will. Had the children of Israel turned back to Egypt (the more difficult path at
hand), God would not have gone before them in a pillar of cloud to lead; God would not have
provided water from rocks; God would not have provided manna or quail; God would not
have cured their serpent bites; and God would not have again parted the Red Sea. They would
have perished outside of God’s will rather than be victorious in God’s favor. The flesh would
rather die in its own means (path, way, will) than reliquish its will to God and give Him glory.
Many would rather die in harsh or addictive bondages (lasciviousness, cigarettes, drugs,
alcohol, sensuality, violent behavior, etc.) than confront those strong obstacles or high walls
before them - in faith. The devil promised life in seeking self (ye shall not surely die, Gen
3:4), but continually delivers death. God promises life to those who will “follow” and Jesus
came to give (deliver) it more abundantly (Jn 10:10). Let us consider the longsuffering of
God toward us that we not perish. Jesus revealed God’s heart of love: Luke 15:4, “What man
of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in
the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?” Perhaps that lost sheep is
heading back to Egypt? God will reach out in love (and has through Christ), but will not force
your will. Consider the attitude of the children of Israel: Deuteronomy 1:27, “And ye
murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of
the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.” - To fall by the
sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey (Num 14:3) – Let us return to Egypt
(Num 14:4). This is a prime characteristic of fallen and rebellious man – to judge the Lord
God Almighty (unfairly, I might add). After all the righteous works that God had done for the
benefit of the children of Israel, they judged the Lord’s intentions as wicked and evil. This is
the nature of the devil. In Eden, the devil told Eve: Genesis 3:4-5, “And the serpent said unto
the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then
your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” The devil told
Eve that the righteous loving God that she knew, really had ulterior and wicked motives
behind His command. That God had lied to her and was restricting (witholding from) her from
gaining her full potential to be as a god (determine her own way). This is the nature that fallen
man now has. Man always judges God as being unfair or responsible when things do not go
his way. Man’s judgment against God is “blasphemy.” Rather than submit, obey and trust in
God, man always shakes his fist, demands and accuses the Lord. Often the situations man
finds himself in are the result of his own wicked actions (reaping what was sown). Rather
than go forward in faith, man wants to retreat to the wickedness he once forsook. This is a
great indicator of the heart. When troubles come or difficulties arise, where do you run – to
God or to the flesh? Where your confidence and faith is found is revealed in your actions.
Many who face problems in their lives will lash out at God when things are not done in their
way and timing. These will find comfort in the flesh such as alcohol, cigarettes, food, drugs or
sensual things. This only compounds their troubles and hardens their heart all the more toward
God. The Lord will deliver His people, but not those whose faith and trust is found in the
flesh. To rely on the flesh is to follow it to its natural conclusion which is death. All flesh will
die! To judge God comes from a froward heart of unbelief. Romans 9:20, “Nay but, O man,
who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why
hast thou made me thus?” The attitude of faith that we must have is: Deuteronomy 1:29-31,
“Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them (Amorites, obstacle, enemy). The
LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did
for you in Egypt before your eyes; And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the
LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye

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came into this place.” The children of Israel never counted or considered their blessings only
their unfulfilled fleshly desires and “fallen” instincts. Woe to the unbelieving!
 
Numbers 14:5-9, “Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the
congregation of the children of Israel. And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of
Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto
all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search
it, is an exceeding good land. If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land,
and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the
LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is
departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” What a difference in attitude
toward God! This is what all things ultimately come down to – those who have a heart of
belief toward God and those who do not. Your heart is revealed (demonstrated) through your
actions in such situations. Moses, Aaron, Caleb and Joshua believed God’s Word (and His
ability to perform that Word) and were willing to go forward, putting their life on the line -
faith. They understood God’s purposes and wanted to be a part of them. Psalms 47:2-3, “For
the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the
people under us, and the nations under our feet.” What we must take to heart is that: “The
Lord is with us – fear not.” They cautioned the people not to rebel, which is to refuse God’s
purposes and be disobedient to the Lord’s will. Deuteronomy 1:25-26, “And they took of the
fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and
said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us. Notwithstanding ye would not
go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God.” A froward heart
refuses to do that which is required of God. The basis for this refusal is confidence in the flesh
– what it is saying (higher regard for human reasoning than God’s will). Numbers 14:10,
“But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared
in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.” Rather than submit to
God’s will, the people sought their will in this matter – their path (which was fear, confusion,
frowardness, sentiment, and disobedience). Numbers 14:11-16, “And the LORD said unto
Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me,
for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and
disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they. And Moses
said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in
thy might from among them;) And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have
heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that
thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a
cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then
the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, Because the LORD was not
able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them
in the wilderness.” God is never pleased with those who have hearts of unbelief and are
unwilling to follow. This people had demonstrated man’s fallen nature over and over since the
onset. They cried for deliverance while in bondage in Egypt and the Lord hearkened unto the
cry and delivered them. Once delivered they did nothing but complain and look back to their
bondage. The flesh gravitates (descends) to the familiar (which opposes God’s purposes).
Now they wanted to return to their bondage. Psalms 106:24-26, “Yea, theydespised the
pleasant land, they believed not his word: But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not
unto the voice of the LORD. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them
in the wilderness.” God had been only faithful toward this people and has performed
incredible, miracles, signs and wonders in their presence. Through all of this the people are
disobedient, unthankful and unwilling toward God’s will. God would be more than justified in
destroying them. Again, Moses (a true leader) refuses selfish benefit (a test: I will make thee

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a great nation) and pleads for the people and stands up for God’s honor as an intercessor
between God and Israel (man). The people had thought to stone Moses, but he shows
forbearance under injuries in reponding with love (sacrifice of self) and pleading for God’s
forgiveness of all. Numbers 14:17-18, “And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord be
great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, The LORD is longsuffering, and of great
mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the
iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. Pardon, I
beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as
thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. And the LORD said, I have
pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the
glory of the LORD.” God is faithful to forgive the sincere and contrite heart (i.e. Ps 51:1-4,
17), but will by no means clear the guilty (unrepentant, froward). Moses’ faith, righteousness
and intercession made all the difference. Such love! – and what a forshadowing of Christ.
Psalms 106:23, “Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen
stood before him in the breach (man’s violation of the covenant, non-fulfillment of
agreement), to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.” God pardons, but puts a
separation between the guilty and the innocent (discussed below). It would be a grave mistake
to think God overlooks willfull continued transgression. Moses was a foreshadowing of Christ
in that he prayed for those who despitefully used him (Mt 5:44, Lk 6:28). The people had
murmured against Moses and even thought to stone him, yet Moses always looked after their
best interest. Christ not only prayed for His enemies, but laid His life down for them (Father
forgive them, for they know not what they do, Lk 23:34). Consider: Psalms 69:4, “They that
hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me,
being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.” Jesus
restored “peace” between God and man which was definitely in man’s best interest (Rm 5:1,
Eph 2:14-15, Col 1:20, Heb 2:17). Moses and Jesus were both peacemakers (between God
and man). Jesus had spoken of such in the Sermon on the Mount (Beattitudes). Matthew 5:9,
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” The Lord also
noted in the above scripture, that the earth will be filled with His glory. God will receive His
due glory: Psalms 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the
heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Israel was suppose to show forth God’s glory to all the
earth. Thus far, they have only reflected man’s fallen nature. God was looking for the faithful
remnant and so it is with the whole as a whole – these shall inherit all things (Pv 5:21).
Proverbs 2:22, “But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be
rooted out of it.”
 
Consequences
 
Numbers 14:22-25, “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles,
which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and
have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their
fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he
had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land
whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites
dwelt in the valley.) To morrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the
Red sea.” Consider the strong message here: the rebellious and unbelieving will not enter into
God’s promises, but the obedient and faithful will. The faithful may suffer for a time due to
the actions of the wicked, but will prevail in the end. Caleb “followed” God’s will (was
faithful) and was blessed – he will enter into the joy of the Lord (Mt 25:21, 23). The others
refused God’s promises and did not follow God’s will, were unbelieving (and thus ungodly)
and they were cursed. Similarly, those who “follow” Christ will receive God’s promises.

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Revelation 21:7, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he
shall be my son.” We overcome the flesh and our unbelief in the wilderness on our journey to
God’s promises (i.e. the Promised Land). Those who refuse God’s purposes (plan, way, path)
will be damned – eternally (Ps 34:16). Psalms 1:4-6, “The ungodly are not so: but are like the
chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor
sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous:
but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Israel had tempted God ten times – they had been
self centered, murmured, complained, disobeyed, been unthankful, idolatrous, lusted, and had
hearts full of unbelief (Ps 78:8, 17-19, 22, 29-33, 36-37, 42-43, 56-57, 81:11-12). These are
not meek and God turns them away from His promises (a great land of blessing) and sends
them back into the wilderness (Ps 147:6, 149:4). The meek will inherit the land, for they are
those who are submitted to God’s will and are not proud, self-sufficient or refractory
(obstinate in non-compliance), not peevish (fretful, apt to mutter and criticize/protest/whine,
hard to please) and apt to complain of divine dispensations (the dealing of God with His
creatures). The Lord takes pleasure in them that fear Him (have faith) and hope in His mercy
(Ps 147:11, Heb 10:38). Numbers 14:26-32, “And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto
Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I
have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto
them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to
you:Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according
to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,
Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell
therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. But your little ones,
which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye
have despised. But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.” The wicked
can always expect to receive the fruit of their doings, to reap what they sow, to receive their
just deserts, be holden with the cords of his own sins, and to be condemned by their own
words (Pv 1:31, 5:22, Pv 11:6, 12:13, Job 4:8, Jer 17:10, 21:14, 32:19, Gal 6:7-8). This stiff
necked people reacted to the spies report by saying, “would God we had died in this
wilderness.” God says, “So be it!” They had freely chosen death over life. Psalms 119:137,
“Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.” This people despised
(abhorred, contemned, loathed) the pleasant land and asked for death – So be it! The Lord is
righteous in all His judgments (ways), and holy in all His works (Ps 119:137, 145:17). Their
children will obtain that which they have rejected. Caleb and Joshua will enter into the
Promised Land because they trusted in God and were of a different heart (Deut 1:34-36, 38).
God calls them out by name – the Lord knoweth who are His (2 Tim 2:19). God preserveth
the souls of His saints that love Him (Ps 97:10, 145:20). These two men were of a very small
minority of the whole (a remnant)  - and so it always is. This is a very important point to
consider. There were over six hundred thousand men alone (from twenty years old and
upward, Num 2:32). They all died in the wilderness (Num 26:65). Only two men of this
number were allowed to enter into the Promised Land by nature of their faith and heart toward
God. Men always look at numbers and side with the majority point of view. God looks at
hearts and devotion to Him and this has always (biblically) been a minority. Consider Noah
and the world before the flood. How many men perished and how many were saved?
Consider these things when you feel all alone in standing for righteousness in an evil world.
When Joshua does lead the people into the Promised Land some forty years later, consider
what this wicked people turned down that the Lord offers Joshua (and Caleb) who trusted in
His purposes: “I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (Josh 1:5).” – “I will
be with thee withersoever thou goest (Josh 1:9).” God judged the wicked by their own words.
Consider what Christ told the servant who was unfaithful in his duties to the Lord: Luke
19:20-22, “And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid

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up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou
layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine
own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man,
taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow.” Knowing what was required
but not doing it is being of a froward heart. What was his fate? Matthew 25:30, “And cast ye
the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Most people will always follow the crowd (everybody’s doing it), for it is assumed there is
“correctness” in numbers, yet the crowd is always going opposite of God. There is no
reproach (in standing up for Christ), denial (of self) or sacrifices (of self) in their
compromises. The crowd is on a very broad comfortable path that leadeth to destruction (Mt
7:13). They are doing what comes so naturally and easily to fallen man and that is seeking the
will of the flesh – their own way. They just naturally presume that God endorses “their” way.
Those sincerely seeking God must die to their flesh and then travel that path that has those
obstacles that test and challenge their faith - strong people, walled cities, and giants. Few
travel this narrow way due to the hazards to the flesh – self will dies (Mt 7:14). Many may
seek to enter in, but will not be able (Lk 13:23-24). Many are called, but few are chosen (Mt
22:14). One’s true nature manifests itself during the difficulties. God is selecting the faithful
(meek, poor in spirit, pure in heart, obedient, surrendered, trusting, patient, peacemakers,
contrite, loving) to go forward (on into eternity with Him). Consider the condemnation for the
unbelief Israel displayed: Psalms 95:8-11, “Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and
as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and
saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that
do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that
they should not enter into my rest.” Numbers 14:33-38, “And your children shall wander in
the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the
wilderness. After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each
day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of
promise. I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are
gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall
die. And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the
congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land, Even those men
that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD. But
Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to
search the land, lived still.” In scripture, forty is the number for bearing iniquity. Recall that
Moses spent forty days and nights on the mount without food and water bearing the iniquities
of the people (Deut 9:18, 25, 10:10). Through the actions of some, a whole generation had to
suffer. Our actions truly do impact the others around us. Your pride, unbelief, stubborness and
frowardness will absolutely affect your own children. You will wander in the wilderness of
this life never coming to the understanding of faith as long as you seek your own way. You
may also resign those around you to do the same through your example of error. The
righteous will also suffer for a time due to the actions of the disobedient and wicked.
However, the two righteous men (out of over a million) and the innocent (i.e. children)
prevailed in the end. Moses later said: Deuteronomy 1:26-27, “Notwithstanding ye would not
go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God: And ye murmured in
your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of
Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.” This rebellion harkens back
to man’s violation of God’s original commandment in Eden not to eat the fruit of the
knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:17, 3:6, 12-13). The Lord says an interesting thing
concerning this matter: Deuteronomy 1:39, “Moreover your little ones, which ye said should
be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they
shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.” Their children had

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no knowledge of good and evil in this matter and were absolved (pardoned, forgiven,
acquitted) from guilt. God makes a point of distinction and separation for the innocent and
righteous. The wicked will wander in the wilderness (in their own way) until they are
consumed in their own iniquity – God gave them over to their own lust: and they walked in
their own counsels. (Ps 81:12). Psalms 107:40, “He poureth contempt upon princes, and
causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.” Apart from God there is no
way, just paths of confusion that end in death (Pv 8:36, 11:19). The Lord is not pleased with
this “evil” congregation and the men who gave the bad report (incited the unbelief) died
immediately. This is a lesson to us all and the wise will take heed. All of this people had an
identification with the Lord and had been in the midst of great wonders. This was not
sufficient in and of itself. You cannot just “profess God” or make “profession” of Christ.
There must be substance (real and tangible evidence) to your claim. Your actions or deeds
(faith, lifestyle) must back up your profession. You cannot be actively serving the Lord today
and then inactive tomorrow. Faith is consistent, enduring and unchanging. The Lord referred
to their “whoredoms.” Whoredom would be defined as stating love and trust in one (all that
thou hast said, we will do, Ex 19:8, 24:3, 7, Deut 5:27 – a covenant) while having eyes for
and loyalty to another (self, lust, world, etc.). They breached (failure to serve the terms of an
agreement, violation, infraction) the solemn promise of the covenant.
 
God later fulfilled His Word concerning this generation men who had seen such incredible
miracles and heard the Lord speak, yet were so full of unbelief. As the children of Israel were
poised to again enter into the Promised Land, some forty years later, the Lord said: Numbers
26:64-65, “But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest
numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For the
LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man
of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun (also Num 32:11-12).”
These wicked men had been delivered from Egypt by the strong arm of the Lord with great
signs and wonders. They were led through the parting of the Red Sea and witnessed Pharaoh
and his host perish therein. They were fed with manna and given water from a rock. They
witnessed God’s very presence and heard His voice at mount Horeb. Through all of this they
were still rebellious toward God and would not walk in His ways. Numbers 32:13, “And the
LORD’S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty
years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.”
AND Deuteronomy 2:14-16, “And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we
were come over the brook Zered, was thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the
men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them. For indeed
the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they
were consumed. So it came to pass, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from
among the people (also Josh 5:6).” There is no doubt if similar events happened today, the
results would be much the same. The book of Revelation reveals that in the coming Great
Tribulation, in the midst of God’s signs, wonders and judgments that men will not repent, but
rather lash out at God in blasphemy - man’s judgment (Rev 9:20-21, 16:9, 11).
 
They Shall Not Enter Into My Rest
 
They provoked, tempted and proved God (Heb 3:8-9). Thus God said of them: Hebrews 3:10-
12, “Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart;
and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the
living God.” They departed (forsook) God and transgressed His will (Heb 3:12, Pv 8:36).
Isaiah 63:10, “But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their

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enemy, and he fought against them.” You must never quench or grieve the Spirit (by whom
you are sealed, 2 Cor 1:22, Eph 1:13, 1 Jn 3:24) – there is no salvation apart from the Spirit
(Thess 5:19, Eph 4:30). To vex is to irritate and make angry through many “little”
provocations (the day to day things). A hardened evil heart develops through the deceitfulness
of sin and is a lack of confidence in God - seeking your way over God(Heb 3:13). Hebrews
3:16-19, “For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt
by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned,
whose carcases fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into
his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of
unbelief.” The Promised Land could only be entered through faith. The children of Israel had
God’s Word, but they did not mix the Word with faith (Heb 4:2). The Lord equates entering
into His rest with entering into the Promised Land (Heb 3:8-11). God further equates the
Sabbath with entering into His rest. God rested from His works on the seventh day (Heb 4:4).
Hebrews 4:10, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hathceased from his own works, as
God did from his.” Now pulling all this together we can determine that through our faith, we
enter into God’s rest. We no longer seek our will (own works), but surrender to God’s will
(His rest, submission to His provision). The unbelieving cannot enter into this rest, for they
seek their own will (works, provision). They are turned back into the wilderness where their
carcases drop in the toil and misery of seeking their own way (Pv 8:36). God states: “the
works were finished from the foundation of the world (Heb 4:3).” Upon completion of
creation, God placed man in a garden (Eden) where the Lord provided everything necessary.
Man was submitted and obedient to God. God rested from creation and man rested in God’s
labors. When Israel finally did enter into the Promised Land through faith, God again
provided for everything. God gave them cities, houses, possessions, olive and fruit trees and
vineyards that they did not labor for. Deuteronomy 6:10-13, “And it shall be, when the LORD
thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to
Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, And houses
full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not,
vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;
Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt,
from the house of bondage. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt
swear by his name.” God went before them and drove out the wicked (destroyed) of the land
and Israel inherited all things. This is a picture of the righteous inheriting the earth after the
wicked have been destroyed (Is 60:21, 2 Pt 3:13). Psalms 37:9, “For evildoers shall be cut
off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.” AND Psalms 37:34,
“Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the
wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” AND Proverbs 10:30, “The righteous shall never be
removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.” Therefore, we cease from our own will
(way, path), then obediently surrender to God’s authority (the Lord’s will) and God provides
for our welfare. Faith will gain you entrance into the Promised Land and thus God’s rest. This
is a picture of restoration from man’s fall in Eden. Originally, man loved and obeyed God in
faith and God provided for all of man’s needs. Man fell by transgressing God’s will to seek
his own desires. So, when we die to our will and seek God’s will in faith, God again provides
for those who are His. The righteous and meek shall inherit the earth and dwell in peace (Ps
37:11, 29). Revelation 21:7, “He that overcometh (by faith) shall inherit all things; and I will
be his God, and he shall be my son.”
 
Numbers 14:39-43, “And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of Israel: and the
people mourned greatly. And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top
of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath
promised: for we have sinned. And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the

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commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper. Go not up, for the LORD is not among
you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies. For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are
there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD,
therefore the LORD will not be with you.” The people didn’t have faith and trust in God and
this had been revealed through their actions. Upon hearing the penalty of their unbelief, they
are now very willing to do what is required. The central problem here is that the people didn’t
want to obey because they had a heart of belief and trust in God; they only wanted to obey
such as not to suffer the consequence of the disobedience (2 Cor 7:10). Their whole
motivation was wrong! Their sorrow was self-centered and not God-centered. Similarly, many
today are motivated into some form of godliness due to a fear of the known consequence of
unbelief; that being eternity in the lake of fire – the second death (Rev 20:14-15). God is not
looking for those who have a fear of hell. The Lord is looking for those who seek Him with a
whole heart of faith (love, trust, obedience, submission). If you have a true sincere heart for
God, it will compel you to willingly conform to God’s will in seeking righteousness and
holiness in all areas of your life – this “new man” will change considerably (Eph 4:24). This
godliness will become your new nature. If you seek God for any other reason (always self
motivated), then this will not be the case. Looking around at all the wickedness that prevails
in this very religious society (church buildings abound), one can only determine that many
religious hearts are not necessarily devoted hearts to the Lord. The next consideration is that
God is very longsuffering and merciful, but there does come a point when you have gone to
far (with your hardened heart). Esau was rejected for unbelief and found no place for
repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears (Heb 12:16-17). One day time will run out
for any further hope of reconciliation: Revelation 10:6, “And sware by him that liveth for ever
and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that
therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer.”
Many will stand before God one day willing to do anything to make amends (having
disregarded God’s way and then seeking theirs), but the time of grace and mercy will have
passed for them. Today is the day of salvation, but every day the selfish heart grows harder.
This double-minded people (unstable in all their ways, Js 1:8) feared to possess the land
when God was on their side, now they presume to take it in the Lord’s absence, in their own
strength. God told them to go and they would not. God tells them to forbear and now they go.
This is the heart of rebellious man – always opposite of God (like their father the devil). They
were unwilling to yield to God’s direction, but want God to yield to theirs. Rebellious man
always thinks his way is best (in religion or anything else). Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way
which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Numbers 14:44-
45, “But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the
LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp. Then the Amalekites came down, and the
Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto
Hormah.” They disobeyed God in not going, and then they disobeyed God in going –
transgression against the will of God always brings death (in Eden and any other time), thou
shalt surely die (Gen 2:17, Ez 33:14). The will of man also always ends in death. The spies
that brought back the evil report and challenged God’s will died before God of the plague –
except Joshua and Caleb (Num 14:37). The whole congregation disobeyed God and would not
enter into the Promised Land (unbelief) and now their carcases will die in the desert (as per
their own words, Num 14:25-35). God told the congregation to turn and go back into the
wilderness, but those who disobeted and presumed to enter into the Promised Land were
killed by the Amalekites and Canaanites. Disobedience to God will always brings death! The
devil said, “thou shall not surely die (Gen 3:4),” yet over and over this has been proven a lie.
This was the beginning of the dropping of carcases from twenty years old and upward. One
day God’s people will look upon the carcases of those transgressors (from all ages) where

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their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring
unto all flesh (Is 66:24, Mk 9:44, 46, 48).
 
Fringes
 
Numbers 15:38-41, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them
fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon
the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may
look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye
seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye
may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.  I am the LORD
your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your
God.” God was using the fringes as symbology, which is a representation of any moral thing
by the image or property of a natural thing. The fringes would be constant reminders to obey
God and walk worthily (righteously) before Him. To be brought out of Egypt means that you
have forsaken the wickedness and bondages that once guided your actions – you have left
(died to) these things. The fact that God is now your Lord means that you are now living
under His authority and rule. God used various methods to instill His will (principles,
commands, purposes) into the hearts of the children of Israel. We discussed the Passover
celebration in Chapter Two. Various symbology was used here (for future witness, pointing to
Christ, confirmation) to represent forsaking the world/Egypt (eat with loins girded, your
shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste, Ex 12:11) and
sin/bondage (bitter herbs, Ex 12:8) with sincerity of heart (unleavened bread, Ex 12:8);
Christ’s perfect life and sacrifice (unblemished male lamb, also unleavened bread, Ex 12:5, 8,
Deut 16:3); having been filled with the Spirit and tested and tried (roasted in fire, Ex 12:8-9);
forgiveness through Christ and His covenant (blood, Ex 12:7, 13); Christ’s death and sealed
testament (kill the lamb, put blood on lintel and two side posts of door, Ex 12:21-22);
forgiveness of sins/eternal life (destroying angel sees blood and passes over, Ex 12:23). God
also used symbology through feasts (celebrations, Ex 12:1-14, 17, 23:14-16, Lev 23:6, 34,
39-44), foods (manna, bitter herbs, lamb, water), songs (Ex Chap 15, Deut 31:19, 30, Chap
32), clothing (priest’s clothing, Ex Chap 28, fringes on garments), stories (the Lord’s
deliverance from Egypt, Deut 6:20-25) the tabernacle (and all its instruments, colors,
materials, layout); and setting up of stones (Josh 4:5-9). The songs they sang spoke of God’s
greatness, glorious works and mighty deliverance; the peoples rebellion, idolatry and spiritual
harlotry; the Lord’s righteous and just judgment; and salvation. The words of the songs were
for a purpose: Deuteronomy 31:19-21, “Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it
the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the
children of Israel. For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their
fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and
waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my
covenant. And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this
song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of
their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought
them into the land which I sware.” The purpose of all the memorials (that which preserves the
memory of something, a hint to assist the memory) and symbology was to reveal the rebellious
nature of man; God’s longsuffering, mercy and forgiveness; The Lord’s righteous judgment
upon wickedness and evil; and God’s plan of reconciliation and eternal life through Christ.
God also gave them the law to teach their sons and their son’s sons (Deut 4:9). This law was
to be written in stone as they entered the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 27:2-4, “And it shall
be on the day when ye shall pass over Jordan unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth
thee, that thou shalt set thee up great stones, and plaister them with plaister: And thou shalt

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write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in
unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey;
as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee. Therefore it shall be when ye be gone
over Jordan, that ye shall set up these stones, which I command you this day, in mount Ebal,
and thou shalt plaister them with plaister.”
 
Christ (Mass)
 
Rebellious man has also used such memorials and symbology in a religious context, that is
attributed to God, but for the benefit of the flesh. Those things done of man for God through
the flesh will always detract (take away) from God’s glory no matter how noble the original
or observed intent. This is why man must be submitted and led of the Holy Spirit. Man always
interjects his opinion and sentiment (things fleshly which tend to be foremost) in his religious
endeavors and sees no wrong in it. Man has always been strongly attracted to fleshly things
and has always been very rebellious to spiritual things that deny the flesh (proven over and
over in scripture and observance). This is why God requires that we follow (obey) Him
(god’s direction. leading, working). Man will always choose a wrong course that is based
upon his desire. We are not to try and take the lead or make the decisions. What would have
been the result if Moses had changed the pattern given by God for the tabernacle and its
instruments? Exodus 25:9, “According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the
tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” Exodus
25:40, “And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the
mount.” Perhaps an item or two could have been improved upon? No matter how one justifies
his actions, refusal to obey God’s direction (as given) is transgression against God’s will.
Deuteronomy 4:2, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye
diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.” AND Deuteronomy 12:32, “What thing soever I command you, observe to do
it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” So, what is the result when man takes the
initiative and devises his own celebratory feast for God (adds to God’s observances)? The
answer can be found in the observance of Christ-mass. What has come to be known as
Christmas started as a Romish (Catholic) mass celebrating the birth of Christ. The date
selected was the time of an established pagan feast that was adapted and “Christianized” and
fallaciously (inacurately, erroneously, doubtfully, untrustworthily) assigned as the date of
Christ’s birth to appease and lure converts into the religious organization. Jeroboam devised
such a date and feast out of his own heart to control the people (1 Kg 12:26-33). 1 Kings
12:33, “So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the
eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast
unto the children of Israel: and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense.” This event was
completely determined and authorized (instituted) by man and is nothing more than a tradition
or requirement of man. Nowhere in the Bible are followers of Christ directed to celebrate His
birthday nor how. Nowhere in the Bible is Christ’s birth date given. We must understand that
Jesus’ existence is eternal and cannot be relegated by dates of man (Jn 1:1-3, Col 1:16-17).
Jesus came (as a man – flesh and blood) denying His own will and only seeking that of the
Father. Christ never exalted self, but rather died to self (the flesh). The observance of a godly
birthday is flawed and is uncharacteristic of the nature of Christ (as He walked) and is
dishonoring. The concept of a birthday looks at Jesus as a fleshly man given-in to the desire
of the flesh rather than an exalted Lord who overcame the flesh to reconcile all to God
through faith (which is opposite of the flesh). No doubt, Christ is now greatly exalted and
victorious above all and is due worship, honor and praise. However, as a man, the Lord set the
example of perfect obedience and submission to God and denial and death to the things of the
flesh. The greatest understanding of this matter we could have is that it was not authorized by

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Christ, who is the head of the church (Eph 1:22, 4:15, 5:23, Col 1:18, 2:10) – the One whom
we must follow. Christmas is a commandment of man (stop celebrating and see) and we are
told not to add to God’s Words/commands (Deut 4:2). Let us consider that the Christmas that
is now celebrated goes far beyond the observance of Jesus’ birth. Through the centuries
paganism from all over the world has been interjected by man into this unauthorized
celebration. This is a very worldly celebration that almost anyone feels comfortable
participating in (fleshly). In other words, there is no condemnation or conviction of the flesh,
but rather an exaltation. To feed the flesh is to deny the Spirit (Gal 5:17, Rm 8:8).
 

Santa
 
One of the things that has become most synonymous with Christmas is Santa Claus. This
image is such a part of Christmas that it really cannot be separated from it. Santa is a false god
that is sustained by “lies” and is a god of lusts – selfish want and desire. Take the name Santa
and rearrange the letters and form Satan (mixing up things as witchcraft often does,
intentional confusion). This is no coincidence because Satan is the father of all lies (Jn 8:44),
including “The Lie” in Eden which persuaded (appealed to) man to seek the flesh (his lusts
and desires) over God’s command. Isn’t it interesting that man’s relationship with Santa
Claus is built upon and sustained by a lie? Man’s relationship with Satan was also founded
upon a lie. God is truth! Anything opposed to the truth is a lie (1 Jn 2:21). Satan continually
tempts man’s lusts in order to keep him opposed to God, blinded to the Lord’s truth, and in
his rebellion against the Lord (2 Cor 4:4). The nature of Santa Claus is the exact same nature
of Satan (Santa = Satan). Parents, relatives, friends, religious people, and total strangers will
blatantly and unabashedly (shamefully) “lie” to children to sustain this god (Pv 12:22, Jer
9:3, 5, Amos 2:4) – they are teachers of lies (Hab 2:18). Psalms 101:7, “He that worketh
deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.” – woe
to you! The “lie” is to seek your lusts through him (trust in Santa = trust in Satan). Parents
teach their children that Santa is a wonderful man that will fulfill all their fleshly desires with
toys and candies – a free gift (without cost). They are taught that Santa is there to serve their
needs, which also translates into love being the fulfillment (receiving) of fleshly desires –
benefit of self. No wonder so many view God as their servant who is there to bless them or
get them out of difficult situations. God said to teach your children to love Him with all their
hearts, with all their souls and with all their might (Deut 6:4-9). This is a real conflict on a day
that is presumed to be Christ’s birthday. To whom is a child’s heart to be given? Santa is
given attributes that belong to God alone (specifically Christ) such as immortality (does not
die), omnipresent (can be everywhere, hears your prayers to him, sees your actions),
omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (can do fantastical things/feats), merciful, giving,
forgiving, and loving. This is not surprising because Satan thinks of himself as a god (god of
this world) and wants to be worshipped. Satan is receiving worship via Santa – by proxy
(surrogate, stand-in, substitute, alternate). God says over and over in His Word that we are to
have no other gods. Children are encouraged to make list of their desires (lusts, toys) and
petition Santa through prayer, letters or even at his very throne (in a mall or department
store). The children should be encouraged to fear the Lord and observe do to all His Words
(Deut 31:12). Santa also has mythical elves to serve him (principalities, angelic beings). Men
even dress up as the “god of the lie” to further instill (teach) this fraud into the minds of the
youth. It is as if a child is sitting on Satan’s knee and he says, “tell me all your heart’s desire
(the imaginations and lusts). The children develop a real love for this “god of lusts” because
he gives them things (appeals to the flesh), even if by proxy through their parents – but make
no mistake, he is the “god of the flesh.” Parents consider this all to be fun make-believe, but

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there is a very real and evil spirit behind all this and the parents have certainly been
manipulated (deceived, beguiled, tricked) by it. This subtle and cunning “god of tricks” is the
same one that is behind halloween. We discussed confusion (the mixture of several things
promiscuously; mingled and without order; indistinct combination; confusion of ideas; things
that do not go together), confounding (confused, mixed or blended in disorder, perplexed,
abashed; i.e. mixing God and the world, flesh – shameful blending of natures) and
doublemindedness (simultaneous belief in two opposing or contradictory things) in Chapter
One. Most will say that Santa is about love and giving. Satan comes as an angel of light (2
Cor 11:14). This means that the devil convinces man to do that which is opposed to God by
that which seems to be of God (i.e. love, giving). In other words, Satan makes his cause seem
noble. However, just a cursory review of God’s Word reveals that we are to have no other
gods (and certainly not teach our children of them); we are not to lie nor walk in deception;
and we are not to seek the lusts of the flesh or things of the world. Therefore, Santa is not
about love and giving, but rather idolatry, lusts, greed (covetousness), deception, and lies.
Parents who “profess Christ” and teach their children of Him (i.e. go to church) go about
hanging a millstone about their necks by also teaching (and instilling) Santa Claus. Mark
9:42, “And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for
him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” This is
confusion and doublemindedness. Christ is sustained by faith, and Santa is sustained by a lie.
The Bible says “all liars go to hell (Rev 21:8),” but who takes God’s Word seriously in a
fantastical world of make-believe – or is it really make-believe? Perhaps these things are far
more real and serious than you could possibly imagine. Eventually children outgrow the
reality of Santa (or do they?), but the lessons have been learned. The lessons are to seek the
things YOU want and please SELF. Any concept of God will always be tainted with the
notion that God is there to serve YOU (bless me, help me, heal me, get me out of difficult
situations, save me). Things become a bit skewed (twisted, distorted, off center, miss the
mark, partial, biased) toward the “ME” side of things. A nice way to say it would be
“spoiled,” but the truth is these are corrupted, full of iniquity, transgressing and rebellious
toward the reality of God. The symbology that God authorized in His Word is designed to
lead you to Him. The symbology of man (as highly influenced by Satan) leads you away from
God and keeps you in transgression and rebellion. Now we are told that Santa Clause flies
around in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. The lead reindeer has a glowing red nose. Throw
in a few talking snowmen and the birth of Jesus Christ, and you have total and complete
confusion. God is not the author of such confusion (1 Cor 14:33). Some will say this is why
its all fun and imagination. Well, justify your wickedness and rebellion, but the message that
is being taught is that of Satan and his nature (his way, path, bondage). Satan comes as an
angel of light (2 Cor 11:14); meaning fun and imaginative and always centered on lies and the
flesh. Please consider the following point very strongly with all seriousness and sincerity: At
Christmas time, side by side, Jesus and Santa Claus are reverenced (respected, given honor,
worshipped), taught and celebrated. Jesus came in truth and totally surrendered to and obeyed
the Father and died to self always directing others to God’s will. Santa Claus is sustained by
lies and invites all to live for self (lusts, desires) and takes away from God by placing
attention on the things of the flesh. They are both taught in the same celebration and this is
total confusion and doublemindedness. Which God will a child eventually choose? The one of
self or the one of self denial? The author once ignorantly celebrated Christmas; however, he
sanitized it to some degree (as many will say they now do). The author never lied to his
children about Santa Claus and always told them the truth. Herein is an interesting thing:
although he did not believe or teach Santa Claus, his house was full of images of Santa Claus.
The Lord God says you shall have no such images, but the devil would fill the world with
them. Images are there to solicit worship and condition one’s heart. When the Lord convicted
the author’s heart about Christmas and he yielded in obedience (to forsake and follow, Mk

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10:21, Lk 18:22), there was a great clean-up in his home. There were Santa Claus images on
ornaments, wrapping paper, cards, dish towels, jars, ornaments, in photos, in paintings, on
toys, tins, boxes, cloth covers, plates, cook books, reading books, music covers, candles, place
mats, magnets, serving platters, children’s artwork, coloring books, stickers, craft items, soft
drink bottles, etc. How could one who seemingly knew the truth be so blinded or complacent
as to be inundated with such images? The reason is that evil is very seductive! It took a long
time with searches through drawers and attics to finally clean it all out (perhaps there is still
some undiscovered items). Evil seduces marvelously and these things will certainly develop a
sentimental hold on one – which is the purpose (point) of all the symbolism and tradition. To
say that you do not believe in Santa (what it represents) yet have images in your home is to be
a hypocrite and self deceived. There was much repenting to do over all this evil. But, we are
not through…
 
Every Tree is Known by its Fruit
 
Christmas time is also synonymous with a Christmas tree to most. One source claimed the
tree to be the most cherished Christmas custom or ritual (tradition, ceremony, sacrament).
These trees are idols placed in your home (Jer 10:3-5, Deut 7:26). They are decorated,
reverenced and enjoyed all. These trees (and wreaths) have pagan origins associated with
fertility (Baal, Jer 10:3-5). Fertility produces life, so this tree could easily symbolically
represent the tree of life. Man was denied access to the tree of life due to his transgression
against God – forbidden and denied to man (Gen 3:22-24). Man will only regain access to the
tree of life through submission to and obedience of the commandments of Christ, but never
through the flesh (Rev 22:14). These trees are faithfully erected with devotion every year.
They are decorated with cherished images (emblems/symbols with personal meaning) to
be adored by all. Perhaps incense candles will be lit around the room? No idol would be
complete without offerings (as at an altar). Presents (gifts) are placed under the Christmas
tree that contain all the things loved ones have coveted (lusted) after (things of the flesh).
Many make wish list for the things they desire. These lists tend to be more “expectations”
than hopes – so don’t disappoint. People gather around the Christmas tree in admiration and
song. After partaking of the offerings (gifts) many will then celebrate in gathering
(assembling) for a big meal. There is little difference here than how men have worshipped
false gods through the centuries. Most would think it very petty of the author to call the tree
an idol, yet most could not imag(e)-ine a year without one. God said in His word that we were
not to make images, altars or groves and set them up in such a way (Deut 7:5, Ex 34:13, Num
33:52). Churches will set up trees in their sanctuaries and hang wreaths on their doors. Some
may Christianize them by putting religious “images” on them. Imag(e)-ine that, an “image”
set up in the midst of those who claim to worship Christ (Deut 16:22)! How could this happen
if men are truly submitted to the Holy Spirit’s leading? We do not have to look far in biblical
history to find that the children of Israel did these very same things. God sent Judges,
Prophets and Kings, but it made little difference to the multitudes (majority). There is nothing
new under the sun (Eccl 1:9). Consider the behavior of the children of Israel: Jeremiah 7:1-10,
“The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Stand in the gate of the LORD’S
house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah,
that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of
Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. Trust ye
not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of
the LORD, are these. For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly
execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; If ye oppress not the stranger, the
fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other
gods to your hurt: Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your

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fathers, for ever and ever. Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. Will ye steal,
murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after
other gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house, which is called
by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?” They worshipped other
gods (images – Baal, nature and fertility god) and then came into the House of the Lord to
worship. God was not pleased and told them to amend their ways. He who hath ears to hear!
This message did not make Jeremiah a very popular likeable person among the people. The
author’s message will not garner him any praise either. Most people (religious or not) believe
they are delivered to do these abominations. Its all so fun and innocent to those who have
exalted their word above God’s. When Jesus came, He called us out of such things to follow
Him. However, man as a whole (majority), in all his religiosity, has not change from his fallen
rebellious nature. This is a message for the remnant that will receive the truth – and start
“following.” Change starts with submission and obedience to what Christ said - read the
gospels and stop considering them in an abstract way (as not strictly applying to you) – they
are applicable to you now.
 
The symbology of the Lord is always God-centered. The symbology of man is always flesh-
centered. All the symbology used in Christmas has pagan meaning. Everything about
Christmas is directed toward the satisfaction of the flesh, yet those who do such cannot please
God (Rm 8:7-8). Romans 8:12-13, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to
live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do
mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” To seek the will of the flesh is to oppose the will
of God and “thou shalt surely die” (Gen 2:17, Ez 33:14). Christmas is known as a time to eat,
drink and be merry; and a time to enrich yourself in possessions and indulge in entertainment.
What is the forbidden fruit of the Christmas tree (i.e. celebration in general)? idolatry,
gluttony, lusts, depression, envy, jealousy, greed, partying, debt, bitterness, disappointment,
drunkeness, obligating others, arguing, gossip, pride, arrogance, materialism, worldliness,
guilt, anger, sloth, and a high suicide rate. The author does not suggest that there are no good
things can be found, but these fruits of the flesh are clearly and dominately manifested. Some
will say there is great joy in seeing their children’s happiness over gifts (toys) received. This
joy is found in the lusts of the flesh (will keep your eyes on the world); leads your loved ones
opposite of God; and you have missed the point of this whole book. No doubt, there will be
great tears one day if you continue along this “broad path.” Some will quote: Ephesians 4:8,
“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and
gave gifts unto men.” The gifts Christ gave are: 1) Himself – perfect love (sacrifice for
others) for the intent of reconciling man to God. This reconciliation is accomplished through
faith which is a forsaking of self will and surrender to God’s will and surrendering to the
Lord’s working in your life (Jn 12:25, 1 Pt 1:5). 2) The Holy Ghost – given for the purpose of
leading, guiding, teaching and empowering one to walk as Christ walked and to conform to
His image (Lk 11:13). 3) Eternal life for those who obey Him (Mt 19:17, Jn 17:3, Rm 5:21,
6:23, 2 Thess 1:8, 1 Pt 1:22, 4:7, Jude 1:21). John 17:2, “As thou hast given him power over
all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” The gifts Jesus
gave are God-centered. The gifts man gives (or expects) are mostly flesh-centered. The author
has talked to many religious people who “profess Christ,” about such things as Santa Claus
and Christmas trees. These will not receive the truth no matter how convincing the use of
scripture. Some will acknowledge parts of the truth, but their actions will not follow. The
deep-seated tradition of Christmas is instilled (rooted) in most through the self-satisfaction
(filling of the flesh), songs, stories, foods, candies, decorations, sentimental attachments,
family, peer pressure, memories, obligations, festivities, emotions, time off, etc. This may be
likened to the children of Israel leaving Egypt (and its wickedness and idolatry). We are being
called out of the wickedness and “into the wilderness” by God. Sure there were bondages in

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Egypt, but some will also see a good side that they feel outweighs the bondages inflicted.
Jesus once said during a deliverance: Mark 5:8, “For he said unto him, Come out of the man,
thou unclean spirit.” The Lord also said in a conversation regarding being unequally yoked
with unbelievers (fellowship of righteousness and unrighteousness; light and darkness, 2 Cor
6:14) and idolatry (2 Cor 6:15-16): 2 Corinthians 6:17-18, “Wherefore come outfrom among
them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord
Almighty.” The unclean thing is that which transgresses the will of God and is in rebellion to
Him (whether spirits, idols, or men). Uncleanness comes through following the lusts in your
heart (Rm 1:24, 2 Pt 2:10) – those who live in error (2 Pt 2:18, Eph 5:5). The english word,
“church” is ekklesia in the Greek which means, “called out ones.” Followers of Christ are
called out of such things (i.e. Egypt – representative of). God is calling us out of the world,
but many do not want to leave Egypt. Some have traveled to the wilderness and now want to
return to Egypt. We will either seek Egypt (the world) or God. Those who seek both are still
in Egypt bowing to an idol of their own creation. God is in the wilderness calling – who will
respond? Leaving Egypt includes all that opposes God – those celebrations and attachments of
the flesh. We must be prepared to leave the flesh nature and your own authority (control, be
as a god). The wilderness is harsh on the flesh, but the spirit will survive if it yields to God’s
authority. Folks, its easy to profess a Christ when the flesh is in control. This book has raised
the issue of two enormous idols – the television and Christmas. Many reading this book have
probably thought, “how incredibly dumb and stubborn the children of Israel had been toward
God.” Perhaps you are no different if you cannot give up your own idols and unbelief -
confused, idolatrous, double-minded, obstinate, opinionated, and froward. Its easy to cast
judgment on the children of Israel, but are you clinging to your own rebellion and idolatry?
The children of Israel’s flesh was denied in that wilderness and they rose up in great
complaint and protest. Their unbelief produced disobedience which always brings death (their
carcasses dropped in the wilderness). How will you be when your idols are taken away? God
will try your heart in this life and the results will be eternal (1 Pt 1:7). When the children of
Israel entered into the Promised Land they were told to destroy the idols and altars; pictures;
and high places of the wicked nations (peoples of the land, Num 33:52, Deut 12:2-4). Israel
was not to learn their abominations (Deut 18:9); they were to learn God’s commandments
(i.e. fringes on the garments, put on stones, Deut 27:2-4). In other words, it was unacceptable
by God to incorporate other practices (devotions) into their lives in addition to Him. Nothing
has changed for the follower of Christ. All the idols and altars in your life must be torn down,
no other gods - period (Deut 5:7, 6:14).
 
The Challenge to Authority
 
Numbers 16:1-3, “Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi,
and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took
men: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and
fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered
themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much
upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among
them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?” The
congregation of Israel had been sent back to the harsh wilderness for a generation to live out
their lives. Perhaps these men felt that a change of leadership would reverse their just
condemnation. Moses and Aaron were appointed of God. The priesthood was given
perpetually to Aaron and his sons (Ex 29:9, 40:12-15) and the Levites were given to do the
service of the tabernacle (Numbers Chap 3) - by God’s direction. Now Korah presumes to
take the priesthood, whereas Dathan and Abiram, who are Reubenites, challenge the right of

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the Levites. Korah is the leader of the two hundred and fifty princes. Psalms 106:16, “They
envied Moses also in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the LORD.” Envy (jealousy, greed,
desire) is the opposite of charity (1 Cor 13:4). Numbers 16:4-7, “And when Moses heard it,
he fell upon his face: And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to
morrow the LORD will shew who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near
unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. This do; Take
you censers, Korah, and all his company; And put fire therein, and put incense in them before
the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be
holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.” Moses places himself in the hands of God.
Moses had fully given himself for the children of Israel: he placed his physical life on the line
as well as his eternal salvation for them; He challenged Pharaoh and all of Egypt with God’s
miracles and wonders, for them - at God’s direction; he interceeded for them through fasting
and pleading with God (facing God’s wrath), he was God’s instrument in bringing forth
sustenance (food, water); he judged their causes, he spoke God’s Word to them and
administered God’s covenant; and was faithful to God and man. Now Moses’ authority is
being questioned by the ones Moses was sent to serve. Similarly, Jesus received nothing but
ridicule from the ones He came to save (Is 53:3-5, 6-7). John 1:11, “He came unto his own,
and his own received him not.” Christ gave Himself for the people. He suffered for the just
and the unjust (Mt 5:47, 1 Pt 3:18). Jesus healed, delivered, served, fed, gave, ministered,
taught, loved, prayed for, defended, suffered, forgave, and laid down His life willingly. Jesus
(and Moses) was totally giving and never selfish. The religious ones continually questioned
Christ’s authority. Mark 11:28, “And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these
things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things (also Mt 21:23, Lk 20:2)?” Both
Moses and Jesus were sent of God – one a prophet and one a Son. They spoke God’s Words,
worked God’s Works and cared for the sheep. They were both peacemakers and endured the
constant ridicule of rebellious man. Moses and Jesus both bore the griefs, sorrows and
iniquities of the people (Moses - Deut 1:12, 9:18, 25, 10:10, Jesus - Is 53:3-5, 11). They were
faithful witnesses of the truth. Moses gave the law (from God, Num 24:12, 31:21, Deut 1:5,
4:44, 31:24, 33:4). Jesus gave the Holy Spirit (from God, Mt 3:11, Lk 3:16, 24:49, Jn 14:16,
26, 15:26, 16:7, Acts 1:5, 8, 2:33, 38). The people sought to stone Moses (Num 14:10) and
when Christ came they also sought to stone Him (Jn 8:59, 10:31-32). Both Moses and Jesus
had their authority questioned, but the authority could not be denied based on the Words they
spoke and the Works they did – the power of God was on them (Mt 9:8, Lk 4:32, 36, 9:43,
Acts 10:38, 1 Cor 4:20, 1 Thess 1:5). Korah, Datham, Abiram and these princes have erred
exceedingly. No one can take for self that which is appointed of God. Moses’ and Aaron’s
abilities came from God. We must be humble and faithful in the place that God has called us
to be.
 
Numbers 16:8-11, “And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: Seemeth it
but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of
Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to
stand before the congregation to minister unto them? And he hath brought thee near to him,
and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also? For which
cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is
Aaron, that ye murmur against him?” Moses tried to reason with these rebels. He was telling
them that their position of service was very noble and that rather than seeking/exalting self
will, they must submit to God’s will and the place He has for them. The Levites had been
consecrated (set apart) for a specific purpose (Num 8:5-16): Numbers 8:11, 19-22, “Numbers
8:11  And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of
Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD. And I have given the Levites as a gift
to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of

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Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of
Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come
nigh unto the sanctuary. And Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of
Israel, did to the Levites according unto all that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the
Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them. And the Levites were purified, and they
washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them as an offering before the LORD; and Aaron
made an atonement for them to cleanse them. And after that went the Levites in to do their
service in the tabernacle of the congregation before Aaron, and before his sons: as the LORD
had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them.” Now Korah and the
Levites sought to exalt themselves. Matthew 23:12, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall
be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted (also Lk 14:11, 18:14).” Man did
not submit himself in humble obedience to God in Eden, but rather exalted self in
disobedience to the Lord. Pride comes from self exaltation and is manifested as seeking your
own way. God hates this prideful nature (Pv 8:13). The only way one will ever be exalted in
the Lord is to be faithful and humble where you have been placed. In order to become great,
you must become least (Lk 9:48). Position is not gained on a foundation of pride, arrogance or
haughtiness (as the world teaches), but rather on a foundation of submission, meekness,
faithfulness and humbleness. The world teaches us that to get ahead, we must rise above
others. God teaches us that to get ahead, we must serve others (Mk 9:35). The former position
is focused on SELF and the latter is focused on love of your neighbor. The flesh must be put
down rather than be allowed to exert itself (at the expense of others). The devil sought self
and this is were he would lead man (Satan’s nature). Jesus died to self, sought (and
performed) the will of the Father, and served others; this is where Christ will lead man (God’s
nature). Moses was God’s appointed leader and was meek above all men (Num 12:3).
Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” As previously
mentioned: Exodus 29:9, “And thou shalt gird them with girdles, Aaron and his sons, and put
the bonnets on them: and the priest’s office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute: and thou
shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons.” All of Israel had consecrated them (set them apart for
this duty) before the Lord (Exodus Chapter Twenty Nine). Now Korah was leading an effort to
oust them for selfish reasons. Numbers 16:12-15, “And Moses sent to call Dathan and
Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: Is it a small thing that thou hast
brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness,
except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us? Moreover thou hast not brought us into
a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt
thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up. And Moses was very wroth, and
said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them,
neither have I hurt one of them.” Moses tried to reason with Dathan, Abiram and company,
but they refused to meet with him and even blamed Moses for not being allowed to enter into
the Promised Land. The transgressors will always shift blame to others for their actions
(unbelief, Adam blamed Eve who blamed the serpent, Gen 3:12-13). Moses deserved the
highest honor, but garners nothing but reproach from this wicked congregation. Similarly
when we stand in faith for righteousness for Christ’s name there is often reproach from a
rebellious mankind (Lk 6:22). 1 Peter 4:14, “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy
are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of,
but on your part he is glorified.” The flesh will lash out at the Spirit as they are contrary. 1
Peter 3:14-17, “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of
their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always
to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of
evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is

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better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” These evil
men not only strove against Moses and Aaron, but withstood God (Num 26:9).
 
Numbers 16:16-22, “And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the
LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: And take every man his censer, and put
incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty
censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer. And they took every man his censer,
and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation with Moses and Aaron. And Korah gathered all the congregation against them
unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto
all the congregation. And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Separate
yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. And they
fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin,
and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?” Korah and the congregation were standing
against God’s annointed (Moses and Aaron) for the purposes of self. This was a disregard for
God’s leadership in favor of self rule (i.e. Eden). Proverbs 21:27, “The sacrifice of the wicked
is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind (also Ps 15:8)?”
Korah had gather the congregation against Moses and the Lord was prepared to destroy them.
Moses and Aaron plead for the congregation (their ignorance). Korah was the instigator
(leader) and often others will be swayed into a wrong course of action through their own
discontent (self-centeredness). One point of caution: many men present themselves as God’s
anointed and demand surrender to their authority. A true man of God will be meek and speak
God’s Word (will agree with the biblical message – true gospel) and will work God’s works.
His authority will be authenticated by God (power of the Words, the works). A true man of
God will lead you to God with no desire for fleshly gain. Numbers 16:23-27, “And the LORD
spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the
tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and
Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spake unto the congregation, saying,
Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be
consumed in all their sins. So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram,
on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their
wives, and their sons, and their little children.” We are required to separate ourselves from
sinners – and not to partake of their evil deeds (Rev 18:4). Due to man’s fallen nature, one
tends to be more easily influenced with evil than good. We must guard ourselves lest we be
consumed in the sins of others. Those not submitted to and following the Lord will certainly
try and conform us to their ways – a way opposite of God. To walk with the ungodly, there
must be some agreement. Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Dathan
and Abiram would not come to Moses (meet with him), so the Lord sends Moses to them. This
is not a social visit, but one of judgment. Our actions will either be righteous or wicked and
God is most certainly opposed to the wicked (Ps 7:11, 9:16, 11:5, 101:8, 106:18, 129:4,
145:20, Pv 2:22, 10:3, 15:9). Numbers 16:28-34, “And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know
that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own
mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of
all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth
open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down
quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. And it
came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave
asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and
their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. They, and all
that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and
they perished from among the congregation. And all Israel that were round about them fled at

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the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.” Hereby, ye shall know the
Lord hath sent me - All the prophets and Jesus came speaking the Father’s Words and doing
the works of God. These men were belittled, ridiculed, mistreated, and rejected, but the Words
and works they spake/did were from God. They just obediently performed them. The Words
were backed by God. The Lord performs a tremendous “attention getter” in judging the
wickedness of Dathan and Abiram. Their families also suffered as a result of their rebellious
actions. Psalms 9:17, “The wicked shall be turned into hell.” Those who transgress God’s
authority will find their place in hell – some sooner than others. The Lord had sanctified (set
apart) the Levites for the duties of the tabernacle (Num Chap 3). Dathan and Abiram who
were Reubenites had no claim on the duties of the priesthood or the tabernacle. These men
had not just disputed with the established authority, but with God (Num 26:9). Psalms 106:17,
“The earth opened and swallowed up Dathan, and covered the company of Abiram (also Num
26:10, Deut 11:6).” Numbers 16:35, “And there came out a fire from the LORD, and
consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” Aaron (high priest) had been
designated to offer incense before the Lord (Ex 30:7-8, 40:27). These men were contending
(challenging for) for the priesthood and God reponded with fire. These men’s works were
tried and found lacking. 1 Corinthians 3:13, “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for
the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s
work of what sort it is.” They were consumed in their wickedness. Psalms 106:18, “And a fire
was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked.” The sacrifice of the wicked is
an abomination to the Lord (Pv 15:8, 21:27). Their hearts were to usurp (pride) and not to
serve (humbleness) – our hearts will be tried with fire. We should never approach God with a
heart of pride in seeking selfish benefit. We must always be yielded and humble, offering up
those “high things” that oppose God’s will. God later states in conjunction with His judgment
upon these men, that no stranger is to come near to offer incense to the Lord that is not of the
family of Aaron (Num 16:40).
 
Obstinate People
 
Numbers 16:41-45, “But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel
murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.
And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron,
that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it,
and the glory of the LORD appeared. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the
congregation. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Get you up from among this
congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.”
Many people have now died as a result of this challenge to God’s established authority and
course of direction. The people do not accept the wickedness of the perpetrators (and their
just judgment), probably due to their own discontent of having been sent back to the
wildreness. These rebellious men who had challenged God were referred to by the people as
“the people of the Lord.” Obviously, God did not think so. Many in their blindness and
ignorance will consider wicked men to be of the Lord and actually condemn the just. The
wicked tend to appeal to the flesh nature of man, whereas the just come against it. No one
wants to be told they must wander in the wilderness for the destruction of the flesh. The
congregation held Moses and Aaron (the victims) as being responsible for the death of these
evil men. We will all face God on our own merits one day and there will be no shifting of
blame. Had these men been righteous, wouldn’t the situation have been the reverse? The
congregation blamed Moses and Aaron, but they were really judging God in an evil light. The
Lord has received nothing but reproach and dishonor (shame) from this people and is
prepared to consume them in their iniquity. This confrontation shows that men will not
necessarily seek God’s righteousness (ways, path) based upon fear/terror. Wicked men had

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been judged and destroyed right before their very eyes, yet they still rebelled against God’s
holy ways and just authority. Men must have a change of heart (new birth, God’s nature) in
order to serve Him in love, otherwise man will just SELF-destruct. Moses and Aaron fall on
their faces in respect of God. Numbers 16:46-50, “And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer,
and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the
congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD;
the plague is begun. And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the
congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense,
and made an atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; and the
plague was stayed. Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven
hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah. And Aaron returned unto Moses
unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.” Men were
dying all around in their rebellion to God. Moses and Aaron showed love (forbearance under
injury, sacrifice for others) in defending this rebellious people and this made the difference
before God. Had it not been for Moses and Aaron, all the people would have perished.
Incense in the hands of Korah and the princes of Israel resulted in their destruction. When
Aaron (who is designated the High Priest by God) takes the incense it results in life. This is a
picture of salvation. We will all die if we continue in our rebellion against God. Love toward
God and our fellow man is what will save us. Aaron became a type of Christ in standing
between the dead and the living. As the high priest, he stood between God and rebellious man
pleading for mercy (atonement) – an intercessor. Now consider what Jesus did: Romans 5:8,
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for
us.” Rebellious (and religious) man continued to mock and ridicule Christ even as He hung
on the cross. Jesus showed forbearance under injuries in giving His very life for such in
perfect love (sacrifice for others). Lets consider this a little deeper. Moses had suffered evil at
the hands of the congregation, yet Moses only returned love. Not rendering evil for evil, or
railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing (1 Pt 3:9). Moses endured the persecution for the
objective of leading the people to God. Similarly, Jesus endure much evil at the hands of man
and only returned love for the purpose of reconciling man and God. 1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ
also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being
put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” The just (righteous) suffer for the unjust
(wicked) in hopes of bringing them to God. This is true love – the sacrifice of self for the
benefit of another. The paradox is that one would assume the wicked should suffer and the
righteous prevail. However, true love conquers all and does not seek self, but God’s will that
none should perish. There will come an end of God’s mercy and longsuffering toward the
rebellious (His offer of reconciliation), and at such time the righteous will prevail (triumph)
over the wicked for all eternity. The wicked will then receive their just condemnation and be
without excuse. This event should have shown the people the legitimacy of Aaron in the
priesthood. His offering of incense was accepted of the Lord and did not result in further
death.
 
Additional Considerations
 
The majority of the children of Israel seem to have been behind this attempt to usurp the
authority given to Moses and Aaron. It’s a very good thing for Moses and Aaron that this was
not settled by a congregational vote like so many religious institutions do today. The voting
majority would have certainly been against (opposed to) the will of God. Fortunately, God
always defends those who are truly submitted to Him for His purposes. Most religious
organizations (i.e. churches) today conduct their religious affairs modeled after the American
political system of democracy. They just presume that whatever the vote of the congregation
is becomes the will of God – how could it not be? It has been shown over and over in God’s

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Word that majorities are always wrong. The majority is always in rebellion to God’s
purposes. Therefore, religious institutions (i.e. churches) that are governed by a majority
congregation (or denominational convention - delegation) vote are in continual error. The
errant (wayward, willful, contrary, rebellious) majority always dominates the minority and
continues down a path of misdirection. This is man leading and not following. This is a
disregard for the Holy Spirit. Does anyone presume that the affairs of heaven will be
conducted by popular vote of the creation? Will not God reign Supreme? Then why does
religious man do things so defiantly on earth? Voting is the attempt of each man to ensure that
his will (his way) is known and hopefully adhered to (being exhalted over the opposition).
Voting is an exaltation of the flesh rather than a surrender to seek God’s will. Its not about
exalting your will or opinion! Its about fearing God, which means to seek and understand
God’s will and surrender to it – this means no voting! Voting is about “Me,” but a true
follower yields to “Thee” (Jesus Christ and the Spirit He has given/sent). Did you know that
Jesus was essentially crucified after a religious vote. The Roman govenor (Pontius Pilate)
offered to release either Jesus or Barabbas (Mt 27:17-20, Mk 15:6-13, Lk 23:14-25, Jn 18:38-
40, 19:12-16). The religious leaders whipped the crowd into a frenzy in front of the Roman
governor in asking for the release of Barabbas (convicted murderer) and also demanding
Christ’s death (Mt 27:20-26, Mk 15:13-15, Jn 19:6-7). The Lord says that things work
differently in “love.” Man always wants to know, “what can you do for me” (hate – sacrifice
of others for the benefit of SELF)? God would have us conduct ourselves as, “what can I do
for you” (love – sacrifice of SELF for the benefit of another)? Granted, that it is difficult to
live in love in a fallen world, because so many people will just take – and never give.
However, we are to overcome the world in love. He that is least of all, the same shall be great
(Lk 9:48). God desires such submission in all of us and this is not a dishonor (Eph 5:21). To
be anything else is to be prideful (Mt 23:12). To be first you must be last and a servant to all
(Mk 9:35). To be greatest/chiefest, you must be servant of all (Mt 23:11, Mk 10:44). This
confounds the flesh! To be submissive is to be meek. Meekness is submission to the divine
will of God (Ps 22:26, 25:9) and these will inherit the earth (Ps 37:11). The Lord reveals truth
to those who are submitted (Mt 11:25). God has a pre-established order of things. This chain
of authority extends to His dealings with man - His creation. 1 Corinthians 11:3, “But I would
have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man;
and the head of Christ is God.” Jesus is submitted to God (the Father), man must be submitted
to Christ (the Son), and woman must be submitted to man (Gen 3:16, Eph 5:22-24). The child
must be submitted to his parents (Mt 15:4, Eph 6:1-3). Each layer of authority has
responsibilities. This is God’s divine order (Is 45:9)! Consider: John 15:10, “If ye keep my
commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments,
and abide in his love.” One submits to the will of another. What is being submissive? To
submit/yield to the authority of another without objection or resistance. To be ruled by the
decision, will or judgment of another. This encompasses meekness, obedience, surrender,
yielding, and humbleness. In heaven, the angels are in submission to God’s authority (Mt
6:10, Lk 11:2, Heb 1:5, 2:5, Jude 1:6). Satan (Lucifer) tried to rise above God’s authority to
determine his own course and seat himself as God. Satan convinced man to do the same.
Anyone who rebels against God’s order (chain of authority) at any level is a transgressor. To
determine your own way is to place yourself above God. If this seems strange to you in this
rebellious age, then you are probably not submitted. The Lord established Moses and Aaron
and the Levites into their positions. Those who rise up against God’s authority become
transgressors – rebels. The characteristic of God’s appointed leaders will be love and
meekness. Moses and Jesus were meek above all men and demonstrated love. Those men who
come in Lordship and control (self exaltation) and claim to be God’s authorities are neither.
 
Aaron’s Rod

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Numbers 17:1-7, “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of
Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their
princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man's name upon
his rod. And thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the
head of the house of their fathers. And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the
congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. And it shall come to pass, that
the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the
murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. And Moses spake
unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each
prince one, according to their fathers’ houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was
among their rods. And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.”
The Lord reveals His mercy in heading off future transgressions from this stiff-necked and
hard-hearted people. The Lord had dispensed judgment upon this rebellious people and now
the Lord offers a method to prevent the need for additional judgment in this matter. The Lord
would remove any doubt regarding His chosen leadership. Numbers 17:8-13, “And it came to
pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of
Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and
yielded almonds. And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the
children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod. And the LORD said unto
Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the
rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not. And
Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he. And the children of Israel spake unto
Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish. Whosoever cometh any thing near
unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?” Aaron’s rod
sprang forth with life and yielded fruit. Aaron’s life was found in God. Jesus said: “I am come
that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (Jn 10:10).” True life is
only found in Christ. John 14:6,”Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no
man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Aaron’s rod produced fruit. Jesus said that we must
abide in Him to produce fruit. This is what God expects in those who follow Christ. John
15:4-5, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in
the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that
abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do
nothing.” John 15:8, “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my
disciples.” The rods of these other men were unchanged – dead and without life. God referred
to them as rebels. To be a rebel would be the equivalent of being a dry fruitless branch
awaiting the fire. John 15:2, 6, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and
every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. If a man abide
not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them
into the fire, and they are burned.” God is longsuffering (that they die not), but does expect
change. Ezekiel 18:23, “Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord
GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?”
 
Water From a Rock
 
Numbers 20:1-5, “Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the
desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and
was buried there. And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves
together against Moses and against Aaron. And the people chode with Moses, and spake,
saying, Would God that we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! And why
have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle

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should die there? And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto
this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is
there any water to drink.” This obstinate people could not see (perceive, envision) life beyond
their fleshly senses – their wants; what the flesh can control. Man’s fallen self-centered nature
will not change and cannot be reformed. Man must die to self (the nature that opposes God,
and His just rule over you) and be born again with God’s nature (Jn 3:3). We must be filled
with God’s Spirit and led (as sheep) to conform to His will. Our obedience to the Spirit
produces change (God working in us, Php 2:13). Those who want to do the leading through
their chiding, murmuring and complaining have not died to that fallen fleshly nature. The
peevish would rather die than not get their way. Man sought his way in Eden and produced
death and this fallen nature. Therefore, the children of Israel’s way only reveals their active
fallen nature. Numbers 20:6-13, “And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the
assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces:
and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak
ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth
to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink. And
Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him. And Moses and Aaron
gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye
rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock? And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his
rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank,
and their beasts also. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me
not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this
congregation into the land which I have given them. This is the water of Meribah; because the
children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them.” Moses allowed his
anger to get the best of him and did not explicitly follow the Lord’s direction. Disobedience to
God is a very serious (grave) matter, never to be taken lightly. Psalms 106:32-33, “They
angered him also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes: Because
they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.” Moses placed himself in
God’s role in judging the people and saying that he would provide the water. Deuteronomy
1:37, “Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in
thither.” Moses and Aaron would die in the wilderness with no hope of entering into the
Promised Land. Deuteronomy 4:21-22, “Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your
sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good
land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance: But I must die in this land, I
must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.” We must be
careful to not allow the wicked and rebellious around us to lead us in a wrongful course of
action. Our obedience to God must always overcome the strong urges of the flesh. Some
actions cannot be reversed. Moses did plead with God on a later occasion to enter into the
Promised Land. Deuteronomy 3:24-27, “O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant
thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do
according to thy works, and according to thy might? I pray thee, let me go over, and see the
good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. But the LORD was
wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it
suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift
up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine
eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.” The Lord’s Word was final in this matter.
Obedience to the will of God is a very serious issue.
 
Fiery Serpents
 

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Numbers 21:5-9, “And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye
brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any
water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the
people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to
Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee;
pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the
people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and
it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And
Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent
had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” God brought the children
of Israel out of Egypt (representative of idolatry, transgression, iniquity, and rebellion and
the resulting bondages) into the wilderness so that they could die to self and learn faith
(obedience, trust, reliance, dependence) upon the Lord. The wilderness is harsh and destroys
the flesh and one must learn to stop relying upon the flesh and seeking it’s comforts. The
people had no heart for God to learn His ways because their hearts were on themselves and
what they desired (lusts of the flesh). Job 21:14, “Therefore they say unto God, Depart from
us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.” Man wanted God to serve him, rather than
man serving God. Those who seek the flesh will always look upon God as a type of servant
(bless me, heal me, get me out of a bad situation, give me things). Notice, they spake against
God and loathed (hated, detested, despised, abhorred, repulsed by) God’s provision of manna
(light bread). They were totally unthankful and full of unbelief (opposite of faith) in God. The
light bread was to humble (deny the flesh) and teach them that man does not live by bread
alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Deut 8:3). There must be
a change of authorities in the wilderness. We must come out from under the authority of the
flesh (which is submitted to the devil’s lie) and be placed under the authority of God. Jesus
clearly understood this in His temptation from the devil. Matthew 4:2-4, “And when he had
fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came
to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he
answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Notice the difference: the children of Israel complained
and sought the flesh, thereby rejecting God’s provision and authority; Jesus sought the Spirit
and denied the flesh and thereby embraced God’s will and surrendered to God’s authority.
Christ obeyed God’s will and showed us how to please the Lord. The devil had tempted man
(Eve then Adam) in Eden with food (that which the flesh desires) and led him away from God
into disobedience and transgression. The second man (Jesus, 1 Cor 15:47) was not going to
be led by the devil in a similar manner, and firmly states His choice to surrender totally to
God’s will. Christ affirms that He will place God’s purposes (Word) above His own (food).
 
The serpent always represents the devil in scripture. The devil is venomous because he
opposes God and is always trying to hinder God’s purposes. Venom (poison) causes death to
those who are infected. The serpent’s venom is transgression against God which always
results in death. Adam and Eve encountered the devil, in the form of a serpent, in the Garden
of Eden. God had given man a commandment: Genesis 2:17, “But of the tree of the
knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou
shalt surely die.” God’s will and the consequence of violating that will were clear. A tree is
always known by the fruit it produces (Mt 12:33). Matthew 7:17, “Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” The tree of life produced
“life” which is the righteousness of God (love, joy, peace, goodness, truth, temperance,
longsuffering, gentleness, and faith, Gal 5:22, Eph 5:9). The fruit of the tree of knowledge of
good and evil produced “death” – its fruit was poisonous and was forbidden by God. This
fruit was transgression of the will of God (disobedience), self seeking, disregard for God’s

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authority, iniquity and rebellion. Whereas the forbidden fruit was pleasant to the eyes and
palatable to the taste (as things of the flesh often are, Gen 3:6), it was a bitter fruit to bear and
its consumption has wrought much misery. The devil entered the garden and injected his
venom. Genesis 3:2-5, “And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the
trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath
said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the
woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your
eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” God said if you eat of
the forbidden fruit thou shalt surely die. The devil said if you eat of the forbidden fruit ye
shall not surely die. The devil’s lie is opposite of God’s truth. The devil was telling man that
he could transgress the will of God and seek his own will and not die (be as a god). Man
sought his own will and submitted to the devil (rather than God) and thus brought death into
the world. Romans 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by
sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Death verified the truth of
God’s Word and the lie of the devil’s word (Heb 9:27). The interesting point of note here is
that the eating of the forbidden fruit brought about “involuntary” physical (and eternal to
most) death of man. The cure administered through Christ requires “voluntary” death to self
(the flesh, Mt 10:38-39, 16:24-25, Mk 8:34-35, 10:21, Lk 9:23-24, 14:27, 17:33, Jn 12:25,
Rm 8:13, 2 Cor 5:15, Gal 2:20, Eph 4:24, Col 3:2-3) and all its self seeking transgressing and
rebellious ways. This is only possible through God and the Spirit He has given us. The serpent
brought separation between man and God resulting in death and is therefore a highly
venomous beast. Jesus was sent from God to destroy the works of the devil and lead man back
to God (1 Jn 3:8). The devil’s works are the rebellion in man resultant from the devil’s lie.
Jesus turns us from our iniquities which are resultant from our self seeking which is resultant
from the venom of the devil’s lie (Acts 3:26), for the purpose of coming back under God’s
authority. Salvation is only found in Christ (Acts 4:12). Jesus turns us from darkness and the
power of the devil through repentance (forsaking of our iniquities through tangible evidence)
and provides forgiveness of our sins through our faith (obedience, trust, surrender) in Him
(Acts 26:18, 20). Therefore, being justified by faith through Christ, we have peace with God
(Rm 5:1). The blood of Christ was the antidote (cure, remedy, solution) to the serpent’s
venom. We must sincerely “follow” Jesus as He leads us back to God. Romans 5:9-11, “Much
more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For
if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more,
being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” The
atonement Christ provided was recompense for our transgressions. Atonement is
reconciliation after enmity whereby reparation is made by giving an equivalent for a wrong
committed. This people were completely self centered and submitted (obedient, loyal) to their
own flesh (lusts). Therefore, God allowed the devil to infect the children of Israel with his
venom which causes death. Seeking self (and thereby rejecting God) separates one from God
and opens one up to the bite of the serpent. The people cried out in repentance (most just
wanted relief or salvation of their own flesh) and God provided a solution. Moses made a
brazen serpent and placed it upon a pole. All those who were bitten by a venomous beast had
a choice to make. If one looked upon the brazen serpent (obeyed God), he would live. If one
did not look upon the brazen serpent he would die in his rebellion (disobedience to God). So
to live, one must obey and look to God’s provision in faith. Why a brazen serpent on a pole?
This was a foreshadowing of what Christ would later do perfectly. This was an object lesson.
John 3:14-15, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of
man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life
(also Jn 12:32-33).” Can you see the correlation? Men were bitten of the devil’s lie that
suggested you can transgress God’s will and live for self and not die. The poison of this lie

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worked death. Men were dying in their rebellion to God. Jesus came to destroy the works (the
transgression, self seeking, iniquity, separation, and rebellion) of the devil. Jesus leads us out
of our iniquity and rebellion and back under God’s authority. Through Christ, the prince of
this world (poison serpent) is judged and cast out (Jn 12:31). Christ provided the atonement
that made peace with God possible for all who will look upon Him. This means that you must
surrender your life to Jesus and all He stood for. John 12:32, “And I, if I be lifted up from the
earth, will draw all men unto me.” As Jesus hung on that cross, His blood was the only
remedy for the poison that was killing man. Those who refuse to look upon Christ will die of
this poison.
 
Acts 28:2-6, “And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire,
and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. And when
Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the
heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his
hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath
escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire,
and felt no harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead
suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they
changed their minds, and said that he was a god.” Paul is attacked by a venomous serpent (the
devil). The residents of the island were sure that Paul would die. Paul shook the beast off into
the fire and suffered no harm or consequence. The fire is representative of the lake of fire.
This is where the devil and all those he has poisoned with his lie (those who continue in his
rebellion) shall be eternally (separated from God into torment). Revelation 20:10, “And the
devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the
false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Revelation 20:14-
15, “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And
whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Paul was
on a mission to Rome to perform the will of Christ. Acts 23:11, “And the night following the
Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in
Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” The devil tried to stop Paul by injecting
his venom (literally). The serpent was put into his place (the fire) and God received the glory
as Paul tread down the serpent for all to see in being faithful to perform the Lord’s will (Lk
10:19). Paul continued on to Rome and fulfilled God’s purposes. The Lord’s will always
prevails and God sustains those who are submitted and obedient to Him as they walk in faith
following their Lord Jesus. Romans 8:28, 31, “And we know that all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. What shall
we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
 
Responsibilities
 
We discussed in Chapter Three the responsibilities of entering into a covenant. This is a
solemn (binding) agreement between God and man. God told the children of Israel that if they
would obey Him and walk (live) in his commands that He would establish His covenant (Lev
26:1-9). Leviticus 26:11-13, “And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not
abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. I am
the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be
their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.”
Similarly, we enter into Christ’s covenant (testament, gospel). We are still required to love
God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength (Deut 6:4-6 verses Mk 12:30). We are still
required to love our neighbor as ourself (Lev 19:18 verses Mk 12:31). However, we walk in
faith and not under the law – in Spirit and not letter (2 Cor 3:6). In order to do this Jesus has

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given us the Holy Spirit. There is mercy, but not license (1 Jn 1:9, Jude 1:4). We submit and
follow as we are led. If you love Jesus – keep His commandments (Jn 14:15, 15:10, 1 Jn 5:2-
3). The Holy Spirit dwells in us now (1 Cor 6:19). One day, God will also set His tabernacle
among us and dwell with us. Revelation 21:3, “And I heard a great voice out of heaven
saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall
be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” AND Revelation 7:15,
“Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and
he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.”
 
The other side (opposing, rebellious, transgressing) is breaking the solemn covenant between
God and man. We will consider the further meaning of the opposites – blessings verses curses
in a moment (keeping verses breaking covenant with God). God told the children of Israel:
Leviticus 26:14-18, “But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these
commandments; And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so
that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this
unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall
consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your
enemies shall eat it. And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your
enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.
And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for
your sins.” The Lord goes on to list (in Lev 26:19-44) many other curses for breaking His
covenant. God continues to use the phrase, “I will punish you seven times more for your
sins.” Seven is the number of completion. God will render complete judgment (just
recompense) on those who hate Him (disregard His covenant). Similarly, we enter into a
solemn covenant with Christ and must not transgress it. Hebrews 6:4-6, “For it is impossible
for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made
partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the
world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they
crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Those not
actively doing the will of God will face rejection by Christ. Jesus will burn such chaff
(transgressors) with unquenchable fire (Mt 3:12). The chaff are the ones not abiding in Christ
(Jn 15:1-10). Jesus tells them: “depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for
the devil and his angels” (Mt 25:41). Christ once said: Matthew 10:32-33, “Whosoever
therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in
heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father
which is in heaven.” To “confess” or “deny” is meant in terms of how you live your life
before men (this covenant of faith). Now consider: Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that
saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of
my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity.” Saying unto Christ, Lord, Lord is the equivalent to the (often
superficially) repeated sinner’s prayer type formula that is so incredibly widespread these
days (Heb 4:2). Instant salvation and no faith required. Say this little prayer and “ye shall not
surely die” (Gen 3:4-5). Religious man will teach one to say Lord, Lord, but they will not
teach one to do the will of the Father which is in heaven. Jesus said it best when He said the
blind lead the blind (Mt 15:14, Lk 6:39). Jesus specifically says that this will not secure you a
place in heaven (just saying Lord, Lord). Many will say Lord, Lord; these folks believed they
had a relationship with Christ. Luke 6:46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the
things which I say?” They will be clearly taken by surprise when Jesus does not know them
(totally deceived, yet very hard to convince). Perhaps they had a one way relationship –

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“theirs.” How could they have been so misled (by pastors who wouldn’t offend the flesh with
the truth). These people also used Christ’s name to give messages and performed deliverances
and this suggest more than a casual association. These “many” people performed lots of
religious works in “Jesus’ name.” Perhaps they attended church every time the door opened?
Perhaps they taught Sunday school and were in the choir? Perhaps they were big givers
(donations)? Maybe some were pastors? Look what Jesus says, “ye that work iniquity.”
Perhaps they felt they needed no deliverance? Maybe they were good righteous Christians (on
the outside) one or two days of the week, but lived a bit self seeking through the rest of the
week? Perhaps they pushed (overly applied) their definition of God’s gracea bit too far about
sin in their lives (Heb 10:29)? Perhaps they added many “man made” clauses (doctrines,
traditions, worldliness) to Christ’s covenant? We must bring forth fruits worthy of repentance
and live in faith; think not to say within yourselves we are Christians: for I say unto you, that
God is able of these stones to raise up those who “profess” Christ (Lk 3:8). Don’t say – do!
You must beware lest you should come short of God’s promises (Heb 4:1, 2 Pt 3:17).
Obviously once they were saved (by their methods) they were not always saved (read the
verse again and think). They were very religious people, but Christ did not know them - and
cast them away. Depart, depart from Me, ye that love your darkness – I know not whence ye
are ye workers of iniquity (Lk 13:25, 27). I came to deliver, but you desired no such
deliverance – freedom from sin (Jn 8:34-36). Depart, ye that misuse My name for your
devotion to self. Lord, Lord, open to us (Mt 25:11). Verily I say unto you, I know you not (Mt
25:12). Look at who Jesus says does enter the kingdom of heaven, “he that doeth the will of
my Father.” This book has attempted to describe what this means. Ephesians 5:17,
“Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” You are to
totally and lovingly surrender your whole life (with a willing mind and perfect heart, 1 Chr
28:9, 29:9) to the Lord Jesus in obedience (every day). You must be filled with the Holy
Ghost and be led to conform to Christ’s image. You walk as Jesus walked when you follow in
His steps and you partake of His fellowship. Your not earning anything, your following (in
righteousness). God is transforming you through your obedience to Him. 1 John 2:17, “And
the world passeth away, and the lust thereof (ways of man): but he that doeth the will of
God (God’s way) abideth for ever.” Pray that you may be accounted worthy to obtain (Lk
2035, 21:36). He that has an ear, listen to what the Spirit is saying. May God’s mercy guide
you to follow in His will (Php 3:12).
 
Hell, Hades, Sheol – The place of the rebellious
 
Hell is a word (which some religious ones will endlessly debate) that describes the attributes
of eternal separation from God. The word doesn’t matter so much as what it represents. The
Bible often refers to those that are physically alive yet separated from God as being in the
shadow of death (Job 10:21-22, 16:16, 24:17, 28:3, 34:22, 38:17, Ps 23:4, 107:10, 14, Is 9:2,
Jer 2:6, 13:6, Mt 4:6, Lk 1:79). So, perhaps death is the best word to describe what awaits
those who remain in rebellion to God. Death would be the cessation of anything pertaining to
life – not a neutral existence (sleep, coma, or nonexistence), but an extremely negative one
(second death). God is the giver of life. To be separated from God is to be separated from life.
God offers to every man life or death. Deuteronomy 30:15-16, “See, I have set before thee
this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this dayto love the LORD
thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his
judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the
land whither thou goest to possess it (i.e. eternity with God).” A foreshadowing of heaven and
hell is best described by the “blessings and cursings” that God promised Israel depending on
which path they chose (Deut 11:26-28, Deut Chap 28, Lev Chap 26). The curses (to bring evil
upon) represented God’s punishment or judgment given according to one’s ways (own

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doings). The “curses” were always the exact opposite of the “blessings.” From what we know
from scripture, similar could be said hell; it will be the opposite of heaven (that which
represents eternity with God). Consider these opposites: Isaiah 65:13-14, “Therefore thus
saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my
servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be
ashamed: Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart,
and shall howl for vexation of spirit.” Let us consider the ramifications. Jesus brought peace
(Is 9:6, Lk 1:79, Jn 14:27); hell will be full of doom and gloom, restlessness, agony of mind,
fighting, bickering and unfulfilled lusts. Christ was the fulfillment of love and joy; hell will be
a place of hate, severe bitterness, constant hostility, enmity, desolation and unforgiveness.
Jesus offered bread and living waters (Jn 4:14, 6:51, 58, 7:38, Rev 7:17); hell will be a place
of gnawing hunger and intense thirst (Lk 16:24). After all, Jesus said: John 6:35, “And Jesus
said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that
believeth on me shall never thirst.” If one didn’t believe on Christ then he must certainly
experience the opposite throughout eternity – shall always hunger and shall always thirst.
Jesus healed and provided comfort; hell will be full of grievious sicknesses and incredible
pain and agony (torture, suffering, distress, woe) – physical discomfort. Christ knows His
sheep by name (Jn 10:3); in hell, everyone will be completely and utterly rejected by God
(eternally) – there will be no individuality (for those who sought self). Jesus brought calm,
contentment and deliverance (Mt 6:25-34, Mk 4:39-40); in hell there will be intense and
unsatisfied cravings and addictions, and the body will be possessed by worms (Is 66:24, Mk
9:46, 44, 48). Christ and His followers are exalted and rewarded (Mt 16:27, Lk 6:23, 1 Cor
3:8, Rev 22:12); those in hell will be greatly humbled and punished. Heaven is described as
incredibly beautiful; hell will be hideous, nauseating (disgusting, sickening, repulsive,
revolting, upsetting) and ugly. Hell is the second death and as such will reek (stench) of the
smell of death (decomposing and filthy flesh) and abominable things. The followers of Christ
will be given glorified bodies (1 Cor 15:44, 1 Jn 3:2); those in hell will have bodies that
reflect their rebellious nature (filthy, undesirable). Jesus spoke Words of eternal truth; in hell
there will be constant vile cursing and only lies (truth will be absent). Jesus brought great
hope to man (Rm 8:24); in hell there will be no hope – complete and sheer despair (misery,
anguish, despondency). Jesus said His burden was light (Mt 11:30); in hell the burden will be
unbearable and never ending. In heaven one will be known as he was – confessed before the
Father and angels (Mt 10:32, Lk 12:8, Rev 3:5); in hell you will be stricken from all
remembrance. In heaven God will wipe away the tears (Rev 7:17, 21:4); in hell there will be
nothing but continual sorrow (mourning, sadness, distress, grief) and gnashing of teeth. Those
in heaven will live in the light of God’s presence (Rev 21:23, 22:5); those in hell will be in
their own complete darkness (Mt 8:12, 22:13, 25:30, Jude 1:13). Hell will be anything but a
big party with your rebellious friends (as some describe it). Should you ever bump into an old
acquaintance while bobbing up and down in the lake of fire, there will be sheer and utter
hatred – one toward the other. Hell is for eternity because there is no chance of reformation
there. One will only become more corrupted as the endless time (which loses all meaning)
goes by in a place of hatred; bitterness; hostility; strong unfulfilled desires; incredibly foul
languange; putrid smells; agonizing screams; unbearable pain; unrelenting discomfort;
haunting thoughts of what might have been; tremendous hunger and thirst; nausea; utter
hopelessness; intense fright, terror; total darkness; isolation; increased hatred toward God;
despair; and on and on. They will be held by the cords of their own sins (Pv 5:22). Scriptures
say that the righteous shall shine forth as the sun (Mt 13:43, also the brightness of the
firmament, Dan 12:3). The wicked will take on another appearance altogether; they shall be
hideous, vile and wretched to match the nature of their hearts – abominable before the Lord.
The Lord did say: Ezekiel 11:21, “But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their
detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads,

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saith the Lord GOD.” God sets before us life and death and blessings and cursings (Deut
30:19). Deuteronomy 11:26-28, “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A
blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this
day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn
aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not
known.” Life and blessings only results from loving and obeying God with all your heart
(Deut 30:10, 16, 20). Death and cursings result from loving and obeying your will or self with
all your heart.
 
Doctrine of Balaam
 
Almost forty years had gone by and the previous generation had all but died out. The children
of Israel were beginning to learn to depend upon the Lord their God. Deuteronomy 29:5-6,
“And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you,
and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot. Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk
wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God.” Israel had just
defeated the nations of Sihon and Og. The greatest challenge to this new generation lay just
prior to entering into the Promised Land. Perhaps things have the greatest potential for
darkness just prior to the victory. Numbers 22:2-6, “And Balak the son of Zippor (king of
Moab) saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was sore afraid of the people,
because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. And
Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about
us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the
Moabites at that time. He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor,
which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold,
there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide
over against me: Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too
mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive
them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou
cursest is cursed.” Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel such that he could defeat them militarily
(Num 22:6, 11, Deut 23:4, Neh 13:2). The Lord God intervened and would not allow Balaam
to curse Israel, but rather blessed them (Num 22:12, 23:8, Josh 24:10). Numbers 24:10, “And
Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said
unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed
them these three times.” The Lord told Israel: Deuteronomy 23:5, “Nevertheless the LORD
thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a
blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.” It became very apparent that
Moab was not going to defeat Israel militarily. Balaam was not allowed to curse Israel to
receive the reward he coveted (promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever
thou sayest unto me, Num 22:17). Therefore, Balaam gave Balak counsel that has come to be
known as the “doctrine of Balaam” (Num 31:16). Balaam’s counsel was much the same tactic
as that of Satan. Balaam told Balak that he would never beat Israel militarily (overcome by
strength of force) because God was on their side. Balak would be fighting against the God
who had destroyed Egypt, the Amorites (Sihon, Num 21:4) and Og, king of Bashan (Num
23:33-35). So, Balaam counseled that Balak must first corrupt Israel such that even God
would reject them and actually become their enemy. In other words, corrupt the object of
God’s desire such that God Himself would reject them. For God had said through Balaam:
Numbers 23:21, “He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in
Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.” The Moabite’s
objective would be to fill Israel with iniquity and perverseness – to teach them their ways.
This is why the Lord had prior warned Israel: Deuteronomy 7:2-5, “And when the LORD thy

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God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt
make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou make marriages
with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto
thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods
(in other words, they will corrupt you): so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you,
and destroy thee suddenly (God will become your enemy). But thus shall ye deal with them;
ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn
their graven images with fire.” Furthermore: Deuteronomy 7:16, “And thou shalt consume all
the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon
them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.” So, this is what
Balak did: Numbers 25:1-3, “And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit
whoredom with the daughters of Moab. And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their
gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. And Israel joined himself
unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.” Israel had disregarded
God’s cammand and numerous warnings not to worship other gods. They committed spiritual
adultery against the Lord their God. Israel was to be a peculiar people unto the Lord, but now
sought the gods of the nations (i.e. world) around them. Psalms 106:28-29, “They joined
themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked him to
anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.” Had it not been for the
intervention and zealousness of Phinehas, Israel might have been consumed in God’s
righteous anger (Num 25:5-11, Ps 106:30-31). Similarly, the devil is very active today in
tempting God’s people with this very same thing. Satan is as a roaring lion seeking who he
may devour (1 Pt 5:8). The devil tempts the flesh (your lusts and desires) so as to corrupt you
and make you an enemy of God. This is how he separates man and God. Our protection is in
cleaving (united, adhere with strong attachment, Josh 22:5) to the Lord in love (heart, mind,
soul and strength) and faith (obedience, trust, devotion, loyalty). When we seek those things
of the flesh that Satan offers, we become at odds with God and oppose Him. Therefore, when
one who “professes Christ” seeks the things of the world (flesh, idolatry), they commit
spiritual adultery against the Lord. Rather than loving Christ by keeping His commandments,
you love self and honor that which opposes Jesus. This gives the accuser means to gloat
before God and greatly dishonors Christ – the devil accuses night and day (Rev 12:10).
Balaam was slain by the children of Israel in God’s wrath upon Moab (Josh 13:22). This will
be the faith of all who transgress the will of God and seek after the idols of the world. Psalms
73:27, “For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a
whoring from thee.” God destroyed the guilty in Israel: Deuteronomy 4:3-4, “Your eyes have
seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the
LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. But ye that did cleave unto the LORD
your God are alive every one of you this day.” Those who have life will always be the ones
who did cleave unto the Lord their God. Those who sought after Baalpeor (other gods) died in
a plague of the Lord (twenty four thousand, Num 25:9). Isaiah 63:10, “But they rebelled, and
vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them
(also Jer 21:5).” Disobedience to God’s solemn covenant brings about death. Jesus warned
the churches about such things in the book of Revelation: Revelation 2:14, “But I have a few
things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught
Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols,
and to commit fornication.” When we partake of the things of the world, we are eating things
sacrificed to idols. Commiting fornication is claiming to follow Christ, yet bowing down to
the idols of the world. Revelation 2:20, “Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee,
because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and
to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.” Let us
be faithful unto Christ and not bring dishonor on our Lord. He who has an ear to hear!

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Into the Promised Land
 
Joshua led the children of Israel into the Promised Land. The Promised Land was only entered
by obedience to God (Deut 4:40, 5:33, 11:8, 22-23, 30:9-10, 16, 20). The people only
remained in the Promised Land by continued obedience to God (Deut 8:19-20, 29:25-29,
30:17-18, 31:16-18, Josh 23:13, 16, 24:19-20, Jer Chap 16, Jer 35:15, 17). This is definitely
a foreshadowing of the new earth (New Jerusalem, symbolic of things to come). One only
enters into eternal life through obedience (an essential element of faith). As we know from
Lucifer (Satan, devil, dragon, serpent), that one only remains in God’s presence (dwelling)
through continued obedience. Our obedience to God must be perpetual throughout eternity.
God went before them and they drove out (utterly destroyed) the wicked peoples before them
(Deut 4:38, 7:2, 4, 16-19, 11:25, 20:13-18, 31:5-6, Josh 24:8, 18, Jdg 6:9-10). Aside from a
few gliches (serious things – not trying to trivialize or downplay), Israel obeyed God and
were victorious in all they attempted to do – for God faithfully fought for them. The Lord
warned the children of Israel in advance: Numbers 33:55-56, “But if ye will not drive out the
inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let
remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the
land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to
do unto them.” Israel utterly destroyed thirty one kings and the nations of Sihon, Og and
Balak (Josh 12:7-24). Eventually, they got comfortable and did not finish the task at hand.
Joshua 18:3, “And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to
possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?” Judges 1:29-35,
“Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt
in Gezer among them. Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the
inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries. Neither
did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor
of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob: But the Asherites dwelt among the
Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out. Neither did Naphtali
drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt
among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of
Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them. And the Amorites forced the
children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:
But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the
house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.” The Lord God Almighty was not
happy about Israel’s frowardness (refusal to do what is required). Judges 2:1-3, “And an
angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of
Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will
never break my covenant with you. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this
land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done
this? Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as
thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.” Initially, Israel only left
remnants of these peoples and they seemed manageable. Over time they grew strong from this
small foothold. A foothold is a position that provides a base for advancement. These peoples
caused much distress for Israel’s descendants (wars, idolatry, wickedness, enslavement, etc.).
Over time, Israel began worshipping the idols of the peoples around them and forgot the Lord
their God. They disregarded God’s commandments and sought after idols, and lived in the
manner of the wicked peoples around them (Deut 18:9, 31:16, 32:16-19, Ps 78:56-58, Josh
2:8-13, 2 Kgs 17:9-12, Jer 32:33-35). Psalms 106:34-40, “They did not destroy the nations,
concerning whom the LORD commanded them: But were mingled among the heathen,
and learned their works. And they served their idols: which were a snare unto them. Yea, they

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sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, And shed innocent blood, even the blood
of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the
land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with their own works, and went a
whoring with their own inventions. Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his
people, insomuch that he abhorred his own inheritance.” For ye have not walked in my
statutes, neither executed my judgments, but have done after the manners of the heathen that
are round about you (Ez 11:12). Israel even exceeded the wickedness of the peoples they
dispossessed (Ez 16:47-48, 51, 2 Kg 21:9, 11)! This became a back and forth loyalty/devotion
between God and the idols of the land. The Lord warned them over and over: Jeremiah 11:7-
8, “For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land
of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey my voice. Yet they
obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart:
therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to
do; but they did them not.” Israel made God their enemy (and procured His curses) until He
abhorred them and sent them into captivity after most died from the four sore judgements
(sword, famine, pestilence, noisome beasts, Ez 14:21, Jer 15:2-3, Ez 5:8-12, 6:10-14, 7:15).
Similarly, Jesus commissioned His followers: Mark 16:15, “And he said unto them, Go ye
into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” AND Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” AND Luke 24:47, “And
that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.” The key here is that we are to teach what Christ commanded. Jesus
said we are to love God with everything that is within us (heart, mind, soul, strength) and to
live by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (as Jesus had done – by example,
Ps 119:3, 128:1, Hos 14:9, Col 2:6, 1 Jn 2:6, 2 Jn 1:6). We are to love our neighbors (and
enemies). Christ said we are to deny (make sacrifices) ourselves, take up our crosses (die to
self) and follow Him (conform to His image, be led of His Spirit, abide in Him, Mt 10:38,
16:24, Mk 8:34, 10:21, Lk 9:23, 14:27, Lk 6:40, Rm 8:28-29, 2 Cor 3:18, 4:10-11, Gal 3:27,
Eph 4:13, 15, Col 1:20, 3:10, Heb 13:21). Jesus said we are to overcome the world through
our faith. Jesus said not to love the world and the lusts thereof. We are literally to forsake all
for Him. The gospel of Christ is a complete death to self and re-birth (surrender) to God. Our
complete devotion must be directed to God (in love) and not to self. Just like the children of
Israel failed to completely obey God and totally conquer the Promised Land, those who
“profess Christ” have failed to take the gospel to the world. They didn’t finish the job. Most
got comfortable in the world. Many started to worship the idols of the world (money,
television, career, sports, possessions, etc.). Suddenly the gospel started becoming distorted
and blended with the things of the world. These things became snares and thorns and still are
today. The world now vexes the true and sincere believer – for it is exceedingly wicked. A
true believer is troubled in the land in which he dwells due to all the evil that abounds
(permeates everything). Oh, a gospel is being preached all over the world, but it is not “The
Gospel” of Jesus Christ. This is a man-centered religion under “another Jesus” and “another
spirit” led by and and largly conceived of man (psychology, business principles and practices,
marketing, entertainment, committees, ministries, Col 2:8, 2:20). There are smooth talking
glitzy television preachers beaming “their gospel” (teachings, doctrines, traditions) all over
the world (2 Cor 11:4). There are huge religious organizations with cookie-cutter typr
franchises (buildings) all over. Their concerning is mammon (donations), and huge spiraling
church buildings, membership/audience (popularity, celebrity status) and comfort with all the
entertainments and technology of the world – things of the flesh. This is a gospel that bears no
resemblance to the message of the Jesus in the Bible. This is a worldly gospel – a harlot
gospel (profess God, but court/woo the world). This woman (mother of harlots; that which

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forsakes the true God and worships idols, the world) rides the beast (Rev 17:3-5). Most didn’t
keep the faith (Rev 2:4, 14:12). How do we know the gospel has not gone out into the whole
world? We turn to the book of Revelation and consider what happens as time draws very near
to Christ’s return. Revelation 14:6-7, “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of
heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to
every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and
give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven,
and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” The Lord’s servants were suppose to have
preached the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. Jesus had to send an angel to
do what they failed to do. Read what the people are told to do: fear God and give Him glory.
We discussed earlier that the fear of God is to seek His will and absolutely live it every day.
This is to regard God foremost in your life. This was/is not being done and God is not
receiving His due glory!
 
Summary
 
Many entered into the wilderness, but few were chosen. Similarly, Jesus said, Matthew 22:14,
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” The wilderness purges the rebels which are those
living for self and in opposition of God’s will. Ezekiel 20:38, “And I will purge out from
among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the
country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know
that I am the LORD.” AND Jude 1:5, “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye
once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt,
afterward destroyed them that believed not.” God was very longsuffering toward them.
Romans 10:21, “But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a
disobedient and gainsaying people.” AND Hebrews 3:10, “Wherefore I was grieved with that
generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.”
Consider God’s disappointment: Ezekiel 20:5-24, “And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord
GOD; In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of
Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand
unto them, saying, I am the LORD your God; In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them,
to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with
milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands: Then said I unto them, Cast ye away every
man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt: I am the
LORD your God. But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not
every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of
Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in
the midst of the land of Egypt. But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be
polluted before the heathen, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known
unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt. Wherefore I caused them to go
forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness. And I gave them my
statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them.
Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might
know that I am the LORD that sanctify them. But the house of Israel rebelled against me in
the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a
man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would
pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. But I wrought for my
name’s sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them
out. Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into
the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;
Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my

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sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols. Ezekiel 20:17  Nevertheless mine eye spared
them from destroying them, neither did I make an end of them in the wilderness. But I said
unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither
observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols: I am the LORD your God;
walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; And hallow my sabbaths; and they
shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept
my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my
sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against
them in the wilderness. Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name’s sake,
that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth. I
lifted up mine hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the
heathen, and disperse them through the countries; Because they had not executed my
judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were
after their fathers’ idols.” Psalms 78:33-37, “Therefore their days did he consume in vanity,
and their years in trouble. When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and
enquired early after God. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God
their redeemer. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him
with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his
covenant.” Psalms 81:10-16, “I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of
Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people would not hearken to my voice;
and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked
in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my
ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their
adversaries. The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their
time should have endured for ever. He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat:
and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.” Oh, that man could only learn
from the past.
 
Caleb and Joshua were the only two of a whole generation that were allowed to enter into the
promised land. The distinguishing factor was their heart of belief, faith and obedience toward
God. They trusted in God and faith was their ticket into the Promised Land. After a period of
forty years in bearing the iniquities of the wicked, they did enter into the land as God had
spoken. Similarly, today the righteous will endure the wicked for a season, but their faith will
ultimately prevail. There will always come a day when God will exalt the humble. Consider
Caleb’s victory (triumph of faith): Joshua 14:6-14, “Then the children of Judah came unto
Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest
the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in
Kadeshbarnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from
Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.
Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I
wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land
whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because
thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me
alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses,
while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore
and five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as
my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.
Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest
in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the
LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. And Joshua

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blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. Hebron
therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this
day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.” God raises up and God pulls
down; The Lord destroys and the Lord keeps alive; blessed be the name of the Lord. Psalms
113:2, “Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.”
 
The Lord redeemed His people out of the land of Egypt by the hand of Moses. God desired a
people who would surrender to Him in love, trust and obedience (faith) – commit to the Lord
their wellbeing. Psalms 78:7-8, “That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the
works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and
rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not
stedfast with God.” The following scripture was prophesied of Christ: Psalms 31:5, “Into
thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.” This is the
way Jesus lived His entire life upon the earth. This is God’s expectation of man. Just before
death, Christ said: Luke 23:46, “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father,
into thy hands I commend (commit, entrust, give charge) my spirit: and having said thus, he
gave up the ghost.” Jesus has redeemed us from the world (Lk 1:68, Rev 5:9). Christ has
“called out” His body (ekklesia) unto Himself. We are to commit ourselves unto our Lord in
full surrender with a whole heart - everyday. When we truly yield to the Lord, there is much
joy. God redeems His people and brings them forth with great joy and gladness (Ps 105:43).
Isaiah 51:11, “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto
Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and
sorrow and mourning shall flee away.” Jesus gives us “eternal” redemption (Heb 9:12).
Psalms 89:15-18, “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O
LORD, in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy
righteousness shall they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour
our horn shall be exalted. For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our
king.” Psalms 100:4-5, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.”

Chapter Five - Similes

 
We discussed in Chapter One (Understanding God’s Plan) the allegory between God’s
deliverance of Israel from Egypt, the trek through the wilderness and inheritance in the
Promised Land as being comparable (analogous, akin, equivalent) with God’s judgment on
rebellious man and the reconciliation of His people to Himself (after a walk of faith through
the wilderness) in the Promised Land (new earth, new Jerusalem). God often speaks of His
purposes indirectly and uses some event to foreshadow others – a mystery. Jesus often spoke
the mysteries (hidden wisdom) of the kingdom of God through parables (Ps 78:2-4, Mt 13:13,
34-35). A parable is a simple story dealing with a very real circumstance (situation, fact,
event) in which the principal subject is described by another subject resembling it in its
properties and circumstances. The principal subject is thus kept out of view, and one is left to
ponder the intentions (meaning, objective, purpose) of the speaker. A parable will often say
something the flesh does not want to hear (receive) in such a way as to defuse (neutralize,
disarm) personal objection (people tuning out their attention or focusing on their objection),
or prejudice and hold the attention of the hearer and convey the message (which is pondered
in their hearts for an extended period). Some truths within the message are meant to be
divinely revealed to those who sincerely seek the meaning. Jesus said: Matthew 13:13-15,
“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear
not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias (Is 6:9-10,

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44:18), which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall
see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of
hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and
hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I
should heal them (restore).” Those not sincerely (genuinely) seeking to know and live God’s
Word will never understand the true meaning – their flesh won’t allow it. They will not
receive it due to their priorities to their flesh (self). The only way one will ever truly
understand is when they seek to do God’s will above all else. John 7:16-17, “Jesus answered
them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he
shall know (understand) of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”
Hosea 12:10, 13, “I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used
similitudes (comparison, simile), by the ministry of the prophets. And by a prophet (Moses)
the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet (Moses) was he preserved. A simile
is a comparison of two things which, however different in other respects, have some strong
point or points of resemblance; by which comparison, the character or qualities of a thing are
illustrated or presented in an impressive light. Consider: Moses was a prophet sent of God to
deliver His people from rebellious Pharaoh and Egypt and bring (reconcile) them to the Lord.
Similarly, Jesus was a prophet (also a Son, King and High Priest). Jesus was sent to deliver
His people from the rebellious Satan and the world and bring (reconcile) them to God. Thus it
was said (prophesied, foretold) of Jesus: Acts 3:22-23, “For Moses truly said unto the fathers,
A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall
ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every
soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people (also Deut
18:15-19).” God (the Father) said: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased;hear
ye him” (Mt 17:5). When God says, “hear ye Him,” its time to listen! – He’s speaking God’s
Words. This chapter will detail the similies that have been discussed throughout this book.
Most of the things contained in this chapter have been prior discussed. The intent is to have a
concise (summarizing, to the point) listing and record of similitude between God’s dealings
with the children of Israel (via Moses), and God’s dealings with Israel and all other nations
(via Jesus, the Son).
 
Hebrews 3:1-6, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the
Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that
appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy
of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than
the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And
Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which
were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we
hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Moses was faithful,
but did transgress the will of God (Num 20:7-13, Deut 4:21-22). Jesus was completely faithful
and did not transgress the will of God – Christ had no iniquity and is without blame (Jn 8:46,
Heb 4:15, 1 Pt 2:22, 2 Cor 5:21). Jesus once spoke to a religious group concerning Moses, in
whom they trusted: John 5:45-47, “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is
one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would
have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe
my words?” In many ways Moses was a forerunner (a foreshadowing of that which is perfect)
of Christ. Let us now consider some (to numerous to list them all) amazing similarities:
 
1)         Egypt and the world – Egypt is a land of idolatry and wickedness (Ez 20:7-8, Heb
11:24-27). Life is cheap (Ex 1:16, 22, Acts 7:19) and God’s people are placed under great
burdens (Ex 1:13-14). The Egyptians are proud, self seeking and religious (Ex 1:10, 18:11,

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Num 33:4, Neh 9:10). They benefit off the labors of the oppressed (Ex 14:5). Egypt is the
cultural, agricultural and military power of the world and is generally representative of the
world. The leader and his servants are greatly opposed to the Lord God Almighty (in
rebellion). Egypt transgresses (violates, disregards) God’s will. The children of Israel were
told (after being delivered from Egypt) not to do after the doings of the land of Egypt (Lev
18:3). Similarly, the world lies in wickedness (1 Jn 5:19). Men are naturally born into the
world with a disposition toward evil and are quickly corrupted - for the imagination of man’s
heart is evil from his youth (Gen 8:21). Man took on the nature of Satan in Eden by obeying
the devil (Gen 3:4-6); yet disobeying God (Gen 3:11). Man joined Satan’s rebellion by
disregarding God’s will in order to seek his own – as the devil had done (Jn 8:44 – when the
devil lied and deceived man, he spoke of what he had done – seek self over God). Man was
brought into the devil’s bondage. Man originally chose his will above God’s and the rebellion
has continued through the succeeding generations since Adam. There are two main issues.
The first involves atonment for the sinful nature which has been passed down to and partaken
of by all men (Rm 5:12). Sin takes many forms in the flesh, but the root is pride and self. By
the offense of one, judgment has come upon all men unto condemnation (Rm 5:18). All have
sinned and are equally guilty (Rm 3:23). The second issue involves God’s plan to reconcile
man back to Himself (Rm 5:10, Eph 2:16, Col 1:20). God has provided a way through Jesus
Christ for man to relinquish his self will and come back under His authority (Rm 5:17, 19).
Jesus comes to set us free (through following His truth) from being a servant to sin – and if
Christ sets us free, we are free indeed (Jn 8:31-36). Our redemption (deliverance is discussed
in a paragraph below). Once redeemed from this fallen world, we are told to be separate and
not to do the doings of it (2 Cor 6:17). God owns the earth – “for all the earth is mine” (Ex
19:5). Pharaoh (and his servants) have corrupted Egypt and God sent Moses to reclaim his
oppressed people. The Lord’s message to Pharaoh (through judgment) is: “that thou mayest
know how that the earth is the LORD’S” (Ex 19:29, 1 Cor 10:26). Similarly, the devil has
corrupted God’s creation (earth, world) and the Lord sent His Son (Jesus) to reclaim his
oppressed people. Jesus destroyed the works of Satan and delivered captivity (prisoners, Is
42:7, 61:6, Heb 2:14-15, Col 2:15, 1 Jn 3:8, Eph 4:8, Lk 4:18) and stated: “the prince of the
world is judged” (Jn 16:11). The Lord will bring judgment upon the world (Great
Tribulation) and the Lord’s message to Satan is: “that thou mayest know how that the earth is
the LORD’S.”
 
2)         Pharaoh and Satan – Lucifer (devil, Satan, dragon) transgressed God’s will (rebelled)
in order to seek his own will. He is prideful and opposed to God (Ez 28:2, 13-17, 31:16).
Isaiah 14:12-14, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art
thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine
heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also
upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights
of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” The devil had disregard for God’s will and
authority. Satan then spread his rebellion through God’s creation (corrupted other angels, Rev
12:4, 7, 9, 2 Pt 2:4, Jude 1:6). The devil came to man in the garden of Eden in the form of a
serpent and corrupted God’s people (man – the Lord’s creation) through his craftiness and
brought them into bondage (sin and death, 2 Pt 2:19). In other words, through corruption
(convinced man to seek his own authority, self; rather than to freely submit to God’s
authority), the devil took God’s creation of man under his bondage (suffering, addictions,
hard yoke and afficts with heavy burdens) to serve him. Satan is referred to as the prince of
this world (god of this world – which is fallen, Jn 12:31, 14:30, 16:11, 2 Cor 4:4, Eph 2:2, 1
Jn 5:19). He thinks he is a god (and may seem as such when compared to man), but does not
have the ability of God – his heart is lifted up - hardened (Ez 28:2). The devil comes to rule
over man, but God gives His servants (those under His authority) power (rule) over Satan

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(Mk 6:7, 16:17-18, Lk 9:1, 10:19-20). There is enmity between the devil and man and Satan is
a hard/cruel task master (Gen 3:15, 1 Pt 5:8). Satan takes man’s attention off of God in places
it upon self through temptations. As man follows the lusts of his flesh, he also seeks his will
and transgresses God’s authority – man is drawn away from God (Js 1:13-15, becomes part
of the rebellion against God). Satan rules over man through the flesh and takes captive at will
(2 Tim 2:26). The devil feeds (entices, charms allures) the flesh and man willingly follows.
As man seeks the flesh, he is blinded to the things of the Spirit (becomes spiritually weak and
an easy prey). Seeking the flesh is the opposite of faith in God (which is a bypass of the flesh).
God sent Jesus to redeem/deliver man from the bondages of Satan – to destroy his works (1
Jn 3:8). Jesus came to: Isaiah 42:7, “To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from
the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” Look up, and lift up your
heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Lk 21:28). Christ also came to bring reconciliation
between man and God – to restore that which He took not away; to make peace (Ps 23:3,
69:4, 85:10). Jesus guides our feet (He leads, we follow in His steps, Jn 12:26, 1 Pt 2:21) in
the way (Jesus is the way, truth and life, Jn 14:6) of peace (back to God, reconciliation, Lk
1:79). Satan does not want reconciliation between God and man (he wants them to serve him).
For restoration to occur, man must renounce (repent) his transgressions (rebellion) and
surrender to God’s authority – things must be as they were before the fall. The devil increases
pressure, temptations and burdens on those who begin to seek God to keep their heart from
Him. Satan does not want to let the people go. The devil’s servants come in lying signs and
wonders to resist and diminish the glory of God (2 Thess 2:9). God destroys Satan’s hold on
those who freely submit to Him through faith (in Christ). God does deliver His people (those
who surrender in love and obedience through Christ) and ultimately will destroy Satan and
this fallen world in the Lord’s timing and purpose (Rev 20:10, 21:1, Is 65:17). The devil (and
his angels and rebellious man) will be cast into the depths of the sea (of fire, Rev 20:10, 15, 2
Pt 2:4, Jude 1:6). Similarly, Pharaoh is prideful and opposed to God. The symbol of Pharaoh
(on his head dress) is the serpent. Pharaoh (and Satan) bring the Lord’s people into bondage
under the sign of the serpent. God comes to Pharaoh with the sign of a serpent to liberate His
people (Ex 7:9). The sorcerers of Pharaoh imitate the serpent, but God’s serpent swallows
their serpents proven who will always prevail (triumph over Satan or Pharaoh, Ex 7:10-13).
Pharaoh rules over Egypt (symbolic of the world, full of idolatry). He took God’s people
captive and placed them under hard bondage and heavy burdens (Ex 1:9-11, 14). The
Egyptians exerted their will over others – that they may serve us (Ex 1:13, 14:5). Exodus
1:14, “And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all
manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with
rigour.” God sent a deliverer (Moses) and said, “Let My people go” (Ex 5:1). Exodus 5:2,
“And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know
not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” He is opposed to God and resists the Lord’s
purposes. Exodus 15:9, “The enemy said (Pharaoh), I will pursue, I will overtake, I will
divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand (“I”)
shall destroy them.” Pharaoh comes in the force of “self” will against the will (purposes) of
the Lord God Almighty. God wants to deliver His people from Egypt and reconcile them to
Himself. Pharaoh does not want God’s people to be reconciled (he wants them to serve him).
When God’s people want to go and worship Him, Pharaoh greatly increases their burden to
put a stop to it (Ex 5:7-9, 17-18). He says: “for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us
go and sacrifice to our God (Ex 5:7).” God brings judgments on Pharaoh and Egypt, but he is
prideful and refuses to let the people go in complying with God’s will, but rather seeks his
self will – above all. His heart is hardened in his pride and arrogance (Ex 7:3, 8:15, 8:19, 32,
9:7, 12, 34-35, 10:1, 20, 27, 11:10, 14:4, 8, 17). Exodus 7:14, “And the LORD said unto
Moses, Pharaoh’s heart is hardened, he refuseth to let the people go.” Pharaoh’s servants
(wise men, sorcerers, magicians) work lying signs and wonders in opposing God and resisting

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the truth (2 Tim 3:8, Ex 7:11, 22, 8:7, 18-19). Pharaoh (prince of Egypt) thinks of himself as a
god (and may seem as such to the Hebrews), but is helpless at the hands of the true God. The
Lord makes Moses a God over Pharaoh as the Lord always humbles the prideful (Ex 7:1). The
Lord destroys Egypt through judgment and casts Pharaoh and his army (host) into the depths
of the sea (Ex 10:7, 14:26-27, 14:28, 15:4-5, 10, 19, Neh 9:11, Ps 136:15). The Lord delivers
His people from Egypt (i.e. world) through His great judgments (Ex 7:4-5) and brings them to
a new land (Promised Land, Ex 3:8, 3:17, 6:8) – out of the house of bondage (Ex 13:14). The
parallels between Satan and Pharaoh are striking.
 
3)         Faced death as a child – Jesus and Moses were both born into this earth under the
most humbling of circumstances. Moses’ family was sojourning in Egypt and under the
bondage of Pharaoh. Jesus was born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a
manger (a trough or box in which fodder is laid for animals, Lk 2:7, 12, 16). Christ’s parents
could not even afford the greater sacrifice (for the birth of a son) of a lamb of the first year for
a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, but had to offer the
lesser of two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a
sin offering (Lev 12:6-8, Lk 2:22-24). Two of the greatest men to live both came into the
world in the meekest of circumstances. Jesus and Moses both faced sure death aimed at
“male” children. At the time of Moses birth, Pharaoh (he who opposes God, i.e. the devil) had
degreed that all male Hebrew children were to be cast into the river (killed, Ex 1:22, 2:3, Heb
11:23). At the time of Jesus’ birth, Herod (he who opposes Christ, i.e. the devil) decreed that
all the male children two years old and under in the region be killed in an attempt to kill Jesus
(Mt 2:16, Acts 4:26, Rev 12:4).
 
4)         Sojourned in the land of Egypt – Jesus and Moses both sojourned for a time in Egypt
before the Lord called them out. Moses family came to Egypt (via Israel at Joseph’s
invitation) to escape death through famine in the land (Ps 105:23-25). Moses left place in the
royal family (Pharaoh’s house, i.e. man’s rebellion against God, Heb 11:24-27) forsaking all
to serve the Lord God Almighty (Heb 11:26-27). Jesus’ family also came to Egypt to escape
death (Mt 2:13). Jesus was called out of Egypt by the Lord for His purposes – “out of Egypt, I
have called My Son” (Mt 2:15). Jesus came out of Egypt and went into the Promised Land
(Israel, Mt 2:19-21).
 
5)         Meekness – Jesus and Moses were both very meek. Meekness is mild of temper; soft;
gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries.
Forbearance is the exercise of patience (command of temper); longsuffering; indulgence
toward those who injure us (restraint of passions); lenity; and the delay of resentment or
punishment. When considering forbearance under injury, consider the following scripture
dealing with charity: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind;
charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in
iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all
things, endureth all things.” Charity is love (sacrifice for another) directed first to God and
then to your fellow man. Moses and Jesus lived a life of charity toward others; please consider
this as you read this section and the next. Numbers 12:3, “Now the man Moses was very
meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” Moses was constantly the
source of criticism and blame by the children of Israel for everthing this peevish people could
moan and murmur about – yet still showed great love (Ex 5:20-21, 14:11-12, 15:24, 16:2-3,
7-8, 17:2-3). The people even considered stoning Moses (17:4). Moses constantly took up for
them before God pleading for the Lord’s forgiveness for their many transgressions – he bore
the iniquities of the people (Num 14:34, Deut 9:18-19, 25-29, 10:10). Moses was not allowed

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to enter the Promised Land because of them (Num 20:3-13), yet continued to be a remarkable
leader. On several occasions, God wanted to destroy the people due to their disobedient and
rebellious hearts (Ex 32:10, Deut 9:8, 14). Moses went before God fasting (forty days/nights)
to plead for them and secured mercy and forgiveness (Ex 32:11-14, 32, 33:15-17, 34:9, 28).
Moses even placed his eternal salvation on the line for them (Ex 32:32). Even Moses had his
limits: Deuteronomy 1:9-10, 12, “And I spake unto you at that time, saying, I am not able to
bear you myself alone: The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day
as the stars of heaven for multitude. How can I myself alone bear your cumbrance
(difficulties, toils burdens, oppressive load), and your burden, and your strife (also Num
11:10-15)?” Moses bear the burden of an entire nation. Jesus was also meek among men.
Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me (Christ); for I am meek and lowly
in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” To be lowly of heart is to be humble and free
of pride – not lofty; without grandeur (opulence) or dignity. Matthew 21:5, “Tell ye the
daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a
colt the foal of an ass.” In the lead-in scripture, we are told that charity envieth not (1 Cor
13:4-7). Moses did not envy others, consider this account: Numbers 11:26-29, “But there
remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the
other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but
went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp. And there ran a young
man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp. And Joshua the
son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses,
forbid them. And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the
LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!” Moses
didn’t Lord over others, but hoped (sought, desired) the best for everyone. Similarly Jesus did
not envy others either. Mark 9:38-40, “And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one
casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he
followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle
in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part (also
Lk 9:49-50).” Jesus was also the focus of the ridicule of the people. This scripture sums it up
fairly well: John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” Christ suffered
many things at the hands of these religious ones and was set at nought (Mk 9:12). Jesus even
went to the cross for such as these and proclaimed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not
what they do” – showing forbearance under injuries unto death (Lk 23:34). Jesus was meek,
humble and full of love and dead (void) of self. They hated Christ without a cause (Jn 15:25,
Ps 69:4). Consider Christ’s fate: Isaiah 53:3-5, “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of
sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was
despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:
yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed (restored to God).” It was said of Christ: Psalm 35:12,
“They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul (also Ps 69:20).” The reproaches
of man (toward God) fell upon Christ. (Rm 15:3). The religious reviled Jesus every way they
could. They derided Him (Mt 13:55-57, 21:15, Mk 5:40, 15:29, 31, Lk 16:14, 20:2, 23:35,
39); they falsely accused Him and called Him names (including the devil himself and
mad/crazy, Mt 9:34, 12:24, 26:60, Mk 3:22, 14:56, Jn 7:20, 8:48-49, 9:16, 24, 10:20, 18:30);
they plotted against Him and tried to trick Him with questions and situations (Mt 12:10, 12,
38, 17:24, 19:3, 21:23, 22:15, Mk 3:2, 6, 9:12, 10:2, 11:18, 12:13, Lk 11:53-54, 14:1, 20:20,
Jn 8:6); they tried to seize Him (Mk 12:12, 14:46, Lk 20:19, Jn 5:16, 7:32, 10:39, 11:57);
they tried to kill Him – including stoning him (Mt 12:14, 21:46, 26:4, 16, 27:20-22, Lk 4:28-
29, 19:47, 22:2, Jn 5:16, 18, 7:1, 25, 8:37, 59, 10:31, 11:8, 50, 53-54); His followers deserted
Him (Jn 6:66-68, Mt 26:56, Mk 3:21, 14:50); and Christ own family had unbelief (Jn 7:5, Mk

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6:3). All gathered together against Christ; kings, govenors, Jews and Gentiles (Acts 4:27).
Through all of this, Jesus did not become bitter or have unforgiveness toward them (1 Pt
3:18). Christ (in His meekness) endured such contradiction of sinners against himself (Heb
12:3). Romans 5:6-8, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some
would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus bore the sins of many (Is 53:11-12, Heb 9:28). Christ took
all that rebellious man threw at Him and only returned love (sacrifice for others). Jesus
meekly went to the cross and died for those who rejected Him (perfect forbearance under
injuries). Acts 8:32-33, “The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a
sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth.
In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his
life is taken from the earth.” Jesus was mocked, smote (hit), spat upon, buffeted and bruised.
Isaiah 50:6, “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I
hid not my face from shame and spitting.” Jesus stood bearing our iniquities and made
intercession for the transgressors so as to justify many (Is 53:11-12). Yet it pleased the Lord
to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief when thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin (Is
53:10). A mock trial was held complete with false witnesses. Psalms 35:11, “False witnesses
did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.” Jesus was then led
away bound (Mk 15:1, Jn 18:24) to the Gentile (Roman) governor for more of the same
(scourged, beaten, reviled). 1 Peter 2:23, “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when
he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.”
Religious man vehemently accused him and demanded the penalty of death (Lk 23:9). Jesus
(God) would not yield (conform to man) to “their way” and He had to be done away with. Oh,
what the devil’s lie has wrought in man. The Gentile (non religious) leader found no fault (Lk
23:4, Jn 18:38, 19:4) and realized the leaders had offered Christ up out of envy (Mt 27:18,
Mk 15:10). The govenor offered to release Jesus, but the leaders and people chose rather a
convicted criminal (murderer, Mk 15:11). When asked what to do about Jesus, the people
cried, “crucify Him” (Mk 15:12-13) – but what evil hath He done? – “crucify Him” (Mk
15:14, Lk 27:20-23); Shall I release Jesus? - “Away with this man” (Lk 23:18). To say, “away
with this man” was a total rejection of the man, His message and all he stood for. Jesus was
given over to the will of the people (Jn 19:6) – the very religious people. Jesus had been
humiliated, betrayed, deserted, blasphemed, beaten without mercy, mocked, spat upon,
reviled, and falsely accused. Psalm 69:20, “Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of
heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I
found none.” Can we comprehend such isolation and rejection? What day was this? This was
the day of preparation for the Passover (a very Holy Day, Jn 19:14). This was the day when
the passover lamb was to be killed (Lk 22:7). All the symbolism of the passover
(foreshadowing) pointed to this one event (to be fulfilled in Christ) and these learned (2 Tim
3:7) religious men were to blind to see it – they were about to kill the “lamb of God” (Rev
5:6, 12, 13:8). Through all of this, Jesus did not become embittered or have unforgiveness
toward them (1 Pt 3:18). If He had (such as animosity, resentment, dislike) it would have
quenched His love and been accounted as iniquity. Jesus, the perfect unblemished lamb of
God, was about to be slain. Jesus represented God’s love and the best of man. Psalm 35:12,
“They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.” Jesus had done all things well.
John 15:25, “But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their
law, They hated me without a cause (also Acts 13:28).” Psalms 22:6, 13, 17-18, “But I am a
worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. They gaped upon me with
their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare
upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Matthew
27:39-44, “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that

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destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God,
come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and
elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now
come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him
now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were
crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.” They were inasmuch saying, Jesus is accursed,
accursed! – look at Him hang. This is rebellious man’s justice and judgment – man’s mercy!
This is the heart and nature of man. The blood continued to flow down Christ’s broken body,
but the mockers continued to belittle Him. Psalms 71:11, “Saying, God hath forsaken him:
persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.” They were inasmuch saying God has
abandoned the accursed man hanging on the tree. Psalms 22:7-8, “All they that see me laugh
me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that
he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.” “Away with such a
man,” they said. This was man’s justice concerning God’s visitation (Jer 5:4). However, what
was God’s purpose in allowing His Son die? God’s intent was far more noble than man’s.
Jesus had actually laid His life down willingly to provide an atonement for the transgressions
of all mankind (Jn 10:15, 17-18, Gal 1:4, 1 Jn 3:16, 4:10). John 10:11, “I am the good
shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” – the lost sheep (Jer 50:6, Mt
15:24, Lk 19:10)! Man (Adam) had transgressed God’s will in Eden and took on the nature of
Satan which is rebellion (seeking one’s own way). This nature is what has been discussed over
and over in this study. God was making “the way” (final and complete) for sincere men to
come back under His authority and partake of His nature – to be free of “the lie.” Can you
believe that God would offer such hope to such a rebellious creation? 1 John 4:9-10, “In this
was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into
the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he
loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (the act of appeasing wrath) for our sins.” To
reconcile, the corrupt foundation of man’s wicked nature had to be destroyed. Man had
committed a grievous transgression and this could not be overlooked nor summarily
dismissed (set aside). Jesus was providing amends for the wrong committed such that
reconciliation could be possible. Jesus was going to stand in our (your) place for all our
iniquities and transgressions. Jesus was going to face the Father’s wrath and make reparation
(Ps 85:10). 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that
we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Jesus, who was perfect, paid a price that
imperfect man could not pay. Christ, who was sinless, took upon Himself all the sin of the
world (the transgression, rebellion). Therefore, while hanging upon a tree, while bearing
man’s sin, Jesus was truly accursed of God. At that moment, He represented (on the cross) all
the worst of mankind – all man’s transgressions resultant from “the devil’s lie.” Jesus was
truly despised, rejected, disregarded, and afflicted by rebellious man, yet He bore our griefs,
and carried our sorrows, was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our
iniquities and chastised for our faults (Is 53:3-5). After all the love and compassion Jesus had
given in His earthly walk, in death He gave even more. 1 Peter 2:24, “Who his own self bare
our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (restored).” Jesus hung on the cross with His
blood flowing freely from His face, back, hands and feet. Matthew 27:46, “And about the
ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My
God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” The accursed man (for our sakes) hanging on the
tree was even forsaken (for a moment) by God Himself. Isaiah 54:7-8, “For a small moment
have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face
from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the
LORD thy Redeemer.” Jesus’ (and thus the Father’s) love goes far beyond our understanding.
He did this for the very one’s who hung Him on the tree (all of us, we are all guilty, Rm 3:10).

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Even for the one’s who were still mocking and reviling Him as He hung in agony (Rm 5:6-8).
Jesus forgave these men while He hung upon the cross (Lk 23:34) - true to nature, man was
seeking his way and didn’t know (comprehend) what he was doing. Christ’s sacrifice made
it possible for all men (Jew and Gentile) to be reconciled with God. Galatians 3:13-14, “Christ
hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,
Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on
the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith.” Jesus took “our curse” and put it to death with Himself upon the tree (accursed). Now
we must come out from under the nature of the devil’s lie: Galatians 2:20, “I am crucified
with Christ (my old nature): nevertheless I live (the new nature God has given me); yet not I,
but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son
of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Our lives must be surrendered to Christ!
We must renounce our self seeking ways and surrender to Jesus. Luke 23:46, “And when
Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and
having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” Christ had totally committed Himself to the Father
during His earthly walk. Jesus now trust His Spirit into the care of the Father (Job 13:15, Ps
16:10, 31:5), knowing the Father would redeem Him from the grave (Ps 49:15). Let us
remember: Jesus came to preach good tidings unto the meek (Is 61:1). Matthew 5:5, “Blessed
are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth (also Ps 37:11).” We must become like our Lord
and like Moses (who was one of the greatest prophets to arise, Deut 34:10). Let us also
remember: Colossians 3:14, “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of
perfectness.” AND 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;
but the greatest of these is charity.” We must be longsuffering.
 
6)         Prophet not honored – Having discussed meekness (forbearance under injuries), there
is another area in which Jesus and Moses were very much alike. A group once questioned
Jesus’ authenticity: Mark 6:3-4, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of
James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were
offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own
country, and among his own kin, and in his own house (also Jn 4:44, 6:41-42).” Those most
familiar with us tend to give us the least respect and honor – this is a fact (Lk 4:24). Jesus was
the Son of God, yet His brothers were not so sure. John 7:5, “For neither did his brethren
(adelphos – a brother from the womb; James, Joses, Juda, Simon) believe in him.” His
brothers wanted Jesus to go up to Jerusalem and perform some mighty works and show the
world (Jn 7:3-4). Christ’s hometown considered Him to only be “the carpenter’s son” and
they were offended by Him. They said: John 7:27-28, “Howbeit we know this man whence he
is: but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is. Then cried Jesus in the temple as
he taught, saying, Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of myself,
but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.” How could He know such things and perform
such works, we know Him and He is just ordinary to us (Mk 6:2-3, 6). Yet God (the Father)
said of Jesus: Matthew 17:5, “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them:
and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased; hear ye him.” Similarly, Moses own brother and sister (Aaron and Miriam) rose up
against him. Numbers 12:1-2, 6-8, “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of
the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman. And
they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And
the LORD heard it. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the
LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My
servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to
mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he
behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” Moses had

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done so much for the children of Israel, but they were unthankful. They had murmured and
complained against Moses’ pleadings and were not able to enter into the Promised Land, yet
they blamed Moses. Numbers 16:13  Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a
land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself
altogether a prince over us? We must always do God’s will, above all (family, friends). Jesus
said: Luke 14:26, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and
children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”
Nothing, including self, can be placed above your relationship with God. Often, family and
friends will reject the testimony of Jesus (not so much as professed, but as sincerely lived) in
your life.
 
7)         Obedience – One distinguishing factor in Moses life was his obedience to God
(particularly under difficult situations). Exodus 7:6, “And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD
commanded them, so did they.” What a blessed attribute! God commands Moses and Moses
does. Moses was required to go up against the most powerful man in the world (Pharaoh) and
perform God’s directions. God would speak a command to Moses and then Moses would do
it. Sometimes obedience to God brought reproach and suffering from Pharaoh, the Egyptians,
and his own people. Moses failed to obey God on one occasion and was not allowed to enter
the Promised Land. The devil later contended (disputed, contested) for the body of Moses
(Jude 1:9). Similarly, Jesus absolutely obeyed the Father. John 14:31, “But that the world
may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do…”
Adam had failed to obey God’s Word in Eden (and was corrupted), but rather sought self.
Jesus came to completely obey God’s Word and die to self – and thus lived “perfectly” (no
sin, iniquity, transgression or rebellion). John 6:38, “For I came down from heaven, not to do
mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” AND John 4:34, “Jesus saith unto them, My
meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” Jesus came with great
purpose: Hebrews 10:7, “Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of
me,) to do thy will, O God.” Christ would absolutely fulfill all the prophecies concerning
Himself (volume of the book). Had Jesus just once disobeyed God’s direction, then he would
have been brought into the devil’s bondage (prison house). Jesus related how He abided in
God: John 15:10, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have
kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” Obedience always requires self
denial, sacrifice and generally some suffering. Hebrews 5:8, “Though he were a Son, yet
learned he obedience by the things which he suffered (also Heb 2:10).” When facing death,
Jesus proclaimed, “Thy will be done” to the Father (Mt 26:39, 42). Consider: John 12:27-28,
“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this
cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven,
saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
 
8)         Spoke God’s Words and did God’s Works – God spoke to Moses in Sinai (through
the burning bush) and sent him to speak His Words and perform His works (Ex 3:1-14, 4:1-
9). The Lord told Moses: Exodus 4:12, “Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and
teach thee what thou shalt say.” After some rangling, it was agreed that God would speak to
Moses and Moses would tell Aaron who would be the spokesman (Ex 4:10-11, 14). Exodus
4:15-16, “And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy
mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. And he shall be thy
spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and
thou shalt be to him instead of God.” Moses then went forth and spoke God’s Words and
worked God’s Works before Pharaoh and all of Egypt. Later, Moses would do the same
before the children of Israel as they were led through the wilderness (bread and meat from
heaven, water from rocks, giving of the Law, building the tabernacle, etc., Deut 4:5). The

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Words and works were to bear witness and draw the people to God (that they would learn
trust and walk in faith). Deuteronomy 34:10-12, “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel
like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which
the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his
land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight
of all Israel.” After all that God wrought through Moses, the people were still full of unbelief
(continually transgressing God’s will) and did not enter the Promised Land (only two – Caleb
and Joshua). Similarly, Jesus came speaking God’s Words and performing His Works. It was
said of Christ: John 3:34, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God
giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him (also Deut 18:18).” Jesus said: John 12:49-50, “For
I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what
I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting:
whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak (also Jn 8:38).”
AND John 8:26, “I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true;
and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.” Jesus once told a gathering:
John 7:16-17, “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I
speak of myself.” AND John 14:10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father
in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in
me, he doeth the works. Christ also did mighty miracles of healing, deliverances, feeding,
calming storms, and the raising of the dead. John 5:36, “But I have greater witness than that
of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear
witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.” Jesus was always about the Father’s business.
John 9:4, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when
no man can work.” Jesus said prior to His death: John 17:4-5, “I have glorified thee on the
earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou
me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” Christ told
the people: John 10:37-38, “If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do,
though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is
in me, and I in him.” AND John 14:11, “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in
me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” After all the Words and miracles that Jesus
did, the people were still full of unbelief. John 12:37, “But though he had done so many
miracles before them, yet they believed not on him.”We must all be speaking God’s Words
and performing God’s Works (Mt 10:20, Jn 14:12).
 
9)         Forsook self – Moses and Jesus both lived selfless lives. Their hearts were to do the
will of God and this came foremost in their lives. Hebrews 11:24-26, “By faith Moses, when
he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to
suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect
unto the recompence of the reward.” Moses was raised in the grandeur (splendor, opulance,
greatness, wealth) of the Egyptian palace, but forssok all and became a simple shepherd in the
wilderness. God promoted Moses to shepherd His people and he spent the rest of his life in
selfless service. Moses was used of God to feed, give drink, pray for (intercede), lead, teach,
heal, love, defend, forgive, suffer for, and judge the people. Similarly, Jesus lived a life
devoid of self and a devotion to the Father. Philippians 2:7-8, “But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross.” Jesus left the magnificience of heaven in selfless love (sacrifice)
to reconcile man to God. 2 Corinthians 8:9, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might

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be rich.” For it was said: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered
unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom (to liberate, set free) for many.” Christ
never owned (possessed) the things of the world. Matthew 8:20, “And Jesus saith unto him,
The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to
lay his head (no house).” Jesus did not seek carnal things, He had eternal purpose – so must
we. Jesus absolutely lived by example: Matthew 6:25,32-33, “Therefore I say unto you, Take
no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what
ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? (For after all these
things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these
things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall
be added unto you (food, clothing, needful things, Mt 6:25-32).” Jesus became a servant in
that He never sought His own, but always looked after the needs of others. Romans 15:3, “For
even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached
thee fell on me.” He healed, delivered, served, fed, gave, ministered, taught, loved, prayed for,
defended, suffered, forgave, and laid down His life willingly. Jesus was totally giving and
never selfish.
 
10)     Personal glory? – Jesus and Moses were called of God and placed in a certain position.
They were content in their position realizing all things are in God’s hands. They were both
tempted with greater authority (becoming a great ruler), but chose to submit humbly and
meekly to God’s purposes.After the children of Israel had made the calf of gold (idol), the
Lord was ready to consume them. Exodus 32:10, “Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath
may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great
nation.” Moses put all self interest aside and pleaded for the people while defending God’s
honor (Ex 32:11-14). On another occasion, the people refused to go into the Promised Land.
The Lord said: Numbers 14:12, “I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them,
and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they (also Deut 9:14).” Again Moses
pled for the people and defended God’s honor with no thought of self (Num 14:13-20).
Similarly, when Jesus was led of the Spirit into the wilderness, the devil tempted Him with
great power (Mt 4:1, Lk 4:5-8). Matthew 4:8-9, “Again, the devil taketh him up into an
exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of
them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship
me.” Jesus put all self interest aside and responded: Matthew 4:10, “Then saith Jesus unto
him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him
only shalt thou serve.” Notice where Christ heart is! The Jewish people wanted to make Jesus
a king by force, but He was not seeking personal glory. On another occasion, Jesus made
quite an impression on the people by feeding them bread and fish. John 6:15, “When Jesus
therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he
departed again into a mountain himself alone.” Jesus sought the will of God and not His own
exaltation (Heb 10:7).Seeking the things of this world is an exaltation of self. This is feeding
one’s flesh rather than seeking God’s purposes, and is enmity toward God (1 Jn 2:15-17, Js
4:4, Rm 8:7).
 
11)     Came to deliver and redeem – Jesus and Moses were both sent of God to deliver
(redeem) His people from bondage (set free). Moses was told: Exodus 3:10-12, “Come now
therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the
children of Israel out of Egypt. And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto
Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? And he said,
Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When
thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.”
Through Moses (Acts 7:34), God delivered His people: Psalms 106:10, “And he saved them

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from the hand of him that hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.” The
people were led to God out of the house of bandage (Ex 19:4, 20:2). Exodus 15:13, “Thou in
thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy
strength unto thy holy habitation.” Jesus’ coming was prophesied (foretold) by the prophets.
When Christ came, He said: John 8:42, “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye
would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he
sent me.” Jesus later said: John 16:28, “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the
world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.” Jesus came to proclaim liberty to the
captives (Is 61:1). Christ came to deliver those who sit in darkness from the prison house (Is
42:7). Jesus preached deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at
liberty them that are bruised (Lk 4:18). Hebrews 2:15, “And deliver them who through fear of
death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Jesus brought eternal redemption that we
might receive the “promise” of eternal inheritance (Heb 9:12, 15). Let the wise consider the
following carefully: Psalms 107:1-21, 43, “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for
his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed
from the hand of the enemy(Satan, Pharaoh); And gathered them out of the lands, from the
east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness
in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry (need manna, every Word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God) and thirsty (need Holy Spirit), their soul fainted in them.
Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble (repentance), and he delivered them out of
their distresses (set free). And he led them forth by the right way (paths of righteousness, Ps
23:3, narrow way, following Jesus), that they might go to a city of habitation (Promised
Land, New Jerusalem). Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his
wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the
hungry soul with goodness (hunger and thirst after righteousness, poor in spirit, mourning).
Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron
(Pharaoh, Satan); Because they rebelled against the words of God (sought their own way – be
as gods, transgression), and contemned the counsel of the most High (disregard for God):
Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help
(helpless apart from God). Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them
out of their distresses (longsuffering, mercy). He brought them out of darkness and the
shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder (redemption, deliverance). Oh that men
would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness
of the LORD.”
 
12)     Shepherd and the sheep – Moses left the glory of Egypt and became a simple humble
shepherd (Ex 2:17, 3:1). Moses went before to Mount Horeb and will lead the sheep back
there to worship God (Ex 3:12). Throughout scripture God has called men who were
shepherds to care for His people, whom God likens to sheep. Jesus’ birth was announced by
angels to simple humble shepherds in the field (Lk 2:8-14). These came and worshipped at the
manger (Lk 2:16-20). Jesus often compared Himself to a shepherd and His followers to sheep
(John Chapter Ten). Jesus said: John 10:14, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep,
and am known of mine.” This is the relationship that Christ desires. John 10:4, “And when he
putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know
his voice.” The Shepherd leads and the sheep obediently follow – Christ is “speaking” to their
hearts. The Shepherd goes before (walked the walk) and leads the sheep to God (walk as He
walked, 1 Jn 2:6). We conform to Christ’s image such that Jesus can be firstborn of many
brethren (Rm 8:29). Consider the relationship based upon the obedience of the “follower:”
John 14:21, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and
he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to

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him.” AND John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep
my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode
with him.” This is what Christ did in going to God and now we are following. John 15:10, “If
ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's
commandments, and abide in his love.” Consider how the Shepherd cares for the sheep: John
10:11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” Moses was a
tremendous leader and even offered his eternal salvation in pleading for God’s forgiveness for
the people. Exodus 32:32, “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray
thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” Moses was not required to give his physical or
eternal life. Jesus did lay down His physical life for the sins of the people (Is 53:4-8, Mt
20:28). The shepherd cares for the sheep – feeding (live by the Word of God, Deut 8:3, Mt
4:4, Jn 4:34), watering (gave the Holy Spirit, Jn 4:10, 7:37-39, Rev 7:17), providing security
against the beasts of the earth (Lk 10:19), seeking the lost (Mt 18:12-13, Lk 15:4, 19:10) and
leading to pastures (Promised Land, inherit the earth). Psalms 23:1-6, “The LORD is my
shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside
the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his
name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the
house of the LORD for ever.” – Beautifully stated!
 
13)     Trust in God’s deliverer – All of the Egyptians thought Moses to be a great man.
Exodus 11:3, “And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover
the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in
the sight of the people.” When the children of Israel departed from Egypt (driven out by
Pharaoh), a mixed multitude also went with them – trusting in Moses. Exodus 12:38, “And a
mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.”
Similarly, Jesus originally came only to the children of Israel. Matthew 15:24, “But he
answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Christ later
commissioned His followers to make disciples of all men – nations – the mixed multitude;
whomsoever will (gentiles, Mt 28:19-20). Matthew 12:21, “And in his name (Jesus) shall the
Gentiles trust.”
 
14)     Intercessor – Jesus and Moses were both intercessors/advocates between God and man.
Exodus 20:19, “And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not
God speak with us, lest we die.” AND Deuteronomy 5:27-28, “Go thou near, and hear all that
the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak
unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it. And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when
ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this
people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.”
Moses became the intercessor (one who interposes between God and man with a view to
reconcile them) for the people. As previously mentioned, Moses always took the role of
peacemaker (advocate) between God and man. In this role, one must be concerned about the
interest of both parties with God’s will (Word) triumphing over all. The advocate (one who
pleads on behalf of another, intermediary) pleads for the contrite, but does not justify the
froward. Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of
God.” All things will be restored unto God – submitted and under His authority – this is fact!
The consideration for the intercessor is how much forbearance and longsuffering God will
tolerate of rebellious man such that a man will come to understanding and totally submit
(surrender) in love and obedience through faith. Moses spoke and carried out God’s will.

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When the people transgressed, Moses pleaded with God for forgiveness. Similarly, Jesus is
our intercessor between God and man. 1 Timothy 2:5-6, “For there is one God, and one
mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to
be testified in due time.” Christ pleads for mercy for the penitent heart (repents of sin;
sorrowful over transgressions against God). 1 John 2:1-2, “My little children, these things
write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but
also for the sins of the whole world.” We can plead for mercy, but never license or
justification (of evil, wickedness). Obviously, mercy and forgiveness would hold little value or
meaning to one who desires to continue in his iniquities. Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore he is able
also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them.” Jesus bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors
(Is 53:12). Christ died and is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also
maketh intercession for us (Rm 8:34). Jesus desires reconciliation and that does not provide
for man staying (continuing) in rebellion to God’s will. Hebrews 2:17, “Wherefore in all
things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be
a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the
sins of the people.” Christ sent the Holy Spirit to aide in this role: Romans 8:26, “Likewise
the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:
but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
Ephesians 2:18, “For through him (Christ) we both have access by one Spirit unto the
Father.” Jesus helps us when we are tempted: Hebrews 2:18, “For in that he himself hath
suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” AND Hebrews 4:15,
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
 
15)     Judgment – Moses was a judge of the people and Jesus is The Judge of the people.
Initially, Moses judged all matters of the children of Israel. Exodus 18:13, “And it came to
pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from
the morning unto the evening.” Moses father-in-law (Jethro) inquired as to Moses’ method:
Exodus 18:15-16, “And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me
to enquire of God: When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and
another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.” Jethro gave Moses
some sound advice in how to lessen the burden: Exodus 18:19-22, “Hearken now unto my
voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-
ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: And thou shalt teach them ordinances and
laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth,
hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of
hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: And let them judge the people at all seasons: and
it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall
judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.” Similarly,
Jesus is “The Judge” appointed of God (Ps 9:8, Is 42:1, Jer 23:5, 2 Tim 4:1, Heb 10:30, 1 Pt
4:5, Rev 19:11). John 5:22, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment
unto the Son (also Jn 5:27, 13:3, Is 33:22, Mic 4:3).” Jesus taught the people God’s Words
(Mk 10:1, Jn 9:39): John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the
words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” Christ once told a group: John
8:31-32, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word,
then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free.” Jesus also said: John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but

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is passed from death unto life.” This is what it all boils down to: John 12:48, “He that
rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have
spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day (also Eccl 3:17).” According to your works it
shall be done unto you (Rev 2:23, 22:12, 1 Pt 1:17, Mt 16:27); whether faith (Mt 9:29) or
unbelief/wickedness/words (Ez 18:30, Jer 21:14, 27:12, 42:4, Num 14:28-37, 2 Tim 4:14, 2
Pt 2:13, Rev 18:6). Every man shall give an account of himself (Rm 14:12). Judgement must
be impartial and in accordance with God’s righteous character (1 Cor 4:5). John 5:30, “I can
of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not
mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” AND John 7:24, “Judge not
according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” Christ will delegate some
judgment into the hands of His servants. 1 Corinthians 6:2-3, “Do ye not know that the saints
shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the
smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain
to this life?” The Lord God is perfect, righteous and holy and judgment always begins in
God’s own house. 1 Peter 4:17, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house
of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of
God?”
 
16)     Covenants - Jesus and Moses both administrated significant covenants (agreements)
between God and man (discussed more thoroughly in Chapter Three). God came down in a
cloud and verbally (orally, audibly) spoke His Ten Commandments to the people at Mount
Horeb. Deuteronomy 4:13, “And he (God) declared unto you his covenant, which he
commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of
stone.” The people told Moses that that would obey these commandments. Exodus 19:8, “And
all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And
Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.” Later Moses, Aaron and selected
leaders worshipped the Lord (Ex 24:21). Moses alone came nigh and received instruction (Ex
24:22). Exodus 24:3-8, “And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and
all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which
the LORD hath said will we do. And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up
early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the
twelve tribes of Israel. And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt
offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD. And Moses took half of the
blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the
book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the
LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on
the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you
concerning all these words.” This was a solemn (grave, serious, sober) agreement between
God and the people sealed in blood whereby the people agreed to walk in the Lord’s ways and
obey His commandments. This agreement was soon after “written in stone.” God stressed
over and over that His commandments were to be kept (Ex 15:26, 16:28, 20:6, Lev 22:31,
26:3, Deut 4:2, 40, 5:10, 29, 6:2, 17, 7:9, 11, 8:2, 6, 10:13, 11:1, 8, 22, 13:4, 18, 19:9, 26:17-
18, 27:1, 28:9, 45, 30:10, 16, Josh 22:5, 1 Kgs 2:3, 3:14, 6:12, 8:58, 61, 9:6, 11:38, 2 Kgs
17:13, 23:3, 1 Chr 28:8, 29:19, 2 Chr 34:31, Neh 1:9, Ps 78:7, 89:31, 103:18, 119:60,
119:115, Eccl 12:13). Man did not keep God’s commandment in Eden and has disregarded
the Lord’s commandments ever since. Similarly, Jesus also procured a better and everlasting
covenant between God and man known as His testament (Heb 12:24, 13:20). Hebrews 8:6,
“But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of
a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.” This covenant is entered into
by faith and one also agrees to walk in Christ’s ways and obey His commandments (Mt
19:17, Jn 14:15-17, 20-21, 23, 15:10, 1 Jn 2:3-4, 3:24, 5:2-3, Rev 12:17, 14:12). Christ

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Himself was the sacrifice and His blood sealed this very solemn agreement (Heb 9:16-17).
Hebrews 9:12, 20, “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered
in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Saying, This is the
blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.” Both of these covenants were to
be taken very seriously and there were consequences for the disingenuous. Hebrews 10:26-31,
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth
no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation,
which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under
two or three witnesses.” Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought
worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the
covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit
of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense,
saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the
hands of the living God. If you have enter into covenant with Christ, then you must walk
obediently daily with all seriousness. This is not your religious devotion (religiosity), but
rather your new life. The Lord always honors His part of the covenant, woe to those who
violate theirs!
 
17)     Bread – Moses and Jesus both provided bread for the people. God actually provided the
bread (manna), but Moses was the Lord’s intercessor to the people. The people attributed the
bread to Moses rather than God. John 6:31-32, “Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it
is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I
say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true
bread from heaven.” The bread (manna) given to the children of Israel (in a miraculous way)
was to teach faith, trust and reliance in God (Jesus was also tested in this also in the
wilderness, Lk 4:3-4). Man was to live by every Word of God and walk in His ways (Deut
8:2-3). The people had to obey God in gathering it daily and be constantly reminded where
their provision came from. The wilderness was such a barren place, this bread should have
produced thankfulness and reliance upon God. Similarly, Jesus fed the people with bread on
two occasions under impossible circumstances. Jesus also provided this bread in the
wilderness. His disciples had initially questioned Him: Mark 8:4, “And his disciples answered
him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness (also Mt
15:33)?” Christ fed five thousand men (beside women and children) with five barley loaves –
they all ate and were filled (twelve baskets of fragments remaining, Mt 14:15-21, Mk 6:35-44,
Lk 9:12-17, Jn 6:5-13). Jesus also fed four thousand men (beside women and children) with
seven barley loaves – they all ate and were filled (seven baskets of fragments remaining, Mt
15:32-38, Mk 8:1-9). The people came to Jesus later seeking more bread (Jn 6:26): John 6:27,
“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting
life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.” Jesus
related how the manna was symbolic of Himself. John 6:35-38, “And Jesus said unto them, I
am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me
shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not All that the
Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I
came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” Christ
also said: John 6:47-58, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath
everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are
dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not
die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he
shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of
the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his
flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh

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of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and
drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is
meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood,
dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he
that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven:
not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for
ever.” What Jesus was saying is that man must enter into His covenant gained through His
broken body and spilt blood. This is a covenant of faith whereby we must live by God’s
Words and trust in Him. Our reliance must be upon Christ and not self – our very life
(sustenance) must be found in Christ. We must hunger and thirst after His righteousness
(obtained through faith). The children of Israel ate the manna, but are dead. Many of these
faced the second death because of their disobedience, rebellion and unbelief (1 Cor 10:1-12).
Christ offers eternal life through the laying down of His flesh. Recall from Chapter One: that
Adam sought the flesh and brought death into the world. Jesus gave up the flesh and brought
life into the world (Jn 6: 51).
 
18)     Blood – Passover verses Jesus blood. Psalms 51:7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall
be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Recall God’s last judgment upon the
land of Egypt which laid the foundation of the Passover celebration. Exodus 12:22-23, “And
ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel
and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the
door of his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians;
and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass
over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.”
This blood was from an unblemished male lamb and provided a covering such that God’s
destroying angel would “pass over.” This was all symbolic of what Christ would later do in
shedding His blood for the sins of the world. Those who repent have forgiveness through the
blood of Christ (Mk 14:24, Lk 22:20, Acts 20:28, Rm 3:25, Eph 1:7, 2:13, Col 1:14, Heb
13:12, 1 Jn 1:7, Rev 5:9). Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (also Col 1:14).” In a sense we
take hyssop and dip it in the blood of God’s unblemished lamb (Christ) and our transgressions
are covered (for our cleansing) through our obedience and surrender to Jesus’ authority –
signified by entering into His covenant. 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the
light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us
from all sin.” Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be
saved from wrath through him.” Christ’s blood provides the covering such that we are “passed
over” from God’s wrath. This is accomplished because Jesus (our intercessor) has made
peace between God and man to bring about reconciliation through faith. Colossians 1:20,
“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto
himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.” Therefore:
Ephesians 2:13-14, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by
the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the
middle wall of partition between us.” Let us always remember: Jesus loved us and washed us
from our sins in His own blood (Rev 1:5).
 
19)     Without the gate – The statute of God was that the sin offering was to be taken outside
the camp and burned. The blood was offered upon the altar. Hebrews 13:11-13, “For the
bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are
burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his
own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp,
bearing his reproach.” Jesus was the sin offering for all of mankind and His blood cleanses us

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from sin and makes peace with the Father (for those surrendered in faith, Col 1:14, 20, 1 Jn
1:9). 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” Christ redeems
(delivers) us from the darkness (Egypt/Pharaoh; world/devil, 2 Tim 2:19). Titus 2:14, “Who
gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
 
20)     Songs – Both Moses and Jesus have songs attributed to them. The “song of Moses” was
sang after the defeat of Pharaoh and all his host in the Red Sea. This song speaks of God’s
greatness and redemption of Israel from Egypt (their enemies) and their place with God.
Exodus 15:13, “Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou
hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.” Similarly, the saints of God
(followers of Christ) sing the “Lamb’s song:” Revelation 5:9-10, “And they sung a new song,
saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain,
and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and
nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
This song speaks of Christ’s greatness and redemption of His followers from Satan and the
world (their enemies) and their place with Him. All the saints sing before the throne:
Revelation 15:3, “And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and thesong of the
Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy
ways, thou King of saints.” God is great and mighty and delivers His people and judges the
wicked (justly condemns).
 
21)     Lifted up - Numbers 21:5-9, “And the people spake against God, and against Moses,
Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread,
neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the LORD sent fiery
serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore
the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD,
and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses
prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it
upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it,
shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that
if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” The Lord had
redeemed and delivered Israel out of the hands of their enemies. Pharaoh and Egypt were
prideful and idolatrous and had inflicted great burdens and bondages upon God’s people
(corrupted them). Had God not placed a separation between the Egyptians and Israel they
would have lost any distinction and would have been totally given over to the wickedness of
the people around them (Ps 105:25). God brought Israel out into the wilderness to prove them
whether they would keep His commandments or not (Deut 8:2-3). Psalms 106:14-15, “But
lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their
request; but sent leanness into their soul.” The people demanded bread and God gave them
meagerness (want of flesh). Given their way, the people would have made God their servant.
God was teaching them that life was found in His Word and provision. They had to learn
obedience, reliance, trust, hope, patience, self control and dependance upon God. The people
needed to learn “faith” – trust in God beyond the flesh. The people chose to walk in unbelief
as evidenced by their statement of loathing (hating, detesting, despising, abhorring, repulsed
by) God’s provision of manna (light bread). They just had no faith and were thankless. Faith
is what God desires (demands), but cannot be forced upon one – they must choose to walk in
it (Heb 11:6). God is longsuffering and patient and will harvest the acceptable portion of the
earthly crop of fruit and disregard (cast away) the rotten fruit (corrupted, obstinate, froward).
The acceptable will no doubt be a small part of the whole earthly crop (remnant). Your free

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will shall either save or destroy you. The children of Israel were self-centered, disobedient
and disappointing. Therefore, God allowed the devil (the serpent) to strike once again and to
infect them with his venom which causes death. Seeking self (and thereby rejecting God)
transgresses God’s will and separates one from the Lord and thus opens one up to the bite of
the serpent. You become an enemy of God by your own choice. The Lord restrains the serpent
from those who seek Him and are submitted to His authority. Once bitten the people began to
die. Death has always been the result of the devil’s lie (disobedience to God in order to seek
your own way). The people cried out in repentance and God provided a solution. Men often
cry to God in difficult situations, but perhaps a lesson can be learned. At God’s direction,
Moses made a brazen serpent and placed it upon a pole. The cure to the serpents bite now
required an action. One had to humble themselves and obey God’s direction. A choice for life
or death! If one was bitten and looked upon the brazen serpent (obeyed God) and believed in
faith, he would live. If one did not look upon the brazen serpent he would die in his rebellion
(disobedience to God). So to live, one must obey and look to God’s provision in faith. There
was no logical (fleshly) reason why looking upon an image on a pole would provide the cure
except that God said it would. Faith requires one to abandon human reasoning and the ability
of the senses (smell, touch, taste, sight, hear). This is how man seeks his way (self). God takes
self out of the equation and tells you to die to all that is you and trust soley in Him. This is
learning to come out from under your authority and to surrender to God’s authority. Why a
brazen serpent on a pole? This was a foreshadowing of what Christ would later do perfectly.
This was the object lesson that man must learn. John 3:14-15, “And as Moses lifted up the
serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth
in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Can you see the correlation? Men were bitten
of the devil’s lie that suggested you can transgress God’s will and live for self and not die.
The poison of this lie worked death – even though the devil said, ye shall not surely die. Men
were dying in their rebellion to God because their nature became that of the lie (that of Satan).
Jesus came to destroy the works (the transgression, self seeking, iniquity, separation,
disregard of God’s authority - rebellion) of the devil. The serpents bite mesmerizes, deceives
and dulls one’s understanding as the poison works its effect and chokes the life out of one.
We must stop trusting in our flesh (this separated us from God) and fall upon God’s mercy
and deliverance – perhaps God will open eyes. Jesus leads us out of our iniquity and rebellion
and back under God’s authority. Christ provided the atonment that made peace with God
possible for all who will look upon Him. This means that you must surrender your life to
Jesus and all He stood for – come under the authority of His covenant. John 12:32, “And I, if I
be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” As Jesus hung on that cross, His free
flowing blood was the only remedy for the poison that was killing man. The life is in the
blood (Lev 17:11) – Christ’s life for you! - such a sacrifice (true love). Those who refuse to
look upon Christ will die of this poison. It should also be noted that the brazen serpent was
later called Nehustan and worshipped by the people (2 Kgs 18:4). Rebellious man knows no
limits in his disregard for God.
 
22)     Dialog – Jesus (as God) talked with Moses at the burning bush. Jesus (as man) also
talked with Moses at the mount of transfiguration. When Moses talked to the Lord at the
burning bush, God revealed Himself as the great “I AM.” Jesus, who is part of the Godhead
(Father, Son and Holy Ghost – three, yet One; inseparable), is revealed to mankind as the
Son. 1 John 5:7, “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the
Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” Jesus later gave a hint at His identity to a group of
people: John 8:58, “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was,
I am.” Christ revealed Himself as “I AM” in scripture many times such as: John 14:6, “Jesus
saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me.” The religious ones (self seeking) of Jesus’ day never did make the connection. Christ

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was there all along as Moses journeyed in the wilderness. 1 Corinthians 10:4, “And did all
drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and
that Rock was Christ.” AND 1 Corinthians 10:9, “Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them
also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents (fiery serpents, Num 21:6-9).” When Jesus
walked the earth as a man He also talked to Moses. Luke 9:28-31, “And it came to pass about
an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a
mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his
raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which
were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should
accomplish at Jerusalem (also Mt 17:1-3, Mk 9:2-4).” Moses once prophesied: Deuteronomy
18:15-17, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy
brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; According to all that thou desiredst of the
LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice
of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. I will raise
them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his
mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him (also Acts 3:22-23).” That
prophet was Jesus. Moses initially performed the role as God’s spokesman to the people.
Jesus later came and mediated perfectly (1 Jn 2:1).
 

Conclusion
 
The central message of this book is that God is a discerner of the heart of man. Religious man
(those who seek God “their” way, apart from His Spirit) would have you believe that right
standing before God is procured through some means other than genuine faith (perhaps
“their” version of faith - redefined); such as through (or combinations of) circumcision,
baptism, repeating a “sinner’s prayer,” church attendance, belonging to their group
(denomination), adhering to “their” doctrines or traditions, rituals, protocol, celebrations, holy
days, etc. The flesh relates to tangible things, but faith is intangible and requires trust in God.
Many want to perform one of the aformentioned religious ceremonies or incantations
(entreaty, chant, prayer) such as a baptism or repeated sinner’s prayer (these would be but
a starting point for faith if done sincerely) so as to be instantaneously, irrevocable
(unalterable, unchangeable, permanent), and eternally secure. They want to just say Lord,
Lord with no real (other) godly expectations required of them (Mt 7:21-23, Lk 6:46). In other
words, their primary concern is more for their (self) eternal well being and not so much loving
surrender to God’s eternal will which must be realized starting with their current earthly
existence. What you must have is the baptism Christ brought (Mt 3:11) – the baptism of the
Holy Ghost (given to those who obey, Acts 5:32). God will not be looking at membership
roles at religious institutions on the great Day of Judgment – the Lord will be looking at
hearts, and they will tell the tale. Oh, does not the God of all creation know? No doubt its all
stored up and recorded by a myriad of angels. Jeremiah 17:9-10, “The heart is deceitful above
all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the
reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings
(also Jer 20:12).” For God is a discerner (one who knows and judges and has the power of
distinguishing) of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12). God knows the secrets of
the heart (Ps 44:21). The Lord will discern between the righteous and the wicked; between
him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not (Mal 3:18). Serving is a daily heart of
devotion and obedience to God’s will (Word) and is not a religious veneer. Its like this:
Matthew 12:35, “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things:
and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things (also Mt 15:18-20).” What
we put in our heart proceeds back out again. Guard your heart! Jesus addressed the point of

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religious motives in Matthew Chapter Six when He said some give to be seen and receive
glory from men (toot a trumpet, Mt 6:1-4); some pray to be seen of men (to be heard and
heap praise to themselves, Mt 6:5-7); some fast to be seen of men (to elicit praise and notice
for themselves, Mt 6:16-18). Their motivation was self-centered with fleshly intent. All their
works were to be seen of men (for benefit of self, Mt 23:5). Christ said to pray, give, and fast
in secret – love between you and God (no benefit to self, Mt 6:4, 6, 17-18). What is foreign to
man’s reasoning (not understood) is that the creation is to seek (yield to; be governed by) the
will of the Creator. This is what is meant by the term “fear God” (Lev 25:17, Deut 6:2, 13,
8:6, 10:12, 20, 13:4, 17:19, 28:58, 31:12, Josh 4:24, 24:14, 1 Sam 12:14, 2 Kgs 17:39, Ps
2:11, 19:9, 25:14, 33:8, 18, 40:3, 67:7, 103:17, 115:13, Pv 1:7, 2:5, 3:7, 8:13, 9:10, 15:33,
16:6, Eccl 3:14, 8:12, 12:13, Lk 1:50, Rm 3:18, Rev 14:7, 19:5). Psalms 33:18-19, “Behold,
the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver
their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” The ability to determine your own
course (will, path, way, desire) is a Divine (appropriated to God; Pertaining to the true God;
as the divine nature; divine perfections) characteristic or attribute. Fallen man has sought his
own will (as a god) and has been in rebellion to the will of his Creator. Man seeks to usurp
that which is only pertaining to God and seek his “own” way. Until you can understand this
and totally surrender your will to God, you are hopelessly lost and a transgressor in God’s
creation – rebellious and without mercy. By no means will the guilty (impenitent, froward) be
cleared (Ex 34:7, Num 14:18). There are two types of hearts – the froward and contrite. One
will live their life either of these ways – religious or not. Those who are froward in heart are
not willing to yield or comply with what is required; unyielding; ungovernable; false;
deceitful; refractory (obstinate in opposition or disobedience; unyielding, unmanageable;
sullen); disobedient; perverse; peevish (apt to mutter and complain; discontent); as a froward
child (Ps 101:4). These are SELF-willed! The froward have no real faith, although they may
consider that they do (Deut 32:20). They would much rather justifiy their darkness than come
to the light. They walk after their own lusts (will, purposes, desires, way, path, Jude 1:16, 18,
2 Pt 2:10). Scriptures define those following the lusts in their heart or flesh as
being unclean (Rm 1:24, 2 Pt 2:10, 2 Cor 6:17-18). They will defend the flesh and the lusts
thereof. These live in the flesh to the lusts of men and are disobedient to the will of God (1 Pt
4:2). If they cannot defend their actions, then they will shift blame to something or someone
other than self. These have impenitent hearts (opposite of contrite) which do not repent of sin
(maybe justify sin) and are hardened (to their own will). To them there may never be a true
right and wrong (black and white), but rather interpretations, figuratives, symbolisms,
opinions, sentiments and viewpoints (shades of gray). Titus 1:15, “Unto the pure all things are
pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and
conscience is defiled.” A literal right or wrong may be intepreted strictly by what they want to
do or how they are living their life. These are obstinate/tenacious (stubbornly adhering to an
opinion or course of action - persistently); pertinacious (holding or adhering to any opinion,
purpose or design with obstinacy; obstinate; perversely resolute or persistent; as
pertinacious in opinion, resolute and firm in self opinion); stiff-necked (contumacious -
obstinate; perverse; stubborn; inflexible; unyielding; disobedient); hard-hearted(to confirm in
wickedness, opposition or enmity; to make obdurate;to make obstinate, unyielding or
refractory); sottish (dull with respect to intemperance, lacking restraint or self control); and
imputent (shameless, lacking modesty). Intemperance is the want (lack) of moderation or due
restraint (gradification). To be obdurate is to be persistent in sin (i.e. filling one’s heart with
evil – TV or other conduct that opposes God; justifying your evil; compromising) or
impenitence – the heart is stubborn, unyielding, inflexible and hardened. To top it all off, they
are totally blinded (deceived) to their own nature. The blindness is the result of being led by
the flesh rather than the Holy Spirit. Living in darkness is to be blind to all that is around you
(yet supposing that you see). The froward in heart is mostly ignorant to God’s Word. They

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follow their sentiment (opinion mixed with strong emotions) and intuition (man’s perception
of the truth of things). However, they equate their reasoning with being in God’s will – how
could it not be? This is a disregard of God’s will, but they do not see it that way. They are
profane (irreverence for God by doing that which opposes Him; bring reproach; corrupted,
not pure). The disregard of God’s will might be thought of as when one is confronted with
God’s truth, they do not feel, for whatever reason, that they should have to strictly comply.
Psalms 10:13, “Wherefore doth the wicked contemn (to slight, to neglect as unworthy of
regard) God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.” There will always be some
sort of compromise when God’s will restricts the flesh and the flesh will always emerge as the
victor. They will always exalt their opinion or that of another (man) over the Word of God.
These are actually conveying that their way is superior, more important and worthy of
adherence (devotion, obedience, observance, loyalty, faithfulness). They will not receive
God’s Word and set their heart as an adament (impenetrable, extreme hardness) stone (Zech
7:12). Jesus said: man shall live by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God –
radical and fanatical, huh? The froward will not see things exactly this way as their opinions
of things weigh in. Those not living by God’s Words are certainly not “following” Christ.
Many savourest (partake of the nature of God) not the things that be of God, but those that be
of men (rather, they partake of the fallen nature of man, Mt 16:23). These do not so much
think in terms of “Thy will be done” as they think “my will be done.” In their reasoning,
God’s will shall equate to “my will” (ye shall be as gods, Gen 3:5). Fallen man’s mind
(reasoning, wisdom, logic) is corrupted (Ez 28:17)! They do always err in their heart and do
not “know” God’s ways (Heb 3:10)! Blessed are they who actually do His commandments –
for their’s is life (Rev 22:14). Those who follow the Holy Spirit will be led to conform to the
will of God (not to continue to justify their will and darkness, Gal 5:16). Those led by the
Spirit are no longer led by man! A froward heart is anti-Christ (against) because it continues
in those things which oppose Jesus’ purposes. He is self-willed and thereby continues to
transgress God’s authority and thus remains in rebellion. This is the nature of Satan and is the
fruit of his works in man. This is the nature (works) that Christ came to destroy (1 Jn 3:8).
There are many in the religious world that are just plain hypocitical (insincere, opposite of
pure in heart). Hypocrisy is feigning (pretend, counterfeit) to be what one is not – assuming a
false appearance of piety and virtue (false pretence, façade, thin covering, pretentious, etc.).
These are ostentatious (outward show with no inward substance, appearance only) and have a
vain show intended to invite praise or flattery. God will expose the hypocritical through
situations that deny the flesh (require sacrifice or obedience). Jesus said: Matthew 23:28,
“Even so ye (talking to religious men) also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within
ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.” Christ often pointed out the hypocrisy of the religious
in His day (Mk 12:38-40). You can certainly be a most religious man and not “know” God at
all (Mt 11:27, Lk 10:22, Jn 7:17, 28, 8:19, 55, 1 Jn 3:1); disregard the scriptures (not
understand or live them, Mk 12:24); or have God’s love in you (Jn 5:42). The opposite of
hypocrisy is genuiness and sincerity and this is what God desires in us. God is not looking for
the proud (arrogant, conceited, pompous, self righteous, pretentious), ingenious (clever,
resourceful, inventive), feigned (artificial, contrived, pretend), and self-sufficient
(independent, autonomous, self-reliant). God is looking for the sincere (genuine, honest,
truthful, heartfelt), humble (modest, unassuming, meek), broken and submissive (obedient,
compliant, subserviant) – those poor in spirit. Therefore, the froward in heart live for self
(their authority) and are thus in unbelief toward God (His authority and just rule). Romans
8:13-14, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the
deeds of the body (die to the flesh), ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God.” The Spirit leads us into the wilderness to tear down those “high
places” the flesh has raised up and teaches surrender to and reliance upon God. John the
Baptist and Jesus (who had no sin) were led of the Spirit and both spent time in the wilderness

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triumphing over the flesh through the Spirit (Is 40:3, Mt 3:1, 3, 4:1, 11:7, Mk 1:3-4, 12-13,
Lk 3:2, 4, 4:1, 7:24, Jn 1:23). We learn to live by faith and not the flesh. Our righteousness is
found in faith toward God (His truth). Romans 1:18, “For the wrath of God is revealed from
heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness.”
 
The author once heard two individuals discussing a movie they had seen. The one said it was
a really great movie except for all the bad language. The other quickly agreed and added that
she really didn’t understand why they had to put such language in it. The reason is because
the devil cannot fully tell the truth without interjecting a lie, nor produce anything of virtue
without inserting evil – its his nature. Satan’s nature is opposite of God’s nature – he is in
total rebellion. Those that have the nature of their father, the devil, cannot produce anything
of merit without interjecting some wickedness into it. This is intentional because the world’s
media are trying to conform you to an image (that of the world which is that of Satan). When
you place such evil in your heart, it will most definitely proceed out of your heart later. The
question we should ponder is which is the greater evil, those who place wickedness in their
movies (this is to be expected, they have an established record) or those who know better
(and recognize it), but watch it anyway? What is to be said of someone who feels a conviction
of wrong, yet intentionally, of their own freewill, places themselves in front of it? This is
another characteristic of the froward in heart – they are not prudent (avoids wicked situations).
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself (Pv 22:3). The wicked will not depart
from evil (Pv 3:7). Those who fear of the Lord hate evil, pride, arrogancy, and the evil way
(Pv 8:13). The froward just accepts the evil as the way things are and jumps in headlong. So
the movie has bad language, oh well, it shall not hinder me (but I will complain to soothe the
conviction of my heart). We are to hate evil, love good, and establish judgment - the spirit of
wisdom and prudence, enabling a person to discern right and wrong, good and evil (Hos
5:15).
 
The contrite of heart are those who are broken hearted over sin; and are deeply affected with
grief and sorrow for offending God – penitent. This is expressed as brokenness before the
Lord – “poor in spirit (Mt 5:3).” The Lord says of these: “but to this man will I look, even to
him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word (Is 66:2). Isaiah 57:15, “For
thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the
high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of
the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Psalms 51:17, “The sacrifices of God
are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” To be poor in
spirit would be to humbly recognize your inabilities and limitations and your great need for
God and perpetual dependence upon the Lord. To be poor in Spirit is a constant attitude of
need and reliance upon God rather than man or self (flesh). This is to live by every Word that
proceedeth out of the mouth of God. This is a life of self examination and yielding to the
working of God in you (Php 2:13). These realize they have transgressed the will of God
(having followed the devil’s lie, Gen 3:4-5) and the truth of God’s declaration, “Thou shalt
surely die” (Gen 2:17, Ez 33:14). Having realized their just condemnation, they sincerely cry
out for God’s mercy and forgiveness. Psalms 32:5, “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and
mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou
forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” AND Psalms 51:2-4, “Wash me throughly from mine
iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is
ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that
thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” Shifting
blame or justifying is not an acknowledgement of sin or recognition of personal fault – this is
a failure to come to terms with your own iniquity. Until one admits guilt, there can be no

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mercy or forgiveness. Proverbs 28:13, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but
whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” The Lord takes pleasure in them that
fear Him (have faith) and hope in His mercy (Ps 147:11, Heb 10:38). You must sincerely ask
the Lord: Psalms 26:2, “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.”
Then you must be willing to confront and change what we find (are shown) – if not, then
whats the point? Those who mourn realize the sinfulness of their lives and have deep regret
and godly sorrow for past thoughts and deeds (Ps 32:5, 2 Cor 7:10). To mourn is to see the
shame of thy nakedness (sinfulness) and to cry out for the covering that only Christ can
provide. Mercy is granted to those who love the Lord and keep His commandments (Ex 20:6).
The Lord says: Ezekiel 33:11, “Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no
pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye,
turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Oh rebellious man:
Isaiah 55:6-7, “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.”
Ezekiel 33:14-15, 19, “Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die (as per Gen
2:17); if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; If the wicked restore the
pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing
iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and
do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.” We must mourn over our
transgressions against the righteous God. This is to mourn after the sin itself and state of your
heart and not just the consequence or penalty such as being caught or the ultimate penalty of
eternal hell and damnation. They think on their ways and turn their feet unto God (Ps 119:59).
The primary concern is that you have sinned against the loving God causing a separation. You
realize if uncorrected that your separation from God will be eternal. You see that sin was such
displeasure with the Holy Righteous God that rather than excuse it or overlook it, He sent His
only begotten son to be the sacrifice for your sins to make atonement. You must realize that
your way has been a failure and that your only hope is to turn to God – He is where the
comfort is. Psalms 126:5, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” You realize that you must
die to yourself and start living a life that conforms to God’s will and that only Jesus Christ can
make this happen. You must be filled with the Holy Ghost! You’re no longer self-centered,
but God-centered. The contrite in heart are also pure in heart – they are sincere and genuine in
their surrender to God (Ps 24:3-4) – and their life reflects it. The pure in heart will see God
(Mt 5:8). The only way you will ever truly be pure in heart is to walk as Jesus walked as led
by His Spirit. This is a process whereby the Spirit tears down the things of the flesh and
conforms one to the image of Christ. You truly identify with Jesus as you partake of His
nature – as lived out. No one approaches unto God with ulterior motives (usually self
motivated). The Lord says: Psalms 18:26, “With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and
with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.”
 
Those who truly seek God have respect (to regard, to esteem as having real worth) unto thy
ways (Ps 119:15). They delight in God’s commandments and are upright in heart (Ps 119:35,
125:4). They seek Him with a whole heart and walk in His ways (Ps 119:2-3, also Ps 119:34,
69, 145). We must realize that: Proverbs 16:6, “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by
the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” Iniquity cannot be purged apart from the truth,
otherwise one just continues in error. The desire to walk in the truth begats mercy. Truth and
mercy are a powerful combination. The fear of the Lord is the desire to know and walk in His
truth – to be obedient from the heart! When this is your mindset, you willingly depart from
evil – wickedness becomes a great grief to you (a vexation). A true follower of Christ will
have an ever decreasing self-life and an ever increasing God-centered (focused) life. John
3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This will become very evident (outwardly

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manifested) in your life – you will change considerably as you yield to the workings of the
Holy Spirit in your life. Referring back to our opening discussion of television. One will no
longer defend and justify known evil for selfish benefit (intent). One will not debate the
merits of television or whether or not one’s salvation might rest on this one issue. One will
simply depart from the evil because they love God more. The sincere and genuine will not
have a heart to sit in front of and take pleasure in that which opposes his Lord. Your heart will
take on the nature of your Lord as you walk as He walked. Your love of God will mean more
to you than your defense of SELF.
 
Final Considerations
                                                                                                                            
Are you a wise man or a fool? Hosea 14:9, “Who is wise, and he shall understand these
things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just
shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.” Isaiah 45:22, “Look unto me, and
be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” The Lord has
made it very clear to the one who will follow Him: 1 Peter 4:2, “That he no longer should live
the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” God’s recorded
history has revealed man to be rebellious to his Creator from the onset. Man transgressed
God’s will and sought his way in the Garden of Eden. Man then totally corrupted his way
upon the earth to the extent that God destroyed all life (except Noah and family) in a great
flood. Man then sought his will in building a tower to reach heaven. God confounded the
language and the peoples dispersed and formed nations. City-states (Sodom and Gomorrah)
and nations then corrupted themselves in seeking their ways such that God destroyed them
due to their wickedness. God built a nation through the faithfulness of one man, that became
known as the children of Israel. They also transgressed God’s will and were a most rebellious
people (unthankful, idolatrous, disobedient and full of unbelief). God sent judges, yet the
people were continually rebellious. God sent prophets, yet the people were continually
rebellious. God sent kings, yet the people were continually rebellious. God sent His own Son,
yet rebellious (and religious) man killed God’s Son. Man has always refused to yield his will
(has sought his own way and has been rebellious) and submit to the authority and rule of God
(consider Nehemiah Chapter Nine, Psalms Chapter Seventy Eight and One Hundred and Six).
A small remnant throughout the ages have truly loved God and surrendered in faith, being
obedient above self. Christ is coming back soon to face and destroy a most rebellious
mankind – just as in the days of Noah (flood). Most cannot come to the realization that
nothing has changed in this most religious world of today. The same self seeking and
rebellion toward God is openly manifested. A truly wise man will learn from the multiple
lessons of the past. 2 Timothy 2:19, “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,
having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the
name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
 

 
Psalms 1:1-6, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth
in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the
LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by
the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and
whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the
wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the
congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way
of the ungodly shall perish.” – Similar to Jer 17:7-9.
 

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Psalms 23:1-6, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in
green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in
the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort
me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my
head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days
of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
 
May the Lord Jesus grant you eyes to see the narrow path and His Spirit for the ability to walk
thereon. I encourage you to go forth with a sincere and zealous heart that will only become
stronger when faced with the reproaches, difficulties, suffering and tribulation that is sure to
come. These things will only conform the genuine more to the image of their Lord as the flesh
(that which opposes God) is torn down. Your strength is found in God and man is sure to
disappoint. Perhaps your greatest obstacles will be those who come in the name of the Lord,
but point you opposite of Him (Mt 24:5). Remember: If you do not “follow,” then you will
not arrive.
 
 
All scripture used from the Authorized King James Bible
“Into the Wilderness,” copyright Oct. 17, 2004
 
Send for a free copy of: “Jesus Said, Come Follow Me”
David D. Neal
209 Cedar Pond Dr.
Madison, Al. 35757
USA
OUTLINE
 
Egypt (i.e. the world) – Pride (self exaltation) and self seeking resulting in all manner of evil
and wickedness (idolatry). Brings about great burdens and bondages. Ruled by Pharaoh (i.e.
the devil) who is a hard task master that brings death.
 
Seeking God – Sincerely crying out for deliverance from Pharaoh (i.e. the devil) and Egypt
(i.e. the world) his rebellious kingdom. Attitude displayed as “poor in spirit” and “mourning”
– great humbleness. This is genuine repentance. Recognizing yourself and your way for what
it is – great error and transgression against a mighty God. No one comes into God’s presence
without such a contrite heart.
 
God’s Deliverance – God sends one in His authority (first Moses, later Christ) speaking His
Words and performing His works (miracles) for the purpose of redeeming the Lord’s people.
Pharaoh (i.e. the devil) rebelliously defies God and increases the burdens upon the people.
The works of Pharaoh and Egypt (i.e. the devil and the world) are destroyed and God brings
out His people by His strong arm for His glory.
 
Forsaking – The people must quickly (without belaboring or regret) forsake all the things of
Egypt (i.e. the world) and “come out.” You must forsake the wickedness and evil (old life)
and journey forth in faith (new life, born again) with God. These are God’s peculiar people.
Those who want to serve God from Egypt are religious, but not the Lord’s people (Christ’s
church is “called out” of the world).
 

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God Leads – The Lord goes before as lead and we must obediently follow. Moses brought
the children of Israel to Mount Horeb to meet with God. Christ later came and walked the
walk which led back to God (reconciliation, peace). Jesus says, “Come Follow Me.” Those
who want to do the leading are still forging their own path. We are to surrender and follow.
 
The Wilderness – God leads us into the wilderness for the purpose of tearing down the things
of the flesh (i.e. Egypt, world, self). We must learn to obey and live by every Word that
proceeds from the mouth of God. The wilderness is a harsh place for those who live in the
flesh and will quickly separate the genuine from the froward. We must learn faith in the
wilderness (trust, obedience, love, surrender).
 
God’s Covenant – God met with His people at Horeb and established His law that the people
agreed to abide by. Jesus later established a new and better covenant. Covenants (agreements
between God and man) are very serio and are to be strickly observed. Woe to him who makes
a vow and fails to execute it (for it would be better to have not made the vow at all).
 

Obedience – God will provide for His people if they obey Him in love and trust (faith). This
must be a free will choice from the heart. Obedience will gain one a quicker route through the
wilderness to the Promised Land. Obedience is renouncing self will and coming back under
God’s authority. Obedience to God always produces life (and more abundantly).
 
Disobedience (► back to the Wilderness) – Disobedience comes from a froward heart of
unbelief. This is highly displeasing to God. The disobedient are those who are obstinate,
stubborn, stiff necked and hard hearted and wish to retain self will and thus remain in their
rebellion toward God. Disobedience always produces death.
 
Promised Land – This is the place where God will dwell in the midst of His people. The
wicked are destroyed and the righteous inherit all things. God provides! The Promised Land is
only entered into through obedience. One only remains in the Promised Land through
continued obedience.

Author:

David D. Neal

209 Cedar Pond Dr

Madison, Al. 35757

USA

By writing to his address, he will send you free of charge a CD with

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electronic books, tracts and writings.

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