Podcasts about moses god

EXODUS LESSON 73 PART 2 I strongly urge you to listen to Lesson 73 part 1 before listening to part 2.  You'll see how important it is to make sure you do this to get a better understanding of the questions and issues in these verses.  Here's the link for part 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-73-part-1-exod-3210-18-god-cant-change-his-mind/ One major problem we'll deal with is the way the translators of the New American Standard Bible 1995 translated the Hebrew in Exod. 32:14 to come up with the phrase, “God changed His mind.”  In part 1 it is so clear that God does not change and never changes His mind.  This is a major issue and one wonders how this could've happened since again and again the very words of God show the truth that God does not change and never changes His mind.  Below check out the chart.  You'll see that the NASB is the only Bible version that uses the phrase “God changed His mind.” The King James (KJV) and the Amplified Bible (AMP) and the Jewish Publication Society (JPS) translations are probably the most accurate.  The Lord repented or turned away from one thing to turn to another.  Repent in Hebrew comes from the Hebrew verb LaShuv לָשׁוּב meaning to turn around or to go back.  The Strong's number H7725.  It is the verb that forms the Hebrew word for repentance of Teshuvah תְּשׁוּבָה.  It is not just connected to doing repentance from sin.  It could be one wants to give up smoking.  So one would turn from smoking and to turn to something else.  In other words one is doing Teshuvah תְּשׁוּבָה from smoking.  That is how the Bible uses the word and not just related to sin.  Thus, God is turning from one thing to do another.  I wrote an article on trying to get at this in a more understandable way.  Here's the article below. Does God change His mind? How can this be?  We have two verses that contradict each other.  Consider ... Exodus 32:14 So the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people. (Exo 32:14) Malachi 3:6 "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed." (Mal 3:6) Which is it? If God does not change then how did Moses have God change His mind and yet God says He will not.  This is not like God.  This is nuts.  I thought the Bible was in full agreement!!  Can this be explained?? Also, one reads in the very words of God that certain people will be restricted from the Assembly of God.  Deu 23:1-8  "No one who is emasculated or has his male organ cut off shall enter the assembly of the LORD.  (2)  "No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the LORD.  (3)  "No Ammonite or Moabite shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall ever enter the assembly of the LORD,  (4)  because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you.  (5)  "Nevertheless, the LORD your God was not willing to listen to Balaam, but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the LORD your God loves you.  (6)  "You shall never seek their peace or their prosperity all your days.  (7)  "You shall not detest an Edomite, for he is your brother; you shall not detest an Egyptian, because you were an alien in his land.  (8)  "The sons of the third generation who are born to them may enter the assembly of the LORD. It says that all Moabites are so restricted and yet Ruth gets in.  Why?  How?  (Listen to part 1 carefully regarding the Moabites.  No Moabite will be allowed in to the Assembly of Israel up to an including the 10th generation by God's own words.  Wait till you see how Ruth is probably of the 11th generation when one studies the Bible in its historical context.  So, she can get in and she did!) It says that a MUMZER will not enter and Timothy is a mumzer - his mom was Jewish and his dad a pagan (Hebrew for one of illegitimate birth)!!  Timothy!!  He became a leader of the assembly of Messiah in Ephesus.  We say as Gentiles we are grafted in but the Torah says NO!!  God says it loud and clear.  What is going on?  How can both be true?  Oh sure. One is the church and one is the synagogue.  Right??  It can't be.  This is a conundrum!!  Let's check the Hebrew of Exod. 32:14 and Mal. 3:6. Exo 32:14  וינחם H5162  יהוה H3068  על H5921  הרעה H7451  אשׁר H834  דבר H1696  לעשׂות H6213  לעמו׃ H5971  Mal 3:6  כי H3588  אני H589  יהוה H3068  לא H3808  שׁניתי H8138  ואתם H859  בני  H1121  יעקב  H3290  לא H3808  כליתם׃ H3615  In English we are reading the word “change” (as to change one's mind in Ex 32:14 - word # 5162) and change (as to someone not changing as in Mal 3:6 - word #8138).  In Exod 32:14 God "racham's" - it does NOT say He changes His mind!!  The word racham is the word that is translated as "He changed His mind."  That phrase is not even there.  A better way to say this is that God repents; God turns from one thing to another.  He REPENTS.  Moses did NOT change HIS mind.  What happened is God has set in place either punishment or a curse on those who are unrighteous.  That is His intention.  However,  equally part of HIS intention is God's other option to forgive and erase the punishment if there is true repentance.  Both options exist for God.  It is one or the other - this is His simultaneous intention and purpose.  Moses intervened for Israel and God did not change His mind.  He can't.  What God did was to turn, to repent, and allowed the other option.  Both options are in play, both are His intentions.  God has laid out those two options as part of His intentions.  Thus, He did not change at all. In Mal 3:6 the word is "shanaw."  This has the picture of "folding" one side on another.  It has the implication of duplicating.  God stays constant.  He is ONE and will remain ONE.  He is the Lord and HE does not go from one intention to another.  Like with Moses God had either punishment or forgiveness.  Both exist at once as God's intentions.  In the case of sin this is God - both exist.  He will turn from one to the other, from punishment to forgiveness if there is true teshuvah, repentance from the sin, and will not do option 1 but option 2.  God is like that.  He is always like that.  God has it all covered and these options are already in place with HIM as His intentions.  He will not do anything that is not already a part of HIMSELF.  Thus, we study Torah to know HIM deeply and intimately and to begin to understand His ways.     Finally, Moses was the greatest prophet of the Hebrew Scriptures (Deut. 34:10).  God tells Moses the following … “I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.” (Deu 18:18) This is the Lord's prediction of the future coming of His Son, Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Messiah.  So, Jesus is a prophet like Moses; for us as disciples of Jesus we'd say Jesus is the Greatest Prophet ever.  But, we are to be disciples of Jesus or talmidim תַּלְמִידִים.  A talmid is one who is a student of a rabbi and who lives to be like his rabbi.  Check out the article entitled "Rabbi and Talmidim" at this link ... https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim Jesus says this quite clearly … “A pupil (from the Greek to the Hebrew is TALMID) is not above his teacher (from the Greek to the Hebrew is RAV or master. We say RABBI); but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” (Luk 6:40)   Thus, if we are real talmidim we are to be like Jesus.  He was given the words of His Father to proclaim and thus Jesus is a prophet.  But we are given the words of Jesus to go and proclaim.  So, we are prophets as well in that Jesus sends us to bring the word to the Ends of the Earth.  And as Moses offers prayers of intercession for Israel so Jesus offers prayers of intercession for His talmidim and the church, His Bride.  Thus, if we are truly living to be a true disciple then we to must be ones who offer prayers of intercession for the ones we meet as well.  We are to be like Him and follow Paul's teaching when he taught that we are to be like Paul since he is like his master, his RAV, Jesus (1Cor. 11:1). Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  (Ferret - somewhere in the desert north of Eilat Israel) What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0          

Looking Back and Pressing Forward | Acts 7 | The Faithfulness of God Through Every GenerationIn Acts 7, Stephen stands before the religious leaders and delivers one of the most powerful sermons in Scripture. As the early church is growing, miracles are happening, and the gospel is spreading, Stephen takes his listeners on a journey through Israel's history, not simply to teach history, but to remind them of God's faithfulness.Sometimes we need to be reminded of what God has done so we can continue moving forward in faith.In this message, we look back at the lives of Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and the story of the Tabernacle and Temple to see a God who has always been on the move, always faithful to His promises, and always writing a bigger story.

Moses & God's love for you. Ps Hellen Rodgers. 31 May '26

Because of Christ's humility and obedience, Godthe Father responded. “Therefore, God has highly exalted Him”.The world rejected Jesus, but the Father exalted Him. Men mocked Jesus, but theFather crowned Him. Men nailed Him to a cross, but the Father raised Him fromthe dead and seated Him at His own right hand in glory. The resurrection andascension were heaven's declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord. Thephrase “highly exalted” means super-exalted or exalted to the highest place. InEphesians 1:20–21, Paul wrote that “God seated Christ at His right hand inthe heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might anddominion”. No one is higher than Jesus. No one is greater than Jesus. Noone will ever dethrone Jesus. Heaven is moving toward one great conclusion, andthat is the complete triumph of Jesus Christ.This exaltation of Jesus includes Hisresurrection, His ascension, His heavenly reign, and His future visiblekingdom. The One who wore the crown of thorns will one day wear many crowns.Revelation 19:16 says Jesus is, “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” ThenPaul continues: “and given Him a name which is above every name.” Whatis that name? Some believe it might refer to the name Jesus, but most likelyPaul is speaking about the title Lord. In verse 11, every tongue confesses thatJesus Christ is Lord. In the New Testament, Paul is declaring thatJesus Christ shares fully in the divine authority and glory of God Himself. Thisis astonishing because, in the Roman Empire, Caesar claimed to be lord, butChristians boldly proclaimed, “Jesus is Lord.” That confession often cost themtheir freedom, their possessions, and even their lives. Still today, declaringJesus as Lord is radical. Because if Jesus is Lord, He has authority over ourlives. He determines truth. He deserves obedience. He deserves worship. Hedeserves first place in our lives. Manypeople want Jesus as Savior, but not as Lord. They want forgiveness withoutsurrender. They want heaven without holiness. They want salvation withoutsubmission. But the gospel calls us to bow before Christ as Lord. Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believein your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”The resurrection proves His Lordship.God exalted Jesus after Jesus humbled Himself. Thisis the principle throughout Scripture. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselvesin the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” 1 Peter 5:6 says, “Humbleyourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” Wealso know that we live in a world obsessed with self-promotion. But God'skingdom works differently. The way up is down. The way to greatness isservanthood. The pathway to honor is humility. Wesee in the Old Testament that when people humbled themselves—like Joseph,David, and Moses—God exalted them. Jesus went to the cross before ascending tothe throne. Today, maybe you feel overlooked. You might feel forgotten or misunderstood,or faithfully serving without recognition. Remember, God sees humble obedience,and your humility is never wasted. God knows how to exalt His servants in Hisperfect time and in His perfect way. Ourresponsibility is not self-promotion. Our responsibility is faithful obedience.One day every wrong will be made right when Christ reigns over all. Today,worship Jesus not only as Savior, but as your Lord. Ask yourself: Is there anyarea of my life resisting His authority? Have I surrendered my plans, myfuture, and my ambitions to Him? Am I living for my kingdom or His? The exaltedChrist deserves complete surrender. Let'spray together. Father, thank You for exalting Your Son, Jesus Christ. Weworship Him today as Lord of all. Forgive us for the areas where we haveresisted His authority. Help us to walk in humility and faithful obedience,trusting You to lift us up in Your perfect time. We pray this in Jesus' name.Amen.

Continuing our conversation about worship, this week Jordan Sleed, our worship pastor, turned to Exodus 34 and the story of Moses coming down from Mount Sinai radiant after meeting with the Lord. The message explores a simple but searching question: who are we becoming? We are always being formed by what we trust, what we give our attention to, and where we go when we are most vulnerable. Through Moses' story, we considered how worship is our yes to God, how we become like what we worship, and how the Holy Spirit forms us over time into people who reflect the radiance of Christ. This service includes worship, prayer, teaching from Exodus 34, and communion as we remember Christ's body broken for us and His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sin. Our prayer is the prayer of Moses: God, show us Your glory.

When it comes to legislation, many Christians look to the "law of Moses" to flesh out what is right and wrong and, increasingly, determine what sanctions should be applied to certain wrongful acts. It is part of the "whole counsel of God," but is there a way to flesh out this law that is "of the flesh" vis-a-vis "spiritually minded"? Today, David offers a context for thinking about those laws that he believes is spiritually minded and begins to apply it to legislative efforts to "end abortion now."

When it comes to legislation, many Christians look to the "law of Moses" to flesh out what is right and wrong and, increasingly, determine what sanctions should be applied to certain wrongful acts. It is part of the "whole counsel of God," but is there a way to flesh out this law that is "of the flesh" vis-a-vis "spiritually minded"? Today, David offers a context for thinking about those laws that he believes is spiritually minded and begins to apply it to legislative efforts to "end abortion now."

One of the battles God has is to get our attention, and with Moses God had to do something extraordinary: Moses was looking after the sheep – he had got himself married, had some kids and was busy, tied up with all the problems that you have, working hard to get enough money to feed his growing family. When suddenly, out in the desert, God appeared to him in a burning bush. What attracted Moses was not that the bush was on fire but that the fire didn't burn it. There is a time when the fire of God will burn up the impurities in your life – but when He starts to put the fire into you, He does not want to destroy you, He wants to use the real you! God knows who you are. Sometimes when I am having problems, and I have to say – like Paul – ‘Lord, I am sorry, I should have done this and I shouldn't have done that,' and when I am trying to make excuses and say, ‘I'm not perfect, I can't do this, and Lord, you know the problems I have in my life,' God says, ‘Look, I knew you before you were born, I made you and it's about time you understood I made you, just as you are, for a purpose.'

I remember the question I asked my mother one morning, "Do we have to go to church?  I was sick of going to church all the time!  I had things to do:  bikes to ride, pigs in the barnyard to tease, creeks to fish, and brothers and sisters to play with – and here I was, being forced to clean up and dress up, and go to church – again!  I was all of 4 years old; my mother was the church pianist in our small, rural Baptist church, and my dad was a Deacon.  We went to church all the time – in my young mind, it was a crazy way to mess up a perfectly good Sunday!   I smile now when I think of that morning; I was blessed that my parents were unrelenting in our church attendance.  We prayed over our meals at home, we went to church, seemingly "all the time," and, before I knew it, I was in our church's Youth Group in High School, pursuing a cute little brown-eyed cheerleader that eventually became my wife, now of over 46 years.  That was fast!   I smile because my parents' insistence on church attendance, "as long as you're living under my roof!"  my Father roared, led me to a life I now see as orchestrated by our loving God.   I first received  Christ as my Savior. That simple decision of my 12-year-old self led to me to follow God's call into ministry; marry that cute little Baptist girl who shared the same values and experiences in the faith;  and now, after over 45 years in ministry, have discovered that I have been blessed with wonderful, faithful, daughters and sons-in-law, and grandchildren who are all on the path to faith.  I cannot imagine a better life for my family and me!   I have been forced to grow and mature in the faith, not just to lead others in ministry, but to survive what has been, at times, terribly difficult.  And because of our shared experiences as a family, my daughters' own families are involved in ministries, serving others, and, even now, are calling me from time to time to ask questions about spiritual matters.  We sometimes pray together; we celebrate our faith together, and we share concerns for our nation as 'fellow believers.'  Almost without thinking, our choices in life and faith have led us to be "The Church," together as a family.  Again, I cannot imagine a better life for me and my family!   We have lived the truth declared in the preaching of every generation since Moses: "God has a plan for your life."    The Prophet Jeremiah, writing to God's people who were living in exile after being conquered by the Babylonians, spoke of "God's Plan."  He told them to build their lives, have families, raise them in faith, and seek the welfare of the cities where they lived.  He summed up the instructions with the mention of God's plan: "For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11     God has a plan for your life, and it is the very best life you can imagine!  It will not be perfect or necessarily easy, and there will be challenges and losses, as well as good days and bad.  But as you live your life with faith and trust in God's teachings and leadership, you will be able to say, with this old preacher, "I cannot imagine a better life for my family and me!"   The best way you can support our ministry is by sharing this video with your friends and family!  

Join Micah, Ell, Grahmin, and Avery as we discuss Moses seeking after and seeing God in Exodus 33. Why is God still pulling away from the people? What does Moses do to restore the relationship? And what do you mean, God showed Moses God's butt? Find out answers to these questions and more on this episode of The Word in Black and Red!Ell is busy unionizing the disciples and wants you to join them.Grahmin can be found on the Discord welcoming people into the community. Avery is doing a million amazing things that can be found at binarybreakingworship.comhttps://linktr.ee/twibarYou can find the show, more episodes, and other means of listening at thewordinblackandred.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exodus 15-17Episode 9 - Oct. 13, 2025IntroductionTopanga State Park hike in the wilderness ContextIsrael enslaved for 430 years Moses sent to rescue God's people God delivers Israel and destroys Pharaoh “Free at Last!” Moses leads Israel into the Wilderness in route to the Promised Land God goes with Israel into the Wilderness Israel's story is our story “Dangerous Journey” illustration Three Ways God meets us in the Wilderness God comes with us into the wilderness and provides for our practical needs. No water at Mirah, then bitter water   Israel grumbles, “What are we to drink?” God hears and miraculously provides clean water, an Oasis No food at The Desert of Sin, the “whole community” grumbles Looking back to Egypt: “If only we died in Egypt!” We too look back on Egypt: we are no different than Israel God hears and miraculously provides food  God reveals His glory in the pillar of cloud Has Israel learned her lesson about God in the wilderness? No water at Rephidim, Israel quarrels with Moses  God hears, and miraculously provides water from a rock Hebrews 4:16Instead of grumbling, how much better to turn to God in faithGod is our Faithful Provider God comes with us into the wilderness and fights our battles and defeats our enemies. Attack by the Amalekites Joshua to fight, Moses to stand on the top of the hill Israel wins when Moses raises the staff, bot loses when he lowers the staff We don't need a staff, we have a cross When we get tired and weary, we need others to hold up our handsGod is our Might Warrior God comes with us into the wilderness and reminds us of our salvation.  The rock Moses struck foreshadows how Jesus was struck 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 “The spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ” 1 Corinthians is a Reminder: Jesus was struck for us 1 Corinthians is a Warning: not all of Israel believed Romans 8:1 for all who do believeGod is our Loving Savior Call to ActionWhatever your circumstances, turn to God in the wilderness Jesus will never turn you away!  He is your…·       Faithful Provider·       Mighty Warrior·       Loving SaviorCONNECT: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/people/forms/87727GIVE: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/givingPRAYER: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/people/forms/87727Social Media Handle: @crossbridgebrickell

Exodus 15-17Episode 9 - Oct. 13, 2025IntroductionTopanga State Park hike in the wilderness ContextIsrael enslaved for 430 years Moses sent to rescue God's people God delivers Israel and destroys Pharaoh “Free at Last!” Moses leads Israel into the Wilderness in route to the Promised Land God goes with Israel into the Wilderness Israel's story is our story “Dangerous Journey” illustration Three Ways God meets us in the Wilderness God comes with us into the wilderness and provides for our practical needs. No water at Mirah, then bitter water   Israel grumbles, “What are we to drink?” God hears and miraculously provides clean water, an Oasis No food at The Desert of Sin, the “whole community” grumbles Looking back to Egypt: “If only we died in Egypt!” We too look back on Egypt: we are no different than Israel God hears and miraculously provides food  God reveals His glory in the pillar of cloud Has Israel learned her lesson about God in the wilderness? No water at Rephidim, Israel quarrels with Moses  God hears, and miraculously provides water from a rock Hebrews 4:16Instead of grumbling, how much better to turn to God in faithGod is our Faithful Provider God comes with us into the wilderness and fights our battles and defeats our enemies. Attack by the Amalekites Joshua to fight, Moses to stand on the top of the hill Israel wins when Moses raises the staff, bot loses when he lowers the staff We don't need a staff, we have a cross When we get tired and weary, we need others to hold up our handsGod is our Might Warrior God comes with us into the wilderness and reminds us of our salvation.  The rock Moses struck foreshadows how Jesus was struck 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 “The spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ” 1 Corinthians is a Reminder: Jesus was struck for us 1 Corinthians is a Warning: not all of Israel believed Romans 8:1 for all who do believeGod is our Loving Savior Call to ActionWhatever your circumstances, turn to God in the wilderness Jesus will never turn you away!  He is your…·       Faithful Provider·       Mighty Warrior·       Loving SaviorCONNECT: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/people/forms/87727GIVE: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/givingPRAYER: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/people/forms/87727Social Media Handle: @crossbridgebrickell

Exodus 15-17Episode 9 - Oct. 13, 2025IntroductionTopanga State Park hike in the wilderness ContextIsrael enslaved for 430 years Moses sent to rescue God's people God delivers Israel and destroys Pharaoh “Free at Last!” Moses leads Israel into the Wilderness in route to the Promised Land God goes with Israel into the Wilderness Israel's story is our story “Dangerous Journey” illustration Three Ways God meets us in the Wilderness God comes with us into the wilderness and provides for our practical needs. No water at Mirah, then bitter water   Israel grumbles, “What are we to drink?” God hears and miraculously provides clean water, an Oasis No food at The Desert of Sin, the “whole community” grumbles Looking back to Egypt: “If only we died in Egypt!” We too look back on Egypt: we are no different than Israel God hears and miraculously provides food  God reveals His glory in the pillar of cloud Has Israel learned her lesson about God in the wilderness? No water at Rephidim, Israel quarrels with Moses  God hears, and miraculously provides water from a rock Hebrews 4:16Instead of grumbling, how much better to turn to God in faithGod is our Faithful Provider God comes with us into the wilderness and fights our battles and defeats our enemies. Attack by the Amalekites Joshua to fight, Moses to stand on the top of the hill Israel wins when Moses raises the staff, bot loses when he lowers the staff We don't need a staff, we have a cross When we get tired and weary, we need others to hold up our handsGod is our Might Warrior God comes with us into the wilderness and reminds us of our salvation.  The rock Moses struck foreshadows how Jesus was struck 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 “The spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ” 1 Corinthians is a Reminder: Jesus was struck for us 1 Corinthians is a Warning: not all of Israel believed Romans 8:1 for all who do believeGod is our Loving Savior Call to ActionWhatever your circumstances, turn to God in the wilderness Jesus will never turn you away!  He is your…·       Faithful Provider·       Mighty Warrior·       Loving SaviorCONNECT: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/people/forms/87727GIVE: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/givingPRAYER: https://crossbridgebrickell.churchcenter.com/people/forms/87727Social Media Handle: @crossbridgebrickell

When Moses was born the Hebrew people had been living in Egypt for quite a time. Initially under the protection of Joseph and Pharoah and welcomed as honored guests; they had become an oppressed and enslaved nation. Fearing their growing strength, Pharaoh ordered every Hebrew boy to be thrown into the Nile. But one mothers courage defied the kings decree. She hid her child as long as she could, then placed him in a basket coated with tar and pitch and set him afloat on the Nile river. By Gods providence, Pharaohs daughter found the baby and raised him as her own. Moses grew up amid the luxury of Pharaohs court, yet he never forgot his Hebrew roots. His passion for justiceand his temperwould define much of his life. When he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, Moses struck down the oppressor and hid the body in the sand (Exod. 2:1112). When the act became known, he fled to the wilderness of Midian, where he spent forty years as a shepherd, husband, and son-in-law to Jethrowaiting for the day when God would call him to lead His people out of bondage. By the time we reach Exodus 3, Moses had already spent those forty years in Midian tending sheep. Then, before a burning bush, he encountered the living Godthe God of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God entered into Moses world in such a way that he would never be the same again. When God called to him from the bush, He said,Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground(v. 5). What made the ground holy? The presence of God made it holy. As R.C. Sproul wrote in his classicThe Holiness of God: God alone is holy in Himself. Only God can sanctify something else. Only God can give the touch that changes it from the commonplace to something special, different, and apart. The God who spoke to Moses from within the burning bush is not only holybut faithful. While many Hebrews believed that God had forgotten them, the Lord reminded Moses that He is not only all-seeing, but full of mercy:I have certainly seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their outcry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings(v. 7). Then God said to Moses,And now come, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt(v. 10). To this, Moses humbly replied,Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? All that Moses saw in himself was his own failures and weaknesses. But for God, it didnt matter how weak Moses was, for He delights to use the foolish to shame the wise and the weak to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:2631). What the burning bush reminds us of is not only that God is holy, or that He is omniscient, or that He is faithful to His promises, but that God uses people not because He needs to, but because He wants to. Just as God did not need Noah or Joseph to address the problems of the world, He did not need Moses. The marvel of the story of God and the people He chooses to use has more to do with that fact that He invites people like us into His mission and the story He is telling. There is a Mediator Who Stands in Your Place After God revealed Himself to Moses as Yahwehthe covenant-keeping GodHe commissioned Moses to return to Egypt. Understandably, Moses questioned,Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?God assured him,I will certainly be with you(Exod. 3:1012). And when Moses was to speak to the people of Israel, God instructed him to say,I AM WHO I AM has sent me to you(v. 14). One of the characteristics that distinguishes the God of Abraham from the gods of Egypt is His faithfulnessHe keeps His promises. This is expressed beautifully inExodus 6:25, where God tells Moses,I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself fully known to them. I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.Gods faithfulness is not only in His name but in His actions, His compassion, and His unwavering remembrance of His promises. Do you remember Leahthe ugly wife whom Jacob did not love? Not only was Judah born to her, but so was Levi. About five generations later, we read inExodus 2:1of a man from the house of Levi who married a daughter of Levi. Together they had three children: Miriam, Aaron, and Moses. It was after Miriam and Aarons birthbut before Moses was bornthat Pharaoh commanded every Hebrew son to be thrown into the Nile (seeExod. 1:2022). Yet from this very family, God raised up the leaders who would deliver His people. Moses would lead Israel out of bondage, serving as a type of king who would shepherd Gods people through the wilderness. Aaron would become Gods priest, and through him the priestly line would continue (Exod. 28:129:9). Miriam would be identified as a prophetess (Exod. 15:2021). Dont miss this: God used all threeMoses, Aaron, and Miriamto lead His people out of Egypt, yet Aaron and Miriam would serve the people under Moses leadership (see Mic. 6:4). But it was to Moses, that God said, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. And when Miriam and Aaron forgot their place and Moses God-ordained role before Israel, God said, Now hear My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, will make Myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream. It is not this way for My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, that is, openly, and not using mysterious language, and he beholds the form of the Lord. So why were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses? (see Num. 12:1-8). Follow the Deliverer Who Leads His People Out of Bondage Moses stood before Pharaoh and Israel as a type ofshepherd-kinga mediator and prophet who spoke on Gods behalf. Listen to how the Lord described Moses role: As for you, you shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall speak to Pharaoh that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land. But I will harden Pharaohs heart, so that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. When Pharaoh does not listen to you, I will lay My hand on Egypt and bring out My armies, My people the sons of Israel, from the land of Egypt by great judgments. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I extend My hand over Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst. (Exod. 7:2-5). When Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh, they declared, Thus says the LORD, Let My people go. (Exod. 5:1). Pharaoh not only refused but mocked the God of Israel: Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go (5:1-2). To prove that no one would command Pharoah of Egypt, he made the Israelites labor even harsher, forcing them to gather their own straw while maintaining the same quota of bricks. What followed was asuccession of ten plagues, each designed to expose the impotence of Egypts gods and, in many cases, tomock them directly. The first nine fall naturally into three escalating triads: Plagues of defilement:water turned to blood (7:1424), frogs overran the land (8:115), and gnats or lice tormented Egypt (8:1619). Plagues of destruction:swarms of flies invaded (8:2032); disease killed Egypts livestock while Israels remained unharmed (9:17); and boils afflicted people and animals alike (9:812). Plagues of devastation:hail mixed with fire ravaged the land (9:1335); locusts devoured the remaining crops (10:120); and darknessa direct assault onRa, the sun-godcovered Egypt for three days (10:2129). Each judgment demonstrated Yahwehs sovereignty, yet Pharaohs heart only grew harder. Enraged, he shouted to Moseswho stood before himas Gods representative: Get away from me! Be careful, do not see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you shall die! (10:28). The cognitive dissonance of Pharaoh towards the God of the Israel was not only irrational, but insane! He was dealing with the God who He could not defeat, for in the words of the apostle Paul, it was the equivalent of the clay pot accusing the potter that He had no rights over what He created (Rom. 9:19ff.). In essence, Pharaohs heart cried out to the God of Moses,Who are You to tell me what I can and cannot do? Before we shake our heads or point our finger at Pharaoh in disgust, we must ask ourselves:What has God commanded us to release or submit to that we have resisted with the same question Who is Yahweh that I should obey His voice? Live in the Victory of the Lamb Who Triumphed Over Every Power Before the final plague, Israel was commanded to take amale lamb without defectand keep it forfour dayslong enough to confirm it was spotless and long enough for it to become, in a sense,theirlamb (Exod. 12:16). On the fourteenth day, the lamb was to be slaughtered at twilight, and its blood applied on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it (v. 7). Afterward, the entire household was toeat the lamb together(vv. 811). For what purpose was the perfect and spotless lamb slaughtered? We are told why in Exodus 12:12, For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and fatally strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the human firstborn to animals; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgmentsI am the Lord. Who would God strike? Thefirstborn sonsboth human and animaland thegods (elohim) of Egypt. These gods were not merely lifeless idols butspiritual powers, demonic forces that animated Egypts sorcery and who also held Pharaoh and his people captive[1] (see Deut. 32:17; 1 Cor. 10:2022).[2] So what fueled Pharaohs hatred of Yahweh and his oppression of Israel? His sin and pride, certainlybut beneath that rebellion lay ademonic conflict. The showdown between Moses and Pharaoh, Israel and Egypt, was not merely political or personal; it wasspiritual warfare. As Paul later wrote, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). Every plague before the tenth was a call to repentancea chance for Pharaoh, for Egypt, and even for any Hebrew who had turned to Egypts idols, to turn back to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But only throughthe blood of the lambwould anyone experience deliverance and victory. But, why the firstborn? At the summit of Egypts pantheon stoodRa (Re), the so-called god of gods, depicted with thehead of a falconand thesolar disk encircled by a cobraa symbol of divine power and kingship. Pharaoh was worshiped as theson of Ra, and his ownfirstborn sonwas regarded as the next embodiment of divine rule. In one decisive act, Yahweh crushed the head of Egypts god for the purpose of liberating captive Israel and any Egyptian who wished to turn to the true Creator, and He did it through the blood of the lamb! Conclusion Through this series, youve been reminded of thetrue and better Adamwho embraced a tree for our redemption and life. Youve seen thetrue and better Isaac, who carried His cross to the place of execution for sins we committed, that we might become children of God through His willing death. There is atrue and better Israel, who pursued the unfaithful bride and redeemed her to be clothed in white, never again enslaved to sin. And there is atrue and better Mosesthe Prophet who perfectly represents God, the High Priest who intercedes for us, and the flawless Shepherd-King whose lordship demands our obedience. Behind Egypts gods stood a master deceiverthe father of lies, the ancient serpentwho twists truth and opposes the purposes of God. When Moses stood before Pharaoh, he wasnt merely confronting a ruler; he was standing against the spiritual powers of darkness. In that moment, Moses foreshadowed the One who would intercede perfectly on our behalf. Jesus is the true and better Mosesthe long-promised Deliverer, the Lion of Judah who became the Lamb of God to set captives free. He alone is the sinless Son of the Father, who took on flesh and dwelt among usthe Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. But His death did more than address our guilt; ittriumphed over sin, death, and every power opposed to Gods kingdom. Through His cross and resurrection, Jesus destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil (Heb. 2:14), and the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). When we turn to the book of Revelation, we witness a dramatic, global reenactment of the Exodus story: the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls each unleash escalating judgments, echoing the plagues that struck Egypt. Yet, just as Pharaoh stubbornly hardened his heart, so too does humanity in the final days. Scripture warns, The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands; they continued to worship demons and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and woodidols that can neither see, hear, nor walk. They refused to repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts (Rev. 9:20-21). So we must ask regarding ourselves: Who is Yahweh that I should obey Him? Thetrue and better Moses, theLamb of God, was slain to liberate us from such things. For the true Christian,Colossians 2:1315declares our victory: And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings, having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. (Col. 2:13-15) If you are in Christ, your victory and freedom are found inthe Lamb who reigns as the Lion of Judah. Jesus is the true and better Mediator who stands in your place. Jesus is the true and better Deliverer who leads His people out of bondage. The true Son of God is your salvationbefore whom every ruler and demon, all who are rich and poor, those who are known and unknown will one day bow. And on that Day, mayRevelation 12:1011be said of you: Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. (Rev. 12:10-11) [1] And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Cor. 4:3-4) [2] No, but I say that things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we? (1 Cor. 10:20-22)

When Moses was born the Hebrew people had been living in Egypt for quite a time. Initially under the protection of Joseph and Pharoah and welcomed as honored guests; they had become an oppressed and enslaved nation. Fearing their growing strength, Pharaoh ordered every Hebrew boy to be thrown into the Nile. But one mothers courage defied the kings decree. She hid her child as long as she could, then placed him in a basket coated with tar and pitch and set him afloat on the Nile river. By Gods providence, Pharaohs daughter found the baby and raised him as her own. Moses grew up amid the luxury of Pharaohs court, yet he never forgot his Hebrew roots. His passion for justiceand his temperwould define much of his life. When he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave, Moses struck down the oppressor and hid the body in the sand (Exod. 2:1112). When the act became known, he fled to the wilderness of Midian, where he spent forty years as a shepherd, husband, and son-in-law to Jethrowaiting for the day when God would call him to lead His people out of bondage. By the time we reach Exodus 3, Moses had already spent those forty years in Midian tending sheep. Then, before a burning bush, he encountered the living Godthe God of Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God entered into Moses world in such a way that he would never be the same again. When God called to him from the bush, He said,Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground(v. 5). What made the ground holy? The presence of God made it holy. As R.C. Sproul wrote in his classicThe Holiness of God: God alone is holy in Himself. Only God can sanctify something else. Only God can give the touch that changes it from the commonplace to something special, different, and apart. The God who spoke to Moses from within the burning bush is not only holybut faithful. While many Hebrews believed that God had forgotten them, the Lord reminded Moses that He is not only all-seeing, but full of mercy:I have certainly seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their outcry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings(v. 7). Then God said to Moses,And now come, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt(v. 10). To this, Moses humbly replied,Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt? All that Moses saw in himself was his own failures and weaknesses. But for God, it didnt matter how weak Moses was, for He delights to use the foolish to shame the wise and the weak to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:2631). What the burning bush reminds us of is not only that God is holy, or that He is omniscient, or that He is faithful to His promises, but that God uses people not because He needs to, but because He wants to. Just as God did not need Noah or Joseph to address the problems of the world, He did not need Moses. The marvel of the story of God and the people He chooses to use has more to do with that fact that He invites people like us into His mission and the story He is telling. There is a Mediator Who Stands in Your Place After God revealed Himself to Moses as Yahwehthe covenant-keeping GodHe commissioned Moses to return to Egypt. Understandably, Moses questioned,Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?God assured him,I will certainly be with you(Exod. 3:1012). And when Moses was to speak to the people of Israel, God instructed him to say,I AM WHO I AM has sent me to you(v. 14). One of the characteristics that distinguishes the God of Abraham from the gods of Egypt is His faithfulnessHe keeps His promises. This is expressed beautifully inExodus 6:25, where God tells Moses,I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself fully known to them. I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.Gods faithfulness is not only in His name but in His actions, His compassion, and His unwavering remembrance of His promises. Do you remember Leahthe ugly wife whom Jacob did not love? Not only was Judah born to her, but so was Levi. About five generations later, we read inExodus 2:1of a man from the house of Levi who married a daughter of Levi. Together they had three children: Miriam, Aaron, and Moses. It was after Miriam and Aarons birthbut before Moses was bornthat Pharaoh commanded every Hebrew son to be thrown into the Nile (seeExod. 1:2022). Yet from this very family, God raised up the leaders who would deliver His people. Moses would lead Israel out of bondage, serving as a type of king who would shepherd Gods people through the wilderness. Aaron would become Gods priest, and through him the priestly line would continue (Exod. 28:129:9). Miriam would be identified as a prophetess (Exod. 15:2021). Dont miss this: God used all threeMoses, Aaron, and Miriamto lead His people out of Egypt, yet Aaron and Miriam would serve the people under Moses leadership (see Mic. 6:4). But it was to Moses, that God said, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. And when Miriam and Aaron forgot their place and Moses God-ordained role before Israel, God said, Now hear My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, will make Myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream. It is not this way for My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, that is, openly, and not using mysterious language, and he beholds the form of the Lord. So why were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses? (see Num. 12:1-8). Follow the Deliverer Who Leads His People Out of Bondage Moses stood before Pharaoh and Israel as a type ofshepherd-kinga mediator and prophet who spoke on Gods behalf. Listen to how the Lord described Moses role: As for you, you shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall speak to Pharaoh that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land. But I will harden Pharaohs heart, so that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt. When Pharaoh does not listen to you, I will lay My hand on Egypt and bring out My armies, My people the sons of Israel, from the land of Egypt by great judgments. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I extend My hand over Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst. (Exod. 7:2-5). When Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh, they declared, Thus says the LORD, Let My people go. (Exod. 5:1). Pharaoh not only refused but mocked the God of Israel: Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go (5:1-2). To prove that no one would command Pharoah of Egypt, he made the Israelites labor even harsher, forcing them to gather their own straw while maintaining the same quota of bricks. What followed was asuccession of ten plagues, each designed to expose the impotence of Egypts gods and, in many cases, tomock them directly. The first nine fall naturally into three escalating triads: Plagues of defilement:water turned to blood (7:1424), frogs overran the land (8:115), and gnats or lice tormented Egypt (8:1619). Plagues of destruction:swarms of flies invaded (8:2032); disease killed Egypts livestock while Israels remained unharmed (9:17); and boils afflicted people and animals alike (9:812). Plagues of devastation:hail mixed with fire ravaged the land (9:1335); locusts devoured the remaining crops (10:120); and darknessa direct assault onRa, the sun-godcovered Egypt for three days (10:2129). Each judgment demonstrated Yahwehs sovereignty, yet Pharaohs heart only grew harder. Enraged, he shouted to Moseswho stood before himas Gods representative: Get away from me! Be careful, do not see my face again, for on the day you see my face, you shall die! (10:28). The cognitive dissonance of Pharaoh towards the God of the Israel was not only irrational, but insane! He was dealing with the God who He could not defeat, for in the words of the apostle Paul, it was the equivalent of the clay pot accusing the potter that He had no rights over what He created (Rom. 9:19ff.). In essence, Pharaohs heart cried out to the God of Moses,Who are You to tell me what I can and cannot do? Before we shake our heads or point our finger at Pharaoh in disgust, we must ask ourselves:What has God commanded us to release or submit to that we have resisted with the same question Who is Yahweh that I should obey His voice? Live in the Victory of the Lamb Who Triumphed Over Every Power Before the final plague, Israel was commanded to take amale lamb without defectand keep it forfour dayslong enough to confirm it was spotless and long enough for it to become, in a sense,theirlamb (Exod. 12:16). On the fourteenth day, the lamb was to be slaughtered at twilight, and its blood applied on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it (v. 7). Afterward, the entire household was toeat the lamb together(vv. 811). For what purpose was the perfect and spotless lamb slaughtered? We are told why in Exodus 12:12, For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and fatally strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the human firstborn to animals; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgmentsI am the Lord. Who would God strike? Thefirstborn sonsboth human and animaland thegods (elohim) of Egypt. These gods were not merely lifeless idols butspiritual powers, demonic forces that animated Egypts sorcery and who also held Pharaoh and his people captive[1] (see Deut. 32:17; 1 Cor. 10:2022).[2] So what fueled Pharaohs hatred of Yahweh and his oppression of Israel? His sin and pride, certainlybut beneath that rebellion lay ademonic conflict. The showdown between Moses and Pharaoh, Israel and Egypt, was not merely political or personal; it wasspiritual warfare. As Paul later wrote, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Eph. 6:12). Every plague before the tenth was a call to repentancea chance for Pharaoh, for Egypt, and even for any Hebrew who had turned to Egypts idols, to turn back to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But only throughthe blood of the lambwould anyone experience deliverance and victory. But, why the firstborn? At the summit of Egypts pantheon stoodRa (Re), the so-called god of gods, depicted with thehead of a falconand thesolar disk encircled by a cobraa symbol of divine power and kingship. Pharaoh was worshiped as theson of Ra, and his ownfirstborn sonwas regarded as the next embodiment of divine rule. In one decisive act, Yahweh crushed the head of Egypts god for the purpose of liberating captive Israel and any Egyptian who wished to turn to the true Creator, and He did it through the blood of the lamb! Conclusion Through this series, youve been reminded of thetrue and better Adamwho embraced a tree for our redemption and life. Youve seen thetrue and better Isaac, who carried His cross to the place of execution for sins we committed, that we might become children of God through His willing death. There is atrue and better Israel, who pursued the unfaithful bride and redeemed her to be clothed in white, never again enslaved to sin. And there is atrue and better Mosesthe Prophet who perfectly represents God, the High Priest who intercedes for us, and the flawless Shepherd-King whose lordship demands our obedience. Behind Egypts gods stood a master deceiverthe father of lies, the ancient serpentwho twists truth and opposes the purposes of God. When Moses stood before Pharaoh, he wasnt merely confronting a ruler; he was standing against the spiritual powers of darkness. In that moment, Moses foreshadowed the One who would intercede perfectly on our behalf. Jesus is the true and better Mosesthe long-promised Deliverer, the Lion of Judah who became the Lamb of God to set captives free. He alone is the sinless Son of the Father, who took on flesh and dwelt among usthe Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. But His death did more than address our guilt; ittriumphed over sin, death, and every power opposed to Gods kingdom. Through His cross and resurrection, Jesus destroyed the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil (Heb. 2:14), and the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). When we turn to the book of Revelation, we witness a dramatic, global reenactment of the Exodus story: the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls each unleash escalating judgments, echoing the plagues that struck Egypt. Yet, just as Pharaoh stubbornly hardened his heart, so too does humanity in the final days. Scripture warns, The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands; they continued to worship demons and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and woodidols that can neither see, hear, nor walk. They refused to repent of their murders, their sorceries, their sexual immorality, or their thefts (Rev. 9:20-21). So we must ask regarding ourselves: Who is Yahweh that I should obey Him? Thetrue and better Moses, theLamb of God, was slain to liberate us from such things. For the true Christian,Colossians 2:1315declares our victory: And when you were dead in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings, having canceled the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. (Col. 2:13-15) If you are in Christ, your victory and freedom are found inthe Lamb who reigns as the Lion of Judah. Jesus is the true and better Mediator who stands in your place. Jesus is the true and better Deliverer who leads His people out of bondage. The true Son of God is your salvationbefore whom every ruler and demon, all who are rich and poor, those who are known and unknown will one day bow. And on that Day, mayRevelation 12:1011be said of you: Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. (Rev. 12:10-11) [1] And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they will not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Cor. 4:3-4) [2] No, but I say that things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we? (1 Cor. 10:20-22)

Exodus 15-17Episode 9 - Oct. 13, 2025IntroductionTopanga State Park hike in the wilderness ContextIsrael enslaved for 430 years Moses sent to rescue God's people God delivers Israel and destroys Pharaoh “Free at Last!” Moses leads Israel into the Wilderness in route to the Promised Land God goes with Israel into the Wilderness Israel's story is our story “Dangerous Journey” illustration Three Ways God meets us in the Wilderness God comes with us into the wilderness and provides for our practical needs. No water at Mirah, then bitter water   Israel grumbles, “What are we to drink?” God hears and miraculously provides clean water, an Oasis No food at The Desert of Sin, the “whole community” grumbles Looking back to Egypt: “If only we died in Egypt!” We too look back on Egypt: we are no different than Israel God hears and miraculously provides food  God reveals His glory in the pillar of cloud Has Israel learned her lesson about God in the wilderness? No water at Rephidim, Israel quarrels with Moses  God hears, and miraculously provides water from a rock Hebrews 4:16Instead of grumbling, how much better to turn to God in faithGod is our Faithful Provider God comes with us into the wilderness and fights our battles and defeats our enemies. Attack by the Amalekites Joshua to fight, Moses to stand on the top of the hill Israel wins when Moses raises the staff, bot loses when he lowers the staff We don't need a staff, we have a cross When we get tired and weary, we need others to hold up our handsGod is our Might Warrior God comes with us into the wilderness and reminds us of our salvation.  The rock Moses struck foreshadows how Jesus was struck 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 “The spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ” 1 Corinthians is a Reminder: Jesus was struck for us 1 Corinthians is a Warning: not all of Israel believed Romans 8:1 for all who do believeGod is our Loving Savior Call to ActionWhatever your circumstances, turn to God in the wilderness Jesus will never turn you away!  He is your…·       Faithful Provider·       Mighty Warrior·       Loving Savior

Exodus 15-17Episode 9 - Oct. 13, 2025IntroductionTopanga State Park hike in the wilderness ContextIsrael enslaved for 430 years Moses sent to rescue God's people God delivers Israel and destroys Pharaoh “Free at Last!” Moses leads Israel into the Wilderness in route to the Promised Land God goes with Israel into the Wilderness Israel's story is our story “Dangerous Journey” illustration Three Ways God meets us in the Wilderness God comes with us into the wilderness and provides for our practical needs. No water at Mirah, then bitter water   Israel grumbles, “What are we to drink?” God hears and miraculously provides clean water, an Oasis No food at The Desert of Sin, the “whole community” grumbles Looking back to Egypt: “If only we died in Egypt!” We too look back on Egypt: we are no different than Israel God hears and miraculously provides food  God reveals His glory in the pillar of cloud Has Israel learned her lesson about God in the wilderness? No water at Rephidim, Israel quarrels with Moses  God hears, and miraculously provides water from a rock Hebrews 4:16Instead of grumbling, how much better to turn to God in faithGod is our Faithful Provider God comes with us into the wilderness and fights our battles and defeats our enemies. Attack by the Amalekites Joshua to fight, Moses to stand on the top of the hill Israel wins when Moses raises the staff, bot loses when he lowers the staff We don't need a staff, we have a cross When we get tired and weary, we need others to hold up our handsGod is our Might Warrior God comes with us into the wilderness and reminds us of our salvation.  The rock Moses struck foreshadows how Jesus was struck 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 “The spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ” 1 Corinthians is a Reminder: Jesus was struck for us 1 Corinthians is a Warning: not all of Israel believed Romans 8:1 for all who do believeGod is our Loving Savior Call to ActionWhatever your circumstances, turn to God in the wilderness

Cashing in Her Chimps, Mike Johnson Goes on An Outing, From Showboat to Dropout 

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Overview of the prophecy of Habakkuk, one of the minor prophets in the Old Testament. #MinorProphets #sermon #preaching #Habakkuk #finalprayer #Godsmightyacts #deliverance #mercy #judgment #fulfilment #Belshazzar #Babylon #Daniel #Persians #Providences #Habakkuk3 Bill James takes us through the incommunicable attributes of God, the characteristics in which God differs from us. #doctrine #summaryofBible #attributesofGod #incommunicable #Moses #God #burningbush #covenantpromises #commitment #unfailing #merciful #purposes #dependable #Exodus3v15-16 For more audio from GBM, visit gbm.org.uk/listen To contact us, please email servingtoday@gbm.org.uk

Like He did with Moses, God has a purpose for you- and He works in the day-to-day details of your life to bring it to pass. Our limitations are nothing compared to God's purpose for us.

Today we want to take this chat and explain the importance of the synagogue in the days of Christ and the early church.   First, what is a synagogue? The basic definition is a synagogue is a Jewish house of worship. A synagogue is for Jews what a church is for Christians, or a mosque for Muslims, or a temple for Hindus. The word comes from the Greek roots “sun” which means "together", and “agein” which means "to go” or “to bring together". Wuest Word Studies gives this explanation: “It refers to the act of a group of people "going with one another," thus congregating in one place. Finally, it came to refer to the place where they congregated. The word was used to designate the buildings other than the central Jewish temple where the Jews congregated for worship.”   Though some Jewish traditions claim synagogues existed “from the time of Moses,” history notes that the practice of meeting in synagogues emerged during the period of Israel's Babylonian captivity. During this time, the Jewish temple was unavailable for worship, requiring an alternative gathering place for dispersed Jews who desired to gather for prayer and communal worship.   By the time of Jesus and the New Testament period, synagogues had become a common local fixture. The New Testament mentions synagogues over 60 times, largely in connection with the ministry of Jesus and the apostles. On the Sabbath, local Jews would meet for prayer and Scripture reading. Of course, the Sabbath in the Bible is the seventh day of the week which has its beginning in Genesis 2:1-3 when God rested on the seventh day of creation and as verse 3 says, “He blessed the seventh day and sanctified it…”. Then in the Law of Moses God makes the seventh day of the week a special day set apart for worship for the Jews and no work was to be done. This is why the Jews go to the synagogues on Saturday.   Jesus was fulfilling the law as He went from synagogue to synagogue teaching the law and the prophets and worshipping with the Jews in that region. Jesus might have argued that the "religious system" was corrupt, or that He didn't need the instruction; but instead, He made His way on the Sabbath to the place of prayer. From verses in Luke 4:16-21 we can observe many synagogue customs: First, the meeting took place on the Sabbath (Saturday). Second, Jesus stood to read. Third, He read from a scroll. Even today, scrolls are found in synagogues and are used for weekly readings (see also Acts 15:21). When finished with His reading, Jesus sat down to teach, another synagogue tradition.   Paul and the other apostles would use the synagogue as a launching point for missionary activities. Upon arriving in a new community, Paul would show up at the synagogue and request to speak. He would then present Jesus as the Messiah and begin his local outreach. This sometimes resulted in many people believing in Jesus. Historically, the synagogue has continued to play an essential role in the practice of Judaism. After the destruction of the Jewish temple in A.D. 70, worship could no longer take place in the temple, making the synagogue the central place of worship. The synagogue has served as an important fixture in Judaism and early Christianity. Its importance during the time of Jesus and the apostles provided one of the key ways the gospel spread in the earliest years of the church.   Today, as believers we meet on the first day of the week in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on that day! That is when the New Testament believers met. It should be our custom, our regular practice, to come together with other believers to pray, to worship, and be taught the Word of God. In Hebrews 10:25 we are exhorted: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”   God Bless!

Helpful links for more information, signups, and getting connected at Schweitzer Church: - www.schweitzer.church - schweitzer.church/next - schweitzer.church/groups

Helpful links for more information, signups, and getting connected at Schweitzer Church: - www.schweitzer.church - schweitzer.church/next - schweitzer.church/groups

The time has come for Moses to return to Egypt. God intended for Moses to have face to face interaction with Pharaoh. What's really going on is that through Moses God would have His demand delivered directly to the man at the top. But God warned Moses that Pharaoh would refuse to listen. Jesus gave us the same warning, “if they reject me, they will reject you", "you will be persecuted for teaching what I tell you".https://ucgraleigh.blogspot.com/2024/03/moses-returns-to-egypt.html

A Personal God The God of History The God of Liberation A Holy God Takeaway: God – not nature – is the ultimate foundation of our existence. And, as he has shown us in history, he is on our side.

John's gospel narrative is organized around 7 miracles that demonstrate that he is the Messiah, the Promised One, the Deliverer, the Savior. But in addition to these ministry signs Jesus gives other signs. After he cleansed the Temple he was challenged concerning his authority. He gave them the sign- Destroy this Temple and I will raise it up in three days. He was prophetically speak of the temple of his body that would be raised back to life after he was killed. The climaxing sign in John's gospel is Jesus resurrection from the dead.Nicodemus , a ruler of the Jews, came to visit Jesus during the early days of his ministry in Judea. He said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus startled him with a discourse on his need to be born again by the sovereign work of the Spirit. He then gives Nicodemus this sign which explains how it is possible for God to forgive sinners and have access to God. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,  that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.' John 3:14-15This was a reference to what happened during the wilderness days of the Hebrews in route to the Promised land. When they grumbled and spoke against Yahweh and Moses God visited them in judgment by poisonous snakes that bit thousands who died. The people beg Moses to ask God to take the snakes away and to stop the punishment. God told Moses to make a bronze snake image and put it on a pole so that when a person was bitten by a serpent he could look on the snake imaged on a pole and live.  (Numbers 21:4-9)Jesus told Nicodemus this was sign pointing to him. It was a prophecy of his destined death by crucifixion when he would take the judgment due his people and when they looked to him in faith they would live . He will some 3 1/2 years later speak his being lifted up to some Greeks who came seeking him. (John 12:32-34) Paul explains the meaning of Jesus death in terms that explain the divine transaction that took place with Jesus in 2 Corinthians 5: 19, 21 In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them. ...For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.Bible Insights with Wayne ConradContact: 8441 Hunnicut Rd Dallas, Texas 75228email: Att. Bible Insights Wayne Conradgsccdallas@gmail.com (Good Shepherd Church) Donation https://www.gsccdallas.org/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTZX6qasIrPmC1wQpben9ghttps://www.facebook.com/waconrad or gscchttps://www.sermonaudio.com/gsccSpirit, Truth and Grace MinistriesPhone # 214-324-9915 leave message with number for call backPsalms 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Pastor Caleb Kinney Wednesday Evening 1/31/24

A Prophet Greater than Moses Hebrews 3:1-14 Last Sunday we began a brief advent series in Hebrews. Hebrews is probably not the first book of the Bible that comes to mind when you think of Advent or Christmas. However, the whole book is about Jesus. It speaks clearly about his coming, his nature, his glory, and as we considered last week, his offices. As a reminder, that word office is the official capacity of his ministry – who this child that we celebrate at Advent is… who he is…  and what he has come to do. His offices are Prophet, Priest, and King. The first few verses of Hebrews chapter 1 introduce Jesus as the Son of God in those redemptive roles. This week, we'll be focusing on Jesus' prophetic office. A prophet is one sent by God, to speak the word of God, on behalf of God. Our text is Hebrews chapter 3 verses 1-14. You can find that on page 1188 in the pew Bibles. As you are turning there, let me note that if we had time, we would read all of chapter 3 and chapter 4. Those two chapters are really one message. Our text this morning in chapter 3 is a good summary of the larger section. The opening 6 verses compare Jesus to Moses. Then in verses 7-14 the author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 95:8-11 and gives a brief explanation and application. They call us to hear and believe in Christ, holding fast to our faith in him. Let's now come to his Word. Reading of Hebrew 3 Prayer As you know, the Old Testament is full of history. Of events, of people, places, festivals, wars, promise, families. But out of all of them, one event stands out as the most significant in the life of God's people. The Exodus. It was ultimate demonstration of deliverance in the Old Testament. It's amazing what God did and how he did it. It's hard for us to even wrap our minds around some of it. God sent Moses to the king of Egypt, Pharoah, multiple times calling him to free God's people. Each time, Pharoah rejected the call. And after each rejection, God sent plages on Egypt. Terrible plagues. The worst was the tenth. The angel of death came and all the firstborn in Egypt died. Yet, the Lord passed over the homes of the Israelites, if the blood of the lamb was on the their doorposts. It was that moment that Moses led God's people out of Egypt. God went before them with a pillar of smoke by day and a pillar of fire by night. The people rejoiced, thinking they were set free but then the Egyptians began pursuing them, and they ended up at a dead end - the Red Sea. It appeared that all was lost. They couldn't cross. But yet again, God displayed his power and salvation. First, the pillars of smoke and fire held off the Egyptian army. But even more amazing was what happened next. Moses raised his staff, struck the water and the Red Sea parted. Another miracle. Moses led them across on dry land. And as soon as the last Israelite crossed, the waters came crashing down on the Egyptian army… destroying them all. Imagine all that had transpired. Imagine being a father or mother or child and seeing and experiencing all of it. And that wasn't the last of it. Even the small miracles displayed the provision of God. The soles of their shoes didn't wear out. God gave them manna from heaven - daily provision of food. They were there when Moses went up on the mountain and returned with the commandments. They were there to see the pillar of smoke and fire above the tabernacle revealing the Lord's presence. They witnessed so many things. And at the center of it all, besides, of course, God himself, was Moses. He had been the one to boldly speak to Pharoah. He had been the one to lead them out. God parted the Red Sea through Moses. God had revealed himself to Moses in the burning bush and on the mountain. He was used to bring the tablets of stone, the ten commandments. Moses was the man. And besides all that God had done through Moses in the Exodus, God also revealed to Moses his laws. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Moses wrote down the creation account, their history including the patriarchs, the ceremonial and civil laws. Moses was and is the central figure in Judaism…  perhaps only paralleled by Abraham. Moses was their guy. So, when the author of Hebrews brings up Moses, you better believe it that his readers would be paying very special attention. Verse 3 would have been a particular eye opener to them – It says, “Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses.” For some of the Jewish reader, this would have been shocking. More glory than Moses? Moses had to veil himself (cover his face) when he descended from Mount Saini because he reflected the glory of God. But Jesus was counted as more glorious than Moses. Now, to be clear about the audience, Hebrews was written to Jewish people who believed in Jesus as the Messiah. We read that right there in verse 1. The author calls them “brothers” and, as it says, they “share” in the same “calling” and “confession.” But they still would have been startled by the emphasis of Jesus over Moses. We know from other New Testament books that Jewish background believers often struggled by overemphasizing Moses and the law. Sometimes the law was elevated above grace (the book of Galatians deals with that), and other times the law was put on the same par as faith. Like grace plus circumcision, or we're saved by grace plus the law (the book of Romans deals with some of that). So, what the author of Hebrews is doing here is making really clear that Jesus is greater than Moses. But note: the author is not diminishing Moses, no, rather Moses, as great as he was, is being put in his proper place compared with Jesus. Jesus is the greater prophet. Now, I said that, but some of you probably noticed, the word “prophet” is not found in our text this morning. In fact, the word “prophet” is not found anywhere in chapters 3 or in 4. So, first, let me explain why the underlying emphasis is Jesus as the greatest prophet – greater than Moses. ·       Number 1 - we often don't think of Moses as a prophet, do we? But he was the most preeminent prophet in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 18, which we read earlier, Moses calls himself a prophet. And that makes sense. God sent Moses to speak and through Moses God gave his Word and law to the people. And related to that, the prophets often performed signs and miracles as a testimony to their prophetic role. And that was certainly true for Moses. He was a prophet. ·       The second reason - in the same Deuteronomy passage, Moses writes that God will raise up a prophet like him from their brothers. Moses says, “it is him you shall listen.” Well, there are two places in the New Testament that quote that Old Testament verse. Both pronounce that Jesus is the prophesied prophet. We read one of them earlier in the service - Acts 3 – Peters sermon. Stephen also says the same thing in Acts 7. Jesus is the prophesied, capital “P” Prophet. ·       Third, in Hebrews 3 verse 1, Jesus is called THE apostle. He's “the apostle and high priest of our confession.” That word apostle in the Greek means “sent one.” It's a different word than prophet, but both have been explicitly sent by God and they share the divine authority to speak his word. So even though these verses don't use the word prophet, yet they still convey the role of prophet. ·       And last, these two chapters, 3 and 4, are about God speaking and our listening. In fact, the beginning of verse 7 reminds us that God is the one speaking through his Word. Look at what it says: “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says” and it quotes Psalm 95. The thing is, King David is the one who wrote Psalm 95, but he was carried along by the Holy Spirit. Many of the Old Testament quotes in Hebrews are attributed directly to God. To be sure, it doesn't diminish the human author's intent or context, but it's a good reminder that God has given and directs his Word. OK, now flip forward to chapter 4 and jump down to verse 12. Basically, the end of chapter 3 and the beginning of chapter 4 are an exposition of Psalm 95. The author has made the case to listen to the Word of God and to believe it. And then he writes these well-known words. Starting in verse 12 of chapter 4: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Again, he's talking about the word of God. Now listen carefully to verse 13. “And no creature is hidden from his sight…” Did you hear that? It doesn't say “its sight” but “his sight.” The author of Hebrews is speaking of Jesus as the Word of God. And the second half of verse 13 makes that abundantly clear: “but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Jesus is the one to whom we will be accountable on the last day. He is God's Word. Let me boil it down this way. Earlier, I gave you a definition of a prophet. A prophet is sent by God to speak the word of God on behalf of God. Moses certainly fits that definition. But Jesus fulfills that definition. He is sent by God as THE apostle – God the Son sent into the world. He speaks the word of God because he is the word of God. And he's come on behalf of God because he is God. Jesus is considered worthy of greater honor than Moses for all those reasons. Let me pause here. Why does this matter? You may be thinking, “Isn't this just an intellectual discussion? Can't we just get to application?” Well, look at verse 1. What's the imperative in verse 1? Do you see it there? It's the word “consider.” “Consider Jesus, the apostle and High Priest of our confession.” Beloved, there's nothing and no one greater to consider. He IS the application. Now, we're going to get to our response in a few minutes, but I wanted to point that out. And just to be sure, these verses don't minimize Moses. Verse 2 makes that clear. Moses was faithful. He was a faithful leader. God called him to faithfully speak to Pharoah. He faithfully obeyed God. The people saw Moses' faithfulness to God – they knew Moses had a special role in God's kingdom. Look at the phrase at the end of verse 2: “Moses… was faithful in all God's house.” That term "house” describes God's people – as in the family of God. Moses faithfully served the family of God. Jesus was also faithful. Faithful to speak the truth and grace of God. Faithful to God the Father in fulfilling his task on earth - salvation. Faithful in perfect obedience to God's law. You see, both were faithful. But faithful in different ways. And what these first 6 verses highlight is that Jesus is categorically more faithful than Moses. Jesus is worthy of greater glory than Moses. Why? Well, he writes, “the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.” Verse 5 explains: “Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant…” and in verse 6 “but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son.” So, on the one hand, you have Moses. He's a servant in the house. And on the other hand, you have Jesus, as the builder of the house, as over the house. This last summer, we vacationed in Washington DC. And one of the things we did was go on a White House tour. The most famous house in the world. It was very interesting. We didn't see the west wing or the oval office, but we entered the east wing and were able to walk through the lower level and then the rooms on the main floor. And there were pictures everywhere (and painting, too). Almost every picture included one of the presidents… but he was with a foreign dignitary, or a famous musician or movie star, or the queen, or the first lady, or the family dog. Pictures of president after another president after another president. It was a good reminder that each president merely serves in the house. He didn't create the office of President or build the house and he doesn't own the house. No, the president serves the country. It's the constitution which established the office 250 years ago. The President, though important, is merely a servant in the house… appointed by the people. It's not a perfect analogy, but you get the point. Moses served in the house. He's described as a servant. And what did Moses do? End of verse 5: he was there “to testify to the things that were to be spoken later.” There it is again, by the way… prophet. Moses was a prophet pointing to a greater prophet. That's Moses… faithful in the house. Jesus, on the other hand, is described as “the builder” – verse 3… and “the son” – verse 5. He has more honor because he is over the house. It's his house. He established the house. Again, we're talking about the household of God – the people of God. The reason that Jesus is over the house is that he is God. Verse 4 notes. “For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.” So after being described as the builder, Jesus is equated with God. Moses is a servant in the house. But Jesus, as God the son, owns the house. We're to consider him: Jesus is not another faithful prophet like Moses, rather he's THE prophet, the Word of God. He's the one whom Moses prophesied would come. He's over Moses and over the whole house of God, the church. Greater and more glorious as the builder of the house. Response And that brings us now to our response. We've considered Jesus, but what does that mean for us? Well, look at the middle of 6. “And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and hope.” Verse 14 is very similar to verse 6. Look down at 14. “we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” “Hold our original confidence.” And earlier, “Hold fast our confidence.” Those two verses are saying the same thing. We're to hold onto Christ. We're to see and hear and have a believing heart. The Psalm 95 quote illustrates the opposite - an unbelieving heart. In fact, verses 7-11 take us back to the Exodus and the wilderness. The sad reality is that even though they witnessed the 10 plagues…. Even though their firstborn had been passed over by the angel of death…  even though they were there when God protected them from the Egyptian army… even though they crossed the red sea… even though they experienced God's provision in the wilderness… yet they did not believe. They witnessed and experienced it all, yet constantly displayed unbelieving hearts. Things got to a boiling point at Meribah – the place of the rebellion. They needed water, yet they didn't trust the Lord to provide, even though he had provided all along the way. So they rose up against Moses. “Why have you brought us into this wilderness to die?” They wanted to go back to Egypt, back to slavery. They hardened their hearts. That's how Psalm 95 describes their rebellion in verse 8. It's the same phrase used to describe Pharoh's heart. Suppose you had not gone to your doctor for years. You thought you were fine. But then one day, you notice that you get out of breath really easily and your chest feels tight. So, you go see your doctor. After performing some tests and scans, he or she sits you down and says, Tell me about your diet? Well, I don't eat green things. Usually, it's ice cream for breakfast. For lunch sometimes grilled cheese sandwiches or a burrito. For dinner, my all-time favorite is BBQ, but pizza or fried foods will also do. You then learn that your arteries are 80% blocked. Your terrible diet is causing your heart to slowly harden and die. You have congestive heart failure and the risk of a massive heart attack is high. The doctor says, Your diet needs a radical change or you will die. How do you respond? Do you think, I don't believe it. I'm fine. Or will you believe and realize your grave condition. The generation in the wilderness had spiritual heart disease. Because of it, sadly they would not be allowed to enter the promised land. As Psalm 95 puts it they would not enter God's rest. You see that in Hebrews 3:11. It's referring to the eternal rest in God's presence for eternity. And why would they not enter it? It's because of their unbelief. You can see that down in verse 19. We didn't read that verse, but it directly answers the question why. Let me take a brief tangent here. Some have suggested that verse 12 means we can lose our salvation. It says that you should not have “an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” However, it's not saying that we can have true faith in Christ and then later lose that true faith in Christ. Rather these verses are emphasizing that a true testimony of faith is revealed by someone who demonstrates their faith over time. Who indeed, “holds fast our confidence,” as it says. The Israelites in the wilderness demonstrated they never had a believing heart. It wasn't a matter of believing and then losing that belief, rather it was witnessing the deliverance and provision of God, but never believing. Now, you may be asking yourself this question: “If that generation had all those reasons to believe, yet they didn't believe, what hope is there for us and our generation?” Well, we have even more reasons to believe. Moses was a shadow of the greater prophet who has come. And the Exodus, despite how God miraculously delivered his people and displayed his glory, was also just a shadow. The deliverance that Christ has brought is greater. Deliverance not from bondage in Egypt but bondage from sin and shame, and not through the blood of a lamb, but through the blood of THE lamb of God, Jesus. And we have the prophecy fulfilled because the Word of God has come – Jesus himself. What was veiled in the past, we now see clearly… the faithfulness and mercy of God in Christ. And speaking of veiled… let's go back to when Moses had to veil his face. Exodus 34 describes Moses' face radiating the glory of God after being in his presence on the mountain. So much so, the people were afraid to come near him. So he put a veil over his face. But over time, that reflected glory of God on Moses face faded away. But not so the glory of God in Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 says that God has shown the light of his glory in our hearts. What is that glory? It says: “The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus.” Not a reflected glory, but the glory of God himself in Jesus. As Hebrews 1 says, Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God. This advent, may we consider Jesus, the one greater than Moses, the great prophet of our confession, and may we believe. May our hearts not be hardened by the deceitfulness of our sin,” as it says, but instead, may we believe and behold the one who delivers us from our sin.

Message from Stephan Gustavsson on October 22, 2023

Hosts: Forest Antemesaris and Hiram Kemp  |  Released Monday, September 25, 2023 To hold fast to our confession, Christians must consider Jesus. Because Jesus was faithful in God’s house as a Son, He has more glory than Moses and is worthy of our steadfast allegiance. Unlike the nation of Israel who perished because of sin and unbelief, […]

Content No sacrifice for sin Jesus greater than Moses God of vengeance Become a CTC Partner for access to hours of NCST course videos: https://crosstocrown.org/partners/ Free resources: http://crosstocrown.org/books/ My books: Exalted: Putting Jesus in His Place -- https://www.amazon.com/Exalted-Putting-Jesus-His-Place/dp/0985118709/ref=tmm_pap_title_0 God's Design for Marriage (Married Edition) -- https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-Married-Amazing/dp/0998786306/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1493422125&sr=1-4&keywords=god%27s+design+for+marriage God's Design for Marriage (Pre-married Edition) -- https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Design-Marriage-What-Before/dp/0985118725/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top Websites and social media: crosstocrown.org newcovenantschooloftheology.org @DougGoodin @CrossToCrown

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