Beauty in The Exodus and God's Justness - The Real Meaning of Passover
We cannot talk about the "PASS OVER" without including God's true character: JUSTNESS
And yes, "justness" is a word. It is a noun which means the quality or state of being just, equitable, or fair.
As with all the biblical festivals, Passover foreshadows the coming of Jesus, our Deliverer and our Savior. It points to Hope through Christ, including our FUTURE HOPE, where God will ultimately restore and redeem all creation.
With that, let me ask you: Do you think murderers and rapists should get off scot-free?
I know that wouldn't fly in any court of law, by any means. Why? Because justice and "justness" would never be served. No good, fair judge would stand for it! He would be thought a fool!
The beauty of the Passover, lies in God's justice, mercy, and unwavering faithfulness, even in the face of Israel's rebellion.
Pharaohs ruled Egypt for approximately 430 years. A particular Ramses II, enslaved God's people, the Israelites. God kept warning him to let His people go. He refused, hardening his heart even more. He hated anyone who worshipped God, and that included the Israelites. Though God kept asking, he refused to let them go.
Pharaoh, fearing the growing population of Israelites, initially targeted the midwives, instructing them to kill any male Hebrew baby during childbirth. When the midwives disobeyed, Pharaoh expanded his order to encompass all Egyptians, instructing them to throw all Hebrew baby boys into the Nile River. In the final plague, God decreed that the firstborn of every Egyptian, including Pharaoh's son, would die. This was a direct retribution for Pharaoh's earlier orders and his refusal to release the Israelites.
THE TEN PLAGUES - Don't Believe All You See in Movies
The Ten Plagues were a series of divine punishments sent by God, to the Egyptians in the Bible, specifically described in the book of Exodus. They were a way for God to demonstrate his power over the Egyptian gods and persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. Each plague grew with more intensity as Pharoah repeatedly hardened his heart. Each was a targeted judgment against sinful Egyptian life and their worshiping idols.
In the book of Exodus, the Egyptians did not "call on" divine help when the plagues were inflicted upon them. Instead, they called on men to summon demonic powers to challenge Moses' God, Yahweh, but could not overpower Him. As each plague unfolded, Pharoah hardened his heart even more, refusing to set the Israelites free.
God showed mercy and patience, though Pharoah kept hardening his heart, but eventually, the worn-out Israelites could take no more, and that's when Pharoah's wickedness caused God to step in and save them. His beauty is seen in His covenant with Israel, offering them safety, a new identity, and a path to holiness. His provision in helping them escape Pharoah and reach the Promised Land, under the leadership of Moses.
THE FINAL PLAGUE
With this 10th and final plague, Pharaoh finally yielded and released the Israelites. That is...for a while.
Once again, Pharoah hardened his heart. He was furious that he had given in and lost all his slaves, so he gathered 600 of his best men, and personally lead them to find Moses and the Israelites, to slaughter every one. They found them camped near the Red Sea at Pi Hiharoth. When the Israelites saw pharaoh and his army from afar, they were frightened and called on the Lord to help them. Moses told them, "Don't be afraid! The Lord will deliver us!" Moses held his hand and staff over the sea, causing the waters to divide, and the Israelites walked through the sea upon the dry ground, to safety on the other side [Exodus 14:21- 22]. Pharaoh and his army followed, but as they were crossing the Red Sea, the towering waters engulfed them, and all his army drowned.
God's justice is evident in the Ten Plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. His beauty is seen in the keeping of His covenant with Israel, offering them a new identity and a new life, in the Promise Land. It is a powerful illustration of God's justice, love, and mercy, as he intervened to free his people from the injustice of Egyptian slavery.
1. We can learn that it doesn't pay to be rebellious and sin. It does nothing but separate us from God.
2. God hates sin because it separates us from Him, for eternity, until we repent. He didn't come into the world to condemn it; but to save it BECAUSE he loves us. John 3:16 AND 17.
3. The Ten Plagues, demonstrate God's power and judgment against deliberate sin and wickedness.
4. God's love is the foundation of his desire to have a relationship with us. He loves us so much that he created us for a relationship with him and took steps, even unto death, to restore that relationship, after sin entered the world.
5. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God reconciles us to himself, allowing us to enter into a new covenant of grace and love.
6. While God initiates the relationship, we are called to respond with faith, repentance, and commitment.Just as a love relationship between husband and wife. It involves a commitment relationship. If we say we love God, our response will demonstrate a desire to be committed to Him. Salvation is not determined by any human righteousness or merit. In other words, you never have to earn or win God's love or favor. He already loves and accepts you, just as you are. The forgiveness of your sins is based solely on Christ's sinless sacrifice/"work" on the cross, when He died to make atonement for your sins.
Atonement, in this context, refers to the act of reconciling humanity with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who willingly offered his life to atone for the sins of humanity. Jesus' sacrifice was a payment for the penalty of sin, making it possible for humans to be reconciled with God and receive forgiveness and eternal life. He took the place of humanity and suffered the punishment for our sins, as described in the Bible.This means that instead of humans having to suffer the consequences of their sins, Jesus, who had no sin of his own, bore the weight of our sins and the penalty for them.
7. "Greater is He (God's Holy Spirit) that is in you, than he (Satan) that is in the world." 1 John 4:4
This scripture represents the power of redemption and the breaking of the power of sin and Satan.
Satan, as the adversary of God, has limited power over those who are connected to Christ.The blood of Jesus is a barrier that Satan cannot cross, effectively preventing him from having a hold on those who are covered by it.
By embracing the sacrifice of Jesus, believers are empowered by His blood to overcome the temptations, attacks, and influence of the devil.This is not to say that they will be immune to all trials, but that they are provided with the means to resist and overcome through the power of the blood. This draws us to the importance of faith in Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.The Holy Spirit is the power that empowers believers to live a victorious life, resisting the influence of Satan and claiming the promises of God.
8. Moses' repeated intercession for the Israelites, even after their repeated rebellion, highlights God's mercy and his willingness to forgive. He is not willing that any should perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
9. Look at God's patience! Despite the Israelites' many transgressions, God continued to guide and care for them, demonstrating his faithfulness and love. He'll do the same for us.
10. The Passover points to Hope through Christ, including our FUTURE HOPE, where God will ultimately restore and redeem all creation!
The Beauty in God's Character:
The Passover reveals God's various attributes, including his power, justice, mercy, compassion, love, and faithfulness, inspiring awe and wonder in us; inviting us to worship and adore God for His greatness, love, mercy, and sacrifice.
The book of Exodus calls us to follow God's example, by showing love, kindness, compassion, and justice to all. Especially the sick, depressed, elderly, disabled, homeless, starving, and forgotten.
And yes, "justness" is a word. It is a noun which means the quality or state of being just, equitable, or fair.
As with all the biblical festivals, Passover foreshadows the coming of Jesus, our Deliverer and our Savior. It points to Hope through Christ, including our FUTURE HOPE, where God will ultimately restore and redeem all creation.
With that, let me ask you: Do you think murderers and rapists should get off scot-free?
I know that wouldn't fly in any court of law, by any means. Why? Because justice and "justness" would never be served. No good, fair judge would stand for it! He would be thought a fool!
The beauty of the Passover, lies in God's justice, mercy, and unwavering faithfulness, even in the face of Israel's rebellion.
THE AMAZING PASSOVER AND ITS MEANING
Pharaohs ruled Egypt for approximately 430 years. A particular Ramses II, enslaved God's people, the Israelites. God kept warning him to let His people go. He refused, hardening his heart even more. He hated anyone who worshipped God, and that included the Israelites. Though God kept asking, he refused to let them go.
Pharaoh, fearing the growing population of Israelites, initially targeted the midwives, instructing them to kill any male Hebrew baby during childbirth. When the midwives disobeyed, Pharaoh expanded his order to encompass all Egyptians, instructing them to throw all Hebrew baby boys into the Nile River. In the final plague, God decreed that the firstborn of every Egyptian, including Pharaoh's son, would die. This was a direct retribution for Pharaoh's earlier orders and his refusal to release the Israelites.
THE TEN PLAGUES - Don't Believe All You See in Movies
The Ten Plagues were a series of divine punishments sent by God, to the Egyptians in the Bible, specifically described in the book of Exodus. They were a way for God to demonstrate his power over the Egyptian gods and persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. Each plague grew with more intensity as Pharoah repeatedly hardened his heart. Each was a targeted judgment against sinful Egyptian life and their worshiping idols.
In the book of Exodus, the Egyptians did not "call on" divine help when the plagues were inflicted upon them. Instead, they called on men to summon demonic powers to challenge Moses' God, Yahweh, but could not overpower Him. As each plague unfolded, Pharoah hardened his heart even more, refusing to set the Israelites free.
God showed mercy and patience, though Pharoah kept hardening his heart, but eventually, the worn-out Israelites could take no more, and that's when Pharoah's wickedness caused God to step in and save them. His beauty is seen in His covenant with Israel, offering them safety, a new identity, and a path to holiness. His provision in helping them escape Pharoah and reach the Promised Land, under the leadership of Moses.
THE FINAL PLAGUE
With this 10th and final plague, Pharaoh finally yielded and released the Israelites. That is...for a while.
Once again, Pharoah hardened his heart. He was furious that he had given in and lost all his slaves, so he gathered 600 of his best men, and personally lead them to find Moses and the Israelites, to slaughter every one. They found them camped near the Red Sea at Pi Hiharoth. When the Israelites saw pharaoh and his army from afar, they were frightened and called on the Lord to help them. Moses told them, "Don't be afraid! The Lord will deliver us!" Moses held his hand and staff over the sea, causing the waters to divide, and the Israelites walked through the sea upon the dry ground, to safety on the other side [Exodus 14:21- 22]. Pharaoh and his army followed, but as they were crossing the Red Sea, the towering waters engulfed them, and all his army drowned.
God's justice is evident in the Ten Plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. His beauty is seen in the keeping of His covenant with Israel, offering them a new identity and a new life, in the Promise Land. It is a powerful illustration of God's justice, love, and mercy, as he intervened to free his people from the injustice of Egyptian slavery.
10 Important Lessons We Can Apply to Our Lives
1. We can learn that it doesn't pay to be rebellious and sin. It does nothing but separate us from God.
2. God hates sin because it separates us from Him, for eternity, until we repent. He didn't come into the world to condemn it; but to save it BECAUSE he loves us. John 3:16 AND 17.
3. The Ten Plagues, demonstrate God's power and judgment against deliberate sin and wickedness.
4. God's love is the foundation of his desire to have a relationship with us. He loves us so much that he created us for a relationship with him and took steps, even unto death, to restore that relationship, after sin entered the world.
5. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God reconciles us to himself, allowing us to enter into a new covenant of grace and love.
6. While God initiates the relationship, we are called to respond with faith, repentance, and commitment.Just as a love relationship between husband and wife. It involves a commitment relationship. If we say we love God, our response will demonstrate a desire to be committed to Him. Salvation is not determined by any human righteousness or merit. In other words, you never have to earn or win God's love or favor. He already loves and accepts you, just as you are. The forgiveness of your sins is based solely on Christ's sinless sacrifice/"work" on the cross, when He died to make atonement for your sins.
Atonement, in this context, refers to the act of reconciling humanity with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who willingly offered his life to atone for the sins of humanity. Jesus' sacrifice was a payment for the penalty of sin, making it possible for humans to be reconciled with God and receive forgiveness and eternal life. He took the place of humanity and suffered the punishment for our sins, as described in the Bible.This means that instead of humans having to suffer the consequences of their sins, Jesus, who had no sin of his own, bore the weight of our sins and the penalty for them.
7. "Greater is He (God's Holy Spirit) that is in you, than he (Satan) that is in the world." 1 John 4:4
This scripture represents the power of redemption and the breaking of the power of sin and Satan.
Satan, as the adversary of God, has limited power over those who are connected to Christ.The blood of Jesus is a barrier that Satan cannot cross, effectively preventing him from having a hold on those who are covered by it.
By embracing the sacrifice of Jesus, believers are empowered by His blood to overcome the temptations, attacks, and influence of the devil.This is not to say that they will be immune to all trials, but that they are provided with the means to resist and overcome through the power of the blood. This draws us to the importance of faith in Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.The Holy Spirit is the power that empowers believers to live a victorious life, resisting the influence of Satan and claiming the promises of God.
8. Moses' repeated intercession for the Israelites, even after their repeated rebellion, highlights God's mercy and his willingness to forgive. He is not willing that any should perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
9. Look at God's patience! Despite the Israelites' many transgressions, God continued to guide and care for them, demonstrating his faithfulness and love. He'll do the same for us.
10. The Passover points to Hope through Christ, including our FUTURE HOPE, where God will ultimately restore and redeem all creation!
The Beauty in God's Character:
The Passover reveals God's various attributes, including his power, justice, mercy, compassion, love, and faithfulness, inspiring awe and wonder in us; inviting us to worship and adore God for His greatness, love, mercy, and sacrifice.
The book of Exodus calls us to follow God's example, by showing love, kindness, compassion, and justice to all. Especially the sick, depressed, elderly, disabled, homeless, starving, and forgotten.
