The EXODUS...

THE EXODUS… Twas sheer cruelty in display on the streets of Goshen….. …..Goshen; a place that used to symbolize joy, peace and abundance. The twelve sons of Jacob and their entire families had thought to escape the famine of Canaan and went to settle in Egypt. There in Goshen; the best part of the land, they grew to a great multitude to the alarm of the Egyptians. After the death of Joseph, there arose a new Egyptian king who didn’t know Joseph. He maltreated Israel, enslaved them, ordered the death of all male Hebrew babies and forced the people to build cities. Months went into years, then decades and over four centuries, Israel slaved! …..Goshen; Horror became the norm; harmless babies qualified for death by just being males. "A cry is heard in Ramah— deep anguish and bitter weeping. Rachel weeps for her children,… for her children are gone." Jeremiah 31:15 (NLT). Every day, Israel’s heart broke because at least one got helplessly hacked down and dragged to the graves. Israel became constantly dominated by terror that gnawed at their weakened hearts- the once hopeful and settled people trembled in Egypt- now a strange land. They became eroded of their ‘God- people’ nature, the culture and even the gods of Egypt became the rule. Ten generations of slaves- And Israel wailed! ….."I have seen the deep sorrows of my people in Egypt and have heard their pleas for freedom from their harsh taskmasters. I have come to deliver them from the Egyptians and to take them out of Egypt into a good land, a large land”…. Exodus 3:7-8 (TLB). The release of the nation of Israel from Egypt’s firm grip was an impossible charge from human viewpoint, but the exodus in reality, strikes God’s manifestation of His sovereignty. King Pharaoh was very reluctant to let his Israelites slaves depart which led to Egypt’s experience of ten most terrifying plagues- they were God’s miracles to express the overruling providence of Israel’s Yahweh. One would expect a release after these episodes- Pharaoh with his vast army pursued Israel and ended up drowning in the red sea. God prevailed with Israel! If only we are not a bunch of forgetful people! If only that we remember various instances of God’s help in the past…. Israel, if only you have not gotten over the dramatic means by which you were set free! I split the red sea and Pharaoh could not get you back, even with the arsenal of Egypt, I grounded them all in the red sea! I did terrible acts just to prove that you are mine- I transferred Egypt’s wealth into yours, I had you plunder your cruel slave masters. Have you quickly forgotten that my holy right hand opened the ways and brought you out? If we could just remember, then our faith for today and tomorrow would not dwindle… It is no easy matter to be delivered, yet in one sense, it is simplicity itself -- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved"… Acts 16: 31 (KJV). To believe is not mere child's play. All things are possible to him who believes. The reason is not far-fetched- “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it” Matthew 11:12 (NIV). In the midst of all troubles, God’s desire prevails only with this beloved that would not give up, for He sits above the circle of the earth and controls all affairs of men! The day of liberty is just as normal as any day- the cock will crow at its time, the courses of nature will take place, all things will take their usual ways; only the violent in the spirit will prevail despite devil’s distractions. Beloved covenant child, this is your season to march! The exodus! Advance persuasively and drop off every strings of Egypt- walk away from their gods, their culture, hate the taste of their pomegranates and choice foods. March out of that unholy accord! “Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers (they do not love the Lord). Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness? Can Christ agree with the devil? Can a believer share life with an unbeliever? Can God's temple contain false gods? Clearly, we are the temple of the living God”... 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 (GOD'S WORD). Come, we that love The Lord, join in with sweet accord, and thus surround the throne of mercy! Let us march on to Zion, the place of our delight, the place where we will worship God without hanging our harps. The kingdom of our God is about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Let our songs abound and every tear be dry because we are marching to the beautiful city of God- our deliverance. We are marching through Immanuel’s ground. Jesus was that rock that followed Israel to victory! He was the same and is the same forever. I know whom I’ve believed… I know who holds my hands… I know who holds my future... “Praise him with a clash of cymbals; Praise him with loud clanging cymbals. Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!” Psalms 150:5-6 (NLT). For death could not hold Him captive! This exodus! ayanfeLAMPROS NOTE: NIV (New International Version) NLT (New Living Translation) TLB (The Living Bible) KJV (King James Version) Phone Contacts: 0802 828 6163, 0803 5100 530. -- AyotundeAyanfe