Exodus Chapter 9

EXODUS

 CHAPTER

 9

1. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, and say to him, "T/us says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. 2. For if you refuse to let them go and still hold them, 3 the hand of the LORD will strike a deadly pestilence your livestock in the field; the horses, the donkeys, the camels, the herds, and the flocks. 4 But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that nothing shall die of all that belongs to the Israelites.'"

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 1 to 4)

In order to help our comprehension of a situation we normally make distinctions and even make labels. In order to facilitate a situation God does the same thing when dealing with the Pharaoh, and even us in our everyday life. We do it as well. "Oh why do these things happen to me and not to them?" or maybe we may find ourselves saying "These things have happened to me, they do not happen to those because they are do gooders and go to Church'.

God does not reason in this way. In the New Testament Jesus says that He sends rain on both the good and the bad, therefore God shows no partiality, however people who live in a negative circle of serious sin are bound to some day experience the negative consequences of their actions, on the other hand the so called good people are still not spared from ill situations such as death, accidents amongst others, however the attitude is different because such people accept the situation as having happened as part of God's plan for our salvation and therefore the blow is milder. When we accept things with this attitude we do not lose the inner peace that God gives us. He loves us and will not permit us to be burdened with more than our capacity.

5. The  LORD set a time saying, "Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land." 6. And on the next day the LORD did so; all the livestock of the Egyptians died, but of the livestock of the Israelites not one died. 7. Pharaoh inquired and found that not one of the livestock of the Israelites was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he would not let the people go.

(Exodus chapter  8 verses 5 to 7)

Once the LORD our God has spoken His word is never wasted it never goes back to Him without being fulfilled. The same argument is applicable to when we go to receive Him in Holy Communion on a Sunday and on all days. Once God's word is proclaimed it will not stop being active in our being, whether we are aware of it or not in our unconscious, the seed is planted in our soul. On the other hand as human pots or recipients we have the choice of either letting the seed grow or throwing away the soil and the seed and remain an empty pot.

8. Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Take handfuls of soot from the kiln, and let Moses throw it in the air in the sight of the Pharaoh. 9. It shall become fine dust all over the land of Egypt, and shall cause festering boils on humans and animals throughout the whole land of Egypt". 10. So they took soot from the kiln and stood before Pharaoh, and Moses threw it in the air, and it caused festering boils on humans and animals.

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 8 to 10)

In order to view the state of the Pharaoh and his subjects as a consequence of his disobedience please click on the following link

Ten plagues of Moses

Sin is indeed like the boils. If not treated it may become a chronic condition leading to even chronic sin. This is why Jesus gave us the opportunity to reconcile back with Him so that He can heal us from our sins.

11. The magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils afflicted the magicians as well as all the Egyptians. 12. But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses.

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 11 to 12)

Although our situation may become dangerous or pathetic we may still want to remain in our sins and not turn our eyes on God. It may well be that our darkness is so thick that it is blocking out all traces of light, therefore as people who believe in God we are to keep on trying to help such people with the hope and belief that God's light will penetrate their darkness.

13. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Rise up early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of the Hebrews: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. 14. For this time I will send all my plagues upon you yourself, and upon your officials, and upon your people, so that you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. 15. For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth.

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 13 to 15)



Verses 13 to 15 show us how loving and patient God is with us. If He wants He has the power to wipe out all forms of life on earth with one decree but He loves us so much to do that. The fact that we are still alive is that by means of us God is unfolding His plan for our salvation and his second visitation on earth that is the final intervention that will bring a new order on earth under the reign of God.

  
16. But this is why I have let you live: to show you my power; and to make my name resound through all the earth. 17. You are still exalting yourself against my people, and will not let them go. 18. Tomorrow at this time I will cause the heaviest hail to fall that ever has fallen in Egypt from the day it was founded until now. 19. Send therefore, and have your livestock and everything that you have in the open field brought to a secure place, every human or animal that is in the open field and is not brought under shelter will die when the hail comes down upon them.'"

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 16 to 19)


God loves us so much that He warns us beforehand regarding the intervention that He is going to unleash upon the earth, thus giving us the opportunity to repent and change our lives. His instructions as found in His Word and as proclaimed by the Church his mouthpiece on earth have always been clear. Ultimately it is our choice to either accept or deny His warnings.


20. Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the LORD hurried their slaves and livestock off to a secure place. 21. those who did not regard the word of the LORD left their slaves and livestock in the open field.

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 20 to 21)


As already referred to even during our times there are those people who obey the Word and will of God and there are those who do not. Those who do not will suffer the consequences of their wrong doing as in the case of the officials of the Pharaoh.


In order to review the plagues of God Aaron and Moses please click on the following link:

The plagues

22. The LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven so that hail may fall on the whole land of Egypt, on humans and animals and all the plants of the field in the land of Egypt." 23. Then Moses stretched out his staff towards heaven, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire came down on the earth. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt; 24. there was hail with fire flashing continually in the midst of it, such heavy hail as had never fallen in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 22 to 24)


On reflecting big hail stones with fire flashing in their midst can easily be compared to meteorites that have the same appearance. God has control over all that exists and can use natural means of phenomena to reach his aims in order to pass on to his the message leading to our conversion


25. The hail struck down everything that was in the open field throughout all the land of Egypt, both human and animal; the hail also struck down all the plants of the field, and shattered every tree in the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites were there was no hail.

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 25 to 26)


The Egyptians experienced total destruction in the land. When we open ourselves to sinful and evil practises, we are prone to experience the destruction of our spiritual and even social selves, thus bringing havoc on our lives. In order to reverse such negative effects one has to repent and show a strong will to change ones way of life completely.


27. Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "This time I have sinned; the LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. 28. Pray to the LORD! Enough of God's thunder and hail! I will let you go; you need stay no longer."

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 27 to 28)


Awareness of our sins and repentance are the first signs leading to a change of lifestyle. Once we humble ourselves before God and admit that we are sinners in a humble and sincere way God is able to work miracles within us and in our circles and environment. Therefore we are always to leave a door open in our lives from which God can enter and be present in our lives.


29. Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will stretch out my hands to the LORD; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the LORD's. 30. But as for you and your officials, I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God."

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 29 to 30)


Although as in the case of the Pharaoh we may show signs of repentance, we may not really love God, but be simply people who give lip service to God meaning servile obedience with no sense of faith and love attributed to God.


 31. (Now the flax and the barley were ruined, for the barley was in the ear and the flax was in the bud. 32 But the wheat and the spelt were not ruined, for they are late in coming up.)

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 31 to 32)


Although this comment may seem to be trivial to the context, it has a great meaning. Even though a situation may seem to be totally lost, if we stop, pray and think God will always show us the positive in the negative aspects of the situation.


33. So Moses left Pharaoh went out of the city, and stretched out his hand to the LORD; then the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain no longer poured down on the earth. 34. But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned once more and hardened his heart, he and his officials. 35. So the heart of the Pharaoh was hardened, and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses.

(Exodus chapter 9 verses 33 to 35) 

I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:

Hello to God my father. Thanks for not answering positively to my prayers that at time are not requests that are for my own good or that of my family. Even though at times You say 'No! I thank You because due to my limitations I can never view the big picture. Oh Father I ask you for the gift of patience and perseverance.  I also ask you to soften my heart so that you can dwell in it more comfortably without any limitations. Thank You God for all my friends on G+ and other circles.

Thank You God my father

Exodus Chapter 8

EXODUS 

CHAPTER 

8

1. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ' Thus says the LORD: Let my people go, so that they may worship me. 2. If you refuse to let them go, I will plague your whole country with frogs. 3. The river shall swarm with frogs; they shall come up into your palace, into your bedchamber and your bed, and into the houses of your officials and of your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. 4. The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your officials.'"5. And the LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Stretch out your hand with your staff over the rivers, the canals, and the pools, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.'"

(Exodus chapter 8 verses 1 to 5)

The scourge of frogs can be associated with the people of God who multiplied like the frogs and like the frogs were viewed as a threat or pestilence to the Egyptian nation. During our times people in power having Christian values are viewed as a threat to the economy and other areas of life because the values that they hold go against market values that make the wheel of economy go around. In order to visualise the plagues mentioned in chapter 8 of the book of Exodus and others that will be mentioned in the following chapters, please click on the following link:

Plagues of Aaron and Moses

6. So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. 7 But the magicians did the same by their secret arts, and brought frogs upon the land of Egypt. 8 Then Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron, and said, "Pray to the LORD to take away the frogs from me and my people, and I will let the people go to sacrifice to the LORD." 

(Exodus chapter 8 verses 6 to 8)


On reflecting we can observe that the Pharaoh was starting to gradually surrender his power when exposed to the power of God. The Pharaoh asked Moses to tell God to take away the frogs and then he would let the people go to worship God. We can also observe that nature is subject to God and that He can use it to suit His means even though this may be catastrophic as in a plague.


9. Moses said to Pharaoh, "Kindly tell me when I am to pray for you and for your officials and for your people, that the frogs may be removed from you and your houses and be left only in the Nile." 10. And he said, "Tomorrow." Moses said, "As you say! So that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God, 11 the frogs shall leave you and your houses and your officials and your people; they shall be left only in the Nile."

(Exodus chapter 8 verses 9 to 11)


When reflecting on verses 9 to 11, the issue of intercession comes to mind. As Moses intervened before God on behalf of the Pharaoh and his officials and the people, as Christians we can intervene on behalf of friends, family and or people whom we know that are in need of God's intervention especially those facing some form of crisis.


12. Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh; and Moses cried out to the LORD concerning the frogs that he had brought upon Pharaoh." 13. And the Lord did as Moses requested the frogs died in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields. 14. And they gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. 15. But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite. he hardened his heart, and would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.

(Exodus chapter 8 verses 12 to 15)


When the Pharaoh saw that the issue of the frogs had been resolved and that order had been restored, he went back from his word and would not let God's people go to worship. This is our reality as Christians. As long as God responds to our requests all is well however, the first time that God deems it not for our good we rebel against Him and may even stop praying altogether.


16. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats throughout the whole land of Egypt.' " 17. And they did so; Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and gnats came on humans and animals alike; all the dust of the earth turned into gnats throughout the whole land of Egypt. 18. The magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, but they could not. There were gnats on both humans and animals. 19. And the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God! But Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.

(Exodus chapter 8 verses 16 to 19)


After having witnessed all these plagues, the magicians of the Pharaoh had to admit that the plagues where the fruit of God's intervention. One day science will also have to admit that the issues mentioned in the book of Genesis and the Bible at large are truly God's intervention and not scientific phenomena to which there is no answer. Lady science will finally have to bow her head in humility before God and admit it was mistaken in its quest to reject the existence of God as supreme maker of the earth and also in relation to many other issues. In order to view the plague of Gnats and others still to be mentioned please click on the following link:

More plagues of Moses


20. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Rise early in the morning and present yourself before Pharaoh, as he goes out to water, and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD; Let my people go, so that they may worship me. 21. For if you will not let my people go, I will send swarms of flies on you, your officials, and your people, and into your houses; and the houses of the Egyptians shall be filled with swarms of flies; so also the land where they live. 22. But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people live, so that no swarms of flies shall be there,that you may know that I the LORD am in this land. 22 Thus I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign shall appear tomorrow.'"

(Exodus chapter 8 verses 20 to 22)


On reflecting we can comment that when evil starts to weaken the strong become stronger. On reflecting on verses 20 to 22 we can infer that God told Moses to present himself before Pharaoh, thus this means without the Pharaoh's permission, which under normal conditions this would not have not been allowed. Therefore it always best to side with God who is always the winner in every situation.


23. Thus I will make a distinction between my people and your people. This sign shall appear tomorrow." 

(Exodus chapter 8 verse 23)


There exists two types of discrimination positive and negative. In negative discrimination the outcome is negative such as racial or gender bias. On the other hand as mentioned in verse 23 the outcome of this positive form of discrimination is totally positive. People of God will shine in this world of darkness. There will be light in Goshen and darkness and the mentioned plagues in the other parts of Egypt. This does not mean that Christians will not have their share of negative outcomes however the attitude that one has when accepting what happens in life as being according to the will of God is more positive. This is to be our attitude. God will discriminate positively in our favour when we appear in His presence, however on earth the world may discriminate negatively against us for what we believe and for the values that we have.


24. The LORD did so, and great swarms of flies came into the house of Pharaoh and into his officials' houses; in all of Egypt the land was ruined because of the flies. 25. Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron, and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God within the land." 26. But Moses said, "It would not be right to do so: for the sacrifices that we offer to the LORD our God are offensive to the Egyptians. If we offer in the sight of the Egyptians sacrifices that are offensive to them, will they not stone us?

(Exodus chapter 8 verses 24 to 26)


By means of verses 24 to 26 of the 8th chapter of the book of Exodus, Moses raises a very important issue that is of value to people of all worshipping religions. This is the issue of respect for others who may not have the same belief or values. If I am a Muslim living in Malta one cannot decide to face north towards Mecca in any public place and start praying to my god. Like wise this is the same for Christians who have to be sensitive to people of other religions and not condemn others for worshipping other deities or gods, by implying that these people are going to rot in hell for their whole lives. We surely may not agree with the beliefs that others hold, but we are to respect the presence of God in such non believers and show our love and respect, as if to God.

 
27. We must go a three day's journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as he commands us." 28. So Pharaoh said, "I will let you go to sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness provided you do not go very far away. Pray for me." 29. Then Moses said, "As soon as I leave you, I will pray to the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, from his officials, and from his people; only do not let Pharaoh again deal falsely by not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD."

(Exodus chapter 8 verses 27 to 29)


The word that describes the message of verses 27 to 29 is 'Compromise'. In order to spare himself from the wrath of God, the Pharaoh is showing signs of compromise. He is ready to let the people go to worship but on the condition that they do not go far away and that prayers are offered on his behalf. Time and time again, we have made promises to God and others, that we had no intention of keeping. Our only intention was to try and bend the hand of God or to impress others. I decide to fast all Easter and not smoke or eat chocolate, only to satisfy God and not to respect other non smokers out of love for their well being. As soon as Easter passes, we will continue if not increase our habits full blast especially if God has not met our request in time, our time.


30. So Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD. 31. And the LORD did as Moses asked; he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his officials, and from his people; not one remained. 32. But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and would not let the people go.

(Exodus chapter 8 verses 30 to 32)


Although we may try to be nice with those who do not agree with us, the outcome may not always be positive. It could be that for some reason God may be hardening the heart of the person, so that God's will may come about. At times we may not understand why things are not happening our way, however, it could be that the object of our desire may not be according to the will of God.


I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:


Forgive me Oh God for those moments when I did not accept Your will and tried to bargain with You in order to get my way, instead of saying 'May Your will be done! instead of saying 'May my will be done on earth and maybe even in heaven! Thank You for controlling the situation and stopping me from making the wrong decisions that may have had a negative impact on both myself and my family. I would like to ask Your forgiveness for relying on proof than trusting in You. Today the battery of my car quitted. My wife told me that there were lights in rear that remained switched on but I did not believe her and the battery became flat. I was so stubborn that  I remained sceptic up to the point when the battery was recharged and the lights switched on again in my presence. Sorry Oh God for being so stubborn. If I showed doubts in humans how can I trust 100% in You? Please oh God help me in my unbelief!

Thank You God

Exodus Chapter 7

EXODUS 

CHAPTER 

7

1. The LORD said to Moses, "See I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. 2 You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his land. 3. But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and I will multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. 4. When Pharaoh does not listen to you, I will lay my hand upon Egypt and bring my people the Israelites, company by company, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgement.

(Exodus chapter 7 verses 1 to 4)

The first four verses of the seventh chapter of the book of Exodus are enough to introduce us to the content of this chapter. Although Moses and Aaron would appear before the Pharaoh many times, the latter was not going down without a fight. However the situation was being controlled by God, therefore the forces of evil controlled by the Pharaoh were bound to lose against the mighty power of God. In every given situation of our life there is a conflict between the positive forces of God and the negative forces of evil that, do their best to complicate the already complex situation.

5. The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out from among them." 6. Moses and Aaron did so; they did just as the LORD commanded them. 7. Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh.

(Exodus chapter 7 verses 5 to 7)

God confirms to Moses and Aaron that by means of the sign done by them in the name of God, the Egyptians would realize that the intervention was from Gd and not manipulated by the ways of the world. According to verse six of the seventh chapter of the book of Exodus Moses and Aaron used such signs, however the world, is so stubborn that even when the greatest sign was in the World that is Jesus Son of God and God Himself, the world was still blinded by its sins and was not aware that the Son of God was amongst them.



8. The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 9 When Pharaoh says to you, 'Perform a wonder.' then you shall say to Aaron, 'Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh, and it will become a snake.'"10. So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did as the LORD had commanded: Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. 11. Then Pharaoh summoned the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same by their secret arts. 12. Each one threw down his staff, and they became snakes; but Aaron's staff swallowed up theirs. 13. Still  Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them as the LORD had said.

(Exodus chapter 7 verses 8 to 13)


When reflecting on verses 8 to 13 of the 7th chapter of the book of Exodus we find a condemnation of sorcery and magic. When performing the sign of the staff that changes into a serpent, the staff of Aaron changes into a serpent and destroys those of the wise men and the sorcerers, thus proving that God's power is far mighty than black magic or other forms of sorcery. Thus our focus is to be on the power and love of God and not on that of fortune tellers and sorcerers that are condemned in God's eyes. In order to picture the situation Aaron and Moses were facing before the Pharaoh please click on the following link:


Aaron's staff changes to serpent


14. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is hardened; he refuses to let the people go. 15. Go to Pharaoh in the morning, as he is going out to the water; stand by at the river bank to meet him, and take in your hand the staff that was turned into a snake. 16. Say to him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, sent me to you to say, "Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness." But until now you have not listened. 17. Thus says the LORD, "By this you shall know that I am the LORD." See with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall be turned to blood. 18 The fish in the river shall die, the river itself shall stink, and the Egyptians shall be unable to drink water from the Nile." 19. The LORD said to Moses "Say to Aaron, "Take your staff and stretch your hand over the waters of Egypt-over its rivers, its canals, and its ponds, and all its pools of water-so that they may become blood; and there shall be blood throughout the whole land of Egypt, even in vessels of wood and in vessels of stone.'"


(Exodus chapter 7 verses 14 to 19)


The message we can interpret from verses 14 to 19 of the 7th chapter of the book of Exodus is that God is the only pure life giving source and not the sources of the world that due to sin can become contaminated and at times even beyond repair. Consequently such waters can give death instead of life due to its high lethal level of contamination, however God's love, might power and purity remain forever. God is the only source that we are to tap which is always reliable in order to quench our thirst. As in the case of the Samaritan lady in the New Testament Jesus is the only source that is able to satisfy our thirst and give life to restore our soul.


In order to visualize the situation at the Nile please click on the following link:


Moses changes nile into blood


20. Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD commanded. In the sight of Pharaoh and of his officials and he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the river, and all the water in the river, was turned into blood, 21. and the fish in the river died. The river stank so that the Egyptians could not drink its water, and there was blood throughout the whole land of Egypt. 22. But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts; so Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the LORD had said.

(Exodus chapter 7 verses 20 to 22)


In order to continue to unfold God's plan for our salvation God continued to harden the heart of the Pharaoh. The time that meant liberation had not yet come, however by means of Aaron and Moses God was paving the way. When God wants something of us He paves the way by means of situations that lead to the unfolding of his plan so that Hid will may be done. I had previously been given the impression by my parents that I was a good for nothing....This was due to the fact that my hand writing was almost illegible and my arithmetic was a complete disaster. They did not focus on my good points but kept focussing on my bad points. To make a long story short I was denied the opportunity of furthering my education and was sent to a trade school which I really hated. When I grew up I decided to defy them by making something of myself. I became a social worker and with chest like that of a soldier I invited my parents to my graduation which was a total victory. However God, humbles the proud and raises the humble. God shook me off my throne by means of situations that caused me to leave the world of social work for good and never to return. In contrast to my high and mighty powerful job  I am now working as a call agent in a call centre which is a far cry when compared to my previous job. God showed me that He loves me as I am and not for the person or 'Somebody' I wanted myself to be. Although at times I grumble against God's decision but on reflecting I thank God for having knocked me from my high horse and buried my nose in the dust. This was my greatest lesson in humility and I thank God for it every day of my life.



23. Pharaoh turned and went into his house and he did not take even this to heart. 24 And all the Egyptians had to dig along the Nile for water to drink, for they could not drink the water of the river. 25. Seven days passed after the LORD had struck the Nile.

(Exodus chapter 7 verses 23 to 25)


The attitude of the Pharaoh is one of a person who is hardened and bitter. A leader cannot let his emotions get the better of oneself at the risk of his people. The Egyptians had to dig along the Nile to get second class water. As Christians we can also be a hindrance to our brothers and sisters who as a consequence may seek God in other religions that can be defined as being second class water (with all due respect to everyone. May everyone be convinced of  who and one believes, in the sense that I prefer a convinced Muslim to a sceptic Christian who is not convinced of what one believes and is harmful to other Christians and people of other denominations.

I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:


Oh God Almighty and heavenly father let my faith be based not simply on signs. Please let me be like Noah who believed and obeyed You before you had even started to unfold your plan. May my soul be anchored in You and not in the world. During times of anguish and bitterness  I turn to You my Father and You give me yourself, sweet as honey and nutritional as milk. Oh God I would like to pray for those who have become so bitter that they have gave up believing in You and Christianity and chose to become members of other sects or religions.  I pray that one day we will have unity in the world and all Your sheep will be gathered into one fold or pen.

Thank You God

Exodus chapter 6

EXODUS

 CHAPTER 

6

1. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out of his land."

(Exodus chapter 6 verse 1)

Now that  the Hebrew taskmasters had summoned up their courage and did their share of the intervention before the Pharaoh even, though without having achieved the desired success, now it was God's time to intervene with all His might and power. This may come as a shock for some. Some people may have portrayed God as being the sweet baby of Bethlehem as in the New Testament, however God is just, mighty and powerful as much as He is sweet and kind. God is able to use the powers of nature on our behalf, and unleash forces beyond the comprehension of humanity. The power of praise is enough to stimulate God to act in full force on our behalf. God hates to see us suffer. He loves us so much. At times the needed power is within us, while at other times it is beyond us. However God is always the primary source of all positive energy that He unleashes for our benefit and that of humanity.

2. God also spoke to Moses and said to him: " I am the LORD. 3. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name 'The LORD' I did not make myself known to them. 4. I also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they resided as aliens. 5 I have also heard the groaning of the Israelites whom the Egyptians are holding as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. 6. Say therefore to the Israelites, 'I am the LORD, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of Judgement. 7. I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has freed you from the burdens of the Egyptians. 6. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; I will give it to you for a possession I am the LORD.' 9. Moses told this to the Israelites; but they would not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and their cruel slavery.

(Exodus chapter 6 verses 2 to 9)

God senses our fears and frustration. Moses was in hot water up to his neck buffeted by his brothers the Hebrew chosen people of God from one side, the Pharaoh from the other side and God from the other side. God kept on insisting that He was their God and that He would deliver the people from the bondage of Egypt and keep the promise that He had made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.


At times we end up in a situation where we say, 'Oh God! 'I truly believe in You, I also believe that Your will be done but please do something! I cannot take it anymore, I have no more cards to play, my situation is desperate, my life, my family, my career is all falling apart, Heeeeeeeeeeeeelp me please. That is the time when God gives us His loving smile and says:


"I am in control do not worry, rest assured that I permitted these things to happen for your own good, in the same way I can restore order in your life, when you have passed the test and fulfilled My will instead of yours in the given situation. Trust in Me and  I will deliver you from the situation, for I am Your father and your are my flesh and blood."


10. Then the LORD spoke to Moses, 11. 'Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his land." 12. But Moses spoke to the LORD, "The Israelites have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh listen to me, poor speaker that I am?" 13. Thus the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them orders regarding the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, charging them to free the Israelites from the land of Egypt.

(Exodus chapter 6 verses 10 to 13)


God insists to Moses that he was to obey God rather than me and face the opposition even though the latter was becoming stronger and more demanding on both the people and on Moses and Aaron. Although Moses had been given the signs in order to demonstrate that he was from God, Moses was still thinking as a human. When we are under stress the two commands that our brain gives us is either to fight or that of flight. Moses was already tired from fighting and now he was considering that of fleeing from the situation by trying to convince God that he was not his man for the job. However God reminded Moses, that in order to help Moses, God had sent him his brother Aaron as support to compensate for his weakness. When we calm down and look around us, we will become aware that even though our situation appears bleak it is not hopeless. God gives us other alternatives that when under stress we are not able to become aware of them.



In order to reduce the tension of this chapter the biblical author as inspired by God distracts us the readers of this chapter by changing the subject, the main issue at hand. Therefore we are directed on to a more positive note that shows us how much the people of God had continued to grow while experiencing the bondage of Egypt. As God had promised Abraham out of his line of descent, a new nation will come to be, that would be uncountable like the stars in heaven and the sand on the seashore.



14. The following are the heads of their ancestral houses; the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi; these are the families of Reuben. 15. The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the families of Simeon. 16 The following are the names of the sons of Levi according to their genealogies: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, and the length of Levi's life was one hundred thirty seven years. 17. The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimel by their families. 18. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, and the length of Kohath's life was one hundred thirty three years. 19. The sons of Merari: Mh.li and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their genealogies. 20 Amram married Jochebed his father's sister and she bore him Aaron and Moses, and the length of Amram's life was one hundred thirty-seven years. 21. The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. 22. The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. 23. Aaron married Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 24. The sons of KOrah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph: these are the families of the Korahites. 25 Aaron's son Eleazar married one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the ancestral houses of the Levites by their families.

(Exodus chapter 6 verses 14 to 25)



After having read verses 14 to 25 please refer to the updated list carried forward from  Genesis chapter 25 of this Bible Analysis (19 June 2014)

Kohath lived 133 years fathered sons 

Ishmael lived for 137 years

Levi lived 137 years and fathered sons 

Amram lived 137 years (father of Aaron and Moses)

Jacob lived 147 years

Abram fathered children when he was eighty-six years old (died at 175 years)

Shem when 100 years old fathered children and died at 500 year

Shem when 100 years old fathered children and died at 500 years

Arpachshad when 35 years old fathered children and died at 400 years.

Arpachshad when 35 years old fathered children and died at 400 years.

Shelah when 30 years old fathered children and died at 403 years.

Shelah when 30 years old fathered children and died at 403 years.

Eber fathered children when 34 years old and died at 430 years.

Eber fathered children when 34 years old and died at 430 years

Serug fathered children at 30 years old and died at 200 years

Serug fathered children at 30 years old and died at 200 years.

Reu fathered children at 32 years old and died at 207 years.

Reu fathered children at 32 years old and died at 207 years

Peleg fathered children at 30 years old and died at 209 years.

Peleg fathered children at 30 years old and died at 209 years.

Nahor fathered children at 29 years old.

Isaac 60 years old when fathering children

Nahor fathered children at 29 years old.

(Genesis Chapter 25 of this Bible Analysis)


26. It was this same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, "Bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, company by company." 27 It was they who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, the same Moses and Aaron.

(Exodus chapter 6 verses 26 to 27)

The biblical author seems to make a special emphasis on the identity of Aaron and Moses thus reflecting the special role that God had assigned them to fulfil.


I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:


Oh God Lord Almighty blessed be Your Name both in heaven and on earth.  I would like to thank You for the roles that you have given me throughout the days of my life. Thank You for making me a father to my daughter Maria, a husband to my wife Shirley, a friend to Mr. Devain Pewar, a friend to all my friends on face book, Twitter and G+, a colleague at my place of work, a Christian and brother to the World, thanks for the followers and readers of this Analysis, even if you have read it only once, and not least the co author of this Analysis with the help of God who is the real author.


Thank You for all the support you have never stopped giving me throughout all these years of reflecting and praying on Your Word. Thanks for those moments of persecution when I had to delete 28 chapters of this Analysis of the Bible. Thanks You  for having changed the negative outcome to a positive one. Thanks for the moments of stress and agony that I have experienced in my life. Thank You for delivering me from many trying situations. 

Thank You God

  

Exodus chapter 5

EXODUS

CHAPTER

 5

1. Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "Thus says the LORD the God of Israel, 'Let my people go, so that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.'"

(Exodus chapter 5 verse 1)

Moses faces one of the biggest crisis of his life. The person who assumed that he was not able to undertake such a role went before the Pharaoh and insisted that he would let God;s people leave Egypt in order to go and offer sacrifices to God in the wilderness.


At times we may also think that we are not able to do this or that. Moreover other people such as relatives, teachers or maybe friends or employers may give us the impression that we lack in this or that skill, however when we open ourselves to God, he will change our so called weaknesses to strengths. God is able to change us into a new person so that we can fulfill His will.


2. But Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go."

(Exodus chapter 5 verse 2)


On reflecting the Pharaoh raises a very important question. He did not know who the LORD our God is. As Christians we are also faced with two important questions that it is very important for us to ask ourselves and answer? The first one is 'Who is God?" and the other one is very similar; "Who is God for us? We might get away with the first question by citing the teachings of the Church, however the second question is more intimate and personal.


When a survey was carried out in relation to the identity of God the respondents had the following responses: please click on the following link:


Survey on issue Who is God?


3. Then they said, "The God of the Hebrews has revealed himself to us; let us go a three day's journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the LORD our God, or he will fall upon us with pestilence or sword."

(Exodus chapter 5 verse 3)


When sharing our testimony with people who do not believe in God or his son Jesus our testimony needs to be genuine so that others will believe us. Citing verses from the Bible is not enough. At times our good deeds manifested by positive actions speaks louder than words. When doing so Moses and Aaron made the Pharaoh shared the consequences that would befall them if Pharaoh would not obey the will of God. However the Pharaoh percieved the warning as a threat and not as a good word of advice. At times this may also happen to us. We might encourage people to change their ways in order to be saved from the negative consequences of their actions, however when doing so we can easily be misunderstood.


4. But the king of Egypt said to them, "Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Get to your labors! 5. Pharaoh continued, "Now they are more numerous than the people of the land and yet you want them to stop working! 6. That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, as well as their supervisors, 7. "You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks as before; let them go and gather straw for themselves.

(Exodus chapter 5 verses 4 to 7)


This is one of the greatest dilemmas of our lives. We might want to intervene in order to see a situation improve, however as a consequence of our intervention the same situation may backfire and even become worse than it originally was. Therefore before we intervene it is best to consider the consequences of our interventions and analyze the short and long term related consequences. Moreover as Christians we are to compare the consequences with the values and teachings of God in order to assess what Jesus would have done in such as situation. In this case Moses had been warned that the Pharaoh would show resistance, however the situation was still under God's control. At times when we receive a negative response such as the loss of a job or a failure in an important exam, God might be trying to speak to us by means of the situation. It might be His way of saying "NO" or maybe "It is not yet the time please wait!"


8. But you shall require of them the same quantity of bricks as they have made previously; do not diminish it, for they are lazy; that is why they cry, 'Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.' 9. Let heavier work be laid on them; then they will labor at it and pay no attention to deceptive words." 

(Exodus chapter 5 verses 8 to 9)


In order for the people to appreciate God's intervention in the process of their salvation god permitted the Pharaoh to make the conditions of work more severe and demanding. The people of God were being put to the test in order to see whether they remain faithful to Him or not. God's prophecy to Moses was being fulfilled because when in dialogue with Moses, He told Moses that the Pharaoh would resist God's request.


At times although we may intervene the situation does not improve at all. It could also mean that we are being tested by God in order to see if we are still faithful to Him. At times we all need a little testing because in time we might star taking God for granted, so in order for us to remain on track we may need to be tried by tribulations for our own good.


10. So the taskmasters and the supervisors of the people went out and said to the people, "Thus says Pharaoh, " I will not give you straw. 11. "Go and get straw yourselves, wherever you can find it; but your work will not be lessened in the least.'

(Exodus chapter 5 verses 10 to 11)


As a consequence of Moses's intervention before Pharaoh the conditions of work became more demanding for the Hebrews. In order to make Moses' task more difficult the evil one was hardening the heart of the Pharaoh thus making him more demanding in order to cause rebellion against Moses.


At times as leaders or parents even though we are totally convinced that we have sound arguments and reasons to impose restrictions such as time limitations, that limit the time that our children stay out late, maybe during the week end in order to ensure their well being, we are bound to be met by resistance.


12. So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt to gather stubble for straw. 13. The taskmasters were urgent, saying "Complete your work, the same daily assignment as when you were given straw."

(Exodus chapter 5 verses 12 to 13)


This is what I call value added stress. When the demand becomes greater than our coping abilities we say we feel stressed. During such moments we have a loving father who is ready to welcome us in his arms and give us a big daddy hug.


14. And the supervisors of the Israelites whom Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, "Why did you not finish the required quantity of bricks yesterday and today, as you did before?"

(Exodus chapter 5 verse 14)


Apparently the demand became so great that it became irrational. The people of God were beaten without no justification, not that violence can ever be justified in its own domain. On reflecting criticism when applied to the extreme can also become a life threatening means, because the recipient may be able to take it no more and lose hope, value and esteem of oneself and easily resort to suicide or acts of self harm thus labelling oneself as deserving to be abused.


15. Then the Israelite supervisors came to Pharaoh and cried, "Why do you treat your servants like this? 16. No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, 'Make bricks! Look how your servants are beaten! You are unjust to your own people."

(Exodus chapter 5 verses 15 to 16)


 It seems that the Administration of the Pharaoh started to crumble The servants of the Pharaoh were also beaten by him and they complained with him. They shared with him that the situation had become totally unreasonable and that this was not fair treatment. However God continued to harden the heart of the Pharaoh.


17. He said, "You are lazy, lazy, that is why you say, 'Let us go and sacrifice to the LORD.' 18. Go now, and work; for no straw shall be given you, but you shall still deliver the same number of bricks." 19. The Israelite supervisors saw that they were in trouble when they were told, "You shall not lessen you daily number of bricks.  20. As they left Pharaoh, they came upon Moses and Aaron who were waiting to meet them. 21. They said to them, "The LORD look upon you and judge! You have brought us into bad odor with Pharaoh and his officials, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."

(Exodus chapter 5 verses 17 to 21)


As in previous chapters we see the blaming game in action. The Israelites blamed Moses for having brought misery on the Israelites after having spoken to the Pharaoh. What the Israelites were not realizing is that all that was happening was according to the will of God, and that in time He would deliver them from the bondage of Egypt. However when we are suffering an injustice or a terminal illness, we might become so deeply and emotionally stimulated that we turn our focus on ourselves instead of on God and start blaming others in order to make sense of our misery.


 22. Then Moses turned again to the LORD and said, 'O LORD, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me? 23. Since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has mistreated this people, and you have done nothing at all to deliver your people."


(Exodus chapter 5 verses 22 to 23)


Moses refers to God as if it was his fault that the people were being treated badly. When we find no sense in blaming each other for our wrong doings we decide to place the blame on God. Instead of remembering God's promise and the signs that HE had given him Moses turns against God and judges God for having ever called him to go and free His people.


I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:


Oh God loving father. Life places us under alot of pressure. Most of the times we place pressure and stress on ourselves by accepting great demands on ourselves due to wrong decisions. During other times the situations such as problems of illness, unemployment and family breakdowns and other stressors pressure us beyond our capacity. Please help us to remain aware of your promise that You will be always with us and that you are close to us more than our own skin. 


I pray for my friend who is passing through a hard time. He has failed his exams and is fearing that his academic life or future is over. He loves you alot and even Your Holy Word the Bible. Please help him in this great moment of tribulation. He wishes to know you better and is still a toddler in the spiritual life. Please help me to help him.  I pray that the readers of this chapter will offer a prayer for my friend who is currently under alot of pressure. Please help my friend to place all his trust in You my loving father.    

Thank You God

Exodus Chapter 4

EXODUS 

CHAPTER 

4

1. Then Moses answered, "But suppose they do not believe me or listen to me, but say, 'The LORD did not appear to you.'

(Exodus chapter 4 verse 1)

As a human Moses showed his fears and doubts to God. Moses was scared stiff even though God promised to be with him all the way. This is our reaction. God asks us to do take on certain roles on life, like being a parent, or becoming a priest or a manager. The devil sows in our minds and hearts the seeds of doubt. Moreover the devil places the focus that determines the success or failure on us,.This is why we end up reasoning "Will I be able to do it?; Will I succeed?. On analyzing the dialogue in Exodus chapter 3 God constantly insisted that He would be with Moses all the way, however doubts still lingered in Moses's mind as in that of most humans.


" I pray to God that you teach us to tame our emotions and fears so that we can freely and totally place our trust in You!


2. The LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff." 3. And he said "Throw it on the ground, and it became a snake; and Moses drew back from it. 4. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Reach out your hand and seize it by the tail"-so he reached out his hand and grasped it, and it became a staff in his hand- 5. "So that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you."

(Exodus chapter 4 verses 2 to 5)


In order to prove his power God does not make use of big and powerful things such as missile launchers or atomic bombs. God used a staff that turned into a snake. Moses was armed with the necessary signs and instructions in order to manifest the power of God. As Christians we also are armed with spiritual weapons, these are the sacraments such as confession, confirmation, communion, baptism and even praying with the Word of God and saying the rosary. These powers that in themselves appear to be simple are of extraordinary power. The devil is afraid of the Eucharist and the rosary that is chanted continuously during an exorcism to free a person from the clutches of the devil.


6. Again, the LORD said to him, "Put your hand inside your cloak." He put his hand into his cloak; and when he took it out, his hand was leprous, as white as snow. 7. Then God said, "Put your hand back into your cloak"-so he put his hand back into his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored like the rest of his body.

(Exodus chapter 4 verses 6 to 7)


In his display of weapons God showed moses, that He has authority over all realms of life, starting from the supernatural and the realm of what we call magic to the physical, that constitutes our own being. God explains to us how we are to behave in His Word and by means of many people, so that when the time comes we will be ready. The choice is ours.


8. "If they will not believe you or heed the first sign, they may believe the second sign. 9. If they will not believe even these two signs or heed you, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground; and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground."

(Exodus chapter 4 verses 8 to 9)


God explained to Moses the possibility that he would not be believed by both the Pharaoh and the people. However Moses was not to give up because God was to be with him all the way. God makes the same promise to us, that is never to give up on Him even if we consider Him as intervening at a slow pace when compared to our culture of instant gratification.


10. But Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."

(Exodus chapter 4 verse 10)


When put to the test, our first reaction is to cower away from the opportunity, thinking that the responsibility is going to be totally ours. In his dialogue with God Moses uses the term 'I" many times as if the outcome depended totally on him. God is aware of both our strengths and our weaknesses and therefore does not ask of us anything that exceeds such limits. However when the task is given to us by God, He gives us even extraordinary qualities so that all will place their belief in God.



 11. Then the LORD said to him, "Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12. Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak."

(Exodus chapter 4 verses 11 to 12)


God gives us all the qualities that we need to accomplish His will in life. Therefore if we feel that we lack in some skill or quality we are to turn on God, who is the sole provider of our well being on many levels.


13. But he said, "O my Lord, please send someone else." 14. Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, "What of your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak fluently, even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad. 15.  You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. 16. He indeed shall speak for you to the people, he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him. 17. Take in your hand this staff, with which you shall perform the signs."

(Exodus chapter 4 verses 13 to 17)


On reflecting God gives different gifts to different people. Some have the gift of being public speakers, others have the gift of being caring and understanding. One gift is not to be considered greater or inferior to the other but as being complimentary. All of God's gifts are given to us for a particular reason, that of being of an aid to the unfolding of God's plan for us and that of the world at large.


As in the case of Moses, we can choose to be cooperative with the will of God, or on the other hand we can be obstinate and troublesome to God. However if God really and truly wants us to accomplish this or that task nothing and nobody on earth can ever stop Him. On seeing that Moses continued to insist that he was not able to carry out the given task, God did not give up on Moses and His plan for our salvation. God played His trump card and provided Moses with other means of backup and support. This was Mose's brother Aaron who would assist Moses in the given task.


With reference to verses 13 to 17 of the fourth chapter of the book of Exodus, I would like to share my own testimony. When I started praying on the will of God I used to write on scrap books and any paper I could lay my hands on. Along the way I started using a computer. Moreover I met people who discouraged me from continuing this 'Analysis of the Bible', however at a moment of need God provided me with a friend from the other side of the world, actually from India who is assisting me in the compiling and editing of the chapters that we both meditate on. We share chapters, and I edit the chapters that we both reflect on and with  the help of God, we have covered 50 chapters of the book of Genesis and 4 chapters of the book of Exodus. I honestly never dreamt that I would finish the book of Genesis, however God changed the 'I" into a 'We" and now we are a team of three, that is God, myself Vince Micallef and Mr. Deevain Ajit Pawar from India.


18. Moses went back to his father-in-law Jethro and said to him, "Please let me go back to my kindred in Egypt and see whether they are still living." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace."19. The LORD said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt for all those who were seeking your life are dead." 20. So Moses took his wife and his sons, put them on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt; and Moses carried the staff of God in his hand.

(Exodus chapter 4 verses 18 to 20)


Now that he was encouraged by God, Moses headed for Egypt, however this time it was a different Moses who returned back. Previously it was Moses the baby who was born in Egypt, who as a consequence of having killed and Egyptian fled in fear out of Egypt. This is the new Moses, who although was given a difficult task to accomplish was empowered and equipped according to the will of God.


When we are empowered by God, He works wonders in us. In fact there is no need for physical changes or signs, because the very experience of Him in our lives is enough to bring the necessary changes. Speaking for myself, I can testify that since the time of my first call, that is ratified everyday God is every day of my life empowering me to carry out His will day by day.


 21. And the LORD said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders that I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go.

(Exodus chapter 4 verse 21)


Although we might have many things to do during our day, the most important priority is that of doing the will of God. Prayer time and meeting Him and breaking bread together is a priority. Loving each other, especially those who hurt us and discourage us is another priority. God does not want us to be afraid of the Pharaoh's that seem to dominate our lives. Armed with the 'Word of God' the 'Holy Sacraments', the 'Rosary' we can overcome the temptations of the evil one. Our greatest priority is to battle with the forces of our corrupt and sinful self, and then with the negative forces of our environments and inner or outer circles,


22. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD; Israel is my firstborn son. 23 I said to you, "Let my son go that he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; now I will kill your firstborn son.'"

(Exodus chapter 4 verses 22 to 23)


God continues to show Moses, that he will experience the resistance of the Pharaoh who will not cooperate with the will of God, and that the outcome of the struggle will be the death of the Pharaoh's son. On reflecting God loves us so much that he treats us as His sons and daughters. When speaking to Moses God referred to Israel His chosen people as being His Son.


24. On the way at a place where they spent the night, the LORD met him and tried to kill him. 25. But Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin, and touched Mose's feet with it, and said, "Truly you are a bridegroom of blood to me! 26. So he let him alone. It was then she said, " A bridegroom of blood by circumcision."

(Exodus chapter 4 verses 24 to 26)


One might stop and question the reason why God would have wanted to kill Moses and  Zipporah's son. The reason is given to us by verse 25 of chapter 4 of the book of Exodus. The reason was that since Moses was quickly dispatched into the basket there was no chance to have him circumcised, for some reason this was also the case of Zipporah's son. The bottom line is that anything that is not pure but tainted by sin, has to be made clean before it can be used by God, because in God there is no traces of sin or contamination. This is why God by means of the Church gives us the opportunity to confess our sins by means of the sacrament of reconciliation so that we can be made pure again and therefore be reunited with God.


27. The LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and he met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28. Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD with which he had sent him, and all the signs with which he had charged him. 29. Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites.

(Exodus chapter 4 verses 27 to 29)


As planned and promised by God Aaron was sent in order to accompany Moses in the quest of liberating God's chosen people from the exile of Egypt. On having arrived Moses shared his testimony with the elders about his experience with God and His plan to liberate them from the bondage of Egypt. As in the case of Moses it is very good if we have somebody with whom to share our experience of God, This helps us to grow in God and it also helps us to grow in our relationships with others.


30. Aaron spoke all the words that the LORD had spoken to Moses, and performed the signs in the sight of the people. 31. The people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had given heed to the Israelites and that he had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshipped.


(Exodus chapter 4 verses 30 to 31)


On having arrived Aaron became the mouthpiece of Moses, who was he mouthpiece of God. When a person speaks under the influence of God the message may be met with either resistance or with acceptance. The evil one doe his best to influence the audience so that God's plan for our salvation will be delayed as much as possible. However even during such moments of tribulations God never abandons us.

I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer:


"Hello my loving father, I would like to thank You from my heart, for all the good traits that you have given me. I would also like to thank You for those traits that can be better or need alot of work on. If it was not for this combination I would not be, the person whom You wanted me to be. Thank you for the assignments that you give me as a parent,  as a son, as an employee, as a friend,  as an on line blogger in the compiling of this analysis and even more in the years to come. Thank You also for supporting me with all the necessary support. Thank You for Deevain Ajit Pawar who is assisting me in the compiling of this Bible Analysis.


For give me Oh God for those times when I thought I was driving the boat and started reasoning with the "I" instead of with the "You". Forgive me for those times when I did not give You the merit for my achievements as I should have done. Thanks for Your love and care and for being a father to me. 

Thank You God 

The Book of Exodus chapter 3

The Book of Exodus

Chapter

 3

1. Moses was keeping the flock of  father-in-law Jethro the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond  the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

(Exodus chapter 3 verse 1)

Moses was taking care of the flock of his father in law. He was heading in the direction of Horeb the mountain of God. As Christians and more specifically as human race we are to be shepherds to each other and lead each other in the direction of God and not away from Him.

God is our good shepherd. By means of significant others such as doctors and physicians God mends the broken bone that may need a cast but and bandage however in other cases such as that of a broken heart that needs a lot of love, guidance and care, God personally takes it into His own hand to provide the necessary support for He is a loving father even to those who do not know Him or believe in Him.

² There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing yet it was not consumed 3. Then Moses said, "I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up"

(Exodus chapter 3 verses 2 to 3)

Throughout the course of our life we experience  many extraordinary events  some of which may have had a strong impact on our lives such as a near death experience, or a very close call, or maybe a case when the person who is so close to dying although and seems to have lost hope in being cured is miraculously given a second chance to live. Through personal experience I can testify the love and care of God who rescued me from what seemed to have been a head on collision. I had worked late hours and was feeling sleepy when I was driving. I could not keep my eyes open for long. The Fiat Uno felt very cosy and as I hit the bypass my head rested on the steering wheel and my foot on the accelerator. As I was approaching a roundabout God permitted someone with bright fog lights to flash them in my direction and my eyes opened just in time to go around a roundabout at 180 km per hour and avoid colliding with another car that was approaching the same roundabout that was a milli second away from hitting my side panel. God saved me just in time.

⁴ When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him from out of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”

(Exodus chapter 3 verse 4)


God then call moses and tell him that he is available to God and His will. If He had to call on us tonight or tomorrow would we have the same reply as Moses, or would we say that we are busy or do not have the time for Him. Every day God calls us by means of people and situations. As much as we can be available for God, we can be available for others, however God is always available for us.

⁵ “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

(Exodus chapter 3 verse 5)


God then tell Moses to take of his sandals because the place where Moses was standing was Holy. On reflecting it was presence of God that mad that location Holy. As much as humans expect obedience from other humans God also expects us to obey His Holy will. Up to that point God wanted to protect His boundaries. Moses was still not ready to meet God at a close encounter. The process of Mose's spiritual formation was still in progress. As humans we are not worthy of coming face to face with God, however God can always give us His grace and mercy that is enough to fill in the missing pieces in our human nature and make us worthy to enter His presence.


6. He said further,  “I am the God of your father,  the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

(Exodus chapter 3 verse 6)


Although from a distance God still communicated with Moses thus revealing His true Identity. However Moses was not yet ready to face God. Moses was still adherent to the customs of his time that held that the moment a human saw God eye to eye that person would die. Therefore Moses hid his face from God. God at times gives us golden opportunities to meet him or experience him personally however, due to false humility that dictates that 'we are not worthy or not yet ready' we become shy and turn our backs on a golden opportunity.


7. Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt. I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings,  8 and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites ,and the Jebusites. 9. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me;  I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them.

(Exodus chapter 3 verses 7 to 9)


God tells Moses that He has observed what was going on in Egypt. The eye of God penetrates deep to the bone more than the capacity of the human eye, therefore when we find written that God observed what was going on this means that God was fully aware of their feelings of bitterness and all the cruelty with which His people were being treated. God is also aware of what is going on in your and my life. This is a great assurance for us that we are to keep in mind especially during those moments when we feel alone and helpless. However as, in the case of the chosen people of God after our moments in Egypt, God has our promised land prepared for us to inhabit. The choice is ours weather to walk with God in obedience or against him. When promising the promised land God promised a land full of milk and honey. On reflecting these two substances are worthy of reflecting on. Milk is a very healthy substance, however it is not sweet. On the other hand honey is pure and sweet. Therefore when offering us a land of milk and honey God is offering us health and nourishment and also His sweet and loving kindness.


10. So come, I will  send you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

(Exodus chapter 3 verse 10)

God then commands Moses to go to Pharaoh in order to bring out God's chosen people out of Egypt. I can only imagine Moses in such a situation. Moses who was fully aware of the wrath of the Pharaoh and how Moses had ended his relationship with him on a very bad note so much that Pharaoh had wanted to kill him. Moses was aware that this was no easy task.


11. But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

(Exodus chapter 3 verse 11)


Moses immediately lets his emotions take the better of him and as a human manifests his fears. The underlined message seems to be, why did you choose me of all people; who do you think I am to go and face the Pharaoh and tell him to let Your people go you must be.... (ha ha). Our first reaction is to think that we are going to face the given quest single handed without considering the fact that God is always with us and is always there to lend a hand.




12. He said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”

(Exodus chapter 3 verse 12)


God then assures Moses that He will be with him and that, when he will bring His people out of Egypt he was to bring the people to worship God in this mountain. It is worth noting that in His dialogue with Moses, God is speaking as if narrating the verses from a play that He knows by heart. God is a positive influence. He is aware that for those who believe in Him everything is possible.


13. But Moses said to God, “If I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to  them?”

(Exodus chapter 3 verse 13)
        

Moses then asks God about what he should tell God's people if in unbelief they should ask Moses for the name of this God. It must be kept in mind that many generations had passed since the death of Joseph and his brothers, therefore if the sons of Jacob had not spread the belief of God, this may have had died as if it never was.


14.  God said to Moses, “I am who I am." He said further, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ' I am has sent me to you.'"

(Exodus chapter 3 verse 14)


On reflecting God reveals himself in a very mysterious way, that can be interpreted in different ways. God declares Himself as being the 'I am". I am comes from the term 'To be' that can mean something that is 'to be' in the future. However on reflecting 'I am' is in the present tense that can also mean "I am" in the sense of "I have always been and cannot be made again or I have been in the eternal even before time itself ever existed. Or further more I am the absolute "all in all" that "was  is and ever shall be".

15. God also said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘I am has sent me to you.’15. God also said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 'The LORD the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you'; “This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations. 16. “Go and assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me saying: I have given heed to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. 17.  I declare that I will bring you up out of the misery of Egypt, to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites and Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.’ 18. They will listen to your voice; and you and the elders of Israel shall  go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; let us now go a three days' journey into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.

(Exodus chapter 3 verses 15 to 18)


God then commands Moses to go and tell the Israelites that the God of their father had sent him to them and to tell the elders of Israel that God is aware of their situation and promises to bring them out of Egypt. However the Pharaoh would have to permit them to go on a three day journey in order to offer a sacrifice to God..


During times of trials and tribulations God is well aware of our problems. In some way or another even if we are not aware God always sends us an angel or maybe a human in order to help us and bring us out from our Egypt. God has made a personal plan for our salvation on a global and personal level each day of our lives. In order to lead our every day life according to His will as part of God's plan for our salvation or in preparation for His second visit, God left us a manual or an instruction book which covers many issues that we face during our every day life. This book has all the needed solutions. This is the 'Bible' which is all truth and valid for all times.


19. I know, however that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20.  So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with my wonders that I will perform in it; after that, he will let you go.

(Exodus chapter 3 verses 19 to 20)


God is aware of the stubbornness of human nature, and our tendency to God against His will, therefore in order to prepare Moses against such a reality God assured Moses that when the situation reached its climax God would intervene with all his might in order to ensure their salvation. When God's people were being persecuted in the death camps of Auschwitz God sent holy people in order to encourage his sons and daughters who were facing  one of the worst forms of human destruction. As a reaction to the Nazi regime God raised all the forces in the world and subdued the negative force led by the devil that was trying to destroy the apple of God's eyes that was his chosen people. Although the Hebrews crucified His son in a spirit of unbelief Gods still had mercy on the Hebrews and did not permit the their destruction to be complete or absolute. God put an end to it.


21. I will bring this people this people into such favour with the Egyptians that, when you go, you will not go empty-handed; 22. each woman shall ask her neighbor and any woman living in the neighbor's house for jewelry of sliver and of gold, and clothing, and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters; and so you shall plunder the Egyptians."

(Exodus chapter 3 verses 21 to 22)


God shared with Moses that not only will He bring out His people out of Egypt but He will also dispossess the Egyptians from their wealth and permit that this wealth be freely given to the people of God. God humbles the proud and mighty and raises the humble to a better status.

I would like to end this chapter that was compiled by Mr. Deevain Ajit Pawar and edited by me Vincent Micallef with the following prayer:


Thank You God for looking upon me and also for the angels that You have sent in my life. Thanks for taking care of them, as much as You have taken care of me. Thank You  also for Your presence which I feel  it means a lot to me. Everything that you permit to happen in my life does so for a reason, and I believe that what you will to happen is always right.

Thank you God for everything