BLESSED BEYOND CURSE (PART 5B) – ESCAPE FROM EGYPT

The next word in King James Version is ‘Israel’. Who are the Israelis? They are the children of Jacob. What does Israel signify? Israel signifies the Church, God’s chosen people; God’s called out people – ‘Ecclesia’. The word Church means people that God has called out to worship and serve him. And how did the children of Israel get to Egypt in the first place? They went there in search of greener pastures – what to eat, employment, means of livelihood. At the initial stage, Pharaoh welcomed them because of Joseph, unfortunately, after a while, a Pharaoh who did not know Joseph ascended the throne and he and his people became suspicious and envious of the Jews. Consequently, persecution arose, affliction arose, captivity began and the children of Israel were thrown into hard labour. It is very easy to go to Egypt but coming out is herculean; Pharaoh does not let his captives go without a fight. The children of Israel groaned under hard labour.

The next word ‘from a people of strange language’. Egypt is a place of strange language. A strange language, in my own definition, is a language that is not consistent with the language of God. Egypt typifies the headquarters of idolatry and of other gods. Egypt also typifies the kingdom of the anti-Christ.

‘Judah was his sanctuary’. Judah was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Judah became the sanctuary of God. The Living Bible says Judah became God’s new home. A sanctuary is a home that is sanctified. Judah became the dwelling place of the Almighty God and Israel his kingdom – God enthroned. Persecution drew the children of Israel closer to God; persecution made them to look up. Throughout the history of the Church, persecution has never weakened the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. It took several centuries of martyrdom to establish Christianity a living faith. The more the persecution, the stronger the faith. Jesus said, I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18^A). This is a truism. What actually weakens the Church is compromise; shaking Pharaoh’s ungodly hand.

How did God lead the children of Israel? Exo. 40:36-38, “Whenever the cloud lifted and moved, the people of Israel journeyed onward, following it. But if the cloud stayed, they stayed until it moved. The cloud rested upon the Tabernacle during the daytime, and at night there was fire in the cloud so that all the people of Israel could see it. This continued throughout all their journeys.” God is a master strategist. The cry of the children of Israel of over 400 years got to God and in the fullness of time, God raised a deliverer in the person of Moses.

PRAY: Heavenly Father I thank you for your love for me. I worship you and ask you for mercy to overlook all my shortcomings. I renounce every claim of idolatry over my destiny. Please empower me by your spirit and guide me to the wonderful inheritance you have prepared for me. I proclaim I am blessed beyond curse and by your grace I will make it to the promise land. In Jesus name, Amen.

To Be Continued !!!