Recently the American Secretary of War publicly prayed or made reference to a passage that has brought forth an explosion of so-called “Biblical truths” that the religious left “knows” is “THE WORD OF THE LORD.” The problem is that what the church is putting forth as “God’s Word” isn’t His Word, but is rather the word of the god (creator) of each denomination, faith, church, etc. of which there are literally hundreds. Though each of these “churches” have their own “truths,” rituals, plan of salvation, etc., they collectively call themselves “the church.” What those within these counterfeit “bodies of Christ” do not realize is that all such “churches” are following the world’s singular god known as Satan who is characterized in Second Corinthians 4:4 as “the god (ruler) of this world,” which includes the religious world. who has made himself an “angel of light,” in whose service those who spread his messages have made themselves “ministers of righteousness” as they proclaim his “improved versions” of God’s Word throughout the world (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Satan cannot prevent man from seeking god, so he offers man a variety of gods so that man can have a wide variety from which to choose. This includes all of Satan’s heathen religions, each of which is seeking a god that will fit into their system of beliefs.

Before entering our study of chapters 14 through 16 of the Book of Exodus from which the offending prayer was reportedly based, we need to understand exactly Who the God of the Old Testament was then and what part He plays in the New Testament Church today. If one does not know Who He was then, Who He is now. and what part He plays in God’s church today, one cannot understand the New Testament and cannot be a part of the family of God. For a extensive study the subject read The God of the Old Testament, key word–Old. For this series I will identify Him as follows: THE WORD–WHO BECAME JESUS CHRIST) WAS THE GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT AND IS THE GOD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT. HE RULED HIS PEOPLE THEN AND HIS PEOPLE NOW BY THE SAME LAW–THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Satan has blinded the eyes of religious people so that they cannot embrace that Biblical fact.

One of the common misconceptions concerning the Word (Jn. 1:1-4,14) that was the warrior God of the Old Testament and later Jesus Christ, the God of the New Testament Who was the One Who was known for preaching “peace on earth, good will among men” were, are and will continue to be one and the same. What people do not understand is that the “Lamb of God” does not change; what He has always been, He still is. What He commanded from the descendants of Abraham when He brought them out of Egypt, He commands from them now when they are brought out of sin. What this series will reveal is that being a “Christian” does make one special, it makes one OBEDIENT.

The Lord’s attitude toward sin is the same today as it was anciently, whether it is found in the world or in those within His church. Read Who Are God’s People? and “My People Who Are Called By My Name,” key words–People and Called respectively. As we study the following narrative, remember this: GOD ONLY SEES OBEDIENCE OR DISOBEDIENCE IN THOSE WITH WHOM HE IS DEALING. Recall that the Children of Israel whom He had brought out of Egyptian slavery were called “the church”(ekklesia–the congregation) long before the New Testament Church (ekklesia) was established (Acts 7:38). Also recall how He cursed them and killed them off so that only two of the adults whom He brought out of Egypt were allowed to enter the Promised Land (Joshua and Caleb). All Israelites above the age of 20 upon being freed from Egyptian slavery were dead when the Children of Abraham crossed over the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. Why? SIN. Relative to the God of the Old Testament Who had brought them out of Egypt, First Corinthians 10:4 reminds us that it was The Rock that freed them and took care of them for the next 40 years, “AND THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST.” THE GOD WHO PERFORMED NUMEROUS MIRACLES TO FREE THEM FROM EGYPT (SIN) KILLED ALL BUT TWO OF THEM OVER THE NEXT 40 YEARS. Christ was not pleased with many of them and left their bodies scattered throughout the wilderness of the Sinai Desert. Let us not be confused about the Lamb of God/Lion of the Tribe of Judah; They were, are and will always be one and the same. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Now we will turn to Exodus 14-16 where we will see what it is about the Lord Jesus that that has caused such a stir among the liberal left churches. Their God, they tell us, is not a God of war, death and destruction, and that He is the God of understanding, forgiveness, grace and mercy. And they are right–IF, IF, IF.

As we study these passages keep in mind that the God of the Old and the New Testament is one and the same. As is my custom, I will advise you to study Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 to be reminded that BEING GOD’S PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY HIS NAME means nothing if one does not obey His Words. Remember that He made Adam after His own image and likeness. Notice also that Jesus was called the “last Adam” (1 Cor. 15:45). Therefore Adam had to have been created to perfection. But look what happened to him.

Notice the most important Word in the Holy Bible–IF–found in Leviticus 26:14 and Deuteronomy 28:15. Bear in mind that these promises and warnings were spoken to the children of Abraham, the father of the faithful–those within today’s church. The Lord sees only two truths–obedience and disobedience. Recall also that only half of God’s Chosen people were allowed to enter the land He had promised Abraham’s children BECAUSE OF HIS OBEDIENCE. Abraham’s obedience brings forth the promises; our obedience causes them to come to fruition. At this point I will highlight those passages that point to the fact that the Lamb of God is the Lion of God. Let us begin with chapter 14.

Chapter 14: God hardens Pharoah’s heart so that He can cause many to die in order for the Egyptians to see His greatness (vss 4,5,17,8). In verses 23-28 the Lord would not allow the Egyptians to escape the trap He had laid for them. The entirety of the Egyptian army died by drowning, a most horrific type of death. Note that in verse 31 the effect of what God had done for the people of Israel. Note that they FEARED HIM AND BELIEVED IN HIM AND HIS LEADER-MOSES. One will notice not long afterward that their fear and faith in Him would disappear. One will also notice in verses 10-12 that the Israelites’ attitude change brought about an immediate attitude change in Him. The, “It’s alright, baby, I understand” reaction to the church’s sin-accepting god is not Biblical. Verse 14 tells us that we must grow up and stop reacting like children. In verse 18 the Lord makes it clear that the world’s people will know Who is in charge. This includes those who call themselves His people. What happened? No one fears God today.

Chapter 15: Notice that the people called the Lord a WARRIOR. (He is the same yesterday, today and forever). In verses 6 and 7,9 the Egyptians are called God’s ENEMIES and His ADVERSARIES whom He consumed with His burning wrath. Why? Because they did not obey Him. Recall that He sent Joseph to them to save them during seven years of famine. Yet they afterward turned on His people and made them their slaves. Note that those whom He blessed He later cursed. Why? SIN. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34/ Eph. 6:9). Verse 13 speaks of God’s great love for His chosen people (including His true church) whom He will GUIDE to His holy dwelling.”

Verses 14-18 tell of the fear of the people whose land God will give to His people where He will RULE AND REIGN OVER THEM FOREVER. Again, let me remind you that only the children of those people were allowed to cross the Jordan River and to take over the land of Canaan that God had promised the descendants of Abraham. Why? SIN. Beginning with verse 22 we begin to see why only the children of those whom God brought out of Egypt were allowed to enter led by Joshua and Caleb, the only two original adults to prove their worth to the Lord. In verse 26 the Lord reveals His anger toward the Israelites in a possibly different way. Read that verse remembering the very important word–IF. Notice that if they did not obey Him, HE WOULD PLACE ON THEM THE SAME PHYSICAL AFFLICTIONS HE HAD PLACED ON THE EGYPTIANS–HIS “ENEMIES.” SIN MAKES MAN GOD’S ENEMY–PERIOD. Do not forget that Adam, made in the image and likeness of God, was thrown out of the Garden of Eden for one reason–SIN.

Chapter 16: Beginning with verse one and throughout the chapter we find GOD TESTING THE PEOPLE. Notice that the focus of the test involves His SABBATH. Read that chapter carefully, for it continues to have important significance to this day. God is still testing His people using, among other things, THE SABBATH. THOSE WHO FAIL HIS TEST ARE HIS ENEMIES, HIS ADVERSARIES. Remember, God does not need us–we need Him. We must do everything He commands of us so as to be accepted by Him. The man Jesus was no different. He proves this in Matthew 19:17 where He tells us that in order for us to inherit eternal life we must ABIDE IN HIM BY OBEYING HIS COMMANDMENTS. In John 15:10 He makes it as clear as it can be made: “IF you (disciples) keep My commandments you will abide in My love (for you), just as I abide in My Father’s commandments and (therefore) abide in His love.” Notice that even Jesus had to obey God in order to abide in His love. Jesus was like any other human being. Everything He received from the Father He received because of obedience. He was totally man. We must obey the Father even as He obeyed the Father while on earth in order to walk with Him in the Kingdom of God. We must prove ourselves to the Father now, in this life, by walking as Jesus walked in this life (1 Jn. 2:6/Rev. 3:21). L.J.