Bible Discussion Thread

...continued When Moses continued to press Pharaoh to let the Israelites go into the wilderness to worship, Pharaoh relents and says they can go, but not to go far. People who are being released from bondage no longer need to listen or obey the former master under whom they had been in bondage to. People also, should wish to get as far away from this "master" as they can and not look back. Because, as this chapter shows us, the 'master' (pharaoh) reneged on his agreement and was not willing to let them go as soon as YHWH took away the plague of flies. He hardened his heart further. Sin is our master in our fleshly nature. We have been delivered from it by Jesus (YHWH). We should want to be as separated from it as the Israelites were separated by YHWH from the plagues of lice and flies, whereas before they had suffered the first plagues. They needed to learn the seriousness of remaining in bondage. They needed to learn to look to YHWH for all protection from enemies and unhealthy, unclean things. We should see sin as being far worse for us as these plagues. It is deadly. So, once we are delivered from sin, we should hate it in all forms and not desire to go back to it.

Were the Israelites learning that YHWH is truly the only God and the only One they can trust with their lives? Were they learning that YHWH was the One True God and the others they had learned about in Egypt were truly false? Were they learning that YHWH was the One True God worthy of their worship? I think God was working on these things with the Israelites before they leave Egypt so that they will never want to go back into a place of bondage. They needed to know what YHWH could do to them and what he could rescue them from so that they would not look back like Lot's wife. Certainly, the Israelites wanted to have their yoke of bondage eliminated, but if they were freed and could remain in Egypt would they ever leave? Probably not. they need to go with Him when He says go, and go where He says to go.