Tags
compromise, egypt, Exodus. bible, proposals, Study, world, worldly
As the sons of Jacob were delivered from the tyranny and bondage of Egypt, so is the Christian delivered from the tyranny of sin as our master. Yet, before Israel was led out of Egypt, there were some very interesting proposals made by the Pharaoh to Moses. Very interesting indeed.
In fact, each time Moses returned to Pharaoh with another demand to let the Israelites go into the wilderness to serve God, Pharaoh counter-offered.
God’s command to Pharaoh through Moses and Aaron was certainly clear enough: “Let my people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness.” (Ex. 7:16). Simple.
But you know how stubborn Pharaoh’s can be, especially after their hearts are hardened by the One True God for the purpose of demonstrating His sovereign power.
Shortly after the swarms of flies descended upon Egypt (Ex. 8:23-25), there seems to be a brief moment of hope that Pharaoh will cave in, but, it was not to be. Note especially 8:23 and the continuing idea of separation between the world (typified by Egypt) and the people of God (the Church).
Look at the counter proposals made by Pharaoh and see if they sound familiar:
| Pharaoh | In Other Words |
| 1. “Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” Ex. 8:25 | “Don’t separate from us, be religious all you want, but don’t leave. Your God is just like our gods of Egypt. They’ll get along just fine.” |
| 2. “I will let you go to sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you must not go very far away.” Ex. 8:28 | “Ok, you can separate, but just a little bit. Keep the lines blurred so you don’t stick out like a sore thumb. Mingle. Don’t make our religion look so bad.“ (cf. 2 peter 2:18-22) |
| 3. “The LORD be with you, if ever I let you and your little ones go! Look, you have some evil purpose in mind.
No! Go, the men among you, and serve the LORD, for that is what you are asking.” And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.” Ex. 10:10-11. |
“Ok, the men can go, but give me your children and leave your concern, affections and heart for them behind. Serve your God, but we’ll educate and train your children to be like us.” |
| 4. “Go, serve the LORD; your little ones also may go with you; only let your flocks and your herds remain behind.” Ex. 10:24 | “Fine, God has authority over your lives, but He will not rule over your property or wealth.” |
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” – 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
You’re describing exactly the same thing Ken Silva is writing about here: http://apprising.org/2010/08/19/philip-clayton-is-serious-about-big-tent-christianity/
Press on and admonish all who claim Christ to be biblical!
Really good , take heed, exhortation. Thanks much.
since the tower of babel, the city of man has ever had but one structure – a cult of death indulging sin while honoring man; one goal – a renewed paradise on earth with man as its creator, open to and tolerant of any and all heresy, any and all perversion. all that is excluded is the One True and Living God and His image bearers, those regenerate in Christ. it is not surprising that the methodology of the city of man within the boundaries of this structure, and in pursuit of this goal, is also the same from generation to generation. there is truly “nothing new under the sun.” Creativity belongs to God, just as Life belongs to God. how can an inherently sinful creature who is dead in trepasses and sins come up with anything beyond the same old zombie walk past the gates posted, “ye who enter here abandon all hope.” thanks, brother, for shining the light of God’s Word on the latest manifestation of the city of man’s attempt to compromise, assimilate, and eradicate the heirs of salvation from their self-made paradise