A Lament over Pharaoh and Egypt

 

Ezekiel 32:1-15

 

January 17, 2024

 

A Lament over Pharaoh and Egypt

 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, raise a lamentation over Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: “You consider yourself a lion of the nations, but you are like a dragon in the seas; you burst forth in your rivers, trouble the waters with your feet, and foul their rivers. Thus says the Lord God:  I will throw my net over you with a host of many peoples, and they will haul you up in my dragnet.  And I will cast you on the ground; on the open field I will fling you, and will cause all the birds of the heavens to settle on you, and I will gorge the beasts of the whole earth with you.  I will strew your flesh upon the mountains and fill the valleys with your carcass.  I will drench the land even to the mountains with your flowing blood, and the ravines will be full of you.  When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens and make their stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light.  All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and put darkness on your land, declares the Lord God.

“I will trouble the hearts of many peoples, when I bring your destruction among the nations, into the countries that you have not known.  I will make many peoples appalled at you, and the hair of their kings shall bristle with horror because of you when I brandish my sword before them. They shall tremble every moment, every one for his own life, on the day of your downfall.

“For thus says the Lord God: The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you. I will cause your multitude to fall by the swords of mighty ones, all of them most ruthless of nations. “They shall bring to ruin the pride of Egypt, and all its multitude shall perish.  I will destroy all its beasts from beside many waters, and no foot of man shall trouble them anymore, nor shall the hoofs of beasts trouble them.  I will make their waters clear, and cause their rivers to run like oil,
declares the Lord God. When I make the land of Egypt desolate, and when the land is desolate of all that fills it, when I strike down all who dwell in it, then they will know that I am the Lord.

The dragnet and the many people God is referring to are the Babylonian army that would come against Egypt and its people.  And can you imagine this great nation being destroyed? It brought fear to all other nations and people but the people of Babylon.  

 

Let us bring this into our timeline: if a nation came against the USA and destroyed us and killed our leaders and people, the world would be in fear.  Are we that much different than the people of Egypt?  I think not; they believed they were too powerful and too great a military for such a thing to happen, and so do we.

 

One problem: they did not put God in the equation and were trusting in themselves and not God; how is that different from the United States of America?

 

From the Back Porch, 

 

Bob Rice 

Fear

 

 

 

Fear

 In a Time of the Unknown

 

“And the only thing to fear is fear itself.”

 

“Fear Not”

 

Shall we begin with the word “fear?” What is it, and where does it come from?” I went to the dictionary, and it states, “Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat. Emotion can drive a person to harm themselves and others. It can bring anxiety and apprehension to a person, a city, the nation, and even the world. “

 

In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his inaugural Speech and unemployment was very high, people had lost their homes and were sleeping in old cars or the streets.  He gave this speech in part; “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life, a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory and I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.”

 

As a politician, he blamed everyone but himself, it was his second term in office.  I wonder if we do not need at this time of insanity to listen to those famous words?

 

God our Father and Creator spoke these words through His prophet Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”  As a follower of Christ, Jesus often reminds us that He is very close to us and that fear is the opposite of faith.  Do you recall Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  

 

Five hundred years ago, Michel de Montaigne said: “My life has been filled with terrible misfortune; most of which never happened.”  Do you understand that 85% of what people worry about never happens?  Neither the coronavirus nor anything else is going to end your life one day before the date God set for you or me.  I did not share this, but the information I’ve read is that it is more like 97%, but people do stupid things that cause what they fear to be the cause of death.  So, wash your hands and stay home if you have serious health problems, and pray for our President and those over the health care system.  And stop listening to the news media; that is a sure way to lower your stress.

It is now February 5, 2025. The media landscape hasn't changed much; my advice remains the same: don't spend much time listening to them.   But fear has not gone away; it is a good way to sell a product, and that means anything, including wealth and health.  

 

Jesus tells us the only one we should fear is God.  You will find that in Matthew 10:28, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

 

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

The Sabbath

 

Exodus 31:12-18

 

October 26, 2024

 

The Sabbath

“And the Lord said to Moses,  “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you. You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.  Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. Therefore, the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever.  It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’”

And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.”

 

Shall we begin with the word “Sanctify?” You will find words like consecrate, purity, and dedicate. All of those have the same meaning: a person set apart for the service of worship. God, our Creator, desires our worship and gets angry when we worship anyone or anything but Him.

 

It was only a few years ago that I was convicted that my testimony was being damaged by my actions.  Not by attending worship services, but by coming home and mowing the yard.  My many neighbors knew that Jan and I were followers of Christ, but after Church service, we were just like them; Sunday was just a day off.  So, I no longer do that; Sunday is a day to remember and give thanks for all the blessings of our God and Father.

 

Now this is my conviction, and yet if your testimony is of value to you, you might want to pray about it, for a day of solemn rest is holy to the Lord.  Could you use a day of rest and refreshment?

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice

Oholiab and Bezalel

 

 

Exodus 31:1-11

 

October 25, 2024

 

Oholiab and Bezalel

The Lord said to Moses,  “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah,  and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship,  to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze,  in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.  And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furnishings of the tent, the table and its utensils, and the pure lampstand with all its utensils, and the altar of incense,  and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand,  and the finely worked garments, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests,  and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place. According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.”

 

My prayer and hope is, that you understand God has called you and me for a purpose and has given us His Holy Spirit, with the ability, intelligence, and knowledge to do what He has called us for.

 

Many of us who call ourselves Christians begin to allow pride and the praise of others to make us believe we did this and that it was not a gift from God. Clearly, Bezalel was picked by God and given these gifts to do all of these things, but God also appointed Oholiab to work with Bezalel, in that two are better than one.

 

No matter what someone tells you, you are not a never was in God’s sight; you are very special with a calling.  Each of us has a different calling, so use those gifts and bless others with them.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Anointing Oil and Incense

 

 

Exodus 30:22-38

 

October 24, 2024

 

The Anointing Oil and Incense

The Lord said to Moses, “Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane, and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil.  And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.  With it, you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, and the table and all its utensils,​ and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin and its stand.  You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them will become holy.  You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests.  And you shall say to the people of Israel, ‘This shall be my holy anointing oil throughout your generations.  It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you shall make no other like it in composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you.  Whoever compounds any like it or whoever puts any of it on an outsider shall be cut off from his people.’”

The Lord said to Moses, “Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy.  You shall beat some of it very small and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting, where I shall meet with you. It shall be most holy for you.  And the incense that you shall make according to its composition, you shall not make for yourselves. It shall be for you holy to the Lord.  Whoever makes any like it to use as perfume shall be cut off from his people.”

 

In Exodus, the anointing oil was a sacred blend of spices and olive oil that was used to consecrate objects and people associated with the Tabernacle. The oil was a physical representation of God's presence and blessing.  

In the Old Testament, anointing with oil represented the coming of the Holy Spirit upon a person. For example, in 1 Samuel 16:13, the prophet Samuel anointed David as king of Israel with oil, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David.1 Samuel 16:13: “Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.”  

 

So how does the Holy Spirit anoint a person today?  “In Christianity, the Holy Spirit "anoints" a person today by residing within them, empowering them with spiritual gifts and abilities to discern truth, understand scripture, and live a life according to God's will, essentially providing an inner presence that guides and strengthens their faith; this "anointing" is considered a permanent gift given to all believers upon accepting Jesus Christ, and is not necessarily dependent on outward practices like applying oil, but rather a spiritual transformation through the Holy Spirit's work within them.” 

 

When Jesus left Planet Earth to return to His Father and ours, His followers were sad, but then the Holy Spirit came on them with spiritual gifts and all kinds of abilities, and one that I treasure is discerning truth.  When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He shared the following: in Luke 4:18, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”  The Spirit that was on Jesus would come to guide direct, and lead us to the Father.  Jesus talks with His disciples in John 16:7-11, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. ​ And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:  concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

 

We have Paul talking to the Church at Corinth, in 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, ^“And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” 

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Bronze Basin

 

 

Exodus 30:17-21

 

October 23, 2024

 

The Bronze Basin

 The Lord said to Moses,  “You shall also make a basin of bronze, with its stand of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it,  with which Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet.  When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn a food offering to the Lord, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die.  They shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they may not die. It shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his offspring throughout their generations.”

 

What is this all about? Is the Lord teaching them hygiene? No, it is about God wanting His people to understand the importance of purity.   Purity to serve as God's minister to the people of Israel.   It was more than symbolic for them to have clean hands and feet; they were the leaders of the people before God.

 

What about those of us who have entered into a personal relationship with God the Father by believing in the finished work of the cross?  Hebrews 1:3 gives a clear picture of who has given us access to our Father in heaven.  “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”  The blood of Jesus Christ is the only thing that covers our sins; Jesus is our purification before the Father.  

But it is a purification of our spirits, not our flesh.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice

The Census Tax

 

Exodus 30:11-16

 

October 22, 2024

 

The Census Tax

The Lord said to Moses,  “When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the Lord when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them.  Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the Lord.  Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the Lord's offering.  The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the Lord's offering to make atonement for your lives.  You shall take the atonement money from the people of Israel and shall give it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the Lord, so as to make atonement for your lives.”

 

What is a Census, and why did God require it of the people of Israel?   A census is used for many reasons today: to have a count of the people in a nation, to gather information, a population count, but was that what God was requiring them to do? 

 

You may have noticed the requirement was for 20 years and up, for rich and poor, the same amount.  I believe that it served two purposes: first and most important, as a reminder of who they were and who God was.  It reminded them of slavery and freedom, of a God who was the giver of life to them, and death to the army of Egypt.  So first and foremost, a reminder that God is the only God, and they are the created.

Second, to provide for the priest and those who minister before the Lord.

What should you and I regurgitate from this? Could it just be “It's not about us”; we are the created, and God is the giver of all that we need.  But our flesh desires so much more; the desires of the flesh often draw us: the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.  It is common to all people, not just people who are blind to the ways of God.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice