Dear Family,
Today is Tuesday, April 21, 2020, Day 10 in our counting toward Pentecost. And, this is the 3rd day of Week 2.
In addition to the lessons regarding faith, trusting God, understanding God’s divine purposes involved in protecting, training, and proving His people that we have reviewed so far in our counting toward Pentecost, there are many more lessons.
During Week 2 God announced a wonderful promise to Israel. Part of proving Israel involved God’s promise of healing and protection from the diseases of Egypt.
Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
God revealed Himself as the YHVH Raphah, sometimes spoken as Jehovah Raphah. The Hebrew word is Strong’s #7495 (healeth). And, the word appears many times in Scripture. One significant context in which this word is used is Isaiah 53. The entire chapter describes much of the work of our Savior when He dwelled on earth as Man. The New Testament references the stripes and healing provided by the sacrifice of our Savior. But, the wording is a bit different, and the tense of the verb is changed. Notice the two verses.
Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed [#7495].
1 Peter 2:24 Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed [Greek, emphasis ours].
Even on the heels of Israel’s murmuring, God displayed His grace through awesome kindness and tender care, and He blessed Israel with promises of health. What He asked them to do was what He had desired for them to do all along – listen to His voice, do what was right in GOD’s sight instead of their own, and keep all of His statutes and commandments. If we examine the Biblical record carefully, we will notice that up to this point in the exodus God has said nothing to the Israelites about His commandments and statutes. Yet, now Israel has been redeemed, delivered by the Great God. They belong to Him. God’s kindness is patently evident, and His grace abounded toward them. And, they must still obey God. God will rule us! After all, God’s grace reigns through righteousness.
Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalm 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
God bless you all! Let us turn to this loving God with all of our hearts! How sweet it is!
Ben Faulkner
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