There are times throughout history which seem to be significant for the Body of Messiah. In retrospect, these seem to be points in time, which when we look back, changed the course of many lives for the expanse of the Kingdom. Great Awakenings, Revivals, and other notable events all proliferated many into finding a greater love for the Father, commitment to Messiah Yeshua, and a lifestyle with purpose and dedication. Today we are reeling economically and in worldwide unrest because of turmoil in the world, the Israel War, and Godless decision making – both individually and nationally.
So, understanding, that apostasy will come (2 Thessalonians 2) it should not be a surprise to any of us that we will see many looking to current culture for their stream of life rather than a life in the stream of God’s Presence and His Word; with an intentionality of walking those out daily. I am saying all this to emphasize something. I believe God wants to pour out incredible power and demonstration this year, in this season.
Something that is truly interesting, resides in the belly of the story of Passover. While we all understand Jesus is our Passover lamb (Pesach) and He died at Golgotha at the same time as the traditional Temple lamb was slain by the High Priest; however, something which is not spoken about very much is in how in the original Passover occurrence, is in how plagues were used against Egypt.
So, let us examine this – Why did God use plagues against the people who enslaved His people – and prevented Israel from worshipping Him? (That was the key issue – do not forget, it was prophesied Israel should be in Egypt for 400 years – however, with the idea they could still worship Yahweh). This ceased, as described in Exodus 1:8, when the new Pharaoh (who knew not the ways of Joseph) saw Israel AND their worship (which kept unity in the camp) as a threat to the existence of Egypt.
We know the particulars – Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh multiple times to demand the release of Israel, so “They may worship Yahweh”. This is proclaimed four times in Exodus. As a result, God sent ten plagues as an incremental leveraging process to free whom He calls “My First-born…”
I want to focus on the plagues, and what actually happened. Ten plagues, each with much significance and power behind them. What we will see is that God was not simply coming against Pharaoh for a decision He wanted out of Pharaoh, He was judging the Gods of Egypt as a part of His existential plan of redemption. Egypt was a polytheistic empire; and took their worship seriously. They had a system of priests who performed rituals which they believed unified their gods around Re and Horus (who was personified by Pharaoh himself). By doing so – their gods would not fight against each other, nor bring calamity upon Egypt. Keep this in mind because the story is about to become fantastic. Because of Adam’s sin, the plan of God has always been to restore humanity back to the Garden – and Yeshua is the pinnacle of that process. However, in leading up to the advent of Yeshua, Yahweh must deal with the forces of darkness at work against His plan.
For example, when He turned the Nile red with blood – He was contaminating the believed source of life Egypt held. The Nile was blessed by the Sun God “Re” and used for cleansing the Egyptian priests, agriculture, and water for the populous. Pharaoh’s job as an incarnate deity was to maintain divine order between their gods and the people, so now the gods were perceived to be angry as Egypt’s life-source was made vile.
Egypt’s amphibian gods were also judged as frogs were released into the entirety of the land. These gods represented fertility and virility, and because they were loved so much, God gave them an over-abundance of frogs that would again, contaminate their very living conditions. We begin to see the pattern here – that Yahweh not only will not share His glory but will also judge the powerlessness and futility of Egypt’s entire belief system.
Gnats and Flies were two of the many insect gods which existed, but unlike locusts, carried disease. Egyptian priests would shave their entire bodies every other day, so as to never be “contaminated” by any bacteria or pests before performing their duties. Can you imagine what they must have thought when swarms of flies and pestilence of lice went throughout the kingdom? The priests could not carry out their duties. Systematically, Yahweh was removing the ability for Egypt to WORSHIP! At this point, their priests were contaminated, their life-source made vile, and their prowess of fertility made distasteful. All because Pharaoh would not let Israel go into the wilderness to …. WORSHIP YAHWEH.
Subsequently, Livestock are dying because of disease – The Egyptian bull-cult Apis (worship of Hathor) was their god which provided food, clothing, and transportation. Boils – unhealable – which came against the norm and celebration of beauty and flawlessness of skin. Hail and Fire came against the two gods which provided the balance of atmospheric conditions, weather, and seasons. Locusts were so many they blocked out the “eye of the land” The eye was the sun god “Re”, and this swarm caused darkness. Pharaoh, who was in charge of keeping balance and order in the heavenlies, is now delinquent in his duties and role as a god himself – embarrassed – frustrated – and angry. Still, he does not relent.
Up to this point Yahweh dealt directly with Pharaoh. He has judged the gods of Egypt one-by-one. They have lost in the eyes of the people. Their power is nothing, yet Pharaoh is still on the throne. Yahweh sends the destroyer to kill all first-born; of those who have not made the blood-covenant over their household. If you remember, this was something Pharaoh had implemented with the Hebrew midwives; to kill first-born males – remember how Moses was spared? Tables have been turned upon the Egyptian kingdom as a result in Yahweh protecting His first-born and their ability to worship. Ultimately, this is also to judge Re and Horus, and it is offspring – Pharaoh himself.
The Hebrew word for Passover is Pesach – it is a noun and relates to the Lamb itself – the verb to pass-over is the Hebrew word Pasach – which literally means “protection”. So those in covenant, who participate in Yahweh’s Passover are protected.
Today our society trusts in systems – systems of government, education, economy… Where is our trust? What will we look for in the times of need? At the end of the day, if we are not seeking first His Kingdom
…and realizing as David had to – “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom should I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom (What) should I dread?”
Who are you looking to in this season? There are troubles all around us. Leviticus 23 calls the Passover – Yahweh’s. It is not a “Jewish” idea, it is one for all under the shadow of His wings. In Exodus 12:37-39, probably one of the most interesting passages of scripture occurs. Scripture says this: “Now the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, aside from children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock. They baked the dough which they had brought out of Egypt into cakes of unleavened bread. For it had not become leavened, since they were driven out of Egypt and could not delay, nor had they prepared any provisions for themselves.” WAIT A SECOND! – It was not just Israelites/Hebrews who went??? – No! Chaldeans, Egyptians, Mesopotamians and other minority peoples (this is what “mixed multitude” means in Hebrew) – WHO IDENTIFIED WITH YAHWEH AS GOD, after all the demonstrations – baked unleavened bread, and left with Israel. We see Moses receiving instructions later for foreigners who traveled with them in verse 48: “But if a stranger resides with you and celebrates the Passover to the Lord, all of his males are to be circumcised, and then he shall come near to [celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land.” Are you circumcised in heart? Are you redeemed? Then guess what? – YOU can participate!
This is not a “have-to” – this is not legalism. It is a “get-to”. It is about loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind. We love our King – Jesus – the only-begotten Son – but don’t forget – Israel is called God’s “First-Born” They are brothers… Passover is for all who call upon the God of Israel AND Yeshua. I ENCOURAGE you to celebrate the Passover this season. If you are in the Jacksonville area, and want to join us for a community-wide Seder – go to https:enmi.life and click on the events tab to find out more. Tickets On Sale until capacity is reached… Be blessed in this upcoming season and May Yahweh bless you, keep you, make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you – lift His countenance upon you and give you SHALOM!
