Posts Tagged Moses

Jesus repeated the history of Ancient Israel

Posted by Darrell in Christian on April 25, 2010

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The book of Matthew reveals that Jesus repeated the history of ancient Israel, point by point, and overcame where they failed. Notice these parallels between ancient Israel and of Jesus Christ:

  • In the Old Testament, a young man named Joseph had dreams and went into Egypt to preserve his family alive (Genesis 45:5). In the New Testament we find another Joseph, who likewise had dreams and then went to Egypt to preserve his family (Matthew 2:13).
  • When the young nation of Israel came out of Egypt, God called that nation “my son” in Exodus 4:22. When the baby Jesus came out of Egypt, God said, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.” Matthew 2:15.
  • When Israel left Egypt, the people went through the Red Sea. The apostle Paul says they were “baptized unto Moses … in the sea.” 1 Corinthians 10:2. Jesus was also baptized “to fulfill all righteousness,” and immediately afterward God proclaimed Him, “my beloved Son” (Matthew 3:15-17).
  • After the Israelites went through the Red Sea, they spent 40 years in the wilderness. Immediately after His baptism, Jesus was “led up of the Spirit into the wilderness” for 40 days (Matthew 4:1, 2).
  • At the end of their 40-year wilderness wandering, Moses wrote the book of Deuteronomy. At the end of Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, He resisted Satan’s temptations by quoting three Scriptures-all from Deuteronomy!
  • In Psalm 80:8, God calls Israel a “vine” that He brought “out of Egypt.” Yet Jesus later declared, “I am the true vine.” John 15:1. In the Old Testament, the name “Israel” first applied to one man, to Jacob. It represented Jacob’s spiritual victory over sin. Even so, in the beginning of the New Testament we discover that Jesus Christ is the new Israel who came “out of Egypt.” He is the one victorious Man who overcame all sin!A New Nation
    Yet there is more. Remember that the name “Israel” not only referred to Jacob, but also to his descendants, who became Israel. The same principle is seen in the New Testament.

    For example, the Lord had told the ancient Israelites, “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” Exodus 19:6. In the New Testament, Peter applies these exact words to the church: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” 1 Peter 2:9.

    Likewise, right after Paul’s statement in Galatians chapter 3 about Jesus being “the seed,” he then told his Gentile converts [a Gentile is any person who is not of the Jewish faith], “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:29. Thus in the New Testament, the name Israel not only applies to Jesus Christ, but also to those who are born in Christ-His church! In other words, all true Christians are now God’s spiritual Israel.

    Double Vision
    Have you ever been hit hard on the head and then started seeing double? Well, from what we have studied, the Christian world needs a loving bonk on the head with this New Testament truth so that more people will start “seeing double” about the subject of Israel! According to the New Testament, there are now two Israels. One group is composed of literal Israelites “according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3, 4). The other is “spiritual Israel,” composed of Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus Christ.

    Paul wrote, “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” Romans 9:6. That is, not all are part of God’s spiritual Israel who are of the literal nation of Israel. Paul continued, “That is, They which are the children of the flesh [physical descendants of Abraham], these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” Romans 9:8. The children of the flesh are only natural descendants of Abraham, but the children of the promise are counted as the true seed. Today any person-Jew or Gentile-can become a part of this spiritual nation of Israel through faith in Jesus Christ.

    God Looks on the Heart
    Just as there are two Israels, there are also two kinds of Jews!

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    Also, the seven last plagues that are found in Revelation 15 and 16 talks about the angels that pour out the vials of God’s wrath.  It’s just before the second coming of Jesus because the seventh of the seven last plagues is synonymous with the coming of the Lord.

    There’s a lot of similarity between the seven last plagues and the plagues that fell on Egypt.

    The plagues fell on Egypt just before the Children of Israel were liberated from their slavery.  The plagues are going to fall on this wicked world just before Spiritual Israel, God’s people, are liberated from the world that is in bondage to sin.  And so, just before the second coming, there will be a period–based on some things in Revelation and Daniel, I have good reason to believe the period of the plagues is all going to fit within one years’ time, perhaps even just over a month.  When you look at the severity of these things, you can imagine how long the world can go on with the fresh water supply being blood, or the oceans being blood, and most of the population of the world lives either by rivers or oceans, and men being scorched with great heat.  And another reason, how long did the plagues last that fell on Job, it was just a matter of weeks when you read the context.

    How long did the plagues last that fell on Egypt; again it was in the matter of within a couple months’ time, and so for these reasons, based on those stories, the plagues will probably fall just with a few months.  And it says in Revelation, “All of her plagues come within one day”, and a day in prophecy is a year.  So within a year’s time it all happens.

    The intensity will be different in different parts of the world, the same way it was in Egypt.  But God promises to protect His people all through those plagues, just like He protected the Children of Israel through the plagues that fell on Egypt.  We don’t need to be afraid; that’s why we should memorize Psalm 91.

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    WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT DEPRESSION?

    Posted by Darrell in Christian on November 26, 2009

    By Dr. Ann Shorb
    Christian Counseling & Educational Services
    http://www.ccesonline.com

    depressionMajor depression can greatly affect a person’s ability to function at home and/or at work, and inhibit the enjoyment of life in any way. Some people suffer depression only once but others may experience it several times in their lifetime.
    Answer the questions below to determine if you are experiencing depression. If you answer True to at least four (4) of the following statements, you may be suffering from depression. If you answer True to the majority of the following statements, you are certainly experiencing depression and you need to seek professional help. See a doctor or a counselor before the depression gets worse. Most often the problem is a chemical imbalance in your brain and is easily controlled with medication. The medication is usually inexpensive and it works.

    Answer True or False Questions - Click Here»

    When to Seek Help . . .
    Major depression is a serious illness and can be fatal if left untreated. A person cannot face this illness alone. Seek professional help for yourself, or for someone you care for when you see . . .

    - Three or more symptoms of depression
    - Response to your attempts to help
    - No family or friends there for support
    - There are suicidal thoughts
    - The person turning to substance abuse
    - The individual cannot take care of his family or himself.

    Dr. Ann Shorb is the founder of Christian Counseling & Educational Services, an accomplished professional speaker, and the author of A Light for My Path, a weekly email devotional.  Visit her website http://www.ccesonline.com for a free subscription to A Light for My Path.

    Quiz

    T or F – I feel sad and blue most of the time.

    T or F – I feel like crying more than I did six months ago.

    T or F – I feel hopeless and helpless most of the time.

    T or F – I have no motivation.

    T or F – I’m not interested in things I used to enjoy.

    T or F – Recently I have wondered if life is worth living.

    T or F – I am not sleeping well, or I want to sleep all of the time.

    T or F – I have lost my appetite.

    T or F – I am easily irritated.

    T or F – I am more anxious about things than I used to be.

    T or F – My energy level has dropped recently

    T or F – I dread the morning. It is hard to get up.

    T or F – I have been thinking about myself a lot recently.

    T or F – The face looking back at me in the mirror is sad.

    T or F – My self-concept needs improving.

    T or F – I worry about the past, the present and the future.

    T or F – I’ve had more headaches, upset stomach, constipation, rapid heartbeat, etc. in the last six months than usual.

    T or F – I think that people have noticed that I am not working as well at my job, or enjoying life like I used to.

    Is Depression A Sin?

    Christians often ask this question. The answer is Not necessarily! While harboring sin or sinful attitudes in your life can certainly produce depression, other possible causes include experiencing a significant loss or having a physical problem that causes body chemistry to be imbalanced. Great men in the Bible, such as David (in many of his Psalms)

    Elijah – I Kings 19

    Moses – Exodus 18

    and Jonah – Jonah 4 experienced depression.

    In each of these situations God sent someone to help the suffering individual but He did not condemn him. Psalm 23:18 says, The Lord is close to the broken hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Whatever the cause, God cares about the person experiencing depression.

    Some Interesting Facts

    - One in four women and one in ten men will develop depression some time in their life.
    - Men experience depression differently than women. Men tend to get angrier.
    - Depression can affect children as well as adults and the elderly.
    - Suicide may result when depression has not been treated successfully.
    - Depression has been called the common cold of the mind.
    - Between 80-90% of the people seeking treatment get well.

    What Are Some Symptoms Of Depression?

    Everyone feels sad sometimes due to a significant loss such as a death, a divorce or losing a job. Anger turned inward can also cause sad feelings. When these feelings are not dealt with properly and they continue over a long period of time, a person usually experiences a major depression.

    Look For These Symptoms

    - Feelings of sadness for over two weeks
    - Not wanting to spend time with friends and family
    - Increased irritability
    - Changes in sleep and appetite patterns
    - Frequent crying spells
    - Difficulty concentrating
    - Forgetfulness

    How Can You Help A Depressed Person?

    We often feel uncomfortable around a depressed person because we don’t know what to say or do for him. This may cause us to make some serious mistakes when we try to help them. So what can you do to help?

    Let him be honest about his feelings.

    Allow him to talk about his negative, depressed feelings.

    Don’t say, You shouldn’t feel like that.

    Be there for him. A depressed person may have lost someone important in his life. Let him know you care and will be there for him.
    Be aware. A depressed person often tries to avoid
    dealing with his feelings, or to pretend he is fine. If he fails to get help, he will only become more depressed. Help him get help.
    Avoid saying . . .
    Just trust God.
    Just get over it.
    If you would just do . . .
    You have lots going for you. You shouldn’t
    feel so bad.
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