The Practice of Righteousness
Calvary's Blog
The Right Attitude
I learned a valuable lesson about walking with YHVH through Jacob and Joseph’s lives. YHVH places many struggled in our lives to help us become righteous people. Read More »
Yom Kippur – Part II
The second verse that caught my attention was Leviticus 16:29 which says, “”And it shall be a statute to you forever that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict yourselves and shall do no work, either the native or the stranger who sojourns among you.” Read More »
The Calling of Pharaoh
Text: Exodus 10:1-13:16
Text: Exodus 9:16-17 (English Standard Version) 16(A) But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so(B) that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth. 17(C) You are still exalting yourself against my people and will not let them go.
I. Did you know that Pharaoh had a calling in his life?
a. God raised him up.
b. To show him His power.
c. So His name may be proclaimed.
II. Did you know that the Almighty was setting Pharaoh up to be a hero?
a. Pharaoh’s surrender to the purpose of the Creator would have propelled him to world history fame.
b. The Almighty One gave Pharaoh ten opportunities.
- Sticks and Snakes
- Blood and Water
- Lice, Hordes and Pestilence
- Boils and Hail
- Locusts
- Darkness
- Death of first born
- Still, “the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, that he did not hearken to them.”
- But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not to them; as G-d had said.
- Still, “Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not to them; as G-d had said. Ok, says Pharaoh, I’ll let you go. Just don’t go too far. Please, pray for me.
c. Three times he strengthened himself and three times God caused Pharaoh to be strengthened.
Exodus 10:1-2 (English Standard Version) 1Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them, 2and(A) that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them,(B) that you may know that I am the LORD.”
How can Pharaoh be punished if he has no free will – and even more, why does G-d keep bothering to send Moses to warn and negotiate if the outcome is known? Nevertheless, even in this state where a person has only his strengths to rely upon, if he relentlessly pushes himself to overcome his negative inclinations and in fact does change his behavior, his repentance is accepted. – Shaul Yosef Leiter
III. Mankind has a choice- what will be your choice?
a. This story represents all of humanity’s ability to surrender to God.
b. The right choice determines blessing or curse.
Deuteronomy 11:26 (English Standard Version) 26(A) “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse:
c. Humbling oneself before God will always bring the mercy of God.
Psalm 18:27 (English Standard Version) 27For you save(A) a humble people, but(B) the haughty eyes you bring down.
Hebrews 10:28-31 (English Standard Version) 28(A) Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy(B) on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 29How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one(C) who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned(D) the blood of the covenant(E) by which he was sanctified, and has(F) outraged the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him who said,(G) “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again,(H) “The Lord will judge his people.” 31(I) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.