Seven I Wills

Seven I Wills

Exodus 6: ⁵ And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. ⁶ Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. ⁷ I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. ⁸ And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the Lord.’ ” ⁹ So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.

 

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GOD continues HIS reassurance to Moses. First, HE said that Pharaoh was no match for HIM. Then HE told Moses who HE is. Now GOD states what HE was going to do.

 

My Observations:

• GOD hears all groanings that are caused by oppression of HIS people.
• GOD keeps every promise HE makes.
• GOD says “I will” seven times to show that HIS plan is complete.

 

Here are the seven “I will's”

1. I will bring you our from under the burdens of the Egyptians
2. I will rescue you from their bondage
3. I will redeem you
4. I will take you as MY people
5. I will be your GOD
6. I will bring you into the land I swore
7. I will give it to you as a heritage

 

What I notice is there is nothing required of any person for GOD to execute HIS plan of deliverance. When GOD says “I will” it means it’s going to happen exactly the way HE said it would. GOD not only swore by HIS name, HE sealed it seven times with HIS promises. GOD loves the number seven. HE mentions HIS seven SPIRITS in the books of Isaiah and Revelation.

 

Moses told the children of Israel what GOD said, but they did not believe him. They were so oppressed that they could not hear what GOD had to say. This is a real feeling all of us can fall into. But their feelings mattered to GOD enough that HE decided HE would take care of everything and they did not have to worry. GOD sealed HIS promise seven times.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses of HIS promises?
• Has GOD made promises to you that have not come to pass and you are so focused on your problem that you have take your eyes off of HIS promise?
• When GOD makes a promise, do you get distracted by life and stop believing in HIS promise or do you press forward with trust?

I Swear by MY Name

I Swear by MY Name

Exodus 6: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”

 

² And God spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the Lord. ³ I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name Lord I was not known to them. ⁴ I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers. 

 

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Moses went back to see GOD, possibly on Mount Horeb. He told GOD that Pharaoh had turned up the cruelty after he said to Pharaoh, “Let MY people go.” GOD responded to Moses by telling him the promise HE made and restated HIS name.

 

My Observations:

• GIOD told Moses that not only will Pharaoh let the people go, he would force them out.
• GOD restated HIS name “YHWH” meaning Yahweh, meaning “I AM WHO I AM.”
• GOD restated the promise that the land of Canaan would be given to HIS people.

 

Problems with the plan immediately popped up when Pharaoh showed some resistance. GOD told Moses that HE met with generations of people, so Pharaoh cannot outlive HIM. HE also states that HE is GOD and that nothing can stop HIS plan.

 

GOD swore by HIS own name that HIS promise would be kept. Nothing can stop the great I AM. Moses was having a hard time being the spokesperson for GOD. You may feel the same way. BUT GOD promises are never broken. HE is who HE says HE is.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about what HE was going to do with HIS deliverance?
• Has GOD promised you anything and swore by HIS name that it would happen?
• Will you believe in GOD’s promises because HE swore by HIS name that it would happen?

Abundant Deliverance Promised

Abundant Deliverance Promised

Exodus 3: ¹⁶ Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt; ¹⁷ and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’ ¹⁸ Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ ¹⁹ But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. ²⁰ So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go. ²¹ And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. ²² But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”

 

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GOD continues to give the words HE wanted Moses to say to the children of Israel. HE told Moses to gather the elders of Israel so they could announce what GOD was about to do.

 

My Observations:

• The elders of Israel passed verbal history down to the generations and knew about what GOD did in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’s life.
• GOD said that HE saw what the Egyptians did so Moses would convey to the elders that GOD knows what is going on.
• GOD promised that HE not only would cause the Egyptians to want the Hebrews to leave, HE would also cause them to give up all their stuff.

 

One thing I notice is GOD seems very riled up, but was in full control of the situation. HE said exactly what would happen and how the Egyptians would not respond favorably. HE also said how HE was going to handle the situation and what the result would be.

 

GOD did not say the children of Israel had to be better, try harder, pray more, give more or dismiss their pain. In other words, it seems like GOD is saying, “I GOT THIS!” I believe GOD had to speak to the elders to alter the stories being told.

 

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had remarkable situations that were handed down from generation to generation. BUT GOD was about to do something with this generation. HE still does this with those who believe. HE is still doing a marvelous “wonders” that will not leave HIS people “empty-handed.”

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS prophecy HE wanted to be delivered to the elders of Israel?
• Have you been waiting on GOD’s deliverance for a long time?
• Will you trust that HIS promises to deliver you are solid and you can place full trust in them?

Jacob’s Ladder

Jacob’s Ladder

Genesis 28: ¹⁰ Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. ¹¹ So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. ¹² Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

 

¹³ And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. ¹⁴ Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. ¹⁵ Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”

 

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Jacob fled from Esau, heading to his uncle Laban to find a wife. Somewhere during the journey, he went to sleep. GOD provided a vision during his dream.

 

My Observations:

• GOD showed Jacob a supernatural interaction between angels and earth.
• GOD reiterates HIS promise to Abraham through his descendants.
• GOD provides assurance, stating HE would be with Jacob, keep him and not leave him until HIS blessing was fulfilled.

 

 

Jacob the deceiver was told that he would be blessed. He did not know that he would be part of the lineage of JESUS who would save the world. GOD promised that HE would bless Jacob’s descendants from west and east, north and south. Anywhere humans would go, HIS blessing would be available.

 

This blessing would not protect Jacob from problems. Jacob would face many issues. We also face issues and wonder, “How is this a blessing?” GOD has not finished the story for you and me. HE values us enough to reveal HIS purpose for us and is powerful enough to make it happen.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the vision Jacob had?
• Have you ever wondered if GOD would use you for anything?
• What promises has GOD made to you that have not come to pass yet?

Children of the Promise

 

Children of the Promise

Romans 9: ⁶ It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. ⁷ Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” ⁸ In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. ⁹ For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

 

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“I’m going to build a new garage” were the words we overheard. This was great news to me because I would use the old garage as my private toilet when I did not feel like stop playing, and now it started to stink.

 

The next day, I got with my siblings and we tore a good sized hole in the garage. “What are you doing?!” was the shout. “We are tearing down the garage” we replied excitedly. The garage wasn’t planned to be built for months.

 

• There have been times when I believed in the promise, but could not wait for the result.
• There have been times when I could see the promised fulfilled in my mind, so I tried to help the promise come in my timing.
• There have been times when I was part of the promise, but not in a way I expected.

 

Abraham was promised that he would be the father of a countless nation of people who would follow GOD. He decided to help GOD with this promise by having a child with a younger woman. GOD’s promise was fulfilled through Sarah, the older woman. Paul’s explained Abraham’s impatience.

 

• GOD has a plan for me and wants me to watch HIM make it unfold.
• GOD has a promise for me, but it includes many other factors I cannot see.
• GOD has a place for me and HE is busy preparing it.

 

When GOD promises something, it will happen. I mean, HE promises things that seem impossible to me, so I try to help HIM out with my efforts. BUT GOD is forgiving. HE sees my futile attempts to “help” HIM and shows me grace anyway.

 

GOD is my FATHER because I believe in JESUS who died for me and is alive making a wonderful place for me. HIS ways are not my ways, HIS thoughts are not my thoughts and HIS plans are always fulfilled. I am glad I am HIS child and I believe in HIS promises.

 

• Is your family dysfunctional?
• Have you fallen into the trap of thinking you are not valued?
• Will you stop believing the lie and know you are a child of GOD and HIS promise for you is far beyond what you could ever think?

Think Bigger

Ezekiel 38: ²² I will execute judgment on him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. ²³ And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.

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“I hope my running-back gets more yards than my opponent” was my prayer. Fantasy football was extremely fun to play and I got into it. My coworkers got me involved and it was a sign of being accepted. Praying for running-backs is probably okay, but looking back, I wonder what I would pray for if I only had a few breaths left in my body.

• GOD is concerned with minor things in my life as well as major things.
• GOD is concerned about growing me up to think more like HIM and to see those around me.
• GOD is opening up my eyes to not just getting stuff but being who HE want me to be.

From lost car keys to loss of life, GOD wants my prayer. BUT GOD wants me to know HE is in control of nations, this planet and this universe. One reason is when I face situations and think there is no way out, HE wants me to know that HE is bigger than anything I can go through.

• I can trust GOD because HE does exactly what HE says.
• I can trust GOD because HE is the only one who can keep a promise.
• I can trust GOD because HE is the first and the last.

GOD says “I WILL make MYSELF known in the sight of many nations.” HE will one day pour out wrath that has never been measured. The problem for humans is it will be too late. GOD would prefer that I come to HIM willingly rather than having to go through calamity in order to seek HIM. GOD is much larger than anything I can face. I only need to turn to HIM.

• Have you thought so little of GOD that you think HE cannot solve what you are going through?
• Are your words full of blame and doubt?
• Can you seek the LORD first and allow HIM to rule in your life?
• Will you allow GOD to open your eyes to HIS greatness?

I will be your GOD

Exodus 6: ⁶ “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.

⁷ I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. ⁸ And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord.’”

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When GOD says “I will” it doesn’t mean it may happen or it possibly could happen, it means it will happen. But there are times when I doubt HIS promise to me. During these times I get nervous or make excuses to GOD just like Moses did when he kept telling GOD he wasn’t eloquent enough to convince Pharaoh to release the Israelite slaves.

I look at my abilities and power and can’t imagine doing something grandiose BUT GOD says different.

• GOD says “I will bring you” meaning I am not the one who has to provide the way.
• GOD says “I will free you” meaning anything that holds me in bondage will be broken.
• GOD says “I will redeem you with outstretched an arm and my might acts of judgment” meaning HE welcomes me, though sinful, and HE fights my battles.
• GOD says “I will take you as MY people” meaning I am part of HIS family and no longer HIS enemy.
• GOD says “I will be you GOD” meaning there is no person, place or thing greater than HIM.

GOD says “HE loves me” and “has a plan for me” and “will never leave me.” HIS might is far too great for HIM to go back on HIS word. HE says “I am the LORD.”

• Are you scared to cross over into greatness?
• Do you think GOD has something huge for you to do?
• Won’t you let GOD decide how to grow you and stretch you?
• Can’t you believe there is nothing too great for GOD?