Breath of Power - Week 21/04

Week 21: May 17 - 23, 2004

Knowing God as the Good Shepherd Part II

Key Passage: Exodus 13: 17 - 18, 21 - 22

Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.

The people of Israel experienced God as the Shepherd (Jehovah Roi – Heb) when they left Egypt on their way to the Promised Land. The people were about 3 million men, women, children and the aged who had lived all their lives as slaves in Egypt. They did not know the way to the land God promised. They did not have enough food to sustain them through the desert; neither did they know where to get water. They were not trained for war and could not defend themselves from their enemies. They were just like sheep in the wilderness. Thy needed a shepherd who will tend, lead and guide them; and the Lord appeared to them as a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. That pillar was with them throughout their journey in the wilderness until they entered the Promised Land.

The Lord took them, like a good shepherd, through a safe path. He did not take them through the Way of the Philistines, though it was shorter. He rather took them through the winding, rugged way of the wilderness. That was to separate them to Himself that they may know Him intimately and that He might bring them to Mount Sinai, the mount of God, where He would cut a covenant with them. When their enemies came to destroy them, the Cloud stood between them and the enemies and defended them (Exo 14:19-20). When they lacked water, He made a fountain for them from the rock (Exo 17:6). When they hungered, He rained Manna for them from heaven (Psa 78:24). He truly carried them on eagles wings and brought them to Himself (Exo 19:4) Then He commanded them, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine” (Exo 19:5-6).

Had Israel obeyed God and kept His statute, she would have become God’s special treasure above all people. Such is God’s purpose for all His people. Jesus said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23).

Pray, Lord, reveal to me your protective love and care as my Shepherd; grant me the grace to always love and obey you. Amen.

Written by Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi



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	Week 21: May 17 - 23, 2004 Knowing God as the Good Shepherd Part II Key Passage: Exodus 13: 17 - 18, 21 - 22 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. The people of Israel experienced God as the Shepherd (Jehovah Roi – Heb) when they left Egypt on their way to the Promised Land. The people were about 3 million men, women, children and the aged who had lived all their lives as slaves in Egypt. They did not know the way to the land God promised. They did not have enough food to sustain them through the desert; neither did they know where to get water. They were not trained for war and could not defend themselves from their enemies. They were just like sheep in the wilderness. Thy needed a shepherd who will tend, lead and guide them; and the Lord appeared to them as a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. That pillar was with them throughout their journey in the wilderness until they entered the Promised Land. The Lord took them, like a good shepherd, through a safe path. He did not take them through the Way of the Philistines, though it was shorter. He rather took them through the winding, rugged way of the wilderness. That was to separate them to Himself that they may know Him intimately and that He might bring them to Mount Sinai, the mount of God, where He would cut a covenant with them. When their enemies came to destroy them, the Cloud stood between them and the enemies and defended them (Exo 14:19-20). When they lacked water, He made a fountain for them from the rock (Exo 17:6). When they hungered, He rained Manna for them from heaven (Psa 78:24). He truly carried them on eagles wings and brought them to Himself (Exo 19:4) Then He commanded them, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine” (Exo 19:5-6). Had Israel obeyed God and kept His statute, she would have become God’s special treasure above all people. Such is God’s purpose for all His people. Jesus said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). Pray, Lord, reveal to me your protective love and care as my Shepherd; grant me the grace to always love and obey you. Amen. Written by Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi

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