I hope you are receiving this blog. Last week I had it written and ready to post when my computer was nailed by yet another virus. I had to make a trip back to the computer shop and spend another $95.00. This makes the second time in less than a month that my laptop has been in the shop. This time Act Computers of Cape Coral, installed a virus protection called Viper. It’s supposed to be reliable, so I’m praying for good results. I have heard many good comments about it. I’ll let you know. This week in the sermon notes part of the blog, I am putting last week’s notes in, and by mid week I will post yesterday’s notes in a special mid week edition.
In some blogs I tell you about my time as a boy growing up in Elmwood Place, and Norwood, both part of Greater Cincinnati. I remember one morning when I was a sixteen year old sophomore at Norwood High School. My homeroom teacher was a very nice lady named Mrs. Kalkbrenner. She taught typing and I only saw her for homeroom as I never (regrettably) took typing. The morning routine was the same at Norwood as it was in most other schools in 1970. First a warning bell would ring. That was the signal to go to your seat and be quiet. A few minutes later another bell would ring. We then stood for the playing of the national anthem, which came through the intercom speaker. The anthem would follow the second bell by less than 5 seconds. Our principal was a gentleman named Albert Gesselbracht. He was a fixture at Norwood High School. He had been there so long it was rumored he owned the place. Mr. Gesselbracht was well loved and respected by students, faculty and staff.
On one particular morning my mouth got me into trouble. (Imagine that!) The second bell had rung and we were waiting for the national anthem to begin. We waited, and waited, and waited. It seemed like we stood there for quite a while. Suddenly, before my brain could tell my mouth to be quiet, I blurted out, “Strike up the band Big Al!” Everyone in the room roared with laughter - except one person sitting right in front of me: Mrs. Kalkbrenner. The otherwise friendly smile left her face and she said, “Vic Cooper, I want to see you right here after school.” While some people do not share my quirky sense of humor, Mrs. Kalkbrenner did, but she could not admit it and remain professional. I know this because when I reported to her room after school, she looked at me , grinned, and told me to go on home.
I wish I could say that this was an isolated incident where my mouth over rode my brain, but alas, it was just one of many. My former marching band director, Mr. Richard White, could tell you some unbelievable tales, but I hope he doesn’t. I do not believe he will because he never once called my parents about my mouthy behavior. If he had, I would not be typing this letter today. Howard Cooper would have had a look of murder in his eyes and would have carried it out. Thank you Mr. White. He is now a friend on Facebook, and may very well be reading this blog. Mr. White was good to me, and I’m happy to still be able to communicate with him from time to time through social media.
A week ago at Friendship Harmony, I preached a message titled, Flexing Egyptian Muscle. From Exodus chapters 1 and 2, we saw where the new Pharaoh decided to oppress God’s people which is tantamount to declaring war on God. Several times God responded by slapping Pharaoh in a way and with words and Egyptian customs that he would understand. The problem was that Pharaoh was so consumed by his desire to eradicate the Hebrews, he did not even know he was being smacked around. The notes are below. I hope they are a blessing to you.
Flexing Egyptian Muscle ©
Selected from Exodus 1 and 2
By Victor Cooper
Oct. 18-19, 2013
Intro: “Not even the Hebrew God can withstand the might of Egypt.” Although this is not an exact known quote spoken by this Pharaoh, it does reflect his attitude. The Hebrews, who had been favored in Egypt, are now under the gun of oppression. Egypt decided to flex its mighty muscle against God’s people, and ultimately God.
I. The Egyptians could not remove God’s promise from His people.
A. Pharaoh declares war. Exodus 1:11
B. God responds. V.12a
1. God is reaffirming His covenant with Abraham. Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
2. Egypt could have received God’s blessing, but in stead they chose God’s curse
3. God’s promise to Abraham is everlasting. It is still relevant today.
Q. Do you pray for Israel and ask God to bless her?
C. The result: v12b
II. The Egyptians could not remove God’s provision from His people.
A. Pharaoh again declares war.. V.16
B. God responds. V.17
1. God’s response is through the faith of these midwives.
2. Pharaoh bought the baloney of the midwives. Exodus 1:19 (NLT)…"the Hebrew women are very strong. They have their babies so quickly that we cannot get there in time! They are not slow in giving birth like Egyptian women."
3. Hebrew women were no better at childbirth than was any other woman. It was that the midwives were purposely slow at responding to a call upon Hebrew women.
4. The Hebrew mothers had time to hide their boy babies.
5. The verse is a definite slap against the might of Egypt, and God blinded Pharaoh’s eyes to it. (“They are not slow in giving birth like Egyptian women.")
C. The result vv 20-21
1. The Hebrew population continued to grow.
2. God blessed the midwives with families.
III. The Egyptians could not remove God’s plan.
A. A third time Pharaoh declares war. V.22
1. Now Pharaoh makes his decree known publicly. What the midwives would not do, all of Egypt was ordered to do.
B. God responds. Exodus 2:1,2 The birth of Moses.
1. God’s plan was to use an adult Moses to deliver His people. This birth, which slipped through Pharaoh’s cracks, would one day devastate Egypt.
C. The result. vv6-10
1. Pharaoh’s daughter takes pity on the child, knowing the baby was Hebrew.
(a) How did she know the child was Hebrew? Egyptian parents did not circumcise. Hebrew parents did.
2. This was in direct defiance of her father’s decree. However, if anybody could get away with it, it was her.
3. Moses mother was asked to take care of him - with pay! (A slap on Pharaoh’s face.)
4. Moses was eventually moved into the palace and given an Egyptian name and raised as Egyptian royalty.
5. This passage is another slap at the might of Egypt.
Conclusion: God is still sovereign in this world today. Do you trust Him as such?
Pharaoh could have witnessed Egypt being blessed exponentially by God. Had he only blessed the people of God instead of cursing them, Egypt would have been mightier than even Pharaoh had dreamed possible. How about you? Are you seeking God’s blessings, or you at war with Him? Think about that. Contact me if I can be of spiritual guidance to you. E-mail me at fhbcsjc@gmail.com. I’m here for you.
Have a good and a safe week, and I’ll see you sometime this mid week with the notes from yesterday, and again next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.
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