J.A. Matteson
Servants of the LORD enjoy a particular covering and favor established by God for His glory and their welfare. "...the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel" (Ex. 11:7). Names have significance in Scripture and Egypt means "temple of the soul of Ptah", the creative god associated with Memphis, the ancient city of Egypt. Israel means "he that striveth with God", and is the name extended to Jacob and his descendants. As the name implies the people of Egypt offer homage to a false deity who neither sees, hears or speaks. Israel describes a people who know and walk with the living God....who strive with Him, not against Him. For further clarification regarding this unique people the apostle Paul makes the distinction that not all Israel is Israel, beyond the nation state there is a spiritual Israel; that is, those spiritually redeemed who are effectually called and regenerated by the Spirit unto salvation. In the case of the exodus it was the nation state which received deliverance or salvation from Pharaoh's cruel bondage. The exodus is a picture of the spiritual release from bondage Christ accomplished for His people. They could not free themselves, but were set free by a power beyond themselves. Further, it was God who initiated the plan of salvation, Jacob's descendants were passive recipients of divine favor. It is into this marvelous deliverance from bondage to sin and its consequence of death, physically and spiritually, that the servants of the living God sing Halleljuah to the Lamb!
Copyright (c) 2013 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8)