Exodus 8:25-27 (NIV)
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land.” But Moses said, “That would not be right. The sacrifices we offer the Lord our God would be detestable to the Egyptians. And if we offer sacrifices that are detestable in their eyes, will they not stone us? We must take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, as he commands us.
Pharaoh insisted that the Israelites should worship their God in Egypt, because he wanted them to have a compromised worship. In Egypt, there was a lot of compromise. In fact, part of their worship involved prostitution which was one of the sacrifices prescribed to the Egyptian gods on their altars. He knew while in Egypt, their worship to God could not be pure and as a result, could not bring any positive impact in their lives.
This strategy is working for the enemy in our days. Many believers are very worldly. They can dress the way they want, sing, talk,watch and do anything they want without restraint. 2 Timothy 3:1-6(NKJV) But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts.
This explains why we have many worldly gospel songs, which have been widely accepted and adopted as worship to God, and they are on very high demand. Pharaoh’s policy was: worship your God, but be in Egypt. This strategy is confusing, cunning and deadly. It does not out-rightly reject the worshiping of God, but is meant to worship Him in the wrong way and place. How many people have been captured by this scheme? These are people who are not careful on where and how they worship God. They believe that it doesn’t matter the place or the way things are done.God cannot accept the worship in Egypt; that is, in a worldly manner. He had His own standards, which are clearly established and stated in the Word.
The book of Acts records of a Church that consisted of the Body of believers, who were also referred to, as Christians – meaning Christ like. In fact, this name was given to them by the non-believers; they watched how they lived, and noted that they had Christ like characters.
We are living in the times of the re-building of the Church and soon, Satan and his entire host will be swept out of the way of the Church. This Church shall consist of people whose character is like that of Jesus Christ. A people whose way of life shall openly testify of their transformed nature – by the way the dress, talk, walk, etc. This Church (not a denomination), shall be powerful.
We must break away from the spirit of Egypt, which is the religious spirit.
We must break away from the spirit of Egypt, which is the religious spirit.
