Faith and Truth, Part II

 

Tonight, we're going to talk about Exodus again. Because it's instructive, and we might ought to pay attention to what has been laid before us as a lesson for thousands of years. "Faith, truth, and proof"

A quick lead in that is not related to Exodus, but which is common to the human condition and is remarkable throughout this entire argument. Milton, in "Paradise Lost" pointed out something remarkable that you should include in your perceptions: The basis of the sin of Lucifer before the Fall was his assumption that he knew EVERYTHING that was worth knowing. Look upon your politicians and your leaders and judge them according to that.

Assess your own ego and put it against that. But let's get back to Exodus in light of that.

So, when we left Moses night before last, we saw that he begrudgingly accepted his own worth as God's chosen representative, to plea before Pharaoh for the freedom of his people. Daunting, no?

We see that Moses required proof of His ability to pull it off. We talked about my own interpretation of why he did that it part 1 of this. Find it here: https://fearfiles.blogspot.com/2023/10/faith-and-truth.html

But it's remarkable how the entire book of Exodus is dedicated to the central question that was laid before God by everyone: "I require proof of your effectiveness before I will believe that you are the one, true God." Moses did it. Pharaoh did it. The people of Israel did it. Let's talk about Pharaoh tonight, shall we?

So Moses came on and did the Thing. He came to Egypt to free the people of his father, at the behest of the Almighty. Accepting of his function in this, confident in his faith. He was known to Pharaoh, and thus he got an audience with him. His argument was essentially this: "My people are slaves, and my God has sent me here to free them. I require that you do so, immediately."

To which Pharaoh replied, "I am Pharaoh."

Think on it for a sec. "I am the monarch. I am the state. I am God." Sounds familiar, doesn't it? "You need no other authority than ME." "You need look to any other to protect you than ME." "Any who say different are acting in a manner that is unreliable and endangers us all"

"If it is as you say," said Pharaoh, "prove to me that your God is the true God."

And so it went. Proof demanded in order to accept God and release His people. Proof demanded, despite the truth shown to Pharaoh. Over, and over, and over, and over. Until God's wrath was demonstrated to him in such a manner as to take his own child and the children of Egypt.

What can we derive from that? I think Milton's conclusion regarding Lucifer is the most impactful, and is the most repetitive throughout history. "I know EVERYTHING that is worthy as knowing."

That perfectly describes the downfall of the Morningstar, and of every single stupid motherfucking idea we've ever heard of. If one is careful in his study, one can note that pride as being the foremost cause of every single tyranny in the history of the fucking world.

The demand for "Proof" of God. The denial of the existence, purpose, and plan of God. Rather than faith in what is plainly the most powerful thing imaginable. What can one do in the face of that?

Challenge oneself, as Moses did, to fulfill one's potential. Walk before God with humility and paying attention to opportunities that appear within that mindset. Then, move forward aggressively to take advantage of that opportunity. Pharaoh's and Lucifer's failure cannot be our own. We DON'T know EVERYTHING that is worth knowing. It is upon us to remain humble in our perception of the world. That is our choice, and it is what separates us from Pharaoh. It is what makes us free.

Freedom, indeed, is predicated on the humility to admit that one is wrong, that one has much to learn, that He is not finished with us until we die. It is predicated on the discipline to listen, to assume that we'll never know ALL the answers, and to remain open to His will. Pharaoh could not see this. His pride was too consuming. His people paid for that.

Moses had seen this, walked appropriately in his faith, and led his people out of Egypt. Out of tyranny. With no assurances. "Go and do the Thing," he was told.

He did the Thing, with faith in himself and faith in his God. In front of a people who had been slaves, domesticated for generations. And THAT is the third level to this lesson, and we'll deal with that tomorrow.