ISRAEL MY GLORY

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Aug. 4, 2021  |  Gen. 15:12-16; 45:25-46:7, 26-27; 50:24-26  |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we begin the transition from the Formation Stage in God's program with Israel to the Exodus Stage.  While the majority of this message is spent in Genesis, its design is to set the groundwork in place for a comprehension of what we are taught in the opening chapters of the book of Exodus.  A major theme that is focused upon is the prophecy of the word of God concerning the time in which He would visit His people in Egypt, and bring them hither again into the land of Canaan.  We see God dealing with Israel via prophetic time schedules as early as Genesis 15, and the demonstrations of faith in Israel's fathers concerning those promises as shown in Jacob, Joseph and others.

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Aug. 11, 2021  |  Gen. 15:12-16; Exo. 1:1-2:10  |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we continue our transition into the Exodus Stage of God's program with Israel.  We return to Gen. 15 to note some additional details about the timeline God gave to Abraham, and to appreciate God's reasoning behind delaying His purpose for so long.  God is not haphazard in His dealings, nor is the timeless One in a hurry to bring His objectives to pass.  He is willing to wait while His wisdom plan of glory lines up and works itself out according to His good pleasure.  Afterward, we then slide into the opening chapters of the book of Exodus and begin examining God's word come to pass in the prophesied time.  A summary of Israel's hard bondage in Egypt is given, followed by the details concerning the goodly birth of Moses in the fourth generation.  Things are about to get exciting!

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Aug. 18, 2021  |  Exodus 2:11-3:15  |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we continue our examination of the Exodus Stage of God's program with Israel.  We take a look at an event that occurred in Egypt 40 years after Moses' birth and cross-reference it with the testimony of Stephen in Acts 7 to gain an appreciation for its significance as it relates to Moses' understanding of God's promise to Abraham.  Afterward, we survey Moses' flight into the land of Midian, his new life there and the internal struggles that he has as a result of misunderstandings about God's timing.  Finally, we are faced with the appearance of the LORD in the burning bush, the commissioning of Moses, the revelation of the name Jehovah and we are given to understand even more about the time issue as it relates to God's prophetic dealings with the nation Israel.

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Aug. 25, 2021  |  Exodus 3:13-4:23  |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we take a further look into the commissioning of Moses and the memorial of the name Jehovah.  We briefly examine some examples of the memorial concept that Jehovah's name is to be for Israel's generations, and then explore the further details of God's instructions to Moses.  Of special importance is the message with which Moses is sent back to Egypt.  The LORD declares His purpose with His nation and the son-ship relationship that He desired to have with them.  These details help us set up and better understand the events that will follow as the Exodus narrative progresses.

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Sep. 1, 2021  |  Exodus 4:19-8:19  |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, our goal is to examine the impact of the provocation of the name of the LORD  upon the Adversary.  Special instructions are given to Moses by the LORD in which God makes a point of the importance of Moses saying and doing specific things in the presence of Pharaoh.  There is a designed hardening that is to be produced by the doctrine of the name of the LORD, and the communication of it is meant to stir a response from the Adversary to engage in a battle.  The grip is tightened upon Israel as a result of this, and the LORD will begin to systematically dismantle Satan's defenses and put on a show that hallows Jehovah's name throughout the earth in accordance with His purpose for the nation Israel in the land.

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Sep. 8, 2021  |  Exodus 7:14-14:18  |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we take a quick sweep across the 10 plagues that the LORD brought upon Egypt, identifying passages and noticing the sequence of progress from one to ten.  Afterward, we begin focusing on the particular emphasis of the doctrinal communication of the name of the LORD to Pharaoh and the Egyptians as the showdown unfolds in Egypt.  We see a logical progression of communication in the statements of the LORD in what He begins making known about Himself as Jehovah.  Claims are made about Himself, His separateness as God, and His objective with Israel in connection with His repossession program for the earth.

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Sep. 15, 2021  |  Exo. 3:16-18a; 4:29-31; 5:19-21; 6:1-9; 8:20-23; 10:1-2; 11:1-3; 12:26-27, 35-36, 40-42; 13:8-10, 14-16
Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we consider the lessons of Jehovah's name to Israel as taught while they remained in Egypt.  An emphasis is placed upon the first of the two expressions of Jehovah's name, I AM THAT I AM.  We talk about matters related to Jehovah's truth and how that His words can be confidently relied upon.  We cover the range of time spanning Moses' initial contact with His brethren and running through the judgments of the 10 plagues.  In these chapters, we find a number of different issues of importance as it relates to Israel, and also provide a basis for learning many lessons about our own selves in the process.  Ultimately we find that the program is all about Him, and not about man.  Amen!

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Oct. 13, 2021  |  Exo. 14:1-30; 15:1-21  |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we examine the final stage of Israel's exodus from Egypt with the account of the crossing of the Red Sea.  In addition to the historical event, the song of Exodus 15 gives us insight into the spiritual warfare that took place in the sea as the LORD went forth as a man of war.  Through the information given to Moses, along with the further explanations taught later in the psalms & prophets, we learn about the enemy that was in the sea and the great victory the LORD wrought in perfecting Israel's deliverance.  The birth of the nation Israel as Jehovah's son, even his firstborn, is surrounded by redeeming and purchasing power of Jehovah-ness going into effect for their salvation.  Truly the none is like unto the LORD, and His right hand is glorious in power as He triumphs over the enemy!

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Oct. 20, 2021  |  Exo. 15:22-27; 16:1-36  |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we begin our examination of Israel's education in the wilderness concerning Jehovah's name, I AM.  Having been brought out of Egyptian bondage, it is time for them to be proven for what kind of servants they will be in connection with the LORD's purpose.  Through a series of trials prior to arrival at Mt. Sinai, the LORD makes manifest what is in their hearts toward Him and His word, and He lays bare their utter need for His Jehovah-ness to make them into a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  By their own efforts, Israel can never attain unto their calling, but in the LORD is found all they will ever need.  The question that remains is:  Will Israel learn this lesson the easy way or the hard way?

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Oct. 27, 2021  |  Exo. 17:1-16; 18:1-11  |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we continue our examination of Israel's education in the wilderness concerning Jehovah's name, I AM.  With the first and second trials behind them, Israel is made to be confronted again with their inability as a nation to provide life for themselves.  However, in the LORD is to be found all the provision that Israel will ever need.  The rod of God begins to factor into the account prominently once again as Jehovah's word meets Israel's murmuring, and that rod of judgment in Jehovah's truth is likewise shown to be the rod of provision in Jehovah's grace.  The LORD is their provision, their protection and the one in whom Israel's purpose will find power for fulfillment.  The last three of the five trials demonstrate this in a marvelous way and give Israel yet more opportunities to learn the lessons of Jehovah's name.

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Nov. 3, 2021  |  Exo. 19:1-25  |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we arrive at Mt. Sinai with the people of Israel in fulfillment of the word of the LORD.  According to the token given to Moses in Exodus 3, the nation has now been delivered, instructed and set at liberty to serve God upon this mountain and following.  The one issue that is outstanding for them as it relates to their vocation of son-ship service is a matter of spiritual fitness.  As Jehovah's servants, they need perfect righteousness and perfect holiness in order to be utilized in connection with His purpose on the earth.  Accordingly, the proposition is set before them and the choice has to be made by them concerning where from they desire to have that spiritual fitness come.  They have seen what the LORD has done for them, but now the offer is laid before their faces to attempt to attain by their own performance through obedience and keeping of the law.  Will Israel place confidence in their own flesh or demonstrate a heart that has learned the lessons of the wilderness and call upon the name of the LORD?  In this message, we find out where Israel stands spiritually speaking in relation to the name of the LORD.

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Nov. 10, 2021  |  Exo. 33:19 |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we delve into the further details of the giving of the law to Israel.  On repeated occasions, we see the warnings issued to them concerning the importance of their spiritual steadfastness to the LORD in view of the law contract. Despite the many things that should have caused them to think on their ways, the people persist and the law is ratified by blood.  Soon after, the nation enters into a grievous transgression against the LORD and against the law in the graving of the molten calf.  Per the terms of their performance agreement, Israel deserves to be consumed and destroyed under the law cursings.  Nevertheless, the legal reserve clause is introduced as the LORD shews them the glory of who He is as Jehovah, and provides for them despite their spiritual foolishness.  Lasting impacts will be seen from the contents of this lesson concerning The Legal Reserve Clause.

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Nov. 17, 2021  |  Lev. 26:1-46 |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we begin to take a look at one of the most important chapters in the Bible as it relates to opening the understanding to Israel's program under the law.  That chapter is Leviticus 26; a single chapter of 46 verses in the word of God that touches almost everything following it.  This critical chapter is paramount in understanding the coming developments in Israel's program, so we take the time to begin orienting ourselves to its structure and terminology.  The concepts covered in this message will serve as a foundation for the development of the subject in future lessons.

Bro. Joshua Edwards  |  Nov. 24, 2021  |  Lev. 26:1-46 |  Download Audio  |  Youtube

In this message, we delve further into the details of the five courses of punishment.  The primary goal of this lesson is to outline the characteristics of each course and familiarize ourselves with the cures that the LORD said that He would bring upon Israel if they failed to comply with the law contract.  Each course is looked in in brief detail and compared with related passages in Deuteronomy 28.  Finally, we place general descriptions of the corresponding time period with each course and set the stage for much of the rest of our study in this lesson.