Page 188 - Through New Eyes

The World of the Patriarchs 185

while actually defending Israel. Jesus protected and saved
His holy bride by drawing Satan’s fire to Himself.
4. V2y o>en, God people are en.daued during the sqourn outside the
land. Jacob was virtually enslaved by Laban, and Laban
7
regarded him as his slave. Israel was enslaved in Egypt.
Israel was virtually enslaved at the beginning of the
Babylonian captivity. Jesus was dragged before Pilate and
cast into prison.
5. God brings blessings upon His people during the captivip, but
plagues the @rant, either progressive~ or as part of the deliverance.
Abram acquired wealth in Egypt (Genesis 12:16), but
Pharaoh’s house received plagues (Genesis 12:17). Despite
persecution, Isaac became wealthy in Philistia (Genesis
26:12-17). God made Jacob wealthy in Mesopotamia, but
gradually recapitalized Laban (Genesis 31:5-12). Israel
multiplied in Egypt (Exodus 1:12), but Egypt was plagued.
The Ark brought plagues on the Philistine during its cap-
tivit y (1 Samuel 5:6-6:1). David gathered an army and
wealth while in exile, but Saul was plagued by demons
(1 Samuel 16:14; 22:2; 1 Samuel 25). The Jews prospered
in Babylon; and important Jews were found at court, while
Nebuchadnezzar was driven insane (Daniel 4). The work
of Christ on the Cross redeemed the world, ensured our
blessing, and destroyed Satan, while apostate Israel was
plagued by demons during Christ’s ministry and through-
out the book of Acts.

6. God miraculom~ intervenes, often with visions to the pagan lord, in
order to save His people. Noah’s Ark and Flood were miracles,
as we have seen. God’s glory appeared to Abram in Ur (Acts
7:2). God appeared to Abimelech to deliver Sarah (Genesis
20:6-7). Angels came to save Lot, and worked miracles (Gen-
esis 19:11). God appeared to Laban and ordered him to
leave Jacob alone (Genesis 31: 24). The miracle of Passover
saved Israel from Egypt (Exodus 12). The plagues on Philistia
were miraculous (1 Samuel 5-6). God appeared to Neb-
uchadnezzar and converted him, causing him to favor God’s
people more than before (Daniel 4). God sent Pilate’s wife
a vision (Matthew 27:19). God raised Jesus from the dead.
7. Vhy often the seqfient tries to sh$i blame and cwcuses the righteous
man of being the cause of his dijiculp. Thus, Pharaoh blamed