Acts 8 Observations

Acts 8:1 This corroborates the observation about Acts 6. The Apostles were able to continue in Jerusalem because of their apostolic mandates, mantles, and callings from YAH. They were given enablement and empowerment (grace) from YAH to remain there. Stephen did not have the anointing of an apostle. He was anointed to be a deacon.

Yet he took on apostolic-level devils and was not able to stand. There are different levels of devils assigned against different giftings from YAH. The Messiah taught there is a difference in devils when he said, “This kind…” This implies that all devils are not on the same levels.

And YAHUSHA rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.  Matthew 17:18

Then came the disciples to YAHUSHA apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?  Matthew 17:19

And YAHUSHA said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.  Matthew 17:20

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting (emphasis added).  Matthew 17:21

Acts 8:9-11 Likewise, people will increasingly disbelieve Truth when the number of preacher idols that fall and fail them begins to escalate. Idols eventually do come down. Dagon is an example of this (1 Sam. 5). People without true shepherds will begin to look to the Simons of this world for answers. We are vulnerable to such profiteers when we have not a strong love of Truth.

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  2 Thessalonians 2:10

And for this cause Elohim shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:  2 Thessalonians 2:11

That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.  2 Thessalonians 2:12

Acts 8:23 What is the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity? Is this related to money?

Exodus 15 Observations

Exodus 15:7 Moses said in his song that YAH overthrew the Egyptians that revolted against Him. Notice that he did not say that the Egyptians rose up against Israel. This reminds me of the scripture that says that YAH’s messengers (angels) hearken unto the voice of His Word (Psa. 103:20). YAH’s Word had already gone forth and had been decreed 400 years prior. He promised Abraham that his seed would be delivered out of Egypt. YAH’s Word is inseparable from Himself.

Therefore, Pharaoh defied YAHUAH, Himself, the Word that He had already given to Abraham, and not Israel whose deliverance was not because of any innate goodness in them. Moses directly described this truth in Deuteronomy.

YAHUAH did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:  Deuteronomy 7:7

But because YAHUAH loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath YAHUAH  brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.  Deuteronomy 7:8

Know therefore that the YAHUAH thy Elohim, he is Elohim, the faithful Elohim, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;  Deuteronomy 7:9

Again, Pharaoh defied YAHUAH Himself. YAH always defends His Word. So, Pharaoh was engaged in a losing and very costly proposition.

There is an old saying, “The safest place is in the will of YAHUAH.” His will is His Word. When we obey (do) His Word, we are under the protection of YAHUAH when we abide in obedience to YAHUAH’s Word. This does not prevent the wicked one from trying to get at us to lay claim to us as Pharaoh did. We need not fear, however. YAH overthrows them (not flesh and blood; but if flesh and blood clings to wickedness, flesh and blood receives the justice and judgment of YAH that was not directed at them initially) that rise up against Him. His wrath abides on the wicked one and those who are in his employ. Our job is to stay on the paths of righteousness and to not sin with our actions, intents of our hearts and mouths (as Israel often did and Job did not).

Exodus 15:16 “…till the people pass over which thou has purchased.” The Children of Israel were blood-bought at Passover in Egypt. Passover continues to be a picture of redemption. We have been blood bought by the blood of the YAHUSHA Messiah.

Exodus 15:19 I’ve always been puzzled why Pharaoh did this even after seeing the ten plagues. Perhaps an explanation is that they attributed the parting of the sea not to YAH, but to some natural phenomena.

Exodus 15:26 A great promise from YAH.