http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/june2006/bobd629.htm
 
EGYPT AND THE WORLD SYSTEM PART 2
 
In Egypt and the World System part one I explained Abram worshiped the Lord and was then thrusted further and further into Egypt which typifies the World System.I stopped at Genesis 12:13 where it says "Say,I pray thee,thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake: and my soul shall live because of thee." In verses 9-13 (part one) I showed how each verse corresponded to the meaning of that number. The link is at the top of the page if you would like to check it out.I would like to share with you verses 14 to 16 and do my best to describe the exactness of God's mathematical system of biblical numbers.I am thoroughly convinced we will learn something about God,ourselves,and others because it is that exact.
 
Verse 14 says "And it came to pass,that when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the women that she was very fair." Fourteen has a consistent meaning of deliverance or salvation throughout the Word of God.Verses 14-16 have what I would call an inverted meaning relative to the corresponding verse it is in.The reason for this is because the Holy Spirit is describing the exact opposite of God's Kingdom."When Abram was come into Egypt" he is now"deep" into the World System.It is also the verse where "the Egyptians beheld the women." The subtext was juxtapositioned in verse 14 because it speaks of how somebody can look at another person. If you will bear with me I will explain. For all that is in the world,the lust of the flesh,and the lust of the eyes,and the pride of life,is not of the Father,but is of the world. 1 John 1:16.This is how the Egyptians (World System) were looking at not only Sarai but Abram.As we walk through Egypt (World System) anywhere we go people will probably look at us from this perspective.We have the ability to look at other people in this way even though it is wrong. This verse is couched in 14 because it again shows us the exact opposite of how God looks at us. According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world,that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Ephesians 1:4. Before the foundation of the world God saw our "deliverance and salvation." The world sees or "beholds" us according to the guidelines of 1 John 1:16. Remember verses 14-16 of Genesis Chapter 12 are inverted in their meaning so we would compare Egypt (World System) to God's love through His Son Jesus Christ.God looks at us with pure love as opposed to Egypt (World System) that looks or does nothing from the motive of Godly sincerity or earnestly.Everything starts with the way we look at somebody or something.Then we move forward from that point.
 
In verse 15 "The princes also of Pharaoh saw her,and commended her before Pharaoh: and the women was taken into Pharaoh's house." The number 15 has a consistent meaning of rest throughout scripture. When the World System has the power to seize someone (Sarai) that is the exact opposite of who Jesus Christ really is and His system of government. Come unto me,all ye that labor and are heavy laden,and I will give you rest.Matthew 11:28. Remember all these verses about Egypt and the World System are under the canopy of chapter 12 (God's Governmental Perfection) because God on purpose allows these evil things to happen. God is still in perfect control.Think about verse 15.That is a lot of power to just seize somebody and take them under your control but God has always allowed the World System this horizontal latitude.The World System even seized Jesus Christ the Son of God in their human control,tortured Him and nailed Him to a cross. The Bible is explicitly clear on this issue. In whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,who is the image of God,should shine unto them.11 Cor:4:4. Who is "the god of this world'? The devil.Satan only has this kind of power to seize somebody or a group because God gave it to him. The devil is "the prince of the power of the air"and Egypt (World System) and their seizing power is the outgrowth or fruit that "worked in the children of disobedience."Ephesians 2:2. Egypt seized Sarai for their own benefit  not for noble righteous reasons.God takes control of our life because of His pure love for us.That is a lot of power God grants the devil but even in our own life we still have to understand that we are under God's government (Chapter 12) first because we are His children.Abram typifies the believers journey.He sinned (lied),he was exposed to the devil's seizure yet he was a child of God under His heavenly government.Just keep in mind as children of God the devil may seize us in one way or another into "Deep Egypt." Don't be too shocked if this happens because God has given the devil power but he can only do this if it passes through the Triune Godhead (God the Father,Son,and the Holy Spirit).I have made a little observation in this world.People abuse their power because they can.It's that simple.
 
Verse 16 says "And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep,and oxen,and he asses,and menservants and maidservants, and she asses,and camels." The number 16 has a consistent meaning of love throughout Scripture. It is very interesting to me that the Pharaoh "entreated Abram." Even with all his earthy power he still had to do this. The Bible says..."for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,which accused them before our God day and night." Revelation 12:10. Why wouldn't the devil just bypass accusing the brethren (true believers in Jesus Christ)? Because it is not in him.In all his temporary earthly power he can not stand the fact that he has no true seizure power over God's children.With God's permission he can persecute Born Again Christians but we are God's possession.He is now accusing us before God day and night because he hates the reality that God owns us rather then him (the devil). All he can do is find our sins and start accusing us.Notice just like verse 16 this is a lack of power-a step down as it were.The Pharaoh had to entreat Abram after the seizure took place.The devil has earthly power but still goes before the throne of God accusing us because we are a stumbling block to him. Entreatment in this manner is the exact opposite of God's true love through his Son Jesus Christ.Of course God had to invert the meanings of verse 14,15,and 16 to describe the World System (Egypt) and show us a glimpse of His true love. God exposes us to false love to test our faith to see if we want His love.God loves us very much but my fear is the average person will get engrossed in the entreatment of the World System so much that they won't seek His love through His Son Jesus Christ.Think about this, we can go one way(entreatment from the World System) or the other (pursue God's love through His Son Jesus Christ). As far as the World System is concerned sometimes I feel it's almost as if they want the perks of goodness but don't desire to put the work into it.We are pure through Jesus Christ our Lord.Remember when the World System is entreating us while we are in "deep Egypt" we have a choice to pursue God's love when we do a comparison study.We don't have to be seduced into something that does not have anything to do with Jesus Christ.
 
As you can see in verse 14 the World System (Egypt) beheld.In verse 15 they had the power to seize and they did. In verse 16 in all their power they still entreated.I think we should remember that when we are in this World System we should expect these bad unsettling things to happen;however, where there is evil there has to be an opposite.The point is God put us through all this so we can pursue God's Goodness through His Resurrected Son Jesus Christ.The Bible says that conditions are going to get worse yet the best is yet to come in Jesus Christ.If you are not a Christian, by accepting Jesus Christ into your heart you are pursuing pure Godly unconditional love which will freely be granted to you through your faith by God's grace.
 
Love in Christ
  Bob D.