Sunday, December 9, 2012

Narration: Egypt against the Hebrews 6




Narration: The conflict in Egypt against the Hebrews 6 




Series: My trips back


By Ruben Vernal

After a few days, the Lord said to Moses: Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, to show these my signs,
2 and that you may tell your children and your grandchildren the things I have done in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them, that ye may know that I am Jehovah.
3 And Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh, and said Lord God of the Hebrews, say:
'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me. 4 And if thou refuse to let him go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into thy coast,
5 which cover the face of the earth, so are not visible from the earth, and she will eat what escaped, which I was the hail also eat every tree which will bear fruit in the field.
6 And fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians, which never saw your parents or your grandparents, since they were on earth today. And he turned and went out from Pharaoh. 7 And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, how long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Knowles thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?
8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, and he said, Go ye, serve the LORD your God. Who are they that shall go? 9 Moses said, we will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go, because it's our feast to the LORD.
10 And he said unto them! So be Jehovah with you How I will let go of you and your children?! See how evil is before your faces! 11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord, for this is what ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh. 12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, so that they come upon the land of Egypt, and eat all that the hail has left. 13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day and all that night, and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14 And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous as there was none before or after the will; 15 and covered the face of the whole country, the land was darkened; and eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left and there remained not any green thing in trees or in the herbs of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. 16 Then Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you. 17 But now I pray forgive my sin only this once, and in treat the LORD your God that take away from me this death only. 18 And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and prayed to the LORD.
19 And the Lord brought a very strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red Sea remained not one locust in all the land of Egypt.
20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel.

At this point, the servants of Pharaoh are trying to impress him saying Egypt is destroyed. So he resorted to bargain again with Moses. But since it acceded to the demands of God, a mighty wind brought a plague of locusts upon the earth. The results are horrible to contemplate. What had been left after the hail vegetation is now devoured by locusts. The land is bare. It was great to see what was once a fertile land and abundant and no longer see the green from the plants (verse 15.) Again, Seth, Napier, Osiris and Isis are all challenged, so are Shu, god air, and wind god Amun. This terrible plague left the nation to the brink of starvation. In desperation, Pharaoh still confesses sin and ask forgiveness externally. But his contrition is short-lived. For now, Moses already accustomed enough to the Pharaoh's stubbornness not to be surprised again when Pharaoh changed his mind about releasing the Israelites. The question is to know how long will that continue to afflict the Egyptians.
Again the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, both which may be felt. 2 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.
23 They saw his neighbor, nor did anyone rise from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go, serve the Lord, only let your flocks and your herds, your little ones also go with you. 25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.
26 Our cattle also shall go with us, there will not be a hoof, for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God, and we know not with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there.
  
27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let go. 28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to yourself that you cannot see my face, for in that day thou shalt see my face you shall die. 29 And Moses said, Thou hast well said, I shall not see your face.

Aaron and Moses were angry and disappointed, because although Ramses and the Egyptians had been severely beaten with nine terrible plagues practically were in the beginning. Worst of all, and it represented a major disappointment is that the Jews still remained in captivity. It was also noticeable pain both warriors by the lack of respect to the great God of Israel, which if represented for them a serious lack.
Both the sun, when it came to the land of Egypt, as Pharaoh, "the son of the sun", went into eclipse that fateful day. For three days there was darkness so thick, whose oppression was felt that people could not see each other, or leaves. But the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
This plague lasted three days. People could not leave their homes due to the impact of this event. Only darkness comparable to that experienced in a closet with all the cracks around the door covers. This was a direct attack on the credibility of the Egyptian sun god, known by various names: Re, Ra, Atum, Aten and, sometimes, Horus. Indeed, while the Egyptians worshiped many gods, none was so worshiped as the sun. Keep in mind that in ancient times they were very afraid to eclipses, therefore, this three-day total darkness had completely terrified if any. Again, the Israelites lived in Goshen, were not affected. The king tried to make a deal and keep the animals of the Israelites who had not been affected by the plagues of Egypt. It was clear that the food supply of the Egyptians at this time were at a critical level, so for him their demands were justified. But before God, Pharaoh was in no position to demand anything. Then he was enraged to the point of threatening them with death if Moses was not lost from sight.
As Moses and Aaron waiting, the Lord is also angry with Ramses, so they knew with certainty that God would act with extreme harshness to the Hebrew people out of Egypt.
But they never imagined that the Jews, who had been marginalized and in Gosen, now if they had to obey the instructions through Moses receive.
Finally the Lord said unto Moses, Yet will I bring one plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt, after which he will let you go from here, and surely thrust you out hence altogether.
2 Speak now to the people, and that each borrow of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver and gold.
3 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. And Moses was very great man in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, and in the eyes of the people.
4 Said So Moses: Thus says the Lord: About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt
5 and die all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill, and all the firstborn of beasts.
6 And there will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was, and never will.
7 But against all the children of Israel, both man and beast, not dogs move his tongue that ye may know that the LORD makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel.
8 And down to me all these servants, and inclined unto me, saying: Go, you and all the people that are under you, and after that I will go. And in hot anger came from Pharaoh. And the Lord said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. 10 And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: for the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and did not send the sons of Israel abroad.
Within days the LORD spoke unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying:
2 This month shall be your beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year. 3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take every man a lamb according to their fathers, a lamb for an house.
4 And if the household be too little not enough for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next unto his house take it according to the number of people, according to every man's eating shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year, taking it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 And ye shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, and kill it all the congregation of the people of Israel at twilight. 7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.
8 And they shall eat the flesh that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Eat not of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its entrails. 10 You shall let none of it remain until the morning: and what they leave it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. 11 And thus shall ye eat it: your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand, and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's Passover.
12 For I will pass that night through the land of Egypt, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 And the blood shall be for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will touch you when I strike plague of Egypt. 14 And this day will be a memorial, and a feast to the LORD throughout your generations, as a perpetual celebrates it.
The death of the firstborn:

29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle.
30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no house where there was not one dead.
31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Come out from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel, and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said.
32 Take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone, and bless me also.
33 And the Egyptians urged the people to haste out of the land, for they said, We are all dead.
34 And the people took their dough before it was loudest, their bodies wrapped in their clothes upon their shoulders.
35 And the children of Israel according to the commandment of Moses, asked from the Egyptians jewels of silver, and gold, and clothing.
36 And the LORD gave the people ahead of the Egyptians, and gave them what they asked, so they plundered the Egyptians.
The Israelites out of Egypt:
37 and the children of Israel from Ramses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children.
38 also went up with them a multitude of all kinds of people, and the sheep, and very much cattle.
39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought out of Egypt, for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt, and had not had time to prepare food.
40 The time that the children of Israel dwelt in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.
41 And after four hundred and thirty years, on the same day all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.
I stood contemplating such mobilization absorbed so many people, animals and personal belongings as good order and discipline, which seemed like an army going to confront a war. Gone was a city devastated by the migration of so many people that I think caused the beginning of the decline of this great city called Pi Ramses.
After several days the Jews moved away from the city that originally gladly received them with open arms, and then make life very miserable and unfair to subject them to slavery.
Nothing kept me in this city, because my goal had been met to witness one of the staff greatest episodes in the history of mankind.
When you return to see the city, I was sorry to see in the situation which had fallen. You could still see the ravages of the ten plagues that was ravaged by the intransigence of one man of such arrogance and pride that was considered more than a ruling pharaoh. According to the time also demanded worship as equal as or more than several of their gods. Pay the boldness and daring expensive to deal with his half brother, because Moses acted as their god with his brother as a prophet by the express command of God of the scriptures. The price you pay at hauteur his own son, who, being also affected firstborn died in the death of all the firstborn corresponding to the tenth and final plague ordained by Jehovah. I could only say goodbye to Aaron who thanked him for allowing me to ex pectar so great confrontation. Moses saw him away when he came on as leader of this great people. Back in my studio, check some of the old age of Ramses: The last years of his reign saw peace interrupted when they began to pressure from European peoples. Furthermore, would the flight of the Jewish people led by Moses and Aaron.

He died at age 90, in 1213 BC. According to some studies, it is believed that he died of a tooth decay that caused a blood infection. Because of their long life and who had died several of his children, including his favorite, Khaem-Uaset, his son became king Merneptah. After his death began the decline of the power of Egypt.
To finish my story to clarify that I find personally respect what the Bible says, because what she says is true and no one so far can disprove their claims. And another thing is that you believe what she says.
I've used in this story because it is a historical source eloquent, succinct and clear of the events during the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.
Now, I as the author of this narrative I have the freedom to write what I consider a true story. But you as a reader are not obliged to believe it as if it were true, but I point out that the sources are.
The issue is when someone tells you something that has to do with God.
Immediately comes the dilemma of whether to accept what is said on the basis of personal belief that is our personal opinion on that particular subject.
And this is normal for most people that are always going on with the personal opinion but not always correct.
It seemed just like finishing this story, offer what has been written about explanation of the scientific evidence of the ten plagues of Egypt, which obviously do not agree, but I offer you for the sake of intelligent behavior.
And you are free to accept this "scientific explanation" or enjoy and learn something about my story.
Scientific evidence of the Biblical ten plagues:
The ten plagues described in the Old Testament God sent to the Egyptians, from the Pharaoh to let the Hebrews can be much more than a terrible biblical history. A group of researchers has found scientific evidence of the series of calamities that began with the bloodstained Nile, which was followed catastrophe hordes of frogs, mosquitoes and locusts, pestilence, disease and hail of fire, among other terrible evils. Rather than attributing them to a vengeful God, the scientists believe these disasters could be the result of a chain of natural phenomena triggered by changes in the weather and even by a volcanic eruption. Have gathered evidence to most pests.

Most archaeologists believe that the plagues struck the ancient city of Pi-Rameses  on the Nile Delta, the capital of Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II (1279 BC-1213 BC). The city was abandoned about 3,000 years ago and scientists believe that pests may be the explanation. Climatologists studying that time have discovered a dramatic change in the climate of the area towards the end of the reign of Ramses II. After analyzing the Egyptian caves stalagmites have been able to reconstruct a record of weather patterns using traces of radioactive elements in the rock. In this way, they know that the reign of Pharaoh coincided with a climate "hot and humid, very favorable, but only lasted a few decades explains Augusto Magini, paleo climatologist at the University Heidelberg. Then the weather changed, and started a dry period began pests.


First Plague: Water turns to blood
According to scientists; the biblical punishment chain began as follows: The rising temperatures dried the Nile, turning the river into a slow course of muddy water. These conditions were perfect for the arrival of the first plague: the water turned to blood. Obviously, it is not blood, but al reddish appearance of water caused by toxic algae freshwater. The Oscillatory rubescens, known as Burgundy Blood algae, has a length of at least 3,000 years and is causing the same effect today. When he dies, dye the water red.

Second, third and fourth plagues: frogs, mosquitoes and insects
The invasion of algae opened the door to the arrival of the second, third and fourth plague. Hordes of frogs, mosquitoes and other insects capable of harming people and livestock. Possibly, the arrival of the toxic algae forced the frogs to leave the water where they lived. When dying amphibians, mosquitoes, flies and other insects were free of one of their predators, and multiplied uncontrollably.

Fifth and sixth plagues, pestilence, incurable sores and rashes
The multiplication of the insects in turn caused the fifth and sixth plagues, the Bible describes as pestilence, epidemic diseases that wiped out the cattle, ulcers and rashes and incurable diseases which seriously affected the population and that could be transmitted by mosquitoes as the malaria.

Seventh Plague: Hail of Fire and Ice
To make matters worse, another natural disaster more than 400 miles away could be the origin of the seventh, eighth and ninth plague, bringing fiery hail, locusts and darkness to Egypt. One of the largest volcanic eruptions in history occurred when Thera, a volcano that was part of the Mediterranean island of Santorini exploded about 3,500 years ago, releasing billions of tons of volcanic ash in the atmosphere. Experts from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Germany believe that the volcanic ash could have clashed with thunderstorms above Egypt to produce a spectacular hail.

Eighth, ninth and tenth plagues: locusts, darkness and death of the firstborn
 
As explained by the Canadian biologist Siro Trevisanato, author of a book on pests, falling ash could cause weather anomalies, which translates into higher rainfall and increased humidity, conditions for locusts. Similarly, the ash could also have blocked sunlight (the plague of darkness). The final plague, the harshest punishment is the death of the firstborn of Egypt, of which the first child of each couple died without remedy. The cause might be a fungus that poisoned the grain supplies. As the first son had privileges, perhaps ate first becoming the first victims.

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