A Perfect Deliverance
Exodus 12:31-51
- We’re continuing our study through the book of Exodus.
- As we study each passage, we’re asking the question, “What can I learn about honoring God from this passage?”
- Last week, we looked at the First Passover, which the Children of Israel observed just before God sent the final plague, the death of the firstborn.
- We looked at the process of Passover, the purpose for Passover, and the power of Passover.
- This week, we’re going to look at the perfect deliverance, as God frees His people from their bondage to the Egyptians.
- I’m reminded of a game we used to play when I was a kid.
- It was called Capture the Flag.
- A bunch of kids would split into 2 teams, and both sides would hide their flag on their side of the playing ground.
- Once the game begins, the goal is to get the flag from the opposite team and run it back to your side of the field without getting tagged.
- If you are tagged while on the other team’s side of the field, you go to a space set aside for jail.
- The game wasn’t over for you yet, though.
- If someone from your team runs over and touches you, then you’re freed from jail and can go back to playing.
- I was never very fast, so usually when I played, I’d end up in jail.
- One of the worst parts of the game is sitting in jail for the entire time.
- So, when someone from my team came running toward the jail to set me free, it was always such a relief, and motivated me even more to play harder and not get tagged again.
- Obviously, that was just a game, so getting freed from jail wasn’t really that big of a deal.
- For the Israelites, however, their freedom was part of a real, life-changing deliverance.
- They were going from being lowly slaves, working hard for the Egyptians, to becoming free men and women, finally headed to the Promised Land with God on their side.
- So, let’s look this morning at God’s perfect deliverance of Israel.
I.) They didn’t leave empty handed- Vs 31-36
- At this point, Pharaoh and all of Egypt are at a low point.
- They’ve been devastated by all 10 plagues, but especially the final plague that took the lives of Egypt’s firstborn.
- It was too much for them to handle, but it was all part of God’s judgment on them for their stubbornness, their wickedness, and their refusal to let the Israelites leave.
- So, in vs 31, we see Pharaoh finally tell Moses and Aaron, “Get out of here!”
- It’s interesting the way he says it though.
- He says, “Rise, go out from among my people…and go serve the Lord!”
- Instead of humbly admitting defeat and repenting of his wickedness, Pharaoh once again attempts to be the one in control by commanding them to go.
- Obviously, he says this in desperation after he saw the Mighty Hand of God take all of Egypt’s firstborn, but still, it shows you how arrogant he was to think that he had any authority over God’s people…
- But remember, the Lord predicted this…
- He told Moses in Chapter 11 vs 1 that “When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether…”
- No matter how much Satan or wicked men and women think they’re in control, they never truly are.
- God knows what they’re going to do before they do…that’s because He’s omniscient, which means He’s all-knowing…
- Absolutely nothing surprises Him…
- So even though Pharaoh thought he was the one with the power to let them go, it really was God who was in control, and it was God who delivered His people.
- In vs 32, after all he’s put Moses and the Israelites through, Pharaoh has the nerve to ask for a blessing.
- It’s interesting because at first glance, it appears that Pharaoh is admitting defeat and acknowledging that God is the One with the True Power.
- However, when we look at vs 33, we’re told that the Egyptians urged the people to leave quickly because they were afraid that the next judgment would bring death on all of them.
- So, Pharaoh is being pressured by his people to let them go, and of course Pharaoh doesn’t want another plague to come on Egypt.
- So, it’s like he was backed into a corner, and didn’t have a choice, but as we’ll see later, he wasn’t truly ready to let them all go.
- In vs 34, we see the Israelites leaving in a hurry, with unleavened bread dough and kneading bowls.
- I recently read a book about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad.
- She was known as the “Moses” of her people.
- She was born a slave but dreamed of freedom.
- One day, she heard about the Underground Railroad, a group of men and women who helped slaves escape into Northern territory where they would find freedom.
- When she found out her master was going to be selling her, she left late one night, and started making her way through the woods of Maryland, headed for Pennsylvania and freedom.
- All she brought with her was a bandanna with an ashcake and a good-sized salt herring wrapped inside it.
- It wasn’t much, but it was enough to get her to the first stop on the Underground Railroad, where she had a nice meal, and continued to move on until she got to freedom.
- After she made it to freedom, she felt God wanted her to go back to Maryland and help other slaves escape on the Underground Railroad since she knew the way.
- Before the Civil War was won and all the slaves were set free, she helped over 300 slaves escape from slavery to freedom.
- And what did she have them pack for the trip?
- Ashcake and salt herring in an old bandanna…
- Basically, these slaves were leaving almost empty handed, but they left with the faith that God would use Harriet Tubman to lead them to freedom.
- Here in Exodus, however, the Israelites didn’t have to leave slavery empty handed.
- God provided for them through the Egyptians.
- As they were leaving, we see in vs 35 that they asked the Egyptians for silver, gold, and clothing.
- The interesting thing is that vs 36 tells us that God gave the Israelites favor in the sight of the Egyptians.
- But wait a minute…didn’t every house in Egypt just lose their firstborn child?
- And hadn’t the God of Israel sent a total of 10 plagues on their land, completely devastating Egypt?
- Yes, but here’s what I believe happened…
- Remember, the Egyptians were very superstitious and worshipped a lot of different deities.
- Now, they’ve watched as God Almighty, the God of the Israelites, has done exactly what He said He would do, sending plague after plague after plague…
- So, the Egyptians are realizing that the God of the Israelites is very real, and they need to treat His people well, otherwise, God might continue to judge them with more plagues.
- That doesn’t necessarily mean that they were choosing to worship the One True God and forsaking their false deities…
- However, it does show you that God showed Himself as real to them, and they knew that He is the Lord.
- The other interesting thing about this is that the Israelites have been slaves for a very long time now.
- They worked hard, and built huge pyramids and monuments and palaces and whatever else the Egyptians forced them to do…
- Yet, they never got paid for it because they were slaves.
- But now, God is not sending them away empty handed.
- They are leaving with a whole lot of riches…gold, silver, jewels, nice clothing…
- God told Abraham this would happen in Genesis 15, promising that his descendants would march out of Egypt loaded with plunder…and now, vs 36 says “They plundered the Egyptians.”
- So, thinking about deliverance in relation to us as New Testament believers, we also are not left empty handed when Christ delivers us from sin and darkness.
- In Romans 11:33, Paul says, “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”
- Then in Ephesians 2:7, he says, “so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
- Again, in Ephesians 3:8, he says, “…this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ…”
- In Colossian 2:2-3, we see that we are “…knit together in love and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
- Those are just a few of the many verses referencing the spiritual treasures we find in Christ when we give our lives to Him.
- So as Christians who know Him, we might not have much earthly wealth, but just by knowing Christ and being part of His family, we are the richest people on earth.
- It’s a wonderful thing to go from being spiritually empty and lost, to being part of the family of God, full of the riches of Christ Jesus our Lord.
- If you don’t believe me, just listen to the words of Jesus.
- In Matthew 6:19-21, He said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- Here on Earth, we might be blessed with physical wealth and riches, or we might not…
- But that doesn’t matter because we can’t take our earthly riches with us when we die…
- What truly matters is that we are part of the family of God, children of the King of kings and Lord of lords and will be for all of eternity.
- Romans 8:17 says, “And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.”
- James 2:5 says, “God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him.”
- So, brothers and sisters in Christ, Christ has not left you empty handed.
- You are rich in Christ!
II.) They started a journey- Vs 37-42
- When I was a kid, I loved when my family went on vacation.
- My brother and sisters would get really excited leading up to it, and when the day to leave came, we all were up early and anxious to leave.
- One of my favorite vacation destinations was in New Hampshire where we went to see the Old Man of the Mountain.
- It was a huge rock formation on Cannon Mountain and it looked just like a face.
- We’d also stay in a cabin for a few days and we’d go see the bears at Clarks Trading Post.
- I remember when we’d set out on our journey, everyone was smiling and happy to be on vacation.
- Of course, back then, we didn’t have DVD Players in the car, and Gameboys were expensive, so we didn’t have those to occupy our time, and nothing like a Kindle existed yet…
- So, we could read a book, or color, or just sit there and look out the window.
- Obviously, for us kids, the drive could be quite long and boring, especially with six people in the vehicle, and us kids all getting annoyed with one another and fighting.
- Yet it was always worth the long drive because we always had a blast and made great memories together.
- Here in Exodus 12, the Children of Israel are also starting a long journey, and they’re excited because finally, they’re free and they’re headed to the Promised Land!
- I can picture the families all smiling and happy, walking out of Egypt with their belongings and all the riches the Egyptians gave them on the way out.
- Instead of only six people in an air-conditioned vehicle, there were over 600,000 men who could march that were leaving Egypt.
- That’s a huge number, but that’s only the men who were able to walk…
- Add to that the women, children, and elderly men who couldn’t walk, and now you’re talking about 2 million people total who are leaving Egypt!
- Think about that…
- When Joseph’s brothers settled in Egypt, there were a total of 70 people.
- Now, God has multiplied them over a span of about 400 years to over 2 million people!
- It was just as God promised Abraham…
- His descendants were multiplying very quickly.
- Vs 38 tells us that a mixed multitude went with them.
- Remember, back in vs 36, we’re told that God had given the Israelites favor in the sight of the Egyptians.
- Now, as the Israelites are leaving, many of those Egyptians looked at all the destruction God sent to their land and realized that Pharaoh was powerless to stop it from happening.
- They realized that the God of the Israelites was very powerful and was with His people.
- Since the land was almost completely destroyed, and it would take a long time for the nation to rebuild and recover, some of them left Egypt as part of this mixed multitude and followed Israel.
- Others included in this mixed multitude probably were slaves and prisoners of war from other nations that were also in bondage to Egypt, and other foreigners who lived in Egypt.
- Instead of staying, they took advantage of this situation to leave Egypt with the Israelites.
- Later, in the book of Numbers, we see that some of the people in this mixed multitude became troublemakers and caused the Israelites to complain against Moses.
- So, these people joined the Israelites, and also, a great deal of livestock were brought out.
- This was obviously a huge loss to Egypt, but they should never have enslaved the Israelites in the first place.
- Vs 39 is interesting because it tells us the bread “…was not leavened because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves.”
- When Sherri and I and the kiddos go on vacation, it takes a lot of preparation.
- You should see the packing lists that Sherri makes, and it takes hours to gather everything up and pack them in the bags…
- Each person is supposed to help because there’s a lot of work involved in packing.
- But by packing, we are prepared for vacation, and that’s more thanks to Sherri than to me!
- The Israelites didn’t have time to prepare and pack like that.
- This deliverance happened so fast that they didn’t even have time to prepare food for themselves for the journey.
- No, the dough was unleavened!
- When God tells us to do something, we must obey, and sometimes, that’s a whole lot faster than we’d like, but God knows better than we do.
- Notice in vs 41 that we’re told it was exactly 430 years to the exact day that the Israelites had sojourned in Egypt.
- That’s not a coincidence.
- God knows exactly what He’s doing, and He works in His timing, and He does what He says He’s going to do.
- Vs 42 tells us that the Israelites must remember this day, as a memorial of what God did for them.
- Rabbi Ibn Ezra tells us that “Because God shielded them, and did not suffer destruction to approach their houses, He ordered that the night be observed by all Israelites as a night of watching, a memorial of the night of redemption.”
- So, it was to be celebrated and remembered, and it still is today, by those who are practicing Jews.
- So, I was thinking about us as Christians, and how our time on Earth is also a journey.
- Just like the Israelites were happy and excited to begin their journey to the Promised Land, you and I start out happy and excited when we turn to Jesus and begin the Christian journey.
- It’s exciting, it’s new and fresh, and we think we can take on the whole world!
- But just like we’ll see happen with the Israelites, once the first troubles appear, that newfound feeling of excitement and happiness can start to wear off if we’re not careful, and we start to complain.
- Obviously, becoming a Christian is the greatest decision a person could ever make in their life.
- But it’s so important for us to understand that the Christian journey is not meant to be easy.
- If you don’t believe me, just look at what happened to the Greatest Missionary who ever lived, the Apostle Paul…2 Cor 11:23-29
- So, don’t let anyone deceive you into thinking the Christian journey will be all smiles and no problems, or that if you’re really good, God will prosper you…
- No, our enemy, Satan, hates Jesus and hates us because we’re His followers.
- So, you can expect trials and tribulations and persecution…yet we don’t go through these things alone…God is with us every step of the way!
- Turn with me please to Romans 8:18-28…
- The Christian journey in this life might be long and it might be tough, but we know, without a shadow of a doubt that when we take our last breath, we will immediately be in the presence of Jesus Christ our Lord.
- That’s something we can be excited about!
III.) They received instructions- Vs 43-51
- Last week, we looked at the First Passover and the very specific rules the Israelites had to follow as part of their preparation of the Passover Meal.
- Now, on their way out of Egypt, we see God give Moses and Aaron some more instructions on the proper way for the Israelites to celebrate Passover in the future.
- In vs 43, He tells them that no foreigner shall eat the Passover meal.
- Remember, as the Israelites are leaving Egypt, we’re told that a mixed multitude followed them.
- That mixed multitude was made up of foreigners…they were non-Jews who were not part of the Abrahamic Covenant, therefore, they had no business celebrating the Passover.
- However, the Jewish people were called to be a Light to the nations.
- So, as a light, they were supposed to tell their foreign servants and neighbors about Almighty God.
- Therefore, God told them that if any foreigner wanted to celebrate the Passover, they had to convert to Judaism.
- That meant they had to be circumcised and keep the Passover, being careful to follow the instructions God gave in every detail.
- Ultimately, the Passover was pointing forward to Jesus, who would be the Perfect Sacrifice and would give Himself on the Cross for the sin of the world.
- One way the Passover pointed to Christ was through this provision, welcoming Gentiles to participate if they converted.
- At this point in time, it wasn’t easy because they had to completely change everything to become a part of the people of Israel.
- However, one day, when Jesus came, He would die for all people, and salvation would be open to all the world, not just the Jews.
- Another way the Passover pointed to Christ was through the instruction that not one of the bones on the Passover Lamb were to be broken.
- When Jesus, the Perfect Sacrifice, hung on the Cross, He fulfilled prophecy by not one of His bones being broken while He was on the Cross.
- Another way we see Passover here pointing to Christ is through the instruction that the Passover Meal be eaten in one house with one household.
- When we come together as believers, we are doing so as part of the Family of God, the universal Church, united in Christ.
- When we partake of Communion together, remembering His sacrifice, we do so as a family.
- Today, as New Testament believers, we don’t celebrate the Passover, but we do observe Communion, which Jesus told us to do together in remembrance of Him.
- I remember back when I was in the Army, I worked with several different Chaplains of different denominations.
- One of those Chaplains in Iraq was Chaplain Stull.
- He was a Lutheran Chaplain and had been a Chaplain for a long time.
- Lutheran’s are Protestants, and Chaplain Stull was on the more Conservative side of the denomination, keeping to more of Martin Luther’s teachings than some of the more liberal Lutherans.
- I remember going to his church service at the Chapel, and it was a bit different than what I was used to as a Baptist.
- It was more liturgical, but what really surprised me was the way he served Communion.
- He had a fancy cup that he filled with wine and little circle wafers.
- He explained we all were welcome to take Communion but wanted us to know what he as a Lutheran believed about Communion.
- Similar to the Catholics, the Lutherans believe that the bread and juice or wine becomes the body and blood of Jesus, but that it’s united at the most profound level with the blood and body of Christ.
- Obviously, as a Baptist, I view Communion as a symbol and reminder of what Jesus did for us through His sacrifice on the Cross…
- But we don’t believe it becomes the body and blood of Christ, like the Lutherans and the Catholics.
- Chaplain Stull explained that we didn’t have to participate in the Communion if we weren’t comfortable, but that if we did, we didn’t have to view it as the Lutherans did…we could view it however our denomination taught.
- Anyways, the reason I tell you that is because even though he and I viewed Communion differently since we were from different denominations, we both were coming together as believers and followers of Christ to remember what He did for us through His sacrifice.
- When it comes to us celebrating Communion, it’s very important for us to observe regularly because we should constantly be remembering what Jesus did for us.
- I believe it helps us love Him even more.
- Unfortunately, there are certain Churches, even some Baptist churches, that celebrate what’s called Closed Communion.
- With closed Communion, you must be a member of the church in order to take Communion.
- If you’re visiting from a different church, they will not allow you to partake because they don’t know your background, or your beliefs, and they don’t want to serve Communion to an unbeliever, or a person who has not joined the church.
- Our church practices Open Communion, which I believe is the way all churches should observe Communion.
- If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, even if you’re just visiting, you’re welcome to partake of the Lord’s Supper because you are part of the family of God, part of the Universal Church, which is believers all over the world.
- In Scripture, God does give us very specific instructions on how to observe Communion, and we’re going to look at that shortly after the final hymn.
- Just like Passover was extremely important to the Jews, Communion should be extremely important to us as well.
- In closing, I’d like to tell you about the love of Jesus Christ.
- Just like He delivered the Children of Israel from their bondage in Egypt, He also delivers us from sin and darkness.
- He left His place in Heaven to become one of us, then He gave Himself on the cross, dying for the sins of the world, yours and mine included.
- Three days later, He rose from the grave, and now is back in Heaven, on His throne.
- One day, we will experience complete and total deliverance from the sin of this world and the weaknesses of our flesh, when we join Him in Heaven for all of eternity.
- What a wonderful day that will be.
- If you’ve never given your life to Jesus, you can do so today.
- Let’s pray.
