Sermon Series “Exodus”
12:31-38
“Time to Go”
Pastor John Bright
Exodus 12 “31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”
33 And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” 34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.
37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock.’”
Anyone like to share their New Year’s Resolution with the whole congregation? No? Guess you already know the stats and don’t want to be embarrassed in a few weeks.
“The statistics on how many people actually follow through and accomplish their New Year's resolutions are rather grim. Studies have shown that less than 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only 8% accomplish them.” https://www.forbes.com › sites › 2018/12/31 › goals-not-resolutions
Are you aware that gyms, like the YMCA, depend on folks joining in the first two weeks of January who never come back after February?
I found some modern-day resolutions:
The first one is only for the nerds in here – My New Year’s Resolution is 1080p.
I was going to save more, but when you have lots of money it can lead to greed. So my New Year’s Resolution is to spend more – after all, if you really love something… set it free!
My New Year’s Resolution is to be more patient and to do that as fast as possible!
My New Year’s Resolution is to be more assertive… but only if it’s ok with you guys.
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We left Moses and the Israelites in Egypt at the end of the tenth plague of judgement. All the plagues judged the gods of Egypt as false gods. On your teaching sheets, I have been listing the Egyptian gods with a little “g” and then referring to our God (with a BIG “G”) as the One True God. There is a stark difference between these that depends on more than one letter. Do you believe that their gods were false little “g” gods and that our God is the Only True BIG “G” God? What about today? Are there any other BIG “G” Gods? NO! But that’s what is taught and believed. Our Bible teaches there always has been and always will be Only One True BIG “G” God! Period.
That One True God has prepared an “exit strategy” – not a plan to make their lives better in Egypt – a plan for them to GO. So after the tenth plague, the death of every first born, everyone wants them to GO.
• Pharaoh and his officials – Ex. 12 “31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”
• All the Egyptians – 12:33 “And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.”
So through the plagues of judgement, God has shown them this truth: His people should not be held in bondage. God made a way out for them… and for us. Our way out is salvation by the Blood of Jesus and a life of freedom through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now, the plagues have been going on for several weeks, but the Israelites have not been preparing (or in today’s language – they were not prepping). Why? They never expected to leave. They have the mindset of a captive/slave. Do we have the same problem? A common mindset of Christians is “I’m a sinner, saved by grace.” But the New Testament NEVER calls a believer this – in fact, “sinner” is a word reserved for those who are not believers. The word used for believers means “saint/holy one.” Let’s change our mindset to see ourselves as holy ones who sometimes sin rather than sinners who are occasionally holy.
Because the Israelites were not expecting and not prepping – they have to leave NOW without even time to leaven the bread – no time to let it rise. So, they get flat bread or pitas.
Ex. 12:34 “So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.”
In the next chapter of Exodus, we read what this will come to symbolize in the years following their exodus from Egypt - Ex. 13 “6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened bread shall be seen among you, nor shall leaven be seen among you in all your quarters. 8 And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came up from Egypt.’”
The Only True BIG “G” God did it – God wanted them to GO and do it NOW!
How do we remember what God has done for us? Today is Holy Communion or The Lord’s Supper. It is often seen as a meal of remembrance. We need to remember why Jesus suffered and died and rose on the third day. God made a way out of slavery to sin and death for each and every human being – NO MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE DONE! REALLY! Or even what you are going to do. Folks sometimes think they have to be a finished work to come to God, but nothing could be further from the truth. We are all “a work in progress.” Even the pastor – especially the pastor!
So where are we? They GO – Right NOW – with a BLESSING. This was God’s promise to Moses – Ex. 3 “21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. 22 But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”
We have talked about this before – this is NOT the prosperity gospel (which I can’t stand!). Most of what they receive in leaving will be used to created the Tabernacle in the wilderness. More important to see here – God did not give them this blessing in Egypt. He did not want them to have a better life there. They have to GO out to receive a BLESSING.
Remember the Parable of the Prodigal Son? The younger son from a rich family gets his share and spends it all. He ends up with a job feeding the pigs and is so bad off he wants to eat their food. Only comparison I can think of – most of us could not imagine working on a garbage truck. Try to think of life being so hard that you work on that truck and dream of eating the left-over food in the garbage of every home.
When he “comes to his senses” and returns home, the father gives him a robe, a ring and sandals. Why not give him a robe, a ring and sandals while he was still in the pig pen? He would not want to leave. Why do we want to stay where we are and receive our blessing?
Not all blessings are material. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the robe, ring and sandals represent our relationship with God through Christ– the King of Kings and Lord of Lord. Is there something for you to come out of to receive a blessing?
If so... GO – NOW – RECEIVE THE BLESSING of your Abba Daddy that loves you soooooo much! Amen.
TEACHING SHEET
Sermon Series: Exodus
Exodus 12:31-38
“Time to Go”
New Year Resolutions
The statistics on how many people actually follow through and accomplish their New Year's resolutions are rather grim. Studies have shown that less than 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only 8% accomplish them. https://www.forbes.com › sites › 2018/12/31 › goals-not-resolutions
The 10 plagues were necessary to execute judgement on all the gods of the Egyptians. The One True God has prepared an “exit strategy” for the estimated 2 million Jews and now the time has come for a complete change!
Everyone wants them to GO
• Pharaoh and his officials – Ex. 12 “31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”
• All the Egyptians – 12:33 “And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.”
God made a way out for them… and for us.
They GO - Right NOW
Even though the plagues had been going on for weeks, they did not expect to leave. Now the Jews must leave quickly, without even having time to leaven their bread. Ex. 12:34 “So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.”
This will become a symbolic action in the Passover Festival – Ex. 13 “6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the Lord. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And no leavened bread shall be seen among you, nor shall leaven be seen among you in all your quarters. 8 And you shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘This is done because of what the Lord did for me when I came up from Egypt.’”
How do we remember what God has done for us?
They GO – Right NOW – with a BLESSING
This was God’s promise to Moses – Ex. 3 “21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. 22 But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”
Ex. 12 “35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.”
Is there something for you to come out of to receive a blessing?
