The Exodus Begins (Exodus 12:29-41; 13:17-22)

(This is supplement 7 to the #HeartChat Bible study taking place every Friday morning at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, 6:30 Pacific USA. Pastor Mike is teaching his Escape from Egypt series on Twitter. Click here for class schedule and links to the notes. Click here to follow Pastor Mike on Twitter.)

INTRODUCTION

This teaching is based on a 9-part sermon series I preached in August 2004. The "Escape from Egypt" study is relevant to our day as God will be dealing with a new Pharoah (Antichrist) soon. (Revelation 13:1-18)

PLAGUE #10: DEATH OF THE FIRSTBORN

The 10th plague is a direct visitation of the Lord Himself versus the other 9 plagues (water to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, disease, boils, hail, locusts, darkness) which are intensifications of natural events Egypt was familar with. The emphasis of God taking action in this plague is seen in Exodus 12:12-13, 23, 27, 29. The "destroyer" (an angel it is believed) is the Lord's means.

"Every firstborn child of the Egyptians [dies], but the Israelite children [are] spared because the blood of the lamb [has] been smeared on their doorframes." (NLT 112)

God's reach is seen here (Exodus 12:29) - from Pharoah's own house (the upper echelons of Egyptian government) to the lowest jail cells - in a bad outcome. As it has to do with us: God is able to reach us no matter where we're at and would rather bring about good outcomes in our lives is His first desire. (Psalm 139:7-10; Jeremiah 29:11)

Pharaoh finally gives in, does it God's way and lets Israel go. (Exodus 12:31-32) Why doesn't he (Pharoah) just capitulate earlier? Men and women would save themselves a whole lotta grief and headaches in life if they'd just turn to the Lord rather than wait until things go sour. What is it about us (humankind)?

ISRAEL'S DEPARTURE FROM EGYPT BEGINS

The Israelites have already been attired for this moment. (Exodus 12:33) They've prepared their unleavened cakes so they're ready to depart at a moment's notice. (Exodus 12:34, 39) They've asked for articles of silver and gold and clothing. (Exodus 12:35) And the Egyptians have provided them with these things. (Exodus 12:36)

The Tabernacle in the wilderness will be constructed using these very articles of silver and gold received from Egypt at the departure of the Israelites from there that takes place here. And way back at the burning bush and Moses' encounter there (some 9 months earlier), God spoke of how this plundering of the Egyptians would take place. (Exodus 3:21-22)

The point here is God knows the end of our lives from the beginning and is gonna get us from Point A to Point B (and all the way to Point Z!).

And even the best of Christians can wonder if they're gonna make it and go the distance depending on the challenges that arise. And even Moses in our story did. (Exodus 5:22-23)

And to have the Israelites go from their bondage to slavery for over four centuries (Exodus 12:41) to the point where the slave masters who have treated them so cruelly are going to hand them from out of their own pockets riches let alone release them, I mean, you can't just bring that kind of thing about on your own. You need some outside assistance.

And we have outside assistance in this walk of faith of ours. Don't you ever forget it. "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6; NIV)

The Israelites' departure takes place in the dead of night. (Exodus 12:37) The size of the group departing is believed to be upwards of 2 million people. They are mixed in other nationalities including Egyptians who decide to join up after the miracles they've seen in Egypt. Some of these have been married to Hebrews.

GOD HIMSELF GUIDES THE ISRAELITES

"Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, 'The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.'" (Exodus 13:17)

The first move on the journey is a detour. God leads the Israelites via a longer route so as to avoid the Philistines.

Two truths:

(1) "The best way in God's will is not always a straight line." (My professor in college);

(2) God knows what our breaking point is and won't push us past it.

You might think you're so tough (spiritually speaking), but there is stuff out there that you can't handle. (Mark 14:66-72)

And sometimes God leads us this way when we thought we should go that way. After all it's shorter (our story today). But He knows best and sees the affects that certain situations will have on us to the point where we might even abandon the faith. God does not put us in the pressure cooker beyond what we can handle. (1 Corinthians 10:13) There is encouragement in this. Whatever you're going through, God seems to think you're up to the challenge. You might not think you are, but He obviously does or He wouldn't have allowed it. You're made up of a whole lot more than you think you are.

"Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, 'God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones from here with you.'" (Exodus 13:19)

Joseph spoke/prophesied of this very thing long before Moses was a twinkle in his father's eye and here it is happening! (Genesis 50:22-26)

Joseph states what is to be a promise (Genesis 50:25) to be held on to by the Jews during their captivity in Egypt ~ that they will indeed leave some day (and continue on to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob). It sure doesn't look like it for some 430 years and up until the 9 months of plagues. But if God says it's gonna happen (via Joseph in Genesis 50!), then it's gonna happen.

What's God spoken to you and it seems impossible that it'll ever happen?

Two truths of the Christian life:

(1) Upon leaving Egypt, the Israelites are not left alone to fend for themselves. Instead, they are led by the Divine Presence and realize it through the direct and continuing manifestation of God's glory. (Exodus 13:20-22)

So we, too, who have left "Egypt" and the bondage to sin are not left alone to fend for ourselves, but we receive the Holy Spirit to direct and guide us in the way we should go just like the Israelites of old. (Isaiah 30:21) We have the Divine Presence within our heart! (John 14:16-17; 1 John 4:4b)

(2) And just as the Lord won't remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from the Israelites sight and experience (Exodus 13:22), so He'll never leave us nor will He ever forsake us in our journey with Him and promises to always be there to be looked to and called upon for guidance and help. (Hebrews 13:5)

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Do you know anyone that it's gonna take a crisis in their lives before they'll come to Jesus Christ for forgiveness? Was that you before you got saved (gave your heart to God)? If so, why did you wait? (Exodus 12:29-32)

2. Have you ever wondered if you were gonna make it? (Exodus 5:22-23; 12:33-41)

3. We all have a breaking point. God knows it and won't push us past it. (Exodus 13:17) How does the thought of that encourage you?

4. What's God spoken to you and it seems impossible that it'll ever happen? (Exodus 13:19; Genesis 50:22-26)