God had a definite plan to set the Israelites free from their bondage


God had a definite plan to set the Israelites free from their bondage to the Egyptians and bring them into the promise land. But only when their groanings were in accordance with the promise of God, God knew that the time for their deliverance was ripe.

However, the manner in which God brought about their deliverance was not something that they had anticipated. They expected God to deliver them speedily and with as least discomfort as possible. However, when Moses and Aaron approached Pharoah and performed some very basic miracles, before Pharaoh, which Pharoah’s magicians also duplicated, Pharoah’s heart was hardened and that made him oppress the Israelites even more! This displeased them and made them angry on Moses and Aaron.

Later, when one plague turned into 10 plagues, God’s mighty power was displayed on their behalf and their hope for deliverance became a reality, Exodus 10. However, God’s aim was not just to deliver His people, but to also ensure that Egypt was steadily destroyed, His glorious power revealed and this story was passed onto their subsequent generations so that they too would be encouraged to put their trust in the Lord and do exploits for Him too, vs 1-2. God revealed to Moses and Aaron that it was only after the firstborn of every Egyptian and that of their animals were killed that Pharoah would agree to let the Israelites go, Exodus 11:1,5, and this is exactly what happened, Exodus 12:29-32.

Only those who were circumcised could partake of the Passover meal, signifying that only those who had cut of the flesh with its sinful lusts and desires could partake of the protection and cleansing of the lamb that was slain on their behalf, Exodus 12:43-49! Further, during those seven days no yeast was to be found in their homes at all, vs 18,19, Exodus 13:6-8! Once again, this signified that the putting away of all sin was mandatory before one ever thought of partaking of the Passover Lamb!

In today’s day this means that before partaking of the Breaking of Bread which represents the Passover meal, we must confess and forsake all known sin. And because God sacrificed the Lamb for their redemption, representing the Son of God, they too had to sacrifice an animal to redeem each of their firstborn sons, Exodus 13:11-16, whose lives were preserved when God struck the firstborn of Pharaoh and the whole of Egypt. Next, God took them by the the way of the Red Sea and not by the way of the Philistine land (which was nearby), Exodus 13:17, in order to show them His awesome miraclous power by parting the Sea and simultaneously drowning the Egyptians who pursued and followed them therein, Exodus 14:21-31.

The questions that we need to ask ourselves with reference to the above passages are:
*Am I more interested in being delivered out of Egypt so that I can live for myself or am I interested in Egypt being taken out of me so that my life can count for God in my generation?

*Do I partake of the breaking of bread realising that it is an opportunity for me to take sin seriously and walk in daily repentance, knowning that Jesus has shed His precious blood to cleanse my sin and expects me to proclaim His death by my living for Him until He comes again ?

*Am I groaning, in faith, for the promises of God to be fulfilled in my life, home, Church and Nations, or am I expecting the same to be fulfilled automatically?

If we answer the above 3 questions in the as per God’s desire, then needless to say, we won’t be found making the same mistakes that the Israelites made, when they complained and grumbled everytime things didn’t go as they expected it to. Instead, we shall be like Moses who knew the ways of God, and were not just looking for His acts before we can offer unto Him the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips that give thanks to Him in all situations!

Rowena Thomas
Mumbai, India.