No doubt, we are all familiar with the story of the Israelites' captivity in, and deliverance from, Egypt. It all began when, because of the severe drought that had stricken the region (Genesis 46:1-47:12), Jacob and his family moved down to Egypt from Canaan. Initially, because of Joseph's standing, Jacob's descendants enjoyed the favor of the Egyptians; but after Joseph died and the Israelites began to increase in number (Exodus 1:6,7), another king, who did not know Joseph, arose in Egypt. This new king began to fear that in the event another nation invaded Egypt, the Israelites would turn against them (vv. 8-10). This fear led the Pharaoh to subject the Israelites to slavery and to make their lives and their work very difficult (vv. 11-14).
When Pharaoh saw that his increasingly burdensome demands did not slow the growth of the Israelite nation, he commanded that all male infants born to the Israelites be put to death (vv. 15, 16). Because the midwives feared God and refused to obey the ungodly command, God blessed them (vv. 17-21). Then Pharaoh commanded that all male infants born to the Hebrews be thrown into the river (v. 22). God was with His people during this difficult time, but though God watched over them, the Israelites remained in captivity. It was not yet time for their deliverance.
During this time, Moses was born to Amram and Jochebed (Exodus 2:1, 2; 6:20). Because of the king's decree, Jochebed hid Moses for three months. When she could no longer hide him, she made a floating bassinet and put Moses in it among the reeds by the river (v. 4). There, Pharaoh's daughter found him and was moved to take him in and raise him as her own (vv. 5-10). Though Moses was in a favorable position, it was not yet time for Israel's deliverance.
When Moses was older (about 40) he went out to his fellow Hebrews to see about their burdens. While there, he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew man. Moses intervened and killed the Egyptian (vv. 11, 12). Though some may have believed this was the way to secure freedom from the Egyptians, it was not yet time for Israel's deliverance. Because there were witnesses to his deed, and because he feared for his own life, Moses fled to Midian (vv. 13-22), where he lived for another 40 years. It still wasn't time for God to deliver Israel.
Now, we come to the time in the Bible record when God spoke from the burning bush, telling Moses he would be the one through whom God would deliver His people from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 3:1-4:17). God told Moses that he would be the one to bring the people out (3:10) of Egypt. He also told him that He would do many wonders that would eventually convince Pharaoh to let them go (3:20). Initially, Moses was disbelieving, but he went with his brother Aaron and did all the Lord had commanded him as he sought to deliver the Israelites (Exodus 5-12).
We know that all of these things happened just as God said they would. Moses, with God's help, did deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Though some may wonder even today why God waited, why the people did not rise up in rebellion, or why Moses did not use his influence while he lived in Egypt. We know one thing; God delivered the people, and He did it in His own time and way.
We can speculate until time ends about the what ifs and why nots associated with the Israelites' deliverance, but that does not change the fact that God did deliver them in His own time and in His own way. Neither should we overlook this fact as we consider God's deliverance of mankind from sin.
We can speculate endlessly about why God didn't send the atoning sacrifice [His Son] earlier than He did, but the fact remains that He did send Him (John 3:16). While we might wonder about what God could have done, we know He did accomplish our deliverance from sin through Jesus Christ and no other (cf. Acts 4:12). Wrangling over what could have been is a fruitless exercise; we should be content with what God has revealed to us-before time began, He established the plan of salvation to be accomplished in Christ (cf. 2 Timothy 1:8-10; 1 Peter 1:8-20).
But, like some of the Israelites who complained when Moses' plea caused them further hardship (cf. Exodus 5:20, 21), many today see God's way of deliverance as being too difficult, or too exclusive, or simply too narrow. And like some of the Israelites on the way to Canaan, they complain about the way, or even seek to return to captivity, rather than simply continuing to trust that the Lord's way is best and that the end is salvation. As strange as it may seem, some people simply do not believe the Lord knew what He was talking about, and they think they know a better way! For example:
Some Believe That Everyone Will Eventually Be Delivered. The Universalist teaches that, in the end, no man will suffer the punishment of eternal hell. They argue that God is too loving to send anyone to such a fate. According to this false doctrine, it doesn't matter what we do here on earth; in the final judgment, God will overlook our evil deeds and bring us all into eternal life in heaven. Let us remember that the Israelites were delivered only when God brought them out. Even those who crossed over the Red Sea were not assured of entrance into the Promised Land; those who complained in the wilderness and turned away from God did not enter. Deliverance was not universal.
Some Teach Salvation by Other Means. God's word plainly tells us salvation is found only in Christ Jesus (Acts 4:12). Still, many people (even some who profess to believe) claim God has provided many ways to eternal life. Let us also remember that the Israelites came out of Egypt only by God's power and means.
Some Argue Against God's Clear Commands. Jesus plainly said we must believe and be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16). The apostles taught this same message (cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21); yet, some today argue that being baptized would mean being saved by works. Or they tell us they can't understand why we need to be baptized, thus dismissing it as unnecessary for salvation. These men teach a faith-only concept of salvation, with man having no part in it. The requirement to be baptized doesn't fit their theology; thus, they argue against God's plain teaching found in the Bible.
Can you imagine the Israelites trying that with Jericho? Remember, God said the city was theirs (Joshua 6:2); did that mean they didn't have to do anything? Keep in mind, this isn't a question about what God could have done, but a matter of what the people had to do and how God gave them victory over their enemies when they obeyed.
When--by faith (Hebrews 11:30)-the people marched around Jericho in the way He commanded, the walls fell by God's power. Israel had to do something, and that they did, believing that God's word would be accomplished, although [to say the least] by unconventional means. Who would argue that Jericho's walls would have fallen had the people refused to march around the city?
Today, when we obey God's commands; that is, we have faith and are baptized, we do so trusting in His promise to deliver us from our sins and raise us up to spiritual life in Christ (cf. Colossians 2:11-13). Though we may not understand how or why baptism accomplishes forgiveness, we must trust God's word and believe that He will forgive us when we obey; after all, it is done by His working. Our obedience is absolutely necessary because God said it is then (when we obey and are baptized) that He will do the work of making us spiritually alive. He will not do it at any earlier point. Though you may not completely understand why God said it must be done in this way, please believe that it is God's way, and it is the only way we can be delivered from our sins. Remember, the road to salvation is narrow and difficult (Matthew 7:14). Follow God's way!
Brother Harper has reiterated the old and powerful story of Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The lesson learned is that God delivered them when and how He chose. Sadly, many have not learned the lesson embodied in this story's eternal principles. What do I mean? Let's observe a short list of some of the mistakes being made by the religious thinkers of our time:
- Taking obedience out of the equation. Many religions teach that God's grace provides a free ride to salvation. Such a thing was never in God's mind. Look carefully at Old-Testament history and see if you can find even ONE example where a person who disobeyed one of God's commands did not suffer severe consequences. Yes, we may prefer not to obey, but God always has required it, and He always will!
- Considering mental assent equal with Bible faith. We can all agree that faith is absolutely necessary for our salvation. The Bible powerfully teaches this truth (John 8:24; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6). To see the Bible's definition of true faith, carefully study Hebrews 11. Faith isn't just believing in God, His Son, and what He did for us on the cross. True Bible faith is obedient faith. "But now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith." (Romans 16:26)
- Designing worship to please ourselves, instead of God. The majority appears to have forgotten Jesus' commands concerning worship (Matthew 15:8,9; John 4:23,24). Worship is paying homage to, glorifying, honoring, and expressing love for God. It should aim to please Him. How can my worship glorify God when its only purpose is to please me and make me feel good about myself? God wants and commands worship, but He wants it to conform to His desires-not ours. When we come together to pay Him respect and show Him honor, we cannot do it if we tailor our worship around our own needs instead of seeking to please Him. We need to cater to Him-not the desires of the majority. (KMG)