"Final Preparations"

Intro: Setting up the chessboard. The pieces are set into place. Yet the chessboard we are going to see today is a bit different. Pharaoh will have his pieces, all of his gods and his means to show his superiority. Yet God’s end of the chessboard will only have one piece. Himself. And he is setting the stage to set up his glory shown forth. He is getting Moses ready to show himself to the Egyptians and deliver his people.

In much of the same way, God prepares the way of salvation, the new exodus through His Son Jesus. He has done so and that work is finished in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. But he also continues to prepare the way for his glory through his church, that his glory would go forth to the nations, that the Gospel message would be shared and disciples made until Jesus comes again to take his bride.

CTS: God has and continues to prepare the way of salvation for His people.

Background: We have come from chapters 3-4, where God has revealed himself, called Moses, and reiterates his presence and power with Him to go and deliver God’s people. What comes in these verses seems very anti-climactic, but at closer inspection, we are seeing God’s redemptive hand setting the pieces in place. He is preparing Moses and the way that He will go that will lead to the eventual redemption of His people.

I. The Release to Go (18-20)

A. Release from family

Moses begins his journey “back to Egypt” by first going to his father-in-law and asking for his permission to leave. This was a common act that in ancient times, and it was a sign of respect. He would resign his duties as a shepherd of his flock and take Zipporah, his wife and Jethro’s daughter and his grandchildren with him. We see that Moses here doesn’t reveal the whole plan of God to Jethro, for whatever reason that may be. Part of the preparation of Moses is that what was to come was that this grand plan of redemption, this Exodus, would be a costly and life-changing event for him and for the people of Israel. This wasn’t going to be some little vacation. This was going to affect the trajectory of his life going forward.

We are reminded that God reorients our lives around Himself when we become followers of Christ. Jesus himself made it clear in Luke 14:26

Luke 14:26 ESV

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

This goes back to the issue of the call of God upon us, and the preparation of our call is often meant to be one of sacrifice. It causes us to leave behind our old life and look to the life that God has prepared for us.

B. Release from God

But in this paragraph, we get a divine command from God again. As Moses was packing up and getting his family ready, God speaks to him and tells him some important information. “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.” What seems confusing here is that it seems from the text that Moses is already on his way. He has asked Jethro’s permission. It seems out of place, and why would God need to tell Moses this if he is already on his way.

But rather than view this as information that Moses really doesn’t need about his safety, it should be viewed as a declaration to Moses that what He has promised has come to pass. The Exodus has begun. The way has been cleared. Go and do what I’ve called you to do.

And why is not that this for Moses’ safety? Because this is moment in time is the right moment. This is where God will get most glory. Moses doesn’t need to be concerned about safety because God is with him. What is most important is knowing that God has worked his sovereign plan for this very time. Now is the time.

The release from God is a reminder that we are released at this very moment to go and make disciples ourselves. We are released by God to go into our communities, our workplaces, our homes. Each and every moment has led to this point. When you go and begin to disciple that young man or young woman in the church, know that this is the time that God has for it. Know when you begin to take seriously the call of discipleship in your own home with your own children, this is the time and God is already preparing the way for that very call for you. When you begin to take seriously the call to engage your co-workers with the Gospel and live out your faith, the way is prepared by God for it. ‘

And within that release is this phrase of “the staff of God.” What was Moses’ staff is now called the staff of God. A symbol of the saving power of God. Our sign of the power of God is the cross itself, as one commentator puts it. (Leland Ryken)

Exodus—Saved for God's Glory (Moses Takes His Leave)

The staff was a visible sign of God’s saving power, and now God’s saving power comes through the cross. The place to find God’s power is not in some supernatural wonder but in the message of the cross where Christ was crucified for sinners...It is through the cross of Christ that God has accomplished the greatest exodus of all, leading sinners out of bondage to sin and into relationship with him. The divine power represented by God’s staff is available to everyone who lays hold of Jesus Christ.

II. The Preparation of Conflict (21-23)

Facing the hardened Pharoah (21)

The Lord also reveals to Moses in this speech what is to come. What is to come is difficulty. A clear reminder to Moses and to us is that just because God has called us to something doesn’t mean that there won’t be any conflict involved in it. As I said weeks ago, quoting an encouraging author, when the Gospel goes forth into dark places, how can we not expect the Enemy to be waiting for us? Moses is about to face Pharaoh, but it is also a reminder that it won’t be Moses who will do battle with Pharaoh, and ultimately the Enemy, but God himself.

The miracles won’t convince him : The miracles that Moses will do, these initial ones that are meant for the Israelite elders, two of them will be replicated to Pharaoh. But these will be rejected. Also, we will see that 9 plagues will do nothing to convince Pharaoh to let Israel go. Moses was already warned this in Exodus 3:19

Exodus 3:19 ESV

19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand.

God will harden Pharaoh: This is the first instance of a phrase that will be used often in the coming chapters. Pharaoh’s heart will be hardened. Here, it specifically states that God will harden his heart. We also know that Pharaoh’s heart is already hardened as well. What we see here is a two-fold idea that is evident throughout all of Scripture: the responsibility of man and the sovereignty of God. The purpose behind this hardening is simple, but doesn’t mean it is easy to understand at times. One commentator reminds us of the purpose (Douglas Stuart)

Exodus Excursus: The Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart

His purpose in preventing Pharaoh from giving in too easily and too early was, as will be seen in subsequent parts of the narrative, to allow himself fully to demonstrate his sovereignty over Pharaoh, the Egyptians, the land of Egypt itself, and the gods in which Pharaoh and the Egyptians trusted

In essence, what we are seeing is God reducing the “god-like” Pharaoh to mere putty in his hands, being molded and shaped to show his glory. But it wasn’t as though Pharaoh didn’t act of his own wickedness and stubborness. The responsibility of Pharaoh will be seen clear enough, but we will also see that within that, God is working and using Pharoah so that his glory shown forth. The end of this very hardening that Pharaoh will go through will show Israel that He alone is God, and also will show the Egyptians and the surrounding nations that He alone is God as well. Human responsibility and God’s sovereignty. Both true throughout Scripture. A great tension we find. Much ink has been spilt over it and argued over it. But in the end, God’s goodness and plan marches forth.

God’s plan for the firstborn (22-23)

Moses is then told what he must tell Pharaoh. It’s a two-fold declaration about sonship. First, God will identify his people, the Israelites, as his firstborn. This description is found sparingly throughout the Old Testament, but it is an important one. He uses this language purposefully because God will deliver his people by the very means of dealing with the seed of the enemy.

This theme of the firstborn son will come into mind later throughout the Bible, as we know that out of Israel will come a son that will do what Israel did not. We will see throughout the rest of Exodus, and really, throughout the rest of the OT how the firstborn son Israel is disobedient and doesn’t live up to their command as God’s people to be a light to the nations. A seed will come forth, the Son of God, that will be a light to the nations, the light of the world. He will obey the Father’s will perfectly, to be without sin. And he will lead his people out of sin and death, and purchase salvation not only for Israel but for all nations and peoples who put their faith and trust in Him.

The seed of the woman, the snake crusher, the seed of Abraham, is still in play here in Exodus. The firstborn son would carry on, while the seed of Pharaoh, his own firstborn son, will pay the price for oppressing and enslaving God’s people. Where God’s firstborn will thrive and His promise kept, the seed of the Enemy will die.

Application: This section reminds us again that God’s plan will continue on, but it also reminds us that within that plan, there is always the prospect of difficulty and conflict. God was preparing Moses to understand that when he goes, Pharaoh will refuse to let his people go. There will be a battle waged. There will be conflict. For us today, the calling of God’s people, the church, is filled with difficulty.

For the believer in the workplace, to follow biblical principles and to do work honestly will often be seen as outrageous and counter-cultural. Whatever you may be doing, to stand as a witness for Jesus Christ will not be easy. The enemy goes forth and desires that the witness of God’s people is blunted. Your mission field, your obedience to the call to go and make disciples, will be challenged. People will reject it, make fun of it, and even go as far as to try to silence it. Be prepared for it, but never lost heart over it. God will bring forth his plan!

III. The Reminder of the Covenant (24-26)

And out of nowhere seems to come these next three verses. They are some of the most enigmatic and difficult verses in all of the Bible. The text is difficult in Hebrew to interpret, and there many varying views of whom the Lord is angry with and why He is angry with that person. I’m going to explain it a certain way, but with great humility because the text is that enigmatic.

The issue lies here with, who is the him in verse 24? Some of you may have translation that provides the answer by calling the him “Moses.” That is a viable option to whom God is angry with, but the text doesn’t specifically name Moses. That has to be driven from surrounding context. The other option is that the him refers to Moses’ son. Regardless, I have struggled with this text, and many have as well. Though Moses isn’t named in the text, I do believe that it is him that God is going to kill. But why? He just called him, gave him instructions, and told him to go. Why would he then all the sudden want to kill Moses?

The issue comes from the rest of the text. Moses’ son is uncircumcised, and apparently, Moses should have known better. And this is most likely a case of how God’s people in Egypt began to forget the covenant stipulations with God. Each male was to be circumcised. Gen 17:14 makes this clear

Genesis 17:14 ESV

14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

This was to be a sign that they were God’s people. This would also keep the Israelites from becoming unequally yoked, as that this sign would reveal whom they belonged to.

Zipporah, whom is a Midianite and knows the circumcision law, realizes that their son has not been circumcised, and its the reason for the anger against Moses. She circumcises him and, again, the Hebrew text is enigmatic with the ESV provided “Moses” instead of him in verse 25. I don’t think that is correct, but rather, the foreskin was touched to their son as a concluding ceremonial act, which is also provided with the words that Zipporah speaks that “he is a bridegroom of blood.” What does that mean? This means that he is a part of the covenant community, that through the act of circumcision and the means of the blood, he is a groom that is ready to be part of the covenant community of God.

So, what in the world does this mean? Why was this such an issue that God was willing to kill Moses over it? Because God takes his commands seriously, and he takes his covenant seriously. Moses was going to be leading God’s people out of Egypt, and part of this preparation is to get Israel out of Egypt, but also, that they would need to get back to the worship of Yahweh. Again, I’ve used the phrase not original to me, but that God would also be getting Egypt out of Israel. So, in order to do that, Moses needs to be following God and worshiping Him as He has revealed himself. He needs to be doing the covenant sign that was told to his forefathers. He neglected his duty as head of the home. He should have known better. And this is a serious command, for it identifies the Israelite people with God. This would be the case in his instructions of the Passover in Ex 12:43-49

Exodus 12:43–49 ESV

43 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the statute of the Passover: no foreigner shall eat of it, 44 but every slave that is bought for money may eat of it after you have circumcised him. 45 No foreigner or hired worker may eat of it. 46 It shall be eaten in one house; you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house, and you shall not break any of its bones. 47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48 If a stranger shall sojourn with you and would keep the Passover to the Lord, let all his males be circumcised. Then he may come near and keep it; he shall be as a native of the land. But no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. 49 There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”

For us today, this reminds us that though circumcision is not required for us to be part of God’s people, it does remind us the seriousness of the covenant. That seriousness is not transferred to the great need of our own redemption, and that us being identified as one of God’s people rests in Jesus alone. We must be circumcised in our hearts, a new heart from the cold and stony hearts that every person has because of sin. Col 2:11

Colossians 2:11 ESV

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,

Ephesians 2:11–13 ESV

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Faith in Christ is what makes us part of the covenant. And it is in Jesus that we are saved. Without this circumcision of the heart, we are dead and lost in sin, headed to judgment. Heb 9:22

Hebrews 9:22 ESV

22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

It is in Jesus’ blood sacrifice for us, that our sins are forgiven. That is received by faith alone. The book of Galatians talks about false teachers that had come in and were making requirements that went beyond faith, that keeping the Law was essential to salvation. Jesus plus works in essence. But that is a false gospel, and you may be in here today, and think that by coming to church or being a good person is going to save you, and then a little bit of Jesus thrown in for good measure. No, it is solely through Jesus Christ that we are saved. Please don’t be deceived. You must recognize and repent of your sinfulness, put your faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God that he died for your sins, rose from the dead three days later, and that He is Lord.

Application: We must be serious about the gospel. It is the only means of salvation, and without faith in Jesus, people face eternal death, hell, without him. Now today, the means of our remembrance of this covenant is seen in baptism. We signify that those that have trusted in Jesus Christ show by visual sign that they have repented and believed through the beautiful picture of baptism. It is also the means of entrance into the local church, into the body of Christ. That the sign of the covenant is also sustained through the regular partaking of the Lord’s Supper. These ordinances are vitally important to the church. They don’t save in of themselves, but they are markers and means of God growing us and sustaining us as disciples.

IV. The Fulfillment of Promise (27-31)

These last verses are in essence like “I told you so” to Moses. Aaron meets up with Moses, just as God promised. Moses explains everything and Aaron accepts it. Moses and Aaron then go to the elders of Israel, and wouldn’t you know it, after Moses and Aaron show them the signs, they believe. What is interesting is that there is nothing indicating here that they asked Moses who God was, or said they didn’t believe him. All they did was show them the signs and they believed!

And the natural response of the glory of God being shown forth is that belief and worship. They believed that God heard their cries, saw their afflictions. God didn’t give up on them. God has saved them. And they worshiped in light of that Good News.

Application: If God makes a promise, you can bank on it. God is on mission to save people. And if we are faithful to proclaim the Gospel to our community, our state, our nation, and to our world, God will save people. We may not see it, and maybe someone else will get to harvest it. But through the work of the church, people come to faith. This is our mission, that God will make worshipers. This is the end of our work. No, not to have a country club mentality of the church. Not to check off on our list of “being a good Christian” so God is happy with us. No, the end of what we do as God’s people, what He has prepared us for, is so that there would be more worshipers of the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s how we show love for Him and love for others. The more people that worship Jesus, that’s good! More worship of the one worthy of it! And more worshipers means that those people are experiencing life as they were created. We love people by showing them the best way. This is why the cost of rejection is worth it, the difficulty is worth it, because in the end, we want them to have heard the Good News and to believe in Jesus so that they can have eternal life, a life fulfilled in Jesus. That’s our end! That’s what God has prepared each of you for. In your home, in your workplace, and maybe calling some of you out of where you are at. God has prepared you to go and make disciples! And he will keep his promise to be with you as you do it.

Remember that the preparation for us, our salvation, lives, our calls, is given a promise. Paul in Philippians knew this promise. That promise was read already this morning, but it bears repeating again in light of the work of God and his setting the pieces in place to bring about his plan of salvation, and preparing his church to proclaim the new exodus of Jesus Christ from sin and death. Let these words remind us

Philippians 1:6 ESV

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.