The Stories of Jude: Exodus

Bottom line

Do you trust the Lord, even when times get tough?

Opening Line

Have you ever imagined yourself as the hero of the story you are reading or watching?

Introduction

When we are reading a story or watching a movie, it is easy to be critical of the characters in the story. As the reader or watcher, you have this advantageous point of view where you see things the characters do not. How many of you are the people who yell at the screen when someone is going to do something you know is going to end badly?

I prefer a movie or story where the plot is not so predictable. I like the kind of movie that keeps you guessing, and just as you think all your conclusions are about to be confirmed, everything gets twisted on its head and you are left wondering how you were ever so wrong.

Main Point

The reason I start here is because I believe that people always assume the best about themselves and the worst about other people. I think this is especially true when it comes to the narratives of scripture. If you have been a believer for a long time, it is easy to be sucked into the trap of judging the people in the story. Especially in the Old Testament, as you read the stories and mishaps of the people of Israel. How can they keep making these same mistakes over and over again? Without saying these exact words, what you believe deep down is that if you were in that situation, you would have fared much better then they did.

However, that is not the way the New Testament authors approach the stories of the Old Testament. Paul says this in 1 Cor 10:6

1 Corinthians 10:6 NLT

These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did,

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Paul reminds the the church in Corinth that the stories of the Old Testament are not meant to puff us up, but are meant to be a warning. You are just as susceptible to temptation and sin as they were, so do not take the warnings of Scripture lightly. Instead of elevating yourself to a position of superiority, place yourself in the story among them and recognize that without Christ, you would probably err just as they did.

Why it matters

This is mindset you need as we dive into the stories that Jude references in his short letter. I want to take time over the next couple of weeks to really dive into each story so you can appreciate why Jude referenced that specific story. For some of you, this will be a refresher of stories you already know. For some, this could very well be the first time you are hearing these stories, so I am trying to pick out details that important for you to know. Ultimately, I would encourage everyone to go back and read these stories for yourself so you can appreciate the depth of them. Jude is writing to a group of people who probably grew up memorizing these stories and hearing them preached regularly in their synagogues. So I hope to bring a similar level of familiarity to each of you.

So with that. let’s go to Jude to find out what our first Old Testament story is.

Scripture

Jude 5 NLT

So I want to remind you, though you already know these things, that Jesus first rescued the nation of Israel from Egypt, but later he destroyed those who did not remain faithful.

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Couple points of interest before we get to the story. As I said, Jude expects a certain level of depth of understanding. Though it is a brief mention, this is the story of all stories when it comes to Judaism, and by extension Christianity. This is a story that is so embedded in the minds of the church that everyone reading that sentence instantly knew what Jude was referring to.

Second point is that Jude says it was Jesus who led Israel out of Egypt. Now there is surely a lot of comments that could make on that statement, but I want to simply say this. Jesus taught that He and the Father are one, so it lends to the fact that if God was leading the people, Jesus was right there as well. What Jude is not saying is he is not separating the characteristics. The Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit are all the same when it comes to character and purpose. They may be three separate persons, but they are perfectly one God. Jude is not saying that because the Exodus was a saving action that Jesus did it and not God. They are one and the same, and all three persons are equally involved in all points of history and scripture.

With that, let’s dive in. Pop quiz, what story is Jude referring to here in verse 5? The Exodus. Jolly good! So here is the Pastor Matt’s abbreviated version of the Exodus, because I am going to attempt to sum up three whole books of Scripture in 10 minutes. Here we go.

Exodus 2 sets the stage of our story.

Exodus 2:23–25 NLT

Years passed, and the king of Egypt died. But the Israelites continued to groan under their burden of slavery. They cried out for help, and their cry rose up to God. God heard their groaning, and he remembered his covenant promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He looked down on the people of Israel and knew it was time to act.

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The nation of Israel moved into Egypt during a severe famine 400 years prior to this verse. Israel had become so strong and numerous that Pharaoh began to feel threatened by the people and placed a heavy burden of slavery upon them. The Israelites cried out to God help, and He sends Moses to them. What would follow is a show down between Egypt’s gods and Israel’s God. Ten plagues would be inflicted upon Egypt, each one hurting either the people or the economy of Egypt. By the time the tenth plague hit, the Egyptians were begging Pharaoh to release the people, but his pride would not allow it.

Which brings us to the tenth plague, the death of all the first born sons of Egypt. We pick it up in chapter 12

Exodus 12:6–7 NLT

“Take special care of this chosen animal until the evening of the fourteenth day of this first month. Then the whole assembly of the community of Israel must slaughter their lamb or young goat at twilight. They are to take some of the blood and smear it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the animal.

Exodus 12:12–13 NLT

On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn son and firstborn male animal in the land of Egypt. I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt, for I am the Lord! But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt.

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I mention the lamb because it is an absolutely critical part of the Passover story, and how it relates to us today. The lamb had to specially set aside, and it had to be perfect. No defects, no sickness, no injury. A perfect lamb was what was required for this sacrifice in order for Israel to escape the coming judgment.

The angel of death sweeps through the land, and every Egyptian home wakes up to loss. From the lowest slave to Pharaoh himself, everyone lost someone. So the Egyptians chase the Israelites out of the land. The people are free, and on their way to begin their new life. Then someone happens.

Exodus 14:5–6 NLT

When word reached the king of Egypt that the Israelites had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds. “What have we done, letting all those Israelite slaves get away?” they asked. So Pharaoh harnessed his chariot and called up his troops.

As is typical for this Pharaoh, he changes his mind. He just released all his slave labor force, and so he and his army take chase. The people are on the shores of the Red Sea and see the chariots coming and begin to panic. Water on one side, the armies of Egypt on the other. What are they going to do?

Exodus 14:15–16 NLT

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.

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Moses raises his staff, and the Red Sea parts, walls of water on either side of dry ground, and Israel begins their pursuit. They go into the waters slaves of Egypt, and emerge the other side a new, free nation. As Egyptians take chase, they are trapped in the middle of the sea, and the waters retake their place, and the army is wiped out.

Israel is free, and instantly enters into a time of rejoicing and praise. They are so excited about the power of God that has just been displayed.

Then the hardships come. Over the next 3 books, the people would complain about everything and anything. They didn’t like Moses’ leadership, they didn’t have food, they didn’t like the food that God miraculously provided for them every morning. The water was bitter. Every time, God miraculously and generously provides for them. There are a few points of correction along the way, but God never fails to be faithful.

Which brings us to Number 14. The people have arrived on the shores of the Jordan River. On the other side of the Jordan is the promised land, and land flowing with milk and honey. So Moses sends 12 men to spy out the land. When they return, 2 of them can’t wait to march in and take the land. But 10 of them see the giants and fortified cities. They tell the people is it impossible for them to take the land. So this is their response.

Numbers 14:1–4 NLT

Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”

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This is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Not only are they unwilling to trust the Lord and take the land that has been promised to them, but they want to go back to Egypt, back to slavery, because they have convinced themselves that it really wasn’t that bad, and it is surely better then this.

So what does God do? He sends them on the 40 year journey, just long enough for the current generation of men to die and the next generation to rise up, take their place, and conquer the land.

This is the story Jude is referring to. The Passover became an annual feast week, an act of remembrance of how God saved the people. It was also just before Passover that Jesus was crucified, and it was on Passover that Jesus was raised from the dead. What Judaism celebrates as Passover, the church celebrates as Easter.

Transition to Application

Now let’s retell the story of the Exodus, but I want to put you into the story.

Everyone starts in Egypt. Everyone starts as a slave to something. Whether it is sin, addiction, destructive habits; whatever it may be, the sin nature that you are born with places you in your own personal Egypt.

If you are a believer in Jesus, then you have had your own personal Passover. See Jesus is the pure spotless lamb, the only perfect sacrifice that could pay the price so you could be freed from sin. It is by the power and grace of God Almighty that you have been set free to live a new life. Maybe some of you haven’t made that decision, and maybe you don’t feel trapped in life. Trust me, one day you will, and the free gift of God to set you free will be waiting for you.

Some of you have been baptized. Just like Israel, you entered the waters of baptism a slave to sin and came out a new creation in Christ, fully integrated into the family of God. If you haven’t been baptized, I’d love to fix that problem. It is necessary part of your journey as a believer.

But this is where you connection to Israel actually continues. See as you learn to trust God more and more, it can be tough at times, and in those moments when it is tough, the draw to go back to Egypt begins to well up. The hardship of life has a way of influencing your memories, and the old ways begin to feel familiar. Even after Israel becomes a nation, God put laws in place that they were not to deal with Egypt because they would be tempted to go back to the old ways. Some of you still struggle with the pull of Egypt.

Some of you are standing at the Jordan River, and you know that blessings and fulfillment are awaiting you on the other side, but you also see the giants that await. You see the challenges and obstacles and feel like they are simply too big to overcome. All the while, God is standing next to you, cheering you on, encouraging you to trust Him, that He will fight these battles, and the end result will be worth it. Maybe some of you have already decided that the challenges are too much and have started wandering back.

Main To Do

Every one of you has an Egypt. There is something in your past that keeps tugging at you, trying to draw you back, away from the life and freedom you’ve been given by Christ. What is it? What is your Egypt?

Some of you are having your Jordan River experience. You know God has called you to something, but the challenges and obstacles in your way have you worried. What is it that God is calling you to?

Why it matters

This week, I want you to identify what those two things are. I want you to take a journal if you don’t have one, and have a conservation with God to identify these two things.

Then I want you to identify someone who can help you overcome them. You are not meant to face these challenges alone. You are supposed to do life together. So who is the person you trust these things with and will walk with you through the thick and thin?

You need to overcome your personal Egypt and Jordan Rivers. If you don’t, you will always be at risk of falling back into your old ways, and this is what Jude was warning the church about. It was by grace that God saved Israel, but God also passed judgment on those who rebelled against him. You have been saved, so live as saved people. Do not claim freedom and continue to live as slaves of sin, desires and passions.

Closing Line

By His love, He has made you more than conquerors. So live as conquerors!

Discussion Questions

What stood out from this morning?

What would you say is your Egypt? Why does it have so much pull in your life?

Are you facing a Jordan River experience? What is God calling you to? What is standing in your way?