Saved By God's Power. Lead by God's Glory

Introduction

For the past couple of months we have seen, alongside Israel, many amazing signs and wonder. God has been busy in Egypt, waging war against the land and its Pharaoh. He has done so for one reason, His glory and the praise of His name (Ex. 9:16). It has been an epic adventure to see. Indeed, the entire exodus story so far has been quite riveting. We’ve had courageous midwives, wise and caring mothers, a strong but foolish prince, a man with seven daughters in the wilderness, an unbelievably stubborn Pharaoh, and of course the burning bush. This has all been leading up to one point: the salvation of Israel for the glory of Yahweh. This has largely been accomplished. There is one more thing the LORD is go to do. Before we get to that we are going to review why we can and must have absolute trust in the power and character of God.

Background

The scene of our story has now shifted. We are no longer in Egypt and we won’t be going back. Israel is free of Pharaoh and their chains. Our saga now turns to a journey through the wilderness, one that becomes a sojourn lasting forty years. The people are on their way to meet there maker, literally. There they will get to know Him even as they now see Him. His law is coming and His provisions for them will soon start. As we said, one last great act is coming. First there are so things to review.

Exposition

Trust in the Lord’s Work (vs. 17 - 18)

Verses 17 - 18: Notice how Moses says Yahweh, and not himself lead the people. Even as the LORD delivered Israel by a powerful hand (Ex. 13:3,9,16), so He leads the people as they began their journey. This isn’t to say Moses is or not longer will be in the picture. He’ll be around for 40 more years. Moses is merely highlighting Yahweh as the chief actor. It was the LORD that first led Israel to Egypt (Gen. 46:4). It is the LORD who just delivered Israel out of Egypt (Ex. 12:51). This fact is repeatedly affirmed in scripture (Lev. 11:45, Deut. 20:1, Judg 2:1;6:8, 2 Ki 17:36, Amos 2:10). It is the LORD that will the people into the land (Ex. 13:5). Israel’s birth, journey, and receipt of inheritance shall come by the hand of God. Again, none of this discounts Moses’s role. It places it in perspective. Moses is the vessel who used by Yahweh for His glory.

Permit me for a moment to take this truth and expand its reach to our lives today, for both leaders and laity. If you are saved it is because of the Lord (Eph 2:5-6, cp. Rom 5:8. Our continued salvation, that is our sanctification is by the Lord (Phil 2:13, 2 Thess 2:13, cp. Heb 2:11; 10:10). Our complete salvation will be by the Lord (Phil 1:6, Jude 24). We serve Him by His power. We would fail any other way, just as Moses did (Ex. 2:11, Acts 7:24 - 25) because apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). For those of us in leadership specifically, our gifts are from God for His glory (Romans 12:5-8, 1 Cor 12:11). We ought always to remember this, lest we destroy ourselves and the people under us. From beginning to end it is by God’s hand for His glory. None of this is to say we are to sit around and do nothing. On the contrary, after Paul lays about the great indicatives or truths of our salvation in Eph 1 - 3 he calls us to respond appropriately in Eph 4 - 6.

Trust in the Lord’s wisdom and leading (vs. 17 - 18)

Another thing to notice is the LORD’s avoidance of the closer and more well traveled route, known as the way of Horus. This certainly would have been more convenient. The quicker Israel gets to the promised land the better, or so it might seem. In reality this path was full of perils for the soon to be nation, the path of destruction for which they weren’t yet ready. This is not our first introduction to the Philistines. We have seen encountered them briefly in Genesis with Abraham and Isaac. They were not enemies of the patriarchs then and have not been enemies to the Israelites now. That will change in the promised land, and ultimately they will be defeated and subjugated by David, but that time is not now. Ancient records reveal the Philistines to be a mighty people, one that even challenged Egypt at one point.[1]

Having just been freed from slavery with no combat training, the new nation would have been decimated. The LORD Himself indicates the people would lose heart and try to return to their bondage in Egypt. One might object at this point that the Lord could work mightily on their behalf just as He did in Egypt. This is true, but is wasn’t the LORD’s purpose for His people at this time. Instead the LORD led the people in such a way as to ensure their reliance on him. Yahweh knew what they didn’t, the outcome of the wrong path, and how to best lead the people to His purpose for them. Israel’s journey and future inheritance, like her deliverance would serve as a display of God’s glory and be for her good as well. It goes without saying the shortest path is not always the best and the quickest option is not necessarily good. Through Israel came out like an army, she was not yet battle ready and needed to be built up in the LORD. The LORD led them in such a way as to prepare them for when they needed to fight while trusting Him as they do.

Our journey in our Christian walk isn’t by sight, sense, or even our hearts. We must have heartfelt trust in the LORD (Prov 3:5-6). He cares for us as a father cares for his children and won’t do anything that causes our destruction. While we are not led to physical battles, we do face spiritual battles, not all of which we can handle right upfront. Nor can we necessary do what he has purposed for us at the beginning of our salvation. Remember we can’t even handle the meat of the word upfront. We have to start with the milk. Spiritual growth is a process and the Christian walk a marathon not a sprint. We start out outside the womb as infants not fully grown. We need training and guidance. Proper maturity takes time if we are to be used by the LORD effectively. To seek a shortcut is to often court disaster with possible eternal consequences. Again. the believer can avoid this by following the lead of the LORD (Ps. 37:23). He sees and knows what we can’t and don’t.

Trust in the Lord’s Promises (v. 19)

Verse 19: In fulfillment of the prophecy and request of Joseph, Moses ensures his bones are carried out of Egypt. Joseph believed God. He was absolutely sure the word of the LORD would come to pass. Therefore he wanted to be buried with his people in the land he knew would be theirs (Heb. 11:22). He knew how the LORD kept his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and his father Jacob. He existed because of them and his life was a testimony to God’s faithfulness. The dreams Yahweh gave him were brought to pass. His faith in what he couldn’t see yet believed was not put to shame. Joseph will be buried in the promised land Yahweh is shortly to give.

Do we have faith like this? We certainly have great promises (John 14:1-4, Rom. 8:17, 1 John 3:2). We have the record of these promises, in our hands and in many forms. Neither Israel of old or the saints of new could say this. He is the same God (Mal. 3:6, Heb. 13:5). Are we willing to plan and to act based on the absolute confidence that God’s word can’t return to Him void? Are we willing to trust God even if / when it seems there will be no present reward? Joseph did, and now his body to going back home. We must for our LORD is just as faithful (Heb. 10:23).

Trust in the Lord’s Presence (vs. 20 - 22)

Verses 20 - 22: The is the first introduction of the glory cloud and / or pillar of fire in scripture. This would be the visible manifestation of Yahweh among His people for the rest of the Pentateuch. That this is God himself is confirmed in the next chapter where explicit reference to the angel of God is made. We will get look at the question as to which member of the Godhead we are taking about in a few weeks. For our purposes here, I want to highlight that Israel knew when and where to go because the glory of Yahweh went with and before them. Day and night the presence of the LORD was with them. They were surrounded by the glory of God, allowing them to move as He saw fit. Seeing the glory of God helps put things in perspective and gives hope that the path is ultimately a good one.

Practical Application

The Apostle Paul gives us one of the clearest statements in scripture of the truths we have been discussing in Ephesians 2:8-10. We are saved because of what God has done and are here to do what he has called us to do. The endgame is assured. The path is set and God in Christ is with us. Let us not fail to trust in the Lord. For His name’s sake, He can’t and won’t fail (Ephesians 2:6-7). Regardless of where we are or how things look, we can have confidence in Christ Jesus our savior and Lord. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all in this. Trust in the Lord saints. Focus on the glory of God and you will make it through.

Gospel Application

As we have reviewed, Israel was saved by God for His glory. The people couldn’t save themselves and neither could we. Even as the Israelites before the exodus were born enslaved, so all men are born enslaved to sin and in bondage to iniquity. Like Israel, we have to hope of freedom unless someone comes for us. We can look forward to one thing: the wrath and judgment of God. It doesn’t have to be this way. Jesus Christ came to save sinners. He will completely save all those who put their trust in Him. In light of this I call anyone and everyone under the sound of my voice who doesn’t know the Lord to consider your ways. If you have been listening and realize that you are still like Israel in Egypt that is good but don’t stop there. Acknowledge and confess your sin. Cry out to God and ask for forgiveness. Place your trust in Christ and ask to be received into the kingdom of God. You will be saved. Don’t delay. The future is promised to no one. Repent and believe the gospel on today.

Bibliography

[1] Stuart, D. K. (2006). Exodus (Vol. 2, p. 322). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.