(1) Deliverance From Egypt

(Romans 15:4, NIV) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

1. In this series about the Israelite’s wilderness journey we hope that you’ll be encouraged to have hope in these difficult times.

2. That you’ll see Jesus in your midst, even as He was with the Israelites as He delivered them out of Egypt and led them through the wilderness to the Promised Land.

3. That you’ll see the need to persevere and endure with patience as Jesus teaches us the valuable lessons He taught the Israelites in the wilderness.

4. With that as our goal lets start at the beginning: the deliverance of the Israelites from their bondage in Egypt.

(Numbers 33:1–4) Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. 2 At the Lord’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. This is their journey by stages: 3 The Israelites set out from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after the Passover. They marched out defiantly in full view of all the Egyptians, 4 who were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had struck down among them; for the Lord had brought judgment on their gods.

I. Deliverance From Egypt

A. The Israelites Were In Egypt For 430 Years

1. (Exodus 12:40–41, NIV) Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. 41 At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the Lord’s divisions left Egypt.

2. They settled in the land of Goshen for it was best suited for their livestock.

a. (Genesis 47:27, NIV) Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number.

3. After one generation the Israelites were made slaves of Pharaoh.

a. (Exodus 1:6–11, NIV) Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, 7 but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them. 8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” 11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.

B. The LORD Used The Israelites To Reveal His Redemptive Plan!

1. The LORD was doing more than getting the Israelites out of Egypt; He was redeeming them from sin!

a. Spiritually the Israelites just like the Egyptians: sinners deserving the judgment of God.

b. Even though the LORD called the Israelites His people His justice had to be served!

c. So, the LORD paid the price to redeem the Israelites as an example to all people of every nation.

2. The LORD revealed His mighty power against the gods of Egypt.

a. Each of the 10 plagues of Egypt was judgment against an Egyptian god.

b. (Exodus 12:12, NIV) ... I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord.

3. It took the blood of the Passover lamb to set the Israelite’s free!

a. (Exodus 12:7, NIV) Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.

(1) The blood on the doorframe symbolized Jesus on the cross.

4. The LORD was declaring that which His blood would accomplish!

a. (Colossians 2:13–15, NIV) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

b. Jesus gave His own blood as the redemption price to God for our eternal salvation and deliverance.

(1) (Mat 20:28) ... the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

(2) (Revelation 5:9, NIV) ... you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

(3) (Acts 20:28, NIV) ... the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

5. The blood of the Passover lamb culminated the LORD’s victory over sin and the powers of darkness!

a. The powers of darkness were defeated!

b. Their sins were forgiven!

6. When the Israelites left Egypt they did so as free people! (Spiritually as well as physically)

a. Set free by the LORD Himself and made into the people of God!

b. (Exodus 19:6, NIV) you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. ...

C. The LORD Did Everything Necessary To Prepare The Israelites For Their Journey

1. The blood of the Passover lamb redeemed the Israelites from God’s judgment and made them into God’s holy people.

2. The powers of darkness were defeated! (i.e. as seen in the defeat of the gods of Egypt)

3. The LORD used the Passover to teach us that from the very start of our spiritual journey we need to feed on Jesus!

II. Jesus Wants To Set His People Free Today!

A. Many Of God’s People Today Are Like The Israelites In Egypt

1. In bondage to sin, the powers of darkness, and their own sinful nature.

2. It’s time for you to leave Egypt and start living the holy life that you were “born again” to live.

B. Jesus Came To Set The Captives Free!

1. (Luke 4:18–19, NIV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

2. May the power of God that defeated the gods of Egypt set you free from that which has you bound!

3. There is no sin, no bondage, no sinful lifestyle that Jesus can’t deliver you from!

a. (1 Corinthians 6:11, NIV) And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

4. Pray with me that the blood of the Passover lamb (who represented Jesus on the cross) be applied to your life.

a. Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my sins; please set me free so that I can serve You in holiness. Wash me in Your blood, sanctify me by Your Spirit. By faith I believe that You are setting me free and that I am free (justified) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God!

C. If You Want To Stay Free You Need To Start Feeding On Jesus

1. After applying the blood of the Passover lamb to their houses the LORD had them eat the lamb.

a. (Exodus 12:7–8, NIV) Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. 8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.

2. Jesus wants us to do the same today!

a. (John 6:54–56, NIV) Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.

3. How do we do this? Feast with Jesus on His Word!

a. (Revelation 3:20, NIV) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

D. Jesus Wants To Do More Than Set You Free, He Wants You To Start Living The Life He Has Called You To Live!

1. (1 Peter 2:9, NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.