Daily Devotions
Exodus
"For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will still choose Israel, and settle them in their own land..." Isaiah 14:1
Text: Exodus 3 :10
THE PROMISE OF THE LAND OF CANAAN
There is a great difference between the Covenant-Promise that God gave to Abraham, and the Redemption-Promise that He gave to Moses! Let us ponder over two aspects in particular.
1. The Promise of the Land of Canaan
This was a straightforward promise to Abraham (Cf. Genesis 12:1-3; 13:14-17; 15:18-21; etc). However, it was obvious that Abraham and Sarah would not be able to occupy the land by themselves!
2. The Promise of Descendants
Together with the promise of the Land of Canaan, came the promise of descendants. A vast multitude of descendants would be necessary if the land was to be fully utilized (Cf. Genesis 17:7-8; 22:15-18).
THE REDEMPTION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
It was obvious that God had to ensure that the children of Israel would become a multitude first, before they were ready to enter into the Promised Land. He caused the Egyptians to welcome the children of Israel into the land. Joseph was the principal instrument through whom He worked!
The four hundred years of living in Egypt were just what the children of Israel needed to become a multitude. Well provided for, they began to be a force to be reckoned with in the land of Egypt. However, the Pharaoh was determined that Israel should not leave his land. He had enslaved the children of Israel and they became a valuable work-force for him!
God’s redemption plan was now ready to be executed. He had found the man whom He would send as the deliverer of the children of Israel. Moses was NOT given the promise of the land as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were! He was given a different word from the Lord. To him befell the task of leading Israel out of the land of Egypt. That was no small task at all.
“Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh
that you may bring My people, the children of Israel,
out of Egypt.”
EXODUS 3:10
Moses must have gasped at the scope of the work that was laid on his shoulders! How could God say what He did? None of the patriarchs was given a task close to what was now entrusted to Moses!
God spoke of the task as if it was the simplest thing ever! He would send Moses to Pharaoh. He would then speak to the Pharaoh and request permission to lead the children of Israel out of the land! Could it be that simple? But there was no mistaking the words that God spoke! The Lord was going to send Moses to accomplish this task!