ESOCS Devotional 3 May 2024 – Your Egypt Has Expired
MEMORY VERSE: “And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.” Exodus 3: 17 KJV
TEXT: EXODUS 3: 13-22
Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?”
14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’ 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together, and say to them, ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt; 17 and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey.” ’ 18 Then they will heed your voice; and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt; and you shall say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has met with us; and now, please, let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.’ 19 But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go. 21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be, when you go, that you shall not go empty-handed. 22 But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”
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Following the fall of man in Eden (Genesis 3), life on planet Earth became full of troubles and sorrow. On this note, Job was forced to conclude that men and women are born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upwards (Job 5:7). Moreover, the emergence of the devil into the world only helped to increase atrocities such as killing, stealing and destruction, etc. But Christ came that men might have a prosperous and satisfying life (John 10:10).
Ironically, many people, even some believers, are not fully aware of the redeeming purpose of God – both in the present dispensation and in ancient times. So, they find it difficult to understand God’s plan for our deliverance, both in the physical sphere and spiritual realm.
In our text, when God called Moses from the burning bush, to assign him the great commission of Israel’s deliverance from bondage, he severally doubted and argued with God. His doubts were so much that God even had to announce His eternal name to him, “I AM THAT I AM”.
However, there was no doubting the fact that convincing Pharaoh was not going to be an easy task. Yes, God gave Pharaoh several opportunities to cooperate. Yet, his pride and arrogance would not make things easy. But Pharaoh’s obstinacy would also give Israel the opportunity to witness the marvelous power of God over the magicians and sorcerers of Egypt.
Even midway into their forty days sojourn in the wilderness, and despite all the signs and wonders, some of them were still neck-deep in unbelief. So it is with many people of God today. Some persons are still in their imaginary Egypt, even when God’s mighty finger has already wrought their miracles for them. Child of God, it is time to come out of your mental Babylon and begin to enjoy your Canaan and all the hidden treasures in secret places that God has bestowed on you.
Unknown to you, God has already gone ahead of you to level the mountains, to smash down the gates of bronze, and to cut through the bars of iron (Isaiah 4: 2-3). It’s no longer time to bear all the shackles and yokes of Egypt. It’s rather a time to activate the blessings of Canaan, made available to us by His free grace.
- Ironically, Jesus did little or no miracles in His own city because of unbelief. Are you still there?
- Lord Jesus, please help my unbelief.
Further Reading: Isaiah 62:6-12; Acts 15:35-41; 2 Timothy 4:1-11
ESOCS Devotional 3 May 2024
