God and His People
“Let my people go, that they may serve me.” What is this service that they were called to?* Their work, service, and worship, was to be redirected from Pharaoh to God. And God would fight for them. If He has called you out, He will fight for you, too. Let’s set the stage for our journey through Exodus.
What was the purpose of their work to be?
Pharaoh wanted them to build cities in ungodly Egypt.
God wanted them to pitch tents and seek the place He prepared for them.
Abraham looked for a physical city, whose maker was God, Hebrews 11:8-10. We have a heavenly city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God, Revelation 21:1-3. Our purpose ought to be as follows:
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” – Matthew 6:19-20
How, in practical terms, were they to serve?
Pharaoh removed what they needed to please him, petty straw.
God provided what He would ask of them, the wealth of Egypt for a tabernacle.
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” – 2 Corinthians 9:8
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;” – Joshua 24:15a. If you are already serving the Lord, will you turn back to Egypt and sin?
“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” – Romans 6:16
Who was the person they were to glorify?
Pharoah and his gods were outmatched, and unworthy of worship.
God Almighty parted waters and moved mountains. He is worthy.
Who is like the Lord? Who are we to serve? The Pharaohs and their gods may have come and gone, but the eternal God remains. The historical record of God has eternal implications—it still counts and will forever.
We might shake our heads at their disobedience: a golden calf at the mountain of God. How could they? But I must ask you: Do you have the Holy Spirit? The same God that thundered on the mountain whispers within.** Now tell me: Who is more responsible?
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?” – Hebrews 2:1-4
Conclusion
Exodus is a piercing study of the human condition. Almost anything that could go wrong did go wrong, and yet God’s purpose prevailed. God will prevail. But we must fully surrender to His purpose, His plan, and His Person.
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” – Deuteronomy 6:5
– Eric Druist
*Hebrew ʿāḇaḏ (Strong’s H5647), here translated as “serve,” includes the ideas of our work, our service, and our worship.
**An interesting waypoint between the thunder of Sinai and the day of Pentecost can be found in Elijah’s trip to Sinai, found in 1 Kings 19:8-18.