“These are the Names”
The above was the original title of the Biblical book we now call Exodus. It begins with the names of the Patriarchs (1:1-5), the brothers of Joseph who brought their families to reside Egypt at Pharaoh’s invitation (Genesis 45:16-20).But a Pharaoh arose who did not know Joseph (Exodus 1:8) and who did not honor Jacob or his offspring. Out of his fear he enslaved them. Israel groaned under their burdens and God heard them (2:23-24).Their deliverance came, but not without blood. On the night of the Passover, the 1st born of every man & beast in Egypt died (12:29). Death was in every house except for those marked by the blood of the Passover lamb. Everyone inside those homes marked by blood took part in the lamb’s death. They ate it together with bitter herbs and unleavened bread called the bread of affliction (Deuteronomy 16:3).They were delivered but delivered to the wilderness which was not their home. God lead them by a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night. Their clothes did not wear out nor did their shoes (Deuteronomy 29:5). Water came from a rock to quench their thirst. Manna greeted them for breakfast. All of their needs were met by the God who delivered them and guided them.But they complained. They quarreled. They spoke against Moses and longed to return to Egypt (Numbers 11:5). They did not value their freedom. They had no faith to see the wonders of God as evidence of his care for them. They walked by sight, not by faith, and God let their ungrateful carcasses fall in the wilderness.If you groan under the burden of your sin, salvation can also be yours. God bought it for you at the price of his son’s life. As John said, “Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”. The first lambs foresaw the last lamb. The lamb who covers your sins. My sins.We are set free from the slavery of our sin, but we will be on a journey through the wilderness that will challenge our faith. Will we die as complainers, or will our names be the beginning of eternity’s chapter?
