God’s nature is to deliver and protect his people. Bringing his chosen nation from Egyptian slavery to the “land flowing with milk and honey” was a powerful demonstration of love. He wanted his people to remember it. God spared all firstborn sons and animals of Israel when he swept over Egypt that fateful night. In remembrance, the Israelites would buy back their sons and firstborn donkeys from the Lord. They would eat bread without yeast for seven days. Their obedience was “like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the LORD brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”
God also gives his presence. During the day, God was in a cloud, leading and shading Israel through the hot, arid desert. By night, he was their Guiding Light, keeping them from stumbling in darkness. Pharaoh and his charioteers and horsemen trapped Israel at the Red Sea, but God split the water, creating dry land. He enveloped his people in light, and kept the Egyptians in darkness and confusion. Finally, God caused the watery walls of the Red Sea to collapse upon the Egyptians, destroying the military strength of the nation that abused his people. “And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD … [they] feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant” (Exodus 14:31).
A still greater demonstration of God’s deliverance and protection is Jesus. Jesus’ blood redeems believers from sin and death, protects his people from Satan, and delivers us from final Judgement (Galatians 3:13, 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5). Remember Jesus through baptism and communion and by daily obedience to God’s will. Our obedience will be a sign on our hand and forehead (Revelation 20:4, 22:4). God has destroyed sin and death through Jesus. Won’t you trust Jesus today?
“For the grace of God that brings salvation … teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions … to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives … while we wait for … the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us … and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:11–14).
David W. Davis
