Lessons From Exodux II

Lessons from Exodus II

This week we are looking at some observations from Exodus about why people return to bondage or patterns of sin. As we consider Israel's exodus from Egypt, I believe we can glean some insight about this very common human tendency.

Exodus 5:22-23: So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Lord, why have You brought trouble on this people? Why is it You have sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all."

Exodus13:17-18: Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, "Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.

What can we learn from these two passages? Sometimes God's ways do not make sense to us. When God doesn't deliver us the way we expect, we assume He's not delivering us at all.

If you have been a Christian for any length of time and listened to the testimonies of others, you know that God isn't a cookie cutter God. Each of us has had a unique encounter with Him. How God chooses to set us free is entirely up to Him and His ways are as vast and varied as his people.

When God doesn't do things the way we expect, or His ways don't make sense to us, we tend to give up and go back to Egypt. If God isn't doing things the way you expect, don't assume He's not doing it at all. Stand back and watch the salvation of the Lord on your behalf.

God is up to much more than just our deliverance, although He is surely in the business of delivering people from bondage and setting them. He is also zealous for us to know the Deliverer.

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America's KESWICK, Biblical Counselor, Conference and retreat speaker, Victory Call editor, wife, mother, grandmother, and nut, not necessarily in that order.