The man, Moses, was called by God, not because of his built-in righteousness, but simply because God called him. He was a man on the run, a murdering fugitive, but he was nevertheless the man prepared for the redemption of God’s people from Egyptian slavery. The Lord of all creation was reaching down into space and time, and was bringing about His sovereign purposes in history. It would not be what was expected, it would not be from the greatest military might, nor the most profound political upheaval, but rather a broken man moving on behalf of the great I AM. And that is how God will continue to perform His purposes–utilizing broken vessels who simply trust Him.
Moses’ journey was just beginning as he went back to Pharaoh.
“And afterward Moses and Aaron came and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let My people go…”
Exodus 5:1a
Pharaoh’s heart will turn from the request of Moses, and after 10 plagues he will relent and let God’s people go. They were free to leave, the now millions of God’s chosen people are liberated from their Egyptian overlords. However, it will come at a great cost. Before God permits His people the opportunity of a new life under His leadership and provision He will first perform a simultaneous act of judgment and delivery. The last of the 10 warnings that God brought upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians for not freeing God’s people was to end the life of all the first born cattle and children.
“Moses said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘About midnight I am going out into the midst of Egypt, and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well.”
Exodus 11:4-5
However, there was a provision that God made for His people to avoid this terrifying execution. God’s way would not be the way of the people, nor the way that any one person wanted. No, no, it was His way, and it would be abundantly clear who of the people were obeying. For this night, “there shall be a great cry in all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been before and such as shall never be again.” God would bring upon this people such tragedy for their relentless disobedience that it would be a once in a history moment. This judgment would be so great, so profound, and its effects so devastating that the noise of anguish and tears will never be so loud or great again. God will exact punishment for sin, and those who feel His thunderclap fall will never again forget that this was a divine act by none other than the great I AM. However, in the midst of this hammer strike God provided a way for His children that He will soon liberate to be free of the terror–to be in a sense passed over.
“Now the Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt…take a lamb for themselves…Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old…they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it…For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments—I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.”
Exodus 12:7-13 (abbreviated)
The color of the canvas of God’s story is beaming in colors of radiant glory amidst the backdrop of black and white. He is here introducing in the twelfth chapter of the book of Exodus the function of a substitute. God’s people will not suffer the anguish and heartache that all those in the land of Egypt will experience simply because they have sacrificed a lamb and placed its blood on the door posts of their dwelling. The Jewish people–God’s people–will be saved from the terror of God’s wrath because the life of another took the place of the life of their firstborns. God’s judgment will not be stayed on any family whose house does not have the blood of a sacrificed lamb on its door posts. The Lord will let His might fall upon these people with swiftness and violence, and there will be no mercy without the blood of a substitute lamb presented on their behalf.
This is the salvation of God for His people–saved by a substitute. And as the biblical storyline continues to unfold this story of the substitute and passing over of God’s wrath will once again surface. However, in Christ it will be the most glorious and ultimate of acts for humanity. God’s salvation for mankind is merely shadowed through Moses and the little lambs that died for His people. When God’s ultimate plan comes into view it will be like nothing ever known or to ever be surpassed.
Consider for a moment the predicament of the Jewish people in captivity under Pharaoh. Consider Pharaoh’s unwillingness to release them. Consider God’s patience–9 warnings through plagues. Consider God’s provision for His people in the midst of the final warning–the death of the firstborns. Consider the substitute required for God’s people’s salvation. Consider the helpless lamb–led to slaughter. Consider God’s swift and violent judgment on any and all who did not abide by His provision (placing the blood of the lamb on the door posts). Consider that God made a way where there was otherwise no way.
Consider God’s love for His people. Consider God’s grace and mercy in their time of need. Consider Christ. Consider God’s provision through Him. Consider…