The LORD blessed Jacob with wives, children, flocks, and much of this world’s wealth as HE manifested HIS provision for Jacob, whom HE loved. When Jacob was in this state, he gave no thought to becoming needy and leaving all of this behind while becoming subservient to the heathen Pharaoh of Egypt. Yet just as surely as the LORD ordained his rise to wealth and blessing, HE also ordained the journey which would bring his house into bondage in Egypt.
At the first this sojourn did not appear to be unto bondage, but rather relief, yet in the purpose of GOD HE ultimately brought the house of Israel under the lash of a cruel taskmaster who knew not mercy. But as surely as the LORD ordained this excursion unto captivity, so too did HE ordain a deliverer out of Jacob’s own house who was cast out by his brethren who would not have him to rule over them. Little could they have known that he (i.e.; Joseph) who was cast out by them, was ordained by GOD to be that one who would preserve their life. “The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?” (Mat 21:42)
The blessings which the house of Israel enjoyed as they dwelt in the land of Goshen soon seemed to disappear as there arose another “king” who knew not Joseph. All of the blessings of the house of Israel came to them through Joseph. Yet this change of fortune for them as they came under the hard lash of this cruel king was again as much ordained by the ANCIENT of DAYS, as was their days of plenty in the land of Goshen. For the LORD was pleased to bring them into bondage that HE might manifest HIS deliverance of them by one (i.e.; Moses) who, again, was not readily received by them, in the same fashion as HE would bring famine upon them in order to manifest their rescue and provision by Joseph. Yet when GOD ordains a deliverer, he must deliver that which the LORD has marked out for freedom and HE will make that same people willing the day of HIS power.
That which is remembered (with feasting) among the house of Israel is not their former captivity but rather the deliverance which was brought to them through the death of the first-born, and their march through the Red Sea. For in these events, (ordained by HIM who would deliver the same one whom HE had brought into bondage) HE would show HIS purpose in bringing glory to HIS NAME through their liberation.
Apart from their sojourn into bondage, their subsequent deliverance, could not have been made manifest and seen in its rightful place of glory. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” (Rom 8:18-21)
Thus, we see illustrated for us the glorious HOPE of the children of GOD, set against the backdrop of their own foray into darkness and their subsequent bondage inherited from their father in the land of their nativity. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)” (Rom 5:12-17)
Our delight is not in a continual visitation of this place of bondage but rather in a consideration of our DELIVERER from it. “The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” (1Cor 15:47-49) As the deliverance of the nation of Israel from Egypt’s grasp was complete, so too is that deliverance wrought for the sons of GOD by CHRIST. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” (1Cor 1:30-31) Nothing is yet to be accomplished which is not already made fast and sure in the redemptive work of CHRIST our LORD.
The deliverance of GOD’s people is brought about by a willing REDEEMER, “who gave himself for our sins”. “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb 12:2) HIS redemptive work was not in response to our dilemma but was according to the ordained purpose of GOD to manifest HIS glory in that redemption. “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.” (Act 2:23) Before there was ever a sinner, there was a SAVIOR.
The deliverance of GOD’s people was brought about by an able REDEEMER. “that HE might deliver us.” HE alone could have redeemed us, there was none other. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, (i.e.; was suited to our need) who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens.” (Heb 7:24-26)
The LORD’s people have not been simply delivered from the future penalty of sin, but from its power and dominion which resides in the present cosmos (i.e.; world order). “that he might deliver us from this present evil world.” This is exactly what HE told HIS disciples, “ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” (John 15:19) and is that which HE prayed for them in the Garden. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17:15-16)
The deliverance of GOD’s people is brought about by a triumphant REDEEMER. “according to the will of God and our Father.” The LORD JESUS said, “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”(John 6:38-40) Those who are given to the SON are made willing in the day of HIS power, for HE is their SAVIOR in fact and not hypothetically. HE shall lose none but shall see of the travail of HIS soul and be satisfied. Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised. Have you believed?
mam