The Journey Begins

It has been said that even the longest journey begins with just one step. Such is true of a family vacation with young children, arguably one of the longer journeys in life. It is true of our spiritual journey toward Heaven which begins when we come into a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. It was also true of the Israelites as they left Egypt and headed for the Promised Land.

Such a journey required preparations, but not the usual kind. The Israelites were not given much time to prepare food and other provisions for the journey. The only preparation they were given was the command of God and ample demonstrations of His power. They were prepared spiritually to make this significant journey -- and that spiritual preparation was what they really needed. God had promised to bring them out of Egypt and into the land of Canaan. God would provide whatever provisions were needed for the journey. Their journey to a new land began with the single step of obedience.

Scripture: Exodus 12:29-42
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Main Thought: Having completely prepared us for the spiritual journey Heavenward through Christ, God then expects each of us to walk with Him one obedient step at a time.

The demonstration of God's power over all of Egypt prepared the Israelites with the knowledge that God can and will deliver on His promises. (Exo. 12:29-30)

Some blessings in the journey rest solely on an obedient response to His will. (Exo. 12:31-36)

While the journey to the Promised Land may be long and fraught with danger, it begins with small steps. (Exo. 12:37-39)

The journey begins with small steps but continues with the remembrance of God's deliverance all along the way. (Exo. 12:)

29 And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. 30 So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. (Exo. 12:29-30, NKJV)

1. The demonstration of God's power over all of Egypt prepared the Israelites with the knowledge that God can and will deliver on His promises.

It took ten awesome judgments by God to convince stubborn Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. It took those same ten awesome judgments to convince the Israelites that God was strong enough and willing to deliver them from Egypt.

Their slavery had lasted for four hundred years. It was certainly an entrenched belief that things would never change. So God promised to take them out of bitter bondage into a land "flowing with milk and honey" (Exo. 3:8, NKJV). God made Himself known to them through His prophet, Moses, and through signs and wonders that no one could duplicate. Still, it was not until Pharaoh agreed to let them go did the Israelites see first-hand that God can and will deliver on His promises.

A very silly movie called "National Lampoon's Vacation" starred Chevy Chase as Clarke Griswold, father of a strange family. They were traveling on a family vacation to "Wally World". On this vacation, everything went wrong -- from the station wagon to the hotels along the way. Through a seemingly never-ending series of twists and turns, the family gave up believing that they would ever get to the exciting place Dad had promised. They even wanted to just go home. Yet, Dad never gave up and indeed brought his family to "Wally World" -- only to find that it was closed!

Fortunately, what God promises He delivers -- and Heaven is never closed! He has prepared each of us for the journey through the resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1:3) -- a great sign to the whole world:

His authority over all people and all things (John 2:19)

His power over life and death (Matt. 12:39)

His power to save us from our sins (1 Pet. 3:21)

His provision of new life to all who believe (1 Pet. 1:3)

The outcry of Egypt over their dying firstborn was like the mournful sound of a trumpet playing taps -- a funeral for their gods who failed them. At the same time, it was like the sound of reveille to the Israelites --time to begin the journey to their new home. God delivers!

31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, "Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the LORD as you have said. 32 "Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also." 33 And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, "We shall all be dead." 34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. (Exo. 12:31-36, NKJV)

2. Some blessings in the journey rest solely on an obedient response to His will.

God had made the promise to the children of Israel of their deliverance. He convinced Pharaoh to let His people go through a "mighty hand" (Exo. 6:1) just as He said He would. Now Pharaoh told them to leave. What should the people do at this point? Go! And go in a hurry before Pharaoh changes his mind! The blessing of God's deliverance had been explained to them and graciously given to them by God. It was up to them to respond in obedience.

Moses had said that none of the Israelites would be harmed by the plague of the firstborn. This is because they all observed the Passover ceremony and covered their homes with the blood of the lamb. Their obedience to God's command resulted in each of their homes being spared from the plague of death.

As they quickly packed and left with all their family and possessions, they enjoyed freedom from the bitter yoke of slavery.

They asked for and were given the riches of Egypt to take with them --another fulfillment of God's promise that they, the slaves of Egypt, would plunder their masters without a fight (Exo. 3:21-22).

What if they had not observed the Passover ceremony?
No mercy.

What if they had decided not to leave their homes?
No freedom.

What if they had not asked the Egyptians for silver and gold?
No riches.

Many of the blessings God has for you on the journey Heavenward are yours only when you respond obediently to His will. Many a Christian has turned into a chronic complainer by failing to be thankful in all things (1 Thess. 5:18). Many suffer from bitterness -- bringing mental, emotional, and physical harm on themselves -- by failing to forgive as Christ forgave us (Eph. 4:32). And many a Christian has no peace by failing to allow God's peace to rule in his heart (Col. 3:15), fixing his thoughts on what is good, pure, noble, and true (Phil. 4:8-9). Will you respond obediently to the call of Christ to salvation? Will you respond obediently to the will of God for your life? He has in store for you every spiritual blessing there is -- in Christ.

37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds -- a great deal of livestock. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. (Exo 12:37-39, NKJV)

3. While the journey to the Promised Land may be long and fraught with danger, it begins with small steps and a mighty God.

The exact location of Rameses is not certain from its reference in the Bible. It may be the same as the city "Tanis" or "Zoan". It does appear to be located in the Nile delta region in the land of Goshen where the children of Israel lived. Succoth, while it may have then been the name of a particular town along the way, more likely means the place where they set up camp near the Red Sea. This means they traveled only 30-40 miles to the first encampment. Their journey began with just a few small steps.

The journey to the Promised Land of Canaan (modern-day Palestine) should have been a short one. But instead of traveling along the coast, God led them southeast toward the Red Sea. This had the advantage of avoiding immediate wars with the neighboring peoples who lived on the coastal area of the Sinai peninsula. Israel was not yet ready to engage the enemy. They had yet to organize themselves into anything more than a hoard of desert wanderers. In this part of the journey, God did not command the Israelites to do more than they were able to do at this point in their spiritual journey. Their faith was small and needed time to develop. So God mercifully guided them along a path that would protect their families and build their faith.

This is how God develops each of us in Christ:

He promises not to allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to handle (1 Cor. 10:13).

He promises to go with us along the way (Matt. 28:20).

His unswerving devotion to us as our strength and our shield promises protection as we walk with Him (Psalm 18:2).

He is the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2) and therefore will ensure that we grow according to our ability to grow.

Thankfully, He will be faithful to complete this work of perfecting our faith (Phil. 1:6).

Later, God would designate the "Feast of Booths" (today referred to as "Succoth") as a remembrance of their time in tents or booths when being delivered out of Egypt. Even in the desert while living in booths, God was with the Israelites. While it was a time of wandering with temporary dwelling places, God was with them along the way. The Feast of Succoth (or booths) should remind each of us of the wonderful time we will have in Heaven when we will no longer dwell in temporary huts (these mortal bodies) in a spiritual relationship with God. Instead, we will dwell forever in immortal bodies in the very real presence of Almighty God (Rev. 21:3).

40 Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. 41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years-- on that very same day-- it came to pass that all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations. (Exo 12:40-42, NKJV)

4. The journey begins with small steps but continues with the remembrance of God's deliverance all along the way.

They started small. But even in this small first part of the journey, God commanded that the Israelites begin a very important ritual which would strengthen their faith. It is a "solemn observance" (v.42) of the Passover which would point them back to the time of God's intervention in their lives to bring about deliverance from a powerful enemy.

"Solemn" denotes the reverent attitude needed toward Almighty God who inflicted such an awesome judgment on Egypt in order to set them free.

"Observance" is literally a "watching" or "vigil". One is to be alert and watching for God at work in one's life.

Their journey of faith began with a few small steps. It was to be continued with constant reminders of God's power and providence in their lives. Never forget the awesome work of God. Remember!

Blessings of Remembering	Dangers of Failing to Remember
Remembering is a vital part of our prayer life and helps us to trust God more (Psalm 143:5-8).	Not remembering God inevitably results in painful consequences for us (Judges 8:34).
Remembering God's work in the past keeps us focused on His power and not our difficult circumstances (Eccl. 12:1).	Not remembering God brings rebellion in our hearts (Psalm 106:7).
Remembering God's powerful work gives us comfort from our present troubles (Psalm 77).
Remembering God's powerful work brings us joy (Psalm 63:6-8).
Remembering helps us to endure sufferings and persecution (2 Tim. 2:8-10).

The Israelites were to observe a specific and special time of remembrance that their faith would be strengthened regularly. You, too, should observe such a time of remembering all that God has done for you through our LORD Jesus Christ.

Reflect on YOUR life:

Perhaps you, like many Christians, have failed to take time out of your busy schedule to remember God at work in your life and in the lives of His people throughout time. Today, make it a point to remember: remember when He saved you from your sins for all time and eternity; remember when He called you to serve in His kingdom; remember when He picked you up after you stumbled. Make it a formal, special, and solemn observance -- a "watching"-- that you might enjoy the many blessings of God and endure the trials and challenges of your day.

Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.Com

Copyright 11/13/2001, Randy Lariscy.