Exiled from Egypt
Exodus 2:23-3:22
Exodus 2:23-25
“During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.”
It’s not their groaning that warranted God to intervene. God intervenes on the basis of His own character.
Gospel Connection: God looks upon Israel and he remembers His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When God looks upon His own, what does He remember? Christ and the cross.
How does this reframe our approach to prayer?
Exodus 3:2-3 — The Burning Bush
In Midian Moses is a mature adult shepherd and he’s attending his flock near Mt Horeb. Something beckons him that calls him off his beaten path. You have a vision that interests you. It’s a secret you hold in your heart. What captures your interests and imaginations (burning bush)? Take off shoe is taking off old self.
Exodus 3:5-6 — Holy Ground
How does this make sense with James 4:8?
We must come to God on His terms. In the same chapter, James also says that God opposes the proud.
Why is entering God’s presence on His terms important? Because if we don’t enter His presence on His terms, we will be excused from God’s presence on His terms. The Pharisees example — they had elevated the manmade oral commands over the Scriptures.
Exodus 3:11 — Moses’ Insecurity
“Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
What does this say about Moses’ character? Symptom of exile is an insecure identity. He’s not around any Israelites and even if he’s with them, surely they wouldn’t take instructions from someone who used to be in authority over them.
Exodus 3:12 — God’s Response
“I will be with you.”
God informs Moses’ identity by affirming His own character and promises.
In heaven, there will be no more crying and groaning — only worship. In Hell there will be no more worship — only crying and groaning. But we’re in the here and not yet: both crying/groaning and worship.
But what’s different between us and the Israelites in regards to groaning/worship? We always have a reason to worship because of Jesus’ finished work.
What you worship tells you where you end up after exile. The object of your worship is the destination of your return. The litmus test for succeeding in exile is authentic worship. The Lord is not looking for rejoicers or mourners. He is looking for worshippers. Missions exist because worship doesn’t.
Exodus 3:14 — God’s Name
“I AM WHO I AM.” As the ESV text note says, this phrase may also be translated, “I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE.” Contextually, God’s name reflects the fact that he will be “with” his people — Immanuel.