Facts of Faith From Exodus
A video of the lesson this post is based on can be viewed here:
Many people neglect the study of the Old Testament, and although it is not enforced for us today, there are many valuable lessons contained in it. The Old Testament ARE for us in that we can learn from it and can be admonished by it (Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11). Several of these truths evident in Exodus are presented here.
God Will Hear His People
Exodus 2:24 (NIV): 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.
Exodus 3:7 (ESV): 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings…
There are many other verses in Exodus and in other parts of the Old Testament that witness God understands what His people go through. Likewise, God is always listening to us. He is never too busy to hear our cry as well.
1 Peter 3:12 (NKJV): 12For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
This doesn’t mean God will always answer our prayers in the ways we desire but we can trust that He will answer in ways that are best. When we petition God we should also ask ourselves if we are pleasing to God so that He can hear our prayers (John 9:31). As we do His will, He hears us.
James 5:16 (ESV): 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
When we pray, we may become discouraged that our prayers are not answered like we want but in hindsight we can see the blessings that came instead. Sometimes we can see benefits from our prayers not being answered.
God Will Remember His Promises
Have you ever forgotten a promise? That happens because we are all human. We may even break our promises. Not so with God. If He says it, He will do it.
Exodus 2:24 (NIV): 24 God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.
If I were an Israelite slave in Egypt it may have seemed that God forgot His people for generations. In the midst of that situation it may seem like God has forgotten but we can look back on several great promises to see their fulfillment.
Genesis 15:13–14 (ESV): 13 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.
Not only did God make good on that promise to Abraham when He brought His people out of Egypt at the right time, He also made good on other promises. The greatest of all is that all people of the earth would be blessed.
Genesis 22:16–18 (ESV): 16 and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, 18 and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
God also remembers promises that He makes to us today. For example, we have the promise of rest from our labors (2 Thessalonians 1:7, Matthew 11:28). Rest won’t come in this life but since God has promised it, and we know He keeps His promises, let us work for God while we have the opportunity (Revelation 14:13). In the hereafter there will be a rest like we have never known (Revelation 21:4).
God Will Provide
God not only hears and keeps His promises, He provides blessings as we may have need of them. There are many people suffering because of ailments or injustice in this life. God didn’t promise to take away every suffering, but he promises to have enough to have joy in the face of suffering. If we merely have the necessities then we should recognize that we are greatly blessed. Let’s look at some of those
Exodus 40:36–38 (ESV): 36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.
When the people did not have food and water, God provided (Exodus 15:25, Exodus 16:4&13, Exodus 17:6). God took care of the clothing and shoes the people needed so they could complete the journey He called for them to undertake (Deuteronomy 29:5).
God provides guidance for us today as well. Jesus is the One we should look to today is Jesus and the words He spoke (John 8:32, John 17:17).
John 14:6 (ESV): 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Matthew 6:33 (ESV): 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Humans have a tendency to look to God only during times of crisis. This is one good thing that comes out of suffering. However, God calls for us to seek Him at all times and then we will be cared for in the necessities. Do you take God up on this promise that He will provide for you (Luke 12:30, 1 Timothy 4:8, 1 Timothy 6:6)?
We don’t follow the Old Testament laws today because it is no longer God’s will for His people (Ephesians 2:15-16, Colossians 2:14, Hebrews 1:1-2). But there are many good things we can learn about life and about the nature of God and His relationship with mankind from the old Scriptures. God will remember, He will remember, and He will provide.