The story of God redeeming Israel from the house of bondage in Egypt contains many valuable lessons that are still relevant today. Here are some key things we can learn from this account:
1. God hears the cries of His people and responds
The Israelites cried out to God because of their harsh slavery in Egypt, and He heard their pleas. “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob” (Exodus 2:24). Even when we feel abandoned or wonder if God hears us, He does. God may not intervene as quickly as we’d like, but He hears and will act in His timing.
2. God can use anyone for His plans
God used Moses, an exiled Hebrew raised in Pharaoh’s household, to deliver His people. Despite Moses’ flaws and initial resistance, God equipped him for the task. “Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt” (Exodus 3:10). God can use anyone – no matter their background, education, age, or weaknesses – if they are willing to follow His call.
3. God keeps His promises
God had promised Abraham his descendants would become a great nation, even though they were only 70 people when they first went to Egypt (Exodus 1:1-7). Centuries later, God fulfilled this promise by delivering over 600,000 Israelite men, plus women and children, from Egypt as a mighty nation (Exodus 12:37). God always keeps His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.
4. God fights for His people
Pharaoh stubbornly resisted letting the Israelites go, so God sent 10 plagues on Egypt to force Pharaoh’s hand. “I will lay my hand on Egypt…and bring forth my hosts, my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment” (Exodus 7:4-5). When we belong to God, we never fight alone. He will fight on our behalf.
5. God provides the way where there seems to be no way
Trapped between the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s advancing army, escape seemed impossible for the Israelites. But God parted the sea, dried the ground, and His people crossed safely to the other side on dry land (Exodus 14:21-22). What seems impossible for us is never impossible for God. He can make a way when there is no way.
6. Salvation is found in God alone
The Passover lamb’s blood saved the Israelites from the death of their firstborn (Exodus 12:13). This pointed to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose blood would bring eternal salvation from sin and death (1 Peter 1:18-19). Just as the Israelites had to apply the lamb’s blood to their doorpost, we must apply Christ’s blood to our lives by faith to receive salvation.
7. God requires faith and obedience
Israel had to trust God’s instructions about the Passover and apply the blood. They also had to obey and be ready to leave Egypt immediately. Their faith and obedience were essential. In the same way, we must trust in Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation and obey Him. As Christ said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
8. God’s timing is perfect
The Israelites had to wait 400 years before God fulfilled His promise to Abraham to deliver them from Egypt. But His timing was perfect – they prospered in Egypt first before suffering oppression to multiply their numbers. “And the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them” (Exodus 1:7). We must trust God’s perfect timing too.
9. God deserves all the glory for what He does
After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites sang praise to God for His salvation (Exodus 15). Moses’ song says, “I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously” (Exodus 15:1). We too must recognize that God alone deserves all praise and glory for His mighty works on our behalf.
10. God disciplines His people in love
When the Israelites doubted God and grumbled, He disciplined them – but it was for their good to grow their faith. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves…God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness” (Hebrews 12:6,10). We can take comfort that God disciplines us because He loves us as His children.
This defining story of God redeeming Israel from slavery contains many rich insights and applications for us today. As we read and reflect on it, may we stand in awe of our great God who redeems, provides, protects and cares for His people. And may we walk in faith, obedience and gratitude for His steadfast love and faithfulness towards us.
God’s mighty deliverance of Israel from Egypt points ahead to an even greater redemption through Jesus Christ. Christ sets us free from bondage to sin and death so we can walk in new life with Him. “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
Just as God parted the Red Sea to bring Israel to freedom, He provides the way to eternal life through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. And just as the blood of the Passover lamb spared Israel’s firstborn, Christ’s blood applied to our lives brings salvation from sin and death. Praise God for the greater redemption we have through faith in Christ!
“Blessed be the Lord who has redeemed us by His grace and given us freedom. Blessed be the Lord who has provided the Lamb who gives eternal life. May we walk in faith and obedience to our Redeemer all our days, until we dwell in His presence forever.”