Therefore, say to the Israelites:
‘I am the LORD, and
I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.
I will free you from being slaves to them, and
I will redeem you with an outstretched arm
and with mighty acts of judgment.’
Exodus 6:6
God had a message for the Israelites in Exodus 6 and it was to be delivered by Moses. Before giving the message, however, He reminded Moses: I am the LORD.
This foundational truth had to be established and received before the Israelites could move ahead to receive any revelation, promise, or blessing … and the same holds true for us today. We must first acknowledge His authority and His Lordship over our lives.
The name “Exodus” is literally translated exit or departure. The book of Exodus chronicles the story of the Israelites being led out of bondage in Egypt, and taken back to the Promised Land. We can view this book as a spiritual parable for our own personal journey.
The Israelites were captives, slaves to the King of Egypt. We are — or were — slaves to sin.
God’s message of blessing for the people includes three “I will” promises:
- I will bring you out.
- I will free you.
- I will redeem you.
Moses led them out of physical bondage and to a place of physical freedom; Jesus came to deliver us from the bondage of sin and to lead us to spiritual freedom. The Israelites could not free themselves from Pharaoh then; we cannot free ourselves from sin now.
It is a work of God from beginning to end.
God provides freedom for us when we call on Him for salvation. That moment in time begins a new life in Christ — a life of freedom from the consequences of sin for eternity. That freedom is completely a work of God. There is nothing we ourselves can do or contribute to making it happen.
Most of the readers of this blog have found freedom from sin: salvation through faith in Christ. But are you and I appropriating that freedom to live like the free women we are?
Are there areas that — though you are redeemed — you are living in bondage? Have you run back to Egypt? Is there an old habit you can’t break? An old addiction you can’t shake? Are you trying to do it on your own?
It it time to stop. Breath deep. Refocus. Look up.
Begin — again — at the beginning: by acknowledging His authority. It was the LORD who freed you, and it is the LORD who keeps you free.
Will you bring that “besetting sin” before Him? (He knows about it, anyway.) Will you acknowledge your dependence upon Him? Will you acknowledge your own inability to find freedom from it on your own? And will you then cooperate with Him, by following where He leads?
Can you hear Him speaking to you, as He did to the Israelites?
- I will bring you out.
- I will free you.
- I will redeem you.
Stop running back to Egypt, my friend. There is freedom in Christ! It’s time to live like the free woman you are in Him!
In this week’s devotional video, Laura is joined by her friend Amanda Barnett. We invite you to listen as they unpack Genesis 2:16-17 and discuss the freedom to CHOOSE to obey God — and the implications of our disobedience.
Visit our Downloads page for your copy of our Write the WORD: Freedom bookmark, optional S.O.A.P. Bible study pages, monthly Do It! List and other free resources, to help you balance your heart for God and others with the demands of a busy life.
