Exodus 5:1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus said the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go… I. WHO ARE THESE WHOM GOD CALLS "MY PEOPLE"? 1. They are a distinct and separate race. The people of God are not those who agree with each other as to certain theories — in these things they may be sundered far as the poles. It is not that they come together on certain particular occasions and observe the same ceremonies. No ceremonies however ancient, however solemn, however significant, however faithfully observed can make us His people. The distinction is one of birth. It is a difference of nature. Born of God, begotten of God, they arc the children of God. Within them is the very Spirit of God whereby they cry "Abba Father." 2. They are Created of God by a distinct and wholly supernatural act. The children of a new life — of the resurrection. And out of that relationship to God come a thousand new relationships. There is a new authority which is ever supreme — there is a new nature, with new hopes, and new desires; and new needs; and new aspirations; and new delights; a nature which can find its only satisfaction in Him in whom it found its source; there is a new relationship to all things. Born of God, they look further; they soar higher; they find more. II. But if these are His people, WHY DOES HE SUFFER THEM TO BE HERE? Forsaken, wronged — has God forgotten to be gracious? Who shall deliver them out of the hand of Pharaoh? 1. That they may know that I am the Lord — this is the key to it all. They are led into the wilderness where there is neither bread nor water, that they may learn to look up to God for their help: so they are hemmed in by all possible evils in Egypt, that they may see the greatness and might of their God in their deliverance. The mightier the nation that oppressed them, the greater the glory of their deliverance. The more hopeless their condition, and the more hopeless the people, so much more room was there for God to show forth His mighty arm. The greatness of life — its breadth and depth, its expanse like heaven above us, its solidity like the earth beneath us — is exactly according to our knowledge of our God. And the deep peace and rest — the blessedness and satisfaction — these too come only from knowing Him. We are most indebted — not to those things for which it is easiest to give thanks, but to those from which we have shrunk, and which set us wondering, fearing, perhaps even doubting. The reaper is a happy man, and poets sing and artists paint the scene of harvest home. But the keen frosts that break the clods, and the patient ploughman plodding wearily behind the share with which he cleaves the soil in chill winter winds and under cheerless skies — these are apt to be forgotten and unthanked. And yet what should the reaper bring if the ploughman went not forth? "My people." God sends them to school that they may learn to know Him. 2. Learn further that wherever His people are led, they can never get where God cannot help them. Be sure of that. Whatever clouds gather they cannot hide His child in the darkness. No circumstances can ever shut us out from His help. 3. The Lord knoweth them that are His. He leadeth them in a way that they know not, but He knoweth the way. Fear not: we too may sing — "He leadeth us in a right way to bring us to a city of habitation." 4. Notice yet another characteristic of His people. See Israel come forth from Egypt. Every man, every woman, every child bows his head beneath a doorpost on which is sprinkled the blood — each one passes between the side posts whereon is the crimson stain. They arc the redeemed of the Lord — My people — ransomed by a great price. The people of God find their deliverance in the power of the Cross. (M. G. Pearse.) Parallel Verses KJV: And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. |
    |