The Way of Deliverance

But against any of the sons of Israel a dog will not even bark, whether against man or beast, that you may understand how the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. – Exodus 11:7

As the Israelites watched Egypt suffer under God’s horrendous plagues, they must have had some grasp of their own sinful nature! As seen in their rebellious actions through the exodus and wilderness wanderings, Israel was just as pagan, just as wicked as those from whom they escaped. Why were they spared? Was it their spectacular record of obedience? Was it their undivided loyalty? Was it even their choice?

Well, yes and no. God sovereignly protected Israel up to the plague of death upon the first-born. He then sovereignly gave each Israelite family the opportunity to obey His word and apply the blood of the lamb to the doorpost and lintel. At that point, each person faced a choice based upon the offered opportunity of an almighty, sovereign God. Deliverance came not because of goodness, but due to obedience rooted in the promise of the faithful, immutable YHWH.

The offer of an eternal deliverance still rests on these terms.

He hides our unrighteousness with His righteousness, He covers our disobedience with his obedience, He shadows our death with His death that the wrath of God cannot find us. – Unknown