Thoughts from the EXODUS

One of the key statements that God repeats to Moses and Aaron is: “that they may know that I AM the LORD.” To ‘know’ as described in the ESV study Bible isn’t simply a cognitive understanding but also the posture that comes with what is known… a change of heart.

What would make 600 000 (men) slaves dare attempt to go into the Wilderness to escape the most powerful nation of the known world? They had been slaves for over 400 years and so their attitude probably wasn’t exactly, ‘Let’s take Pharaoh on!’. They identified as slaves and had limited self-worth and the stories of their ancestors who spoke with God were probably beginning to sound more like fables 400 years down the road. They were oppressed people, bound to be a nation of slaves forever.

So what would it take for this nation of oppressed slaves take on the most powerful human in the known world? They had to know that what they had was more powerful than all of Egypt and its horses and chariots.

God brought 10 plagues on Pharaoh and the Egyptians and it was after those 10 plagues that Pharaoh, the Egyptians & the Israelites understood what God meant when he said: “I AM the LORD.”

The appropriate response for Pharaoh was to let the people of Israel go and for the Israelites, was to venture into the desert without, adequate food, water, a map, or any real plan.

Because when you understand ‘I AM THE LORD’ it no longer matters how big or dry the desert is or how large Pharaoh’s army is. Circumstances no longer play a role.

I AM the LORD.