Yesterday we noted the Passover remembrance of God delivering Israel from bondage in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 16:3) It had become a land of captivity. Egypt was where they had been enslaved by a harsh taskmaster. It was the place to be delivered from, but not the place to return.
As Moses continued to speak to those who would enter the promised land, he discussed things regarding the life they would enjoy there. He even addressed the idea of them eventually having a king. But that king, and the people, needed to keep certain things in mind.
Note one of the things Moses mentioned where we read. . .
“(16) Only he must not acquire many horses for himself or cause the people to return to Egypt in order to acquire many horses, since the Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’” (Deuteronomy 17:16 ESV)
We may be amazed at the number of times Israel was ready to revolt against Moses and select a new leader so they could return to that land of bondage. God had in mind a better place and a better life. The Passover observance was to remind the nation of a deliverance from a place to which they should have had no desire to return. They were to look ahead to where God was leading, not back to where they had come from.
How about us? As we gather around the Lord’s table and remember our Lord — as we participate in the remembrance of our deliverance from the bondage to sin through His body and blood given for us on the cross — are we still looking ahead to the eternal promised land God has in store for us? Or are we actually desiring to go back into the realm of bondage where we were before we were united with Christ? (note Ephesians 2:1-5; 11-13) As we remember our deliverance, we must bear in mind we are “not to go back that way again.” (note the warnings of Hebrews 6:4-6 and 2 Peter 2:20-22)
Sin is a harsh taskmaster. We don’t want to be brought back under its domination. Let us praise God for the deliverance we have received in Christ as we press on towards the promised rest (note Hebrews 4:8-11) prepared in eternity for us!
Have a great day CONTINUING THE JOURNEY WITH CHRIST!
Carl
