Only in the Land of Goshen
Israel was protected by God’s hand of mercy, even as Egypt was afflicted by it. The only “claim” they had to God’s allegiance was being the seed of Jacob, who was the seed of Isaac, who was the seed of Abraham, whom God made a promise. God covenanted with Abraham to make his seed as numerous as the stars of heaven, to bring them into their own land and be their God. Genesis 15 & 18. This was for Israel but in no way relied upon Israel. They simply were watching safely from their homes in Goshen as Egypt took blow after blow while God prepared to bring them out of bondage thus fulfilling a much bigger plan.
Israel was still in the loins of Abraham when this covenant was made. However, God deals in generations. He is always working with a view to the future. Which is why Paul was able to say, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:4 God continually reminds His servants that his purposes extend far beyond individual lives and lifetimes. When He gives the law at Sinai he says, ‘I am not just making this covenant with those are here right now.’ Deuteronomy 29:14. God instructs Moses to tell the people to teach His statutes to their children and when your son asks what does this mean tell him. (Exodus 12) Part of God’s covenant with Abraham was that he would instruct his children. God was in search of a people and a family, not just a servant, not just a man or a time period. He is a king and his kingdom will be full with many peoples, many generations and many families and He will be their God and dwell in their midst.
He chose you and I before creation. In love he chose The sons of Israel before the foundation of the world as well. As little as we have to do with our salvation, Israel had to do with theirs. God offers himself at no cost. Their blood grants them immunity, just as Christ blood grants immunity to all those who are in Christ. The Hebrews didn’t have to believe for God to come down. As much as we as Christians cringe at that statement, but then again neither did we, God didn’t die because we believe. We believe because He died. There is no evidence that Israel had to believe before being spared the punishments laid on Egypt. Israel had already been chosen. Belief will come into play, obedience will come into play, but for now they are just spoken for, a newly born nation of God’s people. There was light in Goshen, when darkness took over Egypt, there was life in Goshen, not one of the Hebrews animals died, there was no hail in the Israelite’s land and no frogs in their homes or kneading bowls. They didn’t have to obey or do anything in particular, they were literally riding on the coattails of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’s relationship with Yahweh. God was making good on his promise like David did with Jonathan’s son. There was a loyalty simply because of blood and promise. God rescues Israel from the plagues. He carries them through a year of wrath and devastation. They add nothing to His power.
When God sets his gaze upon his children. He sees them just like that, as children. Ezekiel 16 says I passed you by and saw you squirming in your blood. God meets us where we are and expects nothing when he reveals himself through acts of mercy and kindness and faithfulness to his own word. We have so much less to do with everything than what think.
When Jesus comes down that is our story, that Jesus came down to me. Where does he find us? Are we in the mud pits of Egypt? On the streets of New York city? Selling drugs? In prison? In bed with someone we aren’t married too? In a fit of rage? Burdened with abuse, oppressed in an unfair situation? Unbelieving ? lost, lonely, afraid? Our humanity and ignorance does not scare him off they call to him. He is not here because of our righteousness, but because of HIS! We are already belonging to him through blood, we have gained favor and affection and a faithful creator, He just came down to get what belongs to Him. God is patient and he waits and he waits and he waits until that perfect moment when we, like Israel are afflicted and burdened and crying out. Then he comes down and acts while we huddle in our spaces watching from the windows of our homes, reminding each other, He’s doing that for us, because we’re His! He is saving us and we didn’t even do anything.
my faith place 