Scripture Reading: Exo. 12:33-39; chapters 13 and 14
Ⅰ
By God's subduing hand we are saved from Satan's usurpation and driven out of the world—Exo. 13:3, 14; 12:33, 39; 11:1.
Ⅱ
The fact that the children of Israel did not have the time to prepare leavened bread indicates that the Lord will deal with our environment to such an extent that it will give us no time for sinful things—12:34, 39.
Ⅲ
The children of Israel's plundering the Egyptians of their silver, gold, and raiment indicates that in God's salvation He desires that we plunder the world of its wealth through our labor for the building up of His dwelling place—vv. 35-36, 38; 3:21-22; 11:2-3; 2 Cor. 6:10; Luke 6:38; 12:16-21; 1 Tim. 6:6-10, 17-19.
Ⅳ
The night of the Passover was a night of observation unto Jehovah, showing that if we want to make an exodus from the world, we need to be watchful, observant, and vigilant—Exo. 12:42; Luke 12:36; 21:36; Rom. 13:11; 1 Thes. 5:6-7.
Ⅴ
God's redeemed people became the armies of Jehovah, going out from the land of Egypt arrayed for battle—Exo. 12:17, 41, 51; 13:18; 2 Tim. 2:3-5; 1 Cor. 9:25-27.
Ⅵ
The purpose of our redemption and exodus from the world is to be sanctified unto the Lord—Exo. 13:2:
A
Redemption is for our security; sanctification is for God's purpose—1 Thes. 5:23; Eph. 5:25-27.
B
The firstborn of a donkey and of a man had to be redeemed by a lamb not only at the time of the Passover but also for their sanctification—Exo. 13:2, 13:
１
In our natural man, we all our "donkeys," unclean in the eyes of God and unacceptable to be offered to God for His satisfaction—cf. Rom. 15:16.
２
This picture indicates that both for our redemption and for our sanctification we need Christ to be our substitute—Gal. 2:20; 1 Cor. 1:30.
３
We all must "bind our donkey to the vine," ceasing from labor and resting in the enjoyment of the riches of Christ's life—Gen. 49:11-12, 14.
４
Those who are sanctified by taking Christ as their substitute to live in them, who have a new beginning of life, and who deal with all exposed sin will have a daily living that is worthy of being a memorial—Exo. 13:4, 7.
Ⅶ
The fact that Joseph's bones were brought out of Egypt and into the good land indicates that we need to be in resurrection and move in resurrection life to have an exodus from the world and participate in the kingdom of God—Exo. 13:19; John 19:36; 1 Cor. 15:50; Heb. 11:22; Ezek. 37:1, 10.
Ⅷ
When, where, and how the Lord's people should move and act depends on the presence of the Lord in the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire—Exo. 13:21-22; 33:14-17; 2 Cor. 2:10:
A
The instant, living, and strong guidance that God gives us comes through the cloud, signifying the Spirit, and the fire, signifying the Word of God—1 Cor. 10:1-2; Rom. 8:14; Psa. 119:105; John 6:63; Eph. 6:17.
B
When those who follow the Lord face opposition, the guiding light becomes their protecting light, while it becomes darkness to their opposers—Exo. 14:19-20; 2 Tim. 3:12-13.
C
We may expect to take a straight way, but God instead leads us to take a roundabout way, a detour, so that we may be equipped, trained, and disciplined for the carrying out of His purpose—Exo. 13:17-20.
Ⅸ
Through baptism, signified by the children of Israel's passing through the Red sea, we are saved from the tyranny of Satan and the world's usurpation—Exo. 14:1-31; Heb. 11:29:
A
After enjoying Christ's redemption to be saved from God's condemnation and judgment, the believers need to be saved out of the world by being baptized in the Spirit and into the death of Christ—Mark 16:16; 1 Cor. 10:2; 12:13; Rom. 6:3-5.
B
When we are baptized, Satan and the power of the world are buried.
C
Baptism saves people out of the world into a separated realm which is for God's purpose, the goal of His salvation—the building of His dwelling place for the establishment of His kingdom—Exo. 5:1; 15:13, 17-18; 40:2.