The Rescue Plan:
(Exodus 12:12-13 and 42; Mark 1:17; Mark 2:14,17; Luke 1:46-55; Luke 4:16-21)
Egypt worshipped many different gods, just to name a few: Osiris, Isis, Horus, Nu, Hekt, Geb, Ra, Hathor, Thoth, Nut, Aten, etc. Each god/goddess had an attribute or item, such as water, crops, beauty, health, livestock, weather, sun, moon, stars, and fertility all of which they “ruled” over. God defeated the gods that reigned in Egypt by showing He had the ultimate power over their supposed gods’ attributes, plague after plague. The Lord had a plan for his people, Egypt stood against that plan, so God sent signs and wonders to prove who the great I AM was to all Israel and Egypt. Would Israel have followed Moses out of Egypt if Pharaoh immediately let the people go? Perhaps Israel also needed a bit of wooing? Imagine a people who have been crying out for help to the Lord as they slaved with harsh physical labor while their babies were being taken, slaughtered, and drowned in front of them! Would they have had the energy, the strength of will, to follow Moses without a sign that invigorated their spirits and renewed their strength and hope? God had a plan, a rescue plan for a nation and the world, to show them beyond a doubt who was the true God, and that they were his beloved children.
God rescued us from our bondage and slavery of sin by sending his son Jesus. The plagues of our modern world haunt us and can cause us to despair – such as pollution, cancer, drug abuse, bed bugs, terrorism, fatigue, poverty, starvation, rape, emotional abuse, abortions, natural disasters, prejudice, and discriminations. Do you ever feel trapped by these plagues that surround our world now? Are we addicted or attached to these plagues because it is all that we know? Do we feel overwhelmed and beaten down by the current events, news, politics, friends, or co-workers? Have we given all our energy to our toil and family, and just want to rest in peace? Does your conscious weigh heavy the things you have done or haven’t done? “Follow me” Jesus says. Follow him to get out of the plagues of Egypt. Jesus said “Those who are well have no healthy do not need of a physician, but those who arethe sick do. I camedid not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Jesus was sent to rescue us, he will do signs and wonders in our lives, he offers peace and hope, and he will take us to the promised land of heaven:
“Then Mary said,
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
48 because he has looked with favor on the humble state of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is
his name.
50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones.
He has lifted up the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich he has sent
away empty.
54 He has come to the aid of his servant Israel, remembering his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and his offspring[a] forever.”
Luke 1:46-55
מגן השביל 