“The Israelites set out from Rameses … [and] marched out defiantly in full view of all the Egyptians, who were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had struck down among them” – Numbers 33:3-4.

Pharaoh came to his senses after the Lord had struck down all the firstborn of Egypt (Ex. 12:29-30). His defiance weakened. He called Moses and Aaron to get out of Egypt with all the Israelites and their flock (31-32).  As “the Israelites marched out defiantly in full view of all the Egyptians,” the Egyptians “were burying all their firstborn” (Nu. 33:3-4). There were dead bodies and wailing in every Egyptian home. Humiliation and dread had settled on Egypt, and the people hurried to bury their dead. But, in Goshen, the blood of the lamb had covered God’s people. There was no death in any Israelite home. While death and burial occupied one side of Egypt, resurrection and life boldly marched out of it on the other – a perfect picture of redemption.

When we come to Christ, His blood washes away our sins, and we move from death to life. God rescues “us from the dominion of darkness and [brings] us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col. 1:13-14). As sin buries its victims, Christ triumphantly leads His people out of the throes of death to freedom in Him and beautifully adorns them with eternal life (Rm. 6:23). While the world struggles through deprivation and death, the believer has the hope of glory, the assurance of eternity with Christ (Col. 1:27). Amid the troubles and confusion in this world, God protects His children (Ps. 91:1-16) and gives them peace (Phil. 4:6-7) and joy (Gal. 5:22) in Christ Jesus. What a picture of contrasts!

There is a message to preach from these two-contrasting pictures. It is the message of salvation and eternal life for all who will believe in the finished work of Christ Jesus. It is a message of reconciliation to God (2 Cor. 5:19-20) and peace with Him forever (Rm. 5:1-2). It is a message of hope that gives confidence for living in this chaotic world, and many want to hear it. As the world writhes in sorrow and defeat, Christ Jesus has sent you out to proclaim the Good News everywhere you may be. It is an urgent mission that demands an immediate response. His call comes with divine authority and power to accomplish the task.  He has resourced you in every way and goes with you.

May He give you victory, peace, and joy in every encounter of life, in a manner that provokes others to come to Him. And may you gather the courage to step out and share your faith in the authority of Christ Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.