Bringing Us To Himself

Ex.19:4 –You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be fore me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.

This verse is scribed on the matting of a framed piece of art in my Texas office. The placement of this scripture text is positioned below the picture of an adult Bald Eagle, in flight, soaring a mountainous terrain. When I went to visit the office space and consider using it as an office, I saw the picture and I knew this was the place for me. This office has been my “Tent Of Meeting,” for seven months and has played a very important part in my intimate and quiet time with my Heavenly Father. I have received so many affirmations and instructions from the Lord in this 12x12 room. I am so very grateful for God’s faithfulness to provide every detail in what I have needed.

The context of this passage is regarding God’s plan and purpose. He reminded Israel of his past acts of faithfulness in their deliverance from Egypt, and the intense slavery they suffered. God was sharing his purpose with Moses, who would convey those words to the Israelites. God was letting Israel know that He was carrying out His eternal purposes that were established before the foundations of the world. He was also letting them know that there were blessings if they followed his instructions which would impact the blessings they would receive from their obedience.

“You have seen.” You were present when God brought the Death Angel that passed over your homes on the very first Passover. You were there when multiple plagues tormented the Egyptians. You were there to watch the Pharaoh’s heart harden and soften several times. You saw the dead carcasses and smelled the rank odors coming from rotting flesh. You were there to watch the parting of the Red Sea and the thousands who were buried in its waters. You were there to partake of the food supernaturally prepared and the water pouring from the rock. You were there to witness the hand of God moving on your behalf. In all of this, God was showing you his love and bringing you back to himself because you wandered away from him.

Most importantly, God, carried you on eagle’s wings and brought you to himself.  Yes, God was fulfilling his purposes in Israel’s lives by providing deliverance from bondage and oppression. Make no mistake, it was their sin that put them in bondage to begin with. Now their God of mercy is providing deliverance for them. He extended mercy when they cried out to him even though they did not deserve it. The point was not just to take them out of their bondage but more importantly, “to bring them to himself!”

Isn’t it interesting how God uses “trials of all kinds,” (Jms.1:2) to get our attention? Those trials or sufferings have a way of taking mankind to the humblest of places, using pain as the motivator, and then the realization that what God is asking for is a relationship with Him. A beautiful relationship between a Father and his children.

The event of Israel’s deliverance was a story, a story with a process, and an adventure. Make no mistake, if you are away from God, a process has been set in motion. A process of mercy and love pursuing you. A process that is immersed in loving kindness and care. There are no coincidences, no accidental events, and no surprises; God, the creator of all things, is in control. He is in the reconciling business. Sin separated man from God and God is reconciling man to himself through the shed blood of the one and only sacrifice, Jesus Christ.

2 Cor.5:17 -18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

“Out of all the earth, you will be my treasured possessions.” God’s love has been clearly seen throughout the annals of time. He has not changed. He will carry out his purposes, including the setting of his love on you and carrying you to himself. You are not out of his sight, care, or eternal purposes.

The purpose of God, “intentionally setting something forward with a deliberate intent” is to draw you to himself. It is there that we experience His best. Life as he has life!

Jn.10:10-11 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd.”

That’s grace, that’s Good News!


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