The Battle for the Soul (Exodus 5:18-6:13)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
3 March 2024
Israel was in bondage in Egypt. Deliverance from bondage had been promised by the Lord but liberation did not come immediately. There was a waiting period before deliverance.
This is a picture of people who have heard the good news about Jesus but their salvation has not happened. We are dealing here with factors preceding a person's salvation.
Note there has to be an awareness of one's servitude. Israel knew it was in bondage. It needed deliverance. Before a person becomes a Christian there has to be a sense of need.
Pharaoh held Israel in bondage. Pharaoh is a picture of the devil. The devil holds people in darkness. He is the god of this age. He blinds people. He binds them.
But there is a clear call for the release of God's people. "Let my people go" said Moses. Jesus commands the god of this world to let his people go. Pharaoh resists. There is a huge battle for the soul of Israel. Satan resists the gospel so that there is a battle for the soul of God's people. When Jesus cast out demons they put up a fight. They resisted violently convulsing their victims.
Pharaoh and Moses were engaged in a mighty conflict. Jesus and the devil are in a similar conflict. It is the battle for the soul.
When a person is coming to faith he or she has a struggle. Such a person, like Israel, wants deliverance, but it does not come immediately. There is a waiting period, a time of preparation, a time of conflict. This is what Paul is talking about in Romans 7.
(Romans 7:13-25 is a reflection on the place the law has in convicting a person of need, unlike Galatians 5:16-25 which is an exhortation for believers not to go back to old ways. Romans 7 is the tension before conversion; Galatians is the tension after conversion.)
In the midst of this struggle there is a way out. It is the way of prayer. Moses intercedes for oppressed Israel. Jesus intercedes for the oppressed church. Just as Moses the prophet prevailed in prayer so Jesus, the greater prophet, shall prevail and his elect liberated.
The Lord is the Lord. He is the great I AM. He is the creator of all things. He sustains his creation. He providentially controls and directs all things. Moses is reminded of these things. Christians also need to be reminded of the greatness of our Lord and Saviour.
He has revealed himself in the past. He spoke to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He spoke to Moses. He is the living Lord. He speaks today through his written word ministered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is God manifested in the flesh.
He formalised his revelation by making a covenant with the Hebrew patriarchs. He has formalised his commitment to the church through the New Covenant. The blood of Jesus seals this covenant.
God's people are to be assured that in the midst of soul-struggle they have God's care. He will not forsake his people. He did not forsake Israel. He will not forsake the church.
Moses takes this message to Israel. The Lord would bring Israel out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. They shall know that he is the Lord their God.
Similarly, the church shall be delivered from the bondage of the devil. Deliverance is certain. Jesus has triumphed over the devil. The battle for soul has been won. Israel enters the promised land. Christians enter heaven.