The Liberating of Enslaved People (Exodus 5:1-2)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
15 March 2020
Exodus 5:1-2 speaks of Israel’s liberation from Egypt. God’s liberating of Israel is a foretaste of Jesus’ liberating of the church.
There were four parties in the work of Israel’s liberation, namely God, an enslaved people (Israel), messengers of liberation (Moses and Aaron), and an opponent of liberation (Pharaoh, who is a type of Satan).
All four parties are active today when a person is liberated by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The first party is God himself. He rules the universe and has the right to command world governments to act according to his will. He issues a command to Pharaoh to release Israel from bondage. Jesus is God in the flesh and he rules the nations. He commands all peoples to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). He opposes the oppressing and enslaving of people.
Secondly, note that God has a people on earth. Israel is created by the Lord God. God chose them not because they were more holy or superior to other peoples but simply because of his own will and for his own purposes. Jesus has a people here on earth and he has come proclaiming liberty to the captives setting them at liberty (Luke 4:18).
There was a purpose for liberation. Israel was to be liberated to hold a feast in the wilderness. This is reference to thanksgiving and celebration. There will one day be a mighty celebration by everyone who has been liberated by Jesus. This feast is called the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev.19:9).
Next, notice the role of messengers. The Lord God had chosen them to declare his message of liberation. These messengers were Moses and Aaron. The ultimate and greatest messenger is Jesus. Jesus further appointed disciples to be his messengers. Today every Christian is a messenger of Jesus Christ.
The fourth party to this narrative is Pharaoh. Pharaoh is a type of Satan who defiantly resists God's command. He is the arch enemy of Jesus forever opposing Jesus and seeking to depose Jesus from the heavenly throne.
His opposition continues today. He holds people in captivity to sin. When someone seeks to be delivered by Jesus Satan opposes this work. In every work of deliverance there is a mighty battle for the soul. The devil enslaves but Jesus saves.
Mark 5:1-10 is a demonstration of how Satan controls a person. He fights for a person's soul but thank God Jesus is greater than Satan and has prevailed. Satan holds people down. Jesus lifts them up.
All this has practical relevance.
Are you aware of your bondage to sin and the dominion of Satan? Jesus has come to liberate you. He has come to set the prisoner free (Luke 4:18).
If you have been liberated are you serving the Lord? Remember the purpose of Israel's liberation was a feast — worship and celebration.
If you have been liberated are you still living like a slave? When liberated Israel experienced trials it wanted to go back to Egypt and live as slaves. Are you like that — a liberated soul but living for worldly things?
If you have been liberated do you feel for the plight of people who remain enslaved by sin? Moses felt for his people. Do you? That is, are you doing the work of an evangelist? (2 Tim,4:5).
Exodus 5:1-2 is a lesson for us all. It tells of freedom and a feast; Pharaoh and a fight. Heed this lesson. Be liberated.