The Plan of Salvation

That was actually the title of my sermon this past Sunday, on the amazing chapter – Exodus 6.

As we and others share the gospel with those around us, this chapter has been a reminder that the power is not in us, but in God’s Word. And even greater, salvation itself is a work of God.

You probably remember some of the basics of the story. Moses himself was reluctant to go to Egypt, to be involved in this great liberation. He complained that he wasn’t a good speaker, but he probably had a lot of reasons not to go, based on his history.

Then when he arrived and got started, things immediately got worse. Pharoah just mocked him, and then raised the workload of the Israelite slaves to an impossible level. The foremen were against Moses and his big brother Aaron as well, complaining that all they had done was give Pharoah a sword to kill them all.

So in chapter 6, God gives Moses an overview – a roadmap – of His great plan of salvation. All of it is what God will do, none of it seems to depend on Moses and the Israelites at all.

But when Moses returns to share this great plan with the Israelites, this is the scene we see:

Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.

Exodus 6:9

And Moses himself continued to complain. “Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?”

Of course, according to Moses, the whole plan revolved around whether or not he would succeed. See the quote above? “Me…me…I…”.

But unbelief didn’t stop God. A mocking king didn’t stop God. Depression didn’t stop God. It’s as if God didn’t even notice all these supposedly massive obstacles. There is no comment on them whatsoever. The very next verse says:

But the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge about the people of Israel and about Pharaoh king of Egypt: to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 6:13

There’s no doubt a lot of opposition. But God’s great plan is really and truly not dependent on us. God’s power is really and truly not hindered by the huge “roadblocks” that we can’t see past.

Do pray against the discouragement that the believers here often feel – but keep praying that God will work, and He will.

We were very excited to talk on Sunday about starting up men’s and women’s Bible studies from now until the summer. It was great to hear people’s desire to learn from God’s Word, in spite of concerns and doubts. There are some huge needs in our small group. Please pray that God would use these studies to bring Himself glory.

And pray for those who have still not come to the Lord. They don’t yet know His transforming power, and are still under their “broken spirit and harsh slavery”.