Freedom from Pharaoh
Elaine Poproski Download: Audio
Sunday Reflection
Read Heather Weir’s reflection, titled, “Self Justification,” from Sunday’s sermon. You’ll find it in the Sunday Reflections blog.
Sermon Notes:
- The book referenced in the sermon, written by Danielle Strickland, is titled “The Ultimate Exodus: Finding Freedom from What Enslaves You,” and was published by NavPress in 2017. I quoted from pages 43 – 49.
- You can find the Youtube video of The Ten Commandments Musical referenced here.
Sunday Scripture Reading: Exodus 7-14 (NRSV)
The Lord said to Moses, “See, I have made you like God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet. Read More…
Looking to Sunday
by Elaine Poproski
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find myself clinging to the God of Scripture who does the impossible and fights for His people. Sometimes I am powerless. Sometimes I am desperate. Sometimes the only way out is for God to show up like He showed up in Bible times. It’s in those times that I find myself praying with the desperate father of Mark 9:24, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Read the whole story here.)
I’ve had moments like that this week. But at the same time I’ve been immersed in the story of the Exodus (check it out here) and confronted by the Warrior God of Israel. This is the God who responded to Israel’s suffering under the oppression of an Egyptian pharaoh. This is the God who did wonders unmatched by the most advanced magicians and holy men of Egypt. This is the God who brought the unnamed ruler of an empire to his knees. This is the God who, hundreds and hundreds (more than a thousand) years later, sent His Son to defeat, not a ruler or an empire, but death itself. This is the God who loves us as passionately and vigorously as He loved the fledgling nation of slaves He freed from Egypt.
As you prepare for Sunday, it may be helpful to read through Exodus 7 – 15. It may also be helpful to read Isaiah 54:4 – 17, which is part of another story from another time in Israel’s history, but that similarly promises vindication and rescue and hope for God’s people. As you prepare for Sunday, I invite you to reflect on these words from Psalm 105 and then to do exactly as the psalmist invites, especially in the last two lines printed below:
O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name,
make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
tell of all His wonderful works.
Glory in His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and His strength;
seek His presence continually.
Remember the wonderful works He has done,
His miracles and the judgments He has uttered.