READY FOR THE JOURNEY HOME

Ex. 12:37-42

The children of Israel had spent 430 years away from home and there had been many things along the way that reminded them that there would one day come a time they must leave Egypt.

Joseph had died while in Egypt but he had the promise that his bones would not be left in Egypt when Israel returned to the homeland, Gen. 50:25. No doubt the Israelites saw the differences in the looks and ways between the Israelites and the Egyptians as well as many of the ways of worship they had. Egypt worshiped cattle while the Israelites sacrificed them.

Finally there came the day of departure. Six hundred thousand men on foot, not including the children and the mixed crowd. It is said if you had the people lined up 50 abreast for 40 miles you would have some idea what Israel looked like leaving Egypt.

The children of Israel and their journey of life is somewhat like all of us today. Many times we stay too long in the Egypt of our lives and the Lord sends someone to give us directions. We fuss, we fume, we let fear and doubt creep into our lives momentarily and then, by God's power, we see our right direction and finally we get started on our journey of life.

The Israelites learned, as we need to, that there are some personal duties we each have when making our preparations to go. The Bible tells us in Philippians 2:12 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. There is no person on earth that can do your duty you owe to God other than yourself. There are people that feel they must live a very careful lifestyle in order to find peace with God. My friend, only you and the Lord know how you really stand and what you need to do in this life. Live your life to please Jesus and let others do the same. 

There come a time in the apostle Paul's life that he knew it was time for him to leave this life and we hear him say, in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

There are at least three distinct duties we all have and we can do. A good fight is within the reach of each of us. We each have a course to run and friend no one can do it for you, and by all means keep the faith. There are many strange voices bidding for your time and devotion and only you can decide who you will be faithful to.

In verse 8, Paul tells us, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Have you made your preparations for your journey? Don't spend all your days in Egypt. As a matter of fact, there is a sea, a wilderness and a river to cross before we get home.