Exodus 12:29-49
God Makes Good on His Promises

As Pastor Dave taught this passage, he pointed out eight specific details (if I counted correctly!) that God had promised ahead of time and then fulfilled on the night of the Passover. For example, in Exodus 11:4, the Lord tells Pharaoh, through Moses, that every firstborn in Egypt will die at midnight. That promise – or threat – is specifically fulfilled in Exodus 12:29. What God says He will do, He does. He makes good on His promises.

We serve the same Lord described in Exodus. He has not changed! He keeps His promises to us too. Dave gave a few examples of God’s promises to us, including saving us from our sin and the wrath we deserve. But sometimes we conflate our wishes and God’s promises. I pray for that new job I want or physical healing or the removal of trouble from my comfortable life and, knowing that God loves me and blesses me, I make the leap to assuming that God promises me those specific things. Ask the Lord to help you untangle His real and reliable promises from your own desires.

Not everyone was eligible to participate in the Israelites’ Passover worship. Foreigners and sojourners who were not committed to the Old Testament covenant with its mark of circumcision were excluded. Dave drew a parallel to the promise of eternal life. It is not for everyone; it is for those who are committed to Jesus as Savior and Lord. Lift up someone you know who is outside the boundaries of the new covenant in Christ’s blood or someone who is sojourning among Christ’s people without really belonging to him.

God instituted Passover as a night of watching, of reflecting on Him, throughout the generations. Dave noted that we are inclined to spend much more time reflecting on, and praying about, ourselves or what God has done for us. Take time before the Lord to remove yourself from the stage, meditating on who He is and praising Him. Here’s a suggestion: Jot down a few of God’s attributes. For each one, try to articulate a definition or description of the attribute and consider what the universe would be like if God did not possess that attribute. Let those thoughts lead you to heartfelt praise of the Lord.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea

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