Advent Podcast - Episode 10 - The Eleventh Day of Advent

Moses

Exodus 6:1-13- Read by Sissy Rickets
1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: Indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out of his land.”

2 God also spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name ‘The Lord’ I did not make myself known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they resided as aliens. 5 I have also heard the groaning of the Israelites whom the Egyptians are holding as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Say therefore to the Israelites, ‘I am the Lord, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has freed you from the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.’” 9 Moses told this to the Israelites; but they would not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and their cruel slavery.
 
10 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, 11 “Go and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his land.” 12 But Moses spoke to the Lord, “The Israelites have not listened to me; how then shall Pharaoh listen to me, poor speaker that I am?” 13 Thus the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, and gave them orders regarding the Israelites and Pharaoh king of Egypt, charging them to free the Israelites from the land of Egypt.

Reflection
The phrase “home for the holidays” brings pleasant thoughts for many people; it’s such a comfort to have a place to call “home.” Today we read about the start of Israel’s journey to their new home, which begins with a message of freedom. After years of bondage in Egypt the Israelites hear these wonderful words of promise from God: “I will free you…deliver you…redeem you” (verse 6). The promise of freedom was then followed with the promise of a new home: “I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; I will give it to you for a possession” (verse 8). Both of the promises to Israel are given to us as well. The promise of freedom has been already fulfilled in Christ who freed, delivered, rescued us from the grip of sin, and the promise of a new home will be fulfilled when Christ returns. Our new home is going to be even better than what was promised to Israel because it will be an eternal, imperishable home in the loving presence of God. Look expectantly for it as we wait for its fulfillment when Christ returns. What a joyful homecoming that will be!

Our King and Savior is drawing near!
O come, let us adore him!