In some parts of Biblical history Egypt was

In some parts of Biblical history, Egypt was a REFUGE TO which Bible characters fled FOR deliverance. • Abraham went to Egypt for deliverance FROM a severe famine (Gen. 12: 10) • Joseph took Mary and young Jesus to Egypt for deliverance FROM homicidal Herod (Matt. 2: 13 -20) • Jacob and his family went to Egypt for deliverance FROM a severe famine and affliction (Acts 7: 11 -15; Gen. 41: 53 -57; 42: 1 -46: 27)

But, in the days of Moses, God’s people needed deliverance FROM Egypt! • God told Abraham of Egyptian bondage (Gen. 15: 13) − A new ruler arose who knew not God (Ex. 1: 8) − The new government chose to “deal shrewdly” (Ex. 1: 10) − They set out to “afflict” God’s people (Ex. 1: 11, 13 -14; 5: 4 -19) − They “dealt treacherously” with God’s people (Acts 7: 19) − They enforced population control by killing baby boys (Ex. 1: 16) − GOD’S PEOPLE NEEDED DELIVERANCE!!! • God told Abraham of delivery from Egypt (Gen. 15: 14) − “Israel groaned…and they cried out…to God” (Ex. 2: 23) − “God heard…looked…came down to deliver” (2: 24 -25; 3: 7 -8) − “I am the Lord; I will bring you out…” (Ex. 6: 6 -8)

The Lord Delivered Israel: • FROM Slavery/Bondage (Ex. 6: 6) • THROUGH Water (Ex. 14: 1 -29; 1 Cor. 10: 1 -2) • INTO a new relationship with Him (Ex. 6: 7) • FOR the purpose of honoring, glorifying & serving Him (Deut. 6: 1 -25; Isa. 43: 7) • UNTO a Promised Land (Ex. 6: 8) • The Lord continually reminded, “I am the Lord who brought you out of Egypt” (Num. 15: 41; Deut. 5: 6; 1 Sam. 10: 18; Mic. 6: 4)

We Are Delivered in the Same Way that Israel Was Delivered from Egypt • God CAME DOWN to deliver His people UP to heaven (Heb. 2: 9 -10; John 1: 1 -14; Phil. 2: 5 -11) • FROM Slavery (Rom. 6: 1 -23; John 8: 34; 2 Pet. 2: 19) • THROUGH Water (Rom. 6: 3 -7; 1 Pet. 3: 20 -21; Acts 2: 38) • INTO a new relationship with Him (Gal. 3: 26 -27) • FOR the purpose of honoring, glorifying & serving Him (1 Cor. 10: 31; Col. 3: 17, 23) • UNTO a Promised Land (Heb. 4: 1 -9; 1 Pet. 1: 3 -5) • We need to be continually reminded that it is the Lord who has delivered us!

We Need to Keep in Mind the DANGER of Returning to an Un-Delivered State • Israel “in their hearts they turned back to Egypt” (Acts 7: 39) • Israel turned away from the God who delivered them (Acts 7: 40 -41) • We must guard against becoming “again entangled” in the world and “overcome” and “enslaved” to the ways of evil (2 Pet. 2: 20 -22) • Once we’re delivered, we must “work” to remain delivered by God (Phil. 2: 12 -13)