From the Pulpit
SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS
The truths we learn from the following scriptures:
1. GOD’S COVENANT (Gen. 50:24-26; Joshua 24:32)
Joseph professes his faith by appealing to God’s Covenant assuring the Israelites that God would lead them
out of Egypt and his bones would be buried in Canaan. 400 years later Joshua led Israel into the Promised
Land and Joseph’s bones were buried at Shechem. This teaches us that God always keeps His promises
even when fulfilment of His Word seems slow in coming (Deut. 7:9; 1 Thess. 5:24).
2. GOD’S REDEMPTION (Exodus 12:11,13,23)
We are catapulted forward 30 generations to the Passover. The LORD goes through Egypt killing all the
firstborn in the land and promises to pass over every house which had blood sprinkled on the lintel and
doorpost sparing the firstborn in the house. Wonderful redemption - All the Passover lambs pointed to God’s
lamb, the LORD Jesus Christ, who through His death on the Cross provides salvation for all who trust in Him
(John 1:29).
3. GOD’S SERVICE (Exodus 3:1-3; 4:1-4)
At the burning bush, the LORD confirms to Moses that He is fully conversant with the sufferings of His people
in Egypt and He calls Moses to lead God’s people out of slavery. The LORD reminds Moses that He is the
infinite, self-existing Sovereign who is sufficient to meet his need. It is encouraging to know that the LORD
will always equip us for Service (2 Cor. 9:8).
4. GOD’S GUIDANCE (Exodus 20:1-20)
God issues Moses with the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai as a guide for living. The commandments
show us our sin (Rom. 3:26) because we are incapable of keeping God’s standards (Rom. 7:14) and as a
result we are driven to the Saviour. The law is a school master to lead us to Christ (Gal. 3:24). After conversion
the Commandments become a standard to follow because we have a desire to keep the law (Rom. 8:4).
5. GOD’S BLESSING (1 Kings 18:41-46)
God had stated in the law that He would send rain upon His people when they turned back to Him from
worshipping idols (Deut. 11:13-17). This is what happened when Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal on
Mount Carmel. Blessing comes when, in obedience, we seek God in prayer pleading the promises contained
in His Word (James 5:16).
6. GOD’S PRESERVATION (1 Kings 19: 4-8)
After the blessing of Mount Carmel Elijah discovers that Jezebel has pledged to kill him. Straightaway, Elijah
retreats to the wilderness where the LORD counsels and strengthens him. The Christian life is not easy but
we are assured that God will sustain us. (Ps. 46:1).
7. GOD’S VICTORY (1 Kings 2:1,11; 2 Kings 10:13,15-16)
God is pleased with Elijah’s faithful ministry and his reward is translation to heaven by a whirlwind. God the
Father responded to Christ’s perfect work by raising Him from the dead which culminated in His ascension
to heaven. Christ’s perfect work of redemption assures the saved of a place in heaven (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor.
15:20-23).
Jehu and Jehonadab’s terrifying retribution on the remnant of Ahab’s family reminds us that God will not
tolerate idolatry. More importantly, it points ahead to the frightening Final Judgment described in the Book of
Revelation (Rev. 16-19).
Rev. George Speers – Castlewellan District Chaplain.