Genesis 15:13-14 - Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know this for certain: Your offspring will be foreigners in a land that does not belong to them; they will be enslaved and oppressed 400 years. 14 However, I will judge the nation they serve, and afterward they will go out with many possessions.
Exodus 12:35-36, 40 - The Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. 36 And the Lord gave the people such favor in the Egyptians’ sight that they gave them what they requested. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.40 The time that the Israelites lived in Egypt was 430 years.
Exodus 1:6-11 - Then Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died. 7 But the Israelites were fruitful, increased rapidly, multiplied, and became extremely numerous so that the land was filled with them. 8 A new king, who had not known Joseph, came to power in Egypt. 9 He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and powerful than we are. 10 Let us deal shrewdly with them; otherwise they will multiply further, and if war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” 11 So the Egyptians assigned taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor.
Exodus 3:7-8 - Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of My people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I know about their sufferings. 8 I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the territory of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.
GOD CAN USE YOUR SUFFERING FOR YOUR PROTECTION.
SUFFERING CAN BRING ABOUT DIVINE PROTECTION, SALVATION, AND PROVISION.
YOUR SUFFERING COULD BE FOR THE PROTECTION, SALVATION AND PROVISION OF YOUR CHILDREN—OR YOUR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN.
Exodus 12:12-13 - I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and strike every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, both man and beast. I am Yahweh; I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. 13 The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.
PASSOVER: HEBREW PĀSACH
- TO PASS OVER, TO SPARE, TO PROTECT, OR TO HOVER OVER
SUFFERING CAN LEAD TO DIVINE PROTECTION BUT IT CAN ALSO LEADS TO DIVINE JUDGMENT.
PROVISION OF DIVINE PRESENCE: CLOUD BY DAY, FIRE BY NIGHT. (EXODUS 13:21-22)
PROVISION OF DIVINE SUSTENANCE: MANNA FROM HEAVEN & WATER FROM A ROCK
PROVISION OF DIVINE PROTECTION: RED SEA & VICTORY OVER ENEMIES
SUFFERING FROM DIVINE PROTECTION IS OFTEN FOLLOWED BY DIVINE PROVISION.
IN MY SUFFERING MY RELIANCE ON GOD GREW.
ADDITIONAL SUFFERING COMES WITH CHOOSING TO FOLLOW JESUS.
Romans 8:17-18 - “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.”
HOW DO WE DETERMINE IF WE ARE EXPERIENCING SUFFERING OF DIVINE PROTECTION—OR SUFFERING OF DIVINE JUDGMENT?
ASK YOURSELF:
• AM I LIVING IN GOD’S WILL—OR IN OPPOSITION TO IT?
• IS THIS SUFFERING A RESULT OF OBEDIENCE—OR SIN?
• AM I RESISTING A CALLING? IGNORING CONVICTION? HOLDING ONTO SOMETHING GOD ASKED ME TO SURRENDER?
