EXODUS 12:33-51 THAT NIGHT OF THE LORD All of the plagues God had sent upon the Egyptians had been met by opposition of one kind or another from Pharaoh. The first demand for freedom to worship God in God's own way, was met with an insult and contempt. "Who is the Lord, that I should obey Him?" When a nation through its leaders begins to treat the rights of its people with distain, then ultimately God will step in to deal with the nation Himself. The same is true in assembly life. An assembly that doesn't deal with sin but ignores immorality like in Corinth, God deals with that assembly Himself. "For this cause, many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep." Offers of compromise that followed the request for freedom to go and worship God, showed the hardness of the heart of Pharaoh who considered himself a god. For the Lord's people to worship the Lord God as the One True God in the country, would have led to worse persecution and maybe even a war between the idolatrous Egyptians and the Hebrews. To go a short distance away would have been no different. To leave families behind shows the lack of value Pharaoh had on children as far as worshipping God is concerned. The thoughts and praise of God little children make, is of high value to God. "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." It is important that we include our children in the gatherings of God's people so they learn who the Lord is and why He is to be obeyed. The compromise of three days journey was so the Lord's people would still be close enough to have the influence of the Egyptian world nearby.
"That night" saw Pharaoh concede to the demands of the Lord. Conciliation between what is of God and what is of the world is impossible. Those two are diametrically opposed. There can be no surrender of that which is of God to that which is of the "god of this world." The attempts at compromise might be couched in smooth words, but does not change the character of worldliness.
"That night" the hardness of Pharaoh's heart reached its peak. The same rain that brings forth the fruit of the ground to bless people, brings thorns and thistles to curse the people. The meekness and quietness of a believing wife who submits to her unbelieving husband, may bring antagonism upon her because her godliness convicts him of guilt. "That same sun that melts the ice, hardens the clay." God's "good and perfect gifts" when rejected by hard-hearted people results in far greater condemnation than if they had not been offered freely by His grace.
"That night" the people of Israel went out full of wealth from the Egyptians who offered the jewels of gold, silver and raiment. This was payment received for years of labor for which they had given as slaves. That night good came out of evil. The Egyptians had learned through the plagues that the captive Hebrews were blessed by God and were glad to see them go, and were anxious to hasten them away because of fear of them. We may never fully understand the impact of holy and consecrated people on the world around us. But God does know the value of the testimony of His own people. The Holy Spirit of God may bring conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come through God's people. We may never get the opportunity of verbal testimony to those who avoid us because of our faith in Christ, so the Lord can use the visible testimony of holiness of life and character to leave people without excuse.
"That night" the Lord brought out of Egypt His own people after four hundred and thirty years. He kept His promise to Abraham, He brought them out Himself so no one could say they were delivered by a man. More than that, they went out in strength. There "was not one feeble person" among all of those two million or so people [Ps.105:35]. God got all the glory for that great deliverance. "That night of the Lord to be observed" is still a great testimony to the power of God and the promises of God.
"That night" was a special time when the mighty arm of the Lord was revealed.
There came into the view of the nation what before was in a way concealed. They had learned that God exists and He has greater power than to men known. But that night the keys of life and death God holds was plainly to those people shown.
We are wise to remember again the One we worship and serve is Almighty. His judgments are righteous and fair, in Him is nothing that is flighty. He has just reasons to do what needs to be done to carry out His perfect will. When His arm is made bare in judgment or blessing, it is His perfect will to fulfill.
Anyone who carelessly considers their will in life to be supreme, Should stop and review from scriptures what God has allowed to be seen. His plans are not just for tomorrow, eternal ages are already known to Him. There is none who know fully His mind, not even the wisest of men.
So, we take stock as to what has already happened, and learn lessons from the past. Then we are able to discern some things that happen in this day in which our lot is cast. We know that nothing happens by chance, so in God we fully place our trust. Then we are confident in spite of troubles, God is doing the things He must.
I may not know just why some are called home when they are young. Or why the weak remain in that condition, when God takes away those who are strong. But I know in whom I have believed, and in Him I have placed my faith. And I know that His blessings to men come because of the riches of His grace.
At the moment it may not seem like a blessing, because I cannot see the end. God does not owe me an explanation as to why difficult things He sends. He just expects my allegiance and my loyalty to Him to be real. Maybe in time to come I will know what at present He chose to conceal.
"That night" brought to light what for four hundred plus years had been hid. In less than one day came to pass an understanding of all that He did. Looking back over the history of a nation we see unfolded a national identity. Revealed to our limited gaze is what God eternally did see.
"Father in heaven, after all those years of waiting for the promise of deliverance to come, how quickly was that promise fulfilled. I wait for the Lord's coming as He promised and I know it will be done in a moment of time when He comes. I wait in patience and anticipation in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."