Take Your Stand
Exodus 8:20-32 | Sermon Recap & Discussion Questions
We must live without compromising our commitment to Jesus Christ, because he promises flourishing life, provokes courageous worship, and provides redemptive grace.
I. Promises Flourishing Life (vv. 20-24)
Our text clearly states that God spared the Israelites of this plague of flies. Later he saves his children from losing livestock, breaking out in boils, crop devastation by hail and livestock, locusts, and death of the firstborn. Likewise, when Moses prayed for the frogs to be removed he refers only to ‘[Pharaoh] and your houses, your officials and your people”(8:9). Moses does not ask for the frogs to be removed from the Israelites. Clearly, even in this oppressed condition, God made his children’s lives more pleasant overall than that of the Egyptians.
II. Provokes Courageous Worship (vv. 25-28)
When God commanded Moses to confront Pharaoh, he literally said, “Go to Pharaoh and stand your ground.” This whole narrative is ultimately about the glory of God. Pharaoh has asserted himself in the place of God and God is demanding his proper place in the lives of his people as well as in Pharaoh’s estimation. Because every human being is crafted in the image of God, everyone worships. And because God alone is worthy of worship and has the sovereign authority to insist on it, he will ensure that by the end of your life you acknowledge him alone—either willingly or unwillingly.
III. Provides Redemptive Grace (vv. 23, 29-32)
Israel never did anything to attract God’s favor above the nations. Even after God heard their prayers and sent Moses to rescue them, they initially rejected Moses and asked to remain in their slavery. Despite their unworthiness, God pursued their redemption. In this passage, Moses uses that very word “redemption” to explain how a holy God can choose to make a sinful people his own and love them as his very own children. What we have translated, “I will distinguish between my people and your people” literally reads, “I will set a redemption between my people and your people” or“ I will put a deliverance between My people and thy people.” To treat the Jews with favor required making them worthy of it by applying to them protection they did not deserve.
Discussion Questions
1. Promises Flourishing Life:
- How does this passage demonstrate that God promises flourishing life for his people?
- Read Psalm 73.
- In what ways do you find yourself sometimes feeling like Asaph in verses 1-16? What is the good news he discovers?
2. Provokes Courageous Worship:
- How does Pharaoh try to convince Moses and the Israelites to compromise their worship?
- One of the ways we can sometimes compromise our worship is by failing to make corporate worship a weekly priority? Are there any ways this is true in your life? How so?
- Read Deuteronomy 7:7-9. What is the reason Moses responded to Pharaoh by refusing to compromise the Israelites’ worship?
3. Provides Redemptive Grace:
- How does God make it clear that he is choosing to redeem his people (v. 23)?
- Perhaps we sometimes think of worshipping God in legalistic terms. However, Isaiah 1:29 says, “For they shall be ashamed of the oaks that you desired; and you shall blush for the gardens that you have chosen.” This means that failing to worship God is to choose that which is second best. In other words, we are settling for less than God promises us and robbing ourselves of joy.
- Are there any ways this changes your perspective on worshipping God in all you do?