伟大旅程的开始
出埃及记十二章29至42节
29到了半夜,耶和华把埃及地所有的长子,就是从坐宝座的法老,直到被掳囚在监里之人的长子,以及一切头生的牲畜,尽都杀了。
30法老和一切臣仆,并埃及众人,夜间都起来了。在埃及有大哀号,无一家不死一个人的。
31夜间,法老召了摩西、亚伦来,说:起来!连你们带以色列人,从我民中出去,依你们所说的,去事奉耶和华罢!
32也依你们所说的,连羊群牛群带着走罢!并要为我祝福。
33埃及人催促百姓,打发他们快快出离那地,因为埃及人说:我们都要死了。
34百姓就拿着没有酵的生面,把抟面盆包在衣服中,扛在肩头上。
35以色列人照着摩西的话行,向埃及人要金器、银器,和衣裳。
36耶和华叫百姓在埃及人眼前蒙恩,以致埃及人给他们所要的。他们就把埃及人的财物夺去了。
37以色列人从兰塞起行,往疏割去;除了妇人孩子,步行的男人约有六十万。
38又有许多闲杂人,并有羊群牛群,和他们一同上去。
39他们用埃及带出来的生面烤成无酵饼。这生面原没有发起;因为他们被催逼离开埃及,不能耽延,也没有为自己预备甚么食物。
40以色列人住在埃及共有四百三十年。
41正满了四百三十年的那一天,耶和华的军队都从埃及地出来了。
42这夜是耶和华的夜;因耶和华领他们出了埃及地,所以当向耶和华谨守,是以色列众人世世代代该谨守的。
信息分享
不要忘记,以色列人在埃及已繁衍成一个庞大的族裔;只要你把第37节的人数,加上妇女与儿童的数目,再加上38节所指的其他「闲杂人」,得出的总数,大概也有200万以上。如今,这群庞大的以色列民,终于浩浩荡荡地一同离开埃及。
然而,不久之后便证明,那些混在以色列民中间的「闲杂人」对他们是有损无益。他们总是最先抱怨和反叛的人。他们代表了今天的世俗人;他们经常混杂在基督徒的群体中,但他们的心却未曾与神和好。他们便经常对一心想与神同行的基督徒造成困扰。
接着,请留意第40至42节。神曾经对亚伯拉罕说,他的后裔将要寄居在别人的地,那地的人必苦待他们400年(参创十五13)。神的话语真实。祂在以色列民出埃及前的至少600年,已经向亚伯拉罕预言此事。我们经常计算着年日,但对神来说,时间并不是问题。我们没有耐性去等待,但其实,我们应该经常紧记彼得的一句话:「主所应许的尚未成就,有人以为是耽延,其实不是耽延,乃是宽容你们。」(彼后三9)
神给你的应许,有没有还未应验的呢?耐心等候祂吧!神是信实的,祂必然兑现自己的承诺。
反思:
我的主早已知道穿越旷野的道路,我又何需忧虑呢?
THE GREAT JOURNEY BEGUN
Exodus 12: 29 - 42
29 And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock.
30 So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the LORD as you have said.
32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.”
33 And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.”
34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders.
35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing.
36 And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.
37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children.
38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock.
39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves.
40 Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.
41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
42 It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations.
Message
It was a tremendous crowd of people who moved out. Israel had become a mighty nation in Egypt and if you take the figures in verse 37 and add to that the number of wives and children together with the 'mixed multitude' of verse 38, you have a total generally believed to be more than two million.
That 'mixed multitude' however was not going to be any help in the days to come. They were always the first to complain and rebel. They represent the people of the world today, who too often mix with Christian groups but whose hearts are not right with God. What a problem they can be to Christians who are seeking to walk with God.
Then notice verses 40 to 42. God had promised Abraham that his descendents would go into another country and be there in bondage for 400 years. (see Genesis 15:13.) God always keeps his word. He gave this prophecy to Abraham at least 600 years before the Exodus. Time means nothing to God, as we count time. We are so impatient sometimes, but we need to remember what Peter said, 'The Lord is not slow in fulfilling his promises as some count slowness, but is patient toward you'.
Has God given you a promise which is not yet fulfilled? Wait for him. He is faithful and he will do what he has promised.
A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER:
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness.

