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？

Day 23

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

The tragic night of death was still on the land of Egypt when Pharaoh at last gave in and told the Israelites to leave immediately. He recognised finally the greater power of God.

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.