781. DEU 24:18. THE NECESSARY REMEMBRANCE

Deu_24:18. The Necessary Remembrance

"But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt; and the Lord thy God redeemed thee thence."’97Deu_24:18.

It is said of the Israelites, that they greatly multiplied in the land of Egypt, so that they became exceedingly mighty, and the land was filled with them. Joseph, the friend and shield of his kindred, was now dead, and his bones were resting in the land of promise. The Pharaoh of Joseph’s time had gone the way of all flesh, and another king reigned over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. Under the dominion of this king the people were greatly oppressed. See Exo_1:9, &c., "The cry of the people came up before the Lord;" and it is said, Exo_2:24, &c., "God heard their groaning," &c. Finally, God effected their deliverance; he brake the yoke from their neck, and by his mighty hand he led them forth to the land of promise. On the borders of that land they were now assembled, when Moses addressed to them the language of the text. The text may with great propriety be applied to the redemption of the soul from the power of sin and death; and in this light we shall consider it on the present occasion. Observe,

I. The Christian’s original state.

"A bondman in Egypt." The apostle, when writing to the Ephesians, reminds them of their former state, and says, Eph_2:11, &c., "Wherefore, remember, that ye being in times past gentiles in the flesh," &c. Now the bondage of the Israelites in Egypt typified the state of the sinner,

1. In its degradation.

Slavery is an insult to our species; it is utterly repulsive to every emotion of the soul. A man may be poor, afflicted, in the lowest walks of life; but if he be free, however miserable, he feels no degradation. But the slave is lowered to the level of the brute, and is robbed of all. his dignity as a man. This is the natural condition of every sinner; the sinner is the captive of sin, the slave of the devil. Robbed of his original glory, his crown in the dust, the whole soul is debased. See the prodigal feeding swine, and you have the true picture of the sinner’s state.

2. In its oppression.

A bondman is one who is oppressed, one devoted to a servile and painful occupation. The work of sin is oppressive; the load of sin is oppressive; the guilt of sin is oppressive. The fears and alarms of sin are oppressive. The wicked have no peace,’97no rest, like the troubled sea, &c.

3. In its helplessness.

The Israelites must have remained burdened and wretched had not God interposed. They had no power or might against their oppressors. Slavery enfeebles, enervates, prostrates both the powers of mind and body. This is the sinner’s state. In himself he is without strength. Blinded, enfettered, in the region of death; his deliverance by his own power is impossible. So far as his own energies are concerned he is without hope.

II. The Christian’s happy deliverance.

"Redeemed." That is, emancipated, disenthralled, made free. Now in reference to the Israelites, God redeemed them by his mighty arm. He exerted his stupendous power, and set the hosts of Israel free. Our redemption, like theirs,

1. Originated in God’s free compassion. "He saw, and oh, amazing love, he ran,"

&c. Without claim or merit. He saw our self-procured ruin, and exercised his infinite mercy towards us. Oh, the wonderful love of God, the marvellous mercy of the Lord. "He helped us in our low estate, for his mercy endureth forever." Our redemption,

2. Was effected by the mission and work of his Son.

For Israel he raised up Moses his servant. He went to the people and to Pharaoh. He wrought by the power of God the miracles in Egypt. He led the people forth, and was with them until they came to the borders of the goodly land. For our redemption God sent forth his Son, made of a woman; made under the law, &c. The Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil. He came "to proclaim liberty to the captive, and the opening of the prison doors," &c. But Jesus redeemed us not only by the exertion of his mighty power, but by the price of his precious blood. The Israelites were redeemed by power alone,’97but Jesus had to pay the penalty of sin which guilty beings had incurred, and then by his all-powerful arm to deliver us from our enemies. Our redemption,

3. Is connected, with faith and obedience to our great deliverer.

The means of deliverance were for all the thousands of Israel; none were excluded. It was for all the seed of Abraham: and they were all actually led out of the land of oppression. But the final advantages were only to be enjoyed by exercising faith in God, and obeying his word. Hence the great majority of them entered not into the land of promise. The apostle reminds us of this and cause thereof See Heb_3:7-11 and Heb_3:17-19. Also Heb_4:1, Heb_4:2. Now it is a glorious truth that the whole world is redeemed, "For God so loved the world that he gave his," &c. Yet the blessings of that redemption can only be enjoyed by faith in Christ, and obedience to his gospel. Christ must be received, and he must be loved and obeyed. Therefore, says the apostle, "Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." Heb_6:11.

III. The Christian’s obligation to remember his redemption.

But can we forget? Is it possible? Why, the Israelites did. It is said of them, that they forgat God; they even made a calf and honored it as a deity. Our own hearts are prone to forget; the cares of the world choke the soul, and cause us to forget God. Satan, by his temptations, would seduce us from this remembrance.

1. We should remember it with intentness of soul and gratitude of heart.

Such love and goodness,’97such mercy and compassion should never be obliterated. A lively remembrance will keep the flame of gratitude burning on the altar of our hearts.

2. We should remember it with feelings of humility and contrition.

If self-righteousness would spring up; if we look upon those around with feelings of self-importance and superiority; if we would glory at all in ourselves,’97this remembrance will lead us back to our original state, and then all boasting will be slain, and we shall say, "Not I, but the grace of God that was in me;" "Not unto me, but unto the Redeemer be all the glory."

3. We should remember that we may feel for those around who are still in the gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity.

The love of Christ to us should fill us with love to our fellowmen. It should excite us to tell to all around,

"What a dear Saviour we have found."

4. We should especially remember, when in the means of grace, and at the table of the Lord.

When cold, lethargic, and dull. When the service is a load, &c. The remembrance of our lost state,’97of God’s love,’97of Christ’s redeeming grace,’97should stir up every feeling, and kindle the flame of ardent love and glowing zeal. This remembrance should begin and end every Lord’s day,’97and all the services of his house. To the redeemed, yet unsaved sinner, we say, God invites thee to return to him. He says, "Return, for I have redeemed thee." ‘Oh, come unto him that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly."

Autor: JABEZ BURNS