Exodus

   The Israelites were led from slavery to the promised land.  God led them through the Red Sea having divided the sea so that they could cross; He guided them on their journey through the desert to reach the promised land.  Finally, He led them through the Jordan river by holding back the water so they could cross on dry land.

   During their journey there were many who complained about many things; the food, the water, the journey itself.  They turned from God on many occasions worshipping false gods and were punished for their sins.  “Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many sons of Israel died.” (Num 21: 6).

   The Lord saved the people from slavery and led them to the promised land but not all saw the promised land.  Many died along the way because of their sins.  Simply being a son of Israel wasn’t enough; obedience to God was also necessary to reach the promised land.

   God has also freed us from slavery; slavery to sin.  As he led the Israelites through the Red Sea He has led us through the waters of Baptism.  The Israelite’s passage through the desert on the way to the promised land is suggestive of our passage through life to the promised land that we seek; that of heaven in the presence of our God.

   Some Christians today are very like those Israelites who became tired of following Moses and God.  They grow tired of following the word of God and letting Him lead them on the path He has chosen.  They don’t turn to pagan gods such as Baal but to the gods of pride, sex, self-interest and money.  They reject God’s ways for their own.

      Not all who were freed slavery in Egypt entered the promised land; many were lost along the way because of their weaknesses and failures.  Not all who have been freed from slavery to sin will see the promised land of heaven.  Some will be lost to their own desires and failures.  Simply being a son of Israel was not enough to enter the promised land; faithfulness was required.  Similarly, simply claiming Christianity is not enough to enter heaven; faithfulness to God is required.

   “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matt 7: 21).