Destination

When the LORD led His people out of Egypt, He was also leading them to a destination. We know from scripture that the LORD was leading his people to the Promised Land, the land that He had promised in covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, we have hints, as we will see, that the Israelites were aware that there was a greater destination accomplished spiritually than even the physical homeland they were promised. Abraham, scripture tells us, was looking for a city whose builder and maker was God: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." (Heb. 11:8-10). While the forefathers passed down the knowledge of the promise of land to their future generations, Abraham was aware from the beginning that there was an even greater promise involved, the promise of the city of God. The title of this Sabbath's reading is B'shallach, which means "When he let go". The Hebrew letters which form the word B'shallach, beth, shin, lamedh and cheth could also form the meaning: "The house of God (El Shaddai) to which He guides by a shepherd's hook into an inner chamber". It is just as important to know where God is leading us to, as well as knowing what He is leading us from. The apostle Peter also revealed this when he wrote: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (1 Pet. 2:9). We were not just brought out of something, but we were brought into something, a destination, at the same time. By the meaning of the letters of the word, B'shallach used this Sabbath, God leads His people into an innermost chamber of His House. As part of this Sabbath's reading, we see, not only how God brought His people out, but also how He brought them in at the same time. After God stood the waters of the Red Sea up like solid walls, His people crossed over the Sea bed as if on dry land. As the Egyptian army and its princes pursued the Israelites through the divided Sea, the walls of water that had stood up solidly became liquified once again and drowned Pharaoh's army (Ex. 14:21-29, Ps. 78:12-13). After this miraculous victory, Moses and the Israelites sang a song rejoicing and praising God for His mighty works on their behalf (Ex. 15). Within this song, the Israelites sing of an accomplished destination beyond the physical land promised to their forefathers: "...You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation...Till the people pass over whom You have purchased. You will bring them in and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which You have made for Your own dwelling, the sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever." (v. 13, 16-18). Paul wrote that the Israelites' miraculous experience at the Red Sea was a type of baptism, and the Rock which followed them through the wilderness and provided them with water, was actually Christ (1 Cor. 10:1-4). So there is a spiritual change that took place here, besides the miraculous deliverance from the armies of Egypt. Unfortunately, the Israelites quickly forgot this accomplishment of God, and the destination to which He had guided them, and they began to complain about their current circumstances (Ex. 16:2-4). How easy it is to take our eyes off the miraculous destination into which the LORD has already delivered us, and to get enslaved once again in the things we see as lack! How easily we surrender ourselves once again to the land of bondage, and the Pharaoh who rules it! Jesus also reminded His disciples of the destination that is accomplished for them in the House of God through Himself: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." (Jn. 14:1-4). Not only does Jesus confirm the accomplishment of the promise that Abraham looked to so long ago, but Jesus connected His return to the fulfillment of that promise of being guided into the inner chamber of the House of God, a house whose builder is not man, but God, Himself. Jesus wanted us to have the knowledge of this finished work, and to be assured in it. This destination achieved through Christ is greater than any and all circumstances that we may encounter in our lives. This destination is not only a future habitation with God, but it is an accomplished reality now, as Jesus said: "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?...Therefore do not worry...for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Mt. 6:25, 31-33). In these times of trials and struggles, the knowledge of where we dwell in the Spirit becomes more important than ever. God has brought us to our destination in His House. If you would like to learn more about walking in the promise of the city of God, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, You guide Your people into Your House. Through Jesus, Who has made a place for me, I enter into that eternal dwelling place with You. Fill me with the Holy Spirit to guide me into, and keep me in this inner most chamber of Your House, and to remind me that now, in this life, I already dwell in this great destination. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."