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Sermon #32 Exodus
Series Title: “Ye Shall Not Go Empty” Text: Exodus
3:21-22 Subject: The
Spoiling of Egypt Date: Tuesday
Evening — December 19, 2006 Tape # Exodus
32 Readings: Lindsay
Campbell and Darvin Pruitt Introduction: In Exodus
3:16-22 the Lord God gives a detailed account of the whole history of his
controversy with Pharaoh and the Egyptians and of the final redemption of his
people before it happened. The Lord was about to visit Israel in grace; but he tells Moses to declare that
he had already visited them in grace. — “The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of
Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you.” Because he had visited them in his purpose of
grace, he was sure to visit them in the experience of his grace. (Exodus 3:16-17) “Go, and gather the elders of Israel
together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of
Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely
visited you, and seen that which
is done to you in Egypt: (17) And
I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land
of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites,
and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.” Done and Sure Moses was sent
to Israel and commanded by God to announce to his people that their
deliverance was accomplished, that redemption was done, and that redemption
accomplished is redemption sure. That is
exactly what God’s servants are sent to preach: — Redemption done and
sure to be done — Salvation finished and sure to be finished (Isaiah
40:1-2; Romans 8:29-31; 2 Timothy 1:9-10). Then, in verse 18, the Lord
God assures his servant that his people will hear and believe his message. — “And they shall hearken to thy voice.”
God never sends his servants on a useless mission. He will bless his Word (2
Corinthians 2:14-16; Isaiah 55:11). (Isaiah 55:11) “So shall my word be that goeth forth
out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish
that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Next, the Lord told Moses to go
with the elders of Israel to ask permission from Pharaoh that they might go three days’ journey into the
wilderness to worship “the Lord
our God.” — “And thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto
the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews
hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days’ journey
into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God” (v. 18). Then, the Lord plainly told
Moses that Pharaoh would not let Israel go, but that he would harden his heart (v. 19). Then, the
Lord assures his servant that he would, by the performance of his wonders in
Egypt, compel Pharaoh to let his people go
(v. 20). (Exodus 3:19-20) “And I am sure that the king of Egypt
will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand. (20) And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with
all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will
let you go.” According to Purpose All these things are written
for us, to assure us that all things move according to the eternal purpose of
God. He who declares the end from the
beginning performs all his pleasure. What a sweet, blessed source
of consolation this is for our fearful hearts! ·
We shall never meet a difficulty or an enemy, neither
in the world nor in our own hearts, that was not purposed by our God. ·
We shall never face a foe that he shall not conquer. ·
And we will never endure a trial from which he does
not deliver us. The Lord God knew beforehand what Pharaoh would do. He
knew it because he had predestined it, that he might show his glory in
Pharaoh’s destruction and Israel’s salvation. So it is with every trial, every foe, and every hardship in the
path he has marked out for us through this world. Everything has
been prearranged in view of our final triumph and our victorious exit from
this scene of woe, through the final accomplishment of our redemption by
Christ. — “Faithful is he that
calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). — “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath
begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). God’s
Promise Now, I want us to look at
verses 21 and 22. (Exodus 3:21-22) “And I will give this people favour
in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go,
ye shall not go empty: (22) But
every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her
house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them
upon your sons, and upon your
daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.” This was God’s promise to Moses
and to Israel. — “When ye go, ye shall not go empty…And ye shall spoil
the Egyptians.” Proposition: That which was promised regarding Israel and the
typical redemption of Israel out of Egyptian bondage is true concerning the
redemption of God’s elect by the blood of his Son and the power of his grace.
— “It shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty…Ye
shall spoil the Egyptians.” Blessed Bondage We must not forget, as we read
the Book of Exodus, that Israel’s redemption from Egyptian bondage was a
typical picture of the Lord Jesus Christ coming down from heaven to redeem
and save his people. Our blessed Savior
has seen, and heard, and known the afflictions of his children in the land of
bondage. More than that. — He ordained our bondage as well as
our deliverance, that he might display and make known to us and in us the
greatness of his grace and glory in our deliverance (Ephesians 2:4-7). — Blessed is that
bondage by which our Savior displays the glory of his grace in deliverance! (Ephesians 2:4-7) “But God, who is rich in mercy, for
his great love wherewith he loved us, (5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us
together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (7) That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding
riches of his grace in his kindness
toward us through Christ Jesus.” ·
Had there never been a fall, there would never have
been redemption from the fall. ·
Had we never been in captivity, we could never have
been set free. ·
If the first Adam had not sinned, the last Adam would
not have been revealed. ·
Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost.
Had we not been lost, he would never have come to save. The whole need not a
physician, but they that are sick. The same
thing is true with regard to our present trials, even our present faults. Let no one mistake my meaning. I do not excuse
Adam in his sin; and I do not excuse myself in my sins, or you in yours. Yet,
I do assert, and assert with delight, that our God has ordained the falls of
his people, that he might the more show in us the glory of his grace and the
more enrich our lives by the experience of his grace. I fully agree with C. H. Spurgeon who said… “O happy fault, which has
thus made manifest the abounding mercy of God! Looked at in one aspect all
sin is an unutterable calamity; but as it has had the effect of displaying
still more of the matchless mercy of God in the person of Jesus Christ, we
see how God brings forth good out of evil.” Peter was
made better by the Lord Jesus sifting
him in Satan’s sieve; and we are made better by the sifting. It is
especially when we have been sifted that we are called by our Savior to trust
him (John 13:38-14:3). (John 13:38-14:1-3) “Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay
down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall
not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice….(14:1) Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God,
believe also in me. (2) 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. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come
again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Our dear
Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the almighty I AM. He is “the same
yesterday, and today, and forever!” May he give us grace, by his Holy Spirit, to trust him, even in the
midst of terrible adversity. How blessed it is that, when our souls are bowed down and brought
low by the bondage and oppression of sin and we cry, “My strength and my hope
is perished from the Lord,” he
enables us to remember, even in our lowest conditions, “His mercy endureth
forever!” That is exactly what Jeremiah teaches us (Lamentations 3:18-30). (Lamentations 3:18-30) “And I said, My strength and my hope
is perished from the LORD: (19) Remembering
mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. (20) My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. (21) This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
(22) It is of the LORD’S mercies
that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (24) The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. (25) The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. (26) It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation
of the LORD. (27) It is good for
a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. (28) He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he
hath borne it upon him. (29) He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may
be hope. (30) He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full
with reproach.” Unexpected Favor Let me show you
how these things are both taught and illustrated in our text. In verse 21
the Lord Jesus told Moses that he would cause the Egyptians to show
unexpected favor toward his people. (Exodus 3:21) “And I will give this people favour
in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go,
ye shall not go empty.” Did the Lord
God say that Israel would be given “favor in the sight of the Egyptians,” who
hated, enslaved, persecuted, and murdered them? Verse 21 is not a misprint.
That is what he said. And what he promised he performed (Exodus 11:3; 12:36; Psalm 105:38; 106:42-46). (Exodus 11:3) “And the LORD gave the people favour
in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of
Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.” (Exodus 12:36) “And the LORD gave the people favour
in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as
they required. And they spoiled the
Egyptians.” (Psalms 105:38) “Egypt was glad when they departed:
for the fear of them fell upon them.” (Psalms 106:42-46) “Their enemies also oppressed them,
and they were brought into subjection under their hand. (43) Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him
with their counsel, and were
brought low for their iniquity. (44) Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
(45) And he remembered for them his
covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. (46) He made them also to be pitied of all those that
carried them captives.” And that
which he has done he still does. The
world that hates, persecutes, and would destroy God’s church is made to favor
and help his church (Proverbs 16:6-7; Revelation 12:13-16). (Proverbs 16:6-7) “By mercy and truth iniquity is
purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. (7) When
a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with
him.” (Revelation 12:13-16) “And when the dragon saw that he was
cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
(14) And to the woman were given
two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her
place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from
the face of the serpent. (15) And
the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he
might cause her to be carried away of the flood. (16) And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened
her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.” Borrowed Wealth The Lord
promised, “when ye go, ye shall not go empty.” But how were they to obtain
everything they needed to live in the wilderness? How could they ever get
everything they needed to worship and serve God in the wilderness? Where
could they ever expect to get the wealth with which to offer such costly
sacrifices as God would require? Later, they would be required to build a
tabernacle with the richest furnishings imaginable, furnishings of brass,
silver and pure gold! How could a rag-tag bunch of slaves get such wealth?
Read verse 22… (Exodus 3:22) “But every woman shall borrow of her
neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and
jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall
spoil the Egyptians.” Let me spend a
little time here. There are many who foolishly imagine that God here commanded the women of Israel to
steal the wealth of the Egyptians! Obviously, that is not the case. The word
translated “borrow” in verse 22 simply
means “to seek, ask, or desire a favor.” “Borrow” is really a very poor translation. I have no idea why our
translators chose to use it. The word is not used very often in Scripture;
but it is used in a very familiar passage. In 1 Samuel 1:20, Hannah used this same word when she asked the
Lord to give her a son. (1 Samuel 1:20) “Wherefore it came to pass, when the
time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and
called his name Samuel, saying, Because
I have asked him of the LORD.” If we look down
to verses 27 and 28, when Hannah
brought Samuel to the temple, she explained to Eli that she had asked, or
begged God to give her the son that she brought to the Lord. (1 Samuel 1:27-28) “For this child I prayed; and the
LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: (28) Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long
as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” In Exodus
12:36 we are told “And the LORD gave the
people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required.” That is
the same word Hannah used when she told Eli that she had “lent” Samuel to the
Lord forever. He was not loaned to the Lord, but given to him,
unconditionally, forever. And the
Egyptians gave the Israelites their wealth unconditionally, forever. (Exodus 12:35-36) “And the children of Israel did
according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of
silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: (36) And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of
the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.” Though they
departed carrying away their jewels of silver, their jewels of gold, their
clothes and their cattle, the Scriptures declare, “Egypt was glad when
they departed.” The Lord God made the
Egyptians happy to give his people Israel everything they required! — Do
you reckon… ·
He will let you go naked, homeless or hungry? ·
He will leave you unprotected? ·
He will not provide for you everything you require? (Romans 8:32) “He that spared not his own Son, but
delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us
all things?” Egypt Spoiled Look at Exodus
3:21-22 one more time. (Exodus 3:21-22) “And I will give this people favour
in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go,
ye shall not go empty: (22) But
every woman shall borrow of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her
house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them
upon your sons, and upon your
daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.” This was God’s
promise to Moses and to Israel. — “It
shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty…Ye shall spoil
the Egyptians.” And, again, what he promised, he performed (Exodus 12:35-36). (Exodus 12:35-36) “And the children of Israel did
according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of
silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: (36) And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of
the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.” All of this
would be as meaningful, or as meaningless, to us as any other piece of
history, except for one thing. — This is God’s promise to you and
me, his promise to all his elect, his promise to every believing sinner. — “It shall come to pass, that, when ye
go, ye shall not go empty…Ye shall spoil the Egyptians.” — If you will
read Exodus chapter 35, you
will see that all the riches Israel brought with them out of Egypt
were used to make and adorn the tabernacle in the wilderness, used in the
worship and service of God to the praise of his glory, in the perpetual
celebration of redemption. ·
This is a covenant promise. God made this promise in a covenant long before
any of these people were ever born (Genesis 15:14). (Genesis 15:14) “And also that nation, whom they
shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great
substance.” ·
With regard to God’s true Israel, this is a
promise of universal application (Job
27:13-17; Proverbs 13:22; 1 Corinthians 3:19-23; Romans 8:28-31; Revelation
21:1-4, 22-27). (Job 27:13-17) “This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty. (14) If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be
satisfied with bread. (15) Those
that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.
(16) Though he heap up silver as
the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; (17) He may prepare
it, but the just shall
put it on, and the
innocent shall divide the silver.” (Proverbs 13:22) “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children:
and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” (Romans 8:28-31) “And
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to his purpose. (29) For whom
he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be
the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he
called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also
glorified. (31) What shall we
then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against
us?” (1 Corinthians 3:19-23) “For the wisdom of this world is
foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own
craftiness. (20) And again, The
Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (21) Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things
are yours; (22) Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world,
or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
(23) And ye are Christ’s; and
Christ is God’s.” (Revelation 21:1-4) “And I saw a new heaven and a new
earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there
was no more sea. (2) And I John
saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with
men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God
himself shall be with them, and be their
God. (4) And God shall wipe away
all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,
nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are
passed away.” (Revelation 21:22-27) “And I saw no temple therein: for the
Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. (23) And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the
moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is
the light thereof. (24) And the nations of them which are saved shall walk
in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and
honour into it. (25) And the
gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night
there. (26) And they shall
bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. (27) And
there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever
worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book
of life.” All Nations How is it
that God’s elect spoil the Egyptians? How
are we made rich by that which was once our ruin? First, when
Israel went out of Egypt there were numerous Egyptians who were delivered
with them (Exodus 12:38). (Exodus 12:38) “And a mixed multitude went up also
with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.” These Egyptians
who were saved with Israel were a beautiful prophetic picture of the fact
that the Lord God has purposed to save a great multitude out of every nation,
even from Egypt itself (Isaiah 19:1, 18-22; Zechariah 8:23). (Isaiah 19:1) “The burden of Egypt. Behold, the
LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his
presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.” (Isaiah 19:18-22) “In that day shall five cities in the
land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be
called, The city of destruction. (19) In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. (20) And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto
the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt:
for they shall cry unto the LORD
because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great
one, and he shall deliver them.
(21) And the LORD shall be known
to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall
know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they
shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. (22) And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite
and heal it: and they
shall return even to the
LORD, and he shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them.” (Zechariah 8:23) “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In
those days it shall come to pass, that
ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take
hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we
have heard that God is with you.” Christ’s Death Second, when the Lord Jesus redeemed us by his blood, he spoiled the prince of darkness and all the
evil represented by Pharaoh and Egypt, “Blotting
out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to
us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew
of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14-15; John 12:32;
Revelation 20:1-3; Isaiah 53:12). — He restored that which he took not away. (Isaiah 53:10-12) “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise
him; he hath put him to grief:
when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in
his hand. (11) He shall see of
the travail of his soul, and shall
be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for
he shall bear their iniquities. (12) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil
with the strong; because he hath
poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors;
and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” That which we read in Isaiah
53:12 are the words of God the Father, promising his Son that he would have a great, large and ample, portion
given to him and that he would make him higher than the kings of the earth,
giving him a name above every name in this world and in the world to come. “And
he shall divide the spoil with the strong.” That is to say, “He shall
divide the strong as a spoil.” Saving
Operations Third, when the Lord God comes in the power of his
saving grace to set captive sinners free, he causes his ransomed ones to
spoil the Egyptians. — “For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul
of those that spoiled them” (Proverbs 22:23). — “They shall spoil those
that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord GOD”
(Ezekiel 39:10; Isaiah 33:22-24; Jeremiah 30:16-22; Isaiah 40:1-5). (Isaiah 33:22-24) “For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us. (23) Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen
their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great
spoil divided; the lame take the prey.
(24) And the inhabitant shall not
say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” (Jeremiah 30:16-20) “Therefore all they that devour
thee shall be devoured; and all
thine adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity; and they
that spoil thee shall be a spoil, and all that prey upon thee will I give for
a prey. (17) For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal
thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying,
This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after. (18) Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the
captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwellingplaces; and the
city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after
the manner thereof. (19) And out
of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and
I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them,
and they shall not be small. (20) Their
children also shall be as aforetime, and their congregation shall be
established before me, and I will punish all that oppress them.” (Jeremiah 30:22) “And ye shall be my people, and I
will be your God.” (Ezekiel 39:10) “So that they shall take no wood out
of the field, neither cut down any out
of the forests; for they shall burn the weapons with fire: and they shall
spoil those that spoiled them, and rob those that robbed them, saith the Lord
GOD.” Law of Restitution Back in the
Book of Leviticus the law of God demanded that anyone wronged by another
should not only have the wrong repaired but also be made to benefit and gain
by the injury done. The thing taken must be restored with increase. — (“Add
the fifth part more thereto” — Leviticus 5:15-16; 16:2-7) It is God
primarily who has been wronged in all his rights by sin. Yet, man too has
been wronged. But the Lord God has, in infinite wisdom, fixed it, so that
both he and his people shall be made the gainers by the injury done. As the children of Israel were enriched by their
bondage in Egypt, as the fall of Israel has been overruled by our heavenly
Father for the riches of the world and the glory of God, so the fall of Satan
and the entrance of sin into the world by the fall of our father Adam has
been, is being, and shall yet be made to redound to the everlasting riches of
God’s elect and the glory of his great name. Yes, the God
of glory works all things together for the good of his people and the
everlasting glory of his own great name.
Satan will gain nothing by the havoc he has wrought in the world. He will
achieve absolutely nothing! And God’s elect will lose nothing, absolutely
nothing! I have chosen my words deliberately. This is the great
glory of the cross. — “Where
sin abounded, grace did much more abound!” Both God and his
people have gained more by the forgiveness of sin through the blood of Christ
than was lost by the sin and fall of our father Adam and the long years of
our Egyptian bondage. ·
The Lord God has arranged all things, even the sin
and fall of our father Adam, for the everlasting good and happiness of his
people. I repeat myself
deliberately. — We shall lose nothing, but only gain by what happened
in the garden, gainers not by sin but by redemption! Indeed, the sin and fall of Adam was itself, by
divine purpose, a picture of redemption by Christ (Rom. 5:12-20). Martin
Luther understood what I am trying to
preach to you. He said, with regard to Adam’s sin in the Garden, “O
blessed fall!” Had there been no fall,
no sin, no condemnation, there we could never have known the wonders of
redemption. Had there been no fall, no sin, no condemnation, there we could
never have known the glories of grace. Grace not only cuts up sin by the
roots and ultimately destroys it, — grace makes chosen sinners to be
eternal beneficiaries of Satan’s work! ·
Still, there is more. The holy Lord God has gained
more by redemption than ever he lost (if I can be permitted to use such
language) by the fall. The Lord God reaps a richer
harvest of glory in the fields grace than he could ever have reaped in the
garden of innocence (Eph. 1:3-14; 2:7). The sons of God raise a more lofty
song of praise around the empty tomb of the crucified Christ than we could
ever have raised in the Garden of Eden. The injury done by sin has not
only been perfectly atoned for and remedied by the blood of Christ, but our
great God has gained by the cross the praise of the glory of his grace! (Psalms 76:10) “Surely the wrath of man shall praise
thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.” This is a stupendous truth.
God, the eternal, triune, holy Lord God, has gotten himself great gain by the
work accomplished by our all-glorious Christ at Calvary! Who could ever have conceived such a thing? When
we see man and the creation over which he was lord laid in a heap of ruins at
the feet of Satan, how could we ever imagine that from amid those ruins the
great God of Glory would gather a crown for his holy head which could not be
gotten in any other way? It was ever
the immutable purpose of the all-wise God to glorify himself and reveal his
glory to all creation by the accomplishments of his darling Son at Calvary. Now, let’s turn to Isaiah chapter 40, and see if
I can make good on what I have just said from the Book of God. (Isaiah 40:1-5) “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people,
saith your God. (2) Speak ye
comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished,
that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins. (3) The
voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (4) Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain
and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the
rough places plain: (5) And the
glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Final Restitution Fourth, in
the end, when all things are finished,
in that day called “the times of restitution of all things, which God hath
spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts
3:11), all the glory and honor of the nations shall be brought to
the feet of our blessed Savior to the everlasting praise of the triune God (Revelation 21:26; Philippians 2:9-11; 1
Corinthians 15:24-28). (1 Corinthians 15:24-28) “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom
to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all
authority and power. (25) For he
must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. (26) The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (27) For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all
things are put under him, it is manifest
that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. (28) And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then
shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him,
that God may be all in all.” Soon, very soon, children of God, we shall go out of
this land of Egypt. — “And it
shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty!” — “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you
abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”
(2 Peter 1:11). Amen. Listen to sermons
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