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.

 

 

 

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