Delivered From the World - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2025

Pharaoh said, "Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go."
Exodus 5:2

Delivered From the World
Christians have been delivered from the world in a positional sense, but there is a definite need to embrace that reality in a practical sense. Exodus 5 reveals some methods by which the enemy of our souls struggles mightily to keep us enslaved to this world. Suppose we show some interest in spiritual things and would like to "hold a feast" to honor the Lord (v. 1)—that is, our priorities are becoming centered around Him. This is instantly met with ridicule. As Pharaoh replied, "Who is the Lord?" That is, among all the gods in the world, why should your God receive any special reverence?

Ridicule is followed by a demand for more work. The Hebrews were building storehouse cities for Egypt's treasures (Ex. 1:11). Thus, to Pharaoh, their daily quota of bricks was an obvious measurement of their usefulness. His attempt to squash spiritual interest beneath the burdensome cares of this life has often been successful. Further, those burdens are accompanied by the claim that God has spoken "false words" (v. 9), undermining faith in their value and power. Yet God's message is not fake! If we used to have interest in spiritual things but now seem to have little time for them, we can be sure that the enemy is at work.

Notice also that the burden of added work has the effect of scattering the people (v. 12), keeping them apart from one another as they try to meet Egypt's demands. God has made us for community and fellowship, but the enemy's goal is to keep us far from this. If we hardly ever enjoy time with fellow Christians, then again we should detect the tactics of the enemy.

It has never been God's intention for His people to be burdened in Egypt! His deliverance is assured if we cry to Him (6:1).

Stephen Campbell