he sent them a prophet, who said, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 9 I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians. And I delivered you from the hand of all your oppressors; I drove them out before you and gave you their land. Judges 6:8-9 NIV
A text without a context is a pretext. Even when God speaks to us, He starts with a context. He told Mary, “Do not be afraid, the Lord is with you.” The words that would follow about the birth of Jesus, hinged on the favor and blessing that already existed on Mary’s life. When God speaks through His prophets look for the context of the word.
For the oppressed and afraid children of Israel, who had finally cried out to the Lord to help them from their misery, God sent them a prophet to speak on His behalf. God reminds them of His relationship and interaction with them in the past. He sets the stage for the correction that He is about to give.
The first part of the prophetic word was all about context of His involvement in their lives.
I brought you up out of Egypt – This event happened nearly 200 years ago and over 5 generations of people. No one was still alive to remind them by personal experience. Ancient history. Yet, this is the starting point of salvation that should influence present actions. Do you remember how God brought you away from the kingdom of darkness into His glorious light? How would gratefulness for that deliverance change your current decision to sin?
Out of the land of slavery – Slavery is a big topic right now. Truth is, before salvation in Jesus we are all slaves to sin. In the worst way. Hopeless. Constantly hurting ourselves and others. Helpless to make ourselves better. The Only way out was through a Savior, Jesus, who broke the power and control that sin has over our lives. Why are we who are freed from sin, still willing to entertain that life style?
I rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians – Those hands brought oppression and identification. Those hands tortured and withheld provision. Those hands intimidated and harassed. God’s hand was mightier. They moved from the oppressors hand into the hand of Father God, who would provide for them and call them His own. Do you realize that you are inscribed on the palm of God’s hand?
I delivered you from the hand of all of the oppressors – Once out of Egypt, God was fully navigating their safety and provision. Many nations feared the Israelites as they had heard the stories of how this nation had defeated Egypt and it’s army. God taught this group how to defend themselves and attribute the victory to God. Do you see how God has provided everything you need for life and godliness? Does He receive the property honor and glory for successes and pleasures that you are experiencing?
I drove them out before you and gave you their land -Space abhors a vacuum. Something will fill that void. As they defeated an enemy they were to occupy the land and begin to steward it to make it productive and bountiful. The connection of prosperity and God’s provision was to be an ongoing relationship of gratitude and thankfulness through the regularity of seasonal sacrifices to Him. Celebration of first fruits and harvest were reminders to bring the best of what they had to remember God’s involvement in their lives. As God has freed you from particular sins, replace those actions with God inspired activities. He tells those who have stolen, to now engage in serving others. Stop lying and start speaking blessings and truth. He also gives us the opportunity to tithe and give of our resources to remind us that He owns all that we have. We are stewards of what He has granted us.
The context of the prophetic word was to remember how God had already invested mightily in their lives. Can and Do you remember how much God has worked on your behalf to adopt you into His family? Do you appreciate the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus on your behalf? Before correction, God reminds us of the context of His involvement in our lives.
God’s word, the Bible, is a great source to remind you of the love and care that He has orchestrated on your behalf. May you remember!
Blessings Love y’all