I WILL
When the ‘I am’ God makes an ‘I will’ statement, we need to take notice. As the exodus begins, God makes some unbelievable promises to the Israelites in Exodus 23. He talks of sending three agents for the traveling nation-
20 “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.
27 “I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.
28 I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.
All three refer to the workings of God in the spiritual realm with implications in the physical realm. While none would be seen, their effects would be real. The angel would guide and protect, the terror would make the hearts of their enemies melt and the hornet would drive out the nations that were in the lands that the Israelite nation was meant to occupy. What more could the nation of Israel ask for?
What was promised for Israel then is true to the pilgrims today who belong to God through Christ. The One who calls also enables for this journey here on earth. It is a journey that takes a pilgrim from the throes of captivity to sin and places him in a land of freedom and abundance brought on by the fullness of God within. And as this fullness within translates to prosperity outside, the Lord protects, guards and defeats anything and everyone that stands in the way. Here we see a God who works preferentially on the behalf of His children. Those who oppose the plan of God will be confused and terrified whereas the pilgrim’s resolute boldness is evident. If fulfillment of God’s plans means that those who oppose God and rebel against God need to be deprived of blessings, that too will come to pass.
In case someone points a finger at God and says that He is biased, we need to understand that the blessing of God is not tied to a particular group of people, but to the principle of obedience. Moses warns the Israelites,
21 Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. 22 If you listen carefully to what he says and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you.
24 Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces.
25 Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you, 26 and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span.
The blessings that promised are conditional to the Israelites obeying God, giving Him the priority and separating themselves from the sinful pattern of the world. Just like judgment comes upon those who have rejected God in favor of idols and worthless philosophies, so will the blessing of God be taken away when one fails to stick to God and honor Him above all else. Yet when a pilgrim takes the commitment to honor God, both eternal and earthly blessings follow. A full life, where sickness and misfortune is taken away and where every endeavor is blessed follows.
