Israel’s Healing Covenant

TEXT:  EXODUS 15:26

– And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the  LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I  am the  LORD that healeth thee.

INTRODUCTION

We are coming to Exodus 15:26. You will remember that God sent Moses to Egypt with the message, “let my people go”. It took some processes: the manifestation of the power of God before Pharaoh eventually released the people of God, and not a hoof, a baby, a woman or a man was left behind. As they left, Pharaoh even asked for prayers and blessings because he knew that it was the power of God that delivered the people from him. But as they left and got to the Red Sea, Pharaoh regretted leaving the people because they were cheap labour for him and the nation of Egypt. So, he got his chariots and army together and pursued them. The children of Israel seeing them were afraid and were like baby believers who did not consider all the miracles of Egypt, but Moses, their leader was different, he had greater faith and told the people to fear not because the Egyptians they saw that day they would see no more. He began to pray unto the Lord who said he should stand, stretch forth his rod and the sea would part for them, he should also tell the children of Israel to go forward.

The Lord is telling you tonight to go forward despite the red sea before you that you think you cannot swim, or cross over. The promise of God is to you, go forward. We don’t have to plead with Pharaoh or be afraid of his chariots, we will get to our destination, we don’t need to beg the enemies, we are relying on the promises of God, and we will get there in Jesus name. So, Moses stretched his rod and the children of God went over and the Egyptians committed an error in thinking that they could also go over. So, they plunged themselves into the path created by the miracle rod and when they got to the middle of the sea, things worked against them because God removed the wheels of their chariots and they were driving heavily. They decided to turn back – what they should have done before then. God told Moses to stretch his rod again and it brought the sea back together.

Always understand that the rod that parted the red sea can also close it up. The rod that opened a door can also close it. So, Moses stretched the rod and the sea closed over the Egyptians and they perished, and none escaped. So, the children of Israel began to sing. They sang to the Lord in ch 15, saying they would sing and make an habitation unto Him, they also said the Lord is great and powerful, and His power knows no limit. God says, “I am God, I change not”, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Where God has ordained for you to get to, nothing will stop you from getting there. In particular, Miriam took, and played the tambourine and also sang with other women, it was a great moment for everyone.

After the singing, they got to Marah and needed water. Remember, they were about three million people and needed much water to go round. But they couldn’t drink the water because it was bitter, and instead of manifesting faith, knowing that God who brought them to that point was also able to provide water for them, they murmured again, but God showed Moses the remedy to sweeten the water. He was to cut a part of a tree and cast it into the water. The Cross of Christ will sweeten every bitter situation in you life. You don’t need to murmur or cry, and ask why this, why that, there is no question anymore. As Christ died for us on the Cross, everything He provided is for us. People might do some things and you wonder why, don’t wonder why, the answer to everything is from Calvary.

People might do some things to make you think about when you were in Egypt as a slave, and they assume that they can determine whether you progress or not, whether you are happy or successful or not, if you are not careful, as you think of Marah, and of the past, you will not think of God who called you son, and said you should be released so He could bless you. Don’t think back on when you were a slave in the world. Where you are now is the kingdom of God, and His promises will be yes and Amen in your life. So, the water was sweetened, and was good to drink. This is how every bitterness in your life will be sweetened in Jesus name.

After this, God made a covenant with the children of Israel. It was a healing covenant, and tonight, we are looking at the topic, ISRAEL’S HEALING COVENANT. By the grace of God, next Monday, I will look at the healing covenant for the church because that is different. Many people do not understand that Israel’s healing covenant is completely different from that of the new covenant that God has with the church which has better promises.

Exodus 15:26. God is the One who heals us.

1. THE CONDITION IN THE HEALING COVENANT (Exodus 15:26; 23:22-26; Deuteronomy 7:12-15; Psalm 107:17-20; Isaiah 57:17-18; Genesis 20:6-7,14,17-18; Jeremiah 30:12-15,17; Psalm 105:37)

Exodus 15:26 “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the  LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I  am the  LORD that healeth thee.” Note the small word, “if”, yes, God is love, but we don’t take His love for granted. God has power, and as He manifests it, we don’t take it for granted. He is marvelous and gracious, but we don’t take His marvels and grace for granted.