The End of the Exodus by Larry W Peebles January 25, 2019 19.02

My last job was my dream job. I had eight different jobs in a career primarily in homebuilding and land development that spanned 36 years. My last job, the one from which I retired, covered ten of those years. Only one other opportunity, early in my career, lasted that long. While there were things I liked about some of those jobs, none of them came close to my last position. One of the changes involved a 1,000 mile move from Texas to Florida, but we had a several strong confirmations from God on the matter and did not hesitate to do it. It took a long time to get to my last position, but it was well worth the travels.
My final employment was with a Fortune 500 builder, a New York Stock Exchange industry giant with operations all over the U.S. I ran a large division of the company in Florida. As the Division President, I answered to the senior officers of the company and the Board of Directors on all operating matters in the Division- sales, closings, construction, service, product design and personnel. I was particularly responsible to implement the forward strategy of the Division in terms of the land position. Decisions had to be made on where we would buy land and developed lots for future sales and construction, and what homes would be offered for sale in those locations. In short, I had to keep one eye on what we were doing at the time, and one eye on what we would be doing the next year and beyond.
The job was challenging and demanding. Each day was full, and was over before I knew it. With a great team around me, we were able to grow the Division from one that was small and barely profitable into one of the largest and most profitable in the Company. Our Florida market grew, but our share of the market also grew quite significantly. Customer satisfaction levels were measured at different points in the sale and construction process, and a premium was placed on great results. If there was a question regarding the “right thing” to do regarding a customer’s situation, we always ruled in favor of the customer. The Company never complained that I spent too much money, or spent money needlessly to satisfy a customer. It was a pleasure to operate in such an atmosphere of business integrity encouraged from the top. The Company not only led by this good example, they did everything they promised to ensure the Division’s success. They provided adequate capital, business and legal advice, computer and accounting systems, human resources support, strategic vision and encouragement. Things I had learned in my previous work experiences seemed to bear fruit in this position. In steering the ship, it seemed I was able to avoid many of the icebergs of past mistakes.
My wife and I had prayed extensively before accepting the position. We felt the Lord had said to proceed, and then felt His blessing on everything we put our hand to. Hard work was required, but I was well rewarded during those years. At the end of those ten years, my wife and I believed the Lord said it was time to retire from the work-a-day world and go to work in His kingdom. Many of the senior officers of the Company called to say thank you and to extend kind and specific words of appreciation for what we did. New talent was in place to lead, and the transition was seamless. This made the end of the journey as satisfying as the journey itself. Feeling that God was leading the journey, and experiencing His favor at every crucial step was something I had not previously experienced to that degree in the business world. It was truly an exciting time, full of wonderful stories of what God did that can be told for years after retirement.
The children of Israel had a similar experience at the end of their forty year journey from slavery in Egypt to life in the land promised by God to their forefathers. This journey was called the Exodus, and is recorded in the Old Testament book bearing that name. This adventure began when God appeared to Moses as a burning bush and called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, where they had been held captive as slaves for over four hundred years. In Exodus Chapter 3, God told Moses He had heard the cries of the oppressed people, and was ready to act on their behalf. He empowered Moses to do incredible and miraculous things before Pharaoh to demonstrate His power and determination to set them free. He promised Moses He would bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey—the same land He had promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Pharaoh resisted through a series of plagues that came upon Egypt, but relented when the Death Angel took the lives of the first-born in Egypt. That same Angel passed over the houses of the Israelites. Even after relenting, Pharaoh pursued the freed captives until he and his army were wiped out in the Red Sea.
Having been slaves in Egypt, the Israelites had forgotten how to act as a free people. Heavily influenced by idol worship, they had forgotten how to love, worship and serve the one true God who had freed them. They tested God’s patience with grumbling and ingratitude. They were not ready to go into the Promised Land. Over the next forty years, they wandered in the desert while God weeded out the men who would not fit in what He was doing. He was building a great and mighty nation of people He would call His own. During that time, He trained and tested, but was always faithful to His promise. He not only provided their freedom, He miraculously provided food and water. He led the way, literally showing them the route to go, and telling them when to move out. He protected them from enemy attacks. He revealed not only His character to them, He also revealed His presence. He gave them everything they needed for the journey, and at the same time took away from them everything they did not need. No longer slaves, they were truly children disciplined by a mighty yet loving Father God.
Moses led them to the Promised Land. But at the Jordan River, Joshua was chosen to be their new leader. He was prepared to take them into the Promised Land. The transition from Moses to Joshua was seamless. As the final test of their readiness to take and occupy the land, they had to fight the inhabitants of the land in order to displace them. These were larger nations with superior weapons, trained and prepared for war, and often dwelling in fortified (walled) cities. God’s instructions were “Stand still and see. I will fight for you.” The children of Israel found that in their own strength, this was not possible. Total dependence on God was required. Nation by nation, city by city, army by army, and king by king the enemy occupants fell. In Joshua 12, the Bible records thirty one kings Joshua defeated. God set His children into the land He had promised for generations.
At the end of it all, from the Egyptian plagues to the Red Sea, and from forty years in the desert to the defeat of the last king in the Promised Land, Joshua wrote these words-“So the Lord gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The Lord gave them rest all around, according to all that he had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them, the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.” (Joshua 21:43-45).
Joshua’s final word on what he had experienced is beautifully summed in these points:
1. God gave to Israel all the land He had promised their forefathers. The children of Israel went from slaves to free land owners.
2. The Lord then gave them rest on all sides.
3. None of their enemies were left standing; God defeated them all.
4. All of God’s promises to them came to pass. None of His promises failed.
Joshua retired as the military commander, but remained the leader. His days of fighting and struggle were over. The journey had been well worth the trouble. Taking his direction from the Commander of the Army of the Lord (Jesus), he had consistently done the right thing. He was well rewarded. The children of Israel had prospered and grown into a formidable nation. He lived out his years with peace in the land, with many wonderful stories to tell of what God had done. Notice that all four of his statements gave the credit to the Lord. God gave them the land. God gave them rest. God defeated their enemies, and God kept all His promises. The Exodus that began with Moses at the burning bush came to an end with Joshua’s final report on what God had done. The children of Israel found their Promised Land, and they found their rest. God had to teach them to trust Him, but in the end, the results were amazing.
Our “exodus” is that journey we call life. It is filled with close escapes, battles, and dry times in the desert. When we determine to follow God in that journey and seek His direction and advice, we develop a great trust in Him, and experience His presence. This leads to a personal relationship with God, which is the greatest reward. We can also experience the fulfillment of His every promise, and His strong right hand moving on our behalf. At the end of the exodus, we can say the journey went well. When rest comes, may our testimony be as strong as Joshua’s.