TLDR;
Mensa Otabil discusses God's promises to the Israelites in Exodus 6:7-8, emphasizing God's commitment to fulfill His word despite temporary obstacles. God declares, "I will," assuring His people of His intentions to take them as His own, be their God, bring them to the promised land, and give it to them as a heritage. The sermon encourages listeners to trust in God's promises, even amidst challenges, and to remember that God knows the end from the beginning.
- God promises to take Israel as His people, establishing a unique relationship.
- He commits to being their God, replacing the Egyptian deities.
- God pledges to bring them into the promised land, despite any intervening difficulties.
- He assures them that He will give them the land as a heritage.
Introduction: God's Promises to Israel [0:03]
Mensa Otabil introduces Exodus 6:7-8, highlighting the powerful exchange between God and Moses. God emphasizes His commitment to fulfilling His promises to the Israelites. He reminds the audience of the seven "I will" statements God makes, underscoring the weight, majesty, and power behind God's word. Despite the Israelites' tendency to doubt, God's will and purpose will prevail.
Taking Israel as His People [1:36]
God declares that He will take Israel as His people, signifying a shift in their identity from being Pharaoh's people to being identified with God. This establishes a unique relationship where God and Israel are mutually identified with each other. This act sets them apart and signifies a new beginning under God's guidance and protection.
God as Their Only God [2:02]
God promises to be Israel's God, establishing a spiritual relationship and requiring them to abandon the Egyptian gods they had been worshiping. He asserts that He will be their only God, the God of their fathers who has visited and redeemed them. This signifies a new national identity rooted in the worship of the one true God.
Bringing Them to the Promised Land [2:37]
God states that He will bring the Israelites into the promised land, fulfilling a promise made to Abraham 600 years prior. Otabil notes that God doesn't detail the trials they will face, such as the 40 years in the wilderness or the Red Sea crossing. Instead, God focuses on the end result, assuring them that He will bring them to the land, and these obstacles are only temporary.
Giving Them the Land [3:23]
God promises not only to bring them to the land but also to give it to them as a heritage. Otabil emphasizes that God doesn't reveal the interim challenges, such as the fights they will face in the promised land or the trials in the wilderness. God pronounces the end, assuring them that He will do it despite the difficulties.
Assurance and Prayer [4:02]
Otabil encourages listeners to be assured that if God says He will do something, He will do it, regardless of current circumstances like being in the wilderness, facing a Red Sea, or opposition from Pharaoh. He urges them not to let temporary setbacks cause them to doubt God's promises. He leads a prayer, affirming God as their God and trusting in His promises.