Grace Before Law

And the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. Exodus 2:23

The Israelites had been in Egypt for 430 years. What started out as a peaceful existence had, over time, turned into slavery. Different Pharaohs had come and gone, and the respect that Joseph once held was long forgotten. The people lived under a cloud of fear that is difficult for us to fully comprehend, and at some stage they reached their breaking point. In distress they cried out for help and God heard them.

In response to their distress, God wrote down a list of commandments and gave them to Moses, explaining that the Israelites could earn His love and favour by adhering to the rules. When they had built up enough favour, He would come and rescue them.

That sounds fair enough, doesn’t it? That’s how the world works – we have to do something in order to earn something. Did Laban simply give his daughter, Rachel, to Jacob? No, he had to work seven years to earn Laban’s favour, and even that wasn’t enough.

Thankfully, or mercifully, that is not how our God works. He is not waiting for us to earn enough love points as we climb up towards Him, in order for Him to act. From the beginning, God’s plan has always been to rescue all of humanity. So, when the Israelites cried out, He saved them, unconditionally.

I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Exodus 19:4

Grace came before law. The commandments were given to a people already redeemed. They were a gift to show them how to reflect the character of their Redeemer, how to live in right relationship with Him and with one another.

When we cry out to God, He hears us and carries us on eagles’ wings to the safety of His presence.