Such thoughts are not comforting, but yet, they are no less true. But, thanks be unto God that He saw fit to
redeem a portion of that ruined family as His portion and people. This calling that He makes will not fail,
nor will anything discourage or thwart His purpose.  Further, the Lord gives us stark pictures of these
thoughts throughout His word, particularly in His dealings with national Israel in the Old Testament.

The book of Deuteronomy is Moses' recounting of the Lord's blessings, promises, and commandments unto them unto that present hour. In our verse above Moses gives a succinct description of the condition and
deliverance that the nation of Israel received. The nation of Egypt is often depicted (as in this verse) as a figure of sin and depravity. The phrase above utilized is "iron furnace." Egypt was not a serene place for the nation of Israel, as they suffered in hard bondage under the dictatorship of Pharaoh. Likewise, our sinful condition was not a pleasant one,  and our dictator of sin governed us and worked death in our members. But, the Lord sent a deliverer in the person of Moses to lead the children of Israel out of that condition, and they enjoyed the blessings of being able to see their salvation at the banks of the Red Sea coupled with the destruction of their enemy at the same time.

Now, what is interesting to me about the account of the children of Israel being called out of Egypt is that for all their history the nation never went back into Egypt in servitude. Indeed, the other nations such as Assyria and Babylon led them into captivity, but Egypt never governed over the national subjects of Israel in the fashion they did before Moses led them out. Likewise, when the Lord calls His people from death and sin, they are never led back into that bondage again. Truly, we still stumble and fall due to the body of this death, but our master of sin has been abolished from governing over us. The reason that the children of Israel never went back (nationally) into Egypt nor will God's elect family ever eternally find their ungodliness again is that
God removed it from them.

Like the host of Pharaoh that drowned in the Red Sea, the sins of God's family were drowned in the
blood of Christ that washed them from their iniquities forever. Our call that the Lord has given to us in
regeneration and one day in the resurrection accomplishes His purpose every time. There was not a child of Israel left in Egypt, nor will there be a precious lamb of spiritual Israel left in sin and depravity. So, what is the end result of this calling out of nature's darkness into His marvellous light?

Moses here declares that the calling was for the specific purpose of being a people of God's inheritance. Even to that very hour, they were the people of God. We understand from the New Testament (particularly Paul's writings in Romans) that the nation of Israel was a type of God's elect family, so the comparison continues to hold true.

We are a people of inheritance in the sight of God Almighty. Isaiah 40:10 declares that we are His reward for the work that He performed in our room and stead. Moses will go on in Deuteronomy 32 to declare Jacob the portion of the Lord's people and the lot of his inheritance. So, the people of God bear the distinction of being the inheritance of God Almighty, and He collects all the heirs that He paid for. Now, the distinction that must be kept in mind is that while all of God's people are His inheritance, not all enjoy the blessing of that inheritance here in this life. While all enjoy the blessing of vital union (new birth), not all will experience the joys of heaven that are meted out here in this earth. If we follow Moses' speaking to the children of Israel, he
will lay out blessings and curses for obedience and disobedience. What is the end result of disobedience?
Are we cast back into the iron furnace of Egypt?

Stephen tells us in Acts 7:39 that it was in the heart of the people to return to Egypt, but are we thrust back there for our transgressions? No in no wise! The Red Sea has been passed through dry shod with the horse and rider of the foe dashed in the waves. The end result of disobedience is not being yet in our sins and dying in sins to be cast off from God forever. Rather, the curse of disobedience is not being given the privilege of entering into Canaan's Land (the church) to rest and take refuge in manifest earnest of the inheritance of God. All of the nation of Israel left Egypt, and all of the elect family are removed from the bondage of depravity.

But, not all the children of Israel entered Canaan's Land, as some died in the wilderness, others died in Babylonian captivity, etc. Likewise, not all of God's elect family are in the church or will remain in the church
as they may die in the world.

But, let us give thanks unto God that whatever our course or place in this life, He saw fit to deliver us
from the iron furnace of Egypt. He called us all out by name, and we will all see His face in righteousness
and be satisfied. Therefore, since we know these things to give Him the thanks, let us press fervently into His kingdom to show forth righteous behaviour that He deserves from His inheritance. Our home in heaven awaits, and we should feel zealously affected more every day that with each passing day on earth, we are one more day closer home.

In Hope,

Bro Philip