Is it not sweet to wonder at the delightful intentions in the mind of God as He created mankind, in His very image, with all that vast range of personal faculties? Is it not engaging to marvel at the enchanting intentions in the mind of Christ as He endures such opposition from sinful men? These intentions go further, infinitely further!

One picture in Scripture has for many years captured my imagination. It is the picture of Christ as sketched in Psalm 68:18 and Ephesians 4:8.

Imagine scene; earth shaking, clouds, fire, and a voice that so distressed those who heard it, they feared they may die if they heard it again. There Israel is camped at the foot of Mt Sinai and the LORD has “gone up” to the top to give His law to Moses. Around the foot of the mountain are the terrified prisoners He has captured after His unparalleled defeat of Egypt and her gods. (See Psalm 68:17) Normally the captives that such a mighty conqueror would lead in his train would be dejected, miserable and hostile because of the way in which they had been ripped out of their homes and homeland. All of their hard labour over the years has been destroyed. Families have been separated, some killed or exposed to other shocking indecencies. They have been violated.

In this scene however, it is a scene of unrivalled joy. God has rescued His people from slavery, poverty and misery. Regardless of when the Israelites sang this psalm, in whichever victory it happened to be at the time, this gigantic rescue stands as the most dramatic of all time. Notice that the “captives” God leads in His train rejoice and sing before the God who has “captured” them (verse 4). They discover that they are now under the Champion who doesn’t lead them away naked, separated and miserable, but who is like a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, a home-provider for the homeless. Can you imagine the scene? A huge military campaign has just taken place, the old country from which the Conqueror strides is in ruins. He leads away the inhabitants of that land in a long convoy. Yet, instead of being miserable, they are all singing! (Verses 5-6)

Considering Israel’s history in Egypt and their cruel oppression, when God conquered Egypt, smashing her power effortlessly, He led the people of Israel out with more excitement than they ever dreamed possible! See them singing for joy in Exodus 15. The same God who was blasting down His fiery indignation on the Egyptians, was at the same time concerned about His people Israel (Exodus 3:7). While His intention was to crush the power of Egypt, simultaneously His intention was to remove His people Israel from their Egyptian incubator like a newborn baby and lavish on them His tender loving care.