Dear Family,

Today is Monday, April 24, 2023. It is Day 16; and, Day 2 of Week 3 in our Count to Pentecost.

We know from Scripture that God called, tested, and blessed Abraham, enriching him with physical wealth, the promise of many blood-line children, and spiritual blessings that will go on forever. His offspring did multiply as promised.

God also told Abraham that his seed would go into a foreign land where they would be afflicted. That also happened thousands of years ago.

Genesis 15:13 And He said unto Abram; Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

Then, God faithfully brought the children of Israel, the children of Abraham, out of Egyptian bondage.

Exodus 12:40-41 (40) Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. (41) And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.

Please do not be confused by the 400 years and the 430 years. When you compare the two dates, remember that Israel was not afflicted for the entire time they were in Egypt. We can be sure that God knows how to tell time and how to record the details He wants recorded. The main point is that God predicts what He is going to do and then proceeds to keep His Word. God records details about Israel’s experience in Egypt again in the book of Acts.

Acts 7:6-7 (6) And God spake on this wise; That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. (7) And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve Me in this place.

God’s sense of timing is dependable, exact, and perfect. We can be sure that God has a purpose for the seven weeks and 50 days of Counting from the Wavesheaf to Pentecost. As we faithfully do what God commands, we can rest assured that God will fulfill His purposes, whatever they are, for the Counting. And, we can be confident He will accomplish in us and through us what He desires.

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God