Ex 14:8, “And the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the people of Israel while the people of Israel were going out defiantly.”
Today’s exhortation or encouragement will be relatively short. The children of Israel had not done anything wrong; and yet, the king of Egypt and his troops went after them, thanks to GOD... After everything that they had already endured, they would not even have the ‘chance’ to die in the fields or their beds. They could only choose between drowning or dying by the sword. It looked like a descent to hell, but it was actually a 'descent' to paradise.
Joseph did nothing wrong. There was nobody as blameless and loyal as him in those days. He had a pure heart. Nonetheless, he also descended to hell after falling victim of betrayal and a miscarriage of justice, again thanks to GOD...
The sun set in Abraham’s life the day that GOD asked him to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice: that was his descent to hell. How could he hurt this child after waiting so long for him? As they travelled, a little part of him was dying at the thought of what was going to take place: he was descending to hell and, all the way down, demons were having a blast.
On the day of crucifixion, people looked Jesus descend to hell. Even He Himself could not believe that the Father whom He loved and had faithfully served could forsake Him and turn His face away. Outside of GOD, there was no light, everything was dark: it was hell! At least, that is what it seemed… The devil gathered his henchmen and opened a bottle of champagne. Nobody could understand that He was actually en route to glory. He was not descending to hell; He was ‘descending’ to paradise. Indeed, this descent, fully orchestrated by GOD, enabled Him to receive the Name above all that can be named in the Creation.
The descent to hell of the children of Israel was in fact a march towards the Promised Land, Freedom and glory: it was a ‘descent’ to paradise.
Joseph’s descent to hell was part of his ascension towards the throne of Egypt. It was a ‘descent’ to glory and elevation, a ‘descent’ to paradise.
Abraham was more than satisfied. He was happy. He had nothing else to ask to the LORD. Indeed, before having children, GOD had promised him a great reward to which he had replied: “What will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus? Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” Or, as the GNB puts it, "What good will your reward do me, since I have no children? My only heir is Eliezer of Damascus. You have given me no children, and one of my slaves will inherit my property." (Gen 15:2-3) In other words, what reward can surpass the joy of fatherhood? Sarah had finally given him a son who filled his heart with joy. Moreover, Abraham was rich and had many years ahead of him; so what more could he have asked for? He had everything; at least, so he thought. He did not know that GOD could still bless him even more. His descent to hell was in fact a ‘descent’ to paradise. When he thought he had hit the bottom of the pit, GOD told him: "By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice." (Gen 22.16-18). Wow!
We cry for help too quickly. We are too quick to call any trial as diabolical. However, every testing is not necessarily a punishment and very often, Satan is not guilty. Most of the time, it is GOD who, out of love, makes us go through fire. The descent to hell is frequently just a 'descent' to paradise. Humility and abasement go before glory and elevation. Are you passing through the waters right now? They will not overflow you. Are you walking through the fire, you will not be burned. You will not die; you will live and will speak of the LORD’s wondrous deeds: GOD is Good!
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