Overview:
Exodus 19:1–20; 23:20–33
Do you ever say to yourself, “Okay, God, what next?”
After God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He met with them at Sinai, taught them a new way of life, and called upon them to trust His leading. God describes His salvation as resembling an eagle that bears its chicks on her wings, and it’s that level of care God promises His people in every venture.
Chuck Swindoll encourages you to trust God completely—the first step for anyone who’s about to begin something new.
Message Summary:
Message Key Facts:
- The Title Explained: Swindoll derives the title from two contrasting verses. Exodus 19:4 describes the deliverance from Egypt as God bearing the people on "eagle's wings" (swift, gracious deliverance). Exodus 23:28 describes the conquest of Canaan as God sending "hornets" ahead of them (a painful, combative process to drive out enemies).
- The Principle of Preparation: Swindoll argues that "preparation is a major part of any project." He cites historical examples: Noah spent 120 years building the ark; Joseph spent 13 years in hardship to prepare for the famine; and Jesus came only in the "fullness of time" (Galatians 4:4) after centuries of preparation [4, 8–10].
- Moses’ Full Circle: In Exodus 3, God promised an 80-year-old, insecure Moses that a specific sign of his success would be returning to "this mountain" to worship. In Exodus 19, Moses stands at that exact spot with the nation, fulfilling the prophecy. Swindoll imagines Moses’ emotional reflection on God’s faithfulness at this site [13–17].
- The Adopted Son Illustration: To illustrate the transition of learning to trust authority, Swindoll tells the story of a couple who adopted a teenager from the streets of Moscow. Just as the boy had to unlearn the survival instincts of the streets to trust his loving parents, Israel had to unlearn the "Egyptian lifestyle" to trust their Heavenly Father [28–32].
- "Little by Little": A key insight from Exodus 23:30 is that God does not always grant instant victory. He drove out the Canaanites "little by little" so the land would not become desolate or unmanageable. Swindoll applies this to church growth and personal maturity—progress is often gradual.
- The Wasp Invasion: Swindoll shares a humorous personal story about visiting his grandfather's bay cottage, which was infested with wasps—crunching underfoot and hiding in window shades. He uses this to visualize the "hornets" God promised to send against the Canaanites [46–48].
- The Two Goats: Swindoll closes with a fable about two goats meeting on a narrow path where neither could pass. Instead of fighting and falling, one knelt so the other could walk over him. This illustrates the humility required to keep a community united during difficult transitions.
Message References:
- Exodus 19:1–6: The arrival at Sinai and God’s declaration that He carried Israel on "eagle's wings" to make them a "kingdom of priests" [3–4].
- Exodus 3:10–12: God’s initial promise to Moses at the burning bush that he would bring the people back to this specific mountain [13–16].
- Exodus 23:20–33: The specific promises regarding the conquest of Canaan, including the angel's protection and the driving out of enemies [39–43].
- Exodus 23:28: "I will send hornets ahead of you so that they will drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites before you".
- Exodus 23:30: "I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land".
- Galatians 4:4: Referenced to show God’s perfect timing in preparation: "When the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son".
