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Great Escapes in the Bible |
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Who escaped |
Reference |
What happened |
What the escape accomplished |
Application |
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Jacob |
Fled from his father-in-law, Laban, after almost 20 years of service |
Allowed Jacob to return home for Isaac's death and for reconciliation with Esau, his brother |
A time away from home often puts the really important things into perspective |
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Moses |
Fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian in defense of a fellow Israelite |
Saved his own life and began another part of God's training |
God fits even our mistakes into his plan |
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Israelites |
Escaped Egypt after 430 years, most of that time in slavery |
God confirmed his choice of Abraham's descendants |
God will not forget his promises |
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Spies |
Escaped searchers in Jericho by hiding in Rahab's house |
Prepared the destruction of Jericho and preserved Rahab, who would become one of David's ancestors—as well as an ancestor of Jesus |
God's plan weaves lives together in a pattern beyond our understanding |
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Ehud |
Escaped undetected after assassinating the Moabite king Eglon |
Broke the control of Moab over Israel and began 80 years of peace |
Punishments by God are often swift and deadly |
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Samson |
Escaped a locked city by ripping the gates from their hinges |
Merely postponed Samson's self-destruction because of his lack of self-control |
Without dependence on God and his guidance, even great ability is wasted |
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Elijah |
Fled into the wilderness out of fear of Queen Jezebel |
Preserved Elijah's life but also displayed his human weakness |
Even at moments of real success, our personal weaknesses are our greatest challenges |
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Saul (Paul) |
Lowered over the wall in a basket to get out of Damascus |
Saved this new Christian for great service to God |
God has a purpose for every life, which leads to a real adventure for those willing to cooperate |
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Peter |
Freed from prison by an angel |
Saved Peter for God's further plans for his life |
God can use extraordinary means to carry out his plan—often when we least expect it |
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Paul and Silas |
Chains loosened and doors opened by an earthquake, but they chose not to leave the prison |
Pointed out the powerlessness of humans before God |
When our dependence and attention are focused on God rather than our problems, he is able to offer help in unexpected ways |
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