LESSONS FROM EXODUS

LESSONS FROM EXODUS

In the book of Genesis, we learn lessons about mankind and human failures, along with testimonies of faith in God and human victories. In Exodus, the main theme and focus of the book are lessons about God. We see that He frees and sustains those who trust in Him. He saves and preserves His people who live by faith in Him. He keeps His people safe from overwhelming life circumstances through His sovereign power. He allows uncomfortable things to happen to those who do not obey Him to teach them the importance of obeying and trusting Him, even when the path is unclear. He performs miracles in the lives of His people in ways we could never imagine. He desires His people to love, trust, commit to Him, and do His will.

To fulfill His promises to the patriarchs, He rescued the children of Israel from slavery and oppression by demonstrating His great power as the Sovereign of the universe. To God, the nations of the earth are “a drop in a bucket,” but His people are “the apple of His eye.” Kings and those in authority are used by Him to carry out His will, even when their choices are evil.

The first half of the book of Exodus reveals God’s salvation and its many aspects. The freedom of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt teaches us about God's power over sin, especially through the “Passover” sacrifice of Christ for us. The effects of sin have been addressed. It provides lessons on our salvation from the world, the flesh, and the devil through examples of the events the Israelites experienced. Salvation from the dangers, temptations, and discouragements in life's journey is also taught, helping us understand who God is, at least to some extent. This teaching helps us see why we should trust Him, obey Him, and fully commit ourselves to Him.

Covenant blessings from God follow deliverance from the bondage of sin. God desires us to be holy because He is a holy God. To support our ongoing commitment to righteousness and godliness, God provides the requirements of the law with its unchanging standards of life and conduct. Our relationship with God begins with deliverance and is sustained by a covenant He makes with those who trust Him. The second part of the book shows us that the law was given so that we might understand what is needed on our part to keep that relationship strong. In the third section of Exodus, we learn how delivered, holy people are to worship God and live in fellowship with each other and our Gracious, Glorious God. He alone is the center of all that we are and do.

God Himself is the central figure of Exodus. The writing of this book, inspired by the Holy Spirit, aims to reveal His nature by describing many of His attributes and ways. When this understanding influences our thoughts and actions intentionally, we can share in the eternal life He offers. We can join Him in living our lives today as we are being trained and prepared for eternal life. Living for God goes beyond what is natural and normal for people who do not know Him.

We learn who He is and who we are through everyday life experiences when we live by faith. There are also special ways we discover who He is and why we matter to Him. Our fellowship with God and His people is considered “out of the ordinary” by most around us. The way God overrules Satan's plans against us and the challenges of being light and salt in a dark, sinful world is extraordinary.

Salvation through the death of our Lord Jesus Christ is demonstrated early in Exodus by the sacrifice of the Passover lamb. The nature and character of Christ are visually portrayed and taught through lessons from the Tabernacle. The ongoing work of our Lord Jesus Christ is illustrated with word pictures of events and objects that help us visualize what would otherwise be difficult to understand.

Our understanding of God’s plan of redemption, which is offered to all who believe and act in faith, grows as truth is revealed. He is the Savior of His people; He delivered the children of Israel. He is the King of kings; Pharaoh could not defeat His purposes. Satan and death submitted to His sovereign power; the blood of the lamb protected those who believed in Him. The presence of the Lord with His people at all times was evident through the fire by night and the cloud by day. The holiness of His Person and the distinction between God and man are clear in the events on Mount Sinai and the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle.

The eternal plans of God are revealed to us in a limited way through terms we can understand if we are willing to be taught. In Exodus, we learn to understand our current position and how to live here, while also discovering that we are on a journey to a better land, guided and protected by God's power. The practices, behaviors, attitudes, and expectations for the future we share with God are things we learn here and now. Hopefully, the lessons we gain from reading Exodus and applying its principles will encourage us to live holy, righteous, and godly lives in this present world.

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