Exodus

Overview – February 2014 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Exodus

“And the Lord said: ‘I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt ... I have come down to deliver them.’” — Exodus 3:7-8 NKJV

Exodus means “Going out.” Deliverance is its great theme. Here we find Israel grown to a great nation, but under bondage to the Egyptians as slaves. After much trouble and anguish, and after God’s sending many dreadful plagues upon Egypt, Israel is liberated. In chapter 12, the blood of the lamb sprinkled on the doorposts and lintel of the houses was typical [symbolic] of our redemption from the guilt of our sins by the blood of Christ. Then, the parting of the Red Sea and Israel’s safely crossing before the Egyptians were trapped and drowned is a type of our redemption by the power of God from the bondage of sin and the world, a redemption also accomplished through the death and resurrection of Christ.

A second section of the book, beginning with chapter 19, deals with God’s giving the law and the building of the tabernacle, together with the institution of a special priesthood in Israel. While believers today are in no sense under law, the giving of the law symbolizes God’s authority being established among a redeemed people. The high priest is a type of Christ, linked with the family of priests, who typify all Christians today who belong to the Church of God. Today all Christians are believer-priests who worship God by the Spirit rather than by man-made forms and systems. The tabernacle service beautifully illustrates the grace by which God continually cares for His people, delighting to have them near Him on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ.

By L. M. Grant

This column is taken from the book: The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.
It is available from the publisher:Believer’s Bookshelf USA.