JESUS CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF EXODUS

JESUS CHRIST IN EXODUS

“Let My People Go

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

January 28, 2025; January 6, 2008

Pastor Carolyn Sissom

 

Luke 24:27: Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He (Jesus) expounded to them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself.

 

Genesis ends with a small band of seventy Israelites (Ex. 1:5) leaving the land of Canaan and settling in the rich Egyptian land of Goshen.  Three and a half centuries pass from the time of Jacob joining Joseph. They are now in bondage outside the promised land of blessing.   The Israelites (now numbering 600,000 men with women and children--- 3,000,000 altogether) are enslaved to massive building projects for the glory of Pharaoh.  Led by Moses, God sovereignly delivers His people and redeems them from bondage and death (Ex. 7-15). The young nation begins a journey with God as their Provider, Lawgiver, and Counselor (Ex. 16-24). 

 

Exodus covers a period of time of approximately 360 years, from the time of Jacob and his family going to Egypt to the time of the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.  (Exodus One is usually dated from the time of Joseph’s death.)

 

The overall theme of Exodus is redemption.  It tells how God buys back his people from the slavery of sin and brings them into His presence.  This redemption is revealed in two ways in the book of Exodus:  first, by deliverance from Egypt (chapters 1-18) and then by the duties enjoined upon God’s people as His redeemed people (19-40).  Jehovah brought them out that he might bring them in.  We see the mercy of God dealing with idolatry, rebellion and disobedience.   God’s command is “Let My people go.”

 

Between Genesis and Exodus, Israel had become a nation while in Egypt.  The book opens in chapter 1 with the nation’s bondage and the preparation of Moses to be their deliverer and mediator.  The story then unfolds with God’s supernatural judgment upon Egypt by plagues and the redemption of Israel by the blood of the Passover Lamb.  Delivered by the Blood, the Water, and the Spirit, they head for the Promised Land.

 

Th key figure is the author, Moses:

 

“He was the child of a slave, and the son of a queen.  He was born in a hut, and lived in a palace.  He inherited poverty and enjoyed unlimited wealth.  He was the leader of armies, and the keeper of flocks.  He was the mightiest of warriors, and the meekest of men.  He was educated in the court and dwelt in the desert.  He had the wisdom of Egypt, and the faith of a child.  He was fitted for the city and wandered in the wilderness.  He was tempted with all the pleasures of sin, and endured the hardships of virtue.  Acts 7:22: He was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action, yet His plea to God was that he was backward in speech and could not talk (Ex. 4:10).  God talked with him and he talked with God.  He had the rod of a shepherd and the power of the infinite.  He was a fugitive from Pharaoh, and an ambassador from heaven.  He was the giver of the Law, and the forerunner of Grace. He died alone on Mount Moab, and appeared with Christ in Judea.  No man assisted at his funeral, yet God buried him.” (Dr. I. M. Haldeman).

 

Moses’ life is highlighted throughout the New Covenant by Jesus and the Apostles.  In the Hebrews hall of fame, 11:23-29, Moses, and his parents are listed among the mighty men and women of faith (Heb. 11:23).  His faith is declared to be a prophetic testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

Heb. 11:26: Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

 

Moses’ name means “drawn or pulled out of the water”.  He was handpicked by Jehovah before he was born to liberate Israel.  Moses was “elect” of God, chosen to be Israel’s Deliverer.

 

Heb. 11:23: By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

 

Though a slave, Moses was born into the Levitical Priesthood both from his Father, Amram’s family and his mother, Jochebed (daughter of Levi).  (1 Chr. 23:13-14).

 

Moses’ portion was the life of faith.  Moses’ Levitical heritage would one day empower him to ascend the top of the mountain as the anointed priest of Yahweh. 

 

“From Adam to Christ, there is none greater than Moses.  He is the most commanding figure of the ancient world.  In character, in faith, in the unique position assigned him as the mediator of the old covenant and in achievements.  He stands first among the heroes of the Old Testament.” (Arthur W. Pink).

 

God begins his purposes with a man and fulfills his purpose in a Body or Nation of people.

 

Moses was 40 years old when he killed the Egyptian.  He fled to the land of Midian.  There Moses married Zipporah, daughter of Jethro a priest of Midian.  Moses dwelt in this obscurity forty years (number of trial and testing).  For 40 years the Lord drained him of his self-sufficiency.

 

Moses met his Maker and his match on the back side of the desert at Mount Sinai; also known as Horeb (which means “dryness, heat, waste, solitude”).  This protracted trial of faith would equip him to lead his church into that same barren wilderness and place of testing for another 40 years.  Moses’ submission to God’s authority and his faithfulness to God’s plan would one day bring him back to Horeb with a larger flock.  

 

The Shekinah Glory of God appeared unto Moses!  At the age of 40, the fire of Moses’ zeal had consumed the bush of his humanity.  Now at the age of 80, the bush is not consumed, for there is now zeal with knowledge.

 

The name of the one who appeared to Moses and sent Moses him is ‘I AM THAT I AM.”

 

The Shepherd’s rod of Moses became the rod of God.

 

Moses’ ministry was a type of the Kingly ministry as Aaron’s was a type of the Priestly.   He and Aaron met together in the Mount.  The offices of prophet, priest and King met in Jesus Christ, and will meet again in the Overcomer that is conformed to His image (Eph. 4:13.)  Moses was 80 and Aaron was 83.  Two old men came walking out of the wilderness with nothing but a stick between them.  That was the instrument of the Lord’s deliverance. They were brothers and of the tribe of Levi.  We can compare them to the two witnesses in Rev. 11 who minister by the power of an endless life.

 

In Exodus 6, God reveals himself as Jehovah (the Covenant God).

 

1.      I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

2.     I will rid you out of their bondage.

3.     I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm, and with great judgments.

4.     I will take you to Me for a people.

5.     I will be to you a God.

6.     I will bring you unto the land.

7.     I will give it to you for a heritage.

 

God purposely hardened Pharoah’s heart (Ex. 7: 1-13) that he might reveal His great power.

 

The great judgments against Egypt parallel the great judgments of the book of Revelation and speak of those great acts of God which are bringing and will bring God’s people into glorious liberty.  The plagues were a judgment of God upon the gods of Egypt (Num. 33:4).

 

Heb. 11:28:  Through faith, Moses kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood…

 

The central thought of this redemption is by Blood:

 

But the Israelites were still full of the idolatry of Egypt.  Chapter 12 initiates the first Passover.

 

The Passover of Israel from Egypt’s bondage pictures the Day of the Lord and passing over God’s people into the dominion of the Kingdom, delivered by the Blood, Water, and Spirit and free from all previous limitations of the world, the flesh, and the Devil (Pharaoh). 

 

 

1.     The Passover – saved by the Blood.

2.     Death Angel – sheltered by the Blood

3.     Tabernacle Offerings – access unto God by the Blood.

 

As in the days of Moses all the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the Just. (Prov. 13:22)

 

The Israelites spoiled the Egyptians.

 

Bill Gaither wrote a song, “Not a hoof shall be left behind.” 

 

When they left Egypt, there was not a hoof left behind (Exo 10:26).

 

The journeys of Israel from Egypt to Canaan cover from Exodus 12 to Deut. 34.  The crossing of the Red Sea, the battles, the waters healed, manna and quail given, miracle after miracle.

 

  They received at Mount Sinai the Law (Mosaic Covenant), which includes the Ten Commandments, the civil and ceremonial laws.  The ceremonial law included the pattern of the Tabernacle, with its priesthood and sacrifices. 

 

The purposes of Israel’s crisis and 40 years in the wilderness was to manifest their heart’s condition.  Train them in the school of divine providence that they might be fit for living in and retaining the land of promise.  Bring them into subjection to the Sovereignty of God.  Give them an opportunity to learn of the abundance of His resources; to worship Him in His Presence and Glory.

 

Israel’s reactions to their many wilderness crisis show their faith was weak and superficial, and more a momentary enthusiasm than a deeply rooted conviction. 

 

All Christians will go through our wilderness experience.  Let us be instructed by the failures of the Israelites and faith of the Joshua generation to be faithful and of good courage.

 

I can say that on my Christian journey, I, too, have been to these Schools of Providence.

1.      School of Disappointment (Ex. 15:22-23).

2.     School of Prosperity (Ex. 15:27).

3.     School of Need (Ex. 16: 1-22).

4.     School of rest (16: 23-36).

5.     School of submission (17: 1-4)

6.     School of conflict (17:8-13).  

7.     School of Pressure (18: 17-24).

 

The pattern of God’s redeeming His people and leading them through the way of the wilderness, preparing them to enter Canaan, is paralled by the Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification of the believer.

 

The book closes with the glory of God coming to dwell in the midst of a redeemed people.  Redeemed by the Blood alone.  Worshipping in divine order according to the pattern shown Moses on the mountain.

 

Chapters 35-39 is the account of building the Tabernacle according to the pattern given to Moses.

 

Ex. 40:34-35:  A cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

 

Jesus Christ is seen in the Book of Exodus as:

 

1.     The Deliverer – (Ex. 2-6; Acts 5:31)

2.     The Mediator (Ex. 2-6; Heb. 8:6)

3.     The Lawgiver (Ex. 19-20; Heb. 8:10)

4.     The Burning Bush (Ex. 3: 1-4; Jn. 1:1; Heb. 12:29).

5.     The I AM (Ex. 3:14; Jn. 14:6)

6.     The High Priest, the Heavenly Aaron. (Ex. 4:14; 28; Heb. 2:17)

7.     The Rod. Of God. (Ex. 4:20)

8.     The God to Pharaoh (Ex. 7:1)

9.     The Passover Lamb. (Ex. 12; 1 Cor. 5:7)

10. The Pillar of Cloud and Fire. (Ex. 13;21; Jn. 8:12)

11. The Tree that healed the bitter waters (Ex. 15: 25-26 )

12. The Manna (Ex. 16; Jn. 6:48)

13. The Smitten Rock (Ex. 17)

14. The One who delegates all authority (Ex. 18:25; Matt. 28: 19-20)

15. The Ten Commandments, the Nature of God. (Ex. 10; 1 Jn. 4:17)

16. The Bond slave (Ex. 21: 1-6; Jn. 8:29)

17. The Angel of the Lord (Ex. 23:20; Mal. 3:1)

18. The Paved Work of a Sapphire Stone. (Ex. 24:10; Cant. 5:10)

  1. The Tabernacle of God with men. (Ex. 25-40; Jn. 1:14)

    a. The Ark of the Covenant – the Lord

           b. The Mercy – Seat – the propitiation

           c. The Table of Showbread – the Bread

           D... The Golden Candlestick – the Light

           e. The Brazen Altar – The Savior

           f. The Altar of Incense – the High Priest

           g. The Brazen laver – the Sanctifier.

20.  The Clift of the Rock. (Ex. 33:22; Psa. 91; Col. 3: 1-3)

21.  The Builder, the Heavenly Bezaleel and Aholiab (Ex. 36:1; Matt. 16:18)

22.   The Plate of the Holy Crown of Pure Gold.  (Ex. 39:30)

 

The message:

 

1.     God’s redeeming grace is revealed to those who believe and obey.

2.     God desires to dwell among His redeemed people but will only do so on His terms.  Man can reject the Covenant, but he cannot alter the Covenant.

3.     The redemption of man is made necessary by the ruin of man.

4.     Redemption is made possible by Blood alone.

5.     The Worship of God, in order to be acceptable, must be in divine order, and must be based upon divine principles.

6.     The Exodus from Egypt is the Old Testament redemption and Moses is the Old Testament Redeemer.

Carolyn Sissom, Pastor

Eastgate Ministries Church, 10115 West Hidden Lakes Lane, Richmond, TX.

www.eastgateministries.com

Scripture from K.J.V. and N.K.J.V. I entered into the labors of Principles of Present Truth form Exodus by Kelly Varner.  Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those who I entered into their labors.

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