#30 – Encouragement from Exodus Epilogue
Epilogue
Where we’ve been
We began our study in Exodus during the dark days of oppression of the Hebrew people. The baby boys were under a death sentence. Shiphrah and Puah shone as lights in the darkness. These midwives feared the L-RD and defied the king’s orders.
We saw how G-d not only preserved the life of the infant Moses but saw to it that a slave child grew up with all the benefits of an Egyptian prince. At 40 he fled to Midian, learning to shepherd flocks in the wilderness, preparing him for another 40 years of caring for the flock of Israel in the wilderness.
At 80 years of age Moses had a dramatic career change: “to be as G-d to Pharaoh.” Moses heard the voice of the L-RD calling to him from the blazing bush which was not consumed. G-d deputized the reticent shepherd to represent Him: first to the Hebrew people, then to the Egyptians, and especially Pharaoh, the most powerful ruler of his generation. Aaron filled the role of spokesman, but Moses was the L-RD’s primary representative.
“That you may know…”
When Pharaoh said, “I do not know the L-RD,” G-d said, “You will.” And not only would Egypt’s king and people learn who the G-d of Israel is, the Jewish people also had repeated opportunities to see His power on display for their benefit. Ten powerful plagues were unleashed on the Egyptians as the L-RD executed His judgments against the gods of Egypt. (Exodus 12:12 NASB.)
The G-d who says 14 times in Exodus “That you may know that I am the L-RD” did not demonstrate His sovereign might for that generation alone. It will be the children of those redeemed from Egyptian bondage who will conquer Canaan. Moses will continue to remind them of what the L-RD had done for their fathers.
Indeed, G-d will continue to state, “I am the L-rd your G-d who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”[1] Multiple times Israel’s prophets will also mention G-d’s deliverance of the Jewish people, underscoring the singular importance of the Exodus event in history.[2]
Notably, G-d’s demonstration of His power over the Egyptians resulted in many of them exiting their homeland (Exodus 12:38 NASB) to join the Hebrews headed for the Promised Land. And the epic saga of Israel’s deliverance had an enduring impact on the nations of the Middle East. A generation after Pharaoh’s army drowned, the Hebrew spies sent to scout Jericho heard Rahab say, “For we have heard how the L-RD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt.” (Joshua 2:10.)[3]
The L-RD is a G-d whose heart it is to spread the good news. He still wants to be known. In fact, His efforts to redeem His people extend far beyond displaying His power over false gods. “A prophet like Moses” was promised (Deuteronomy 18:15-18 NASB.) G-d sent many prophets to speak to Israel (and famously, Jonah to preach to Nineveh). The narrator of the Torah closes with these words:
Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the L-RD knew face to face, for all the signs and wonders which the L-RD sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. (Deuteronomy 34:10-11.)
One greater than Moses
However, in the Messiah, whose coming was predicted by the prophets, we discover “one greater than Moses” (Hebrews 3:1-6 NASB.) G-d’s love for fallen humanity was demonstrated to the greatest extent in His provision of atonement for our sin through Messiah Yeshua (Jesus of Nazareth; see Isaiah 53 NASB; John 3:16 NASB; Romans 5:5-21 NASB).
Do you know Him? If not, please consider the words of Moses to Israel before his death. But from there you will seek the L-RD your G-d, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29.)
The pages of InSearchofShalom.com will point you to the promised Messiah who indeed “has also become our salvation.” We are happy to assist in your search if you choose to chat, message, or call us.
If you do have a personal relationship with the living L-RD, how are you doing in making Him known? If we can encourage you in living out your faith in a way that brings glory to G-d and draws others to Him, we’d be delighted to do so.
[1] Nine times in the Torah (Exodus 6:7, 20:2; Leviticus 19:36, 22:33, 25:38, 25:55, 26:13; Numbers 15:41; Deuteronomy 5:6) and once in Judges 6:8, G-d identifies Himself to the Jewish people as the One who brought them out of Egypt.
[2] Moses references this reality in pleading to G-d not to destroy His people in Exodus 32:11 (see also Deuteronomy 9:26) and exhorting them not to forget the L-RD (Deuteronomy 6:12, 8:14), be seduced away from Him (Deuteronomy 13:10) nor be fearful in battle (Deuteronomy 20:1). Samuel in his address to Israel before installing Saul as their first monarch (1 Samuel 12:8) and Daniel in his intercessory prayer on Israel’s behalf (Daniel 9:15) also cite G-d’s deliverance of the Jewish people from Egypt. (See also 2 Kings 17:36.)
[3] See also the testimony of the Gibeonites in Joshua 9:9-10 NASB.
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