Back to Basics - The Book of Exodus

Back to Basics

The Book of Exodus 06/01/2021

Derrick Harrison 06/01/2021

The Book of Exodus The second book of Moses records the exodus of over 2 million Jewish slaves from Egypt which was the most highly developed civilization and the most secure super-power at the time of Israel’s great escape led by Moses, a former prince of Egypt. This book is Moses’ second in the Pentateuch. The greatest man in the O.T. not only founded a nation but he also wrote Scripture – these 5 books provided the foundation for the entire Bible. His first book Genesis, the book of beginnings was a compilation, a gathering together of material passed down to him from man’s original beginning when he was created by God. This second book begins with Moses’ origin and his mirac ulous rescue from the river Nile by the Pharaoh’s daughter.

Genesis and Exodus are so readable because they have the momentum of a continuing narrative which began hundreds of years before humans had the ability to record history in written documents (it is called pre-history) and they retained it by means of orality in the corporate memory of their people, remembered and repeated by their clan or tribe after which it was written down and eventually incorporated in our Bible. Exodus is autobiographical and in Moses we discover a chosen servant of the Lord who was an outstanding leader, responsible for leading God’s people out of slavery, sustaining them in the wilderness for 40 years and prepar ing them to enter the Promise Land. He actually forged them into a nation and gave to them the entire Mosaic system of worship which included the Law, the tabernacle and their New Life Radio – Talk No 13

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priesthood/sacrifices. He was outstanding in his spirituality and this was affirmed by God Himself. Amazingly, he also wrote Scripture, the first 5 books in the Bible.

Significantly, the second predominant figure in Israel’s history, king David was also a great leader, a man of outstanding spirituality (witnessed to by the Psalms) and he also wrote Scripture – Psalms, there is also a lot of space given to his biography in the Bible. Paul also fits exactly into the same category as Moses and David – a man called by God, an impressive leader, a man of outstanding godliness and he also wrote Scripture. Jesus Christ was also the leader of our faith, - He was our “file-leader” who forged a way back to God for us (Heb.12.2) and He calls us each one to follow Him! He is the leader of supreme spirituality who dwelled in the eternal presence of God and becoming man lived a sinless life, maintained unbroken fellowship with Father and was perfected in His humanity through suffering. His oral speaking and teaching became written scripture and His biography comprises 4 Gospels and His Person and presence is found in every page of the Bible. Pre -history, past, present and future history is His-story and it is equally man’s story from God’s perspective.

An outline of Exodus 1. The Israelites in Egypt (1:1-12:36) A. Persecution of the Hebrew slaves (1:1-22) B. Birth & rescue of Moses (40 years Egypt), escape to Midian (40 years) (2:1-23)

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C. Moses’ call, revelation of name LORD (3:1-4:27; 6:2-4; Acts 7:1744) D. The 10 Plagues of Egypt, Israelites delivered from Egyptian bondage (5:1-11:10) E. Israel redeemed by the blood of a lamb, Passover (12:1-13:16; see Hebrews 10:4-10) F. The Israelites cross the Red Sea & saved from the Egyptian army (13:17-15:22) 2. The Israelites in the wilderness (15:23 -18:27) A. Mara, bitter water made sweet (15:23-27) B. Manna from heaven (16:1-36) C. Water miraculously supplied at Rephidim (17:1-7) D. War with Amalek (17:18-16) E. Israel organized according to the advice of Jethro (18:1-27) 3. The Israelites at Sinai (19:1-40:38) A. Revelation of the covenant between God and Israel (19:125), Colossians 2:14 B. Commandments (20:1-26) C. Various laws (21:1-23:33) D. Renewal of the covenant (24:1-11) E. The Tabernacle (24:12-27:21) F. Priests (28:1-29:46) G. Instructions (30:1-31:18) 4. Israel’s fall and restoration (32:1 -40:38) A. The golden calf (32:1-6) B. Moses intercedes for the people (32:7 -33:23) C. Restoration of covenant (34:1-35) D. Israel obeys the covenant (35:1-40:33)

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E. God accepts it all and fills the Tabernacle with his glory (40:1-38) EXODUS takes its name from the “Exodus” of God’s people from Egypt.

In telling Israel’s story Moses unconsciously writes his own. As the leader of God’s people his life was bound up with theirs’. The book begins with his birth, followed by his rescue from death, his exit from Egypt and his 40 years in Midian as a husband, father and shepherd.

This period came to an end with his call by God to return to Egypt and bring back God’s people to Mount Sinai. In confronting Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt the civilization of Egypt was destroyed by the successive plagues. With increasing boldness Moses demanded that his people leave Egypt to meet with God at Sinai. With increasing severity, the plagues destroyed the resources of Egypt and with increasing hardness Pharaoh refused to let the people go. Moses became a national figure (7:1; 11:3). The final plague, - the death of the first-born resulted in the expulsion of the Jews from Egypt (12:2930).

The 10 Plagues/Judgments/Wonders of Egypt (3:20; 4:21; 7:3-4; 11:9-10) The Plague

Pharaoh’s hardening of heart

Serpents (7:10)

Pharaoh is hardened in his heart (7:13)

1. Blood (7:20)

Pharaoh hardened again (7:22)

2. Frogs (8:6)

Pharaoh begs relief, promises freedom (8:8), hardened (8:15)

3. Lice (8:17)

Pharaoh hardened (8:19)

4. Flies (8:24)

Pharaoh bargains (8:28), but is hardened (8:32)

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5. Livestock (9:6)

Pharaoh hardened (9:7)

6. Boils (9:10)

Pharaoh hardened (9:7)

7. Hail (9:23)

Pharaoh begs relief (9:27), promises freedom (9:28).

8. Locusts (10:13)

Pharaoh bargains (10:6), begs relief (10:17), hardened (10:20)

9. Darkness (10:22)

Pharaoh bargains (10:24), but is hardened (10:27)

10. Death of firstborn

Pharaoh and Egyptians beg Israel to leave Egypt (12:31-33)

The Children of Israel were spared from the last plague, the death of each first-born child because they were protected by the “blood” of the lamb and by eating the meat of the “Passover Lamb” they were ready to move out of Egypt at Moses’ command (Ch.12). This is the “Exodus” from Egypt followed the miracle crossing the Red Sea (14:1531) and the destruction of Pharaoh’s entire army. Their victory is celebrated in song, - “the Song of Moses” (Ch.15; Rev. 15:3) and they now journey to Sinai (Ch.16-19:1). Israel then faced the army of Amalek (Ex.17:8-16).

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law came from Midian and proposed that Moses appoint Elders to assist him (18:7-27). Moses implemented his idea but nothing came of it. The picture of the Exodus is rich in typology and spiritual truth. God has fulfilled His promise to Moses that he would lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and bring them to the place where the Lord had first revealed himself to Moses (Ex.3:10, 12). Moses returned with the Children of Israel to Sinai to receive the New Life Radio – Talk No 13

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Law and the offerings, the priesthood and the plans for the Tabernacle.

The remainder of the book describes the building of the Tabernacle.

The Exodus from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea (they are part of one total event) is the defining picture of salvation in the OT. 1. Moses’ birth, childhood, and training in Egypt (Ex.1:1-2:22; Acts.7:17-29; Heb.11:23-27) Moses was born in a Jewish family whose parents were slaves in Egypt.

Amram and Jochebed were from the tribe of Levi and they recognized that there was something special about Moses. We see from the beginning the choice of God, demonstrated by his miraculous preservation from death by Pharaoh’s daughter. He was reared in Pharaoh’s household and trained as a prince. This was very important as part of his training in leadership for the future. The killing of the Egyptian that terminated his life in Egypt came out of a sense of responsibility for the welfare of his own people – and a clear awareness of leadership (Ex.2:14; Acts7:25). This period of Moses life covered 40 years. In Egypt he learned to be somebody, and in the wilderness, he learned to be nobody. Here he had to live with predictable, mundane, no change sameness but he learned new life and family values. He also learned a new profession and the skills and values associated with keeping sheep. His life is divided into three definite periods of 40 years each. In this last period he led God’s people from Egypt to the border of Canaan with a great wilderness between.

2. Moses: husband, father and shepherd in Midian (Ex.3:1-31; 6:1-8; Acts 7:29-30)

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For the next 40 years Moses was a shepherd - we have no account of this time in Scripture but we believe that God was preparing his servant in solitude. To be alone with God is to discover who we are and who we are not. Why do we always think that training has always to do with outward works? What about the training and discipline of the inner man? Moses was now a total “unknown” and had to come to terms with his own obscurity and isolation, and the monotony of his daily routine. For 40 years he led his flock to the back side of the desert and spent the rest of the day watching over them in the heat of the sun and leading them back each evening – how incredibly unexciting and non-stimulating! How differently David employed his time as a young shepherd – but David had the anointing which Moses did not yet have!

We also need to include in this period of time his introduction to family life – marriage and children and a totally different way of living, - he exchanged the life of the prince in a palace for the life of the Bedouin in a tent. This period came to a close when he met with God at Horeb.

It may have seemed as if God had forgotten about Moses, but the call of God (Ps.105:26), depends on His timing and His purposes.

The angel of the Lord appeared at the burning bush (Ex.Ch.3- 4; Acts 7:29- 30; Ps.105:26-45). God spoke His name: “I AM THAT I AM” and commissioned Moses to declare to His people that “I AM” has sent you to bring My people out of Egypt and to bring them to this same mountain, but Moses sought to excuse himself. He was not prepared to accept responsibility for a people who had formerly rejected his help. The mere suggestion of a return to Egypt raised too many bitter

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memories of the past for Moses to handle such a possibility. God told him to tell Pharaoh that: “Israel is my son, even my firstborn” (Ex.4:22).

We do not read that Moses ever told Pharaoh this.

In Ex.Ch.6 Moses has a second meeting with God when He reveals His primary name of Yahweh/Jehovah to Moses. The importance of this name for God is translated in the Bible as LORD throughout the Old Testament and is the central paradigm of Moses’ theology. The word LORD is the principal word for God in the Old Testament. It is not a title for God but it is His actual Name. Moses was going to discover the power of that Name in his confrontation with the evil powers which ruled Egypt. This is the primary revelation of God in the O.T. This is not a title for God it is His Name! This name henceforth will dominate Moses’ writing from Genesis onwards and is the proof of Moses’ authorship of the Pentateuch. It is the signet ring which represents God’s authority and declares his credibility to write Scripture.

I will refer again to the contrasting background in which this revelation was given to Moses who has been for 40 years at “the backside of the desert!” Only he knows the tortuous temptations that had assailed him - the former son of Pharaoh, the successful military commander, the refined, cultured, and highly educated young man, robed and with a ring of sonship on his finger marking his royal pedigree and his royal authority. Now he is disrobed, disinherited, ring-less, he is nobody – but worse still he is despised in his own eyes and he is caught in a dead-end job with absolutely no prospect of change and he is being roasted alive each day by the sun as he leads – not men, but stupid sheep! His life is apparently without purpose. How do you maintain

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your relationship with God under such circumstances? Did he have a relationship with God at all?

It is said by the Psalmist regarding young Joseph in prison that his iron shackles dug into the flesh of his ankles – as temptation gnawed deep into his soul, “He (God) sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him. The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free” (Ps.105:17-20). The mg. translation in the KJV reads, “his soul entered into the iron.” Change this around and it reads, “the iron entered into his soul.” Elsewhere the phrase, the furnace of affliction” provides us with a suitable description of the immense endurance of these men under temptations. Richard Wurmbrand spent nearly 15 years deep underground in a filthy and cruel prison in Romania and came out a strong man, an apostle of suffering.

3. Moses’ confrontation with Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt (Ex.5:1-Ch.10) Moses had been forced to leave Egypt 40 years earlier due to his murder of an Egyptian taskmaster. He now returns to confront the Pharaoh of Egypt, the gods of Egypt and to lead God’s enslaved people out of captivity, this miracle deliverance is called, - “the Exodus.” He will then lead his people through the Red Sea and bring them to Sinai to meet with God and to receive His Law (Ex.Ch.19- 20; Heb.11:28- 29).

The initial response of Pharaoh to Moses’ request to let his people go three days into the wilderness to worship their God met with a firm refusal – the consequences of this initial request was catastrophic for New Life Radio – Talk No 13

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Israel, meeting with total failure, immediate disillusionment and the consequent increase of their labour (Ch.5). God declares that He will deal with Pharaoh, who will eventually drive out Israel from Egypt with a strong hand!

A further revelation of God is given to Moses: “I AM the LORD” (Yahweh/Jehovah). God says that He has not been known to Israel by the name of Yahweh/Jehovah (6:1-8). They had yet to discover the full meaning of that name as they observed the progress of Moses in his confrontation with Pharaoh. The Name is translated as “LORD” in every translation of the Bible and now dominates the pages of the Pentateuch, beginning in the book of Genesis (2:5 etc.). The use of the name Jehovah throughout the Pentateuch is proof of his authorship.

With increasing boldness Moses demanded that his people leave Egypt to meet with God at Sinai. With increasing severity the plagues destroyed the resources of Egypt and with increasing hardness Pharaoh refused to let the people go. Moses became a national figure (7:1; 11:3). The final plague was the death of the first-born (12:29-30).

The Children of Israel were spared and protected by “the blood” of the lamb, and by eating the meat of the “Passover Lamb”- ready to move out of Egypt at Moses’ command (Ch.12). This is the “Exodus” from Egypt, leading to the miracle of crossing the Red Sea (14:15-31), followed by: “the Song of Moses” (Ch.15; Rev. 15:3) and the journey to Sinai (Ch.16-19:1). Delivered from Pharaoh’s army they faced Amalek (Ex.17:8-16). Later Jethro came from Midian and proposed that Moses appoint Elders to assist him (18:7-27). Moses implemented his idea but nothing came of it. The whole picture of the Exodus is rich in typology

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and spiritual truth. God has fulfilled His promise to Moses that he would lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and bring them to the place where the Lord had first revealed himself to Moses (Ex.3:10, 12).

No leader can take his flock to any place in God where he has not come himself. Moses had first met the LORD at Horeb and it is to this place where he returns with the people.

4. Moses at Sinai: covenant, law, tabernacle, priesthood and sacrifices (Ex.20-40) Moses has been described as the “Lawgiver” - he not only gives the “10 Commandments” to Israel but all the legislation associated with ceremonial laws, laws of hygiene, land, divorce, slavery, usury, Sabbath, and so on, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (Jn.1:17).

Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? (Jn.7:19, see also v32; 8:5).

He should also be called the “Law teacher” because he taught the Law, administered it, and applied the law in the context of people’s lives; thus, making him a judge (Ex.18:15-16), and thus, established the key role of the judge in Israel which runs throughout the O.T. – from its beginning here, through the period of the judges, the period of priestly government, and continued through the government of the kings.

Solomon was the greatest in this long tradition due to the fact that he brought the gifts of wisdom, knowledge and discernment to bear on his ability to judge. The incident of the adulterous woman in Jn.ch.8 is New Life Radio – Talk No 13

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a situation in which the religious leaders demanded of Jesus that He judge the woman according to the law of Moses, “Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what do you say?”

(Jn.8:5). Of course, Jesus did not view His ministry in terms of a judge pronouncing a sentence in accordance with the Mosaic law. He says specifically, “I judge no man” (Jn.8:15).

Moses was suited to the exercise of judging according to the Law. He was meticulous regarding every detail of sacrifice, priesthood, and of every detail regarding the building of the Tabernacle. If, paying attention to detail is important for leadership then Moses scores with high marks. This attention to detail and his diligent application of the law to the details of everyone’s life shows to us certain traits of his personality.

It only took Israel 3 months to reach Sinai (Ex.19:1), and from there, “there are only eleven day’s journey from Horeb … to Kadesh-Barnea” (Deut.1:2; 2:14; 9:23). Note the significant happenings that take place on the short journey between the Red Sea and Sinai (Ex.13:17-19:2). It is often in times that perhaps appear less important in our lives – the time when the crisis is past when the big event has taken place that we face what appears to be far less important decisions. It was at this point that Moses faced a very important personal decision regarding his father-in-law, his wife and his two boys. It is obvious that Jethro brought the family back with the purpose of reconciliation but he failed to accomplish this. Moses gives us no information about the family discussion that took place on the fateful day of their decision to make their separation permanent (Ex.ch18; see 4:24-26). Because we

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are not given any information about their conversations, we are unable to make any judgment. However, he did refer to the original confrontation over circumcision and his action then, – “after he had sent her back” (Nu.18:2; cf. 1Cor.7:11, 15). One cannot begin to estimate the loss to all parties due to the failed attempt at reconciliation. How did this affect Moses’ leadership? It is clear from the observations of Jethro - at this early period of administering the Law that Moses’ is consumed by the demands of his work from morning until night – what a price to pay for a failed marriage! Jethro introduces Moses into the fine art of delegating responsibility. Moses may not have given due attention to this most important matter of his wife and boys due to what he considered his responsibility to serve his people. Who can tell?

Does his enforced celibacy have any bearing on his later marriage to a Cushite woman with black skin from Africa? (Num.12:1). It would appear that Miriam’s objection was to the interracial marriage of a woman from Cush, a region south of Ethiopia, where the people are known for their black skin. We know this because of Jeremiah 13:23: “Can the Ethiopian (the same Hebrew word translated “Cushite” in Numbers 12:1) change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.” Attention is drawn to the difference of the skin of the Cushite people who originate from the area south of Egypt, and above the cataracts on the Nile, where a Black African civilization flourished for over two thousand years.

In response to Miriam’s criticism, God does not get angry at Moses; he gets angry at Miriam. The criticism was directly aimed at Moses’

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marriage and the result was the undermining of his authority. The most explicit statement relates to the marriage: “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman.” Then God strikes Miriam with leprosy for which Moses prays.

The LORD’S Eagles Wings Speech: having arrived at Sinai the congregation gathered round the holy mountain. He entered into the LORD’S covenant at Sinai (Sinaitic Covenant) with them, “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel” (Ex.19:4- 6).

The Lord’s words express His deep love – “I brought you to Myself”, enhanced by beautiful metaphor and personal pronouns. The Children of Israel also respond to God’s Covenant promises stating their willingness to obey the Lord’s words, “Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” So, Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD” (v8).

The words, the content, the conditions, and the commands of the covenant are known to us as “The Ten Commandments” (Ex.ch.20).

The terms of this covenant were obedience to all the precepts of the New Life Radio – Talk No 13

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Law which would result in the “Blessings,” and disobedience would result in the “Curses.” The Jews bound themselves to these conditions.

The seal of the Abrahamic covenant was circumcision (Gen.17:10-14, 23-27). The second generation of Israelites who entered into the Promised Land were circumcised by Joshua after they had entered the land (Josh.5:1-5). In Deuteronomy which represents the full maturity of Moses, he does not refer to outward male circumcision but calls on the Israelites to circumcise their hearts (Deut.10:16; 30:6 cf. Rom.2:28-29).

Two points here: (1) when the LORD had originally commissioned Moses, He said to him that He would bring the Children of Israel back to the very mountain where the Lord originally met Moses. There is an important lesson here for leaders – you cannot lead your flock further than you have come yourself. The second point (2) relates to the words of the LORD’S covenant with Israel. The Lord says to them, “And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” These words of the Sinaitic Covenant are reaffirmed in the book of Revelation, “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Rev.1:5-6).

If we are to look at leadership from a New Covenant perspective, or from the perspective of the Kingdom of God we must state clearly that each brother and sister in the body of Christ is a priest and a king in relationship to God. In other words, human concepts of leadership do New Life Radio – Talk No 13

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not apply in the Kingdom of God – they are unnecessary and unrecognized. Each child of God has a priestly ministry unto the Lord and each child of God has a ministry of authority in the Lord. As a priest I serve the LORD in His sanctuary and as a king I serve men and women by ministering authoritatively in the name of my King. The key lesson for the 12 trainee apostles who were sent forth by Jesus was to preach and to minister deliverance and healing in the authority of Jesus Christ. It was HE who was healing and delivering men and women through them. (I am not undermining the oversight of shepherds in the flock of God, what I am opposing is when worldly models of leadership are imposed on the body of Christ).

The Law of God: Moses ascended the mountain to meet with God and to receive the Law written by the finger of God on the 2 tablets of stone. The Law, known as “The Ten Commandments” is found in Ex.ch.20 and followed by legislation regarding living together as the people of God (21:1-23:19).

This first period in the mount with God was for 40 days of prayer and fasting which ended with the incident of the “Golden calf” (Ex.32:135). In Moses’ anger he destroyed the 2 tablets of stone, ground the calf to powder and put it in their water supply (33:19-20). (One has to ask if this really was more than God’s judgment required). This was followed by a period of intercession and a new meeting with God (Ch.33-34); then Moses again ascended the mountain for a second period of 40 days. Moses spends 2 periods of 40 days in the presence of God without food and drink sustained by God alone.

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Moses’ life was characterised by a deep passion for God and by a total fearlessness of men (Ex.18:18-20; 20:21; 24:12-18; 33:11-23; 34:4-9).

Due regard must be paid to this time as crucial to the future purposes of God and crucial to the impact of this time on Moses’ personality, character and his view and practise of leadership. Note the outcome of this long period of time in the presence of God (Ex.34:33-35). We have to wait until the coming of Jesus Christ to encounter a man who lived in the presence of the Almighty for such protracted lengths of time.

For Moses, personally, the tabernacle was primarily a place of prayer (Ex.33:7-11). Similarly, Solomon established a theology of prayer for Israel which centred on the house of the Lord as a place of prayer.

Not only did Moses evidence the gift of prophetic revelation but like the apostle John with regards to the book of the Revelation, Moses also had a visionary gift to see in vision what the LORD was describing in words. Moses’ imagination was employed by the Spirit in order that he could see before his eyes what the LORD was describing in words – as with Ezekiel the prophet. We know that this was the case due to the words from God who demands that the details which Moses had seen visually be reproduced exactly in the material tabernacle, “And look that you make them after their pattern, which was showed you in the mount” (Ex.25:40; repeated 26:30, 40; 27:8).

It would have been impossible to build the tabernacle without seeing it visually first. We will touch on this subject again when we review Moses’ final messages to Israel before his exodus to heaven.

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The Tabernacle was then built by the gifted and anointed Bezaleel (Ex.31:2-6; 35:30-36:4). Moses was quick to recognise his gifts and appointed him to this task. When the work was finished (Ex.40:33), and the Tabernacle erected (Ex.40:30-38), the glory of God filled it. On this glorious note Moses concludes the book of Exodus. God had taken up residency among His people and now speaks from inside the tabernacle (Lev. 1:1; Nu.1:1). The priesthood was set in order and sacrifices instituted by Moses who then proceeded to appoint elders to assist him. These 70 men were anointed by the Spirit and they prophesied (Nu.11:16-17, 24-25; cf. Ex.18:13- 27). They were to share the burden of the people with Moses.

The nation of Israel was constituted a theocracy; a people under the rulership of God. God’s dwelling was among His people in the “Holy of Holies” in the tabernacle. This was one of the permanent unchangeable realities as was the Law of God which contained God’s unchangeable Laws. The tents of the 12 tribes were camped around the tabernacle to affirm the centrality of God. The whole camp could be moved for transit and relocated according to the direction of the cloud by day and the fire by night. When the temple was built, the poles which were used to carry the ark on the shoulders of the priests were removed finally and placed beside the ark, thus signifying that the ark had come to its ultimate resting place in the House of the LORD built by Solomon. Moses laid down legislation (Deuteronomy), whereby the house of the LORD was central to Israel and offerings had be made here as opposed to various localities where people lived (idolatry thrived on every hillside in Israel). Thus, the central location emphasised the truth of God at the centre, thus affirming His New Life Radio – Talk No 13

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theocratic rule and headship over the nation. Jesus translated the truth of God at the centre of his people when He said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Mat.18:20). The church is God’s theocratic community where He is Head and where He reigns. The shepherds of God’s flock function under His headship and authority.

The book of Exodus began with the Israelites enslaved in Egypt and the birth of a baby to a couple from the tribe of Levi in the context of intense persecution – cruel labour conditions and infanticide. The narrative of God’s leading, direction, miracle intervention, is the epic account of God’s people the Israelites. The full story occupies the whole of the OT. We begin from a single man called Abram who lived in the pagan city of Ur who is called out by God to travel the length and breadth of Canaan. He is followed by his son Isaac, and his son Jacob who has 12 sons who migrate to Egypt where they are initially welcomed and grow into 12 tribes who become slaves. Moses the baby born to slave parents is destined to be the deliverer of the Israelites from Egypt and then from Pharaoh’s army. The miracle wind of God slices through the sea to deliver the desperate and fearful Jews.

Moses leads the nation to Sinai where they remain while Moses receives from the Lord the blue-print for the constitution of Israel as a nation governed by God. The constitution is complex and required a man of Moses’ stature and abilities to establish, to instruct and to cause it to function in all its parts. The narrative of Israel continues in Numbers, recorded by the man of God who was still at the helm, fulfilling his calling to lead Israel to the Promised Land.

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