Exodus literally translates as “the road out.” This word refers to the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt in the Bible. The details of this occurrence are found in [the Bible’s second book, Exodus]. However, it is also frequently mentioned in later books of the Bible. This event not only demonstrated the nature of God to us, but it was also pivotal for the people of Israel at the time.
Historical background
[The book of Genesis] contains information about Abraham. God calls him to leave his people and nation and travel to the area He will reveal to him. God tells him, “To your offspring I will give this land,” as he gets to Canaan (Genesis 12:7). The Lord reiterates his promise in Genesis 15:13–14 and 18 and adds, “Know without a doubt that your offspring will be afflicted for four hundred years and that they will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, serving there as servants. However, I shall execute judgment upon the country they serve, and they will thereafter emerge with tremendous wealth. I bequeath this land to your descendants.
Many years later, Abraham’s son Isaac is born. He has two sons called Esau and Jacob. Esau eventually moves to a land some distance from his brother, since they both have so much livestock that the land where they are staying can’t support them both (see Genesis 36:6-8). But Jacob’s descendants do not stay in Canaan either. During a famine, they all move to Egypt where Jacob’s son Joseph is in the position to provide for them. When Jacob’s family moves to Egypt, they are about 70 people (Genesis 46:27; Exodus 1:1-5). But over the generations, their numbers grow so much that the Egyptians become afraid of them (Exodus 1:10). They start to oppress the Israelites to the point where they are forced into slavery and their newborn sons are murdered. The Israelites cry out to God for help – and that’s where the book of Exodus starts.
God saves the Israelites
The Israelites are given the task of being led by Moses out of Egypt and back into the country of Canaan by the Lord. Pharaoh, however, won’t allow the people to leave. It takes eleven otherworldly plagues for him to finally quit up. It is permitted for the Israelites to depart the nation. However, Pharaoh has second thoughts and makes an effort to win them all back because he does not want to lose their assistance. With all of his chariots, he chases the Israelites and catches up to them near the Red Sea. The people are afraid because there is no way out: the sea is in front of them, there are steep mountains on both sides, and Pharaoh and his men are approaching from behind. There is no hope for the situation.
No, according to the Bible, God has this all arranged in order to demonstrate to the world that He is the Lord! (Leviticus 14:1-4). God uses a powerful wind to force the waves back, and the people cross over onto dry land and into the middle of the sea. When Pharaoh and his chariots follow them, the sea resumes its regular path and the entire army perishes. Despite their safe arrival at the opposite shore.
“Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses,” says the author of Exodus 14:31, capping off this crucial event. Put differently, these incidents reveal to the Israelites the nature of their God.
God guides and teaches the Israelites
A new chapter in the history of Israel begins with the exodus. It signifies the “birth” of their people. They follow God as he leads them over the desert and into Canaan. While traveling, He establishes a covenant with them, gives them instructions to [construct a tabernacle], presents them with numerous laws and directives, and repeatedly demonstrates His might by providing food from heaven and water from a rock. Israel learns about God and His will for their life throughout this entire voyage.
God provides an overview of this period in the book of Ezekiel:
“I took action to protect My name so that it wouldn’t be tarnished in the eyes of the nations they lived among, whom I introduced to them when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. Thus, I guided them into the wilderness after leading them out of Egypt. I revealed My laws to humankind, and if they follow them, a person will be granted eternal life. In addition, I established My Sabbaths as a symbol of My presence among them so that they would understand that I am the Lord who sanctifies them (Ezekiel 20:9–12).
The exodus shows that God is almighty
God performed a great deed when he led Israel out of Egypt. It demonstrated to the Israelites and others [His strength]. Many years later, as the Israelites prepare to enter Canaan, a local informs them:
“I am aware that the land has been entrusted to you by the Lord, that we are afraid of you, and that everyone in the land has fled before you. Because we have heard of how the Red Sea’s water was dried up in front of you when you left Egypt… In the sky above and in the earth below, the Lord your God is God (Joshua 2:9-11).
And even later, when the Philistines confront terrible plagues after stealing the ark of the covenant, they remind themselves,
All praise be to the God of Israel. Maybe he will take his hand off of you and your land and your gods. Why should you harden your hearts in the same way that Pharaoh and the Egyptians did? Did they not send the people away after he had dealt with them harshly, and then they left? (1 Samuel 6:5–6)
The exodus shows that God is faithful
Recall that God promised Abraham’s offspring would suffer for 400 years before departing the nation with enormous wealth. Exodus 12:40–14:41 documents:
“For 430 years, the Israelites were residents of Egypt. All of the Lord’s hosts left the country of Egypt on that same day, 430 years later. Additionally, it states: “They had begged the Egyptians for garments and jewelry made of silver and gold. And the Egyptians granted the people their requests because the Lord had shown them favor in their eyes. As a result, they pillaged the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35–36).
The exodus is an example of God’s salvation
The LORD fulfills His word and delivers His people from a dire circumstance. He leads them to the promised land and frees them from slavery. He still does! According to Romans 6:17, Titus 3:3-5, Hebrews 2:14–15, and Hebrews 11:13–16, He sets individuals free from the bonds of sin and leads them to their ideal end: eternal life in His presence. He teaches them how to live holy lives and transforms them into His people (1 Peter 2:9–10).
Are you a follower of God? Are you on your way to the “promised land” and free from the bonds of sin?
Thanks to GospelImages for the beautiful image.
