I think it is probably safe to say that there are two great peaks in the mountain range of God’s rescue and restoration of the earth. What the cross-resurrection event is to the New Testament, the exodus is to the Old Testament. In each case, the great redemptive salvation act (exodus/cross) produces the covenant community of God’s people (Israel/church) who are called to serve God and his universal mission. (I suppose one could argue a third peak: his culminating rescue of us when King Jesus returns and consummates his kingdom.)
This last Sunday we looked at that first peak: the great salvation act of the exodus that produces the covenant community of Israel, who are called to serve God and his universal mission. Further, we discovered the reason God did all this in Exodus 6:6-7:
“Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am Yahweh, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am Yahweh your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.”
There it is: that they (and we) will know that Yahweh is our God. He is the one who has brought us out from the burdens of our slavery, for his glory, and our joy. What a God we serve!
If you would like to continue exploring this section of The Whole Story found in Exodus 1-18, the resources below are a great place to start:
- Review last week’s sermon on Exodus 1-18.
- Click here to find a whole page of videos, milestones, study resources, and recommendations for further reading and study on Exodus 1-18.
- This coming Sunday, 28 January, we will be studying Exodus 19-40, where we will find the next step in a line of God’s covenant dealings with us as his people and family: the Mosaic Covenant. You could watch this 5 minute video from the Bible Project to get a great overview of the bible’s covenant theme.
- Download the study guide found here (scroll down the page a bit when you get there) to study the bible’s covenant theme.
And remember our sentence summary for Exodus 1-18, with the emphasis placed on Yahweh:
YAHWEH rescues the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and confronts the evil and injustice of Pharaoh.
One final suggestion and reminder for keeping up on your bible reading as we make our way through The Whole Story sermon series. One of the best ways to do this is listening to the Bible. While you are on a commute, making dinner, shoveling the walk, or on a run, you can listen to the Bible reading that day. Yes, listening counts! My favorite website and app for that comes from ESV.org. Check it out.
As always, please feel free to email me with questions or ideas for The Whole Story. I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, when we will begin the next chapter of the drama by studying Exodus 19-40. Be sure to read it before you come!
Seeking Jesus, the point of The Whole Story, with you,
Pastor Matthew
