Real Hope: A Study in ExodusSample

God’s People

The Conclusion to Exodus

Exodus is not the end. It is the beginning of the new phase of the nation of Israel. We can see how God revealed Himself to His people and redeemed them as they left Egypt and went through the desert for 40 years learning to rely on Him and be His people.

The covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 12) needs to be fulfilled, but the people are in Egypt in slavery. Exodus 2:24: ‘God heard their groaning and He remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.’

In Exodus, 3:14, God revealed Himself to His people: ‘God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’’’’ God’s attributes, redemption, salvation, the law and how He is to be worshipped are revealed in Exodus.

We see the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1–17: ‘And God spoke all these words…’ God reveals what it means to be His people in His commandments.

All of this is in the context of God raising His servant Moses as mediator to liberate His people from Egypt; to inaugurate His earthly Kingdom among His people with a special covenant relationship; to have a place with His people where He can be worshipped. Exodus 40:34: ‘Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.’ All this discloses God’s purpose in history. He would show the start with Israel, and ultimately through Jesus the supreme mediator and Saviour. God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule. A foreshadow of the perfect relationship and His people to come. One that started in the garden and has been fulfilled through Jesus’ death and resurrection and will be perfected when Jesus returns.

Written by DAVID BARKER

Want more? Check out the Real Hope Conversations Podcast and delve deeper into our conversation about Exodus. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.