TODAY’S READING: EXODUS 14-16
OVERVIEW:
Israel’s exodus out ofEgyptand the crossing of theRed Sea; the song of Moses andIsrael; Manna from heaven.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
As the Passover clearly illustrates the Christian’s salvation through the blood of the Lamb, so the journey ofIsraelfromEgypt(i.e. the world) toCanaan(i.e. victorious Christian life) is a picture of the battles and blessings of the Christian life. Too many Christians are delivered fromEgypt, but likeIsrael, get lost in the wilderness of unbelief. That’s not to say they lose their salvation, they just never receive all the inheritance that God has for them. (Losing your salvation is not taught in precept in the New Testament for those who are a part of the body of Christ, and the picture is consistent in the Old Testament. Note that in the picture throughIsraelin Ex. 14:13,Israelnever returned toEgypt!)
The crossing of theRed Seais a picture of the believer’s union with Christ (I Cor. 10:1-2). Israelwas “baptized unto Moses” (i.e. identified with Moses who pictures Christ here) as they went through theRed Sea. We are identified with Christ at our water baptism, which pictures our salvation and separation from the world. But our baptism has nothing to do with our salvation; it is simply an outward action to an inward change.
Just as there is a law of gravity to which all are subjected, there is a law of sowing and reaping (Gal. 6:7-8). Pharaoh reaped exactly what he had sown. He had been responsible for drowning many Jewish boys (Ex.1:22); now his army was likewise drowned. Be very careful what you sow!
Moses andIsraelsang a song of deliverance praising God for saving them fromEgypt(Ex. 15). As believers in Christ, we too, have a new song in our heart the day we get saved (Psalm 40:1-3).
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
As MANNA from heaven – Ex. 16 (John6:31-33)
Note: Note the similarities of the manna to Christ:
- It was a mystery – (Ex.16:15 i.e. manna = “what is it?”; I Tim. 3:16).
- It was a gift – (Ex.16:15; Eph. 2:8-9).
- It was on the ground (accessible to all) – (Ex.16:14–you had to bow, or humble yourself to get the gift; children could get it best; Matt. 18:4).
- It was small (speaks of Christ’s humility) – (Ex.16:14; Phil. 2:6-8).
- It was white (speaks of Christ’s sinlessness) – (Ex.16:31; Gen. 3:15; Matt. 1:23).
- It was sweet like honey – (Ex.16:31, Ps. 119:103).
- It must be received early – (Ex.16:21; Isa. 55:6; Malachi 4:2; II Thess. 1:7-9).