“You yourselves have seen how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession!”
The book of Exodus is a narrative – a story. It’s the true story of how Yahweh – the creator God of the Universe, and the personal God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – came to the rescue of his people. He defeated the Egyptian superpower which had enslaved them and opposed him, and led them in their millions on a journey towards freedom.
For the Jewish people it is their origin story – explaining how their nation came into being. It shapes how they think about their freedom, their land, their national identity, their customs, and their God.
But it is a story without an ending. It finishes while the Israelites are still on the journey – and still beset with problems both outside the camp and inside.
Jesus made it clear that he came to complete this Exodus[1] – God’s rescue of his people from slavery to freedom. He also regularly referred back to the first Exodus story to illustrate and explain his mission. He fulfils the law[2]. He is the living water[3]. He is the true manna[4]. He is the lamb who lays down his life[5]. He is the one ‘lifted up’ like the snake[6].
Why should we study it?
In 40 chapters the book of Exodus gives a ‘miniature’ of the whole story of salvation – and it is carefully constructed so that we can understand ourselves, our enemy, and our God accurately in that story.
It shows us:
- There is a war on and there are captives;
- God warns his enemies and shows them consequences;
- God saves through justice and mercy;
- God’s salvation & provision teach trust;
- saved people who trust God can become more like him;
- God makes it possible for people to draw near him;
- God provides a mediator committed to his people;
- but the story doesn’t end with Moses.
We need constant reminders that we’re part of a better story than the one that culture and the media feed us. What a gift to have all the bones of God’s story carefully set out in miniature in one book. It will remind us of the unseen realities behind world events, the character of our God, the nature of our sin problem, the means of God’s rescuing grace, the place of God’s law in the life of a disciple, and the way the story will end.
We all need this, but especially for those of us who are new disciples it is good to have a single compact book to go to remind ourselves of God’s whole story and our place in it.
[1] Luke 9:31
[2] Matthew 5:17-18
[3] John 4:13-14
[4] John 6:32-33
[5] John 1:29
[6] John 3:14-15
Sermon Recordings
The recordings of the sermons from communion Sundays are below. Some of the all-age addresses are recorded too.
Series guide
Below you can read or download a guide written to help preachers prepare for this series. It should be useful for anyone wanting to get the most from the sermons.
