Genesis 46-Exodus 15: Deliverance, redemption and salvation

 

As the narrative of Genesis ends on a glorious providential note with the salvation of Jacob's family from severe famine, it does appear to be the right place for a "and they live happily ever after" ending.  Through Joseph's leadership in Egypt, it appears that this could be the land where milk is flowing and honey abounds. Yes, there was multiplication but it took on various forms.

  • The multiplication of fruitfulness - "the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them." (Exod 1:7).
  • The multiplication of hard labor - "so they appointed taskmasters over them to afflict them with hard labor" (Exod 1:11).
  • The multiplication of persecution - "every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile" (Exod 1:22).
The land that provided salvation from famine is now turning out to be the land of affliction - fulfilling the prophecy given to Abraham in Gen 15:13 - And God said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years." With each passing new year eve for the sons of Jacob, it certainly does not feel like a "happy new year" with singing of Auld Lang Syne, rather it is the more of the same old, same old - making more bricks and facing more hardships. Think about it - we reel from the past one year of pandemic and we can't wait for things to improve in 2021 but imagine going through the same old pain over and over again for decades, for hundreds of years! Every year, the hope for deliverance becomes even more intense. The promise of Gen 12:2 - "I will make you a great nation" seemed to be quite paradoxical by now!      

Connecting the dots
As you read through Genesis 46 to Exodus 15 this week, look out for the three following themes - deliverance, redemption, and salvation. Note the sequence - redemption is sandwiched between deliverance and salvation - the sons of Jacob are redeemed from serving Pharaoh (deliverance) and redeemed for serving Yahweh (salvation).  
  • Deliverance - Observe how God first prepares the deliverer before the actual deliverance. Both Joseph and Moses encounter various trials where their faith was tested (Jam 1:2-4) where God worked in their hearts first before working through their hands. And this was no overnight effort - it was 13 years for Joseph as a slave and 40 years for Moses as an exile in Midian. Read the providence of God at work both in the history and the hearts of men. The outcome in both cases is a deliverance which leaves no doubt at all as to who should receive the glory. Any deliverance granted too early may feed into human pride. 

  • Redemption -  "..thus says the Lord your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!" (Isa 43:1). Firstly, there is the redemption of from the bondage of slavery ("I have given Egypt as your ransom" - Isa 43:3) - as you shall read, each of the ten plagues pronounce God's authority over the gods of Egypt and it stamps indelibly who's the Boss! Many of us know the Ten Commandments but how often do we reflect on the prologue - "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery" (Exod 20:2). The ten plagues establish the authority of Yahweh and His ownership of His people and gives the motivation why Israel should obey the Ten Commandments - they come under the authority and ownership of Yahweh!

  • Salvation - Try singing out Exodus 15:1-18 and you will feel the meaning of salvation! We do not understand the ways of God - why four hundred years instead of four years, why ten plagues instead of just one? But one thing is for certain - when Yahweh saves, it will indeed be a salvation worth singing with all of your heart! In the day of God's salvation, the cries of "How long?" will turn into the jubilant worship of "How great is our God!" - "The Lord is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. This is my God and I will praise Him." (Exod 15:2). Our heart will break forth into worship when we realize how great a deliverance and redemption that God has procured for us. Conversely, if we are not worshipping, it may be that we have taken our deliverance and redemption for granted.
Activity idea
We all know about the ten plagues but do you know which are the gods of Egypt which were targeted by each of the plague? "For this time I will send all My plagues on you (Pharaoh) and your servants and your people, so that you many know that there is no one like Me in all the earth." (Exod 9:14). Check out the following video and article to identify the false gods - hence, you will be able to sing together with Moses - "Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?" (Exod 15:11).
The biblical narrative of redemption becomes a part of our life journey when we practice the discipline of remembrance. As forgetful creatures, we need to be constantly reminded as to what we have been redeemed from and for Whom we have been redeemed. Hear the words of Jesus - "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me .. This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (1 Cor 11:24,25). Whenever you take the holy communion, it is an opportune time for you to "tell your son on that day, saying, 'It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt'.." (Exod 13:8). When was the last time you related your experience of deliverance-redemption-salvation to your children so that they too may remember together with you the God who delivers, redeems and saves, Jesus Christ - the perfect Passover Lamb who has freed us from the slavery and bondage to sin and death. (Heb 9:13,14). 

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