Jesus In Exodus

Chapter 13

There is here an interpretation of the story of the actual exodus of the Israelites from Egypt in order to discuss certain consequences that would flow from their redemption from Egypt.

· Exodus 13:1-2 The LORD said to Moses, 2 "Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether man or animal."

A redeemed people became the property of the Redeemer. The reference here is to the firstborn of Israel who were saved from the death judgment that fell on the Egyptians. Typically, this speaks of the setting apart unto God those He has chosen. Therefore, personal devotedness is the first thing God requires of those bought with His blood.

· Exodus 13:6-7 For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the LORD. 7 Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders.

Typically, throughout the Scriptures, “leaven” is the symbol of evil. Evil which spreads and corrupts everything with which it comes in contact. To eat unleavened bread signifies separation from all evil in order that we may feed on Jesus. That the feast lasted seven days, which is a complete period, tells us that this too is to last our whole lives on earth.

Redemption by the precious blood of Jesus imposes an additional responsibility to separate ourselves from all evil so that we can show that we live as children of God. Three things are involved here: the “traditions of men that make the Word of God void; “materialism” that denies the spirit within men; and enjoying “fellowship with the world.” All of these things make it impossible to feed on Jesus.

· Exodus 13:8-9 On that day tell your son, 'I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.'

The basis for this Feast was what the Lord had done for Israel in delivering them from the land of bondage. Its foundation was redemption accomplished, entered into, and enjoyed. No soul can really feast on Jesus while he is in doubt about his own salvation.

· Exodus 13:11-13 "After the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and gives it to you, as he promised on oath to you and your forefathers, 12 you are to give over to the LORD the first offspring of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. 13 Redeem with a lamb every firstborn donkey, but if you do not redeem it, break its neck. Redeem every firstborn among your sons.

In chapter 12 we had the redemption of the firstborn of Israel and here we have the redemption of the firstborn donkey. These verses look forward to the time when the Israelites occupy the land of the Canaanites and He gives orders that the firstborn donkey was to be redeemed with a lamb and if not redeemed then its neck was to be broken. The donkey was considered an “unclean” animal. And so by nature is man.

How interesting this comparison of the donkey to natural man and the provision that is made that the donkey is to be redeemed with the sacrifice of a lamb, and if he is not redeemed, then his neck is to be broken, and death is the result. 

Now back to Exodus 12.

· Exodus 12:33-36, The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. "For otherwise," they said, "we will all die!" 34 So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, and carried it on their shoulders in kneading troughs wrapped in clothing. 35 The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing. 36 The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.

At last, after four hundred years, the promise made to Abraham was literally fulfilled, including the taking of great riches with them as they left Egypt. As God had promised, so He now made good His Word.

· Exodus 12:40-41 Now the length of time the Israelite people lived in Egypt was 430 years. 41 At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD's divisions left Egypt.

We have already commented on these verses and indicated that Israel was the Lord’s division in three ways: first by eternal choice of a predestining God, second, by creation, and third, by purchase.

· Exodus 13:19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear an oath. He had said, "God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place."  

What is the typical significance of Israel carrying the bones of Joseph with them as they began their journey across the wilderness to the promised land? Remember that Joseph was a type of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 4:10 has an interesting insight for us.

· 2 Corinthians 4:10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

It is the power of the cross applied in our lives that testifies to our faith. It was the faith of Joseph that God would one day deliver His people to the promised land---the land promised to Abraham. Four hundred years had passed but the people remembered the request of Joseph.

· Exodus 12:37 The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth. There were about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides women and children.

“Ramses” means “child of the sun”. He was the Pharaoh who so cruelly oppressed the Israelites and the father of the pharaoh who died pursuing the Israelites through the Red Sea. Typically, Ramses speaks of “this present evil world”. “Succoth” means” tens”, implying a pilgrimage. There is a great deal more to be said about this verse, for it is deep and mysterious. It deals with the literal Israel being called out of the domains of the “child of the sun” to journey to a land unknown to them, and that relationship to spiritual Israel---the church---called out of the realm described in Ecclesiastes as “under the sun”---the planets and their wandering around the sun. From there it gets very mysterious and we will not attempt to go into it now.  

· Exodus 12:38-39, Many other people went up with them, as well as large droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.

The key words in this verse are “other people”. Not all the people who left Egypt were Israelites. It was a mixed group who would later cause much trouble for Moses. For now we should remember that God warns us about “mixing” with unbelievers.

· Exodus 13:17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt."

God here is showing His tender mercy to the babes in the faith. He knows they will be tested but doesn’t want them tested beyond what they are able to handle instead of sending them through the land of the Philistines where they would find it necessary to fight. God chooses the way for His children through the wilderness of this life. We are not left alone to choose our own path.

· Exodus 13:18, So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.

It was God’s original intention that the Israelites take the route that they took. In the first place, it was in order that His power might be displayed on their behalf in bringing them safely through the Red Sea. Second, it was in order that Pharaoh and his army be destroyed. Next, it was in order that they might receive God’s laws in the solitude of the desert. In the fourth place, it was in order that they might be properly organized prior to their entrance into the promised land. Finally, it was in order that they might be humbled, tried, and proved, that God could demonstrate His all-sufficiency for all their needs.

· Exodus 13:20-21 After leaving Succoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

Just as Jehovah---the covenant God, the promising God, the One who heard the groanings of Israel, the One who raised up a deliverer for them---reminds us of God the Father,  just as the lamb---without spot and blemish, slain, and its blood sprinkled, securing protection and deliverance from the death angel---typifies God the Son; so the Pillar of Cloud---given to Israel for their guidance across the wilderness---speaks to us of God the Holy Spirit.

The pillar was the visible presence of God with Israel. Verse 24 of chapter 14 gives us adequate reason to believe that there was one pillar, a pillar of cloud and fire. But now let’s consider some of the ways in which the Cloud typified the Holy Spirit.

The “Cloud” was not given to Israel until they had been delivered from Egypt. First came the slaying of the Pascal Lamb, then the giving of the Cloud. This is the order of the New Testament. First there was the death of God’s Lamb, followed by His resurrection and ascension, and then the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. It is the same today with the sinner who comes to faith in Jesus.

The “Cloud” was God’s gracious gift to Israel. No word is said about the people asking for this Guide. It came to them quite unsought, as a provision of God’s mercy. At the close of His mission Jesus told His disciples that He was going to return to His Father, but there was no hint that the apostles requested that He send the Comforter.

The Cloud was given to “guide” Israel through the wilderness journey. He would be an infallible Guide to conduct them through the tractless desert. In the same manner, the Holy Spirit has been given to Christians to direct their way in our time.

The Cloud gave light. By day or by night Israel was thoroughly equipped to travel. For a similar purpose the Holy Spirit is given to Christians. He is the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, and the Spirit of the knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

The Cloud was given for a covering. This Cloud was a covering for Israel to protect them from the scorching heat of the desert where there were no trees or shade. That Cloud must have been a welcome sight for those ex-slaves who had been accustomed to work in the fields under the sun in Egypt. If you have never been in that part of the world, you can not appreciate what that Cloud must have meant.

On a visit to Israel we journeyed to Qumran, adjacent to the Dead Sea, and the temperature is so oppressive that you seek any possible shade. So this Cloud would have been a welcomed sight. So too, is the Holy Spirit our protector.

God spoke from the Cloud.

· Exodus 33:9, As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the LORD spoke with Moses.

In the same way today the Holy Spirit is the spokesman for the Trinity. Remember that in Revelation we heard these words over and over, “He that has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.

This Cloud was darkness to the Egyptians. God not only reveals but He also conceals.

· Exodus 14:19-20, The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, 20 coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.

God is hidden from those who will not come to Him; those that the Spirit does not reveal Him to.

This Cloud rested on the Tabernacle as soon as it was erected.

· Exodus 40:33-35, Then Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and altar and put up the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard. And so Moses finished the work. 34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled upon it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

What a picture of the coming of the Holy Spirit on Jesus who came and tabernacled among men. In the same way, the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles at Pentecost and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

All through Israel’s wandering in the wilderness this Cloud was never taken away from them. Despite all their failures, God never withdrew the pillar of Cloud. Likewise the Holy Spirit has been given to all true believers as their guide for life.

The Holy Spirit will yet be given to Israelites as they receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.