EXODUS IN THE TIME OF MOSES AND TODAY
Published on: 7.3.2016By: Rev. Juha Ketola
The Lord is still delivering His people
When the Lord God of Israel brought his people out of Egypt, a whole nation was taken out from under the rule and control of that era’s superpower. This massive exodus took place roughly 3500 years ago, and never in the history of humanity – before or since – has anything similar occurred until today.
It was unheard of! Even the Lord Himself said: “For ask now concerning the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether any great thing like this has happened, or anything like it has been heard” (Deut. 4:32). This was for all Israel and for all the Gentile nations to know that the Lord Himself is God, and there is none other besides Him. He will stay forever faithful to His covenant promises to His people and will fulfill them (Deut. 4:35, 37).
THE GREAT GOING OUT
This great exodus (from the Greek “going out”) shook Egypt to its core – from Pharaoh down to his people. There was no one who could stand in the way of the exodus; no military power nor political leader, no wise negotiator nor skillful sorcerer could stop it! The idols of Egypt came tumbling down, the power of men and evil spirits was broken and brought to naught by the Lord, and His people walked free from their oppression, bondage, and slavery.
They were now on the threshold of a long journey, which the Lord would use to form this unorganized group of former slaves into a well-functioning nation, under His wisdom and dominion and as an expression of His Kingdom and rule on earth. And today, after so many thousands of years, enlightened with the knowledge of history of mankind before and since, we can see how these events and what followed has changed everything for all people – for good! Israel has become a blessing to all of the families of the earth!
REVELATION AT SINAI
After Israel left Egypt they received divine revelation from the Creator Himself. They received wisdom and understanding beyond anything they had known. Under the leadership of Moses the people of Israel first received a greater understanding of who God truly was as their Creator, and who they were as human beings. He then revealed to them the true value of each individual, the beginnings and purpose of the whole creation, and finally, blessed them with the Ten Commandments.
Prior to this encounter, mankind had worshipped the sun, moon, and stars, as well as animals, and all sorts of vain imaginations and idols. They also had not understood that every man, woman, and child were created in the image of God, and as such had an incomprehensible value.
Nations were in hopeless darkness and lacked the wisdom to discern what was good and beneficial, and what it was that was breeding destruction, chaos, and confusion. Thanks to the journey of Israel however, we were edified in order to see and understand.
Mankind was given directives on how to prevent needless suffering, distress, and sorrow. As a result of the exodus from Egypt, Israel was the very first nation out of many to receive this wisdom and knowledge in order to pass it on to the rest of humanity (Exodus 19:6; Deut. 4:6; John 4:22; Rom. 9:1-5). Israel was and is God’s instrument in His divine, eternal plan.
PASSED OVER
As the Feast of Passover approaches, we remember both the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt as well as the lessons they carried. The Lord introduced the people to the concept of righteousness, sin, and forgiveness, which is what the Feast of Passover commemorates. The blood sacrifice, which covers the lawless deeds of trespassing the Lord’s commandments, was powerfully introduced to God’s people that very night, when they were about to leave Egypt. The Lord instituted Passover, with its message of forgiveness, as a way out of oppression for His people. Today we know that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate fulfillment of all animal sacrifices – He is the propitiation for our sins.
Right before the first, historical exodus, each Hebrew family was to take a lamb without blemish and kill it at twilight (Exodus 12). The innocent lamb’s blood was then put on the two doorposts and across the lintel of each house, because the Lord had promised: “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13).
SACRIFICIAL LAMB
Every family living in the land of Egypt – among both the Egyptians and the Israelites alike – faced death, which would enter into each household to take their firstborn son. The judgment of God was about to fall on the land because of idol worship. The Book of Ezekiel explains that since the Israelites in Egypt had also fallen into the same snare and temptation of idol worship, their families were also under the curse of death (Ezekiel 20:7-10). But God provided a way of escape for His people and all the Israelite families were spared.
The penalty of death and the judgment of God could be transferred over from their families to an innocent lamb, which was slaughtered on their behalf. Their sins could be avenged only with a sacrifice. However, it wouldn’t be with a member of their own family; not the firstborn, nor the father or mother, but a male lamb. The sins of each Israelite – as well as the condemning punishment of death – were transferred over to the lamb and, in exchange, the innocence of the lamb and its will to live were transferred to the family. The lamb had to die so the whole family, including the firstborn, could live!
THE POWER OF THE BLOOD
Later that night, as the angel of death passed through the land destroying life among the Egyptian families, wherever he saw the lamb’s blood on the lintel and doorposts of the Hebrew homes, he passed over. A sacrifice had already been made so the destroyer would not strike a second time – the families inside were perfectly shielded!
In the centuries that followed, the blood of innocent animals was regularly spilled on the altar in accordance with God’s instructions given at Sinai. The Lord had said, “I have given [the blood of the sacrifices] to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11). When God saw the blood, it was the sign indicating His righteous requirements had been met, justice had been performed, and the price for iniquities had been paid. God was now free and just when placing His blessings and protection upon His righteous ones!
ULTIMATE SACRIFICE
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul clarifies this principle and emphasizes: “Indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” (1 Cor. 5:7). The punishment for our sins was transferred onto Jesus on the cross, and in exchange, His life and righteousness was transferred over to us through His resurrection. When we believe His life is in us, the life we live is His and we will never die! (Galatians 2:20, John 11:26).
This definitive sacrifice of Jesus is more than a blood covering for our sins however. It is more than a reminder of forgiveness of sins – His death and resurrection has taken our sins away, and our consciousness of sin has been replaced with consciousness of righteousness (John 1:29; Psalm 40:6-8; Hebrews 10:1-22). Jesus ultimate and final sacrifice is the fulfillment of all the sacrifices in the Law of Moses. His sacrifice happened once, and for all, and it is accessible to all the families of the earth! (Gen. 12:3, Gal. 3:8).
THE JEWISH PEOPLE
After centuries of exile, the restored nation of Israel is once again flourishing, despite unfavourable conditions in the Middle East. However, the mission of the Exodus as it were in the time of Moses continues today. The Jewish people are still returning to the land of their promise. Just as the great Exodus from Egypt a millennia ago was a sight to behold, the modern day exodus from dozens of different countries in the world has shaken the nations. Especially the Muslim nations!
Again, we ask: “Has any great thing like this happened before or has anything like it been heard?” What nation or language group in the history of humanity, despite being away from their homeland for two thousand years has returned to the same location, speaking the same language, and worshipping the same God as when they left? Believers and agnostics alike must agree there is one example and one alone: the Jews. This has been true only of the Jews, God’s chosen and beloved people.
NEW EXODUS
As in the time of Moses, again no military power nor political leader, no wise negotiator nor skillful sorcerer will be able to stop the return of the Jews to their land. No one can prevent them from exodus – coming out from the nations and entering their Promised Land! The God of Israel has cut a covenant with His people and He will remain faithful to His promises to bring them back. He commands us to declare it: “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock’” (Jer. 31:10).
The Word of God foretells how this new exodus from the four corners of the earth will once more change the landscape of humanity. The regathering of the Jewish people will eventually turn into their salvation and usher in righteousness and peace to all nations (Ezek. 36:24-28; Rom. 11:26-27; Isa. 2:1-4). Not only will the Kingdom of Heaven be expressed in an unprecedented way on Earth, but the King Himself will return and be welcomed by His sons and daughters (Matt. 23:39; Acts 1:11; Prov. 8:30-31). Through His dealings with Israel, God the Creator and our Redeemer shall truly bless all the families of the earth!
ASCEND TO THE LAND
By faith in God’s Word, we at the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem have been aligning ourselves to God’s plans for decades. We know enough to be sure of this: God is faithful to His covenants. We have been helping the Jewish people return to Israel, and together with your faithful giving have already helped approximately 120,000 olim hadashim (new immigrants) to make Aliyah (return, or literally ascend) to the Promised Land.
We have also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles here in Jerusalem since 1980, together with our Jewish friends, and all the families of the earth. Thus, we are publicly aligning ourselves with His Word, and confessing that we believe the modern day Israel has been gathered by the God of Israel Himself! It is a fulfillment of His covenantal promises, and that He remains faithful in His loyal love towards His own people. We understand enough of this plan!
So come and join hands with us powerfully again, and let us continue in bringing the Jewish people back home! As we do this, plan on bringing your whole family to Jerusalem, to celebrate this year’s Feast of Tabernacles under the theme “All the Families of the Earth.” Mark it down in your calendars: October 16-21, 2016. Trust that the Lord will do it – He will bring all of the families of the earth to Jerusalem!
Remember, your family is safe, protected, and blessed through the blood of the Lamb of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
– by ICEJ International Director, Rev. Juha Ketola
Please join the ICEJ in assisting Jewish people who want to return to Israel.