This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. As we read, we’ll gain a broader understanding of the redemptive story of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture.
What Is Exodus? The book of Exodus details how God used Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, His provision in their wilderness wanderings, and His covenant with them at Mount Sinai, including the beginning of the law.
How Exodus Fits Into the Story: Exodus is the high point of redemptive history in the Old Testament. It is a story of salvation that begins with God bringing a captive people out of slavery in Egypt into a place of total dependence on Him. Many patterns and concepts from Exodus are revisited elsewhere in Scripture, especially in the past, present, and future work of Jesus. From deliverance and provision to God’s glory and presence, the themes of Exodus find their fulfillment in Christ.
Reflection Questions:
1. What purpose does Exodus 19:4–6 give for the law established in Exodus 20?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
He’s gotta free us before he can bless us.
God gave his people in Exodus a way to be close to him – by being a priests and a holy nation through keeping the law. Jesus fulfils the law and hence is our Saviour as we can never keep the law ourselves…He gives us a way to draw near to God by fulfilling God’s commandments. I also think it’s beautiful how Jesus honours his Father’s words by saying that he did not come to abolish the law. So for us we can take away these things: we should still hold to the law to honour God and grow in spiritual maturity, we are saved in Jesus as he has given us a way to be a priesthood and holy nation through fulfilling the law, thus we can draw close to God.
Yes, I love this!! ❤️
Wow, God literally gives us a blueprint on how to follow Him and what to share with people! Exodus 19:4-6 really sets up Exodus 20. I think it’s very eye opening to not only read about the old laws and covenants but also understand how they play into our salvation. We can’t have true freedom or know true love until we understand what we are entering into when we know the Lord and have a relationship with Him.
God’s covenant relationship with Israel was crucial to their life as a nation. This story displaying God’s grace in freedom from slavery is one that fits into the multifaceted work of the Gospel.
I feel like through this God is explaining to us that we are going to go through hard seasons, and that’s okay because he will be right there guiding us. We need to be so ready to constantly have our eyes on him because he is the only one who can bring us peace and help us through those seasons. In what I just read he lead the Israelites out of slavery, and had them wondering desert. God did this so that they could learn to follow Him and not be self reliant. God wants US! He wants us to be obedient! He wants us to turn to him and seek him by ourselves.
His laws redeem and restore community. Each of His commands strengthens relationship to Himself and to those around us.
God gives instructions and won’t have anything put before him. The Israelites wandered the desert so they could only be dependent on God, not themselves.