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Category: Walking Torah

The Journey from Slavery to Sanctuary

Tags:  calling out, covenant, covenantal communion, Exodus, Exodus Epic, house of prayer, journey, ketubah, passover, redemption, sanctuary, shavuot, slaves, temple

By Dwight A. Pryor

Exodus Epic, Part 1:

The Exodus Epic teaches us that the God who is high and exalted is One who is passionate and purposeful about coming down and being near His people, dwelling in their midst.

At Passover (Pesach) we remember and re-enact the Exodus Epic, the awesome and mighty event of our redemption. We should recognize, however, that the Exodus from Egypt was never meant to be an end unto itself, but the beginning of a journey--a walk with God to a place of promise. It helps us see an overview--the 'big picture'--of Israel's redemption journey, as well as to understand its destination.

Let us begin by asking the question, "Why did God redeem the Israelite slaves?" From the Divine point of view, what was the reason for the Exodus, and what was its goal or end? Examining the answers to this question should occasion a new appreciation of an extraordinary truth: that the Creator of the heavens and the earth wants to come down, dwell near and enter into an intimate, on-going relationship with His beloved bride--to enter into a partnership with His elect people.

Why did God save the Israelite slaves?

A deeply entrenched Protestant dogma is that Jews attempt to earn their salvation by 'works of the Law,' whereas believers in Jesus receive the gift of salvation by faith through God's grace. Yet, what 'works' did Israel do for 430 years in Egypt to earn their salvation by the hand of Adonai? It doesn't take long to answer: They did nothing to deserve their redemption. God saved them at His gracious initiative, not in response to their merits. Centuries before, He had made a covenantal promise to Abraham, and God is loyal. He is faithful to keep His word.

The Apostle Paul declares that Israel is beloved for the sake of the Patriarchs. (Romans 11:28) Further, the God of Israel abounds in chesed--grace, covenant loyalty and redemptive initiative. God is in pursuit of His ...

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© 2009 First Fruits of Zion. All rights reserved. We encourage you to share this material with your friends for further personal study. However, This material may not be republished, in print, electronically, or any other form without our prior permission. Adapted from messiah magazine #81 .

For more information about this issue, click here.

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