EXODUS: Echoes in Genesis •| Echoes of Exodus | Exodus in Genesis | Messianic Passover Service

The Grand Narrative of Redemption

This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship explores the profound connection between the Exodus story and the entirety of the Bible, particularly its foreshadowing in the book of Genesis and its ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua (Jesus). The speaker, Matthew Vander Els, asserts that the motif of the Exodus is the backbone of the greater biblical narrative, echoing throughout the prophets and the Psalms to exalt God’s redeeming power.

Many people view the Bible as simply a divine rule book. However, this perspective limits its depth. The Bible is much more than just instructions; it contains wisdom, history, parables, and complex literature woven together through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit over centuries. It is not a random collection of books but an epic narrative that begins with creation (“in the beginning”) and ends with eternal reign (“they will reign forever and ever”). This epic tells the tale of a hero on a rescue mission, and the Bible presents God as that hero.

God’s Original Intent and Humanity’s Fall

Genesis portrays God as a craftsman who created a dwelling place (heaven, earth, and seas) for fellowship with humanity. Mankind was created in God’s image, commissioned to rule and be stewards of creation. This involved having dominion over living things and acting as God’s emissaries on earth. However, this idyllic fellowship was short-lived. Deceived by the serpent, mankind rebelled against God’s single command, seeking to determine good and evil for themselves. This rebellion led to exile eastward from the Garden of Eden, a move from life to death, light to darkness, and fellowship to separation from God.

The consequences of this separation continued with Cain’s murder of Abel and his further exile. Even in exile, humanity attempted to rebuild a sense of paradise by building cities. This theme of separation and a desire to return to God’s presence is a recurring motif. The story of Noah and the flood illustrates God’s undoing and re-creation, with the ark (teva in Hebrew) serving as a vessel of salvation from death to life, a concept mirrored in the story of Moses’s ark.

Following the flood, humanity once again drifted away from God, culminating in the building of the Tower of Babel, a symbol of mankind’s prideful attempt to reach heaven and make a name for themselves. God responded by scattering humanity and confusing their languages, leading to further exile and separation.

The Call of Abram: The Beginning of Exodus

From this state of exile, God called Abram (later Abraham) from Ur. This calling marked the beginning of an exodus from Mesopotamia to the Promised Land. God promised to make Abram’s name great, contrasting with humanity’s failed attempt at Babel. This promise extended beyond Abram, with God declaring that through him, all nations would be blessed.

God established a covenant with Abram in Genesis 15, foreshadowing the future enslavement and Exodus of his descendants from a foreign land for 400 years, followed by their deliverance with great possessions. This echoes the Exodus narrative in advance. Even before the explicit Exodus, the biblical authors weave in “echo phrases” and thematic parallels. For example, God’s promise to Abram, “I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it,” is similar to what He later says to Israel during the Exodus: “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.”

The Exodus Pattern Throughout Scripture

The book of Genesis intentionally prepares the reader for the Exodus narrative, highlighting themes of darkness, death, crying out, wandering, and being far from God. While the Israelites in Egypt experienced apparent blessings, they were ultimately slaves. The call to leave Egypt mirrors Lot’s hasty departure from Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing the danger of turning back to a place of destruction.

Yeshua: The Ultimate Exodus

The ultimate fulfillment of this Exodus theme is found in Yeshua. John the Baptist declares, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). Just as God provided a lamb for sacrifice in Genesis and during the Passover, He provided Yeshua as the ultimate Lamb for the redemption of all. This is echoed in John’s Gospel, where Yeshua is portrayed as the Passover Lamb.

The Exodus story does not end with the book of Exodus; it continues throughout the Old Testament and culminates in the New Testament. God’s character, revealed through the Exodus, is one of love and provision. As John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have life everlasting.” Yeshua’s coming was not to condemn the world but to save it, to offer an exodus from darkness to light.

Application for Everyday Life

• Recognize your own “Egypt”: Identify areas in your life where you feel enslaved or bound, whether by sin, unhealthy habits, or negative influences.
• Heed God’s call to leave: Be attentive to God’s leading and be willing to step out of your comfort zone and leave behind what hinders your relationship with Him.
• Embrace the provided Lamb: Acknowledge Yeshua as the ultimate provision for your freedom from sin and death, and place your faith in Him.
• Participate in the ongoing Exodus story: Understand that your life is part of God’s grand narrative of redemption and strive to live in a way that reflects His love and mercy.
• Remember God sees you: Even in times of wandering or feeling far from God, remember Hagar’s encounter with El Roy, the God who sees.
• Anticipate future redemption: The Exodus story points towards a future and complete redemption for all humanity through Yeshua.
• Engage with the Bible as a unified story: Recognize the interconnectedness of the Old and New Testaments and how earlier events foreshadow later ones.

To find more Bible Teachings, click the link.

Resources

• The Bible

Bible Verse Hyperlinks

• Genesis 1
• Genesis 12
• Genesis 15
• Genesis 18
• Genesis 22
• Exodus 3
• Exodus 13
• Exodus 14
• John 1
• John 3
• Revelation 22