The Second Exodus

Does the title of this page leave you bewildered? I’m not surprised if it does. In spite of decades of study, including the awareness of many parallels between Old Testament characters and events, this one escaped my attention until about twenty years ago. Biblical scholarship is well aware of this subject, but I’m no scholar, just a dedicated student of the word.

The Hebrews were in bondage in Egypt. Yahweh delivered them with Moses as His instrument. Briefly, the series of plagues was consummated with the death of the firstborn. The Hebrews were not automatically exempt from this plague (which, by the way, makes it unique among the plagues). They were given instructions for the first Passover, and the blood of the lamb sacrificed had to be sprinkled on the lintel or doorpost of their homes.

Though they left Egypt with a high hand, having plundered the land, their initial shouts of victory quickly turned to dismay as obstacles confronted them. Early on they were between a rock and hard place; Pharoah and his army were pressing in from the rear, and the Red Sea blocked their path forward. You know the story.

Though they were rescued from their peril, the faithfulness of Yahweh was not enough to inspire faithfulness in most of them. Of all those who left Egypt, scripture records that only Joshua and Caleb actually entered the Promised Land. The rest died in the wilderness over the next forty years as God led them in circles. Because of their lack of faith, He started over with a new generation, and prepared them for deliverance into the Promised Land. Please note: it was not sufficient for them to simply be delivered from bondage. Yahweh’s plan was to bring them back into covenant relationship with them in the new land: deliverance from, and deliverance to (just as we see in Jude 1:5).

They miraculously entered the land by crossing the Jordan, and just as miraculously conquered the first walled city they encountered, Jericho. However, their conquest of the land took some time, and they never really purged it of all Yahweh’s enemies, even though not one word of His promises to them failed (Jos. 21:45).

Reflect on those events a few minutes before reading more.

Because of the failure of Israel to fulfill her covenantal obligations, the very Law which was intended for their good, became bondage for them. They had been warned that obedience would bring blessing, and disobedience would bring curses. When the stench of their futile “worship” became rank enough, Yahweh judged them and, from a faithful remnant, brought His sovereign plan to fruition. He was not surprised by Israel’s rejection of Him, Israel was never the end game but, rather, the instrument through which He would fulfill His promises to Abraham. This He accomplished through His Son and their Deliverer, Jesus the Christ.

Jesus did not come into the world to judge it (Yahweh had already judged it, and the appearance of Jesus was the confirmation of their judgment). He was their Deliverer, but He was also the Lamb whose blood was shed to deliver them from bondage to the Law. To those who received Him, “he gave the right to become sons of God.” (John 1:12)

However, just as with the Hebrews of old, deliverance from bondage to the Law did not result in immediate consummation of the promised blessings of discipleship. God gave them forty years to repent and accept His sovereign rule. During this time, the Law was obsolete and vanishing away (it did not disappear at the Cross – see Heb. 8:13). While the gospel of the kingdom was being proclaimed in all the world (a work which was completed in the first century – Col. 1:6, 23, and elsewhere), those who believed were persecuted by those who refused to believe. Some believers were persuaded to return to the requirements of the Law and were in danger of not entering their promised salvation. The desire to return to the Law was like their ancestors desiring to return to Egypt, and such desires led to judgment and death.

The faithful were delivered to the promised rest, having been warned to flee Jerusalem prior to the fall of the City and its destruction in AD 70.

Biblical Israel ceased to exist, and today the Rabbis will affirm it died in AD 70. (Note: the modern Zionist State of Israel is a creation of man, and has no claim on being favored by Yahweh. It is largely an atheistic entity). Those who have received Jesus the Christ as their sovereign King and redeemer are the true children of God.

The Second Exodus found its consummation in the events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70, and believers have enjoyed the blessings of dwelling in the New Jerusalem ever since.