In Exodus 5, Moses confronts Pharaoh. Moses tells Pharaoh that Yahweh wants him to release the Hebrews from slavery. Pharaoh, of course, refuses, citing the fact that he does not know Yahweh. This will begin the chain of events that leads to Yahweh doing two amazing things: 1) Freeing his own people from slavery, and 2) Making himself known to Pharaoh.
The reason why God wants his people to be free is simple: God desires to feasts with his people. This was true in Exodus, and it is still true today. Yahweh is the Holy One who celebrates with us. He invites us into his joy. What does he celebrate? His own victory and majesty.
God is Supreme over all, and that is worthy of feasting and celebration. God invites us to feasts with him as the means of celebrating his sovereignty and supremacy. For that reason Jesus came to Earth and died for us, to make a way for us to celebrate with Yahweh for all eternity.
The God Who Feasts with His People
Exodus 5
October 6, 2019 • Jonathan Parnell
The God Who Will Have A People
December 15, 2019 • Jonathan Parnell
What God intended first for a person (Adam), and then a people (Israel), has now been realized in a Person (Jesus) and a people (the church). The church is the people of Jesus. We are men and women brought into fellowship with God by God through faith. We are created new in Jesus. We are forgiven by the cross of Jesus and filled with the Spirit of Jesus, to walk in the way of Jesus.
Jethro's Surprising Visit
December 8, 2019 • Kevin Kleiman
The story of the Exodus is a paradigm by which Christians can understand our own salvation. Through the first seventeen chapters of Exodus, Yahweh consistently and convincingly delivers his people with miraculous, supernatural power. But as we come to Exodus 18, we something much more ordinary. In chapter 18, we see how normal, everyday relationships are transformed by the good news of what God has done. As we review Exodus 18, we see Moses and Jethro’s interactions, and we learn from two very different people, and we see practically, how our lives should look differently after experiencing the saving grace of God. We are reminded to tell the whole story of God’s rescue, take a risk and offer good advice, and to happily receive feedback in humility.