Advent in the Exodus
by: Brooks Carlson
Read
New Testament – Exodus 1-2:10
Old Testament – Matthew 2:13-23
Meditate
Jesus’ arrival into the world begins with a child bathed in the light of the Star of Bethlehem, worshiped by the Men of the East. This light marks the dawn of a new creation, a hope for a shattered world, and a call for God’s people to be that same light. However, the Gospel of Matthew quickly reminds us of the depth of the darkness of the world Jesus entered. Shortly after Jesus’ birth, controlled by paranoia and fear, King Herod orders the massacre of male infants in Bethlehem–a horrific act that is typically overlooked when retelling the account of the Nativity, and one that mirrors another familiar Biblical story. Like Jesus, infant Moses came into the world in the context of the slaughter of the innocents, when Pharaoh, king of Egypt commanded all male Hebrew babies to be killed as a means to control the population of the enslaved people of Israel, an act meant to preserve himself and his status at the expense of others.
In the Exodus account, a Hebrew mother forged a plan to save her Hebrew baby boy by placing him in an ark and sending him afloat down the Nile. She could have never known her instincts to save her child would not only save her son’s life but act as a catalyst to save her people from slavery and oppression. Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt to spare the life of their child, perhaps unwittingly or knowingly realizing that this practical act of survival was fulfilling something much greater. God was fulfilling a long-held promise.
The story of the Exodus from Egypt demonstrates how an earthly king who would deem himself a god, locked the people of God into slave labor to try and prevent them from multiplying and overthrowing his earthly kingdom. The story of the birth of Jesus is set in parallel with the story of the first redeemer of Israel, Moses. This is no coincidence. Moses’s birth and calling give us a road sign that points to Jesus, and His vocation. By experiencing the story of Jesus, through the lens of Moses, we are offered a category to understand what Jesus’ arrival means.
Just as Moses enters the scene, protected by God to represent and deliver His people from the oppression of Pharaoh, Jesus comes to rescue His people from the oppression of sin that lives deep in our hearts and corrupts every decision we make. The coming of Jesus means a new exodus event, where He rescues us from the cruel taskmaster of sin, shame, and death. Through this new Exodus we look forward with joyful anticipation that He will deliver us from all corruption when His Kingdom reigns on Earth as it is in Heaven. Jesus will come again and lead us into His fully realized Kingdom, where sin and death no longer reign, only Love remains.
Jesus is both the Moses figure being preserved by God, and He is the cloud that goes before Israel into the Promised Land of God, inviting His people to follow. The ultimate promise from God is a renewed relationship with Him, unhindered by sin and guilt that would separate us from His presence.
This advent season, let us each recall the Divine Rescue Plan Jesus has accomplished. Jesus leads His people through the wilderness of their hearts, to the mountain of God, where He is enthroned as King forever. He wipes away every tear and promises to complete the work He has begun. He was born into this world of corruption as a human. He has overcome the world on our behalf and invited us into His salvation. In Him, we have unhindered access to the presence of God and a personal relationship with Him.
Kids Questions:
- How are Moses and Jesus similar?
- How are Moses and Jesus different?
- What did Moses save his people from?
- What does Jesus save His people from?
Pray:
Lord Jesus, set us free from the cruel taskmaster of sin. Lead us through the time of trial and testing, upheld by your Son, Jesus. Lead us to a renewed covenant relationship with you. Let us look to your return with hope and thanksgiving for the great work you accomplished on our behalf.
Amen.