.png)
Articles
Redemption: The Preview and the Main Event
Why did God redeem the Israelites from Egypt? 1) To deliver them from slavery (Leviticus 26:13); 2) to have a special people He could call His own, people separated from all other peoples on the face of the earth (Exodus 6:7; Deuteronomy 7:6; 1 Kings 8:53); 3) to make this special people into a holy nation, obedient to His will, so that He might dwell among them (Deuteronomy 7:6; Exodus 19:6; Jeremiah 7:23; Exodus 29:46); 4) to give this obedient people the land, or the inheritance He promised to them (Leviticus 25:38; Deuteronomy 26:1; 6:23); 5) to make a name for Himself, to bring praise and honor to His name (2 Samuel 7:23; Deuteronomy 26:19).
Know these reasons well, because Israel's redemption was a preview (shadow) of the main event: the redemption offered to us through Jesus Christ. God wants to redeem us for the very same reasons He redeemed them.
To deliver us from slavery, in our case, the slavery of sin.
“…our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin…he who died has been freed from sin” (Romans 6:6-7). But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Romans 6:17).
To have a people He could call His own, a special group of people separated from all other peoples on the face of the earth (a group that now includes both Jews and Gentiles—people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation).
“who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people…” (Titus 2:14). “But you are a chosen generation…His own special people” (1 Peter 2:9). “I will be Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters” (2 Corinthians 6:18). “…for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).
To make this special people into a holy nation, obedient to His will, so that He might dwell among them.
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” (1 Peter 2:9). “in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21-22). “For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. And they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you’” (2 Corinthians 6:16-17).
To give this obedient people the inheritance He promised to them.
“to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you”(1 Peter 1:3-4). “…knowing that you have a better and enduring possession for yourselves in heaven” (Hebrews 10:34). “…He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).
To make a name for Himself, to bring praise and honor to His name.
“…to the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph. 1:6); “…to the praise of His glory” (Eph. 1:12, 14). “…that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7). “But you are a chosen generation…that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…” (1 Peter 2:9).
