Friend, when you think of Exodus, do you think of God’s grace? Or, raise your hand if you, like me, have viewed the God of Exodus as scary, fierce, and wielding His power. After all, Exodus can be synonymous with the Ten Commandments, Moses, plagues, the Red Sea, and, of course, God—a God who, at a glance, seems harsh, unyielding, quick to anger, and resentful. The Ten Commandments themselves imply the need to stay on His good side. At least, I’ve always thought so. He seems so different from Jesus.
Never again!
SIMPLY BIBLE Exodus turned my view of God—upside down. Or maybe right side up.
Yesterday, I was invited to join a small group of women as they wrapped up their forty-chapter journey through Exodus. Pondering what they had learned about God, the leader shared that she had a new understanding of God’s grace. The other women adamantly agreed. All were amazed by God’s devotion and His desire to be with- to dwell with- His people.
I asked the leader,
“So, at the beginning of this Exodus journey, would you have imagined that your #1 takeaway about God would be His grace?”
She emphatically replied,
“No! I expected to learn about the law!”
Most of us think similarly.
Within the Bible, Exodus feels like an anomaly. Yahweh seems so different from Jesus. He appears distinct from the New Testament’s Abba Father Jesus prays to. Yet, the reality is this: God is the God Who so loved the world, even in Exodus. He delivers and faithfully provides for a people, the Israelites, who are so human, like me. When we slow down, we find God’s grace on every page. And just like the rest of the Bible, the God of Exodus desires to dwell with His people. He goes to great lengths to make it happen.
In Exodus 34:6, God revealed Himself. His words seal the truth of Who He is into my heart and mind:
The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…
I never imagined:
I never imagined the impact of studying Exodus.
I never imagined so many would begin and finish the journey through all forty chapters.
I never imagined how so many puzzle pieces of the Bible would fall into place.
I never imagined how Exodus would shine a spotlight on God’s grace.
I never imagined how God would assure my heart through this ancient text, seemingly about His laws. Indeed, I finished this study assured of God’s grace, mercy, patience, steadfast love, and faithfulness. God was a God of grace in Exodus, a God of grace in Jesus, and He remains a God of grace for today. He is indeed the Hero of the story.
After so many studies, I never imagined there was much more to learn about God or that I could enjoy Him more. My love for Him grew deeper. And so, friend, thank you. Wherever you are on your journey with God, thank you for allowing SIMPLY BIBLE the privilege of coming alongside. You inspire me to press on, to dig deep. Truly. With you, my love grows. I hope you find the same.
For those who journeyed through Exodus, thank you for being brave, strong, and courageous to persevere.
I’m so proud of you. I would love to hug you and put a victory crown on your head. But the victory belongs to God Himself. Yes, we learned that:
The work of God is done by the means of the Spirit of God.
Dr. Sailhammer
Heart-transforming work belongs to Him. Indeed, He is the Hero of our story, too.
Please let us know if you have finished or are working through Exodus (or any other SIMPLY BIBLE study). Some of you have contacted us recently, and your feedback blows us away! Your stories do encourage us and inspire others to press on. Long journeys through Scripture can be scary. Many falsely believe Bible study is too hard, especially a longer book. You prove otherwise, and your stories are powerful. You never know who you will encourage.
Thank you for being on a mission with us at SIMPLY BIBLE to know and enjoy God through His Word and inspire others to do the same. We do what we do because we believe everyone deserves a simple way to be assured of His grace through the Bible. I am beyond grateful you would journey with us.
Thank You, Lord God. Thank You for your grace, mercy, slowness to anger, steadfast love, and faithfulness.
With much love and joy,
Carmen
Helping you know and enjoy God through the Bible.
4 Responses
Gods Grace was certainly experienced in Exodus as well as other new truths. Thank you for your time on helping us to study Exodus
I agree, Pat! Thank you for your comment!
I’m at Exodus 29 and I have enjoyed the story very much, I’ve laughed at the patience of Abba though at times it must have felt like the children of Israel were so small minded with their mutterings with no prayers offered or direct thanks but then I thought, well He calls them the ‘children’ of Israel, he knows the nature of the beast. I laughed at the visual of Moses, arms up, arms down not that it would have made any difference in reality, again a touching note of pathos and colour of human nature, I used to say “morning Mr Magpie salute to the Queen” whenever I saw a single magpie, I no longer do so because I know God has everything in hand so why should a single magpie bring me sorrow when there is joy to be gifted in Hope. It’s been an interesting book until I reached the instructions for the Arc, Tabernacle and then the sacrifices named, bull/goat, the smearing of the blood upon the horns at each corner with the fingers etc. Then suddenly I thought, God doesn’t want idolatry, burnt offerings, I hope this is not offensive but it doesn’t sound authentically God like to want golden candle sticks, plates and basins for the blood, the ornature of the robes for Aron the curtains, the embroidery etc. etc. I have asked for wisdom and I am still conflicted, I don’t believe this is God, is this part by any chance embellished by the write?, it just doesn’t feel like the patient, kind, gentle, all inclusive, loving God I know? Why would God demand such frivolous finery and to what end? He can take anything he wants, I understand the teaching of sacrifice but why would God want anything so earthbound as the (Egyptians borrowed gold) fine cloth/silver/ copper/the slaughter of rams/bulls etc. and why would he want blood sprinkled round about the alter? It feels a little unlike God. Any thoughts? I’m trying to understand…
Hi Coco, I love hearing about your journey with God and the Israelites through Exodus. You ask outstanding questions! Keep asking and seeking to understand! Here are a few thoughts that came to mind.
Why all the fancy for the Holy of Holies? You are right; in some ways, this doesn’t sound like God, the gracious, merciful, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness God that He introduces Himself as in Ex. 34:6. Yet, the paradox is that our God is also the Most High God, holy, pure, and righteous. The God of the Universe will make this humble tabernacle His dwelling place with His people.
Two, He doesn’t give these instructions so much for Himself as He does for the Israelites. Will they part with the gold and the finery? How much do they love God and desire His presence? Do they love Him enough to give Him their very best, or will they keep it for themselves? Here is a test of their hearts. After all of the stumbling and bumbling in the wilderness, will they seek after God with all that they have? Their zeal took my breath away!
Beyond that, God has a way of using physical things to teach us spiritual things. The Tabernacle instructions point to Jesus and the spiritual, heavenly realm. When studying this part of Exodus, I, too, was amazed by the extravagance of the dwelling place for God. Why so extravagant when no one except God and the Most High Priest will ever see it? Again, we find something breathtaking when we think about how physical beauty points to spiritual beauty. Fast forward to this side of the cross, and through Jesus, God now dwells in our hearts! Our hearts are also a place that no one sees but God. The rare beauty of the Holy of Holies shows me something about the expectations God has for my own heart.
The blood is a reminder that something must die for us to live. Blood symbolizes life. Similarly, the blood is physical but intended to show us something spiritual and points ahead to Jesus and His blood shed on the cross. When studying Exodus and trying to put myself in the shoes of the Israelites, I realized there is a powerful reminder of God’s forgiveness within those blood stains. Life for life and the spilling of blood is hard for me to comprehend with my 21st-century sensibilities.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers, Coco. Yet, within the Tabernacle instructions and construction, we will find much to learn and enjoy about God and His grace! By the time I reached chapter 40, I was in awe of His goodness and on my knees. I hope this provides a few more things to ponder and helps point to His grace and goodness even within the Tabernacle. May God bless you as you seek to know and enjoy Him through Exodus!