The Exodus: Baptism, and the Wilderness Part 1.

The Exodus: Baptism, and the Wilderness

Opening remarks:

The Exodus is not just an escape from bondage and slavery, it is a re-claiming of people from the rebellious powers in the Un-Seen Realm and bringing people into covenant relationship with Yahweh ultimately fulfilled through Christ. Before Israel could leave Egypt / or the powers of the rebellious Un-Seen Realm a substitutionary blood sacrifice had to take place, this was the first Passover. The Blood was to be placed on the doorpost marking those who belonged to Yahweh, that being said Christ is our Sacrifice and Passover, and our salvation begins at the cross.

Text: 1 Corinthians 10:1–4 “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”

Remember: Through the lens of a Deuteronomy 32 world view Egypt, Pharaoh, Israel, and Moses represents:

Bondage and slavery to sin

A political system of tyranny and oppression under rebellious Elohim influence

Pharaoh was often viewed as a divine ruler like the devil is often referred to as the as the god of this world

Israel as God’s portion or His Covenant people

Moses as their deliverer or a foreshadow of Christ the Messiah

As they come out of Egypt God is seen present with them, leading as a Cloud by day and a Fire by night.

Shortcut:

God could have taken the people on a shortcut through the land of the Philistines but instead takes them on a journey known to us in the Christian community as sanctification. Its on this journey God will lead His people through the Red Sea then on through the wilderness before reaching and entering the Promised land.

What we in the Christian community often call the ( wilderness ) is often or sometimes referred to as Tribulation, when in fact it is a time of Preparation / training or sanctification before entering the Promised land / Heaven.

Sometimes Christians can become so focused on escaping suffering that we neglect the spiritual formation God accomplishes through wilderness seasons of our lives.

Many Christians are hoping for a rapture, a ( short cut ) if you will, to the Promised Land, Heaven without the training ground of the wilderness where we learn to trust, love, care, and serve God as well as each other.

This wasn’t the case with the Israelites nor is it with us!

What does the Red Sea Crossing represent ?

The crossing of the Red Sea is often viewed as a type of Baptism. For Israel its a leaving behind of slavery and bondage, freedom from the oppression of Pharaoh and entering of a covenantal relationship with Yahweh.

Pharoah’s army dies in the sea, and their old master loses ( claim ) over them.

For the Christian Baptism represents :

The believer openly and publicly leaves the kingdom of darkness

Identifies him/herself with Christ as one of His Image Bearers

Symbolically dies to his/ her old way of life

Rises into a covenantal relationship with Christ the True King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Romans 6:3–11 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Baptism:

For the Believer baptism is where our allegiance is announced to both realms Seen and Un-Seen! Baptism publicly marks our allegiance to Christ and often intensifies the spiritual warfare already surrounding the believer. Through baptism we are renouncing the dominion of the rebellious powers that once enslaved us, to loyalty and faithful service to Christ. Be assured this announcement is not taken lightly!!!

The Wilderness:

Just as the Israelites were lead by God into the wilderness, Jesus was also led into the wilderness by the Spirit for a time of testing / preparation .

Here in the ( wilderness ) is where our Faith is tested, loyalties are exposed and revealed, idols are confronted, trust and dependence upon God is learned and our new identity is formed as we are conformed into the image of Christ .

In the wilderness the Israelites struggle with a lot of the same things we do today such as :

Security and protection

Trusting God’s provision - food and water

Giving up of our idols/ pet sins

Turning away and turning loose from our old ways/habits

Example Contrary to popular belief after salvation a person may still have longings for the old way of life just like the Israelites desired at times to be back in Egypt, not to mention wrestling with the flesh, wrestling with doubt and unbelief, or being tempted to follow the crowd and the world system instead of God’s Kingdom Agenda.

The Good news is Christ conquered this all in the flesh in His Wilderness experience!

And we know we are more than conquerors in and through Christ Jesus, not to mention, He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ . Rom 8:37 & Phil 1:6

If we are looking through the lens of a Deuteronomy 32 world view—( this is where God divided mankind and gave the nations their inheritance )

The wilderness is also a contested ground between Yahweh and the rebellious powers of the Un-Seen Realm as these gods still attempt to influence from behind the scenes. One needs to be mindful that God has no equal, no Elohim, spiritual or mortal being can rival our Heavenly Father!

It also is portrayed in the life of the believer through spiritual warfare, temptation, deception, and divided loyalty.

Closing :

We all need to be mindful that this life is a journey through the wilderness. We are here to learn how to trust & obey, love each other, care for each other, forgive each other, realizing at the same time we all have weaknesses, and are not all at the same level of maturity in the faith. So as we walk together lets be sober, be vigilant, because our adversary prowls about like a roaring lion seeking who he may devour, and be aware that sin crouches at each of our doors !