Exodus is about worship, not just liberation. Everybody wants freedom, but usually freedom from something. God’s freedom is for something: worship. Moses will state repeatedly to Pharaoh, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” The outline of Exodus (Passover/Sinai/Tabernacle) is about rescuing Israel to worship a Holy God who wants to dwell with them. After the Passover, they do worship (See 14:30-15:2). The opening chapters give us reasons to worship God because,

God is greater than Pharaoh.

1.     God’s word is greater. As promised to Abraham, God has multiplied the number of Israelites (v. 7). But Pharaoh says, “come let us deal shrewdly with them,” to reduce their numbers, but it fails.  

2. God shows his strength through what is perceived as weak. Women are the heroes of this section. Two Hebrew midwives are named in God’s eternal Word and the Pharaoh forgotten. The women make him look like a fool.

3.     God brings good out of bad. The attempt to kill all the boys leads to Moses being raised in Pharaoh’s house, perfectly positioned to be God’s deliverer. A pattern immerges of a murderous tyrant putting boys at risk with faithful women being used by God. This pattern will repeat in Jesus’ own birth narrative.

As much as deliverance from slavery was needed, freedom from sin is needed more.  Three days after being saved, the Israelites grumble against God. The theme of deliverance set up in Moses’ life is perfected in Jesus’ life/death/resurrection. Whereas Moses leads Israel out of slavery to Egypt, Jesus leads all who trust in him out of slavery to sin. In both cases, the result is meant to be worship and fellowship with God.  

Taking It Home: God longs for your friendship and worship. Respond to him by prioritizing worship.