Israel, Egypt and the Exodus / An Illustration of Pre-Christian to Christian Conversion

1) The condition of Man: The children of Israel, living in the land of Egypt can be compared to people living in a God-less (Jehovah-less) world. This world, like Egypt, will pursue any god, idol or interest as long as that object of devotion requires nothing of them. The pagan gods, idols, interests of this world are nothing like the God of Abraham.

Pre-Christian to Christian illustration:  Man exists in a world that seems dead set against God. If mankind has a god or gods, it or they are nothing like the God who has revealed Himself in the bible. Rather, they seem to be inventions or extensions of man's selfish, fleshly interest, gods that are designed to emulate those pursuits that interest them.

2) The intent of God: Unwilling to leave man in hopelessness, a man walks from the wilderness with a declaration that the God of the universe has something better for mankind than life dominated by hedonistic bondage. God has a plan to provide a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.


Unwilling to leave Israel, the descendants of Abraham in hopelessness. God chooses a man out of Egypt, (Moses), one who is familiar with Egyptian thought but has recognized the emptiness of it all. Moses spends time in the wilderness, tending sheep, away from all distraction. In a place where he can hear, God reveals himself and tells Moses that he will return to Egypt in order to extract from Egypt the lives of those who are willing to hear and believe.
Pre-Christian to Christian illustration:  Unwilling to leave mankind in hopelessness. The Spirit of God continually searches for men who are familiar with worldly, externally motivated, fleshly thinking and yet, recognize the emptiness of it. Men who are at a place where they can hear the voice of God. Men that God can use to communicate the gospel message to others who are willing to hear and believe.

3) The despotic king: A despot who thinks he’s king. The established order that resists what God wants to accomplish.

4) Dark methods of resistance: The established order actively fights what God wants to accomplish. Belief system built upon lies in order to maintain the current state of captivity.

5) Return of the rightful owner: Manifestation, declaration and revelation of the great I Am. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, He is the great I AM, and we are not.
Proverb 9:10-11
10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.

6) Resisted but not defeated: The rightful owner gathers those who will be a testimony to His greatness.

7) Increase in understanding: The defeat of those who would attack God’s plan from the outside. The punishment of those who attack God’s plan from the inside.

8) The call to worship: The establishment of the tabernacle, tangible representation of God’s real presence in the midst of His people.

9) The call to order: There are clear and definitive patterns and points of reference for His children to guard their hearts and guard their steps.

10) Who you were meant to be: Ancestry, heritage and legacy.

11) The call to arms: The fulfillment of God’s plan for their lives will require spiritual warfare. God reveals that the resistance never ends but those who trust in the Lord will be given that which is needed to stand in the battle.