The Book of Exodus begins with the declaration, “These are the names.”
This introductory phrase establishes a connection between Exodus and the Book of Genesis, emphasizing the fulfillment of God’s promise to the patriarchs. The promise assured the multiplication of Jacob’s twelve sons and the growth of their descendants.
God’s message to Abraham was: “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be” (Genesis 15:5).
A similar promise was given to Isaac and Jacob.
“I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies” (Genesis 22:17).
Bible scholars place the date of Exodus between 1800 and 1400 BC. Rudy Ross who produces YouTube videos with me likes the later 1400 BC date.
I am using Walter Kaiser’s commentary on Exodus to help inform this study. Kaiser notes that the first word of Exodus in the Hebrew Bible is “and.”
It is as though the book of Genesis has come to an end AND the book of Exodus continues the story.
[And] these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household (Exodus 1.1).
Verses 2-4 list the sons of Israel, who came with Jacob.
Verse 5 notes “The total number of people born to Jacob was seventy. (Joseph was already in Egypt.)”
In today’s YouTube video, Rudy Ross elaborates on the number 70. It is an ideal number and denotes perfection and completeness.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are called the patriarchs because they are the fathers of the nation of Israel.
God made them a promise and the Book of Exodus records the fulfillment of that promise.
This is the promise made to Abraham that was repeated to the other two patriarchs.
“And I will make my covenant between me and you and will make you exceedingly numerous.”
“I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you” (Genesis 17:2 and 6).
Over the 430 years that Israel was in Egypt, God was fulfilling his promised plan for the nation.
Then Joseph died, and all his brothers, and that whole generation.
But the Israelites were fruitful and prolific; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them (Exodus 1.6-7).
Note that five verbs for growth and increase of the people are used together in verse 7.
God’s Promises to You
The fulfillment of God’s promises in Exodus include three major subjects that had importance both then and now.
(1) God’s plan for deliverance.
(2) God’s guidance for morality.
(3) God’s order for worship.
The Gospel of John is filled with promises that are waiting for Jesus’ followers to claim. John 14 contains two promises in three short verses.
Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14.12).
Whenever Jesus utters the words “Very truly,” he desires our unwavering attention. His divine intention and promise to his disciples lie in their ability to perform works similar to his own.
Before we think about working miracles like Jesus, we need to look closely at what Jesus did in relation to the Father.
The key to Jesus’ works is the fact that he did nothing separate from the Father. Frank Laubach has counted 40-plus instances where Jesus said something similar to this:
“Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own but only what he sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise” (John 5.19).
Jesus promises his followers that we can live in a relationship with the Father that is similar to his. As we live like Jesus, we will see other “works” like his taking place in our lives.
I’m sure you will agree with me that this is a profound promise. Another of his many promises includes answered prayer.
Jesus said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
“If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it” (John 14.13-14).
Just to add “in Jesus’ name” to a prayer does not necessarily mean that we are praying in Jesus’ name.
The “name” refers to a person’s character and nature. When our connection with Jesus is so profound that we embody his character, we can be confident in receiving answers to our prayers.
I can’t imagine anything better than to strive to have the kind of relationship with the Father that Jesus did.
When we live according to his promises, the Father will be glorified in the Son.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I begin our study of Exodus on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
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