Contours Of The Exodus Motif In Jesus’ Earthly Ministry -- By: Richard D. Patterson

Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 66:1 (Spring 2004)
Article: Contours Of The Exodus Motif In Jesus’ Earthly Ministry
Author: Richard D. Patterson


Contours Of The Exodus Motif In Jesus’ Earthly Ministry

Richard D. Patterson

Michael Travers

[Richard D. Patterson is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va. Michael Travers is Professor of English at Southeastern College, a school of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, N.C.]

The report of Israel’s exodus from Egypt has engaged the hearts and minds of the people of Israel from ancient times until this day. The events surrounding the exodus have come under the scrutiny of scholars of all persuasions. Not only does a voluminous literature exist on the historical reality, date, and route of such an exodus,1 but there are also careful literary studies on the biblical record2 and its thematic transmission.3 This study is devoted to the latter two

considerations. After sketching the contours of the biblical exodus and its transmission in the Old Testament, primary attention will be given to the exodus motif as a picture of a better hope. This will in turn provide a background for Jesus’ own employment of this motif.

I. The Exodus: The Primary Accounts

Thoughts of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt naturally turn to the account in the book of Exodus. Following the details of the slaying of the firstborn of Egypt and the Passover (Exod 12:29–13:16), the story of the exodus is traced. But even as Moses gives last minute instructions to the people concerning the commemoration of the Passover, he points out the goal of God’s deliverance. The exodus would not be fully accomplished until God has brought his people safely into the land of promise (Exod 13:11). In informing the people of the eventual culmination of the exodus event, Moses is communicating the essence of the assurance that the Lord had given him previously:

“The LORD the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into. .. a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Exod 3:16–17)

The Lord’s words recall his great promise to Abraham that the divine blessing of all people would be channeled through the line of Abraham (Gen 12:1–3; You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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