Exodus contains the history of Israel\u2019s escape from Egypt. It moves from
\nslavery under Pharaoh to the wanderings of the wilderness, the giving of
\nGod\u2019s law, and the building of his holy tabernacle. The exodus is also the
\nstory of the Christian life. There is a spiritual connection between the salvation
\nof Israel and salvation in Jesus Christ. After a long bondage to sin, God
\nhas brought us through the deep waters of death. We have been saved by
\ngrace through faith in the greater exodus: the death and resurrection of
\nJesus Christ.<\/p>\n
That was only the beginning of our spiritual pilgrimage, however. Now
\nwe are traveling through the wilderness, learning many of the same lessons
\nthat Israel learned. We are learning to sing praise to God, just as Israel sang
\nthe Song of Moses by the sea. Like Israel, we are trusting God to provide
\nbread from Heaven and the water of life. Like Moses, we are lifting our hands
\nup to God\u2019s throne, waging war against Satan through prayer.
\nThe next spiritual lesson comes in the reunion of Moses and Jethro.<\/p>\n
Whereas the end of chapter 17 was about the necessity of prayer, the beginning
\nof chapter 18 is about the duty of evangelism. We are called to bear
\nwitness to God\u2019s saving power.<\/p>\n
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–Phil Ryken<\/p>\n
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