Why read Exodus after 1 Peter?

Each week I make recommendations to families on songs to sing together, passages from the Bible to read together, and prayer topics. This is a little section included at the bottom of our bulletins. 

Time together as families is precious, and nowadays we have more distractions, obligations, and opportunities which pull away from time as a family. While the world does its best to pull families apart, the scriptures show time and time again that believers are to be together in worship, not just during "big" weekly occasions, but also in "small" daily occasions. This little suggestion box isn't a requirement for membership in our local church, and following this guide isn't a rule. These little suggestions are meant to be helpful for individuals and groups to spend dedicated time together each day growing in the Word of God. I cannot guarantee that you, your spouse, your children, or grandchildren will somehow suddenly become all that you wish or hope for simply by spending time together in worship as a family. I can guarantee you that building the habit and rhythm of praise and worship in yourself, your spouse, your children, and your grandchildren is healthy for your soul and theirs.

This upcoming week we are wrapping up 1 Peter and moving to the book of Exodus. These books in many ways are vastly different. 1 Peter was written by the Apostle Peter about 20-30 years after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. The book of Exodus was recorded by Moses about 1400-1200 years before the birth of Jesus. 1 Peter is a quick book, only having 5 chapters. Exodus is a big book, having 40 chapters. 1 Peter was written to various churches scattered throughout Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey). Exodus was written to a generation of ancient Israelites who had not lived through most of the events recorded. 1 Peter focuses on the person, sufferings, and work of Christ Jesus, and how the Christians facing potential or present persecution were to live amidst suffering based on their faith in Christ. Exodus focuses on the redemption of God's people from Egypt and their reconstitution as a people with special purpose and work of their redeeming God. 

So, why Exodus after 1 Peter? 

A few concise reasons:

1. Looking Back

In 1 Peter the Christians who are presently suffering, or will potentially suffer for their faith, are encouraged because of what God has done for them in Christ Jesus. Just as we look back to Christ Jesus' to find our relationship to God, marching orders from God, and guide for life with God, the Old Testament ancient Israelites looked back to the redemption of God in the Exodus to find their relationship to God, marching orders from God, and guide for life with God. As we are begin encouraged to serve in the church from 1 Peter (even in the midst of suffering), we will see in Exodus the ancient people of God suffering, crying out to God, receiving redemption, and then seeking to pursue living for God. 

2. Foundational

During October and November, leading up to Advent, we are doing a quick series with an overarching review of the Old Testament. The title for the series is most likely going to be "What were they waiting for?". In any study of the Old Testament, regardless of whether the study is introductory or in depth, an understanding of the Exodus is key. The events which took place during the period of Exodus form the foundational concepts for understanding the relationship of God with his chosen people. If we miss out on the significance of the events of Exodus, we will most likely also miss out on much understanding of the rest of the Old Testament. What the gospels are for the New Testament in giving a narrative story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, Exodus is for the Old Testament in giving a narrative story of the slavery, redemption, and expectations for the life of God's people. 

3. Practical

Nowadays there is much about our lives that don't seem to quite match up. As citizens of the United States, we look around and observe much in our local community, state, and nation which seems to defy what we know would be best. In 1 Peter the believers were encouraged to remember Christ as they looked around the Roman empire and saw mistreatment. The believers of 1 Peter were instructed to "rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings" (1 Peter 4:13 ESV) and "if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name." (1 Peter 4:16 ESV). In Exodus, the people of God were severely mistreated, and witnessed God's deliverance. Today, though we as believers may suffer mistreatment, we can take some comfort from two things: first, the truth that our history as believers is filled with mistreatment (often of very harsh and painful), and second, we are not defined by the mistreatment we receive, but instead are defined by the God who redeems. 

It's my hope that if you do join along in reading through Exodus with the rest of us as a church family, you have questions. I hope those questions lead to conversations, and those conversations lead to growing confidence and faith in our great redeeming God!