The book of Exodus is an important book for the Christian church. While it recites the narrative of God’s rescue of Israel out slavery in Egypt, it also contains the great theme of God’s liberating power over evil and sin. Not only is the “exodus” story recited repeatedly in the Jewish faith, it is a pivotal story within the Christian narrative. The drama of the “exodus” story cannot be understated. There is violence. There is heartache. There is sweltering oppression. There is tragedy. There are moments where the enemy pursues the heroes and the heroes emerged triumphant. The star of the narrative is Yahweh (The LORD), because he gave the Israelites a “way out”! Interestingly, the word “exodus” is a transliterated Greek word comprised of two separate words: ek – out and odus – way. Exodus literally means, “The way out”. That seems appropriate as it is an accurate description of the major theme of the book.
The apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian church about the history of Israel by directing their memory to the Exodus story. Paul is addressing temptation and the problem of sin. Sin is not a new phenomenon and it didn’t originate with the community Paul is writing to in this letter. Temptation and sin have been around from the beginning and Israel’s story illuminated the struggle of sin. The pinnacle moment of the text comes when Paul writes, “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor 10:13). Paul emphasizes that whatever the temptation, God will provide a “way out.” Another way of saying that is that God is our “Exodus”! Paul’s written reminder cements the Exodus story in our collective memory. Exodus is not just the second book of the Bible, it is the eternal promise offered to those who follow God. Whether it be a struggle with jealousy or a battle with a craving/addiction, God will always be our way out! God is our Exodus!
10 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.
6 Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. 9 We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.
11 These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. 12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.