Category Archives: Exodus
“There are over 120 explicit OT references to the Exodus in law, narrative, prophecy and psalm, and it is difficult to exaggerate its importance. Foundational to Israel’s self-perception (Deut. 6:20–25)—they are here first designated a people (Exod. 1:9)—it is recalled in liturgy (e.g. Pss. 78, 105; Exod. 12:26–27), prayer (e.g. 2 Sam. 7:23; Jer. 32:16–21; Dan. 9:4–19), and sermon (e.g. Josh. 24; Judg. 2:11–13; 1 Sam. 12:6–8; 1 Kgs. 8). As the predominate saving event in their history (Deut. 4:32–40), the Exodus profoundly shaped Israel’s social structures, calendars, remembrance of the ancient past, and hopes of future restoration. Because of their conviction that Jesus fulfilled Israel’s destiny, the NT authors couch their works in Exodus language, albeit on a cosmic scale and with reference to all peoples.”
—R. E. Watts in the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (IVP, 2000) p. 478.