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Exodus and John #1 – To Reveal God
“In the beginning” marks the distinct introduction of two different books, connecting them at the beginning to capture the reader’s attention. Old Creation and New Creation, Genesis and the Gospel of John, are not only connected by three words, but by the content – creation by God for man. Genesis is about the creation of the world, and John about the new creation spiritually. Just as there were six days of creation and a day of rest in Genesis, giving us the special number of 7 creating the first week; in John there are seven signs. The eight sign is the resurrection of Jesus Christ beginning the new creation. The Jews even referred to the first day of the week as the eight day.
The Fourth Gospel is connected to another Old Testament book, yet the connection this time is not creation. It is grander, more personal, but not as apparent; that is until we look at more than just the introduction. That Old Covenant book is Exodus.
If you were to pick on overarching theme to the book of Exodus, one that is seen in the Ten Plagues and the Ten Commandments, what would it be? Exodus is about revealing and confirming Yahweh as God.
- Exodus 5:2 HCSB But Pharaoh responded, “Who is Yahweh that I should obey Him by letting Israel go? I do not know anything about Yahweh, and besides, I will not let Israel go.”
- Exodus 6:6-7 HCSB “Therefore tell the Israelites: I am Yahweh, and I will deliver you from the forced labor of the Egyptians and free you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and great acts of judgment. (7) I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. You will know that I am Yahweh your God, who delivered you from the forced labor of the Egyptians.
- Exodus 9:13-14 HCSB Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and present yourself to Pharaoh. Tell him: This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews says: Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. (14) Otherwise, I am going to send all My plagues against you, your officials, and your people. Then you will know there is no one like Me in all the earth.
- Exodus 20:2-3 HCSB I am the LORD (i.e., Yahweh) your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. (3) Do not have other gods besides Me.
If you were to pick an overarching theme of John, would it be similar to that of Exodus? Would it be revealing and confirming Jesus as Divine?
- John 1:1 HCSB In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
- John 20:28-31 HCSB Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God!” (29) Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed.” (30) Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book. (31) But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.
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