How does Exodus 14:13 connect to God's deliverance in the New Testament? The Original Scene of Exodus 14:13 “ Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.” (Exodus 14:13) Key Words to Notice • “Do not be afraid” – A divine command that fear is unnecessary when God acts. • “Stand firm” – Israel must rest in God’s power, not their own effort. • “Salvation” – Hebrew yĕshû‘â, pointing to rescue, victory, and ultimately to the name of Jesus (Yeshua, “Yahweh saves”). • “Today” – A decisive, once-for-all moment of deliverance. • “Never see again” – Finality; the oppressor’s power is permanently broken. Foreshadowing Christ’s Salvation • Passover Lamb (Exodus 12) immediately precedes the Red Sea. Christ is “our Passover lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7). • The Red Sea crossing prefigures baptism: “all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:2). • Just as Israel contributes nothing but faith and obedience, so salvation in Christ is “not by works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). • The destruction of Pharaoh’s army images the defeat of Satan: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 16:20). New Testament Echoes of Exodus 14:13 • Luke 2:30 – “For my eyes have seen Your salvation.” Simeon sees in Jesus what Israel saw at the sea: God’s visible, personal rescue. • John 3:14-17 – As Israel looked to God’s act of deliverance, we look to the lifted-up Son for eternal life. • Colossians 1:13 – “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness.” The irreversible break from Egypt parallels our transfer into Christ’s kingdom. • Hebrews 2:14-15 – Through death Jesus destroys “him who holds the power of death” so we are freed from lifelong slavery, just as Israel left Pharaoh’s grip. • Romans 6:4 – We pass through the waters of baptism into newness of life, leaving the old mastery of sin behind forever. • Revelation 15:2-3 – The saints stand beside a “sea of glass” and sing “the song of Moses…and the song of the Lamb,” joining the two deliverances into one hymn. Living Out the Connection Today • Adopt God’s command: refuse fear when confronted by sin, death, or worldly opposition. • Stand firm in grace—rest, don’t strive, because Christ has accomplished the decisive victory. • Celebrate the finality of salvation: the enemy you faced yesterday is defeated in Christ; you need not see him again. • Mark your own “Red Sea” moment—remember your baptism and the cross as the day God acted “today” for you. |
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