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#40. Israel's Bondage and its Bearing
upon Dispensational Truth (Exodus 1:).
pp. 106 - 109
The Hebrew title for Genesis is B'reshith, "In (the) beginning". It speaks of Creation.
The Hebrew title of Exodus is Ve alleh Shemoth, "Now these are the names". It speaks
of Redemption. Genesis speaks of the Nations, Exodus of the Nation. The theme of
Genesis is traced through Adam and the fall of Joseph and the restoration. Joseph's last
words were that God would surely visit Israel and lead them back to their own land. That
visitation is chronicled in the book of Exodus.
The book is divided into two sections by the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, and
may be visualized thus:--
Exodus.
Bondage.
\
Passover.
Redemption.
/
The Giving of the Law.
Freedom.
\
Tabernacle.
Worship.
/
Worship can only be offered by a free people, yet let us note well a free people
received the law! The apostle Paul who fought so for freedom in the epistle to the
Galatians gladly commences Romans by calling himself the "bond slave" of Christ. The
one great purpose of God is displayed under varying forms again and again:--
First we have a perfect creation (Gen. 1: 1).
\
Then a fall, darkness and chaos (Gen. 1: 2).
}
Cosmic.
Then a renewal (Gen. 1:, 2:).
/
If we leave the cosmic platform and limit ourselves to the human plane, the purpose is
again displayed in Gen. 3::--
First a perfect creation. Man.
\
Then a fall, death and expulsion.
}
Racial.
But a restoration promised and typified.
/
Leaving the wider circle of the human race we notice the story of the nations:--
First the nations divided by God (Gen. 10:).
\
Then their rebellions (Gen. 11:).
}
National.
Then their only hope of restoration (Gen. 12:).
/
This is as far as Genesis takes us. exodus now expands the theme, but confines itself
to the fortunes of the one nation Israel. The same order is observed.
First the fruitful and mighty people (Exod. 1: 1-7).
Then the bondage.
Followed by the deliverance and exodus.