Echoes of Eden in Exodus

The story of the Bible is one of creation and re-creation. As amazing as it is to think of the future new creation, we would be mistaken if we didn’t see this theme repeated throughout the Scriptures. In fact, we discover this theme in the second book of the Bible, and not for the first time! Tim Chester shows us how the story of the Exodus is a story of the creation of a people and a land. Let’s look at the connections he makes with the beginning of Exodus and some of the early themes of Genesis in his commentary in the God’s Word for You series.

The Story of Creation and Re-Creation

We have seen that “the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them” (Exodus 1:7); and that, in response to their risky obedience, “God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous” (v 20).

We have heard this kind of language before in the Bible story—back in Genesis 1:28: “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.’” This command is reiterated after Noah comes out of the ark: “God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth’.” (Genesis 9:1). So notice the links:

• God tells humanity to “be fruitful”. Israel is “exceedingly fruitful”.
• God tells humanity to “increase in number”. Israel has “increased in number”.
• God tells humanity to “fill the earth”. Israel has filled the land.

Exodus 1:7 uses seven different words to describe the fruitfulness of the Israelites. “They multiplied greatly” is literally “they swarmed”, the same word that is used in Genesis 1:21 to describe the waters “teeming” with life. What is happening in Exodus 1 is not just the fulfilment of the covenant with Abraham, but the fulfilment of the covenant with the first human, Adam. God’s people are fulfilling the command which humanity has neglected.

She Saw that He was Good

And the links with God’s creation continue. In Exodus 2:2 we are told that the mother of Moses “saw that he was a fine child”; literally, “she saw that he was good”. It is the same language as in Genesis 1:31: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good”. Here in Egypt the world is being recreated.

And all might be well—”very good”—were it not for the fact that Pharaoh becomes a kind of anti-creator. Pharaoh tries to restrain this explosion of creative power. In place of life, he ordains death. The newborn boys—the fruit of this creative energy—are to be thrown into the Nile. In Genesis 1, humanity was told to subdue the earth. In Exodus 1, humanity in the person of Pharaoh is subduing… humanity.

And what happens? God’s liberator is placed in the Nile. He is placed in the place of death—and he lives. As we’ve noted, the name “Moses” sounds like the Hebrew words “to draw out”. Moses is drawn out of the waters of death, just as Israel will be in chapter 14.

The word basket in Exodus 2:3 is literally “ark” (tebha). The baby Moses is placed in an “ark”. The only other time this word is used in the Bible is to describe Noah’s ark. Both Noah and Moses escape a watery judgment in a bitumen-coated ark.

In the midst of the waters of judgment, the people of God are safe. Both Noah in Genesis 6 – 9, and Moses here, experience an act of re-creation, or resurrection. They enter the waters of death and pass through to a new life (1 Peter 3:20–22). We’ll return to this idea when we get to Exodus 14, but it is exciting to see it here!

Pharaoh as the Serpent’s Seed

Pharaoh is trying to impede this creative fruitfulness—and so he has set himself on a collision course with God. Both Pharaoh and God lay claim to Israel, though the nature of their respective rules is very different. One rule is oppressive and deadly; the other is liberating and life-giving. Pharaoh’s hostility is the latest manifestation of the ancient hostility which was written into history after the fall of Adam, when God told the snake, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers” (Genesis 3:15). Egypt will be the site of the latest battle between those who belong to the snake, and those who belong to the promise. Pharaoh will try to undo God’s re-creation—God will unleash the forces of creation on him. And as he does so, he will save his people. And the world will know that he is God.

The church continues to experience that enmity—and the story of the exodus stands as a reminder that, no matter how bitter the fight, there is only ever going to be one winner. The church will experience the battle—we will also experience God’s salvation and enjoy his liberating, life-giving rule.

Question for Reflection

How does knowing the end of the story—God’s victory and re-creation—enable you to live positively and excitedly as you experience the battle of the Christian life now?

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