Christ Guarded and Guided Israel

3/12 Reading Portions: Exodus 23; John 2; Job 41; 2 Corinthians 11

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3/12 Reading Portions: Exodus 23; John 2; Job 41; 2 Corinthians 11

Exodus 23:20

“Behold, I send an Angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.”

SENT

We recognize that this Angel YHVH God sent to Israel to go before them, to guard them, and to bring them into the Promised Land, foreshadowed the saving work of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus was the righteous Man who kept the law in sinless perfection (Angel before you). Jesus Christ’s perfect and pleasing sacrifice secured redemption for any sinner who, by faith, trusted Him and His atoning gift for their salvation (guard you on the way). Moreover, once He has saved us, because the corruption which remain in our mortal flesh will provoke us unto sinful actions and attitudes, the Lord Jesus, by His precious shed blood, provides for us forgiveness of sins each time we have fallen short of His glory (bring you to the place that I have prepared). And if our verse today is not enough to present this prophetic picture, the LORD God says in the verse immediately following,

“Pay careful attention to Him and obey His voice; do not rebel against Him, for He will not pardon your transgression, for My name is in Him.” Exodus 23:21, emphasis added

Only God almighty has the power to pardon sins and transgressions. Before Jesus healed the paralytic in Mark’s second chapter, He said,

“Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5

The scribes sitting nearby were outraged. They questioned in their hearts,

“Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Mark 2:7

In that one sentence they were correct; however, they did not realize that the Lord Jesus Christ was both fully Man and fully God— two distinct natures in one person. Now, as the Lord Jesus Christ has ascended into heaven and is seated upon His throne, He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us and bring us to our heavenly home, a place Jesus has been preparing for us, which we will inhabit when He returns in that Day (John 14:2-3). Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Israel, God’s people,
Foreshadow truths of Christ,
Our Savior, who has bled and died
To purchase sinners’ lives.