The LORD: The revelation of the knowledge of the LORD is one of the central themes of this section. On the one hand, the LORD revealed Himself as powerful with the plagues of Egypt in response to Pharaoh’s question “Who is the LORD?” (5:2).[1] On the other hand, He revealed Himself as the faithful God who keeps His covenant through His mighty deliverance of His people.[2] The LORD did all this that all the peoples—Pharaoh, the Egyptians, the Israelites, and the nations—might know who He is.[3] The LORD is the faithful covenant keeper who fulfills His oath to Abraham[4] “with an outstretched arm” (6:6).

The Seed: Even though Exodus does not employ the language of the seed (or “descendants”), this book continues to develop the anticipation of the Savior, by showing who He is by way of types. This is first seen in the Passover Lamb, the symbol of the ultimate substitute for sinners through whose atoning sacrifice they will be reconciled to God (John 1:29; 1 Cor. 5:7). This is also seen in Moses, a seed of Abraham, a Levite (2:1-2), who foreshadowed Christ. God sent him to deliver Israel (3:10-15), yet he is a sinner in need of the Savior himself.[5] Lastly, Israel who is called God’s son, His firstborn (4:22); it is also a type of Christ,[6] a seed of Abraham, yet not the Savior, for it is itself in need of the sacrificial Lamb (12:5-6, 12-13). Moses indeed wrote of Christ (John 5:46).

[1] The plagues were meant to reveal the knowledge of the LORD: 8:10, 22; 9:14, 16, 27, 29; 10:1.

[2] The main passage where this is stated is 6:2-8. Cf. also 2:24; 3:6-10, 14-17. Cf. also Deut. 7:7-9.

[3] This is seen both in Exodus and beyond: Israelites (6:7; cf. also 1 Sam. 2:27), Egyptians (7:5; 10:2; cf. also 14:4, 18), Pharaoh (7:17; 8:10, 22; 9:14, 29), and the nations (9:16; cf. also Josh. 2:9-11; 9:9; 1 Sam. 4:8).

[4] Cf. Gen. 15:13-16; cf. also Deut. 7:9; Neh. 9:32; Dan. 9:4.

[5] Cf. 2:11-12; 4:10-14, 24-26; 5:22-23; cf. also Num. 10:12; 27:14; Deut. 32:51. The Messiah is a prophet like Moses (Deut. 18:15; Acts 3:22-26). Moses is a type of Christ (Heb. 3:1-6), who is anticipated at the end of the Pentateuch (Deut. 34:10).

[6] Cf. Isaiah 49:1, 3, 6; Hosea 11:1. Cf. also regarding David as a type, Jere. 30:9; Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24-25.