When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. ~ Hosea 11.1
Shortly after penning his version of the birth of the Christ child, biographer Matthew reaches deep into Israel’s history to draw a fascinating parallel between Moses and Jesus. Using a quotation from the Old Testament prophet Hosea, referring to God’s calling the nation of Israel out of Egypt, Matthew applies it to Jesus.
Matthew views the history of Israel (as God’s chosen people) as foreshadowing the life of Jesus (as the Son of God). In the same way the infant nation of Israel was rescued by Moses out of Egypt, so are we rescued by Jesus out of our “Egypts.”
The theme of Jesus as our Rescuer is one we see repeatedly in Scripture. The Apostle Paul, as he begins the letter to the Galatians, writes, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age…” (Galatians 1.3-4). As great a rescuer as Moses was—and he was great—Jesus is infinitely greater.
A sober assessment of all that Jesus has rescued us from (the power of sin, “the present evil age,” an eternity in hell, our sins), should lead us to praise and worship our great Rescuer. As you spend time in the Chair today, use the song “No Longer Slaves” by Jonathan and Melissa Helser to prompt your heart and mind to praise our great Rescuer.
