Exodus provides us a glimpse into the very nature of our Messiah, Jesus Christ. In “Finding Jesus in Exodus,” we see Jesus in a burning bush, as the Great I Am, and as a promise-keeping God. But these aren’t the only images we discover in the ancient pages of the second book of the Bible; we also see Jesus in the “Exodus” of the Israelites from Egypt and in the “manna” that God provided during their wanderings.

Read Exodus 14:5-31

THE EXODUS AS A TYPE OF CHRIST

The Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt is truly a miracle. God rescued His chosen people from the yoke of Egyptian slavery, redeemed them to himself, and brought them out of Egypt into the promised land (Exodus 6:6-8). Through Jesus, we have also been rescued and saved from the wilderness of our sin and brought to the promised land of eternal life.

Rescued

We are RESCUED from the yoke of our slavery to sin. When sin is our master, we are unable to resist it. “Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin” (John 8:34). Because of what Jesus did, sin is no longer our master (Romans 6:22). The Holy Spirit empowers us to resist sin and not give in to its temptation. “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

Saved

We are SAVED from the penalty of our sin, which is death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Jesus Christ paid the price for our freedom with His life. “He redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— (Galatians 3:13)

Brought

We were BROUGHT to the promised land. The promised land is both a present and a future place. We don’t have to wait for Heaven to receive spiritual blessings. Every spiritual blessing is available to us NOW (Ephesians 1).

The promised land is now because God is with us, and Holy Spirit lives inside of us. “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1st Corinthians 3:16 “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit” Ephesians 5:18. Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome sin NOW and walk in the freedom Jesus gives us.

The promised land is in the future because we know God promises us eternal life with Him. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2-3) Our home will be Heaven on the new earth. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them” (Revelation 21:3).

Read Exodus 16:2-5 & John 6

MANNA AS A TYPE OF CHRIST

Not too long after Israel’s deliverance, while wandering around in the desert, the Israelites began grumbling. They questioned their freedom. They had a short-term memory of what God had just done for them. In response to their complaining, God tells Moses that He will rain down manna from Heaven. He gives them just enough manna for each day so that they will realize their need for Him, not only physically but spiritually (Exodus 16:4-5) (Deuteronomy 8:3). God was faithful. He gave them this bread from Heaven every day for 40 years.

What is it?

The first time the Hebrews saw the “manna,” they asked, “What is it?” for they did not know what it was (Exodus 16:15). The people of Israel called this bread from heaven “manna,” which in Hebrew means “What is it?”

Jesus answered this question in John 6:33. He explained that He is the “manna,” the bread from Heaven.

Similarities Between Manna and Jesus

Jesus said that He is the bread of life (John 6:35). There are many similarities between Jesus and manna; here, we will explore some.

Both manna and Jesus came down from Heaven (Exodus 16:4 and John 6:38) and were both a supernatural gift from God (Exodus 16:4 and John 6:38).

Belief is required to receive the manna and Jesus. Some Israelites did not believe God about the manna. Moses instructed them only to collect the manna they needed for the day. However, they did not listen and gathered all they could. The extra manna spoiled. (Exodus 16:20, 27). Jesus reveals himself to many, but many do not believe (John 6:36).

Jesus is the Better Manna

Manna gave life to the Israelites, but Jesus gave life to the world.

Manna nourished the Israelites, and they still died. But whoever is sustained by Jesus lives forever.

Manna saved the Israelites from hunger, but Jesus saves us from our sin.

The Israelites were perishing because of the lack of food; they complained, and God supplied the manna. The world was dying for lack of spiritual nourishment; it grumbled, and God provided His Son.

Like the Israelites, we are wandering around in the wilderness of life, searching for spiritual food to fill us. Jesus, the bread of life, rescued and saved us from that wilderness and brought us to the promised land where He offers Himself as our spiritual nourishment, that if we partake of Him, we will never again be hungry.