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GOOD NEWS FROM THE REDEEMER
January 27, 2001 RADIO MESSAGE #335
Christ in Exodus #49
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The present passage records the passage of Israel through the Red Sea. Paul the apostle speaks of this event as being typical of Christian baptism (1 Corinthians 10:1-11): "Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. ... Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come." Israel was "baptized into Moses" in a manner typical of the Christian being "baptized into Christ" (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27; 1 Corinthians 12:13).
I. Baptism into Moses corresponds to the spiritual aspect of baptism into Christ.
To be baptized into someone most certainly is not a physical act. Rather, it is to enter into a personal relationship with that person. Those who are "baptized into Christ" thereby become His disciples, which obligates them to acknowledge Him as the only Mediator between God and themselves (1 Timothy 2:5).
This was typified by those who were "baptized into Moses." They thereby became his disciples, which obligated them to acknowledge him as the only mediator between themselves and God in that day (Deuteronomy 5:5; Galatians 3:19).
II. Baptism into Moses corresponds to the physical aspect of baptism into Christ.
The spiritual act of being "baptized into Moses" is associated with a physical act: of being "baptized ... in the cloud and in the sea." These two elements were associated with the salvation of Israel, and the death and grave of their enemy. Israel was protected from their enemy by the cloud while they passed through the sea with Moses (Exodus 14:19f), and the sea then became the grave of their enemy (vv.21-31).
Likewise, the spiritual act of being "baptized into Christ" is associated with a physical act: of being "baptized in water" in obedience to the Christian ordinance of believer's baptism (Matthew 28:19). The waters of baptism are associated with the salvation of believers and the death of their enemy (Romans 6:3-14; Colossians 2:12). Believers through baptism acknowledge their union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, and that their former enemy, sin, is dead and buried.
III. Baptism into Moses corresponds to the sequential aspect of baptism into Christ.
First, baptism into Moses was the experience of none except those who had just been delivered from what is called the "house of bondage" (Exodus 13:3, 14). It is first in the list Paul cites, and was therefore an initiatory rite. Likewise, baptism into Christ is to be the experience of none except those who have been delivered from the "snare of the devil" (2 Timothy 2:26). It is the first act of obedience required of them, and is therefore an initiatory rite (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 41; 22:16).
Second, Israel's baptism into Moses was immediately followed by their eating "spiritual food" and drinking "spiritual drink" – of Christ the Rock. Likewise, the believer's baptism into Christ is to be followed by his partaking of the Lord's Supper, in which he feasts on "spiritual food" and "spiritual drink" – of Christ the Rock (Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25).
IV. Baptism into Moses corresponds to the moral aspect of baptism into Christ.
This aspect is Paul's main emphasis (1 Corinthians 10:5-13). The moral to be here learned is that many of those who were baptized unto Moses nevertheless later succumbed to temptations of idolatry, sexual immorality, and murmuring, and consequently met with disastrous ends.
"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."