Behold Your King Advent - Week 1: Day 4
Hymn
Scripture Reading
Exodus 13:1-16
Narrative Reading
Luke 2:21-38
Devotional Reading
At the time of God’s judgment of Pharaoh, during the captivity of the Israelites in Egypt, the angel of death "passed over" the firstborns God’s covenant family. The only requirement for the Israelites to be spared from God’s wrath, was that they placed blood on the doorpost of their homes. Later, when God would give His law to Moses, he instructed his people to dedicate their firstborns to the Lord. When Jesus was yet an infant, in fulfillment of Moses’ law, his parents brought him to the temple to be dedicated.
This pointed to the redemption of the Israelites from their captivity. The ultimate realization of this law would be found in Jesus’ future and final redemption of His people. Not by way of animal blood being splattered on the doorposts, but by His own blood on a cross.
Questions
When the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, who was it that freed them from their bondage to Pharaoh?
How is Jesus’ birth, life and death the ultimate fulfillment of the Israelites exodus?
Why was it important for Jesus to follow the laws of God, even needing to be dedicated in the temple?