#196 — Slavery, Exile, and Wicked Kings (Exodus 1:1-11)
Sep 7, 2023
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Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss Exodus 1:1-11 and explore themes of multiplication, wicked kings, and exile throughout scripture. They delve into biblical theology, tracing these themes in familiar stories and emphasizing hope in the face of persecution.
The theme of multiplication, obstructed by persecution, echoes throughout the biblical story, showing the enduring hope of God's people in His deliverance.
Persecution against God's people ultimately results in God's judgment on the oppressors, as seen in the failed attempts of Pharaoh and the church's ultimate triumph over the serpent king in Revelation.
Deep dives
The Unfolding Story of Exodus
The podcast episode begins by introducing the book of Exodus and its themes of wicked kings, slavery, and exile. It highlights the notion of fruitful multiplication as a theme that originates from the Genesis creation narrative and is now being obstructed by the new Pharaoh's persecution of the Israelites. It is noted that throughout the biblical story, this theme echoes in various forms, such as the unjust kings in David's time, the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, and even Herod's opposition to Jesus. The concept of exile is explored as a shared human experience since the fall and resonates with popular stories like Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker. The episode emphasizes that despite persecution and exile, God's people endure and find hope in His deliverance.
Ineffectual Persecution and Divine Triumph
The discussion delves into the theme of persecution and how God turns the intentions of wicked rulers and spiritual forces of evil against them. It references the response of Gamaliel in Acts, cautioning that opposing God's people may result in opposition to God Himself. The narrative of Pharaoh's failed attempts to crush the Israelites in Exodus serves as an example of persecution that not only fails but leads to God's judgment on the oppressor. This theme is echoed in the book of Revelation, where the church endures temporary crushing but ultimately triumphs as the serpent king is overthrown. It concludes by affirming that believers can find encouragement in the Exodus story, recognizing that God has delivered His people before and will continue to fulfill His plans.
Themes of Wicked Kings, Slavery, and Exile
The episode highlights the recurring themes of wicked kings, slavery, and exile present throughout the Bible. It discusses how the Pharaoh in Exodus sought to oppress and suppress the growth of the Israelites, mirroring the serpent's opposition to God's people in Genesis. The serpent king motif is traced through various books of the Bible and even popular stories like Harry Potter and Luke Skywalker. The concept of exile, where humanity is separated from God's presence, is explored, referencing Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden, Israel's exile to Babylon, and the church's spiritual exile in the present age. The discussion offers hope that God will deliver His people and end their exile.
The Tension and Hope of Exile
The episode delves into the tension and hope surrounding the theme of exile. It mentions how humanity is soaked with a sense of exile since the fall, and how the experience of not being in God's presence is a universal human experience. The story of Israel's exile in Egypt serves as a parallel to the church's current struggle of enduring persecution and temptation to align with the serpent king's agenda. However, the Exodus narrative offers hope, reminding listeners that just as God liberated the Israelites from Egypt, He will also free believers from the oppression of sin and end their exile, enabling them to live in His presence forever.
Jen Wilkin, JT English, and Kyle Worley discuss Exodus 1:1-11 and trace the themes of multiplication, wicked kings, and exile throughout scripture.
Questions Covered in This Episode:
What is biblical theology?
What is an overview of the book of Exodus?
Where did the idea of multiplication come from?
How do we see the theme of the wicked kings and serpents throughout scripture?
How do we see Exile reverberate as a theme beyond Exodus?
How do these themes show up in other familiar stories?
How do we see the theme of ineffectual persecution in scripture?
What is the story of Exodus trying to give us hope in?
Helpful Definitions:
Systematic Theology: Studying doctrine found in scripture.
Biblical Theology: Studying themes found throughout scripture.
Ineffectual Persecution: Where the forces of evil intend to crush the people of God but instead the forces of evil end up being crushed by the living God.
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