L. Michael Morales - Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption

THE ESSENTIAL STUDIES IN BIBLICAL THEOLOGY is patterned after the highly esteemed series New Studies in Biblical Theology, edited by D. A. Carson. Like the NSBT, this series is devoted to unpacking the various strands of biblical theology. The field of biblical theology has grown exponentially in recent years, showing no sign of abating. At the heart of biblical theology is the unfolding nature of Gods plan of redemption as set forth in the Bible.

With an influx of so many books on biblical theology, why generate yet another series? A few reasons. The ESBT is dedicated to the fundamental or essential broad themes of the grand story line of the Bible. Stated succinctly, the goal of the ESBT series is to explore the central biblical-theological themes of the Bible. Several existing series on biblical theology are generally open-ended, whereas the ESBT will be limited to ten or so volumes. By restricting the entire series, the scope of the project is established from the beginning. The ESBT project functions as a whole in that each theme is intentional, and each volume does not stand solely on its own merits. The individual volumes interlock with one another and, taken together, form a complete and cohesive unit.

Another unique dimension of the series is a robust emphasis on biblical theology, spanning the entire sweep of the history of redemption. Each volume traces a particular theme throughout the Bible, from Genesis 13 to Revelation 2122, and is organically connected to the person of Christ and the church in the New Testament. To avoid a flat biblical theology, these projects are mindful of how the New Testament develops their topic in fresh or unexpected ways. For example, the New Testament sheds new light on the nature of the kingdom and messiah. Though these twin themes are rooted and explored in the Old Testament, both flow through the person of Christ in unique ways. Biblical theology should include how Old Testament themes are held in continuity and discontinuity with the New Testament.

The audience of the series includes beginning students of theology, church leaders, and laypeople. The ESBT is intended to be an accessible introduction to core biblical-theological themes of the Bible. This series is not designed to overturn every biblical-theological rock and investigate the finer details of biblical passages. Each volume is intentionally brief, serving as a primer of sorts that introduces the reader to a particular theme. These works also attempt to apply their respective biblical-theological themes to Christian living, ministry, and worldview. Good biblical theology warms the heart and motivates us to grow in our knowledge and adoration of the triune God.

MIDWAY UPON THE JOURNEY OF OUR LIFE I found myself in a dark wilderness, for I had wandered from the straight and true. Many years ago now, these famous opening lines of Dantes Inferno pierced my heart, resonating deeply with mejust as their author, with his use of our life, had intended. Although a son of the church since early childhood, slowly and subtly I had been drifting away, not necessarily into scandalous or public sin but nevertheless away from fellowship with God, from seeking his face and kingdomfrom the goal of Creation. As I continued reading through the whole of the Divine Comedy, the canticles led me through a sort of exodus, out of my complacency and back to God, back to the meaning of life. More on Dante in my introduction, but suffice it to say here that his poem, followed by my dissertation work under Gordon J. Wenham on Genesis and Exodus, opened for me the splendors of the exodus motif in Scripture, along with its profound implications for biblical theology. Being assigned the exodus theme for this series, therefore, has been a wonderful burden, a weight of joy. My hope and prayer is that this book may in some small way lead readers through their own sort of exodus, closer to God.

How does one possibly do justice to the exodus theme, especially so in keeping with the accessible, introductory nature of the ESBT series? One may, for example, trace allusions to the exodus from Genesis through Revelation, for the exodus as a literary motif may be discerned in narratives like the books of Ruth and Esther. Even in Psalms, the influence of the exodus is found well beyond any references to the historical exodus out of Egypt; rather, the recurring pattern of suffering and gloryof dying and rising, of being drawn out of the waters of Sheolfound in the psalms, is an exodus pattern. For this book, however, I have not traced such allusions, with the exception of the second chapter, on the life of Abraham. In that chapter I hope you will taste the deep significance of the exodus motif in the patriarchs life and perhaps in your own as well. My more modest approach in this volume has been to cover the three major exodus movements in Scripture: (1) the historical exodus out of Egypt, (2) the prophesied second exodus, and (3) the new exodus accomplished by Jesus Christ. In the first part, I cover major themes of the historical exodus like Gods signs and wonders, Passover, and the mediation of Moses, since in various ways these will feed into the second two parts.