Have you heard about the Second Exodus? The what? Well, there is a first Exodus that is chronicled in the book of Exodus where the people of Israel had been living in bondage and slavery to the Egyptians for the last 400+ years (cf. Genesis 15:13-14). Then, when it was just too much the Israelites cried out to God and he heard their cry. In response he sent Moses to them to deliver them from Egypt, the land of slavery. Deuteronomy 5:6 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.Through their slavery, God is working in his people. He chooses Moses to lead his people out of slavery (God Chooses a Leader) (Exodus 3:11).
Before we look at the actual Second Exodus, it's important to know what God will do to rescue His people! For time and space I will just highlight some things. In all of God's dealings with Israel and Judah, and especially regarding the Second Exodus, we see His perfect application of justice and mercy. The Second Exodus would be so incredible and miraculous, the first Exodus would be pale by comparison.
First this would be a time referred to as "Jacob's trouble" (Jeremiah 30:5-8). It would also be a time when God would use mighty miracles to gather his people. God would bring physical healing. Isaiah 35:5-6 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert.
And God will bring spiritual healing and open their minds to peace and the truth. Jeremiah 33:6 'Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.
They would be overwhelmed with emotion and be eager to return to God. Isaiah 35:10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away. See also (Jeremiah 33:11)
The dead of Israel, would Exodus, from the grip of the grave. Daniel 12:1-3 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
Concerning the remnant of Israel God says, Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:18)
The Bible also describes a large highway for Israel's return (Isaiah 11:16 35:8-10; 43:19). Whatever obstacles are in the way, God will miraculously remove them. Isaiah 40:3-5 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the LORD; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted And every mountain and hill brought low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough places smooth.
Israel would again grow from a small handful to an innumerable multitude (Hosea 1:10). "Yet the number of the children of Israel Shall be as the sand of the sea, Which cannot be measured or numbered. And it shall come to pass In the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There it shall be said to them, 'You are sons of the living God.
The Greatest Miracle of the Second Exodus. God would bring salvation to his people Israel. Jeremiah 33:8 'I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me.
God says He would put My Spirit (His Holy Spirit) within them and cause them to walk in his statutes, and keep his judgments. (Ezekiel 36:27) "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Individuals would begin receiving God's Spirit. And unlike their ancestors, Moses, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David etc. They would have the heart and desire to obey God. (Ezekiel 11:19-20) "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,
God says He will send shepherds to this remnant, to feed them and take care of them. Isaiah 40:10-11 Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young. See also (Ezekiel 34:1:15)
There are also several passages in Isaiah that foretell of the coming deliverance. Isaiah 59:20 "The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD.
So we see the events of the second exodus was much greater than the first exodus when God brought the Nation of Israel out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. I will be going into how God accomplished these great things one by one at the end of our study. Stay tuned in.
