"Exodus Old and New" (Louis Michael Morales)

TITLE: Exodus Old and New: A Biblical Theology of Redemption (Essential Studies in Biblical Theology)
AUTHOR: Louis Michael Morales
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2020, (224 pages).

There are many precious lessons and truths we can learn from the Bible. With the rich narratives, histories, poetry, prophecies, symbolism, images, and so on, there are many timeless biblical principles that we can apply to our daily lives. One of the key themes of the Christian life is the journey motif. Related to this is something relatively less talked about: The Exodus motif. Based on his dissertation work under Gordon J. Wenham on Genesis and Exodus, author Michael Morales takes the familiar Old Testament journey narrative and focuses on the exit from darkness to light in three situations. The first is the historical exodus of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. This is often the default popular understanding of the exodus. When we refer to the "exodus" in the Bible, almost always we would think of the Bible book "Exodus." This is the "old exodus." Morales believes that the exodus motif has more significance rather than a historical retelling of the story of Israel escaping the clutches of Pharaoh. In fact, he discovers that the exodus motif can be found in several other Bible books like Matthew, Romans, and Revelation. He widens it to include the "second exodus," which is essentially the prophesied second exodus accomplished in Jesus as he leads people from hell to life, even as He emerges from death to life in his resurrection. This can also be understood as the exodus from death to life. Third, there is the "new exodus" where Jesus rises from earth to glory as described in the gospel of John. This three exodus movements parallel the threefold structure of Dante Alighieri's poem:

1. Inferno - Israel's exodus from Egypt (Historical Exodus)
2. Purgatorio - Sanctification and Perseverance (Jesus' resurrection from the dead)
3. Paradiso - entering the promise land (Jesus entering heaven in glory)

Morales expands the exodus motif from the historical to the eschatological, and highlights some existential applications for us. Along with this main motif, readers get to see the other biblical themes coming into play, like redemption, salvation, sanctification, perseverance, glorification, and so on. Part One of the book deals with the historical exodus out of Egypt. Going all the way back to Genesis, Morales notes that there has been several other cases of exodus: Abraham from Egypt; Lot from Sodom; Hagar from the household of Jacob; and so on. The general plot applies: Slavery; Freedom; Redemption; and Worship of God. 

Then there is the metaphorical element with Egypt as "Sheol," the Red Sea as the waters of death; earthly enemies as representation of evil; the Passover and how it relates directly to the Lamb of God. Readers will find it a fascinating journey going back and forth between the past and the future. Part Two of the book looks like a regurgitation of the same exodus motif. Israel goes into exile once again and the prophecy made that the time will come when Israel will return back in freedom. This "second exodus" might be different in terms of the time and context, but the Saviour and covenant keeper remains the same: God is faithful throughout it all. Morales calls this "second exodus" as "greater than the first" because the work is no longer simply external liberation of the bodies, but a deeper change in the hearts of the people. He goes on to expand on this greater than the first logic with a listing of the "five elements of the prophesied second exodus." 

1. Glory of the LORD's Name
2. A New David
3. A Preparation for the Advent of the Messiah
4. Outpouring of the Spirit
5. Resurrection

The highlight of the second exodus is the promised Servant King. Finally, the third exodus, or the "new exodus" focuses on the Person of Jesus Christ. More specifically, the new exodus is anchored on the resurrection of Christ and the ushering of the new age of the Kingdom of God. In Christ, we see the fulfillment of the covenants in both the Old and the New Testament. 

My Thoughts

I like to offer three thoughts about this book. First, the author offers the exodus motif to expound on many other areas of theology. He integrates biblical theology using a single exodus motif, and creatively draws in other major biblical themes. In doing so, readers will appreciate the challenge of going beyond merely one biblical book of Exodus or just one episode of Israel escaping the tentacles of Pharaoh. Not many people would have thought that the exodus motif could stretch from Genesis to Revelation. Morales did and he did it with fascinating scholarship and persuasive arguments. Sometimes I wonder if it is too much of a stretch. At times, it does feel that way especially when the author moves more into the metaphorical domain. 

Second, I notice that the bulk of the work is still based on the historical first exodus. Using the dedicated chapters as a guide, Morales devotes seven chapters on the first exodus, four chapters on the second exodus, and three chapters on the new exodus. I suppose there is more resources and work done on understanding the historical exodus. Of course, if we were to combine Parts Two and Three together and call it the "New Exodus,"  that would balance out evenly the treatment of the Old and the New Exodus. Having said that, I enjoy Part One more as Morales gives new insights into the exodus narrative. Perhaps, the author could have expanded on Dante Alighieri's poem, especially in the later part of the book.

Finally, I find the arguments rather repetitive. This is probably the weakness of just having a single motif to tie in everything else. 

In summary, I think the author has honoured the objectives of the "New Studies in Biblical Theology." He has used the exodus motif as his central biblical theological theme. He covers the breadth of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. He sheds light on the person of Christ and most importantly, gives us a fresh appreciation of Jesus and the significance of the resurrection.

L. Michael Morales is professor of biblical studies at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Taylors, South Carolina. Previously he was provost and professor of Old Testament at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Florida. He is the author of The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.