Water in Exodus 1-15

In the early chapters of Exodus, there is this ongoing "water motif."

· Pharaoh orders the killing of all male Hebrew babies in the Nile (Exodus 1)

· Moses is placed in an ark and hidden in reeds in the Nile (Exodus 2)

· Hebrew form of “Moses” (Moshe) means “drawn out” (of the water)

· Water from the Nile will turn to blood as a sign (Exodus 4)

· Nile is turned to blood as one of the plagues (Exodus 7)

· Israelites are rescued through the sea (Exodus 14)

· Egyptians army is swallowed up by the sea (Exodus 14)

In ancient times, water is associated with chaos (see Genesis 1:2; Genesis 7). Ironically, every time water is linked with the Israelites, it is also linked with redemption (Moses saved in the Nile; name of Moses; Israelites rescued through the sea). When water is connected with the Egyptians, it becomes associated with death (Killing male babies in Nile; Nile to blood plague; Egyptian army drowned in the sea).

This becomes important pastorally: through chaos, God brings redemption to his people; in chaos, God's enemies are swallowed up.

Grace to you,

Matt