Exo. 13:17
And it came to pass when Pharaoh had let the people go, that the Mighty One led them…
The book of Exodus, also called the book of Names, begins with the account of how the children of Jacob (renamed Israel) became slaves in the land of Egypt. Moses is introduced early on. The story of how YHWH used Moses to free the Israelite slaves is then told. This culminates with the first Passover.
Exodus 13:17 starts a new chapter. The journey of our ancestors through the desert begins.
Sukkot
Numbers 33:3-5 informs us that the first place the Israelites stopped on their journey was Sukkot. In the seven-day period between Exodus 13:17 and Exodus 13:20, YHWH led the people to where their ancestor Jacob had “built a house”. Gen. 33:17.
The week of Sukkot mirrors the week of unleavened bread. One begins on the fifteenth day of the first month and the other begins on the fifteenth of the seventh month—exactly half a year later. Lev. 23:6, 34. Both feasts recall the same event. Lev. 23:43; Exo. 13:3-8.
Yah’s Messenger
Exo. 13:21, 14:19
And YHWH went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way…
And the Messenger of the Mighty One, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud which went from before them, and stood behind them:
YHWH led the people through the wilderness through His Messenger. His Messenger was the One in the “pillar of cloud”. This can be easily seen by comparing these two passages.
This conclusion is later confirmed in Exodus 23:20-21. This Messenger is none other than the “Messenger of the Covenant” (Mal. 3:1) –that is the Messiah.
He can forgive sin because His Father’s name is in Him. Exo. 23:21. He spoke with Moses “face to face” instead of His Father. Exo. 33:11, 20, 23. He came to Moses on Mt. Saini and proclaimed the name of YHWH. Exo. 34:5-6.
He made a covenant with the people that He would completely expel the Land’s inhabitants if they did the same. Exo. 34:10-12; Jdg. 2:1-3. He was certainly the One who YHWH sent to do this. Exo. 33:2.
The Crossing
Exo. 14:22
And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
The miraculous parting of the Red Sea is both historical and symbolic. The sea represents all people on the planet. Jer. 51:13; Rev. 17:15. When humanity is separated, a path is made ready for the redeemed to walk on. On the right side is Christianity; on the left is Judaism. In the middle is the Way.
Those who are redeemed are purchased. Exo. 15:13, 16. YHWH purchases them with the life of His Messiah. Act. 20:28; Rev. 5:9; etc. He releases them from their slavery to sin. Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:14; etc. This redemption destroys Pharoah, a symbol of the serpent who deceived Eve.
As a result, the redeemed will sing:
“Yah has become my Yeshuah!” (Exo. 15:2)
“Your Right Hand, YHWH, is glorious in power!”
“You Right Hand, YHWH, will shatter the enemy!” (Exo. 15:6)
“YHWH’s Messiah will reign forever!” (Exo. 15:18)
He releases them from their slavery to sin. Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:14; etc.
Mar. 10:45
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ramson price”
1 Tim. 2:6
“Who gave Himself as a ramson for all”
1 Cor. 6:20/7:23
“You are bought with a price…”
1 Pe. 1:18-19
“For you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold…But with the precious blood of the Messiah…”
Tit. 2:14
“Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all that iniquity…”
1 Pe. 4:1-2
“So then, as the Messiah has suffered for us in the flesh…that we no longer should live the rest of our time in the flesh…but to the will of the Mighty One.”
This redemption destroys Pharaoh, a symbol of the serpent who deceived Eve.
The prophet Ezekiel describes Pharaoh as a sea serpent (29:4; 32:2).
Like Nebuchadnezzar, king of ancient Babylon, the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt were full of pride in their hearts.
They supposed that they became great rulers of the world by their own power and might.
In reality, YHWH allowed them to flourish for a time for His own purposes.
Similarly, the ultimate spiritual adversary of YHWH and His set-apart people is called the prideful one.
Job 26:12-13
“He stirs up the sea with His power; He cuts through Rahab. By His breath the heavens are garnished; His hand has pierced the crooked serpent.”
Isa. 51:9
“As in the days of old… Are You not the One who cut Rahab to pieces, that pierced the dragon?”
At the beginning, YHWH’s heavenly Messiah defeated Rahab (the prideful spirit), also called the dragon and the crooked serpent.
In the end, He will do so again.
Isa. 26:21-27:1
“YHWH comes out of His place to visit the inhabitants of the earth in their iniquity…in that day YHWH will punish Leviathan the crooked serpent; and He will slay the serpent that is in the sea.”
He spoke with Moses “face to face” instead of His Father. Exo. 33:11, 20, 23.
For further study into this, see:
https://wayoftruthbook.com/2023/03/19/outside-the-camp/