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Galatians – An Exodus Story
Galatians – An Exodus Story: Words often tell more when seen through a historical lens, even an unstated OT motif. I wonder if this is true in a book telling a familiar story reminiscent of Israel’s exodus, only for them to quickly turn away. That book is Galatians.
Paul writes that God raised Jesus from the dead (1:1). The emphasis is on God’s power. No greater times has that power been manifested than in the 10 plagues and exodus, and then Jesus’ resurrection.
Furthermore, Jesus rescued or delivered us from an evil age (1:4). Moses delivered Israel from their Egyptian evil.
The Galatians quickly turned from the God who called them by the grace of Christ to another gospel. The Israelites quickly turned away to the Golden Calf after listening to another “gospel.”
Going beyond the introduction we see another connection. Are we saved by the Law of Moses? Paul writes that the promise to Abraham is where salvation comes, and not through the Law (3). Could this be a subtle hint reminding the Galatians that Israel was rescued because of God’s covenant faithfulness and not because of the Law, the promise being before the Law came?
Whether there is this exodus motif here, Israel’s history is part of the Law’s schoolmaster leading us to Christ. Because of God’s power and Jesus’ grace, it is senseless to turn away.
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