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but had to be powerfully released. The but substituted them for a priestly tribe
chains had to be snapped, which is why (Num 3:45). Redemption led to a pur-
the Exodus narrative emphasises the chased priesthood. Similarly, we have
sublime power of God in deliverance. been redeemed and constituted priests,
It was by “strength of hand” that the a peculiar people, to “shew forth the
Lord released them (Exo 13:3,14,16). This praises of him who hath called [us] out
mighty deliverance is variously described of darkness into his marvellous light”
as executing judgment against all the (1Pe 2:9).
gods of Egypt, smiting the land of Egypt
and spoiling the Egyptians (12:12,13,36). Metallurgical
This earth-shattering deliverance cli- Silver is the currency of redemption
maxes at the Red Sea, when “the LORD (Exo 30:11-16; 38:25; Lev 5:15), and Israel
overthrew the Egyptians … and all the had an opportunity to buy their sons
host of Pharaoh …; there remained not back – “all the firstborn of man among
… one of them” (14:27-30). The power of thy children shalt thou redeem” (Exo
redemption is breathtaking; the world of 13:13). This climaxes again in Numbers
Egypt was decimated, their gods were where Israel had to pay 1365 shekels as
shattered, its tyrant was crushed, and its redemption money for their sons (Num
slaves walked out. All this finds fulfil- 3:49-51). They had to learn experientially
ment in the resurrection of Christ, when the true value of their own deliverance.
He routed demonic armies, decapitated The redemption money (likely silver) was
Satan’s tyranny and liberated sinners. according to the shekel of the sanctuary.

Doxological This one-off payment (vv40-51) and the
ongoing payment as sons were born (Exo
Redemption leads every saint to wor- 30:12,16) were banked into the Levitical
ship. “Sing unto the LORD, for he hath system and show that the house of God
triumphed gloriously: the horse and his was built upon and maintained by silver.
rider hath he thrown into the sea …. The silver sockets and bars reminded
Thou in thy mercy … hast redeemed Israel of redemption. Similarly, the
[us]” (15:1,13). forgiveness of sins is written large into
the fabric of the local assembly, since God
Practical has “purchased [it] with his own blood”

Redemption does not stop with salva- (Act 20:28). Each member is blood-
tion. Israel was under new ownership bought and should be treated as such.
after Egypt (13:2,13; 22:29; 34:20). This Silver affected the religious life of
is a shadow of the Christian’s position Israel and also its day-to-day life. Silver
in the dispensation of grace; we were trumpets, the voice of the Lord to a
once slaves to sin but are now slaves to redeemed people, sounded to direct their
the Lord – this is true freedom. We have movements, warn them of danger and
been bought with a price; “therefore glo- stimulate their praise (Num 10:1-10). It
rify God in your body, and in your spirit, directed and ordered their entire lives. In
which are God’s” (1Co 6:20). an era full of empty noise, may we follow
The Lord owned all of Israel’s 22,273 the clarion call of God’s Word through
firstborn sons (Exo 13:13,15; Num 3:43) this wilderness.
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