Rethinking Moses’ Deliverance of Israel
For the past couple of days, I’ve been thinking a lot about the story of Moses delivering God’s people from Egypt. I’ve been meditating on how we often use it as a metaphor for unbelieving people being delivered from the slavery of sin and brought into freedom in God through Jesus Christ.
I believe this is right.
However, what I think is less often talked about is how this same story can also be seen as the deliverance of born-again believers from the slavery and domination of their self-life and the spirit of religion—being delivered to worship Jesus in spirit and in truth.
With this latter context in mind, a particular scripture in the Moses story has been reverberating in my heart and mind.
It’s the sign that God gives to Moses to confirm that He (God) will be with him and that Moses is truly being sent by God Himself:
“And God said, ‘I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.’”
— Exodus 3:12
There’s a lot that could be said here, but what I want to zoom in on is that last phrase: “you will worship God on this mountain.”
Meaning of Words
There are words that, when we hear them, automatically bring up images and feelings in our minds. Over time, these images and feelings tend to become the meaning of the word for us—which may or may not be accurate. Love is a great example of this. In this case, I want to look at worship.
There’s a rule in Bible study called the “Law of First Mention,” which says to pay attention to the first time a word or concept is mentioned in Scripture because it often reveals the intended nature or meaning of that word or concept. Strictly speaking, Exodus 3:12 is not the first mention of worship—that goes to Abraham in Genesis 22:5. However, this is the first time that God Himself uses the word.
Because God is the Creator of all things, perfect in His understanding, and is Truth Himself, we want to know: What does God have in mind when He uses the word “worship”?
Then, we can use that as our definition, rather than relying on our own ideas, denominational traditions, or assumptions.
Let’s look at what God says at the mountain to get an idea of what He means when He says, “worship Me,” so that we, as His followers, can ensure we are truly worshiping God as He defines it.
Worship Music
Let me say this upfront: much of our idea of worship today is dominated by the concept of singing and music—worship services, worship concerts, worship leaders, worship teams, worship music, etc. These indeed can be a part of God’s idea of worship, but they are not the heart of worship itself from God’s perspective.
Yes, for those Bible scholars reading this: there was singing, instruments, and dancing after the Exodus by Miriam and others (Exodus 15)—and I agree!
However, this occurred by the sea, not on the mountain (Exodus 19).
At the mountain, there was absolutely no music or singing—and it’s at the mountain where God Himself defines what worship essentially is.
Elements of Worship
God’s idea of worship is summed up in His statement to Moses from the mountain in Exodus 19:3–6:
Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said,
“This is what you are to tell the house of Jacob and explain to the sons of Israel:
‘You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.
Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.
And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’
These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”
These elements are not exhaustive—and probably each one could be its own article—but let’s highlight five elements of worship from God’s perspective:
1. Recollection of His Mighty Salvation
“You have seen for yourselves what I did to Egypt.”
God expected the Israelites to recall, think on, and meditate on the reality of the great salvation He achieved on their behalf against their enemy.
Recollection is the beginning of worship.
Similarly, we are to forever actively remember the great salvation God has won for us in Christ—through the Cross—against our enemies: sin, the world, the devil, principalities and powers, our flesh, the spirit of religion, and death itself.
Even as the victory over Egypt was total, final, and comprehensive, so too is our victory in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
2. Entering into Living Relationship
“And how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.”
God sovereignly moved in power to bring Israel into a relationship with Himself as a Living Person—not just into ideas, concepts, or beliefs.
God’s deep desire is relationship with Him as a Person—not merely adherence to a philosophy or set of principles.
While principles are part of our walk, they are just means to an end.
The end is loving fellowship with our Creator and Father.
When we lean into the reality that we are not saved unto ideas but saved to receive His love and to love Him back, we have begun the journey of true worship.
3. Obedience Based on Recollection and Loving Relationship
“Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant.”
Up to this point, God is the one who has done everything—the rescuing and the drawing to Himself.
Now, it was time for Israel’s response: obedience based on what they recalled and whom they were called to.
It’s the same for us today:
Based on what Jesus has done, and because we are now children of God in His household, we too are called to obey His voice—through the Scriptures, the Spirit, and our church community—and keep His covenant.
For Israel, keeping covenant meant obeying the law.
For us, keeping covenant means trusting in Jesus and His finished work.
As we trust in that work, we also trust in Jesus’ power through His Spirit in us to cause us to obey. We obey through faith.
There is no worship apart from obedience.
4. Living as a Separated / Holy Community
“You will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.”
Here, we see another element of worship:
A people who are distinct in their nature, values, priorities, and character from all other peoples—and who live with the reality that they are owned by Someone.
They do not choose their own way; they live for the sake, pleasure, and purpose of Another.
They are utterly given over to their Owner—God.
They live as those bought with a price and as vessels in God’s house, to be used when, where, and how He wishes.
This is how Jesus lived—and how He will cause us to live by the power of His Spirit if we desire it.
This is the essence of worship.
5. Vocation as Priests and Kings
“And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
Israel’s worship was designed to form them into a nation of kings and priests unto God.
Priests represent God to people, giving a revelation of who God is, and represent people to God, bringing their needs, sins, and concerns before Him in prayer.
Kings are concerned with the flourishing, protection, and expansion of their territory—the territory of their life, family, and occupations.
Not every Israelite was to sit on a literal throne or hold literal territory.
However, each had the responsibility to steward the area God entrusted to them, making sure the values and wisdom of God were its foundation.
This too is our call today as Christ-followers:
To intentionally live out and promote the values of the Kingdom in every area of life God has given us.
These five areas form the core of what God means when He says, “Worship Me.”
Let’s look at these elements, thank God for where we see ourselves growing, and also humbly ask Him for grace and strength where we see we are not yet in full alignment with His definition.
God is gracious and full of compassion and remembers that our frame is made of dust. Let’s go to Him today and say:
“Teach me to worship You.”
