A Second Exodus ?

Father God of the Bible speaks through the Prophet Isaiah these words – “I declare the end out of the beginning and from ancient times that which is not yet done . . .” He tells us in advance what is going to take place so that when it comes to pass we will see and recognize not only the event and the plan but the reality and sovereignty of the God from whence it came. God’s Word speaks of a ‘second exodus’ in the last days patterned after the first one ( Jer. 16, Jer 23). And if we are living in those ‘last days’ ( and we are ) and since God knows ‘our frame’ and our propensity to get into trouble, perhaps we should know and understand a little about these events – past and future – that we might learn and not make the same mistakes again ( 1 Cor 10:11). Let’s dig a little.
In Numbers 16:12 we see the unfolding scene between Moses and Korah and Korah’s associates. They are not just questioning the authority of Moses. They are questioning and rebelling against the very act and movement of their God that had brought them thus far, out of Egypt and onward toward the ‘Promised Land’. But they began to not only disregard the miracles and judgments they had witnessed first hand but literally refer to the land of Egypt from which they were delivered as the ‘land flowing with milk and honey’. Their rebellion was so obnoxious to God, He showed up on the scene personally and dealt with their sin immediately and decisively. The same pattern is laid out in Ezekiel’s prophecy concerning God’s people in the last days and what will be the outcome for those that obey in contrast to those that rebel.
Ezekiel 20 ( 1-29) explains how Father God looked upon their rebellion in the wilderness in the first exodus out of Egypt and verses 30-49 relate what will happen in the second exodus ‘out of the nations’ in the process of ‘going home’. It is an admonishment to be mindful not to make the same fatal mistakes outlined clearly in verses 1-29 that our forefathers made the first time around ( Number 16, and see 1 Cor. 10) Once again, God will make a personal appearance and deal with the disobedience and rebellion, according to Ezekiel. Malachi speaks of a time to come when God’s people must remember the Torah sent by His servant Moses ( which implies obedience) and allow the spirit of Elijah to begin the restoration of the relationship between the children ( us ) and the fathers ( Abraham, Isaac and Jacob ), for if this were not to take place, the land would be stricken with a curse.
Just as God, in the first exodus, delivered His people from Egypt ( Mitzrayim – bondage) and then dealt with their rebellion in the wilderness, so it will be in the last days – “As surely as I live, declares Sovereign Yahweh, I will rule over you with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath.
34 I will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered– with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath.
35 I will bring you into the desert of the nations and there, face to face, I will execute judgment upon you.
36 As I judged your fathers in the desert of the land of Egypt, so I will judge you, declares Sovereign Yahweh.
37 I will take note of you as you pass under my rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.
38 I will purge you of those who revolt and rebel against me. Although I will bring them out of the land where they are living, yet they will not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am YAHWEH.” Eze. 20:33-38

Shalom – J & R