This covenantal LORD takes the initiative to save his people. Before the Mosaic law is given, the people are redeemed that they may worship the LORD (Ex 4:22-23). This observation is crucial, since too often it is assumed—even by Christians—that the Old Testament is a religion of works whereby the Israelites had to obey the law before God would save them. Not so! In the exodus we see the pattern of redemption, which we also find in the New Testament, that God intervenes to save his people in accord with his faithfulness to his covenant promises. God’s people in the Old Testament were saved by
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