For Scripture Sleuths Only! (By Request from Digging Deep)

The Digging Deep study in the previous month included a comparison of the baptism in the Red Sea (Exodus 10) and the baptism of a sinner today. This comparison is made by the Spirit in I Corinthians 10. Here’s a partial list of components of that comparison. The scenarios surrounding the journey through the Red Sea are in the opening chapters of Exodus. Scriptures about the New Testament counterpart are included below.

1. Both candidates of “baptism” had a former master (Romans 6:16-18). Pharaoh was a cruel, murderous liar. The devil, our former master, is a cruel (I Peter 5:8), murderous (Romans 6:23), liar (Rev. 12:9).
2. The Israelites  were committed to the new leadership of Moses to travel toward the promised land. We yield to the new leadership of Jesus Christ. These two leaders have many likenesses. Among them are these:
   1. They were both Hebrews (Exodus 2; Luke 2:4).
   2. They were both born under rule of cruel Kings (Pharaoh and Herod, Exodus 1,2; Matt. 2:1-13)
   3. Both were hidden in Egypt (Exodus 2; Matt. 2:1-15).
   4. Both were hiding from cruel kings who wanted to kill them (Exodus 2; Matt. 2:1-15).
   5. Both turned water to another substance (Exodus 4; John 2:1-12).
   6. Both fasted forty days (Ex. 34:28; Matt. 4:2).
   7. Both were mediators (Ex. 32:11-14; I Timothy 2:5).
   8. Both were lawgivers (Exodus 24:12; Romans 8:1,2).
   9. Both chose twelve men to send out (Numbers 13; Matt. 10:1-5).
   10. Both were/are leading to a promised land (Dt. 8:7,8; John 14:1-4; I Peter 1:3-9).
   11. Both were victims of attempted stoning by their own people (Exodus. 17:1-4; John 8:59).
   12. Both offered people water from a Rock (Exodus. 17:6; John 4:1-14; I Cor. 10:4).
   13. Both of their faces shone (Exodus 34:35, Matt 17:2).
   14. Both were shepherds (Exodus 3;John 10:10,11).
   15. Both have victory songs (Exodus 15; Rev. 15:2,3).
   16. Both had missions of redemption (Deut. 7:8; I Peter 1:18,19)
3. The escape through the Red Sea elicited a great rejoicing among the subjects as is evidenced in Exodus 15. Our baptism should and does elicit great joy (Acts 8: 39).
4. Both baptisms preceded the giving of a new law. The first was given from Mount Sinai in Exodus 20. Our new law was given from the mountain of Jerusalem (Luke 24:47).
5. Food was given after the passage through the Red Sea. It was manna and quail in the wilderness. Our new food is the bread of life (John 6:35).
6. People died at the Red Sea baptism (the Egyptians, rebelling against God). The man of sin (the rebellious man) dies in baptism today (Romans 6:5,6)
7. The Red Sea was the beginning of a trip to an inheritance in a promised land (Deut. 8:7,8). Our baptism is the beginning of our trek to our inherited promised land  (I Peter 1:1-5, Rev. 21:7).

If you love God and His Word, you have to love this list. If you are not involved in the Digging Deep study. you should still take time before you die to study this list. It will stop you in your spiritual tracks and make you more in awe of Him.