A great victory

The first cricket test against England finished recently after just two days of play! England batted first and scored 172 runs, which seemed too low. But then Australia only scored 132 runs, giving England a lead of 40 runs on the first innings. In the second innings, England was 1 for 65 (105 runs ahead, with 9 wickets in hand). They would have been feeling confident of winning the game. But then the Australian bowlers took 5 wickets for 23 runs and England scored only 164 in the second innings. This meant that Australia needed to score 205 runs to win, which was higher than all the previous innings. So the English would have still been confident of winning, especially after their fast bowlers had terrorised the Australian batters in the first innings and Khawaja (the Australian opening batter) was injured. So the barmy army of English supporters was in full swing while things were going England’s way. What happened next? Australia was rescued by Travis Head who hit 123 runs off 83 balls! It was an amazing effort. He was a hero and won the game for Australia. And the barmy army were silent.

This reminds me of great rescues and victories in the Bible. We will see that the exodus was God’s first great rescue and victory and it set a pattern for the second great rescue and victory by Jesus.

The rescue and victory

God sent Moses to Pharaoh to bring the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Pharaoh let the Israelites go after God sent a series of ten miraculous judgments (plagues) on Egypt.
They escaped the Egyptian army in the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. This was a great victory.

The Israelites were reminded of this rescue and victory many times in the Old Testament (Josh. 24:17; Jud. 6:8-9; 1 Sam. 10:18). Over 600 years later God told the Jews, “I brought you up out of Egypt” (Amos. 2:10NIV). And they still celebrate it at the annual Passover Festival.

Paul used the idea of being rescued (or freed) from slavery to sin and selfishness when he described the good news about Jesus. Jesus liberated people from sin because He paid the penalty that they deserved when He died and rose again (Rom. 6:16-23). This was also a great victory.

The Bible says that we are either a slave of sin or a slave of God. We serve either sin or God. Being a slave of sin results in separation from God. Christians had been slaves of sin, but they became slaves of God. Now they serve a new master.

Who do you serve, sin and yourself or God?

The rescuer and victor

Moses was one of Israel’s greatest national heroes. He led them out of slavery in Egypt and received their law at Mt Sinai.

The writer of Hebrews claimed that Jesus is greater than Moses (Heb. 3:1-6). Jesus liberated believers from sin. Jesus fulfilled the pattern prophecies of the tabernacle. Moses was a servant of God, whereas Jesus is the divine Son of God.

Jesus was an apostle (sent by God like an ambassador) and a high priest (our representative before God). So, He was like both Moses and Aaron in the Old Testament. He was also a sacrifice. In this way, Jesus removed the barrier between God and us.

Travis Head was a hero recently. Moses was a hero in the exodus. Jesus Christ was a hero when He died and rose again so that our sins can be forgiven. Are your sins forgiven?

Both Moses and Jesus were faithful to the tasks that God the Father gave them. They both fulfilled the purpose God gave them. What about us? Are we trustworthy and reliable in our service? God expects us to do what we can with what we have.

The rescued and victorious

The Israelites who were rescued from slavery grumbled and rebelled against Moses. That’s amazing, you would think that they would always be grateful for what God had done.

Did you know that Israel went through many tests (of their obedience) on their exodus from Egypt? Some of these involved, thirst, hunger, 40-day endurance, and exploring Canaan. At Mount Sinai they made a golden calf to worship. Later Miriam and Aaron opposed Moses. And after the spies explored Canaan, the people rebelled and refused to enter Canaan. Because of this they died in the wilderness over the next 38 years.

The New Testament says that these people were examples and warnings for us (1 Cor. 10:6, 11). The danger is spiritual failure. There was a need for discipline and self-control.

The Bible says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). We are all tempted to sin and be selfish. But God controls the context of our temptation and provides a way of escape.

Many times God revealed Himself to Israel, but they rejected His message. They focused on the problem rather than on God’s promises. The Bible is full of promises from God. It’s good to read it regularly so we can be reminded of these promises.

Christians need to keep confessing their sins before it gains a foothold. And constantly encourage each other in the truth.

Winners

Everyone likes to be on the winning side like the Brisbane Broncos in NRL, the Brisbane Lions in AFL, the Melbourne Vixens in netball, the Illawarra Hawks in basketball, Argentina in the 2022 soccer world cup, South Africa in the 2023 rugby world cup, the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL, the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA, Los Angels Dodgers in baseball, and Liverpool in English football.

Jesus was the greatest winner of all time because He won a spiritual battle. The ultimate battle between good and evil – God and Satan. You can join the wining team by confessing your sins and trusting in His victory. We can’t overcome our sin and selfishness alone. Only God can do that. We need outside help. Like only God could rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

If you have trusted in Jesus, the Bible says that He will always be with you in the form of the Holy Spirit and you can look forward to being with Him in heaven.

If you have trusted in Jesus the Bible says, “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer (author) and perfecter (finisher) of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:1-3).

Anything that interferes with Bible study or prayer hinders us for living for Jesus. They are more important than family, career, a secure retirement, or making money.

God has marked out a race for every Christian. We will all face tests like the Israelites that require our determination and endurance.

Jesus is the greatest example we can follow. He endured suffering because He knew that was how people could have their sins forgiven and live with Him forever. He sacrificed Himself for others.

Christians tend to become weak in the Christian life and discouraged. To counter this tendency, think about what Jesus went through and don’t give up before you cross the finish line.

Lessons for us

We have seen that the exodus was God’s first great rescue and victory and it set a pattern for the second great rescue and victory by Jesus. The exodus was the greatest rescue and victory in the Old Testament and the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ was the greatest rescue and victory in the New Testament.

The Israelites only got their freedom after the Passover was sacrificed. We only get spiritual life and freedom after we trust in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Have you taken that step?

The exodus is like the journey to victorious Christian living. God has freely given us all things in Christ, but we must apply those promises to our lives. The Promised Land is a picture of claiming the promises of God.

But most of the Israelites disobeyed and rebelled against God and died before they reached Canaan. They were spiritual failures. What about us? Are we fixing our eyes on Jesus and following the Lord or the ways of the world?

Only Joshua and Caleb were faithful and reached Canaan. If we have trusted in the Lord, and are faithful, we can have a victorious Christian life. They finished well. Let’s be like them and finish well.

Written, November 2025