An Authentic Calling: Representing Christ and His Kingdom through the Church

Ses s i on 1: I nt roduc t i on

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Adam to “name” the animals as a concrete demonstration of man’s relative sovereignty over them (Gen. 2.19). Divine sovereignty and election are extended over all generations, for God “called” them all from the beginning (Isa. 41.4; cf. Amos 5.8). “Calling” or “naming” an individual may specify the individual’s primary characteristic (Gen. 27.36); it may consist of a confession or evaluation (Isa. 58.13; Isa. 60.14); and it may recognize an eternal truth (Isa. 7.14). This verb also is used to indicate “calling to a specific task.” In Exod. 2.7, Moses’ sister Miriam asked Pharaoh’s daughter if she should go and “call” (summon) a nurse. Israel was “called” (elected) by God to be his people (Isa. 65.12), as were the Gentiles in the messianic age (Isa. 55.5).

~ Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary, Old Testament wordsearch software edition

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D. The Exodus story as a story of war: Yahweh is a warrior.

1. Jesus Christ as Christus Victor : the Lamb who conquers

a. Heb. 2.14 (ESV) – Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.

b. 1 John 3.5 (ESV) – You know that he appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.

c. 1 John 3.8 (ESV) – Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

2. God’s covenant people engaged in spiritual warfare against God’s enemies