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After God had dealt with Pharaoh through the ten plagues, he finally submitted to God’s demand by letting the Israelites go.
God did not allow them to travel through the more fortified Philistine territory because the people might change their minds and return to Egypt when faced with battle.
Instead, God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.
They took with them the bones of Joseph, honoring Joseph’s prophetic statement and final request.
Through the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night, God went ahead of them, guiding and providing light as they traveled.
The pillars of fire and cloud were examples of theophany; God appearing in a physical form, providing assurance.
The second lesson shows how the ministry of John and Jesus intersected, as Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.
This move from his hometown, Nazareth, is necessitated by ministry positioning.
John would not baptize Jesus because he saw no need for Jesus to submit to a rite symbolizing a person’s repentance from sin.
But Jesus, on the other hand, identifies with men, recognizing his baptism will “fulfill all righteousness and through his submission approves John’s ministry.
After Jesus’ baptism and as he came out of the water, the heavens were opened.
John saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on Jesus
“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.”
Thus, the baptism became the occasion for God himself to testify to Jesus
All three persons of the Trinity appeared and participated, united but distinct.
The Holy Spirit anoints and commissions Jesus for ministry, accompanied by the heavenly voice (of God).