There are no casual details in Scripture. Everything fits together as part of God’s greater salvation plan. If you carefully read the stories of Abraham and the Exodus you’ll gain a deeper insight into the work of Christ and the events in the New Testament. Let me give you one of my favorite examples.
The book of Exodus contains a good deal of exposition of the Law, the system of sacrifices, offerings and feasts, and the instructions for the tabernacle and its furnishings.
However, let’s focus on just the narrative of events in Exodus for a moment.
In 19:10-11, God calls for Israel to prepare themselves, to wash themselves, their clothes and on the third day they were to appear in His presence at Sinai.
In chapter 20, God gives the Ten Commandments and the basics of His law.
In chapter 24, Israel affirms the covenant God makes with them and in 24:16-18 we learn that God’s glory covered the mountain for six days. On the seventh, God called Moses and Moses spent forty days on the mountain with God.
Then in chapter 32, Moses returned from the mountaintop to find Israel had descended into sin and made the golden calf. Exodus 32:28 details that 3000 died that day as part of God’s judgment.
Did you follow the accounting of days? 3 + 7 + 40 = 50
On the third day, the law was given and then on the fiftieth day, three thousand people were lost.
Acts chapter 2 records the familiar story of Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Pentecost was celebrated 50 days after Passover. On the third day after that particular Passover, Jesus Christ raised from the dead. Acts 2:41 notes that on Pentecost, 3000 people were added to the church.
On the third day, the law was fulfilled and then on the fiftieth day, three thousand people were saved.
Everything in God’s plans is intentional, down to the smallest details. A little careful study reveals those details and gives us a deeper sense of awe and wonder at the God who engineered it all.