In this episode of What Jesus Read, we continue our first-century journey through the Torah by exploring Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, books that shaped Jewish identity, hope, and expectation in the time of Jesus.

We look at the Exodus not merely as ancient history, but as the living national charter of Israel. A story of liberation, divine presence, covenant, and purpose. Under Roman occupation, first-century Jews didn’t see Pharaoh as a relic of the past. Rome was seen as Pharaoh reborn, and the Exodus as a promise still unfolding.

From the revelation of God as “I AM”, to the plagues as judgments on empire, to the crossing of the sea and God’s dwelling among His people, we explore how these texts were understood spiritually, politically, and theologically in Jesus’ world. We then move into Leviticus as the architecture of holiness, a blueprint for how a holy God could dwell among imperfect people. And finish with Numbers as the story of what happens when trust falters, faith wavers, and humanity resists transformation.

Along the way, we examine themes of wilderness purification, covenant identity beyond bloodline, the meaning of holiness, rebellion and mercy, non-Israelite worshipers of YHWH, messianic expectation, and why first-century Jews believed they were still living inside the Exodus story.

This episode sets the foundation for understanding why Jesus’ claims, actions, and identity resonated so powerfully and so dangerously in His time.