Exodus

Summary Exodus literally means 'a going out' and this book, the second of the five ascribed to Moses, deals with the 'going out' of the children of Israel from Egypt. The end of Genesis tells of the death of Joseph. The beginning of Exodus conveys the information that the Israelites began to increase in number significantly, a matter of some concern to the Egyptians who saw a threat to their own existence. In order to overcome this imbalance, the Egyptians saw three possible solutions: 1) The placing of the Israelites into slavery (1:11). When this was not successful, 2) work in slavery was made much harder (1:14), and 3) the killing of every male child (1:16). It was against this background that Moses was born (2:2) educated in the Egyptian court (2:10) and selected by God to lead the Israelites out of their slavery and towards the land that God promised them (3:17). The book naturally divides into two sections. The first deals with the deliverance of those who are oppressed and the judgement of the oppressors, and the the second, God's dealing with His people on their journey through the wilderness. Key verses are found in 19:3 - 6 where God indicates His right to choose the children of Israel as His "own possession among all people". This was conditional on their keeping His covenant. God's justification for this choice was that "all the earth is mine". As the people of God they had certain privileges and responsibilities which became evident in the text. The message from Exodus is clear to those under the new covenant. God chooses whom He will. Continued blessing is dependent on obedience and the carrying out of responsibilities. It is through Jesus' sacrifice that the new covenant has been established and the new Exodus, the "going out" or deliverance from the bondage of sin is possible. It is in Exodus that God makes Himself known by His memorial name (3:13 - 15). Even this revelation indicates His infinite greatness.

Outline of Exodus 1:1 - 4:31 Background. The children of Israel become more numerous. Moses is selected to lead deliverance. 5:1 - 15:21 Leaving Egypt. 5:1 - 6:30 Harder bondage and promise of deliverance. 7:1 - 25 Signs 8:1 - 10:29 Plagues 11:1 - 13:16 The Passover 13:17 - 14:31 To the Red Sea 15:1 - 21 Moses' Song of Thanks 15:22 - 19 To Sinai 19:3 - 24: 18 God's Laws 25:1 - 31: 18 Plan for the Tabernacle - a place for God to dwell - a place for people to worship. 32:1 - 34: 35 Disobedience, punishment and God's covenant. 35:1 - 40: 38 The construction of the Tabernacle.

Author – Moses
Time – 1,650 – 1.500 B.C.

Summary – The title "Exodus" means "a going out". It records the great numerical growth of the Israelites during their slavery in Egypt. It introduces Moses and records the plagues God brought upon Egypt to secure His people’s release from slavery. After this, the people are given the Law at Mount Sinai. The book concludes with a description of the order of worship which centres around the Law of Moses. This is the second book of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Jewish Scriptures.