Exodus

Title. Exodus comes from Greek words meaning "going out," and was so named because it recorded the departure of Israel from Egypt.

Theme.

In the Book of Genesis we read about the beginning of redemption. In the Book of Exodus we read about the progress of redemption.

In Genesis this redemption is being worked out through individual; in Exodus, it is worked out through an entire nation - Israel.

The central thought of the Book is redemption by blood.

Around this thought gathers the story of a people saved by the Blood, sheltered by the Blood and having access unto GOD by the Blood. This redemption is shown to meet every need of the nation. Oppressed by the Egyptians, Israel needs deliverance. GOD supplies this deliverance. Having been saved, the nation needs a revelation from GOD to guide them in conduct and worship in their new life. GOD gives them the Law. Convicted of sin by the holiness of the law, the Israelites find their need of cleansing. GOD provides sacrifices. Having a revelation of GOD, the people feel their need of worship. GOD gives them the tabernacle and appoints a priesthood.

Author. Moses.

Scope. The events recorded in Exodus cover a period of 216 years, from about 1706 B. C. to 1490 B. C. It begins with an enslaved people dwelling in the presence of Egyptian idolatry, and ends with a redeemed people dwelling in the presence of GOD.

CONTENTS

We shall now try to obtain a bird's-eye view of the book of Exodus in order to see the book as a whole. Learn the following outline:

1. Israel in Bondage (Chapter 1,2).

2. Israel Redeemed (Chapters 3 to 15:22).

3. Israel Journeying to Sinai (Chapters 15:23 to 19).

4. Israel Given the Law (Chapters 20-23).

5. Israel in Worship (Chapters 24-40).

Let us now analyze each point of our outline.

I. Israel in Bondage

The following is a summary of Chapters 1 and 2.

1. The oppression of Israel (Chapter 1).

2. The birth of Moses (2:1-4).

3. The adoption of Moses (2:5-10).

4. The ill-advised zeal of Moses (2:11-14).

5. The flight of Moses (2:15).

6. The marriage of Moses (2:16-22).

Was Israel's bondage prophesied (Genesis 15:7-16)?

What did this bondage do for Israel (Exodus 2:23)?

What would this result in (Romans 10:13)?

Did Moses ever forget his people and his GOD while being educated in Egypt (Hebrews 11:24-26)?

Why not (Exodus 2:7-9)?

What did he suppose when he killed the Egyptian (Acts 7:25)?

Was it GOD's time? What did Moses' forty years' sojourn in the wilderness teach him? (Compare Acts 7:25 and Exodus 3:11).

II. Israel Redeemed (Chapters 3 to 15)

1. The call and commission of Moses (3 to 4:28).

2. His departure to Egypt (4:24-31).

3. His conflict with Pharaoh (Chapters 5 and 6).

4. The plagues (Chapters 7 to 11).

5. The Passover (Chapter 12).

6. The departure from Egypt (Chapter 13).

7. The crossing of the Red Sea (14 to 15:21).

Notice the greatness and the supernatural character of Israel's deliverance. GOD's purpose was to have a people whose testimony to the world would be, "Saved by the power of God." He wanted so to impress the event upon the mind of Israel that in the days to come, when the oppression and trial should come, they could always look and remember that "salvation is of the Lord."

In the Old Testament, GOD's deliverance of Israel from Egypt is the measure of His power. What is the measure of His power in the New Testament (Ephesians 1:19, 20; Philippians 3:10)?

The explanation of a difficulty is in order here. Many have stumbled at the fact that GOD hardened Pharaoh's heart and then punished him. Let it be noted that Pharaoh hardened his own heart also (Chapter 8:15, 32). GOD hardened Pharaoh's heart in the same sense that the Gospel hardens men's hearts when they reject it. To some, the Gospel brings salvation, to others death. (See II Corinthians 2:15,16). In Acts 19:9 we read that "divers were hardened" after Paul had preached. Could Paul be blamed for the hardness of their hearts? No, the blame rests with those who rejected the message. So it was in the case of Pharaoh. GOD's message was simply the occasion of the hardening of his heart; his own refusal to obey the message was the cause.

The Passover contains some wonderful types of our redemption. What does Egypt typify (Galatians 1:4: Romans 6:18)? The lamb (John 1:29)? The blood sprinkled on the door posts (Romans 3:25; I Peter 1:18-20)? The unleavened bread (I Corinthians 5:8)? The eating of the lamb (I Corinthians 11:24)? The crossing of the Red Sea (I Corinthians 10:1, 2)?

III. Israel Journeying to Sinai (Chapters 15-19)

In this study it will be well to consult a map of the journey.

1. Marah - Bitter waters (Chapter 15).

2. Elim - Wells and trees (Chapter 15).

3. Wilderness of Sin - Manna (Chapter 16).

4. Rephidim - Rock smitten; battle with Amalek (Chapter 17).

5. Sinai - Visit of Jethro (Chapter 18).

IV. Israel Given the Law (Chapters 19-23)

1. Moses ascent to Sinai (Chapter 19).

2. The Ten Commandments (Chapter 20).

3. The civil law (21-23).

Study the following topics:

1. Israel's election. Exodus 19:5

By a solemn covenant Israel was appointed the priest - nation - separated from all nations, in order to be trained in Divine truth and ultimately bring light to all nations.

2. Israel's legislation. Exodus 20-23

Just as the United States of America is a republic governed on the basis of its Constitution, so Israel was a theocracy (a state governed by GOD) having as the basis of its government the Ten Commandments, which we may regard as the Constitution of the United Tribes of Israel. The commandments represent the tenfold expression of the will of the Lord, and the standard by which He rules His subjects. In order to apply these principles to the everyday life of the people, the civil law was added, which prescribed penalties and gave directions for enforcement.

What did the Israelites undertake to do (Exodus 19:8)? Could they do this (Acts 13:38; Galatians 2:16)? Why not (Romans 7:14; 8:3)? If they could not keep the law, why was it given (Romans 3:19, 20; 5:20; Galatians 3:24)? What two principal lessons was the law intended to teach (Matt. 22:37-39)? Then how do Christians fulfill the law (Romans 13:8-10)? How may we possess the love that fulfills it (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:18)? Under what law is the Christian (Galatians 6:2; John 15:12)?

V. Israel in Worship (Chapters 24-40)

1. Moses receives pattern for tabernacle (Chapters 24-31).

2. The law broken (Chapters 32-34).

3. The tabernacle under construction (Chapters 35-39).

4. The tabernacle erected (Chapter 40).

At Mount Sinai the Lord and His people entered into a special relationship. Through the mediatorship of Moses, a redeemed people and their GOD were united in the holy bonds of covenant relationship. the Lord became the GOD of Israel, and Israel became the people of the Lord. In order that fellowship might be continued, the Lord commanded the erection of the tabernacle. "And let them make Me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." Exodus 25:8. The design of the tabernacle will be more clearly understood as we consider the titles applied to it:

a. The Tabernacle (in Hebrew "dwelling"). Though GOD dwells everywhere, He appointed a place where His people could always find Him "at home."

b. The Tent of the Congregation or the Tent of Meeting. It was the point of contact and the channel of intercourse between heaven and earth (Exodus 29:42, 43).

c. The Tabernacle of Testimony, or the Tent of Witness. It was so called from the presence of the two tables of the law which were placed in the ark. These tables were called the "testimony" (Exodus 31:18; 34:29). They witnessed to GOD's holiness and man's sinfulness.

d. The Sanctuary. Literally, "holy place" or a building set apart for the Divine indwelling.