Introduction to Exodus

40 chapters

Author and Time of Writing

What has been said in the book of Genesis also applies to Exodus. In Genesis, Moses depended on God's revelations and possibly on his ancestors' accounts. At the same time, he could primarily write down the happenings of Exodus to Deuteronomy by his view and experience under the guidance of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is God, a divine person in the Trinity of God; in the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit works, for example, in creation or on individuals. The Holy... More (compare Ex. 17:14; Deut. 31:22,24).

In the New Testament, Moses is mentioned several times as the author of Exodus (for example, Luke 20:37; Mark 7:10).

Between the happenings at the end of Genesis and the beginning of Exodus, there are nearly 300 years.

Purpose of Writing

In the book of Exodus, we find no longer exclusively the dealings of God with the individuals mentioned. We are coming to know a redeemed people of God. The origin and redemptionRedemption is part of God's plan of salvation. Redemption means that someone is freed from bondage. The redemption of Israel from the power of Pharaoh is an example of this.... More of God's earthly people, Israel, are described. Israel is delivered from slavery in Egypt and is led on to the way into the promised land of Canaan. Therefore, Exodus is the book of redemptionRedemption is part of God's plan of salvation. Redemption means that someone is freed from bondage. The redemption of Israel from the power of Pharaoh is an example of this.... More. Its landmarks are the PassoverPassover is translated as "sparing, passing by". It refers, on the one hand, to the Passover feast itself and, on the other, to the sacrifice, the Passover lamb (a foreshadowing... More and the passage through the Red Sea (see explanation in 1 Cor. 5:7; 10:1-2).

After the exodus from Egypt, the people of Israel received the law of Jehovah and erected the tabernacleThe Tabernacle is sometimes also called “the tent of meeting” or “the tent of testimony.” This was the place recognized by God where he dwelt among his people and wanted... More of the congregation according to His command. Through that, the new relationship between the people and Jehovah was fixed:

• God was now dwelling amidst His people
• Israel was able to approach God and to worshipIn both Hebrew and Greek, the word "worship" can also be translated as "prostrate / bow down" (Ps 95:6). It is more than praise and thanksgiving because, in worship, honor... More Him (using the offerings)
• the Glory of the Lord was typically revealed.

The epistles to the Romans and Galatians can be compared with the Book of Exodus, their subjects being redemptionRedemption is part of God's plan of salvation. Redemption means that someone is freed from bondage. The redemption of Israel from the power of Pharaoh is an example of this.... More and the relation of the Christian to the law.

Peculiarities

a) Typology

The book of Exodus is especially rich in typical teachings. The following is of importance: Egypt is a picture of this present worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More (Gal. 1:4). The Red Sea is a picture of the death and resurrection of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More and of the death of the old manThe old man (not to be confused with the old nature, the flesh) is an abstract term that describes what constitutes a man without God. It brings forth all the... More with ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More (Rom. 6:6). The stay in the desert describes the earthly circumstances in which the believer has to stand the test (John 17:14-15).

b) Date of Exodus out of Egypt

Most of today's scholars date the exodus of Israel in the 13th century BC, that is, in the time of the 19th Dynasty (Ramses I. to Merenphthah, under whose reign the name of Israel is first mentioned in Egypt). This late date leaves much too little time for the period of land conquest and for the judges' time. The different indications of time in the Bible also would be untrustworthy (see Jud. 11:26; 1 Kings 6:1; Acts 13:20). But if we take the Biblical indications, the time of the exodus can be dated to the year 1446 BC approximately.

Overview of Contents

I. Exodus 1-13: Israel in Egypt

• Chapter 1 Israel's Oppression

• Chapter 2 Moses' Birth, Upbringing, and Flight to Midian

• Chapter 3 God reveals Himself to Moses as Jehovah (Jahwe) at (Mount) Horeb

• Chapter 4 God's Commission to Moses

• Chapter 5 Moses speaks to Pharaoh

• Chapter 6 God encourages Moses; Pharaoh hardens his heart

• Chapter 7 1st Plague: Water turned into blood

• Chapter 8 2nd Plague: Frogs; 3rd Plague: Lice (Gnats), 4th Plague: (Dog-) Flies

• Chapter 9 5th Plague. Very grievous Murrain; 6th Plague: Boils; God hardens Pharaoh’s heart; 7th Plague: Hail

• Chapter 10 8th Plague: Locusts; 9th Plague: Darkness

• Chapter 11 Announcement of the 10th Plague and Israel's Exodus

• Chapter 12 Institution of the PassoverPassover is translated as "sparing, passing by". It refers, on the one hand, to the Passover feast itself and, on the other, to the sacrifice, the Passover lamb (a foreshadowing... More and Killing of all FirstbornThe firstborn refers to the birth order and a special position of precedence. He received a double inheritance and had a special position of precedence. The term firstborn is also... More in Egypt

• Chapter 13 SanctificationSanctification is the basic idea that something is set apart for God and belongs to Him (Gen 2:3; Ex 13:2). Since God Himself is holy and knows no sin, sanctification... More of the FirstbornThe firstborn refers to the birth order and a special position of precedence. He received a double inheritance and had a special position of precedence. The term firstborn is also... More of Israel and Beginning of the Exodus

II. Exodus 14-18: Israel's Journey to Mount Sinai

• Chapter 14 Jehovah saves Israel at the Red Sea

• Chapter 15 The Song of RedemptionRedemption is part of God's plan of salvation. Redemption means that someone is freed from bondage. The redemption of Israel from the power of Pharaoh is an example of this.... More

• Chapter 16 The Manna (John 6:31-59)

• Chapter 17 The Water out of the Rock (1 Cor. 10:4); Battle against Amalek

• Chapter 18 Jethro's Advice for Moses

III. Exodus 19-24: Covenant and Giving of the Law at Sinai

• Chapter 19 The Covenant of Jehovah with Israel

• Chapter 20 The Ten CommandmentsThe "Ten Commandments" were given by God to the people of Israel. This happened after the exodus from Egypt through Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5). These... More

• Chapter 21 The Law - Personal Rights

• Chapter 22 The Law - Rights of Property

• Chapter 23 The Law - Rights in Social and Religious Life

• Chapter 24 The Covenant is concluded

IV. Exodus 25-31: Commandments for the SanctuaryName for the house or room that represented the dwelling place of God in the midst of his people in the OT. Used in the OT to describe and characterize... More and the Priesthood

• Chapter 25 The Heave-Offering; the Ark of Covenant, the Table and Candle-stick

• Chapter 26 The TabernacleThe Tabernacle is sometimes also called “the tent of meeting” or “the tent of testimony.” This was the place recognized by God where he dwelt among his people and wanted... More

• Chapter 27 The AltarPlace of sacrifice, i.e., place where a sacrifice is made. The Old Testament knows both the personal erection and use of an altar (usually made of earth or stones) and... More of Burnt OfferingThe sacrifices described in the Old Testament show the ground and means of approach to God. They are all typical and foreshadow Christ, who has fulfilled them all. The basic... More and the Court of TabernacleThe Tabernacle is sometimes also called “the tent of meeting” or “the tent of testimony.” This was the place recognized by God where he dwelt among his people and wanted... More

• Chapter 28 Holy Garments for the Priests

• Chapter 29 Hallowing of the Priests and the Continual Burnt OfferingThe sacrifices described in the Old Testament show the ground and means of approach to God. They are all typical and foreshadow Christ, who has fulfilled them all. The basic... More

• Chapter 30 The Golden Altar of IncenseThe altar was overlaid with gold, which stood in the front room of the tabernacle (sanctuary) or temple and was used to burn fragrant incense. The fire for burning the... More; the Brazen Laver; the OilWhen oil is mentioned in the Bible, it usually refers to olive oil. It was considered an important staple food and was used for ointments and as a light source... More of Holy Ointment and the incense

• Chapter 31 Bezaleel and Aholiab

V. Exodus 32-34: Israel's Exodus and the GraceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More of God

• Chapter 32 The Golden Calf and the Broken Tables of Testimony

• Chapter 33 Moses as MediatorIn 1 Timothy 2:5, it says: “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus” (ESV).  There is only one God who... More

• Chapter 34 The Second Law

VI. Exodus 35-40: The Building of the SanctuaryName for the house or room that represented the dwelling place of God in the midst of his people in the OT. Used in the OT to describe and characterize... More

• Chapter 35 The Heave-Offering

• Chapter 36 The Building of the TabernacleThe Tabernacle is sometimes also called “the tent of meeting” or “the tent of testimony.” This was the place recognized by God where he dwelt among his people and wanted... More

• Chapter 37 The Ark of Covenant; the Table; the Candle-stick and the Altar of IncenseThe altar was overlaid with gold, which stood in the front room of the tabernacle (sanctuary) or temple and was used to burn fragrant incense. The fire for burning the... More

• Chapter 38 The AltarPlace of sacrifice, i.e., place where a sacrifice is made. The Old Testament knows both the personal erection and use of an altar (usually made of earth or stones) and... More of Burnt OfferingThe sacrifices described in the Old Testament show the ground and means of approach to God. They are all typical and foreshadow Christ, who has fulfilled them all. The basic... More and the Court

• Chapter 39 The Holy Garments for the Priests

• Chapter 40 The Setting-Up of the TabernacleThe Tabernacle is sometimes also called “the tent of meeting” or “the tent of testimony.” This was the place recognized by God where he dwelt among his people and wanted... More