Previous Page  First Page  Next Page

Books of the Bible


Exodus


Author

Commonly accepted to be Moses

Date

Sometime before 1400

Purpose

To reveal how God protects and defends his people. Exodus also reveals the basic system of blood atonement that would be fulfilled at last in Christ Jesus.

Outline

The need for Israel to be redeemed from Egypt (ch 1)

The preparation of the leaders (Ch 2-4)

God redeems Israel (ch 5-15)

Moses confronts Pharaoh with words, miracles and plagues. Israel is redeemed by blood then saved by God's might

God preserves Israel in the wilderness (ch. 15-18)

From thirst, hunger, thirst again, defeat and chaos

The revelation of the covenant (Ch. 19-31)

The covenant, the judgements, the tabernacle, the priests

Israel responds to the covenant (Ch. 32-40)

They break the covenant, Moses intercedes, God renews the covenant, they obey, God dwells in the tabernacle.

Historical Context

The events in Exodus happened because of a change in the leadership in Egypt. A new ruling dynasty came into power and enslaved the Israelites. Egypt is in the middle of the "new kingdom" and is at its all-time peak in terms of size, military might and economic influence.

Key events

Enslavement of the Israelites, birth of Moses, Moses is called, The plagues, the Passover, the exodus out of Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea. The needs of the people met with Manna, quail and water. The law given, the 10 commandments, the ordinances and the judgements. The construction of the tabernacle

Key people

Moses, Pharaoh, Miriam, Aaron, Jethro

Theological significance

The entire relationship between God and man today has grown out of the covenant relationship that was established in the giving of the Law. Many events in Exodus are types of Christ - the giving of the law on Mt. Sinai typifies the Sermon on the mount, Moses' lifting up of the serpent in the wilderness to save the people from the snakes typifies the lifting up of Jesus on the cross. The Passover and the redemption through blood typifies Christ saving through His shed blood.