EXODUS

GOD

DELIVERS

HIS PEOPLE

BACKGROUND INFO• Second book of the Torah (Pentateuch)

• Title comes from Greek exodos = “going out”

• Hebrew title = Shemoth from 1:1 – “These are the names. . .”

• Authorship: As with Genesis – traditionally, Moses; questioned by many

OUTLINE OF EXODUS•Chapters 1-4: Moses’ Early Life & Calling

•Chapters 5-18: The Exodus from Egypt

•Chapters 19-24: Giving of the Covenant

•Chapters 25-40: Instructions for the Tabernacle

Part 1: Moses’ Early Life & Calling

• Life divides into 3 periods of 40 years:• 40 yrs. thinking he was somebody• 40 yrs. thinking he was nobody• 40 yrs. finding out what God can do with a nobody

• Story begins with oppression of Israel by a new Pharaoh (1:8)

• Moses hidden; results in being raised in Pharaoh’s house

• A disastrous preliminary effort to deliver his people

• Ends up as a shepherd in Midian; marries & has a son

• Israel groans & God remembers his covenant (2:24-25)

Part 1 (continued)• God calls Moses from the burning bush

• Identifies himself as “the God of your father. . . Abraham. . . Isaac. . . & Jacob”

• Sends Moses to Pharaoh to deliver Israel

• Moses’ reluctance

• God further reveals himself through the Divine Name: YHWH (“I AM,” i.e., the only God who truly exists)

• Gives Moses signs to convince both Israel & Pharaoh

• Foretells Pharaoh’s reluctance & hardening of his heart

Part 2: The Exodus• Pharaoh refuses to let Israel go: “Who is the Lord?” The major

question answered in Exodus, both for Pharaoh & Israel

• Israel’s burdens intensified

• God repeats his promise to deliver by reminding Moses of covenant with Abraham (6:2-4)

• Sequence of 10 Plagues, each demonstrating God’s power over the

the many gods of Egypt (including Pharaoh)

• Final plague preceded by institution of Passover (chap. 12)

• After final plague, Pharaoh lets Israel go, then changes his mind

• Crossing of the Red (Reed) Sea & early days in the Wilderness of Sinai

Part 2 (continued) – Date of the Exodus

•A matter of considerable debate

• Earliest possible date: 1440 B.C.E.

• Latest possible date: 1290 B.C.E.

• Later date seems most likely, but still an open question

Route of the Exodus

Part 3: Israel at Sinai/The Covenant

• Remember: “Covenant” = agreement or arrangement. In Bible, always initiated by God

• Moses receives Covenant, mediates it to the people

• “I will be your God”/”You will be my people”

• Basis of Covenant = The Law (not limited to “10 Commandments”)

• Israel’s Response: “All that the Lord has spoken we will do” (19:8).

• Later history is one of repeatedly breaking the Covenant, but God never does. Revealed as the covenant-making & covenant-keeping God.

Mt. Sinai

Mt. Sinai – St. Catherine’s Monastery

Summit of Sinai – Grk. Orthodox Chapel

Part 3 (con’t.) – The “10 Words”

• In a God-&-humans covenant, there are always (1) promises of God’s blessings, & (2) obligations of obedience

• The Law (torah, “instruction”) expresses Israel’s obligations to God

• The “10 Words” (Ex. 20:1-17) are not the totality of the Law, not all God expects, but provide the basics. More specific requirements are spelled out later.

• Once the basics of the Covenant are established (GodMoses), then the people must decide if they will accept.

Structure of the 10 Words• 20:1-2. Preface: God reminds Israel who he is & what he has done for

them already. The Law isn’t arbitrary, but arises out of God’s active love for Israel.

• First 4 commands (20:3-11) address Israel’s relationship to God

• Next 6 commands (20:12-17) address Israel’s obligations to each other

• After further elaborations (20:18-23:33), it’s time for Israel to decide

• Their response: “All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do” (24:4).

Part 4: Instructions for Tabernacle, Priesthood, & Worship (Chaps. 25-40)

• Very specific directives. God must be approached as HE desires

• “Tabernacle” = a portable sanctuary, but not one the people entered. Only priests.

• An elaborate tent + furnishings, able to be carried on their travels

• Even the priests’ garments had to be “according to specs”

• Focus in this section = God’s holiness. Israel must learn how to worship & serve him.

Diagram of Tabernacle

Tabernacle – Artist’s Rendering

Major Theological Themes in Exodus

1. God keeps his promises to Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob by enlarging the people & redeeming them from bondage.

2. “Who is the Lord?” is the major theological question answered in the book. It is primarily about God, his nature & identity. Both Pharaoh & Israel must learn the identity of “I AM.”

3. What God redeems, he owns. Israel is obligated to obey him, although they are given the option to opt out of the covenant.

4. God is holy, & his people must likewise be holy, both in relationship with him, as well as with each other.