Exodus

Introduction

Exodus, meaning 'departure' or 'going out,' records the most significant redemptive event in the Old Testament: God's deliverance of Israel from Egyptian slavery. This foundational narrative shapes Israel's identity, worship, and theology throughout Scripture. Just as Genesis answers 'Where did we come from?', Exodus answers 'How did we become God's people?' The book demonstrates that Yahweh is not merely a tribal deity but the sovereign Lord over all creation who keeps His covenant promises.

The narrative moves from bondage to freedom, from chaos to order, from alienation to intimacy with God. Israel enters Egypt as a family of seventy and leaves as a nation of perhaps two million. They arrive as guests and depart as slaves made free. The exodus becomes the paradigm of redemption throughout Scripture—when later biblical writers want to describe what God does in salvation, they reach for exodus language.

Theologically, Exodus introduces the name Yahweh ('I AM WHO I AM'), revealing God's self-existence, sovereignty, and covenant faithfulness. It establishes the Mosaic Covenant with its law, priesthood, and tabernacle—the framework for Israel's relationship with God. The Passover lamb, the crossing of the Red Sea, the manna from heaven, and the water from the rock all become types pointing to Christ.

The book's climax is not the escape from Egypt but the construction of the tabernacle, where God's glory takes up residence among His people. The God who delivered Israel from bondage desires to dwell with them. This theme of divine presence—threatened by the golden calf apostasy but restored through Moses' intercession—culminates in the tabernacle's completion and the descent of the glory cloud.

Book Outline

• Israel in Egypt (1-2) — The oppression of Israel, the birth and early life of Moses, his flight to Midian.
• The Call of Moses (3-4) — The burning bush, the revelation of God's name, Moses' objections, his return to Egypt.
• The Plagues and Passover (5-12) — Confrontation with Pharaoh, the ten plagues, the institution of Passover, the death of the firstborn.
• The Exodus and Journey (13-18) — The departure from Egypt, crossing the Red Sea, the journey to Sinai with its tests and provisions.
• The Covenant at Sinai (19-24) — The theophany, the Ten Commandments, the Book of the Covenant, covenant ratification.
• Tabernacle Instructions (25-31) — Detailed instructions for the tabernacle, its furnishings, the priesthood, and worship.
• The Golden Calf Crisis (32-34) — Israel's apostasy, Moses' intercession, the breaking and renewal of the covenant.
• Tabernacle Construction (35-40) — The building of the tabernacle according to the pattern, the descent of God's glory.

Key Themes

• Redemption from Bondage: Israel's deliverance from Egypt becomes the paradigm for understanding salvation. God redeems His people not because of their merit but because of His covenant faithfulness and grace. The exodus demonstrates God's power over all false gods and His commitment to His promises.
• The Revelation of God's Name: At the burning bush, God reveals His covenant name Yahweh ('I AM WHO I AM'), indicating His self-existence, eternal nature, and faithfulness to His promises. This name becomes the basis for Israel's confidence in God throughout their history.
• Covenant and Law: The Mosaic Covenant establishes Israel as God's 'kingdom of priests and holy nation.' The Ten Commandments and the Book of the Covenant define covenant life. Law follows grace—Israel is redeemed before receiving commands. Obedience is the response to redemption, not its cause.
• Divine Presence: The central concern of Exodus is how a holy God can dwell among a sinful people. The tabernacle, priesthood, and sacrificial system answer this question. God's presence is both the goal of redemption and its greatest gift.
• Judgment on False Gods: The ten plagues systematically defeat the gods of Egypt—the Nile, the sun, Pharaoh himself. Yahweh demonstrates His supremacy over all supposed deities. The exodus is cosmic warfare in which the true God triumphs.
• Substitutionary Atonement: The Passover lamb dies in place of the firstborn. Blood applied to the doorposts causes the destroyer to 'pass over.' This substitution establishes the pattern for all biblical atonement, finding fulfillment in Christ our Passover.
• Mediation and Intercession: Moses stands between God and Israel, mediating the covenant and interceding for the people after the golden calf. His role anticipates Christ, the one mediator between God and humanity.

Key Verses

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day... The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.

I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.

Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Historical Context

The events of Exodus likely occurred around 1446 BC (based on 1 Kings 6:1), during Egypt's 18th Dynasty. Israel had been in Egypt approximately 430 years (Exodus 12:40). The oppression began with 'a new king who knew not Joseph,' possibly a ruler of the New Kingdom who feared the growing Israelite population.

Egypt was the dominant world power, and Pharaoh was considered divine. The plagues directly challenged Egypt's gods and Pharaoh's pretensions to deity. The exodus demonstrated to both Israel and Egypt that Yahweh alone is God.

Moses' upbringing in Pharaoh's court providentially equipped him with education, administrative skill, and knowledge of Egyptian ways. His forty years in Midian prepared him spiritually and gave him familiarity with the wilderness through which he would lead Israel.

The Sinai covenant must be understood in light of ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties, in which a great king bound vassal nations to himself. God is the Great King; Israel is His vassal people; the covenant stipulates their obligations and privileges.

Literary Style

Exodus combines historical narrative, legal material, poetry, and architectural description. The narrative sections employ vivid dialogue, dramatic irony, and repetition for emphasis. The plague narratives follow a carefully crafted pattern that builds to the climactic tenth plague.

The book contains significant poetry: the Song of Moses and Miriam (chapter 15) celebrates the Red Sea deliverance in exalted verse, becoming a model for later biblical hymns of praise.

The legal sections (chapters 20-23) include apodictic law ('Thou shalt not...') and casuistic law ('If a man...then...'). The covenant code shows God's concern for justice, property rights, and the vulnerable.

The tabernacle instructions (chapters 25-31) and construction account (chapters 35-40) use highly repetitive language, emphasizing that everything was done 'according to the pattern' shown to Moses. This repetition underscores the importance of obedience in approaching God.

The structure of Exodus shows careful design: deliverance from Egypt leads to covenant at Sinai, which leads to the tabernacle. Redemption, relationship, and presence form the book's theological progression.

Theological Significance

Exodus establishes foundational doctrines:

Theology Proper: God is revealed as Yahweh—self-existent, eternal, faithful to His word. He is sovereign over creation, history, and nations. He is holy, requiring holiness from His people, yet gracious and merciful to sinners.

Redemption: The exodus becomes the model for understanding salvation. God redeems by His power, through blood, bringing His people to Himself. The Passover shows redemption requires substitution—the lamb dies so the firstborn lives.

Covenant: The Mosaic Covenant establishes the framework for Israel's national life. It includes blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy). This covenant is conditional, unlike the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant, though it builds upon it.

Law: The Ten Commandments reveal God's moral character and requirements. They are given to a redeemed people to guide covenant life. Law is a gracious gift, showing how to live in fellowship with God.

Worship: The tabernacle, priesthood, and sacrificial system establish that approaching God requires mediation, sacrifice, and cleansing. These institutions point forward to Christ's more perfect ministry.

Divine Presence: The goal of redemption is God dwelling with His people. The tabernacle makes this possible through separation (the veil), mediation (the priests), and sacrifice (the altar).

Christ in Exodus

Exodus is saturated with Christological typology:

Moses as Deliverer: Moses, the mediator who leads God's people from bondage, prefigures Christ the greater Deliverer who leads His people from sin's slavery. Both were preserved in infancy, rejected by their people, and yet became their saviors.

The Passover Lamb: 'Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us' (1 Corinthians 5:7). The lamb without blemish whose blood brings salvation points directly to Christ. Not a bone of the Passover lamb was broken—nor of Christ's body.

The Red Sea Crossing: Baptism into Moses through the sea (1 Corinthians 10:2) prefigures Christian baptism into Christ. Israel passed through the waters into new life; believers pass through baptism into new creation.

The Manna: Jesus declares 'I am the bread of life' and contrasts the manna with Himself—bread from heaven that gives eternal life (John 6:31-35).

The Water from the Rock: Paul identifies the rock as Christ (1 Corinthians 10:4). The smitten rock that gave life-giving water pictures Christ, smitten on the cross, from whom living water flows.

The Tabernacle: Every element points to Christ—the gate (the way), the altar (sacrifice), the laver (cleansing), the bread (sustenance), the lampstand (light), the incense (intercession), the mercy seat (propitiation). John 1:14 says the Word 'tabernacled' among us.

The High Priest: Aaron prefigures Christ's priestly ministry. Yet Christ is greater—He needs no sacrifice for His own sins and His sacrifice never needs repeating.

The Veil: The veil separating the Holy of Holies was torn when Christ died, opening access to God for all believers (Hebrews 10:19-20).

Relationship to the New Testament

The exodus dominates New Testament theology:

• The New Exodus: Luke describes Jesus' death as His 'exodus' (Luke 9:31). Christ leads a new exodus from sin's bondage into freedom.

• Passover and Lord's Supper: Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper during Passover, identifying the bread as His body and the cup as His blood of the new covenant (Matthew 26:26-28).

• Law and Gospel: Paul extensively discusses the relationship between Mosaic Law and Christian freedom (Romans, Galatians). The law reveals sin and points to Christ.

• Wilderness Typology: 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 draws lessons from Israel's wilderness failures. The manna, water, and judgments are 'types' instructing the church.

• Hebrews: The entire book compares Moses and Christ, the tabernacle and heaven, animal sacrifices and Christ's once-for-all offering, demonstrating Christ's superiority.

• Revelation: The plagues reappear in Revelation's judgments. The new song echoes Moses' song. The heavenly temple reflects the tabernacle pattern.

• Exodus 34:6-7: This divine self-revelation becomes the foundation for understanding God's character throughout both testaments.

Practical Application

Exodus speaks to believers today:

Redemption by Grace: Like Israel, we cannot deliver ourselves from bondage. Salvation is God's work from first to last. We apply the blood by faith, trusting in Christ our Passover.

God Hears Our Cry: God heard Israel's groaning in slavery. He hears our cries for deliverance too. The exodus assures us that God is moved by His people's suffering.

Obedience Follows Redemption: The Ten Commandments were given to a redeemed people. We don't obey to be saved; we obey because we are saved. Gratitude, not fear, motivates covenant obedience.

The Danger of Idolatry: The golden calf warns against creating God in our own image. When we make God manageable, controllable, or comfortable, we are crafting idols.

God Desires to Dwell with Us: The tabernacle shows God's desire for intimate communion with His people. Now, through Christ, believers are temples of the Holy Spirit.

God's Presence Requires Holiness: The elaborate preparations for approaching God remind us that He is holy. We cannot rush casually into His presence. Christ alone makes this access possible.

Intercessory Prayer Matters: Moses' intercession turned aside God's wrath. Christ ever lives to intercede for us, and we are called to pray for one another.

God Provides in the Wilderness: Israel's wilderness journey—with its manna, water, guidance, and protection—assures us that God provides for His people in every circumstance.