Exodus: Book of Redemption

This second book of the Pentateuch picks up where Genesis leaves off, and so is its sequel. The deliverance described "is a type of the sinner's redemption from bondage of sin. Thus Exodus is rightly called the 'Book of Redemption.'" ¹

The book get its name from the Greek word "Exodos", which means departure or exit. The major event of the book, the flight of the Israelites, is very appropriately represented in the name.

Moses, the author of this and the other four books of the Pentateuch, probably wrote the book sometime after the completion of the tabernacle, (1444 B.C.) described in chapters 35-40.

The date of the Exodus, thought to be 1445 B.C., is derived from two sets of facts; ²

In time, the land was filled with the descendants of Israel. A new king came to power who did not know or respect the name of Joseph and grew afraid of the numbers of his descendants. As a means to control the population, he ordered all male babies to be put to death at birth.

Moses, who is the main character in the rest of the book, was born during this time. His mother was afraid he would be killed and put him in a basket and put it into the Nile river. The Pharaoh's daughter found him and she raised him as her own.

When Moses was grown he killed an Egyptian and ran away because he was afraid of what the consequences might be. While hiding in the wilderness, he met and married Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro and became a shepherd.

One day, while tending the flock, Moses noticed a burning bush that wasn't being consumed (3:2). As he approached the bush, God spoke to him and told him that he was sending him to Pharaoh "So that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt" (3:9).

Moses, who thought himself unworthy of such a task, came up with five excuses as to why he shouldn't be the one to do the Lord's bidding: 1. Why me? 2. Who is sending me? 3. What if they don't believe me? 4. I'm not a good speaker. 5. I don't want to go.

At this time the Lord grew angry at Moses and rebuked him. Moses reluctantly departed after asking his father-in-law for permission. Backed by the elders of Israel, Moses, with Aaron, petitioned the Pharaoh to let God's people go into the desert for a feast and to sacrifice unto the Lord.

Yet Pharaoh was a hard man and ordered the Israelites to work harder and called them lazy. He succeeded in casting a shadow of doubt over the will of God and the people of God began to doubt Moses.

Moses and Aaron returned to Pharaoh ten more times to request the release of the Israelites. And each time the Pharaoh said he wouldn't let them go. For each of these times, the Lord released a plague upon the Egyptians. These plagues were: turning all water to blood (7:14-25), frogs (8:1-15), lice (8:16-19), flies (8:20-32), livestock pestilence (9:1-7), boils (9:8-12), hail (9:13-25), darkness (10:21-29), and the death of the first born son (11:1-10; 12:29-36). The plagues not only defeated Pharoah, but also defeats one after another of Egypt's pagan gods (12:12). God told Moses that he himself had hardened Pharaoh's heart so that, "I may perform these signs of Mine among them, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians, and how I performed My signs among them; that you may know that I am the Lord." ³

The night of the Passover was a turning point for the nation of Israel. So significant was the event that their entire year revolved around changing of the order of the months of their calendar (11:2). Also at this time God outlined the details of the Passover feast and established it as a yearly event (11:3-20). By establishing these precepts, God also established the institution of blood sacrifice for the remission of sin.

So Moses won the release of the people of Israel through the death of the first-born of the people of Egypt. Six hundred thousand men (beside women and children) left Egypt exactly four hundred and thirty years to the day from the start of their captivity as predicted. ⁴

God leads the Nation of Israel out of Egypt "by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea" (13:13) guiding them with a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. Pharaoh, realizing he has lost his slave labor force sends his entire chariot army to recapture the Israelites. Trapped between the army and the Red Sea, the Nation of Israel was terrified and complained to Moses about their impending doom. Following, God provides a two-fold deliverance for Israel. The first by allowing them to safely pass through the parted waters on dry land and second by destroying Pharaoh's army when they arrogantly followed them into the sea.

It's not long before the people, once again, begin to complain. There wasn't enough food to eat or water to drink. (Understandable, since there was up to two million people.) And once again God provides for their needs. He gives manna to eat and causes water to flow from a rock. He also provides for their protection when faced by the Amalekites, a force too strong for them to overcome on their own.

Moses and the Israelites arrive at Mount Sinai and are joined by Jethro, his father-in-law, and his wife and sons. While there Jethro gives Moses the advice to set Godly men in positions of authority to help in the governing of the people. That way Moses can concentrate on the more difficult matters and spend more time with God.

The first eighteen chapters of Exodus relate to Israel's' deliverance, while the remaining chapters concern their worship. ⁵ Through His law God spelled out how they should worship Him.

His first set of laws was given in ten brief statements. The first four speak of how the people should relate to God, the last on how they should relate to Him. It's interesting that even as Moses was with God on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the people of Israel were breaking His first law of not having any other gods by making a golden calf and worshipping it.

God next gives orders for a tabernacle to be built, a place for Him to dwell among His people. His orders are detailed and are to be carried out exactly. After everything is made, the workmen brought it all before Moses for inspection. One year after leaving Egypt Moses sets up the Tabernacle. "He carefully assembled every piece as directed, each article of furniture in its exact position (see 40:18-33)." ⁶

The Book of Exodus, which began with the people of Israel in slavery, ends with God filling the Tabernacle. He is now personally present in the midst of His people throughout their journeys.