Exodus: Redeemed to meet God

Where Exodus sits

In the story

Act IV, Israel · Redeemed, c. 1446–1406 BC

In the Bible

Old Testament · The Law · book 2 of 66

Before it in the story

Genesis, Job

After it in the story

Leviticus

The second book of the Law: the promises of Genesis begin to come true as God redeems Abraham's offspring from Egypt, makes them His people at Sinai and fills the tabernacle with His glory. Leviticus opens with the LORD speaking from that tent.

Exodus summary

Exodus picks up Jacob's family in Egypt, grown into a great people and crushed in slavery. God remembers His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, meets Moses at the burning bush and reveals His name, and by ten plagues makes Pharaoh and Egypt know that He is the LORD. On Passover night the blood of a lamb shelters Israel's firstborn; God brings His people out and through the sea on dry ground, and they sing of the LORD who reigns for ever. After tests on the way He brings them to Sinai, where He speaks the Ten Commandments, gives His ordinances, and seals the covenant with blood. He shows Moses the pattern of a tabernacle so that He may dwell among them; the golden calf breaks the covenant almost at once, but at Moses' plea the LORD proclaims His merciful name and renews it. The book ends with the tabernacle built exactly as commanded and filled with His glory.

Exodus in context

Written by

Moses in substance: he writes at God's command (17:14; 24:4; 34:27), and Jesus and the apostles cite the book as his (Mark 12:26; Mark 7:10; John 1:17; John 5:46). Notes such as the forty years of manna (16:35) look back from late in his life.

Written to

Israel in the wilderness, and especially the generation on the plains of Moab about to enter the land, learning who redeemed them and on what terms they would live with Him

Setting

Egypt's eastern Delta (Goshen, Pithom and Rameses), then the deserts of Shur and Sin and the camp at Rephidim, and finally the foot of Mount Sinai, where Israel stays from 19:1 to the book's end

When

The exodus c. 1446 BC, the date the biblical chronology points to: 480 years before Solomon began the temple (1 Kgs 6:1), with Jephthah's “three hundred years” in the land fitting the same reckoning (Judg 11:26). Many hold a 13th-century date instead. Chapters 3–40 cover about two years, ending with the tabernacle raised on the first day of the second year (40:17). Written c. 1446–1406 BC.

Why

To show that the LORD keeps His covenant with the fathers: He redeems Israel by blood and power so that Egypt and Israel know He is the LORD, takes them for His own people at Sinai, and comes to dwell among them (6:6–7; 19:4–6; 29:45–46). It also shows that redemption comes before the law (20:2), and that a sinful people can live with a holy God only through a mediator, sacrifice and His proclaimed mercy (32–34).

Themes of Exodus

• The LORD makes His name known
• Redemption by blood and power
• From Pharaoh's service to the LORD's
• Covenant remembered, made, broken and renewed
• God dwelling with His people
• The LORD's war on Egypt and its gods
• The mediator
• Holiness and the way of approach
• God's rule over hardened hearts
• Testing in the wilderness

Key verses in Exodus

• Exodus 2:24

  So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

• Exodus 3:14

  God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

• Exodus 6:7

  I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

• Exodus 9:16

  But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

• Exodus 12:13

  The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a sign; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will fall on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

• Exodus 14:13

  But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.

• Exodus 15:11

  Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?

• Exodus 19:5–6

  Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you are to speak to the Israelites.”

• Exodus 20:2

  “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

• Exodus 25:8

  And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them.

• Exodus 34:6–7

  Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

• Exodus 40:34

  Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exodus chapter by chapter

Part 1 · In Egypt: the LORD redeems His people 1:1–15:21

1. 1
   Exodus 1: The more they were oppressed

   Israel multiplies in Egypt as God promised, and a fearful Pharaoh's slavery and slaughter cannot stop it.

2. 2
   Exodus 2: Drawn out of the water

   God preserves Moses from the river and in Midian, then hears Israel's groaning and remembers His covenant.

3. 3
   Exodus 3: I AM WHO I AM

   At the burning bush God reveals His name, the LORD, and sends Moses to bring Israel out.

4. 4
   Exodus 4: Who gave man his mouth?

   God answers Moses' objections with signs and Aaron, sends him to Pharaoh, and the elders believe and worship.

5. 5
   Exodus 5: Who is the LORD?

   Pharaoh scorns the LORD's demand and doubles Israel's burden, and the beaten people turn on Moses.

6. 6
   Exodus 6: I am the LORD

   God answers Moses with His name and seven “I will”s: He will redeem Israel as His people.

7. 7
   Exodus 7: The river turned to blood

   Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh; Aaron's staff swallows the magicians' staffs, and the Nile turns to blood.

8. 8
   Exodus 8: The finger of God

   Frogs, gnats and flies strike Egypt; the magicians confess God's finger, and Goshen is set apart.

9. 9
   Exodus 9: For this very purpose

   A livestock plague, boils and hail strike Egypt; God raised Pharaoh up to display His power and proclaim His name.

10. 10
    Exodus 10: A palpable darkness

    Locusts eat what the hail left and darkness covers Egypt, while Israel has light and Pharaoh's offers fail.

11. 11
    Exodus 11: One more plague

    God announces the last plague: at midnight every firstborn in Egypt will die, but not one in Israel.

12. 12
    Exodus 12: When I see the blood

    The LORD passes over houses marked by the lamb's blood, strikes Egypt's firstborn, and brings Israel out.

13. 13
    Exodus 13: Consecrate to Me every firstborn

    Every firstborn is the LORD's, sons are taught the feast, and God leads Israel by a pillar.

14. 14
    Exodus 14: Stand firm and you will see the LORD's salvation

    The LORD opens the sea for Israel and drowns Pharaoh's army, and Israel fears and believes Him.

15. 15
    Exodus 15: The LORD will reign forever and ever

    Israel sings of the LORD's triumph at the sea; at Marah He sweetens bitter water and promises healing.

Part 2 · In the wilderness: the LORD provides 15:22–18:27

1. 16
   Exodus 16: Bread from heaven

   God answers Israel's grumbling with quail and daily manna, testing them and teaching the Sabbath rest.

2. 17
   Exodus 17: Is the LORD among us or not?

   Water flows from the rock Moses strikes at Massah, and Israel defeats Amalek while Moses' hands are lifted up.

3. 18
   Exodus 18: Greater than all other gods

   Jethro confesses the LORD greater than all other gods and counsels Moses to share the judging with capable men.

Part 3 · At Sinai: the LORD dwells with His people 19:1–40:38

1. 19
   Exodus 19: On eagles' wings

   At Sinai God offers His redeemed people a covenant, then descends on the mountain in fire and cloud.

2. 20
   Exodus 20: The Ten Commandments

   The LORD who brought Israel out speaks the Ten Commandments, and the terrified people ask for a mediator.

3. 21
   Exodus 21: These are the ordinances

   God's ordinances begin: limits on servitude, death for murder and kidnapping, and justice for injury.

4. 22
   Exodus 22: For I am compassionate

   God orders restitution for theft and loss, and charges Israel to protect the foreigner, widow, orphan and poor.

5. 23
   Exodus 23: Behold, I am sending an angel before you

   God commands just courts, Sabbaths and feasts, and promises His Angel to lead Israel into the land.

6. 24
   Exodus 24: This is the blood of the covenant

   Israel pledges obedience, the covenant is sealed with blood, and the elders eat and drink before God.

7. 25
   Exodus 25: That I may dwell among them

   God calls for willing gifts for a sanctuary to dwell in, and designs the ark, table and lampstand.

8. 26
   Exodus 26: The veil will separate

   God designs the tabernacle: linen curtains, coverings, a gold-covered frame, and a veil before the Most Holy Place.

9. 27
   Exodus 27: An altar of acacia wood

   God orders the bronze altar, the linen-hung courtyard, and oil for a lamp that burns always.

10. 28
    Exodus 28: For glory and splendor

    God sets apart Aaron and his sons as priests, with holy garments that carry Israel's names before Him.

11. 29
    Exodus 29: I will dwell among the Israelites

    Priests are consecrated by blood and oil, lambs offered daily, and God promises to dwell among Israel.

12. 30
    Exodus 30: A ransom for his life

    God orders the incense altar, a ransom for every life counted, the bronze basin, and holy oil and incense.

13. 31
    Exodus 31: A sign between Me and you

    God fills Bezalel with His Spirit, makes the Sabbath Israel's covenant sign, and gives the tablets.

14. 32
    Exodus 32: These, O Israel, are your gods

    Israel worships a golden calf and breaks the covenant; Moses pleads for them, appealing to God's oath.

15. 33
    Exodus 33: My Presence will go with you

    God threatens to withdraw His presence, Moses pleads for it, and the LORD promises to go with them.

16. 34
    Exodus 34: The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious

    The LORD proclaims His compassionate and just name, renews the covenant, and Moses returns with a shining face.

17. 35
    Exodus 35: Everyone whose heart is willing

    Moses restates the Sabbath and calls for gifts and workers, and the people give freely for God's dwelling.

18. 36
    Exodus 36: More than enough

    The people give more than enough, and the craftsmen make the tabernacle's curtains, frames and veil as commanded.

19. 37
    Exodus 37: Bezalel went on to construct the ark

    Bezalel makes the ark and mercy seat, table, lampstand and incense altar, and the holy oil and incense.

20. 38
    Exodus 38: The inventory for the tabernacle

    The bronze altar, basin and courtyard are made, and the metals given for the work are counted.

21. 39
    Exodus 39: Just as the LORD had commanded Moses

    The priestly garments are made as commanded, the work is finished, and Moses sees it and blesses them.

22. 40
    Exodus 40: The glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle

    Moses raises the tabernacle as commanded, and the glory of the LORD fills it and leads Israel on.

See the outline of Exodus