Introduction to Exodus

Exodus begins where Genesis leaves off: The descendants of Jacob are living in Egypt and have multiplied into a large community. But Egypt’s new king, the pharaoh, regards the Israelites as a threat and forces them into slavery. Exodus tells the story of how God hears the cry of His people, delivers them from Egyptian bondage, and leads them to freedom.

Background

The title, Exodus, comes from a Greek word that means “going out,” which is fitting for the book’s subject: the exit of the Hebrew people from Egypt. The text does not name its author, but Jewish and Christian traditions ascribe the book to Moses. However, there is debate about how the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch, were compiled (see the “Introduction to Genesis”).

Assigning the events of Exodus to a specific historical period is difficult because there is little evidence from outside the Bible. The exodus can be dated to sometime during the 15th–13th centuries bc. The story is set mostly in Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula—particularly Mount Sinai. The events surrounding God’s call of Moses (Exod 2–4) take place in Midian, just east of Sinai.

Structure

The book of Exodus divides naturally into two halves (chs. 1–18 and chs. 19–40). The first half tells how God rescues the Israelites from Egypt and leads them to Mount Sinai. God saves the infant Moses and later commissions him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (chs. 1–4). As God’s representative, Moses repeatedly confronts Pharaoh, who refuses to let the Israelites leave despite the devastating plagues sent by God (chs. 5–10). After the 10th plague kills all of the firstborn throughout Egypt, Pharaoh relents; the Israelites leave Egypt and walk across the sea as God holds back the waters (chs. 11–15). In the wilderness, they soon run out of supplies, but God miraculously provides food and water (chs. 16–18).

The second half of Exodus deals with the covenant God makes with the Israelites at Mount Sinai. This section begins with the Israelites camping at the mountain and receiving the Ten Commandments, which are followed by other regulations (chs. 19–24). God also gives Moses detailed plans for the Israelites’ worship, including instructions for the ark of the covenant, the tabernacle (Israel’s portable tent-shrine), and the priesthood (chs. 25–31). While Moses is up on the mountain, the Israelites decide to worship a golden idol shaped like a calf; in the fallout, God teaches the people how important it is to worship Him alone (chs. 32–34). The remaining chapters record the Israelites constructing the tabernacle and preparing for worship (chs. 35–40).

Outline

• Deliverance from Egypt (1:1–15:21)

• Journey to Sinai (15:22–18:27)

• The law is given at Sinai (19:1–31:18)

• The Israelites rebel at Sinai (32:1–34:35)

• The tabernacle is completed (35:1–40:38)

Themes

The core message of Exodus is that God alone can set people free from bondage. The Israelites cannot rescue themselves. Throughout the book, God reveals Himself with the repeated statement “I am Yahweh” (e.g., 6:6–8; 20:2; 34:10; this name often appears as “the Lord” in English translations). In doing so, Yahweh affirms that Israel is indeed His people.

God gives His people guidance about how to live and how to worship. Idolatry is not an option; Yahweh is not like other gods and cannot be worshiped in the same way. By giving the Israelites His law, God teaches them how to live justly. But as Moses indicates, the people need more than God’s law; they need His presence to dwell among them (33:15–17; 40:36–38).

Exodus proclaims God’s deliverance of Israel. God frees His people and sustains them. He is their great rescuer. This act of deliverance is remembered throughout the Bible as the quintessential example of Yahweh’s power to save (Neh 9:9–15; Psa 78; Isa 48:20–21). Just as Yahweh saved them before, He would save them again (Isa 51:9–11; Hos 11:1–11). And, in Christ—the one greater than Moses—we too have a great rescuer (Heb 3:1–6). Jesus came to fulfill the law of Moses and free us from the bondage of sin (Matt 5:17–20; Gal 5:1). Thanks to Christ’s actions on the cross, we also have God’s very presence among us, the Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17; 16:17).

The message of Exodus is that God has set the captives free and continues to do so. God hears the cries of all who are oppressed, from sin or any worldly or spiritual powers, and He is faithful to answer (Rom 8:31–39; Heb 2).

Further Reading

The Pentateuch

Cosmic Garden and Mountain Imagery in the Old Testament

Holiness and Sacred Space in Israelite Religion

Exodus, Book of CLBD