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How to Read Exodus

(Every time we begin a new book, I will post a short aide on How to Read that book that will hopefully help you get the most out of your reading)

Content: Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, her constitution as a people through covenant law, and instructions for and construction of the tabernacle – the place of God’s presence.

Author & Date: Probably Moses.  The story begins with Joseph’s death (ca. 1600 B.C.?) and ends with Israel’s encampment at Sinai (either 1440 or 1260 BC)

Emphases: God’s miraculous rescue of Israel from Egypt through Moses; covenant law given at Mt. Sinai; the tabernacle as the place of God’s presence and Israel’s proper worship; God’s revelation of himself and his character; Israel’s tendency to complain and rebel against God; God’s judgment and mercy toward his people when they rebel.

How to read Exodus: The first 20 chapters are a narrative and are easier to read, but they are followed by laws and instructions about how to build the tabernacle, and then a description of the Israelites building the tabernacle (with three chapters of narrative in between from 32-34).  Exodus is all about the crucial matters that define Israel as a people in relationship to their God, Yahweh.  There are three defining moments to pay attention to:

1) God’s miraculous deliverance of his people from slavery – The story of Moses is given solely with his role in the exodus in view.  This is clearly God’s victory, over Pharaoh and the gods he represents, and the Passover will be an annual reminder of this great deliverance.
2) The return of the presence of God as distinguishing his people from all other peoples on the earth – The divine presence, which was lost in Eden, is restored as the central feature of Israel’s existence.  Moses recognizes the importance of God’s presence, pleading for God’s presence to go with them in Exodus 33:15-16.
3) The gift of the law as the means of establishing his covenant with them – The Ten Commandments and the Book of the Covenant are given in order to teach Israel how to relate to God and each other.  This covenant reveals who God is and what he wants from his people, and teaches that obedience is the path of covenant loyalty and blessing.

Exodus will be a theme throughout the Bible, most notably in Jesus delivering us from slavery to sin.  Certainly the presence of God will also be a key theme, with the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost ensuring that God will be with us wherever we go and replacing the need for a temple.  And, of course, the law is also a key theme, which will not only teach us about what it means to know God and live as His people, but will also show us our need for a Savior who will fulfill the law perfectly.

Memory Verse – Exodus 20:2-3 - “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.  You shall have no other gods before me.”

Much of this material is drawn from “How to Read the Bible Book by Book” by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart.

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