In today’s video we’re going to, “survey and briefly summarize the Book of Exodus.”
Then afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
Moses was the author of the Book of Exodus.
As for the date of writing: The Book of Exodus was written between 1440 and 1400 B.C.
As for the purpose of writing: The word “exodus” means departure.
In God’s timing, the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt marked the end of a period of oppression
for Abraham’s descendants, and the beginning of the fulfillment of the covenant promise
to Abraham that his descendants would not only live in the Promised Land, but would
also multiply and become a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3, 7).
The purpose of the book may be expressed as tracing the rapid growth of Jacob’s descendants
from Egypt to the establishment of the theocratic nation in their Promised Land.
Some Key Verses: Exodus 1:8, "Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power
in Egypt."
Exodus 2:24-25, "God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham,
with Isaac and with Jacob.
So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them."
Exodus 12:27, "'It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of
the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.'
Then the people bowed down and worshiped."
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."
As for a brief summary: Exodus begins where Genesis leaves off as God deals with His chosen
people, the Jews.
It traces the events from the time Israel entered Egypt as guests of Joseph, who was
powerful in Egypt, until they were eventually delivered from the cruel bondage of slavery
into which they had been brought by "...a new king...which knew not Joseph" (Exodus
1:8).
Chapters 1-14 describe the conditions of oppression of the Jews under Pharaoh, the rise of Moses
as their deliverer, the plagues God brought upon Egypt for the refusal of their leader
to submit to Him, and the departure from Egypt.
God’s sovereign and powerful hand is seen in the miracles of the plagues—ending with
the plague of death of the firstborn and the institution of the first Passover—the deliverance
of the Israelites, the parting of the Red Sea, and the destruction of the Egyptian army.
The middle portion of Exodus is dedicated to the wandering in the wilderness and the
miraculous provision by God for His people.
But even though He gave them bread from heaven, sweet water from bitter, water from a rock,
victory over those who would destroy them, His Law written on tablets of stone by His
own hand, and His presence in the form of pillars of fire and cloud, the people continually
grumbled and rebelled against Him.
The last third of the book describes the construction of the Ark of the Covenant and the plan for
the Tabernacle with its various sacrifices, altars, furniture, ceremonies, and forms of
worship.
As for foreshadowings: The numerous sacrifices required of the Israelites were a picture
of the ultimate sacrifice, the Passover Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
The night of the last plague on Egypt, an unblemished lamb was killed and its blood
applied to the doorposts of the houses of God’s people, protecting them from the angel
of death.
This foreshadowed Jesus, the Lamb of God without spot or blemish (1 Peter 1:19), whose blood
applied to us ensures eternal life.
Among the symbolic presentations of Christ in the book of Exodus is the story of the
water from the rock in Exodus 17:6.
Just as Moses struck the rock to provide life-giving water for the people to drink, so did God
strike the Rock of our salvation, crucifying Him for our sin, and from the Rock came the
gift of living water (John 4:10).
The provision of manna in the wilderness is a perfect picture of Christ, the Bread of
Life, provided by God to give us life (John 6:48).
As for practical application: The Mosaic Law was given in part to show mankind that they
were incapable of keeping it.
We are unable to please God by law-keeping; therefore, Paul exhorts us to “put our faith
in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law,
because by observing the law no one will be justified” (Galatians 2:16).
God’s provision for the Israelites, from deliverance from captivity to the manna and
quail in the wilderness, are clear indications of His gracious provision for His people.
God has promised to supply all our needs.
“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful”
(1 Corinthians 1:9).
We are to trust in the Lord, for He can deliver us from anything.
But God does not allow sin to go unpunished forever.
As a result, we can trust Him in His retribution and justice.
When God removes us from a bad situation, we should not seek to go back.
When God makes demands of us, He expects us to comply, but at the same time He provides
grace and mercy because He knows that, on our own, we will not be able to fully obey.
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