Exodus

Introduction to Exodus: The Call to Move

• The concept of leaving or being ordered to "GET UP… leave… go" often sounds appealing to those who are trapped or enslaved. However, some individuals resist these marching orders because they prefer their present, known surroundings to a new and unknown environment.

• Transitioning from the comfortable security of the known to an uncertain future is a difficult task.

• The Book of Exodus addresses the fundamental question: if God gives the order to move, will we follow His lead?

• The book describes a series of God’s calls and the subsequent responses of His people.

Historical Context and the Rise of Oppression

• At the start of Exodus, approximately $400$ years had passed since Joseph moved his family to Egypt.

• The descendants of Abraham had grown significantly, reaching a population of over $2$ million strong.

• The new pharaoh of Egypt viewed the Hebrews as foreigners, and their large numbers were seen as a frightening threat to his security.

• Pharaoh decided to enslave the Hebrews to prevent them from upsetting his balance of power. This decision is described as his "biggest mistake," as it prompted God to come to the rescue of His people.

The Life and Calling of Moses

• Moses became a central figure through a series of unusual events: he started as a Hebrew boy, became a prince in Pharaoh’s palace, and eventually became an outcast in the wilderness.

• God first visited Moses in the mysterious flames of a burning bush.

• Following a discussion with God, Moses agreed to return to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of slavery.

• Moses confronted Pharaoh, leading to a cycle of plagues and broken promises by the Egyptian leader until Israel was finally released from his grasp.

The Journey into the Wilderness

• Mobilizing a mass of humanity (the Hebrew nation) was a monumental task.

• The Israelites marched out of Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, and entered the wilderness.

• They were guided by Moses and divine manifestations: pillars of cloud and fire.

• Despite witnessing persistent evidence of God’s love and power, the people began to complain and felt a yearning for their former lives in Egypt.

• God provided for both their physical and spiritual needs, offering food and a place to worship.

• God also exercised judgment over their disobedience and unbelief.

• During a dramatic meeting at Mount Sinai, God provided Moses with laws for right living.

Application for the Modern Believer

• God's leadership of Moses and the nation of Israel serves as a model for how He wants to lead people today.

• Specific Tasks: Individuals should ask if God is preparing them for a specific task; if so, they should be assured He will be with them and they should obey and follow.

• Deliverance: When being delivered from an enemy or temptation, the instruction is to trust Him and do as He says.

• Moral Direction: Believers should read, study, and obey God's Word for clear moral directions.

• Worship: God calls people to true worship, discovering His presence in their lives, homes, and within the body of assembled believers.

• Exodus is ultimately described as the exciting story of God’s guidance, intended to be read with a determination to follow wherever God leads.

Vital Statistics of Exodus

• Purpose: To record the specific events of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt and their development as a distinct nation.

• Author: Moses.

• Original Audience: The people of Israel.

• Date Written: Approximately $1450-1410\,BC$, which is roughly the same timeframe as the writing of Genesis.

• Where Written: In the wilderness during the period of Israel’s wanderings.

• Setting: Primarily Egypt. The Israelites, who were once highly favored in the land, have become slaves, and God is about to set them free.

• Key Verse ($3:7, 10$): "The LORD said, 'I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering…. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.'"

• Key People: Moses, Miriam, Pharaoh, Pharaoh’s daughter, Jethro, Aaron, Joshua, and Bezalel.

• Special Features: Exodus is noted for relating more miracles than any other Old Testament book and for containing the Ten Commandments.

Timeline of Key Events

• $1805\,BC$ ($1640\,BC$): Joseph dies.

• Slavery in Egypt: A prolonged period of oppression.

• $1526\,BC$ ($1350\,BC$): Moses is born.

• $1446\,BC$ ($1280\,BC$): The Exodus from Egypt occurs.

• $1445\,BC$ ($1279\,BC$): The Ten Commandments are given.

• $1406\,BC$ ($1240\,BC$): Israel enters the land of Canaan.

• $1375\,BC$ ($1220\,BC$): The period of the Judges begins.

The Blueprint of Exodus

A. Israel in Egypt ($1:1-12:30$)

1. Slavery in Egypt.

2. God chooses Moses.

3. God sends Moses to Pharaoh.

4. Plagues strike Egypt.

5. The Passover.

• Lesson: When the Israelites were enslaved, God heard their cries and rescued them. This provides confidence that God still hears His people and delivers them from sin, death, and evil.

B. Israel in the Wilderness ($12:31-18:27$)

1. The Exodus.

2. Crossing the sea.

3. Complaining in the wilderness.

• Lesson: After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites became quarrelsome and discontented. Similarly, Christians today may become dissatisfied and complain during struggles. Difficulties should not turn a believer away from trusting God.

C. Israel at Sinai ($19:1-40:38$)

1. Giving the law.

2. Tabernacle instructions.

3. Breaking the law.

4. Tabernacle construction.

• Lesson: At Sinai, God revealed His law to the Israelites to show them what He is like and how He expects them to live. The law remains instructional because it exposes sin and establishes God’s standard for living.

Megathemes of Exodus

Slavery

• The Israelites were enslaved and cruelly oppressed by Pharaoh during their $400$-year stay in Egypt.

• They prayed for deliverance, and God answered.

• The memory of this slavery was intended to help the Israelites learn to treat others with generosity.

• Modern Application: There is a need to stand against those who oppress others.

Rescue/Redemption

• God rescued Israel using the leader Moses and through mighty miracles.

• The Passover was established as an annual reminder of their escape from slavery.

• Parallels to Christianity: God delivers believers from the slavery of sin. Jesus Christ celebrated the Passover with His disciples at the Last Supper and subsequently rescued humanity from sin by dying in our place.

Guidance

• God used several means to guide Israel: the plagues, Moses' courage, the miracle of the Red Sea, the pillar of cloud and fire, and the Ten Commandments.

• God is presented as a trustworthy guide. While He is all-powerful and capable of miracles, He normally guides through His Word and human leaders.

• Optimal Leadership: The ideal scenario involves human leaders who are fully committed to God’s Word, which grants them the wisdom/discernment to make good decisions and govern with justice and mercy.

Ten Commandments

• God's law system consisted of three distinct parts:

  1. The Ten Commandments: The first part, containing the absolutes of spiritual and moral life.

  2. Civil Law: The second part, providing rules for managing daily life.

  3. Ceremonial Law: The third part, providing patterns for building the tabernacle and conducting regular worship.

• This system taught Israel the importance of choice and responsibility; obedience led to blessing, while disobedience led to punishment or calamity.

• Global Impact: Many great countries base their legal systems on the moral system found in Exodus. The Ten Commandments remain valid today.

The Nation

• God founded Israel to be the source of truth and salvation for the whole world.

• His relationship with the people was categorized as loving yet firm.

• When they left Egypt, the Israelites lacked an army, schools, governors, mayors, or police; God had to instruct them in constitutional laws, daily practices, worship, and national holidays.

• The newly formed nation exhibited behavioral characteristics similar to modern Christians: sometimes disorganized or rebellious, yet sometimes victorious.

• Current Application: God and His Word still guide the church. If churches reflect God’s leadership, they will effectively serve Him and impact the moral and cultural climate of their nations.