Bible

Today we are continuing our “Getting Started Bible” opening the Book of Exodus.  We will divide the book into two reading sessions. 

This is more than a ‘historical’ book, as we are ever reminded of the following from 2 Tim. 3:16: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

____________________________________________

Introduction to Exodus:

Writer: As with the Book of Genesis, most evidence points to Moses as the primary writer, with a few other contributors as well.

Scope: The second book of the Pentateuch, (the first five books of the Old Testament), Exodus chronicles Israel’s escape from 430 years of slavery in Egypt, led by Moses and his brother, Aaron.

Entering Egypt during the great famine of 1876 B.C., it is estimated that this family of seventy offspring of Jacob has grown to as many as two million souls at the time of the Exodus in 1446 B.C. They will be known as ‘God’s Chosen People.’

In the south Sinai desert, at Mt. Sinai, God gives His Law to Israel through Moses, making a new Agreement with them: If they follow His Law and Regulations, they will become a great and prosperous nation.

 In addition to ‘God’s Law,’ God also gives Moses the design plans and specifications for the Tabernacle. This portable worship center will be assembled and disassembled many times over the course of Israel’s forty-year journey, representing God’s presence moving with them as they traveled toward the Promised Land of Canaan.

___________________________________________

Exodus – Part 1

Chapter 1. New Nation

A new nation takes root in Egypt:

• Joseph is long dead and gone;
• The ‘Hebrews’ become slaves in the area called Goshen;
• As God promised, Israelites increase greatly;
• New Pharaohs fear the rise of this non-Egyptian population.

Chapter 2. Moses

The Pharaoh decrees all baby boys must be drowned;

• Moses, a Hebrew, descendant of the tribe of Levi, is hidden in a basket by his mother near some reeds in the Nile river;
• Discovered in the river by the Pharaoh’s daughter;
• Raised by his own mother in Pharaoh’s house;
• Grows up, kills an Egyptian in a fight;
• Leaves Egypt, hides in the land of Midian, east of Sinai;
• Takes Zipporah as his wife; they have a son, Gershom.

Chapter 3. Called

The burning bush:

• Moses hears God calling him from a flaming bush;
• God’s call:  Moses is to lead Israel out of Egypt;
• God’s promise to Moses:  He will influence Pharaoh;
• Moses and Aaron are to tell Pharaoh “I AM” has sent me.

Chapter 4. Aaron

Moses’ lack of confidence:  He is not a good speaker.

• Aaron, brother of Moses, is a good speaker:  They agree to work together.
• God gives them signs of his help:  Moses’ rod (walking stick) becomes a snake; his hand becomes leprous; water turns to blood on the ground;
• God will use these signs to influence Pharaoh;
• Moses and Aaron leave Midian, go back to Egypt.

Chapter 5. Slaves

Moses and Aaron entreat the Pharaoh to give the Hebrews time to worship God: Unreasonable demands by the Pharaoh:   

• Straw and clay are used to make brick:  The slaves must go about gathering their own straw, but must maintain their quota of work;
• He will not let Israel leave Egypt;
• Moses entreats the Lord for help.

Chapter 6. Promise

God tells Moses of his promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob:

• He will give their descendants, Israel, the land of Canaan;
• Moses pleads his inability to lead Israel out of Egypt.

Chapter 7. Plagues

Moses is 80 years old, Aaron is 83;

• God inflicts Egypt with miracles; Pharaoh remains unyielding;
• The first of ten plagues to change Pharaoh’s mind:
• All water turns to blood.

Chapter 8. More Plagues

Everything is covered by:

• 2.  Frogs;
• 3.  Lice;
• 4.  Flies.

Chapter 9. More Plagues

Things happen:

• 5.  Cattle die;
• 6.  Everyone has boils;
• 7.  Hail stones and fire fall.

Chapter 10. More Plagues

Torments:

• 8.  Locusts everywhere;
• 9.  Darkness fulltime;

Chapter 11; Freedom

The last plague, Pharaoh yields:

• 10.  Death of all firstborn sons and animals in Egypt;
• The slaves are set free.

Chapter 12. Exodus

The forty-years of wandering saga begins:

• Commemoration/Celebration:  Passover feast is held;
• Passover lamb:  The sacrificial lamb provides the blood;
• Blood of the Passover: Used to mark the Israelite homes;
• Unleavened bread:  Rushed departure leaves no time to add yeast to the bread dough for the dough to rise;
• Feast of the Passover:  The final meal;
• Night of the Passover:  Midnight in Egypt;
• The final plague: death of all firstborn, people and animals;
• Blood on the door frames marks the Israelite homes which the Death Angel will pass over;
• Departing, they are allowed to take everything they want – gold, silver, and clothing; the Egyptians are glad to see them go;
• The Exodus includes six hundred thousand men, plus women and children, many others, livestock;
• Foreigners are invited to join God’s chosen people.

Chapter 13. Celebration and Travel   

Commemoration of God’s protection of their firstborn under the last plague in Egypt:

• Israel is to consecrate all firstborn males to God;
• All firstborn animals are to be sacrificed to God, a perpetual sign to future generations of the miracle of Passover;
• Goshen to the Red Sea, by a circuitous route;
• Guided by a cloud by day, fire by night.

Chapter 14. Red Sea  

The perfect plan to escape forever the bondage of Egypt:

• The Pharaoh reconsiders the loss of his slaves, and all that gold;
• Thousands of armed men and chariots pursue the escaping slaves;
• Parting of the Red Sea water; Dry ground crossing;
• Judgment error leads to watery grave for entire enemy army;
• God’s miracle demonstration of power, and blessing on them, leads the people to renew their trust in Him.

Chapter 15. Journey Begins

Celebration marks the final escape from Egypt, and the beginning of the journey to Canaan, the Promised Land:

• Moses and Miriam lead a million-voice choir in a singing spectacular;
• Into the desert of Sinai, three days without water;
• Bitter water at Marah made sweet by a piece of wood;
• The Elim oasis:  twelve springs, seventy palm trees.

Chapter 16. Desert Life

Forty-five days after the Red Sea miracle, the journey becomes more challenging: They run short on food;

• The miracles fall from Heaven:  Manna in the morning and quail in the evening, some rules to obey:
• Gather one day’s meals for each day, double on the sixth day; 
• For forty years everyone has all the bread and meat they want on the journey to Canaan.

Chapter 17. Joshua

Two major events at camp Rephidim:

• Moses strikes a rock with his staff, it becomes an instant new source for drinking water;
• A local tribe of people called the Amalekites threatens an armed attack against Israel;
• Moses enlists his friend, a man called Joshua, to lead a counter attack against this new indigenous enemy;
• Moses, Aaron, and a man named Hur observe the battlefield from a high place;
• With Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ hands, Joshua’s army defeats the Amalekites with the sword;
• Joshua is called out for his decisive victory over Amalek.

Chapter 18. Judiciary

Settling disputes is an unbearable work load for Moses:

• In the land of Midian, where Moses had retreated after he killed the Egyptian, and where he found his wife, Zipporah, the Israelites make camp near Mt. Sinai;
• Jethro, the Priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, comes calling for an important visit;
• He joins Moses in celebrating Israel’s escape from bondage;
• Observing that his son-in-law is overworked, he suggests that Moses appoint judges (a court system) to hear disputes for various groups of people;
• Moses establishes the first judicial system in Israel;
• Dedicates himself to his role as the spiritual voice of God, teaching them God’s laws and ordinances;
• Retains himself as the chief judge deciding the more difficult issues among the people.

END OF EXODUS—PART 1