Exodus – the book of God’s redemption. The title again comes from the Septuagint, and translated, means the departure or the going out. The story takes place in two locations: Egypt and Sinai. The children of Israel were taken from Egypt by the power of God manifested against the gods of Egypt and by the blood of the Lamb, in order to worship God at Sinai. You and I have been taken out of death, ignorance, sin, and this world through God’s power manifested in the shed blood of Jesus and His resurrection. This book teaches us the thrilling fact that we are saved in order to learn how to worship.
ISRAEL IN EGYPT (1:1-19:2)
THE OPPRESSION IN EGYPT (1:1-2:25)
We can come to the date of the exodus based on the reference in chapter 1:11 to the city of Rameses. That city was founded by Sethos I and completed by his son, Rameses II. Rameses was probably the Pharaoh of these chapters in the region of 1304 BC. Read Hebrews 11:23 for an insight into the faith of Moses’ parents. This oppression was the fulfillment of Genesis 15:13. Note chapter 2:24. The basis of the deliverance was the covenant God had made with Abraham.
- Compare Psalm 136:10 where the basis is given as loving kindness, a
THE CALL OF MOSES (3:1-4:17)
Along with these verses, read Hebrews 11:24-27 which throws more light on why Moses left the court. The burning bush: The fact that the bush was not consumed tells us that the flame was self- sustaining. It was in fact the Presence, Glory of God. Compare this with Exodus 13:21, 22 and Acts 2:3. Note the revelation of God’s name (3:13-15). He describes Himself as “I AM.” This indicates: The self-existent One who depends on none… being the source of life in Himself. The eternal who is always all that He was and is now what He always will be, i.e. the “I AM.” The self-sufficient. Whatever the need of the people is going to be, He would say “I AM” that supply.
THE JUDGMENTS (5:1-11:10)
The first nine preliminary judgments cover a period from May through June when the river Nile rose to April of the following year. The plagues fall into three groups of three, followed by the final death of the firstborn. The first three plagues involve Goshen as well as Egypt. Israel saw their God at work. The second three take place only in Egypt which declared the Lord as Lord of Egypt. The final three declared Him Lord of all the earth. Take special note of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. The most terrible judgment that God can inflict is to let men have what they want (Romans 1:24, 26, 28). He gave them up to their evil desires. Note the Hebrew meaning of the words used to describe the hardening: Exodus 7:13, 22; 8:19, 9:35 — firm, stiff, tough. Exodus 7:14, 8:15, 32; 9:7, 34 — heavy, dull, stupid. Exodus 13:15 — made hard; the final word that describes his condition. He firmed his heart immovable against God; he became heavy, dull or unimpressionable to the voice of God, and finally, hardness or insensibility to God’s Word was his lot. Read II Thessalonians 2:8-11 for further light on this. Note also Pharaoh hardened his own heart through the first five plagues. After the sixth, God hardened his heart. After the seventh, he hardened his own heart. Only after the eighth plague does God continue to harden him. Through seven plagues, he had the opportunity to repent.
PLAGUES:
- Nile – Egyptian god Nilus
a. Becomes blood – my god turned to death.
- Frogs – Egyptian god Hect.
a. God of reproduction. b. Nothing in the water Jehovah doesn’t control
- Gnats – Egyptian god Sev
a. God of soil b. Nothing fashioned from dust beyond Jehovah’s control
- Flies – Egyptian god Keptora (Beetle)
a. Flies in Egypt but none in Goshen b. Nothing in skies beyond Jehovah’s control
- Livestock – Egyptian god Aphis (Bull)
a. Animals die in Egypt but not Goshen b. Nothing that walked on the earth beyond Jehovah’s control
- Boils – Egyptian god Python – (Evil Eye – controls boils)
a. No disease beyond Jehovah’s control
- Hail – Egyptian god Shoo – (god of atmosphere)
a. Jehovah controls the atmosphere b. v. 20 even the pagans began to notice c. v. 27 Pharaoh is getting the picture d. v. 29 “The earth is the LORD’S”
- Locusts – Egyptian god Seraphis (god of crops)
a. Vegetation destroyed b. Jehovah controls crops
- Darkness – Egyptian god Rah (god of sun)
a. Jehovah controls light and darkness b. PhaRAoh
- First born – Egyptian god Tah (god of life)
a. Pyramids – attempt at eternal life (mummies) b. Jehovah controls life – even ME c. Ten — completion God has very patiently demonstrated His Goodness, His Care, His Concern, His loving kindness – HIS GOODNESS He has led Israel to repentance, Egypt to Judgment. Ch. 12:35-36
THE FINAL JUDGMENT AND DELIVERANCE (12:1-15:21)
Read Hebrews 11:28, 29 that describes the faith of the Israelites at this time. The blood on the doorposts was a sign to them and to God (12:13). It declared that God had accepted the substitute lamb He has provided, and it indicated to the people that they had claimed a share in the covenant God had given them. The Passover is a perfectly foreshadowed Jesus. (Passover insert) Read John 1:29, I Peter 1:2, 19, 19; John 19:36, I Corinthians 5:7. Six hundred thousand men came out of Egypt (Numbers 1:46; 3:39). Add to these their families and the old folk, and we have a multitude of three million people. Read the song of Moses in chapter 15 carefully. Note its triumph and faith.