INTRODUCTORY SECTION I LET's EXPLORE EXODUS! Consider
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LET’S EXPLORE EXODUS! INTRODUCTORYSECTION I LET’S EXPLORE EXODUS! Consider the greatness of Exodus. “Nearly all the foundations of which JEWISH life is built- the Ten Commandments, the historic festivals, the leading prin- ciples of civil law-are contained in the book of Exodus.”J The importance of Exodus is not confined to the Jews alone. CHRISTIANS recognize the events in Exodus as having been written “by way of example” for our learning (I Cor. 10:ll). The bondage in Egypt illustrates our former bondage in sin. Moses is like unto Jesus Christ in many respects (Deut. 18:15; Acts 3:22; 7:37). Israel’s deliverance across the Red Sea was a “baptism unto Moses” and illustrates our “baptism into Christ” (I Cor. 10:2; Gal. 3:27). Israel’s failures in their wilderness journey were recorded that we might not fall into the same example of disobedience (Heb. 4: 11). The tabernacle, which is so prominent in Exodus 25-40, was a “figure for the time present” (Heb. 9:9). The greatness of Exodus radiates benefits and life-changing truth to ALL HUMANKIND. From no other book have men learned so much of the character and work of the LORD God, a “God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth; . and that will by no means clear the guilty” (Ex. 34:6,,7). From no other book has mankind learned laws more beneficial, comprehensive, and succinct than the ten commandments in Exodus. lJ. H. Hertz, The Pentateuch and Haftorahs (London: Soncino, 1969), p. 205. 1 INTRODUCTORY STUDY I1 Themes of Exodus: REDEMPTIONAND NATIONHOOD A. The theme of REDEMPT~~Nsums up much of the history and message of the book of Exodus. Numerous authors (e.g., Pink, Van Dooren) have felt that this term was a good one to express the theme of the book. 1. The theme of REDEMPTION,or redemption followed by God’s leading, is stated in the book of Exodus itself “I will REDEEMyou with an outstretched arm, and with great judgment: and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God’’ (Ex. 6:6-7). “Thou in thy lovingkindness hast LED the people that thou hast REDEEMED”(Ex. 15: 13). (This statement strikes us as a key verse in Exodus.) “He hath sent REDEMPTIONunto his people; He hath commanded his covenant for ever: Holy and reverend is his name” (Psalm 1 1 1 :9). 2. What does REDEMPTIONmean? The Hebrew verb (ga’al)translated redeem in Ex. 6:16 and 15: 13 means to free by avenging ot buying back. The Greek word (lutroo) translated redeem in 15: 13 in the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, or LXX) means to release on receipt of a ransom. The Greek word (ruornaz? translated redeem in 6:6 means to draw to one’s self. Thus, REDEMPTIONbasically means a buying back, but its meaning has been broadened to mean releasing or deliverance generally. 3. Christians have REDEMPTIONin Christ from God (Eph. 1:7). To understand the way God REDEEMEDIsrael from Egypt will help us understand the nature of our redemption. For example, though Israel was redeemed from Egypt with mighty miracles and God’s special favor, still out in the wilderness they suffered countless hardships and tests and temptations. Similarly, though we have been wondrously and miraculously redeemed from sin and from 2 REDEMPTION AND NATIONHOOD impossible burdens, still we must face many tribulations, tests, and temptations, We are not promised immediate deliverance from all difficulties, 4, The development of the theme of REDEMPTIONin Exodus can be outlined as follows: a, Need for redemption (chs, 1-6) b, Might of the redeemer (chs. 7-11) c, Method of redemption (chs. 12-18) d. Duties of the redeemed (chs. 19-24) e, Provisions for the redeemed (chs. 25--40) (Adapted from Arthur Pink, Gleanings in Exodus [Chicago: Moody, n.d.1 p. 8.) B. NATIONHOOD Various authors have selected the topic of Israel’s becom- ing a nation as the theme of Exodus. They have worded it in various ways. 1. “The Making of a Holy Nation.” See Ex. 19:6. We have used this heading on the end sheets of this book (the pic- tures inside the covers). Israel became God’s holy nation when God provided them a leader (Ex. 1-6), liberation (Ex. 7-12), leading (Ex. 13-18), laws (Ex. 19-24), and divine worship (Greek, lutreia) (Ex, 25-40). 2. “The commencement of Israel as a covenant nation.” (G. L. Archer, A Survey of 0.T. Introduction [Chicago: Moody, 19641 p. 209.) 3. “The beginning of a separate national existence.” As Genesis records the beginning of religious life in Israel, so Exodus records the beginning of national life. (John Raven, Old Testament Introduction mew York: Revell, 19101, p. 136.) 4. “From a Family to a Nation.” When Jacob Israel came in- to Egypt, he came only as a large family (Ex. 1:lS). But in fulfillment of the promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:2), Israel became a nution. This transformation was effected by stages: a. Population; b, Liberation; c. Legislation; d. Or- ganization. All of these stages can be observed in Exodus. I 3 EXODUS- CHAPTER TOPICS GOD'S MAh PLAGUES PATHWAY COVENAN1 I THE COHFLICT 13 BEGINS I NEED FOR DEMANDS AND PREPARATIONS . GODIS MAN DIRECTION (Transition) (PLAGUE #1) TO RECEIVE TO THE REDEENED COVENANT 8 14 PREPARATION OF BAPTIZED GOD'S MAN PLAGUES 2, 3, 4 UNTO MOSES 9 15 21 : PLAGUES 5, 6, 7 FROM. SONG TO BITTERNESS 4 16 22 CL: z 4 HESITANCY OF BREAD FROM z GOD'S MAN W HEAVEN > -0 U 11 17 23 t" 5 n 0 TWO TESTS: W RESlSTAiKE TO THE WATER AND GOD'S MAN LAST WARNING I WAR ~ 6 12 18 24 PLAGUE 10 STRENGTHENING OF JETHRO COVENANT GOU'S MAN OVER AND OUT I AND JUDGES RAT1FI ED TABERNACLE TABERNACLE INSTRUCTIONS GOLDEN CALF CO NSTRUCTlOh 25 32 35 TABERNACLE INSTRUCT IONS RUPTURE OFFER1NGS (Ark, table, lampetand) OF COVENANT AND WORKMEN 26 33 36 ENCLOSI NGS GOD AND ISRAEL (Curtains, boards, ENCLOSINGS bare, veil, screen1 IN TENSION 27 34 37 ALTAR AND COURT RENEWAL INSIDE FURNITURE OF COVENANT 28 z GARMENTS 38 -w- OUTSIDE FURNITURE 2 9 2 CONSECRATION Total Cost 30 39 PRIESTS' GARMENTS; FINISHED WORK PRESENTED 31 CRAFTSMENI SABBATH GLORY OF LOW)'':' EXPLORING EXODUS INTRODUCTORY SECTION 111 NAMESand OUTLINEof Exodus The NAMES of the book of Exodus I. In the Hebrew Bible it is called Shemoth, meaning names. This is taken from the opening words of the book, We‘elleh shemoth, which mean “These are the names.” 2. In the Greek Bible (Septuagint, or LXX) it is called Exodos, meaning “going out” or “departure.” This word actually appears in the Greek of 19: 1: “In the third month of the departure (Gr., exodos) of the sons of Israel . 99 This name applies more accurately to the first half of the book than to the second half. 3. The Latin Bible used the title Exodus, a slightly-changed form of the Greek title. In our English Bibles we have used the Latin title. OUTLINE(S)OF EXODUS We can outline the book of Exodus according to the PLACES where the events occurred. I. ISRAEL IN EGYPT; Chs. 1-13 (1:1-13:16) 1. Population growth and bondage; Ch. 1. 2. Preparation of Moses; Chs. 2-6. 3. Plagues; Chs. 7-11. 4. Passover and departure; Chs. 12-13. 11. ISRAEL FROM EGYPT TO SINAI; Chs. 13-18 (13~17 -18~27). 1. Deliverance at the Red Sea; (13:17-1521). 2. Journey to Sinai; (1522-Ch. 17). 3. Visit of Jethro; Ch. 18. -/ 111. ISRAEL AT SINAI; Chs. 19-40. 4 NAMES AND OUTLINE OF EXODUS I. Law (covenant) given; Chs. 19-24, 2, Tabernacle instructions; Chs. 25-31, 3, Rebellion and renewal (golden calf); Chs. 32-34, 4, Tabernacle construction; Chs, 35-40, We can outline Exodus according to the EXPERIENCES shared by God’s people Israel. Exodus itself emphasizes the theme of God’s doings with His PEOPLE, (Note 3:7; 5:l; 6:7; 7:4; 1513; 19:5, 6.) I. GOD’S PEOPLE DELIVERED; Chs. 1-13 (1:1-13:16) 11. GOD’S PEOPLE LED; Chs. 13-18 (13:17-18:27) 111. GOD’S PEOPLE MADE A COVENANT NATION; Chs. 19-24. IV. GOD’S PEOPLE RECEIVE TABERNACLE INSTRUC- TIONS; Chs. 25-31. V, GOD’S PEOPLE SIN (golden calf’); Chs. 32-34. VI. GOD’S PEOPLE CONSTRUCT THE TABERNACLE; Chs. 35-40. Detailed OUTLINEof EXODUS I. GOD’S PEOPLE DELIVERED; 1:1-13:16. 1, Jacob’s family in Egypt; 1: 1-7. 2, Afflictions upon the children of ISrael; 1:8-22. a. Labor; 1:8-14. b. Genocide; 1:15-22. 3. Early life of Moses; 2:l-25. a. Birth and adoption; 2: 1-10, b. Rejection and flight; 2:ll-15. c. Moses in Midian; 2:16-22. d. God’s knowledge of Israel; 2:23-25. 4. Call of Moses; 3:l-4:17. a, The burning bush; 3: 1-6, b. God’s commission to Moses; 3:7-10. 5 EXPLORING EXODUS c. Objections by Moses; 3:ll-4:17. (1) “Who am I?” 3:11, 12. (2) “What is thy name?” 3:13-22. (3) “They will not believe.” 4:l-9. (4) “I am not eloquent.” 4:lO-12. (5) “Send someone else.” 4:13-17. 5. Moses’ return; 4:18-31, a. Obedience tested during return; 4:18-26.