Exodus
Exodus accounts for many of the religious ceremonies and customs of Israel, the creation of the tabernacle, the formation of priesthood, the Mosaic Law, and the sacrificial system. As such, Exodus is foundational for the following history of Israel. It describes how Israelites escaped from Egypt, became the covenant people of God, and came to know God’s presence and his ways. The Exodus is the central event of the Old Testament as the cross is of the New Testament. It provides the framework for the rest of the Old Testament message. The Passover, the Exodus, Moses, the Law, and the tabernacle dominated the thought of Israel for centuries to come.
Title:
Exodus is a Latin word derived from Greek Exodos, which means exit or departure. It is a name given by the 72 scholars who translated the Hebrew Bible into Greek. (that translation is called Septuagint) The Hebrew title, We’elleh Shemoth, “And these are the Names,” comes from the first phrase in chapter one. The Hebrew word “And” shows that Exodus is a continuation of Genesis.
Theme:
Exodus has two big themes. First theme is the redemption of Israel from Egypt. “I am the Lord, I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.” (6:6)
Second theme is the covenant God makes with his redeemed people. A covenant or a testament is a binding agreement between two parties. This is the heart of the Old Testament – God makes a covenant with Israel to be in a special relationship. “I will be their God, and they will be my people.” In a covenant, the two parties agree to do specific things for each other. God promises to be their God, and Israel promises to obey God’s commands as his people. As God gives the 10 commandments, God says: “now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to me above all people; for all the earth is mine and you shall be to me a kingdom of priest and a holy nation.” (19:5-6)
However, the covenant is not all about the law. A big part of the covenant has to do with the tabernacle, which is a dwelling place for God to be near his people. Living a holy life by obeying all the laws is not an easy task. God has given his people two gifts to empower them to live a holy life. First gift is salvation from Egytian slavery. Gratitude of salvation motivated God’s people to obey the 10 commandments.
Second gift is the tabernacle, which was a powerful reminder of God’s presence among his people. The tabernacle was built so that God could do his part of the covenant – to be the God FOR his beloved people. God’s presence in the tabernacle motivated people to obey God’s commands.
Christ in Exodus
Though Exodus contains no direct messianic prophecies, it is full of types and portraits of Christ. (1) Moses: He was a mediator between God and people. But Moses was only a type that pointed to the ultimate mediator – Jesus Christ. (2) The Passover: During the Passover, lambs were slain to redeem God’s people. The New Testament understood Christ as the Lamb of God. (3) The Tabernacle: Jesus claimed that he himself is God’s tabernacle (or temple). In its materials, colors, furniture, and arrangement, the tabernacle points to the person of Christ and his work of redemption. The tabernacle is theology in a physical form. (4) The High Priest: In several ways, the high priest foreshadows the ministry of Christ, who is our Great High Priest.
Survey of Exodus
Part I
God’s Redemption of Israel
1-6 The Prince of Egypt: The Return of Moses
7-11 The Judgment of 10 Plagues
12 The Passover and the Exodus
13-18 The Red Sea and the journey in the desert
Part II
God’s Covenant with Israel
19-20 A Holy Nation and the 10 Commandments
21-24 The Book of Covenant
25-40 Divine worship through the Tabernacle