The Book of Exodus
Our brother Rainey has a special burden upon his heart for the young in Christ’s flock. It is his Intention to prepare an outline study of the separate books of the Bible.
There are those at school or college, and others engaged in apprenticeship work, who do not have time for a prolonged intensive Bible course. These monthly studies will prove a help and blessing to all, especially to those with limited time.
Should any feel the need of further help or have some specific problem, they may contact brother Rainey through this office.
The second book of the Bible is a long book of forty chapters, but the stories are filled with human interest and instruction. The baby in the bulrushes becomes the great Lawgiver. His very name, Moses, means “drawn out,” and this is God’s design throughout all our lives so that we might become useful and fruitful in a world of need. Exodus is a Greek word meaning “going out,” as we would say, “Exit.” However, the Hebrew word is, “The Names” as the opening verse tells out. After the foundation of all life in Genesis, we are taught the birth of the nation Israel in the land of Egypt. God is interested in people and His desire is ever towards the objects of His choice. Thus this book that begins in slavery concludes in the sunlight. In spite of the persecution of evil-men, the Pharaohs, and the plagues, there is freedom, fortitude, and fellowship in the service of God. It is interesting to note how God takes knowledge of our lives. In the family of Amram and Jochebad three children were born and Moses was the youngest. Yet years later Micah records them this way, “I sent before thee, Moses, Aaron and Miriam” (Micah 6:4). Why? To teach us that regardless of our age or how many are in our respective families spiritual success and the honour of God are conditioned on our obedience and making the most of our opportunity…
The Message
The book of Exodus records the liberation of Israel from the cruel bondage of Egypt. Its author and outstanding personality is Moses, the servant of God.
Genesis ended with the picture of Joseph’s coffin in Egypt, and now Exodus continues the national history incident of bearing that coffin back to the land of Joseph’s fathers. In Genesis Israel is a family, here the origin of the Nation. In Genesis the theme is “Election,” whereas in Exodus it is “Emancipation.” The Great events in Exodus are:
· the Training of Moses as Prince, Pupil, and Prophet;
· the Ten Plagues;
· the Passover;
· the Passage through the Red Sea; the Giving of the Law;
· the Ordination of the priesthood; and
· the Construction of the Tabernacle.
Looking at the book from the standpoint of geography three words sum it up: “Egypt, the Red Sea and Sinai,” and these three suggest three national far reaching events: The Ten Plagues, The Passover, and the Ten Commandments.”
The Method Of Study
The study of the book is fascinating and filled with typology, which is typical history, a parable enacted on earth for all to learn from. The Word of God assures us of this. “All these things happened unto them (the Israelites) for ensamples (typically)”: and they are written for our admonition (1 Cor. 10:1-11). In the Book of Hebrews we read concerning the tabernacle that it is “a parable for the time now present.” (Hebrews 9.9 R.V.)
Exodus should be studied christologically, for it is replete with the Person of Christ as seen in the person of Moses, the passover, and the tabernacle. Exodus should be studied dispensationally, since it sets forth so vividly the contrast between law and grace. Exodus should be studied historically, for it is a most valued biography of the miraculous history of the Hebrews. The Book of Exodus should be studied Religiously, for its information regarding customs, rituals, feasts, and the laws peculiar to Jewish life. Exodus should be studied spiritually, because it presents in a panoramic manner four individual experiences.
As a nation, Israel is seen as Slaves, crushed and crying for deliverance from the thraldom of Pharoah. Next we see Israel as Sons, redeemed and freed, led and fed under the leadership of the nation’s most colorful figure, Moses, the man of God. Finally, we see the nation as Servants, tested and trained, equipped and established making known the truth of God by life and legislation. Here we also note the personality of the Devil: his Dominion (Rom. 5.21), his Defiance (Ex. 5.2), his Devices (Ex. 8 and 10), his Doom (Ex. 14).
Again we have a divine classic on the theme of the book Redemption, the Passover being God’s picture of redemption for Israel. Exodus is the book of Redemption or as another has called it, “The Pilgrm’s Progress” of the Bible.
Exodus should be studied Prophetically for on its hearth burns brightly the Lamp of Prophecy. In the burning bush, Israel is seen as indestructible and though again and again almost extirpated as Ex. 3:2; Isa. 6:13 reveal, yet God will never forsake His Ancient People. In Isaiah a stock remains which will yet reproduce and flourish, while in Exodus though in the furnace of affliction, Israel will yet be delivered. Exodus should be studied Scripturally, for in comparing Scripture with Scripture one quickly sees the constant allusion and many references to the book of Exodus. Study for an example such chapters as (Ps. 78, 80, 95, 97, 99, 114, 136) in the light of Exodus).
The book commences in the shadows and concludes in the sun-light. It begins by telling us how God came in grace to emancipate an enslaved race. It ends by telling us how God comes down in glory to dwell among and enrich and ennoble a redeemed people.
Outline:
1. The Setting (chapters 1-2).
2. The Story of Deliverance (chapters 3-12).
3. The Sinai Journey (chapters 13-18).n
4. The Stop at Sinai (chapters 19-40).