Exodus Introduction

Exodus: Introduction Exodus 1:1-6 Basics • Author: Moses – see Exodus 17:14; 24:4 • Date: 1446 BC 1. 1 Kings 6:1, “In the 480th year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt …” 2. Written after a 430 sojourn (see Exodus 12:40) • Purpose: Exodus was written to demonstrate the nature and character of Yahweh, the Almighty, covenant-keeping Savior of His people. A Book of Covenant Faithfulness • 1:1 – begins with the word “And …” • 2:24 – “God remembered His covenant …” • 3:15 – “The God of your fathers … has sent me to you.” • 6:4 – “I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan” • 24:7 – Moses “took the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, ‘All the LORD has spoken, we will do.” • 34:27 – After the Golden Calf incident, “I have made a covenant with you [Moses] and with Israel.” A Book of Divine Description • “I am the LORD” occurs 14x • Introduction of the Divine Name – see Exodus 3:1415 (the name, shrouded in mystery, conveys the truth that God alone is capable of describing Himself to us • Ruler over Nature – “Who is the LORD that I should obey his voice?” (Exodus 5:2) • Sovereign over People’s Hearts – see Exodus 3:2122; Exodus 9:12 • Consuming Fire – see Exodus 24:17 • Jealously Monotheistic – see Exodus 34:14 A Book of Re-Creation • The people of Israel “swarmed” upon the land (see Exodus 1:7, 12, 20) • Moses delivered through an “ark” floated upon the waters – Exodus 2:3 • Nation passes through the water to emerge free – Exodus 14:1ff) • Covenant created (Exodus 20:1ff) and reaffirmed (Exodus 34:1ff) A Book of Divine Presence • God comes down to deliver His people – Exodus 3:8 • The LORD remains before His people both day and night – Exodus 13:21 • The LORD dwells with His people – Exodus 40:3435 A Book of Great Salvation • God saves His people from bondage – Exodus 3:19 • God saves His people from starvation by delivering daily bread – Exodus 16:31-35 • God saves His people from thirst – Exodus 15:25f; 17:1f • God makes a path of atonement that delivers His people from their sins – Exodus 29:1ff • God saves His people from His burning anger – Exodus 32:30 Conclusion Ultimately, Exodus prepares us to meet Jesus. • Exodus prepares us for the staggering claim that Jesus is Yahweh in the flesh. • Exodus pictures the tabernacling of God among God’s people; Jesus promises the tabernacling of God in God’s people. • Exodus law and repetition prepare us for Jesus, whose sacrifice completes and finishes it all.