Exodus is the second book written by Moses and the sequel to the book of Genesis. The timeline of Genesis ended with Joseph’s death in 1804 BC and the storyline of Exodus begins its narrative somewhere around 1525 BC. This means that there were nearly 280 years of silence before the events of Exodus began. On his deathbed, Joseph had spoken concerning the Israelites departing from Egypt (Genesis 50:24; Hebrews 11:22) and Exodus became the historical record of their “exodus” from Egypt in 1445 BC, led by God’s chosen leader, Moses. The story of Moses is an important part of this book because it follows God’s relationship with Moses and how He called him out as the one who would bring deliverance to the nation of Israel. Although not all of the details are given regarding Moses’ early years, the reader is engaged by understanding the events surrounding Moses’ birth (Exodus 1:1-2:10), his fleeing to Midian (Exodus 2:11-25), and God’s appearance to him at the burning bush (Exodus 3:1-4:31). God’s call for Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage was in keeping with the promise which had been made to Abraham. More than 500 years had passed since God told Abraham that his descendants would inhabit the land of Canaan and grow to become a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3, 7). The book of Exodus reveals the rapid growth of Israel and the establishing of a nation. God’s plan in delivering Israel is revealed in Exodus 2:23-25, “Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.”
The book of Exodus can be divided into three parts of Israel’s history:
The Israelites escape from Egyptian oppression (Exodus 1-12:36)
The Israelites wandering in the wilderness for 40 years (Exodus 12:37-18:27)
The Israelites 11 month encampment in Sinai where they received God’s law (Exodus 19:1-40:38)
Dear God, give me understanding and application as I read through the book of Exodus.
