Introduction to the Book of Exodus
The Book of Exodus is the second book of the Holy Bible and part of the Pentateuch, the first five books traditionally attributed to Moses. Word Exodus comes from the Greek exodos, meaning “departure” – a fitting name, as the book recounts the deliverance of the people of Israel from Egypt, where they lived as slaves.
The story invites readers to reflect on freedom and commitment to God. Giving of the law, including the Ten Commandments, highlights the importance of morality and justice in human relationships. The desert journey symbolizes not only a physical crossing but also a process of spiritual and communal transformation.
Who Wrote the Book of Exodus?
According to Jewish and Christian tradition, the author of Exodus is Moses, the main figure of the book. He wrote under divine inspiration, recording both historical events and God’s instructions to His people.
Main Characters in Exodus
This book introduces several remarkable characters. Moses, the protagonist, is chosen by God to lead the Israelites through the wilderness. His struggles and triumphs teach us the importance of obedience and resilience. Another key figure is Pharaoh, who represents oppression and refuses to release God’s people, thereby challenging divine authority.
Moses and Pharaoh contend, and God sends plagues upon Egypt in an attempt to compel Pharaoh to free the people. Aaron, Moses’ brother and right-hand man, is another vital character who stands alongside the people throughout the wilderness journey.
Slavery and Deliverance (Exodus 1–15)
God raises Moses as a deliverer.
When Moses was born, he was hidden for three months before being placed in a basket on the Nile River. Pharaoh’s daughter found him and raised him as her own son, even calling Moses’ own mother to nurse him. Later, after defending a Hebrew from an Egyptian aggressor, Moses fled Egypt.
At the age of forty, while in the desert, God spoke to Moses through a burning bush, instructing him to return to Egypt to rescue His people. With the help of his brother Aaron, Moses confronted Pharaoh, who hardened his heart and refused to release the Israelites.
The Ten Plagues of Egypt.
To persuade Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery, God sent ten plagues upon Egypt: the waters turned to blood, the plague of frogs, the plague of gnats, the plague of flies, the plague on livestock, the plague of boils, the plague of hail, the plague of locusts, the plague of darkness, and finally, the death of the firstborn.
After the death of the firstborn, the people cross the Red Sea.
About 600,000 men, not counting women and children, left Egypt. Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and struck the ground with his staff, parting the waters so the people could pass. The Egyptian army pursued them, but the sea closed back over them, leaving God’s people free.
Journey Through the Wilderness (Exodus 16–18)
God sustains the people with manna, meat, and water in the desert.
God provided water from the rock at Mount Sinai and sent manna and quail to satisfy their hunger after the people complained against Moses and God, claiming they had at least food in Egypt.
Moses receives guidance from Jethro, his father-in-law, to organize the people.
Jethro, priest of Midian and Moses’ father-in-law, offered practical advice to help Moses bear the heavy burden of judging Israel’s disputes. Recognizing Moses’ overload, Jethro suggested he appoint capable leaders to assist him.
Covenant and Law at Sinai (Exodus 19–40)
On Mount Sinai, God gives the Ten Commandments.
Moses received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, which became the moral and ethical foundation of the Israelite nation. These laws not only guided individual and communal behavior but also established a unique covenant between God and His people. They emphasize justice, respect, and the exclusive worship of God.
The Ten Commandments are:
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make for yourself a carved image.
- You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
- Honor your father and your mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.
The people build the Tabernacle, where God would dwell among them.
In several chapters, God gives Moses detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle, including its materials, dimensions, and furnishings.
The breaking of the covenant with the golden calf.
While Moses was on Mount Sinai, the people of Israel asked Aaron to make them a god because they felt abandoned. Under pressure, Aaron asked for their gold ornaments, which were melted down and shaped into a golden calf.
The people then sacrificed to the calf and worshiped it. When Moses returned and saw what had happened, he was enraged and broke the tablets of the law. He destroyed the calf, and with the help of the Levites, about 3,000 idolaters were killed.
Conclusion
The Book of Exodus is not just an account of a people leaving slavery. It is a spiritual symbol of the deliverance God offers to all. It shows how God transforms slaves into a holy nation, teaching them to live according to His will and walking with those who follow Him.
