Page 39 - Advanced OT Survey Revised

Pentateuch, or Law of Moses, comes from the Greek Old Testament titles Exodus, meaning a ‘going out’
or ‘departure.’ The title is a logical one in that Israel’s Exodus from Egypt is the dominant theme of the
book.” xxviii

The book of Exodus is dividing in three major divisions and has 40 chapters. Chapters 1-11 focus on the
bondage of Israelites in Egypt, the slavery, Moses’ calling and the 10 Plagues. Chapters 12-18 focus on
God’s miraculous redemption of the Israelites from Egypt into the wilderness. Chapters 19-40 focus on
God’s revelation of his self to his promised people through the Covenant and the Law.

Brief Summary

Chapters 1-11 focus on the bondage of Israelites in Egypt and God’s judgment on Egypt

When God made a covenant with Abraham, he also spoke to him in a dream about what would happen
to his descendants in Egypt. Scripture records in Genesis 15:14-15, “The Lord said to him, know for
certain that for four hundred years, your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and
that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves;
afterwards they will come out with great possessions. You will however, go to the ancestors in peace and
be buried at a good old age.” This verse summarizes exactly what happens in the first 15 Chapters of
Exodus.

The Israelites had increased in Egypt and had been there for four hundred years. A Pharaoh who did not
know Joseph came along and enslaved them. They cried out to the God of their forefathers, Abraham,
Isaac and Jacob. God remembered his covenant with Abraham and sent Moses to rescue the Israelites
with a message, “let my people go.” Pharaoh would not allow the Israelites to leave Egypt. Thus, God
brought judgment on the nation of Egypt as he promised Abraham. Ten powerful plagues were released
on Egypt as a judgment to the God’s of Egypt as well. Below is a table to show relationship between
God’s judgment plagues and the gods of Egypt.

Chapters 12-18 focus on God miraculous deliverance of the Israelites.

God had brought great judgments on Egypt but Pharaoh’s heart could not be moved. One last judgment
remained that would eventually move the heart of Pharaoh and let God’s people go. Chapter 12 shows
us the reason for the Passover. God gave careful instructions to the Israelites about Passover lamb and
its blood. The unblemished animal’s blood was put on the door post of all the houses of the Israelites.
The death Angel was going to pass through that night, and every house that did not have blood on the
lintel of the house would lose a firstborn child or animal. The Passover is a picture of Christ death in the
New Testament. Through his blood, all men who put their faith in him will not perish but have
everlasting life. Their wailing in Egypt that night including the house Pharaoh because the death angel
killed every firstborn of the house of Egyptians. Pharaoh’s son died and Pharaoh was now willing to let
the Israelites go. The Israelites left Egypt with great wealth indeed. Even after letting them go, Pharaoh
decided to pursue them again with his horsemen and chariots. The Israelites miraculously crossed the
Red Sea on dry but the Egyptians entered in pursuit. The Israelites saw God’s great hand of salvation in
closing the Sea over them. God also led the Israelites by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire in the night.

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