A Study Guide on Exodus
by
Elder Ron Crisp
First Baptist Church
Independence Kentucky
OUTLINE OF EXODUS
Dr. James G. Murphy gave the following outline of the book of Exodus in his commentary on the book of Exodus.
I. Bondage In Egypt- Exodus 1-6
A. Israel oppressed in Egypt, Exodus 1
B. Moses born and bred, Exodus 2
C. Moses called and commissioned, Exodus 3-4
D. Moses enters on his office, Exodus 5-6
II. The Ten Plagues- Exodus 7-12
A. The first three plagues, Exodus 7:8-19
B. The second three plagues, Exodus 8:20-9:12
C. The third three plagues, Exodus 9:13-10
D. The tenth plague. Passover, Exodus 11-12
III. The Exodus- Exodus 13-18
A. The escape of Israel, Exodus 13-15
B. Journey from Elim to Sinai, Exodus 16-18
IV. The Lawgiving- Exodus 19-24
A. The Moral Law, Exodus 19-20
B. The Civil Law, Exodus 21-24
V. The Tabernacle- Exodus 25-40
A. Plan of the Tabernacle, Exodus 25-31
B. The first breach of the Covenant, Exodus 32-34
C. The Tabernacle made and set up, Exodus 35-40
Introduction To Exodus
Introduction
God has now given us the privilege of moving onto the study of the second book of Holy Scripture. Exodus is a continuation of Genesis as the connective “now” of verse one reveals. We would do well to make a mental review of Genesis. Moses was born some sixty years after the death of Joseph. During that time Israel had grown from a large family into a people yet had degenerated in public estimate from honored relatives of Joseph to slaves of a new dynasty (Exodus 1:8).
I. The Title
“Exodus” means “departure” and of course refers to the exodus of Israel out of Egypt.
II. The Author
Moses is the author of the first five books of scripture. These books are known as the Pentateuch. In Mark 12:26 our Lord specifically referred to Moses as the author of Exodus.
III. The Outline of Exodus
See Handout
IV. The Importance of Studying Exodus
All scripture is spiritually profitable (II Timothy 3:16). Even Old Testament histories are full of practical spiritual food (Romans 15:4, I Corinthians 10:11).
Exodus contains some notable information:
A. Exodus is our major source of information on the life of Moses.
B. Many prophesies given in Genesis are fulfilled in Exodus (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:1316).
C. Exodus records important events in salvation history as God’s redemptive plan unfolds. The enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent takes new proportions as Israel and Egypt clash (Genesis 3:15). God enters into covenant with Israel at Mt. Sinai. This covenant of law was an important preparation for the coming of Christ (Galatians 3:24). God’s righteous standards reveal to men their need of Christ.
D. There are doubtless more types of Christ in Exodus than in any other book of scripture. While Genesis illustrates the doctrine of election; Exodus emphasizes the work of redemption. Think of the Passover and the exodus of Israel from Egypt (I Corinthians 5:7 & 10:1-11). Consider also the tabernacle which is one great figure of Christ (Hebrews 9:8-9).
V. The Land Of Egypt
Israel was held captive in Egypt. This nation is always a type in scripture of the evil world system (I John 5:19). To help understand the aptness of this type let us consider the following details:
A. Egypt at the time of our narrative was the chief nation of earth and the star of man’s accomplishments.
B. Egypt from the air would be seen to be a vast desert with a seven mile wide ribbon of green running through it. This ribbon was the Nile and its flood plain. All agriculture in Egypt depended not on rain from above but on the yearly flooding of the Nile. This plain was fertile beyond comparison.
C. In these matters Egypt was a wonderful type of the world. The rain that enriched their land fell far from their sight. All of their blessing came from Heaven but they did not see this. They looked down to the Nile as the source of their prosperity and in fact worshiped it. Canaan on the other hand was watered by rain from Heaven (Deuteronomy 11:10-11). Israel was taught to look upward to the source of their blessings (James 1:17).
D. Egypt was notorious for its cruelty to slaves. The lost are slaves to sin. The Devil is a hard taskmaster.
E. Egypt’s relics remind one of death. Pyramids and mummies are their memorials. Their greatest literature was the “Book of the Dead”. Only in Jesus Christ is life found (I John 5:12).
F. The elect people were held in bondage in Egypt until redeemed and led out by Moses. God’s elect are in spiritual bondage until redeemed and called out of this present world system (Gal 1:4, I John 5:19).
VI. The Purpose Of The Egyptian Bondage
Let us quickly review the purpose of God in permitting Israel to suffer in Egypt. This was formerly covered in Genesis:
A. The bondage of Israel in Egypt provides a great type of sin and redemption by Christ.
B. Egypt was the place where Israel could multiply into a great nation without being absorbed or influenced by a pagan culture. Egypt practiced strict segregation with the Israelites (Genesis 46:34).
C. In leaving Egypt, the Israelites obtained materials needed to construct the Tabernacle (Genesis 15:14).
D. In the redemption of Israel from bondage the power of God was wonderfully displayed (Exodus 9:16). God often allows trials to create an opportunity to magnify His name.
E. While Israel grew as a nation the original inhabitants of Canaan gradually filled up their measure of sins and exceeded the limits of God’s longsuffering. They were ripe for judgement when Israel crossed Jordan (Genesis 15:16).
Exodus 1:1-22
Introduction
With a brief review, Exodus begins where Genesis leaves off. This first chapter gives us the background for the introduction of Moses.
I. The Twelve Tribes- Verses 1-5
This paragraph connects Genesis and Exodus. We are reminded that Israel’s vast number began as a family of seventy souls.
Here we are again introduced to the twelve sons of Jacob who were each father of tribes. The number twelve is significant in scripture. Think of the twelve apostles (Revelation 21:12-14). Remember however that there were actually thirteen tribes. In the book of Numbers the tribe of Joseph is divided into Ephraim and Manasseh, while Levi is not mentioned (Numbers 1:5-15, 47-53). In the book of Revelation, Ephraim is called Joseph and Levi is mentioned while Dan is omitted (Revelation 7:5-8).
II. The Passing Of A Generation- Verse 6
This sentence brings us to the time surrounding Moses’ birth.
III. God Keeps His Word- Verse 7
What description is given here. God was obviously causing the nation to multiply beyond what might be expected. This was done in fulfillment of God’s prophetic promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:2 & 15:5).
IV. A New Dynasty- Verses 8-11
A new ruler came into power that viewed Israel with fear and suspicion. All memory of and appreciation for Joseph was gone. The vast body of people who as Israelites had remained segregated from the rest of Egypt was viewed as liabilities to be feared.
This produced three attempts to destroy Israel as a people. In this we see the age-old enmity of Genesis 3:15 assume greater proportions as nations clash. Satan has ever tried to destroy God’s people and God’s Christ.
This first attempt to destroy Israel is mentioned in verse 11. The king tried to break them with bitter and arduous labor. The people who were invited into Egypt as honored guests were turned into slaves.
V. Egypt’s Unsuccessful Persecution- Verses 12-14
Satan, whenever able, will provoke men against God’s people (Ezra 4:11-12, Esther 3:8). What a folly to fight against God. Every effort of Pharaoh was futile. Like the burning bush, the fire could burn but not consume Israel (Psalm 32:10, 33:18-22). The more they suffered, the more they grew.
While Egypt was not permitted to destroy Israel, they were permitted to make their lives miserable. God was preparing Israel to desire redemption. Egypt, like sin, is a hard taskmaster. God often uses the burdens of Egypt to make His people desire redemption and the rest found in Canaan.
VI. God-fearing Women- Verses 15-21
In these verses is recorded the record of the second attempt to destroy Israel. See here the desperate evil of the human heart. Imagine requesting midwives to murder newborns. We could scarcely believe this if we did not see the abortion industry busy in our day.
Satan is a murderer and delights to destroy human life (John 8:44). As was already mentioned, he is especially keen to destroy the line of Christ (Genesis 3:15). Think of how Herod killed the male children in Bethlehem while trying to destroy Christ. Then and in Exodus it was Satan leading these rulers on.
Notice how several thoughts suggested by our narrative:
A. We are never obligated to disobey God. The obedience owed to government, parents, or husbands should never be seen as an excuse to disobey God (Acts5:29).
B. God honors those who honor Him (I Samuel 2:30). The midwives feared God and He blessed them (Verse 21). It would appear that they were barren or unmarried before this.
C. No one can hinder God’s plan (Psalm 33:10-11, Exodus 9:16, Daniel 4:35). Wicked men become instruments in His plan. God made childbirth easier for the Jewish women and defeated Satan’s rage. The Lord protects us today and will watch over His people in every age (Revelation 12:1-17).
VII. Pharaoh’s Desperate Plan- Verse 22
In desperation Pharaoh demands that the Israelites destroy their own baby boys at birth. This was his third attempt to crush God’s people. Again we see the futility of fighting against God. As the next chapter reveals, Pharaoh only succeeded in raising Israels’ deliverer in his own house. God turns the wrath of evil men into an avenue for His own glory (Psalm 76:10).
EXODUS 2:1-10
Introduction
Here begins the history of one of the greatest men that has every lived. From Deuteronomy 34:7 we learn that Moses lived one hundred and twenty years. By comparing this to Acts 7:20-30 we find that his life may be divided into three periods of forty years each. Author George Henderson gives us an excellent outline of Moses’ life which we would do well to memorize:
1. Moses spent forty years learning to be somebody.
2. Moses spent forty years learning he was a nobody.
3. Moses spent forty years learning that God is everything.
The first eighty years are covered in Exodus 2.
I. Marriage- Verse 1
This marriage occurred before the edicts of Exodus 1:16&22. Miriam and Aaron were both older siblings of Moses. These edicts were probably not in effect long. Note well that this family was of the tribe of Levi.
II. A Child From God- Verse 2
Beyond the ordinary parental affection there was something about Moses that caused his mother to desire his preservation (Acts 7:17-20). Her efforts were acts of faith (Hebrews11:23). This would imply that in some way God had spoken to them of Moses.
III. A Desperate Plan- Verses 3-4
While the preservation of Moses was providential it would appear that his mother’s plan was laid out in hope of what actually occurred. Perhaps the site was chosen because it was common for royalty to bathe there. Rushes were often used to build boats (Isaiah18:2). (People familiar with the local color of ancient Egypt realize the extreme accuracy of the Bible record. Only someone in Egypt would know that the rich bathed in rivers or that reeds were used to make boats).
IV. Providential Preservation- Verses 5-6
As Moses’ mother hoped the babe was found, the woman’s heart was touched by the cries of the beautiful baby. Notice here God’s marvelous providence:
A. Pharaoh’s daughter was first to find the babe.
B. She alone could safely ignore her father’s decree.
C. Moses was a beautiful child and wept at the right time to touch the woman’s heart.
V. God Honors Faith- Verses 7-9
Was Miriam instructed to do this? Perhaps so. At any rate God honored the faith of Moses’ parents. He was not only saved from death but they were paid to raise him. There can be little doubt that they taught him about God’s promises to Abraham concerning Israel. Who would deny that God used his mother’s instruction to produce the faith in Moses that caused him to renounce Egypt (Hebrews 11:24-27). These scriptures also give a wonderful illustration of Psalm 76:10. Pharaoh desired to destroy Israel but unwittingly his wrath caused Moses to be trained up to deliver them while Egypt paid the bill. Truly there is no counsel against the Lord (Proverbs 21:30).
VI. Worldly Greatness- Verse 10
Moses was actually adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. She named him in memory of his rescue. This was perhaps intended to remind him of his debt to her. He was given the best education available. For forty years he lived as a prince. At age forty he was physically powerful, learned, eloquent, and a man of action (Acts 7:21-22). More worthy of note was his love for God and His downtrodden people (Acts 7:23).
Truly he was “somebody” however he had yet to learn that God uses those know their own weakness (II Corinthians 12:9).