the Week of Proper 19 / Ordinary 24
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Bible Commentaries
Bridgeway Bible Commentary Bridgeway Bible Commentary
Israelites Oppressed in Egypt; Population Grows.Chapter 2
Moses' Birth, Adoption, and Flight to Midian.Chapter 3
God Calls Moses from the Burning Bush.Chapter 4
Moses Returns to Egypt with Signs.Chapter 5
Pharaoh Rejects Moses; Israelites' Labor Increases.Chapter 6
God Reaffirms His Covenant with Israel.Chapter 7
Moses and Aaron Confront Pharaoh; First Plague.Chapter 8
Plagues of Frogs, Gnats, and Flies.Chapter 9
Plagues of Livestock Death, Boils, and Hail.Chapter 10
Plagues of Locusts and Darkness.Chapter 11
Final Plague Announced: Death of Firstborn.Chapter 12
Passover Instituted; Firstborn Egyptians Killed.Chapter 13
Consecration of Firstborn; Israel's Exodus Begins.Chapter 14
Parting of the Red Sea; Israelites Escape.Chapter 15
Moses' Song of Victory; Bitter Water Sweetened.Chapter 16
God Provides Manna and Quail.Chapter 17
Water from the Rock; Amalek Defeated.Chapter 18
Jethro Advises Moses on Leadership Structure.Chapter 19
Israel at Mount Sinai; God's Covenant Prepared.Chapter 20
The Ten Commandments Given by God.Chapter 21
Laws Regarding Servants, Violence, and Restitution.Chapter 22
Laws on Property, Restitution, and Social Justice.Chapter 23
Laws of Justice, Sabbaths, and Festivals.Chapter 24
Covenant Ratified; Moses Ascends Mount Sinai.Chapter 25
Instructions for the Ark and Tabernacle.Chapter 26
Detailed Plans for the Tabernacle Structure.Chapter 27
Instructions for the Altar and Courtyard.Chapter 28
Priestly Garments Designed for Aaron and Sons.Chapter 29
Consecration Ceremony for Priests Outlined.Chapter 30
Altar of Incense and Atonement Money.Chapter 31
Bezalel and Oholiab Appointed; Sabbath Rest.Chapter 32
The Golden Calf; Moses Intercedes.Chapter 33
Moses Seeks God's Presence; Sees His Glory.Chapter 34
New Tablets; Moses' Radiant Face.Chapter 35
Sabbath Regulations and Tabernacle Contributions.Chapter 36
Construction of the Tabernacle Begins.Chapter 37
Building of the Ark, Table, and Lampstand.Chapter 38
Making of the Altar and Courtyard.Chapter 39
Priestly Garments Completed; Tabernacle Finished.Chapter 40
Tabernacle Set Up; God's Glory Fills It.
- Exodus
by Donald C. Fleming
Exodus
BACKGROUND
As with Genesis, Exodus takes its name from the Septuagint (abbreviated as LXX), the first Greek translation of the Old Testament. The name means ‘a going out’, and refers to the central event of the book, Israel’s escape from Egypt.
The Genesis story concluded with the family of Jacob (Israel) firmly settled in Egypt. Exodus takes up the story approximately four hundred years later (Genesis 15:13-14; Exodus 12:41), by which time the descendants of Israel had multiplied till they were a nation in their own right, even though still in Egypt. The book shows how God delivered his people from slavery in Egypt, led them to Mount Sinai, and there formally confirmed the covenant made with Abraham, so that Israel might become in reality a people who would belong to and live for God. God then gave the people, through Moses, the principles by which they were to live and the religious order which they were to maintain if they were to enjoy the blessings of the covenant.
Revelation of God’s character
Apart from its value in recording the historical facts on which Israel’s national and religious life was built, Exodus is important in revealing much of the character of the one who was Israel’s God. Above all, he was a God who redeems. The people of Israel were always to remember him as the one who brought them ‘out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage’ (Exodus 6:3-8; Exodus 20:2).
Israelites were to see their history not just as a collection of stories, but as a revelation to them of who God was, how he operated, and what he expected from them. God was involved in every aspect of Israel’s life: victories were his saving acts, disasters were his judgments. The preservation and growth of the nation was God’s doing (Exodus 1:21; Exodus 14:21-22,Exodus 14:31; Exodus 32:35). Israel’s God was holy, which meant that the people also had to be holy. They were to be set apart for God and were to keep his commandments (Exodus 19:5).
Yet this God, who was different from and separate from his sinful creatures (Exodus 19:12-13), also wanted to dwell among them (Exodus 25:8; Exodus 33:14). The one whose holiness and justice required the punishment of the sinner (Exodus 32:33) was the same one who graciously provided the way whereby repentant sinners could come to him, have their sins forgiven and be brought into living fellowship with the holy God (Exodus 29:10-14; Exodus 34:6-7).
OUTLINE
1:1-4:31
Preparation of Moses
5:1-15:21
Deliverance from Egypt
15:22-18:27
Journey to Sinai
19:1-24:18
Making of the covenant
25:1-31:18
The tabernacle and the priesthood
32:1-34:35
Covenant broken and renewed
35:1-40:38
Construction of the tabernacle
