the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Commentaries
Grant's Commentary on the Bible Grant's 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 L.M. Grant
This book begins with a nation being virtually born within a nation. From a beginning of only 70 people, Israel developed into a nation of between two and three million. It is this nation that God has chosen to be an object lesson for all mankind, not because they are the best of people, but because they are simply a sample of all humanity. Gentiles should see in Israel precisely what they are like themselves.
Life is the prominent theme in Genesis, though it ends in the contrary condition of "a coffin in Egypt." Therefore, because sin and death have invaded creation, the subject of Exodus becomes most necessary, the subject of redemption. This redemption involves the very meaning of the word, Exodus -- a "going out" from the condition of a corrupted creation, which is symbolized in the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt. It was necessary first that they should be redeemed to God by the blood of the Passover lamb, typical of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus (ch.2), and then redeemed from the power of the enemy by the superior power of God in opening the Red Sea (ch.14) and bringing them safely through to a place that speaks of resurrection.
The latter part of Exodus, however (ch.19 to 40), deals with the giving of the law and the complete tabernacle service. These things emphasize the authority of God over a redeemed people and His provision of grace to meet the needs that arise through all their wilderness journey. Neither the law nor the tabernacle ritual are intended for the church of God in our present dispensation of grace, but they are typical of God's authority established over His people today and of His gracious provision for our preservation, protection and guidance through all our history on earth. Thus they will teach us spiritual lessons of a most profitable kind when interpreted rightly.
