Bible Commentaries
Exodus

Outline of Exodus

The Nation Delivered and Organized

Introduction, Exodus 1:1-7

I. Israel in Egypt, Exodus 1:8-36

1. Oppression, Exodus 1:8-22

2. The Deliverer Raised up and Called, Exodus 2:1-31

3. The Plagues and the Passover, Exodus 5:1-36

II. From Egypt to Sinai, Exodus 12:37-27

1. The Departure, Exodus 12:37-42

2. The Laws of the Passover and of the First-Born, Exodus 12:43-22

3. The Passage of the Bed Sea and the Song of Deliverance, Exodus 14:1-19

4. Marah, Elim and the Manna, Exodus 15:20-36

5. Murmuring; Victory; Jethro’s Visit, Exodus 17:1-27

III. Israel at Sinai, Exodus 19:1-38

1. The Covenant Proposed and the People Prepared , Exodus 19:1-25

2. The Ten Commandments and Other Laws, Exodus 20:1-33

3. Ratification of the Covenant of the Law , Exodus 24:1-11

4. Moses in the Mount; Directions for the Tabernacle , Exodus 24:12-18

5. The Golden Calf; Penalty; Moses’ Intercession , Exodus 32:1-23

6. Moses Again in the Mount; the Covenant Renewed , Exodus 34:1-35

7. Construction and Erection of the Tabernacle , Exodus 35:1-38

Introduction

The word means “going out,” and was given by the Greek translators, as in the case of Genesis.

The book embraces 145 years, and may be divided into three principal parts:

(1) The Deliverance of Israel from Egypt: Exodus 1:1-22 ; Exodus 2:1-25 ; Exodus 3:1-22 ; Exodus 4:1-31 ; Exodus 5:1-23 ; Exodus 6:1-30 ; Exodus 7:1-25 ; Exodus 8:1-32 ; Exodus 9:1-35 ; Exodus 10:1-29 ; Exodus 11:1-10 ; Exodus 12:1-36

(2) The Journey to Sinai: Exodus 12:37-51 ; Exodus 13:1-22 ; Exodus 14:1-31 ; Exodus 15:1-27 ; Exodus 16:1-36 ; Exodus 17:1-16 ; Exodus 18:1-27

(3) The Manifestation of God’s Will for His People, especially in the legislation of Sinai: Exodus 19:1-25 ; Exodus 20:1-26 ; Exodus 21:1-36 ; Exodus 22:1-31 ; Exodus 23:1-33 ; Exodus 24:1-18 ; Exodus 25:1-40 ; Exodus 26:1-37 ; Exodus 27:1-21 ; Exodus 28:1-43 ; Exodus 29:1-46 ; Exodus 30:1-38 ; Exodus 31:1-18 ; Exodus 32:1-35 ; Exodus 33:1-23 ; Exodus 34:1-35 ; Exodus 35:1-35 ; Exodus 36:1-38 ; Exodus 37:1-29 ; Exodus 38:1-31 ; Exodus 39:1-43 ; Exodus 40:1-38

Its authorship by Moses is distinctly asserted by our Lord. See Mark 12:26 ; Luke 20:37 . The parallel between the pilgrimage of the hosts of Israel and the experiences of the soul is obvious and instructive, and we do well to read it with this parallel in mind; but the book is also of the greatest historical importance, and the increasing knowledge of Egyptian customs and of the conditions of life in the Sinaitic peninsula confirm the exactness and accuracy of the narrative. It could only have been written by one who, like Moses, had an intimate acquaintance with both Egypt and the Wilderness.

e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of Exodus in the printed edition

Outline

(a) Into what three natural geographical sections may we divide the book?

(b) For each of these divisions mention three leading events.

Introduction

(e) What does the title of the book mean and how does it apply to the contents?

(d) Mention some points of resemblance between the events of this book and the experience of the individual soul.

Exodus 1-17

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments .

1. What was the first move in the new policy to repress Israel?

2. How did the effort to destroy the children fail?

3. How did God provide a helper in Pharaoh’s own household?

4. How did Moses mistakenly begin his work before God directed him?

5. How did God summon him from the unconsumed bush?

6. What commission was he given?

7. With what three signs did God meet Moses’ first hesitation?

8. What excuses did he offer and how were they met?

9. By what acts of obedience did he begin his mission!

10. How was the request of the Israelites met by the king of Egypt?

11. To whom did Moses turn when his oppressed brethren turned against him?

12. How did God endorse His promises by His Name?

13. From what line of ancestry came the two brothers whom God was now using?

14. What occurred at Moses’ first interview with Pharaoh?

15. What was the first judgment upon Egypt and what was its effect?

16. How did the frogs come and how were they removed?

17. Describe the two plagues of insects. Why was Goshen spared?

18. What plagues next came upon cattle and upon the bodies of men? Why did Pharaoh still resist?

19. What further blow fell from heaven and with what effect?

20. What compromise did Pharaoh try to make with Moses and why was it not accepted?

21. Describe the plagues of locusts and of darkness. What effect did they have on Pharaoh?

22. What was Moses’ final warning to the king?

23. What feast did the Israelites celebrate before their departure? Why and how?

24. What instructions were given as to its annual observance?

25. How did the death of all the first-born affect Pharaoh and his subjects?

26. How long had Israel dwelled in Egypt?

27. Why did Jehovah claim the first-born?

28. How were the fleeing Israelites guided from before and how pursued from behind?

29. How were the frightened people encouraged and quieted at the Red Sea?

30. Why were the Egyptians destroyed and the Israelites saved?

31. What three great truths about God did Moses declare in his song of praise?

32. What was to be learned from the experiences at Marah and Elim?

33. How did God meet the murmurings caused by hunger?

34. What does the manna teach regarding our own spiritual food?

35. How was the memory of the manna to be preserved?

36. How was water provided for the thirsty and victory for the attacked?

Exodus 18-40

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments .

37. Of what did Moses bear witness to his father-in-law?

38. How did he benefit by Jethro’s advice?

39. How were the people prepared for their covenant with God?

40. Of what was the sacred and smoking mount an object lesson?

41. What are the two-fold duties enjoined in the “Ten Words”?

42. Why did the people fear while Moses drew near to God?

43. What was the law of the seventh year and of the seventh day? What were the three great annual feasts?

44. How were the people to possess the Promised Land, and how treat its inhabitants?

45. How was this covenant between God and Israel sealed?

46. How did God prepare Moses to receive His instructions concerning worship?

47. Describe the Ark and tell its spiritual teaching.

48. Do the same for the table and the candlestick.

49. Describe the curtains. How do they suggest Christ’s human nature?

50. Where did the veil hang? What did it typify?

51. What great truth finds expression in the brazen altar?

52. Of what is the oil an emblem?

53. What do the jewels in the breastplate suggest about our own names?

54. What was the message of the golden plate worn on the high priest’s forehead?

55. What part did water, oil and blood each take in the consecration of the priests?

56. Where was the blood placed in the consecration of the priests and why?

57. What provision was made for a continual daily offering unto God?

58. How did the altar of incense represent intercessory prayer?

59. Why was atonement money required of all? Of what does the laver remind us?

60. How were the anointing oil and the incense kept distinct and sacred? Why?

61. How were workmen found and prepared to construct the Tabernacle?

62. How did Aaron show his weakness in the making of the golden calf?

63. In what ways did Moses show his righteous anger?

64. How did Moses check the sin? and how make atonement for the sinners?

65. What substitute was proposed for the Divine Presence?

66. What did God grant in answer to Moses’ petition?

67. What did God promise in renewing the Covenant of the Law?

68. What were in Moses’ hands and what was on his face when he returned again from Sinai?

69. What offerings were needed from the people for the Tabernacle?

70. How did the people respond with their gifts?

71. To whom was the erection of the Tabernacle entrusted?

72. What made all the work of the Tabernacle so excellent?

73. When and how was the Tabernacle to be erected?

74. How did God show His approval of the completed work?