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The Purpose of Studying Exodus

After my father retired from the business world, he went back to school and earned a doctorate in ministry. He pastored a small church in Northern Texas. Dad also dreamt of writing a book based on the Biblical research he did during his life. But, dad never realized this dream. However, he did leave all the information for me. So, I decided I would take one blog a month and write up this great information. Today we will examine Exodus. Then, if the details are beneficial for others, I will put them together in a book in the future. 

As we embark on this journey through the Bible, may we remember to ask God to show us what He wants us to learn? Psalm 19:14; “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

Exodus

• Author: Moses
• Audience: The people of Israel
• Date Written: 1662 BC
• Length: 40 Chapters
• Key Word: Deliverance
• Main Verse: Exodus 3:8 “So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.”
• Key People: Moses

The Periods of Exodus

The book of Exodus covers the period from the death of Joseph to the building of the tabernacle. It traces the deliverance of the Israelites from the Egyptians. And it shows Moses as the deliverer. Many symbols in this book foreshadow Christ and His church. The book is divided into four sections. Those sections are as follows:

1. The period of bondage: This section looks at the oppression of the Israelites. It also covers the early life of Moses. Finally, we see how the Israelites and Moses’ futures are intertwined. Exodus 1-Exodus 2:21.
2. The period of deliverance: The section covers the period from the calling of Moses at the burning bush until the first Passover meal. Exodus 3-Exodus 12:30
3. The period of discipline: In this section, we see how God uses discipline to deliver His people from the bondage of sin. Exodus 12:31-Exodus 18.
4. The period of legislation: God appears on the mountains and gives the Ten Commandments to His people. Soon, other laws are proclaimed. Finally, the book ends with the building of the tabernacle with all its detailed requirements. Exodus 19-Exodus 40.

Parallels with Christ

We see many parallels between Exodus and our walk with Christ. Some of those ways are:

• The Israelites are trapped in bondage which resembles how the world is held captive to sin.
• Moses delivers the people from their bondage which reflects how Christ liberates us from sin.
• The departure from Egypt and their former lives as slaves demonstrates how we leave our former sinful life behind after we find Christ.
• A lamb was sacrificed for the Passover meal, just as Christ was sacrificed for us.
• Pharoah’s army pursued the newly freed slaves, which helps us see how sin always follows us even after Christ rescues us. 
• Many other similarities can be drawn.

Summary Information

Between the end of Genesis and the beginning of Exodus, three and a half centuries have passed. During this time, Jacob goes to Egypt, and the persecution of the Israelites begins. Yet, even with the time between the books, Exodus is the sequel to Genesis. Genesis shows us man’s failures, but Exodus shows us how God comes to man’s rescue. We follow man’s path from enslavement to emancipation. This book begins in darkness, yet it ends in glory. Exodus displays the redemption of man by God Himself. And this story is repeated in every soul that seeks deliverance from the entrapping influence of the world. 

Purpose of Bible Study

Each book of the Bible contains lessons for us to learn as well as historical information. We need to study God’s Word to see what to do and what not to do in life. Paul reminds all of us of the importance of the words within the text in 2 Timothy 3.

“14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

2 Timothy 3:14-17;

Grace and Peace to you,

Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

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