Bible 110 Old Testament
Exodus
1.
Name from Latin Vulgate Liber Exodus, from LXX exodus (exit, departure
But the actual exodus covers only 15 of 40 chapters
2.
Author – traditionally, Moses; does not appear in text. The authorship is
anonymous although parts really are attributed to Moses. 17:14, 24:4-7, 34:27.
Authorship attributed to Moses by 2 Chron. 25:4; Ezra 6:18. Jesus referred to
Mosaic authorship of Exodus in Mark 10:5; John 5:46. There are many
contributing authors, including Moses, southern kingdom (E) account, northern
kingdom (J) account, priestly account. Significant places, cultic centers,
outstanding personalities were guided by the Lord to bring together the Exodus
material. Three motifs: exodus, 1-15:21, wilderness, 15:22-18:27; Sinai 19-40.
3.
Unifying theme: Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously 15-21.
Covenant also an expression of Yahweh-Lordship. God is known by his name
and by his actions.
TEXT
I.
These came to Egypt 1:1-22
A. Descendants of Jacob who came to Egypt 1:1-7
Were they old there or did some remain in part or in whole in Canaan?
B. Three efforts to break the spirit of the people 1:8-14.
1. A new pharaoh who knew not Joseph 8-11
Hebrews built for him treasure cities Pitkin, Ramses
2. Attempted betrayal within 1:15-21
3. Annihilation from without 1:22
II.
Providences of God 2:1-25
A. Moses’ birth narrative 2:1-10
B. Egyptian murder 2:11-15a
C. Moses’ exile in Midian 2:15b-22
D. God’s pledge through the covenant 2:23-25. He knew the condition of
the people in Egypt
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Bible 110 Old Testament
III.
Ch 3 Exodus 3:1-22 Self-Revelation of Yahweh
A. Horeb – synonymous with Sinai probably. Located in southeastern
Sinai Peninsula (Jebel Musa today)
Angel appeared out of the bush 3:1-6. Angel-fire-God: theophany. Moses
had experience with the Lord. Was the fire real or was it part of a vision?
Thought pattern of the day. Moses in the presence of the holy.
B. Confirm call of Moses 3:7-12
God condescends to the people
He will deliver them 7-8
Response of Moses to call 10-11; need of confirmation: V. 12 when you
have brought the people out, and you will serve God on this mountain
C. Commission of Moses 3:13-22
- Yahweh reveals His name – I Am (I will be [revelation])
- The God of your fathers has sent me (patriarchal)
- Speak to king of Egypt; he will not let you go unless compelled by a
mighty hand
IV.
Ch. 4 – Faith Tried 4:1-31
A. in preparation 4:1-17; they won’t believe me…
What is that in your hand?
B. “I am not eloquent; send someone else”
I will be with your mouth; I will teach you what to speak
C. Faith tried in migration 4:18-26
Separation 18-20; rejection 21-23, adversity 24-26
D. Faith tried in proclamation 4:27-31
Moses and Aaron gathered the people, spoke to them, did the sign, and
they believed
V.
Ch 5 – Faith Tested 5:1-21
A. By repudiation of Moses’ request 5:1-9
B. By retaliation taken against Hebrews 5:10-14; bricks without straw
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Bible 110 Old Testament
C. By renunciation of Moses’ leadership by Hebrews 5:15-21
D. Faith triumphant 5:22-6:1; you will see what I will do
VI.
Second Account of Moses’ Call 6:2-7:13
A. New insight into old truths 6:2-9
I have heard the groaning … I am the Lord
I will bring you to the land
B. New Challenges 6:10-13 Go in to Pharaoh
C. New People: updated genealogy 6:14-27
Establish credentials of Moses and Aaron
D. New responsibilities 6:28-7:7
Speak to Pharaoh who will harden his heart so that God will stretch forth
his mighty hand
E. Revelation of the sign to Pharaoh (7:8-13)
Throw down the rod, etc.
VII.
Ch 7 – Plagues: Revelations of Power and Lordship 7:14-12:40
A. pollution of the Nile; 1st plague 7:14-24
B. plague of frogs; 2nd plague 7:25-8:15
Common occurrences in overflowing Nile
C. plague of the gnats; 3rd plague 8:16-19; dust became gnats; this is the
finger of God (magicians could not duplicate)
D. plague of flies; 4th plague 8:20-32; storm of stinging flies; land was
ruined; Pharaoh gave permission to depart but not far; they were to make
entreaty for Pharaoh
E. plague on livestock; 5th plague 9:1-7; property of Egyptians now
affected; Pharaoh hardened
F. plague of boils upon man and beast: 6th plague 9:8-12; fine dust
(ashes) becomes boils breaking out in sores; magicians could not stand;
Pharaoh hardened
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Bible 110 Old Testament
G. plague of hail; 7th plague 9:13-35; hailstorm rare in Egypt; Pharaoh
admits sin; agrees to let the people go; release did not happen
H. plague of locusts; 8th plague 10:1-20; pharaoh’s servants convinced of
Yahweh’s power; Pharaoh offers to release people before start of plague;
Pharaoh seeks forgiveness after plague begins
I. Plague of darkness; 9th plague 10:21-48; Sun God Re, Pharaoh an
embodiment; darkening of sun strikes the head of Egyptian theology
(Khamsin); sand storms common in Egypt?
J. plague of death; 10th plague 11:1-5a; 12:1-34; one more plague and
pharaoh will release the people; plague predicted in 4-10; instruction
about the lamb, slaughter, blood on the door posts; eating the lamb;
instructions for future celebration 12:1-28; plague carried out 12:29-42;
Hebrews were hastened out of the land; no time to leaven the bread;
instruction for Passover celebration 12:43-50; 430 years in Egypt.
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