Exodus Overview 1 Chapters 1-18 In Genesis we meet the almighty God who created the heavens and earth with the pinnacle of creation being found in the person of Adam (Gen 1:31). However, mankind was full of violence God saw that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time (Gen 6:5). Time and again God judged mankind, yet each time grace was also shown: Adam and Eve were not killed immediately, and they were provided for, albeit outside of the garden (Gen 3:21-24) Incredibly even as God proclaims his judgement on the whole of creation he promises the end of that curse (Gen 3:15) as he declares that Satan s head will be crushed. This heel that will crush the head is known as the serpent crusher, the Jews call him the Messiah! The serpent crusher may look like lots of people as we progress through the Bible, starting with Noah and then Abraham followed by a number of his descendants. However, we see time and time again that the line of Abraham rather than crushing Satan, become just as deceived by sin as their ancestor Adam was! As we leave Genesis we enter Exodus with a number of unfulfilled promises, the greatest of which are found in Gen 12:2-3. I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. In fact the only promise that has been fulfilled as we enter Exodus is that Israel has become a very large nation, but even this fact is working against them because it makes their Egyptian hosts afraid (Ex. 1:8). Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. Look he said to his people, the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. Come we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country. Exodus 1 to 18 then, is all about God choosing to bless his people, despite insurmountable opposition, first from the man chosen to be his instrument of salvation (Exodus 3:11), then by Pharaoh (Exodus 5:2), and finally by the people themselves (Exodus 14:11). We learn from Exodus that the same God of Genesis (the almighty Creator of heaven and earth), is the same almighty God. The God who has the power to create the heavens and earth is the same God that sustains and directs them in the way they should go. There is no opposition that God cannot overcome as he seeks to fulfill his promises to mankind. Even mankind s faithlessness cannot stop God s faithfulness. Exodus makes it very clear that the entire purpose of God s engagement with mankind is because he loves his creation and because he desires that his name should be known, praised and feared throughout his creation. An atheist may respond, what kind of self-centred, egotistical narcissist would want that? But the prophet Habakkuk properly recognizes that the Lord is worthy of praise. He is worthy because of what we have been told about him in creation and through his mighty acts in history (Hab. 3:2-15), but also as our personal saviour (Hab. 3:16-19). The overall big idea of the first 18 chapters of Exodus is that God s name is tightly bound to his mighty and historic acts of salvation. The impersonal Elohim of early Genesis gives way to YHWH Israel s personal name for their God, the Lord, their saviour. The Lord will not compromise his name, as he remains faithful to the promises made way back in Genesis despite opposition from all sides, even from the Israelites themselves! As Christians today we can take great comfort in the fact that the same God of Genesis and Exodus will be faithful to his promises to us. God has promised us that through the death of his son, we are now at peace with him, no longer under his condemnation, but holy, being prepared for an eternity with him in glory united with his son who already sits in triumph at God the Father s right hand (Romans 8). And there is nothing on heaven nor on earth that can oppose that plan (Romans 8:38-39). Whether you believe that or not is demonstrated by your response to it!
Our Summary Sentences up to Now: Chapter No Big Idea 1 & 2 God s promises to Israel are partially fulfilled, but Israel still need rescue. Moses looks like their rescuer, and although he is flawed, we know that God s plan will succeed! 3 to 7 God will make his name known through his acts of power and salvation. 7 to 10 The Lord makes his name known through might acts of judgement and mercy 11 to 13 Israel must remember that - The Lord makes his name known through might acts of judgement and mercy. 13 to15 Praise & fear the name of the Lord who rescues those he loves whilst judging his enemies. 15 to 17 Those who listen to and obey God will be blessed, however God remains faithful even when his people are not! 18 A saved people should respond in praise with a desire to do God s will.
Exodus Half-way Review [LEADERS NOTES, ANSWERS SUPPLIED] What was lost at the fall? - Relationship with God - Cast out of the Garden - Eternal life & blessing God s promises Genesis 12:2, 7 (To Abram) "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. Genesis 17:7 (to Abram) I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. Genesis 26:3-4 (to Isaac) Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, Genesis 28:3-4 (to Jacob) May God Almighty bless you & make you fruitful & increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. May he give you & your descendants the blessing given to Abraham, so that you may take possession of the land where you now live as an alien, the land God gave to Abraham." Can you match what was lost to what has been promised? What is God doing? Great nation Blessing I will be your God Bless you Great Nation Great Nation Study 1 Exodus 1 & 2 (Beatings) God never abandoned his people, never turned a blind eye to their suffering, never forgot his promises. Yet much of God s activity in these chapters was behind the scenes. - Why does Pharaoh oppress Egypt (v1:8). [Great numbers] - How does Exodus 2 end (v:23-25). [God remembers his covenant] How can we view the progress of God s promises to Abram, Isaac & Jacob? People I will be your God No No Study 2 Exodus 3:1-7:7 (God s name YHWH) God introduces himself to Moses as Yahweh, the God of Abram, Isaac & Jacob (3:6 & 3:15) - Why is it important that Moses connects the name of YHWH with Abram, Isaac & Jacob)? (3:16-17) [connects with covenant promises] - What promise is God working on throughout Study 2 (3:17, 7:5). [] How can we view the progress of God s promises to Abram, Isaac & Jacob? People I will be your God Anticipated Anticipated Study 3 Exodus 7:8-10:29 (Plagues) YHWH not only wants to be the God of Israel he also wants his name to be known by all (Ex. 7:17) By this you shall know that I am the Lord. - What did we learn about God through these plague passages? [sovereignty, power, he wants his name to be known, we do well to listen to him]
Study 4 Exodus 11:1-13-16 (Passover) Do you remember the structure of this study? 21:1-13 Instructions for the Passover (Sacrificial blood of the lamb) 12:14-20 REMEMBER/COMMEMORATE (7 days = rest with the Lord) New Creation 14:21-23 Further instruction (Mark yourselves out with blood & Hyssop, healing & cleansing) 14:24-27 REMEMBER/COMMEMORATE (with your children) 14:28-33 God blesses Israel through judgement upon Egypt 14:42b-15:16 REMEMBER/COMMEMORATE (you, your children, other circumcised) What did we learn about God in this Study? - God of his word - He knows we will forget - He is just - The God who saves through faith Study 5 Exodus 13-17:15:21 (Water) So Israel has been led into the wilderness, but they re not home & dry yet! What is Moses carrying with him (Exodus 13:19) [Joseph s bones] Now read Genesis 50-24-25 So what can we be sure of? [They are heading towards the promised land] Excurses : A theme of grace (salvation) through judgment: Story Who is shown grace Who is judged The Fall Adam & Eve (not killed instantly, & clothed) Adam & Eve, the Snake & the world The Flood Noah The whole earth The Passover Anyone who marks their door Anyone who doesn t trust God s word The Red Sea Israel Egypt What was the result of Israel s deliverance at the Red Sea (14:30) [they feared & believed]. Why should they be secure in the four promises given them? Study 6 Exodus 15:22-17:16 (Whinging) What do we learn about Israel right at the start of this passage (15:25)? - People forget, people are sinful! What do we learn about God throughout the passage? - faithful, patient, testing, wants obedience. So to sum up the whole first half of the book : - What do we know about God? - What do we know about people? - What is going to stop God from returning His people back into relationship & blessing with himself? [how can we describe their behavior, think of Adam & Eve Sin ] We ll see this in Chapter 18, a hinge chapter that ties the first half of the book Chapters 1-18 (God s Rescue), with the next section of the book (19-31) in which God lays down the law through which they will live in His land with His blessing (Ex 19:4-5b - 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. ) The promises of Genesis were all unconditional, but we will see that the Mosaic Covenant (blessings in the land are conditional), but only because they are already a saved people it is a response to what God has done, not what he will do.
Exodus Half-way Review (1-19) ANSWER SHEET FOR PARTICIPANTS Note: Try answering without the verses (but use the verses to check your answers). What was lost at the fall? (Gen 3:8-9) Relationship with God (Gen. 3:23) (Gen. 3:22 & 24) God s promises Genesis 12:2, 7 (To Abram) "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. Genesis 17:7 (to Abram) I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. Genesis 26:3-4 (to Isaac) Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, Genesis 28:3-4 (to Jacob) May God Almighty bless you & make you fruitful & increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples. May he give you & your descendants the blessing given to Abraham, so that you may take possession of the land where you now live as an alien, the land God gave to Abraham." 1) Great Nation 2) Blessing 3) 1) 1) 2) 3) 1) 2) 3) Match God s promises to the Patriarchs to what was lost at the fall. What is God doing? Answer: Study 1 Exodus 1 & 2 (Beatings) Q: Why does Pharaoh oppress Israel (v1:8). Q: How does Exodus 2 end (v:23-25). (the people) People (God) How can we view the progress of God s promises to Abram, Isaac & Jacob? (Possible answers:, No, Anticipated) I will be your God
Study 2 Exodus 3:1-7:7 (God s name YHWH) God introduces himself to Moses as Yahweh, the God of Abram, Isaac & Jacob (3:6 & 3:15) Q: Why is it important to connect YHWH s with Abram, Isaac & Jacob)? (3:16-17) Q: What promise is God working on throughout Study 2 (3:17, 7:5). People How can we view the progress of God s promises to Abram, Isaac & Jacob? (Possible answers:, No, Anticipated) I will be your God Study 3 Exodus 7:8-10:29 (Plagues) Q: What did we learn about God through these plague passages? (8:22) (9:12) (There are 10 plagues) Study 4 Exodus 11:1-13-16 (Passover) Do you remember the structure of this study? 11:1-13 Instructions of what to do 12:14-20 Instructions to remember 14:21-23 Further instruction of what to do 14:24-27 Further instruction to remember (including children) 14:28-33 God blesses Israel through judgement upon Egypt 14:42b-15:16 Further instruction to remember (including children and uncircumcised)\ What did we learn about God from 11:1 through to 13:16? (11:1-2 & 12:29-36) (why all the rituals?) (13:3b) (13:3b again)
Study 5 Exodus 13-17:15:21 (Water) So Israel has been led into the wilderness, but they re not home & dry yet! Q: What is Moses carrying with him: (Ex. 13:19) Now read Genesis 50-24-25 What should Israel be sure of? Excurses : A theme of grace (salvation) through judgment: Story Who is shown grace Who is judged The Fall Adam & Eve (not killed instantly, & clothed) Adam & Eve, the Snake & the world The Flood Noah The whole earth The Passover The Red Sea Q: What was the result of Israel s deliverance at the Red Sea (14:30) Q: Why should they be secure in the promises Given them? They and Study 6 Exodus 15:22-17:16 (Whinging) Q: What do we learn about Israel right at the start of this passage (15:25)? Q: What do we learn about God throughout the passage? (15:26) (16:4, 17:6) (15:22-17:16) So to sum up the whole first half of the book : Q: What do we know about God? Q: What do we know about people? (Gen. 6:5) Q: What is going to stop God from returning His people back into relationship & blessing with himself? (Gen. 6:5) We ll see this in Chapter 18, a hinge chapter that ties the first half of the book Chapters 1-18 (God s Rescue), with the next section of the book (19-31) in which God lays down the law through which they will live in His land with His blessing (Ex 19:4-5b - 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. ) The promises of Genesis were all unconditional, but we will see that the Mosaic Covenant (blessings in the land are conditional), but only because they are already a saved people it is a response to what God has done, not what he will do.