BIBLE STUDY --- BOOKS OF THE TORAH

THE BOOK OF EXODUS – PART 2

CONTENT

The book of Exodus can be divided into four sections, each describing one aspect of YHVH’s dealings with the Israelites during the 15th century BC.

YHVH’S UNVEILING {EXODUS 1–6}

The book of Exodus begins with the 70 descendants of Jacob who joined Joseph in Egypt for the duration of a famine that was afflicting their land {cf. Genesis 46–50}. After more than a century of prosperity for the Israelites in the land of Goshen, a new dynasty is established in Egypt whose leaders are not friendly toward Israel. In order to stem the rapid growth of the Hebrew people, the Egyptians force them to do hard labour, building storage cities for the pharaoh. A further command requires all Israelite male children to be killed at birth. The superintendents of the midwives do not comply however, and YHVH rewards them -- not to show his approval of their lie but because they fear and obey YHVH rather than the pharaoh. A new command calls for all male Israelite babies to be drowned in the Nile River. One special child, who escapes when Pharaoh’s daughter has his basket fished out of the Nile, is Moses. Ironically, Moses’ mother is paid by the princess to raise her own child, who grows up in the palace as the princess’s adopted son. As an adult, Moses chooses to identify with his Hebrew kin, a tribute to the early instruction given him by his godly parents {see Hebrews 11:24-26}. He sets out to liberate Israel from the Egyptians, one man at a time. But he has to flee to Midian, at the eastern edge of the Sinai Peninsula or in Arabia beyond the northern top of the Gulf of Aqaba. Moses marries into the household of Jethro, also named Reuel. Reuel {“friend of YHVH”} is probably the man’s personal name, and Jethro {“excellence”} his title. Because he is called a “priest of Midian” {Exodus 2:16}, some scholars have maintained a “Kenite hypothesis,” suggesting that Moses adopted the religion of his father-in-Law and taught it to the Israelites. But the Bible states that Moses received his religion by a direct revelation from YHVH. Jethro seems to believe only after he sees that YHVH has rescued Israel from the Egyptians {18:10-11}. While their future deliverer is in Midian, the Israelites continue to be oppressed and cry out to YHVH in their misery {2:23-25}. YHVH responds by descending to his people. He came down to rescue Israel {3:8}. He appears to Moses in a burning bush and identifies himself as the same YHVH who promised the patriarchs a land “flowing with milk and honey” {3:17}. Moses will lead the Israelites there, assisted by his brother, Aaron. Assured that YHVH’s presence and miraculous signs will accompany him, Moses takes his wife Zipporah and his two sons and departs for Egypt. On the way, Adonai meets him and seeks to put him to death {4:24}. That is probably the Hebrew way of saying that YHVH strikes him with a mortal illness. Moses, who is going to deliver YHVH’s people, has neglected the sign of the Covenant in failing to circumcise one of his sons {Genesis 17:14}. Moses recovers after the rite is performed and continues on to Egypt, meeting Aaron at Mount Sinai. Their reception by the Israelites is more cordial than that of Pharaoh, who refuses to honour the YHVH who sent Moses. Instead of releasing the Israelites to offer sacrifices to their YHVH in the wilderness, he increases their burdens. The people complain to Moses, and Moses complains to YHVH. YHVH appears again to Moses {Exodus 6}, reassuring him that Israel will be delivered by divine power. YHVH’s plan is not a failure -- he is just beginning to put it into action.

YHVH’S DELIVERANCE {EXODUS 7–19}

Chapters 7–12 record ten plagues with which YHVH afflicts the Egyptians. Even before the first of them, the pharaoh has hardened his heart to defy YHVH {7:13}. There are three cycles of three plagues each: The first three plagues affect both the Egyptians and the Israelites; the Israelites are protected from the final six. The Egyptian magicians are able to duplicate the first two plagues, but when the third strikes, they admit, “This is the finger of YHVH” {8:19}. After the plague of flies covers the land, the pharaoh offers Moses the first of four compromises, but Moses refuses all of them {8:25-29; 10:8-11, 24-29}. The first plagues are merely unpleasant, but the final ones are destructive and inflict much suffering. Since all of the plagues are common to that area, they themselves are not miraculous. The miracle is how the phenomena are multiplied and limited to the land of Egypt. The nine plagues serve to harden the pharaoh’s heart even more, so YHVH prepares one final stroke. The death of every firstborn male, among both animals and humans, will be the fatal blow. YHVH warns the Israelites to get ready to leave. To avert the death angel, they must put blood from an unblemished yearling male sheep or goat on their doorways. While they are eating the Passover meal, the death Angel begins moving through the land of Egypt. In anguish the pharaoh drives the Israelites from the land; the slaves are free at last. Just as he has promised, Adonai goes before the children of Israel in a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. But once again the pharaoh’s heart is hardened and he gives pursuit. YHVH parts the waters of the sea with a great wind. The literal meaning of the name given that body of water is “sea of reeds.” It could refer to any shoreline where the water is sufficiently shallow for such plants to grow {see 1 Kings 9:26, where the same term refers to the Gulf of Aqaba near Eloth}. Whatever the location, there YHVH hands the Egyptians their final defeat. The rescue is complete. Moses and the Israelites respond with renewed faith in Adonai and with a song of victory and praise {Exodus 14:31–15:21}. Soon however, thanksgiving turns into grumbling because of bitter water {15:22-26}, lack of meat and bread {16:1-15}, and lack of water {17:1-7}. In each situation YHVH provides for their need. He also gives them victory over the Amalekites {verses 8-16}. As the Israelites approach Mount Sinai, Moses’ family re-joins him, accompanied by Jethro. Jethro now confesses his faith in the YHVH of the Israelites and shares in a fellowship meal with the leaders. He also assists Moses in reorganizing the judicial system, then returns to Midian {chapter 18}. The Israelites arrive at Mount Sinai, also called Horeb {3:1}, and prepare to meet Adonai who has rescued them in fulfilment of his promise to Moses {verse 12}. Adonai establishes his Covenant with Israel, taking them as his own possession, “a kingdom of priests, my holy nation.” They quickly respond, “We will certainly do everything Adonai asks of us” {19:5-8}.

YHVH’S INSTRUCTION {EXODUS 20–24}

The YHVH who redeems a people, who literally “buys them back from slavery,” has a right to make certain demands of them. The Commandments YHVH gives to Israel at Sinai are not burdensome requirements but protective guidelines for living as YHVH’s people {20:2-3}. The Law {or Torah, meaning “instruction”} revealed at Sinai consists of three parts:

1 -- The Ten Commandments {chapter 20}, addressing a person’s relationship to YHVH and other people. Based on YHVH’s nature {and therefore permanent}, the Ten Commandments are unique in the history of the nations.

2 -- The judgments {chapters 21–23}, social regulations for governing the people as a theocracy, similar in many ways to the Law codes of Israel’s neighbours.

3 -- Ordinances {chapters 24–31} regulating religious ceremonies.

All of the Laws are given to Moses during the weeks he spends with YHVH on the mountain. The Ten Commandments form the basis of all other Laws in Israel {20:1-17}. The first five deal with honouring Adonai, the second five with respecting one’s neighbour. The last commandment deals with one’s thoughts and intentions rather than with specific actions. It thus forms a safeguard against all sins not included in the first nine. The judgments recorded in chapters 21–23 deal with master -- slave relationships {21:1-11}, offenses punishable by death {verses 12-17}, compensation for injury to persons or damage to property {21:18–22:15}, various interpersonal relationships {22:16–23:9}, and Shabbats, feasts, and the offering of first fruits {23:10-19}. Many of the judgments would not take effect until Israel settled in the Promised Land. Accordingly, that section of the Law closes with a solemn warning against being rebellious and adopting pagan ways. It also contains a bright promise that YHVH will drive out Israel’s enemies, protect his people from sickness, and grant them prosperity, if they obey Adonai’s commands {23:22}. Exodus 24 records a reaffirmation of the Covenant between YHVH and Israel, as Moses seals it with the blood of a sacrifice. In response, YHVH appears to the leaders of the people, giving them a glimpse of his splendour. Then Moses ascends the mountain one more time to receive the stone tablets containing the commandments, as well as further instructions regarding the meeting tent {tabernacle}, the priesthood, and worship.

YHVH’S PRESENCE WITH HIS PEOPLE {EXODUS 25–40}

After Adonai redeemed the Israelites, he told Moses, “I will make you my own special people, and I will be your YHVH. And you will know that I am Adonai your YHVH who has rescued you from your slavery in Egypt” {6:7}. Moses had seen that wonderful promise fulfilled, yet one further step remained: “I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them” {25:8}. YHVH’s dwelling among his people is possible because YHVH had descended to deliver the people and because they had pledged to meet his demands. YHVH calls for a contribution from all whose hearts were willing to give, and he shows Moses a detailed pattern of the tabernacle and its furniture. Aaron and his sons are set apart to serve in the tent. Stipulations for the various offerings, including the Day of Atonement, are given. YHVH tells Moses that he has chosen Bezalel and Oholiab to build the tabernacle and to craft its furnishings, having filled them with his Spirit. In the meantime, the Israelites, who so recently promised total obedience, grow impatient as Moses lingers for 40 days on the mountain. They demand that Aaron make an idol for them. Under pressure, Aaron complies and forms a molten calf, a representation of a pagan deity {32:4}. Adonai informs Moses of the people’s idolatry, revelry, and immorality and says that he is angry enough to destroy all of them and start again with Moses’ offspring. Moses pleads for Israel until Adonai relents, then descends from the mountain to punish the people. Moses pleads again for forgiveness for Israel, and YHVH in mercy pardons their terrible sin {34:8-10}. Once more YHVH offers to make a Covenant with the people {34:10}. Moses spends another 40 days with Adonai, writing the Commandments on tablets to replace those smashed when he saw the golden calf. When he returns to the people, his face shines from being in YHVH’s presence, and he must keep it veiled. Now that Israel has been restored to YHVH’s favour, the construction of the tabernacle can begin. The contributions are so generous that Moses must restrain the people from bringing any more. Finally, all is ready. Moses examines the tabernacle, and it is erected on the first day of the first month, nearly a year after the first Passover. The priests are consecrated, the lamps are lit, and the first burnt sacrifice is offered. A cloud descends, filling the tabernacle with the glory of Adonai. YHVH dwells among his people, the goal of redemption has been attained, and the drama of the book of Exodus has come to an end.