The Exodus and

The Sinai Covenant

Exodus 1-40
 Exodus
Hebrew Name: Shemot “These are the names”

Structure and Outline

The Deliverance of God’s People: “Relief” 1-18
Background & Call of Moses Chapters 1—4
Moses & Aaron Before Pharaoh Chapters 5:1 — 12:32
Exodus & Crossing Red Sea Chapters 12:33—15:21
Initial Journey Chapters 15:22—18:27
The Covenant with God’s People: “Relationship” 19-24
Covenant Established Chapters 19—24
Instructions for the Tabernacle Chapters 25—31
Covenant Breach and Renewal Chapters 32—34
Preparing the Tabernacle Chapters 25—40
 Exodus
Hebrew Name: Shemot “These are the names”
• What Is Exodus?
In Hebrew, the title of the second book of the Bible is “These Are the
Names” (commonly just “Names”), since that is the first phrase of
the book. The English title “Exodus,” however, comes from the
Septuagint, and means “departure” or “going out.” This is
appropriate since it chronicles the flight of the Israelites from
Egypt into the desert.

• Who Wrote Exodus?

Traditional scholarship Moses as the author of the Pentateuch. Within
the book of Exodus are several explicit references to Moses either
writing or being commanded to write (see 17:14; 24:4; 34:28), so it
makes sense to conclude that he is responsible for the content.
Scholars disagree on the date of Israel’s departure from Egypt, but
there are two accepted dates: 1446 B.C. & 1260 B.C. Arguments
for both find substantial support. Therefore, Moses wrote Exodus
in either the 13th or 15th century B.C.
 Exodus
Hebrew Name: Shemot “These are the names”
• Why Was Exodus Written?
Exodus falls into the category of “Torah” and it contains the establishing of
the 10 Commandments and the covenant between God and Israel. The
book is important to the Jews because it details God’s rescuing their
ancestors from Egypt, beginning their journey to the Promised Land,
spoken of to Abram. In fact, at least 23 other books of the Bible cite this
deliverance as evidence of God’s covenant faithfulness. Jews still
celebrate the Passover today, commemorating the events of Exodus 12.

• Key Themes in Exodus

– God’s Faithfulness to His people
– God’s Sovereignty over all people and circumstances
– The importance of God’s presence
 Exodus – Chronology of Events
• A new Pharaoh emerged who doesn’t know how Joseph saved
Egypt.
• This Pharaoh fears the Hebrews and places them in slavery.
• The Hebrews continue to grow in numbers, so the Pharaoh calls
for all Hebrew boys to be executed at birth.
• Moses is born and hidden in a basket floated down the Nile.
• Moses is discovered & raised by Pharaoh's daughter. (40 years)
• Moses defends a fellow Hebrew and murders an Egyptian.
• Moses flees to the desert in fear of his crime, and he spends
40 years there.
• God calls Moses from the Burning bush to rescue Israel.
 Exodus – Chronology of Events
• Pharaoh resists Moses’ plea, and Egypt endures the 10 plagues.
• The Angel of Death passes over the homes of the Hebrew families
who painted their doorposts with lamb’s blood.
• The Hebrews escape but are pursued by Egyptians.
• God splits the Red Sea, allowing Israel to cross but drowning the
Egyptians.
• God continues to be faithful, providing for Israel in the desert.
• The Israelites travel to Mount Sinai where Moses meets with God.
• Israel grows impatient with Moses and worships a golden calf.
• They receive the Ten Commandments and Sinai Covenant.
• They construct the tabernacle to house the Ark of the Covenant.
 The Life of Moses
• Major Influences in Moses’ Life
– Instruction from his Hebrew mother
– Education in Pharaoh’s court
– 40 years in the desert
– Father-in-law, Jethro
– His call at the burning bush
 The Life of Moses
Moses’ 5 Responses to God’s Call
1. Who Am I? 3:11-12
– God’s Response: “I Will Be With You”
2. Who Are You? 3:13-14
– God’s response: “I Am Who I Am”
3. They Will Not Believe Me 4:1-9
– God’s response: God Gives Moses 3 signs:
• Shepherd staff transforms into a serpent
• Leprous hand in the cloak
• Water turns into blood
 The Life of Moses
Moses’ 5 Responses to God’s Call
4. I’m Not Good Enough 4:10-12
– God’s Response: “Who made man’s mouth?”

5. Send Someone Else 4:13-17

– God’s Response: God becomes angry.
God provides a helper in Aaron.
 The Plagues of Egypt
The Divisions of the Plagues
• River Plagues Blood & Frogs
• Insect Plagues Gnats & Flies
• Disease Plagues Death to Livestock (Anthrax) & Boils
• Crops Hail (and fire) & Locusts
• Mystery Darkness & Death of Firstborn
These divisions can show a cause/ effect relationship. For example, water
changing to blood would explain frogs leaving the river and the presence
of gnats and flies. This explanation can easily continue until the
occurrence of the mystery plagues.
If this is so, then are the Plagues “miracles” or are they “natural”?
 The Plagues of Egypt
4 Reasons To Consider the Plagues As Miracles
• Selectivity
– The plagues happened everywhere except Goshen
• Morality
– They demonstrate that God is the true, supreme God
• Exodus 7:17
• Intensity
– Nothing so great had occurred on that scale before
• Exodus 9:24
• Timing
– They occurred by God’s will on Moses’ command
 The Plagues of Egypt
Pharaoh’s Responses to the Plagues
1. Exodus 5:1-2 God of slaves will not tell me what to do
2. Exodus 8:25 You may go, but stay in the land.
3. Exodus 8:28 You may go, but not far. Make
supplication for me as well.
4. Exodus 10:11 You may go, but men only
(he wanted them to return)
5. Exodus 10:24 You may go, but leave your flocks
(he wanted them to return)
6. Exodus 12:31 You may go! (He later pursued them)
 The Passover : Exodus 11-12
The Order of Events
• God will send His angel of death to kill the firstborn male of all
the families of Egypt.
• To be spared, each Hebrew household had to take a lamb into
their homes.
• On the fourth day, the lamb was to be killed at twilight.
• Each household was then to paint their doorposts (sides and
top) with the blood from the sacrificed lamb.
• They also cooked and ate of the lamb together along with
unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
• The meal was to be eaten in haste with the people dressed and
ready to flee Egypt when the time was right.
• The Israelites still celebrate this occurrence to this day.
 The Covenant with God’s People
• The Sinai Covenant Exodus 19:3-6
It is a conditional covenant:
God’s blessings are given if the conditions are met.
– “If You Will Obey Me…”
1. “You will be my treasured possession.”
2. “You will be a kingdom of priests.”
3. “You will be a holy nation.”
 The Ten Words (Commandments)
How They Are Arranged: Hittite Treaty Form
• Preamble identifies author of the treaty
• Historical Prologue covers history of the two parties
• Stipulations of Treaty commandments
• Deposition & Reading shows where & how record will be kept
Exodus 25:16

• Curses & Blessings shouted from Mt. Gerazim & Mt. Ebal
Deuteronomy 28

Two Types of Law

• Apodictic “unconditional/ universal law” 10 Commandments
• Causistic “if/then law” Exodus 21-24
 The Ten Words (Commandments)
Jewish Catholic
1. I am Yahweh 1. No gods before me/ image
2. No gods/ images 2. Name of God in vain
3. Name of God in vain 3. Sabbath day holy
4. Sabbath day holy 4. Honor father and mother
5. Honor father and mother 5. No murder
6. No murder 6. No adultery
7. No adultery 7. No stealing
8. No stealing 8. No false witness/ lying
9. No false witness/ lying 9. No coveting neighbor’s wife
10. No coveting 10. No coveting neighbor’s goods
 The Ten Words (Commandments)
Jewish Protestant
1. I am Yahweh 1. No gods before me
2. No gods/ images 2. No images
3. Name of God in vain 3. Name of God in vain
4. Sabbath day holy 4. Sabbath day holy
5. Honor father and mother 5. Honor father and mother
6. No murder 6. No murder
7. No adultery 7. No adultery
8. No stealing 8. No stealing
9. No false witness/ lying 9. No false witness/ lying
10. No coveting 10. No coveting
 The Ten Words (Commandments)
Catholic Protestant
1. No gods before me/ images 1. No gods before me
2. Name of God in vain 2. No images
3. Sabbath day holy 3. Name of God in vain
4. Honor father and mother 4. Sabbath day holy
5. No murder 5. Honor father and mother
6. No adultery 6. No murder
7. No stealing 7. No adultery
8. No false witness/ lying 8. No stealing
9. No coveting neighbor’s wife 9. No false witness/ lying
10. No coveting neighbor’s goods 10. No coveting