Topical Bible: Time: The Exodus

◄ Time: The Exodus ►

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The Exodus is a pivotal event in the history of Israel and a foundational narrative in the Bible, marking the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses. This event is primarily chronicled in the Book of Exodus, but its significance reverberates throughout the entire biblical canon, influencing theology, worship, and identity.

Historical Context

The Exodus is traditionally dated to the 15th century BC, during the reign of Pharaohs of the New Kingdom of Egypt. The Israelites, descendants of Jacob, had settled in Egypt during a time of famine, as recounted in Genesis. Over time, they became enslaved by a Pharaoh who "did not know Joseph" (Exodus 1:8), leading to their oppression and eventual cry for deliverance.

Moses: The Chosen Leader

Moses emerges as the central human figure in the Exodus narrative. Born to Hebrew parents and raised in Pharaoh's household, Moses flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian. There, God appears to him in a burning bush, commissioning him to lead His people out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-10). Moses, despite initial reluctance, becomes the instrument through which God performs mighty acts.

The Plagues and Passover

God's deliverance of Israel is marked by a series of ten plagues, each demonstrating His power over the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh's resistance. The final plague, the death of the firstborn, leads to the institution of the Passover, a lasting ordinance for Israel (Exodus 12:14). The blood of the lamb, a symbol of divine protection, foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ in Christian theology.

The Crossing of the Red Sea

The climax of the Exodus is the miraculous crossing of the Red Sea. Pursued by Pharaoh's army, the Israelites find themselves trapped, but God parts the waters, allowing them to cross on dry ground. The Egyptian forces are subsequently drowned as the waters return (Exodus 14:21-28). This event is celebrated as a testament to God's saving power and faithfulness.

The Wilderness Journey

Following the Red Sea crossing, the Israelites embark on a journey through the wilderness, marked by trials and divine provision. God provides manna, quail, and water, teaching His people reliance on Him (Exodus 16:4-15). The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai establishes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, with the Ten Commandments serving as its core (Exodus 20:1-17).

Theological Significance

The Exodus is not merely a historical event but a theological paradigm. It reveals God's character as a deliverer, His faithfulness to His promises, and His desire for a covenant relationship with His people. The themes of redemption, liberation, and covenant are central to the biblical narrative and find their ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament through Jesus Christ.

Cultural and Liturgical Impact

The Exodus has a profound impact on Jewish and Christian liturgy and identity. The Passover remains a central Jewish festival, commemorating God's deliverance. In Christianity, the Exodus is seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's redemptive work, with the Passover lamb prefiguring Jesus as the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29).

References in the New Testament

The New Testament frequently references the Exodus, drawing parallels between Moses and Jesus, and between the liberation from Egypt and salvation through Christ. The Apostle Paul, for instance, uses the Exodus to illustrate spiritual truths, such as in 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 , where he likens the crossing of the Red Sea to baptism.

The Exodus remains a central narrative in understanding God's redemptive plan, serving as a powerful reminder of His sovereignty, justice, and mercy.

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Exodus 19:1
In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.
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Exodus 40:17
And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
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1 Kings 6:1
And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.
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Library

Exodus iii. 6
... 6. EXODUS iii.6. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. ... There
must be a time in the existence of every human being when he will fear God. ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxviii exodus iii 6.htm

The Exodus
... Did it never strike you what a wonderful exodus of the people of Israel this was ...
assembled together in one place, and all coming out of the country at one time. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exodus.htm

Exodus
... The unity of Exodus is not quite so impressive as that of Genesis. ... while the name
of Jehovah, which was then revealed to Moses for the first time, was unknown ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/exodus.htm

Canaan
... Between the two invasions of Egypt by the barbarians of the north, there was no
great interval of time. The Exodus, which had been due in part to the pressure ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Now this Word Also Has the Veil. ...
... the sight of Moses, all the first-born of the Egyptians perished on account of the
treachery of Pharaoh; [1980] and here, at the time of the ... [1971] Exodus 2.p ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/44 now this word also.htm

The Attack on the Book of Leviticus.
... 2. If the Bible itself is not a fraud, writing was constantly in use in the time
of Moses. See: (1) Exodus 7:14: "The Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a ...
/.../concerning the assumptions of destructive criticism/v the attack on the.htm

One Book at a Time.
... It is a good deal better to study one book at a time than to run through the ... That
is the key; then the book of Exodus"it is the book of redemption; that is ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/one book at a time.htm

"In the Spirit and Power of Elias"
... At the time of the Exodus from Egypt, the Sabbath institution was brought
prominently before the people of God. While they were ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 14 in the spirit.htm

Of the Trinity and a Christian, and of the Law and a Christian.
... Exodus 19:18; Hebrews 12:21). But when he went to receive it the second
time, he was laid in a clift of the rock (Exodus 31:22). ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of the trinity and a.htm

The Christian's Book
... letter. The situation in Egypt and Palestine about the time of the Exodus
is made plain by the Tel-el-Amarna tablets. The history ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study vi the christians book.htm