July 1999
The Book of Exodus has been labeled as the defining time in Jewish. So much of basic Jewish concept begins with a understanding of the events which are described in the Book of Exodus.
We have seen movies about it, read books on it, and heard sermons tell of its importance in the history of the Jewish nation.
Genesis tells us of the history of the world, and of the background of the patriarchs of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Exodus carries us into the creation of the great Jewish nation, its creation, and its defining moment during when Moses freed them from Egyptian bondage and led thousands of them out of captivity in Egypt.
It’s terms, both of Jewish ethnic history and biblical history, establish it as a significant period, very important to an understanding and a working knowledge of the Christian religion.
Most layman simply know the Book of Exodus as the story of Moses. That it is; but it is much more. There is significant law and symbolism in the book which defines much of the heart of Christian religious doctrine.
It is the historic story of the creation of the Jewish nation (i.e. the twelve tribes of Israel) and of the freedom of the Jewish people from slavery (i.e. Moses to Pharaoh: "Let my people go"); but it also provides tremendously significant religious doctrinal concepts in such things as the "Passover", "manna" from heaven, and the "Ten Commandments".
The last events of the book of Genesis "set up" the story of the Book of Exodus. Genesis tells us how Jacob planted his family of Israel in Egypt, away from Israel.
Exodus tells us how the nation of Israel becomes a "nation" and how it returns back to Canaan, the land of milk and honey. There is tremendous symbolism in the events of the Book of Exodus for a number of our basic Christian religious doctrines.
In closing the book of Genesis, we will recall that Jacob’s sons became jealous of their younger brother Joseph, sold him to slavery to travelers who took Joseph to Egypt. Meanwhile, Joseph’s brothers put false blood on Joseph’s beautiful coat of many colors in order to convince Jacob that Joseph had been killed. (Gen. Chapter 37)
In Egypt, Joseph found favor with the leaders because of his hard work, and later because of his ability to interpret the Pharaoh’s dreams. (Gen. Chapter 39-41). Joseph became a type of savior to the Egyptians because of his knowledge of an upcoming worldwide drought. He was put in charge of food collection by the Pharaoh and utilized years of abundance to store up food for the upcoming drought. He then sold the stored food to other nations to make the Pharaoh rich.
Because of the drought in Canaan, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy food and bring home. In Egypt, Joseph recognized his brothers and tricked them into bringing another brother and their (and his) father down into Egypt. Jacob was afraid to go, but the Lord appeared to Jacob in a dream. (Gen. 46:3 "Fear not to go down to Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation: I will do down with thee into Egypt; and I will surely bring thee up again."). Jacob moves his extended family including sons and their families (about 70 people) to Egypt.
At his death, Jacob (who had been renamed "Israel" by the Lord. Gen. 35:10) designates his sons as heads of the "twelve tribes of Israel" (Gen. 49:28).
Exodus starts off reminding us of the original "children of Israel" and how Joseph set up his father’s extended family in the "Land of Goshen" and took care of them.
The family of Jacob ("Israel") prospered in Egypt and grew in numbers.
"And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them." Exodus 1:7.
There is a passage of time of approximately 350 years between verses 7 and 8 of the first chapter of Exodus. Things have changed considerable with regard to the acceptance by Egypt of Joseph’s family.
Where the Pharaoh had been grateful for Joseph’s saving the country during the great drought; and in turn welcomed Joseph’s family into Egypt; both Jacob and Joseph were now dead, and several new Pharaohs had now forgotten why the children of Israel had been allowed to grow and prosper a nation in Egypt.
"Now there arose a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph." Exodus 1:8.
The new king was concerned that the children of Israel were becoming greater and more prosperous than the Egyptian people. He became afraid that the Israelites would join with Egyptian enemies and overthrow the government.
The Egyptian king started a series of commands against the people of Israel. He ordered the people of Israel to work for the government, building treasure cities for Egypt. However, the harder they worked the people of Israel, the more they multiplied and grew in number and prosperity.
The king then ordered slavery for the Israelites, forcing them into hard labor and bondage. The king also ordered the midwives to begin killing all the infant male children born of the Israelites. Exodus 1:16.
The midwives refused to kill the male Jewish children and the Lord gave special blessing to the midwives, and blessed the children of Israel with abundance.
The first chapter of Exodus closes with the Egyptian Pharaoh ordering that all male new-born of the Israelites be thrown into the river to its death.
In the opening of chapter two, we will learn that a couple from the Israel tribe of Levi are born a "goodly" male child whom they hid to prevent his being thrown to his death. The male child is later named "Moses".