Encountering the Old Testament, 3rd Edition
A Christian Survey
series: Encountering Biblical Studies
Chapter
6. Exodus: A Miraculous Escape
Chapter Intro Video
Chapter Objectives
- Contrast the emphasis on beginnings in Exodus with those in Genesis
- Outline the basic content of Exodus
- Give examples of how God saved Israel
- Define casuistic law as found in Exodus
- Explain the purpose of the covenant
- Identify the three major historical problems of the exodus
- Discuss the theological significance of the exodus
Chapter Summary
- The Book of Exodus describes how God led Israel from Egypt through the desert to Mount Sinai.
- The Passover was God’s method of commemorating the release of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.
- The Ten Commandments were the foundation of the Sinai covenant.
- The tabernacle was the place where God dwelt in the midst of his people.
- Scholars find three major historical problems with the book of Exodus: the historicity of the exodus, the date of the exodus, and the route of the exodus.
- The date of the exodus is placed by some scholars in the thirteenth century BC and by others in the fifteenth century BC.
- There are three possible routes for the exodus: the northern, central, and southern routes.
- The life, death, and resurrection of Christ is a parallel event of salvation to the exodus of Israel.
- The book of Exodus is important theologically in terms of the way deliverance, covenant, and God’s presence are presented.
Study Questions
- What are the two main events in the book of Exodus? What “beginning” is established in the book? What is the arrangement of the book?
- What was the point of collision between God and Moses?
- What was the permanent commemoration of the Israelites’ release from captivity?
- What were the two intended purposes of the plagues?
- What was the anchor of the new Sinai covenant?
- What was the purpose of the desert tabernacle?
- What are the possible dates of the exodus? What is the evidence for each date?
- What is the best estimate of the route followed by the Israelites after leaving Egypt?
- What are the theological themes of the book of Exodus? What other emphasis runs throughout the book?