1. Old Testament Survey I Exodus

2. Date of Events
From Jacob’s entrance into Egypt (c B.C.) until the building of the tabernacle at Sinai (1445 B.C.)

3. Structure From Egypt to Mount Sinai (Chaps. 1-18)
The growth and enslavement of Israel (1)
The Life and Call of Moses (2-6)
The Ten Plagues (7-12)
The Exodus and Journey to Sinai (13-18)
The Covenant at Mount Sinai (Chaps )
The Giving of the Law (19-24)
Preparation for the Construction of the Tabernacle (25-31)
The Incident of the Golden Calf (32-34)
The Construction of the Tabernacle and its Furnishings (35-40)

4. Major Themes Redemption and Deliverance Yahweh – “I AM” Moses Holiness
Power of Yahweh (demonstrated through the plagues on Egypt)
Compassion of Yahweh in caring for Israel on the way to Sinai
Faithfulness of Yahweh in accomplishing His Word
Knowledge of Yahweh (9:13-16)
Fear of Yahweh (9:30; 14:30, 31)
Moses
Holiness
Moses and the burning bush
Israel’s obligation in the Mosaic Covenant
The layout of the tabernacle
Covenants
Abrahamic (2:24; 6:2-5)
Mosaic
Tabernacle and its Furnishings
Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart
Theory of late date of Exodus (c B.C.) is built primarily on a certain interpretation of archaeological evidence. Early date (c B.C.) is built on explicit scriptural statements, esp. 1 Kings 6:1 and Judges 11:26. (See Benware, pp ).

5. Purpose Statement
Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has redeemed the sons of Israel from Egyptian bondage and entered into a covenant with the nation at Sinai.

6. The Tabernacle and Priest in His Garments
Bezalel and Oholiab led in the construction of the tabernacle. The priestly garment had 1 precious stone on each shoulder, with 6 tribe names inscribed on each stone. Twelve precious stones on breastplate each had 1 tribe inscribed on them. Breastplate (or pouch) also contained the Urim and Thumim, to determine the will of God through a yes or no procedure.

7. Bitter water made sweet at Marah (15:22-26)
Deliverance
At the Red Sea
Bitter water made sweet
at Marah (15:22-26)
After deliverance from the Egyptian army at the crossing of the Red Sea, text mentions four places where they stopped: Marah, Elim, Wilderness of Sin, and Rephidim. Journey to Sinai took about 3 months. The rest of Exodus and Leviticus takes place at Sinai.
Quail & Manna provided in desert
(16:31)
Oasis at Elim
(15:27)
Water provided from rock & victory over
Amalekites (17:1-16)
Mount Sinai

8. Form of the Mosaic Covenant
Historical Prologue
Exod 19:1-4
Preamble
Exod 19:5-6
Stipulations
Exod 20:3-23:19
Provision for Reading
Exod 24:4-7
Blessings & Curses
Exod 23:20-33; Lev 26

9. A Key Passage: Exod 19:1-6
Exod 19:1-4 provides the basis of the relationship between Yahweh and Israel.
Exod 19:5-6 provides the purpose and function of that relationship: “ ‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

10. Three Phrases in Exod 19:5-6
“My own possession” referred to the fact that God had chosen Abraham’s descendants to be the recipient of blessings and a channel of blessing to the other nations.
“A kingdom of priests” identified Israel as the mediator of God’s revelation to the other nations.
“A holy nation” means that Israel was to be set apart for God’s service and separated from anything that would defile her.

11. Relationship of the Mosaic Covenants to the Other Covenants
The Mosaic Covenant was the constitution for the nation of Israel, governing the relationship between God and His elect nation.
It was the means by which the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant would be fulfilled.
The Deuteronomic Covenant is in essence a renewal of the Mosaic Covenant with the new generation of Israelites.
The king provided for in the Davidic Covenant was responsible to conduct his rule in accordance with the principles of the Mosaic Covenant.
And even the New Covenant states that the Law of God will be put within the descendants of Abraham and written upon their hearts (Jer 31:33).

12. Later Commentary on the Mosaic Covenant in Scripture
After the book of Deuteronomy, in which the Mosaic Covenant is renewed with a new generation of Israelites, much of the remainder of the OT is largely a commentary on Israel’s lack of fidelity to the covenant God made with her at Sinai.
The historical books provide the record of this infidelity.
A number of the Psalms lament it.
The Prophets seek to call Israel to repent of it and return to her God.
In the NT, much of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is a clarification of the true meaning of the stipulations of the covenant (Matt 5:17-19), in contrast to the teaching of the Pharisees.

13. Next Time: Leviticus