BOOK OF EXODUS
Morrison Heights Baptist Church
Discipleship Workshop: Old Testament
September 8, 2019
Title“Exodus” literally means “way out of.”
In the Jewish Bible, the book is called , translated “names.”
The book begins with a partial genealogy of Jacob’s family, just the men, a total of 70 (1:1-5).
For the full genealogy, SEE Genesis 46.
Family enters Egypt. Nation leaves Egypt. 70 men about 600,000 men
Transition
EXODUS 12:37-38GENESIS 46
430 YEARS
EXODUS 12:40-41
“Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.” (1:8)
The Bible NEVER names the pharaoh.
Frustration for Scholars Early Date Theory (1446 BC)
Late Date Theory (1250 BC)
SETI I Pharaoh of the OppressionRAMESES II Pharaoh of the Exodus
NOT the Focus of the Story
Trouble
WHY?
Exodus 7-12 record ten “plagues,” also called “signs,” “wonders,” and “judgments.”
The Hebrew noun “plague” derives from a verb that means “to smite” or “to strike.”
The plagues were NOT random catastrophes, but a targeted attack on the Egyptian pantheon. As a result, God discredited Pharaoh. SEE Exodus 12:12.
Truths about the Plagues
X To destroy Egypt
✓ “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst.” (7:5)
In Hebrew, the verb “to know” refers to experiential knowledge; shared experience = relationship
Truths about the PlaguesPURPOSE
Truths about the PlaguesREVELATION
RESPONSE
RECEIVE REJECT
RELATIONSHIP RETRIBUTION
SEE 9:20 and
12:38.
What should have been signs and wonders became
judgments.
Miracle OR Natural Phenomena?
God used natural phenomena in a miraculous way. THREE REASONS
1. Timing: Moses commanded them to begin and to end. 2. Severity || starting with the 3rd plague (8:16-19) 3. Separation || starting with the 4th plague (8:20-23)
Truths about the Plagues
YESWrite Answer Here
OLD TESTAMENT LAW
Exodus 20 – Deuteronomy 33
Overview
“Ten Words”: (Hb.)/Decalogue (Gk.)
COVENANT Context
Revelation of the Covenant
Decalogue: General Expectations or Obligations
“Book of the Covenant”: Specific Application
Ratification of the Covenant
The Decalogue compares
to the U.S. Constitution
19:4-6
20:1-17
20:22-23:33
24:1-18
“the law of the land” (Article VI)
In CONTENT, the Decalogue is authoritative as
any other biblical law.
In FORM, however, the Decalogue does not
resemble typical laws.
TOO brief
NO punishment specified
Overview
REASONS
Overview
Comparison to Hammurabi’s Code
Overview
The Old Testament Law is superior because:
Old Testament Law placed a higher value on life than
property.
Old Testament Law tempered gross punishments.
“eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for
burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise” (EX. 21:24-25)
Old Testament Law rejected class distinctions.
Old Testament Law expressed greater concern for the
privileges of slaves and encouraged humane treatment.
JUSTICE
Equal Protection
Under the Law
Overview
