EXODUS

## Author According to Hebrew and Christian traditions, Moses is the author of Exodus. This is the teaching of Christ (Mk 1:44), of His disciples (Jn 1:45), and of the book itself (17:14) ## Date Exodus, which means “departure”, was written during the forty years of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness, from the crossing of the entrance into the land of Canaan. ## Major Theme God’s covenant with Israel and the judgment of her oppressors. God reveals Himself and His Name “YAHWEH”, meaning: I AM the Existing One”. ## Background Exodus immediately follows in the timeline after Genesis. God brought about a series of miracles to release His people from slavery in Egypt. The nation of Egypt was judged by God for its treatment of the Hebrews and its rejection of Him as the One True God. The forty years of wandering in the wilderness is the consequences of Israel’s sins, as well as a necessary time of preparation to inherit the promised land as a people set apart for God. ## Outline 1. Deliverance from Bondage in Egypt (1:1 – 15:21) - Israel’s life in Egypt (1:1 – 22) - Moses’ youth (2:1 – 25) - God calls Moses (3:1 – 4:31) - The plagues in Egypt (5:1 – 11:10) - The Passover (Pascha) (12:1 – 13:16) - Departure from Egypt and crossing the - - Red Sea (13:17 – 15:21) 2. Wandering in the Wilderness (15:22 – 18:27) - God’s Covenant with Israel (19:1 – 24:18) - The Covenant and the Decalogue (19:1 – 20:21) - The book of the Covenant (20:22 – 23:33) - Ratification of the covenant (24:1 – 18) 3. Instructions for Building the Sanctuary and for Its Ministers (25:1 – 31:18) 4. The Golden Calf (32:1 – 34:35) - The people’s sins (32:1 – 35) - Renewal of the covenant (33:1 – 34:35) 5. Instructions for Building and Furnishing the Sanctuary (35:1 – 40:32)