The Book of Exodus: Redemption and Revelation
Exodus: Book Overview
- Total Chapters: 40
- Total Verses: 1,213
- Author: Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Date Written: Approximately 1445–1405 BC
NIV Chapter Pericopes (Sections)
Israel in Egypt (Chapters 1–12)
- Chapter 1: The Israelites Oppressed
- Chapter 2: The Birth of Moses; Moses Flees to Midian
- Chapter 3: Moses and the Burning Bush
- Chapter 4: Signs for Moses; Moses Returns to Egypt; Zipporah Circumcises Her Son
- Chapter 5: Bricks Without Straw
- Chapter 6: God Promises Deliverance; Family Record of Moses and Aaron
- Chapter 7: Aaron to Speak for Moses; The Staff Becomes a Snake; The Plague of Blood
- Chapter 8: The Plague of Frogs; The Plague of Gnats; The Plague of Flies
- Chapter 9: The Plague on Livestock; The Plague of Boils; The Plague of Hail
- Chapter 10: The Plague of Locusts; The Plague of Darkness
- Chapter 11: The Plague on the Firstborn
- Chapter 12: The Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread; The Exodus
The Journey to Sinai (Chapters 13–18)
- Chapter 13: Consecration of the Firstborn; Crossing the Sea
- Chapter 14: The Crossing of the Red Sea
- Chapter 15: The Song of Moses and Miriam; The Waters of Marah and Elim
- Chapter 16: Manna and Quail
- Chapter 17: Water From the Rock; The Amalekites Defeated
- Chapter 18: Jethro Visits Moses
The Covenant and the Law (Chapters 19–24)
- Chapter 19: At Mount Sinai
- Chapter 20: The Ten Commandments; Idol-making and Altars
- Chapter 21: Protection for Servants; Personal Injury
- Chapter 22: Protection of Property; Social Responsibility
- Chapter 23: Laws of Justice and Mercy; Sabbath Laws; The Three Annual Festivals; God’s Angel to Prepare the Way
- Chapter 24: The Covenant Confirmed
The Tabernacle and the Golden Calf (Chapters 25–40)
- Chapter 25: Offerings for the Tabernacle; The Ark; The Table; The Lampstand
- Chapter 26: The Tabernacle
- Chapter 27: The Altar of Burnt Offering; The Courtyard; Oil for the Lampstand
- Chapter 28: The Priestly Garments; The Ephod; The Breastpiece; Other Priestly Garments
- Chapter 29: Consecration of the Priests
- Chapter 30: The Altar of Incense; Atonement Money; The Basin for Washing; Anointing Oil; Incense
- Chapter 31: Bezalel and Oholiab; The Sabbath
- Chapter 32: The Golden Calf
- Chapter 33: Moses and the Glory of the Lord
- Chapter 34: The New Stone Tablets; The Radiant Face of Moses
- Chapter 35: Sabbath Regulations; Materials for the Tabernacle; Bezalel and Oholiab
- Chapter 36: The People Bring More Than Enough; The Tabernacle Construction
- Chapter 37: Making the Ark, Table, Lampstand, and Altar of Incense
- Chapter 38: Making the Altar of Burnt Offering, Basin, and Courtyard; Materials Used
- Chapter 39: The Priestly Garments; Moses Inspects the Tabernacle
- Chapter 40: Setting Up the Tabernacle; The Glory of the Lord
The Book of Exodus picks up centuries after the close of Genesis. It is the central story of the Old Testament—the account of how God rescued His people from slavery and established a covenant with them at Mount Sinai.
Traditionally, the book is divided into two primary movements:
- Redemption: God brings Israel out of Egypt (Chapters 1–18).
- Revelation: God gives the Law and the Tabernacle (Chapters 19–40).
I. Deliverance from Egypt (Chapters 1–15)
The narrative begins with a cry for help and ends with a song of victory.
- Slavery in Egypt: The descendants of Jacob are oppressed by a Pharaoh who does not remember Joseph (Exo 1).
- The Calling of Moses: After 40 years in the desert, Moses encounters God in a burning bush and is sent to demand Israel’s freedom (Exo 2–4).
- The Ten Plagues: God demonstrates His power over the gods of Egypt through a series of supernatural judgments (Exo 7–11).
- The Passover: The final plague claims the firstborn of Egypt, but the Israelites are “passed over” by the blood of the lamb (Exo 12).
- Crossing the Red Sea: God parts the waters to allow Israel to escape, then closes them over the pursuing Egyptian army (Exo 14–15).
II. Journey to Sinai (Chapters 16–18)
Before reaching the mountain, God tests and provides for His people in the wilderness.
- Manna and Quail: God provides supernatural food from heaven to sustain the people (Exo 16).
- Water from the Rock: Moses strikes a rock at Rephidim to provide water for the thirsty nation (Exo 17).
- The Advice of Jethro: Moses’ father-in-law helps him organize a system of judges to manage the people’s disputes (Exo 18).
III. The Covenant and the Law (Chapters 19–24)
At Mount Sinai, the relationship between God and Israel is formalized through a legal and spiritual covenant.
- The Ten Commandments: God speaks the moral foundation of the law directly to the people (Exo 20).
- The Book of the Covenant: Detailed civil and social laws regarding justice, property, and worship (Exo 21–23).
- The Covenant Confirmed: The people agree to obey God’s commands, and the elders of Israel behold God’s glory (Exo 24).
IV. The Tabernacle and the Golden Calf (Chapters 25–40)
The final section focuses on God’s desire to dwell in the midst of His people.
The Blueprint for Worship
- Instructions for the Tabernacle: God gives Moses specific designs for the Ark of the Covenant, the lampstand, and the sacred tent (Exo 25–31).
The Great Failure
- The Golden Calf: While Moses is on the mountain, the people build an idol, leading to a major crisis of faith and Moses’ intercession (Exo 32–34).
The Presence of God
- Building the Tabernacle: The craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab lead the people in constructing the sanctuary according to the pattern (Exo 35–39).
- The Glory Descends: The book ends with the completion of the Tabernacle and the glory of the Lord filling the tent (Exo 40).