Jensens survey of the old testament adam 54

Exodus: Book of Redemption

The book of Exodus reports the rst of
God’s deliverances of Israel, as He had
promised Abraham. This second book of the
Pentateuch picks up the story where Genesis
left it, and so it is its sequel. In Genesis the
divine purpose is revealed, and in Exodus
the divine performance is exhibited.1
This deliverance from bondage was a
crucial event in the experience of the
Israelites. Centuries later, many authors of
the prophetic books and Psalms acclaimed it
as the most signi cant miracle in their
history. The deliverance is a beautiful type
of the sinner’s redemption from the bondage
of sin. Thus Exodus is rightly called the
“Book of Redemption.”


I. PREPARATORY

FOR

STUDY

1. Recall the highlights of Genesis, as you
surveyed that “Book of Beginnings.” Review
especially the survey Chart 11 and the
chronology of Chart 6.
2. Various comparisons may be made of

Genesis and Exodus. Study the following
comparisons, which will give you a general
idea as to what to anticipate in the book you
are about to study.2


II. BACKGROUND
A. TITLE

The English title Exodus originated with
the Greek Septuagint’s Exodos (“departure,”
or “exit”). The title appropriately represents
the key event of the book, the Israelites’


miraculous flight from bondage in Egypt.
B. WRITING

Moses probably wrote this book soon after
the completion of the tabernacle, described
in Exodus 35-40. The date is in the last half
of the fteenth century B.C. (The tabernacle
was completed in 1444 B.C. Cf. 40:17.)
C. HISTORICAL SETTING

Chart 12 shows the highlights of the
historical setting of Exodus. Study it
carefully to gain a clear historical
perspective of this second book of the Bible.
Note the following on this chart:

1. A general survey of Egypt’s political
status is shown above the dateline. The two
key events are the Hyksos invasion of Egypt
(1730 B.C.), and the overthrow of this foreign
group (1570 B.C.)3
2. References to Israel are shown below