EXODUS

EXODUS

What do you see in this book that tells you about the original readers?

The book of Exodus tells the story about the people of Israel. They had been in slavery for 400 years with suffering. In Exodus 3:7 the Lord speaks to Moses that he has heard the Israelites cries of distress of their harsh slave drivers, and now He will rescue them from Egypt.

What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?

The Sourceview Bible introduction to Exodus says that this book was written by Moses.

What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the “Main Idea”.

There are two main themes in Exodus: Redemption from Egypt (chapter 1-18) and Revelation from God (chapter 19-40).

One sentence summary of the “Main Idea” is that God is serious about his presence and holiness.

                                                 

What is the primary reason this book was written?

This book was written to remind them of the redemption from Egypt and what God had done for them.
 

What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

This book shows that  God is merciful and faithful to his children even if they do
wrong things. For example making the gold-calf 32:35 was a terrible sin (32:35), but
in 34:10 the Lord tells Moses that He will make a new covenant with the Israelites
that will show the power of God.
 

What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

In Exodus 12:7 we hear that the Israelites shall smear blood from a lamb around the doorframes of their houses. Then the Lord will pass over them and the plague of death will not touch them. This is a foreshadow of the blood of Jesus that has the power to save all the world.
 

Personal Application:

When the Lord tells Moses that he shall lead his people out of EEgypt (3:10), Moses has several protests to God. (3:11, 3:13, 4:1, 4:10, 4:13 and 4:18).
When the Lord calls, not let modesty prevent what God has for me. He will support in every aspects: “I will be with you!” (3:12), so be bold!
 

Point of passion:

When reading about the Israelites in Egypt, I was reminded about the work of my nephew among the Shan-people in Thailand that we already support.  

The Shan-people is Buddists, but a lot of them have received Jesus as their saviour. Many of them are refugees in Thailand, but want to go back home to Burma, and they who have become christians want to start housechurches there.

Living as refugees in Thailand is not so different from the Israelites in Egypt, and I pray that they shall get back to Burma.