The Book of Exodus
in a Nutshell
The Book of Exodus
in a Nutshell
Embedded Files
in a Nutshell
02_Exodus-BiaNS.mp3The book of Exodus, the second book of the Bible, continues the story from the previous book, Genesis, where Jacob and his large family had settled in Egypt. Joseph, Jacob's son, had risen to become second-in-command in Egypt and had saved his family from a famine. After Jacob and his sons died, the Israelites multiplied and flourished in Egypt. However, a new Pharaoh saw them as a threat and enslaved them, even ordering the killing of their newborn sons.
God responded by raising up Moses, an Israelite who was saved as a baby from the waters of the Nile river, and grew up in Pharaoh's household. God commissioned Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites. After a series of plagues, Pharaoh finally let the Israelites go, but then pursued them with his army. God miraculously delivered the Israelites by parting the Red Sea, which then swallowed up Pharaoh's forces.
The Israelites then journeyed to Mount Sinai, where God established a covenant with them. He gave them the Ten Commandments and other laws to shape them into a holy nation that would represent God to the world. However, the Israelites soon broke the covenant by worshiping a golden calf idol. Though God was prepared to destroy them, Moses interceded, and God renewed the covenant, describing Himself as merciful and gracious, yet also just.
The book then details the construction of the tabernacle, the portable dwelling place for God's presence among the Israelites. Yet when the tabernacle was completed, Moses was unable to enter it, foreshadowing the ongoing tension between God's holiness and the Israelites' sinfulness. The book of Exodus leaves the reader wondering how God will reconcile this conflict and fulfill His covenant promises.
JJ Bowks, ©CDMI
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
The Bible in a Nutshell Series
Hebrew Scriptures
Hebrew Scriptures
(Old Testament Books)
Outline of the Book of Exodus
Outline of the Book of Exodus
I. Servitude and Deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 1:1–15:21)
A. Israel’s slavery and suffering (1:1–2:25)
1. Genealogy and oppression begin (1:1–14)
2. Pharaoh orders the death of Hebrew boys; Moses is hidden and born (1:15–2:10)
3. Moses flees to Midian after killing an Egyptian; marries (2:11–25)
B. Moses’ call and commissioning (3:1–7:7)
1. Burning bush encounter (3:1–4:17)
2. Moses’ objections and signs; return to Egypt (4:18–5:23)
3. Aaron joins Moses; God reassures success (6:1–7:7)
C. The plagues on Egypt (7:8–11:10)
1. Staff-to-snake and the first plague (7:8–8:11)
2. Plagues of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, and darkness (9:1–10:29)
3. Preparation for Passover (11:1–10)
D. The first Passover and the Exodus (12:1–15:21)
1. Institution and instructions for the Passover (12:1–13)
2. Death of firstborn, Pharaoh’s release, and departure (12:14–42)
3. Egyptians urge Israel out (12:43–51)
4. Crossing the Red Sea and destruction of Pharaoh’s army (13:17–14:31)
5. Song of deliverance and journey to Marah (15:1–21)II. Wilderness Journey to Sinai (Exodus 15:22–18:27)
A. Testing and provision of water and manna (15:22–17:7)
1. Bitter water at Marah and sweetening (15:22–26)
2. Manna and quail; test at Rephidim (16:1–17:7)
B. Victory over Amalek (17:8–16)
C. Jethro’s counsel and leadership reforms (18:1–27)III. Covenant Making and Law at Sinai (Exodus 19:1–24:18)
A. Arrival at Sinai and covenant invitation (19:1–25)
B. Ten Commandments and people’s response (20:1–21)
C. Civil, ceremonial, and social laws (20:22–23:19)
D. Covenant ratified with blood and celebration (24:1–18)IV. Instructions for the Tabernacle and Priestly Systems (Exodus 25:1–31:18)
A. Offerings and the Ark, table, lampstand, and altar (25:1–31)
B. Priesthood garments and anointing oil (28:1–29:46)
C. Tabernacle structure, utensils, and priestly ordination (30:1–31:18)V. Apostasy, Renewal, and Construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 32:1–40:38)
A. Golden calf rebellion and Moses’ intercession (32:1–34:35)
B. Renewal of the covenant; second set of tablets (34:1–35)
C. Sabbath laws and call to build (35:1–29)
D. Construction of the tabernacle (35:30–40:33)
E. God’s glory fills the tabernacle; divine guidance established (40:34–38)
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