Schoolmaster to Christ
EXODUS INTRODUCTION
Schoolmaster to Christ
EXODUS INTRODUCTION
In his book, “An Introduction To The Old Testament,” Young points out that the Jews called the book of Exodus after its opening words, we’elleh shemoth (“And these are the names”), or simply shemoth (“names”). The LXX designated it, according to its central theme, Exodos (the word appears in Ex. 19:1), and the Vulgate, Exodus.
The second book of the Pentateuch serves as a connecting link between the preparatory history contained in Genesis and the remaining books of the Law. It begins with a brief statement of the rapid growth of the Israelites. Following this, it sets forth the preparations for the exodus itself. These were both of a negative and positive kind. Negatively, the people were prepared for deliverance by the hard bondage that was imposed on them, causing them to long for freedom. Positively, they were prepared by the mighty miracles that God performed on their behalf, convincing them that He was indeed the Lord, their covenant-redeemer God, and the God of all power. Following the narration of this double preparation, the book recounts the actual exodus from Egypt, through the Red Sea to Mt. Sinai (1-19).
This marks the first great division in the Pentateuch. Up to this point the Law was distinguished primarily by narrative; from here on it is characterized by legislation. The people are now ready to be organized as the theocratic nation, and hence must receive the legislation necessary for such organization. This legislation consists of three parts: that given at Mt. Sinai (Exodus, Leviticus), that given in the wilderness wanderings (Numbers), and that delivered in the plains of Moab (Deuteronomy).
The remainder of Exodus (20-40) concerns that legislation given by God to Israel at Mt. Sinai. First, the basic moral law is proclaimed, and this is followed by certain ordinances that are the foundation of the covenant that is ratified. Then comes directions for the erection of the Tabernacle, the dwelling place of the holy God. Because of the transgression of the covenant in connection with the sin of the golden calf, the directions were not carried out for a time. Finally, however, the Tabernacle was built, and God took up His dwelling therein.
