 Exploring
the Word of God____Unit 1: The Law |
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Exodus: Birth of a Nation
From Egypt to Sinai
Chapters 12:37-19:25
| CROSSING THE RED
SEA CHAPTERS 12:37-14:31 |
After centuries of living in a foreign land, the Israelites were free. This is what God had promised their father Abraham (Genesis 15:13-14). Before starting their journey to the border, God gave further instructions about how the Passover was to be observed.
In this dedication ceremony of the Exodus, God announced how this great event was to be further commemorated. For seven days after the Passover, the Israelites were to eat unleavened bread as a reminder of their quick departure from Egypt. This was not just a onetime observance. God told them, "You must keep this ordinance…year after year" (Exodus 13:6-10).
God then led his people "around by the desert road toward the Red Sea," going before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (verses 17-22).
Meanwhile, Pharaoh had changed his mind about letting the Israelites leave. He and his army set out to recapture them. The sight of Pharaoh’s army filled the people with fear. But Israel soon learned the lesson of Moses’ words: "The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still" (Exodus 14:13-14). God parted the waters of the Red Sea so the Israelites could cross safely. The returning walls of rushing water crushed Pharaoh’s forces. The crossing of the Red Sea foreshadows Christian baptism: "Our forefathers…all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea" (1 Corinthians 10:1-2).
The exodus from Egypt was the defining event in the history of ancient Israel. As Eugene H. Merrill points out: "The choice of Israel as a servant people was already implicit in the patriarchal covenant statements (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:13-21; 18:18; 22:18; 26:3-4; etc.), but not until the Exodus deliverance did the nation as such come into historical existence. The Exodus, therefore, is of utmost theological importance as an act of God marking out a decisive moment in Israel’s history, an event marking her transition from a people to a nation" ("A Theology of the Pentateuch," in A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, ed. Roy B. Zuck, pp. 30-31).
 Moses stretched out his hand
over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The
Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the Lord swept them into the sea.
The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen – the entire
army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of
them survived" (Exodus 14:27-28). |
| THE SONG OF MOSES
AND MIRIAM CHAPTER 15:1-21 |
This is one of the oldest songs recorded in the Old Testament. As a hymn of victory, it celebrated God’s miraculous triumph over the Egyptian army. Not only did the Israelites remember God’s past deliverance, they anticipated his future blessings (verses 13-18).
| THE PEOPLE
COMPLAIN, BUT GOD PROVIDES CHAPTERS 15:22-17:7 |
It was not long before the people started to complain. In Egypt, there had been an abundance of fish, fruit and vegetables, and no shortage of water. But in the Desert of Sin, the people were soon hungry and thirsty (Exodus 15:22-27; 16:1-36).
God gave them manna, a substance that would become Israel’s staple food for 40 years. Manna probably means "what is it?" recalling the Israelites’ first reaction to it (Exodus 16:15). God’s method of provision was designed to teach them obedience and daily dependence upon him. It illustrates humanity’s need for God’s love and provision (John 6:25-35; Revelation 2:17).
At Rephidim (Exodus 17:1), the people complained again. This time the water was undrinkable. Moses interceded on their behalf and God worked another miracle. New Testament writers regarded the smitten rock as a symbol of Jesus Christ. He is the source of the water of life: ever fresh, pure abundant, accessible and unfailing (John 7:37-39; 1 Corinthians 10:4).
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| "As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword" (Exodus 17:11-13). |
| FIGHTING THE
AMALEKITES CHAPTER 17:8-16 |
Joshua led the Israelite army against the Amalekites, descendants of Esau. But it was God who gave the victory, through Moses’ intercession. In fighting against God’s people, Amalek was really fighting against God.
| JETHRO’S ADVICE CHAPTER 18 |
Jethro, who was Moses’ father-in-law, dominates this chapter. He recognized God’s power (verses 1, 9-10), God’s supremacy (verse 11), God’s presence (verse 12), God’s righteousness (verse 21) and God’s will (verses 19, 23).
Jethro’s wise counsel is worthy of note. He saw the heavy strain on Moses, who was not delegating authority. Jethro advised him to appoint associates as judges. Moses accepted the advice of his father-in-law, and selected men of character and ability. "The qualifications for these men (v. 21) were that they should be (1) ‘capable men’ (i.e., men with a native aptitude for judging), (2) ‘men who fear [in reverence and belief] God,’ (3) men of truth (i.e., ‘trustworthy’), and (4) men who hated all ‘dishonest gain.’… Notice that some of the same qualities are expected of leaders in the church (Acts 6:3; 1 Tim 3:2-12; Titus 1:7-9)" (The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, vol. 2, pp. 413-414).
| THE CAMP AT SINAI CHAPTER 19 |
Through Moses, God, as he promised earlier (Exodus 3:12), brought Israel to Mt. Sinai, where he now would establish his covenant with the nation. Thunder, lightning, trumpets and smoke heralded God’s presence and demonstrated his awesome power (Exodus 20:18-20 explains why). God told Moses that the Israelites were to be his special representatives. As the high priest represented Israel to God (Hebrews 5:1), the Israelites were to be "priests" to the surrounding nations (Exodus 19:3-6). For Christians, Hebrews 12:18-25 contrasts Mt. Sinai with Mt. Zion, the physical with the spiritual.
Law and Covenant
Chapters 20 - 24
| THE TEN
COMMANDMENTS CHAPTER 20:1-21 |
The law of Moses was a system of divinely inspired precepts that, in letter and in spirit, defined sin and regulated the Israelites’ conduct. The first four commandments concerned their relationship with God; the remaining six, their relationship with one another. Jesus explained this two-clause summary of the law in Matthew 22:37-40.
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| "The writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets" (Exodus 32:16). |
The commandments show God’s concern for the whole of life. He set out rules and standards governing family relationships, regard for human life, sex, property, speech and thought. The Ten Commandments are the Maker’s instructions on how the Israelites were to live a life of service to God and their fellow citizens.
Jesus Christ fulfilled the law of Moses and revealed its spiritual intent. He said, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law…. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17, NKJV).
The law was in effect until Christ came as the fulfillment of the promises God gave Israel. "What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come" (Galatians 3:19). Christians live by faith in the Son of God and walk according to the law of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:21). "Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law" (Galatians 3:25). (For further information, see our paper on the Ten Commandments.)
| GOD’S LAW CODE CHAPTERS 20:22-24:18 |
In this section of Scripture, we are introduced to "the Book of the Covenant" (Exodus 24:7), with its record of civil, social and religious legislation. It is the oldest record we have of Hebrew law. It gives us a detailed account of Israel’s duty to God and neighbor. As we deal with others, we should keep the principle of these laws in mind. This section addresses worship, civil laws, festivals and God’s faithfulness.
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Civil, Social and Religious Law |
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a. the rights of servants (21:1-11). b. Manslaughter and human life (21:12-32) c. Property damage and theft (21:33 – 22:15) d. Moral and religious obligations (22:16-31) e. Human rights and Sabbath laws (23:1-13) (For more information about the Sabbath, see our study papers about the Sabbath.) a. Unleavened Bread (23:15) b. Harvest of Firstfruits (23:16) c. Ingathering (23:16) |
Although the Book of the Covenant is similar to other ancient law codes, it is very different in four important ways.
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Unique Law Code |
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Israel’s agreement to the covenant was formally sealed by burnt offerings and fellowship offerings (Exodus 24:5). Moses then read from the Book of the Covenant. The blood sprinkled on the altar and on the people bound the Israelites to their agreement with God (verses 6-8). The symbolism of blood is prominent in this chapter. It represents the surrender of life to God. The covenant made at Sinai is now obsolete (Hebrews 8:13), replaced by the new covenant in Jesus Christ. (For further information, see our articles about Old Testament laws.)
Copyright 1994 Worldwide Church of God