EXODUS
The book of Exodus begins about four hundred years after the point where Genesis ends. The book opens and closes with Israel at work. At the onset, the Israelites are at work for the Egyptians. By the book’s end, they have finished the work of building the tabernacle according to the Lord's instructions (Exod. 40:33). God did not deliver Israel from work. He set Israel free for work. God released them from oppressive work under the ungodly king of Egypt and led them to a new kind of work under his gracious and holy kingship. Although the book’s title in Christian Bibles, “Exodus,” means “the way out, the forward-leaning orientation of Exodus could legitimately lead us to conclude that the book is really about the way in, for it recounts Israel’s entrance to the Mosaic covenant that will frame their existence, not only in the wilderness wanderings around the Sinai Peninsula but also in their settled life in the Promised Land. 1
Exodus 1-12
Underline the verbs in Exodus 2:23 -25 that tell what is happening in heaven as Israel groans under the burden of slavery. The Hebrew text of Exodus 2:25, translated literally, says, “So God looked upon the children of Israel and God knew.” Where are you burdened today? Take your needs to Him confident that God knows and that God hears you. 2.
Notice God’s power over nature and His grace to His people in Exodus 7-9. Take a walk. Notice God’s power in the nature around you. Think about His grace to you.
Listen to the song “Our God is an Awesome God.”
Exodus 12-25
Carefully look for Jesus in Exodus 12. (Read John 1:29)
The awesome deliverance that the Lord provided at the Red Sea was to provide direction for God’s people as they looked back and as they looked forward. As they remembered His deliverance in the past what would it tell them about their future forever? What deliverance has God worked in your life? (John 3:16)
Listen to the “Song of Moses – Exodus Chapter 15.”
Listen to the song “Our God.”
Israel is on a wilderness journey. Look at this record of their daily lives. Is there essentially any difference between their lives and ours? We see their failures and faithlessness so easily – can we see our own? In retrospect, if those people had the chance to rewind the tape and live life over, do you think they would behave differently? We can’t change the past – it’s forgiven; but we can learn from their past and ours. How will your life be different in response to this reading today?
While in the wilderness, God abundantly provided everything that the Israelites needed – food, water, safety, even their sandals didn’t wear out. Read Psalm 23. Read Psalm 23 again, out loud. Be reminded that God abundantly provides everything you need too.
Chapters 17 and 18 reveal various ways that God’s people may “hold up the hands” of the leaders God has placed over them. Consider the ways you might do that. Right now, take time to lift up our leaders before God in prayer, especially those leaders that you dislike or with whom you disagree.
Consider that many of God’s laws protect the rights of others. They direct one to think of others and seek their well-being first – isn’t that what Jesus did as well? Pick a specific amount of time (i.e. an hour, half of a day, all of one day) and during that time challenge yourself to always stop and think of others, to seek their well-being first. When the chosen amount of time has elapsed, reflect on how it went. What were the effects of this practice? Will you try it again?
Exodus 26-36
The Israelites give into unbelief and rebel against God. How Moses pleads for them is a good example of how we should plead for lapsed believers. Do you know of someone who seems to have fallen away from God? Pray for them now as Moses prayed for the Israelites.
For insight on Moses veiling his face in Exodus 34:29-35, read 2 Corinthians 3:4-4:6.
Exodus 35-36 details the heartfelt offerings brought by the Israelites for the work on the Tent of Meeting, so many offerings that they had to be told to stop. What do you think God is teaching here about worship?
Listen to the song “Here I am to Worship.”
Exodus 37-40
The Israelites exercised much care in preparing their place of worship for their Lord. How you prepare to worship your Lord may not have so much to do with the physical building or what clothing is worn, but more to do with your heart. Next time you plan to worship, try these steps: Get plenty of rest the night before. Be sure to get up early enough so that you are not rushed, so that you have enough time to eat something, and so that you have plenty of travel time. Arrive early to your place of worship. Intentionally enter your place of worship humbly with awe and reverence for your Lord. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for all He has done for you and ask God to open your heart to hear, learn and understand His message.
Renderings of worship articles
The Garments of the High Priest
