THE BOOK OF EXODUS

Circa 156O BC

1. Several years pass and a new Pharaoh who did not know of Joseph sees the Israelites increasing in numbers and suggests that they could be a threat. Slave Masters are put in charge of the Israelites to oppress them. But still their numbers increase.Ex 1:1-14.
2. The Pharaoh tells the midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, to kill the boys born to the Israelite women. Ex 1:15-16.
3. The midwives, fearing God, do not obey. On being asked why they tell the Pharaoh that the Israelite women are strong and give birth before they, the midwives, arrive. Ex 1:17-19.
4. God is pleased with the midwives and increases their families. The Israelites continue to increase in numbers. Ex 1:20-21.
5. Pharaoh gives the order that every boy born to the Israelites must be thrown into the Nile but the girls can live. Ex 1:22.
6. A Levite man marries a Levite woman and she gave birth to a boy. She hid him for three months but when she could no longer hide him she put him on a papyrus basket and put it among the reeds of the river. Ex 2:1-4. B.C.
7. Pharaoh’s daughter sees the basket and rescues the baby from the river. She realises the baby is a Hebrew. The baby’s sister had watched the event and suggests to Pharaoh’s daughter that she find a Hebrew Mother to look after the baby. The boy is therefore returned to his Mother to nurse on behalf of Pharaoh’s daughter. Ex 2:5-9.

Circa 1350 BC

1. When the child was older Pharaoh’s daughter took him as her son and1350 named him Moses. (Moses sounds like the Hebrew for ‘draw out’) Ex 2:10.
2. When Moses had grown up he sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew so he kills the Egyptian and thinks that no-one has seen. Ex 2:11-12.
3. The next day he sees two Hebrews fighting. When asking them why they are doing this one says ‘Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?’ Moses is afraid. Ex 2:13-14.
4. Pharaoh gets to know and tries to kill Moses who flees to Midian and is befriended by Jethro who gives Moses his daughter Sephora in marriage. She bears him a son who they name Gershom. (Gershom sounds like the Hebrew for ‘an alien there’ Moses being an alien in Midian.) Ex 2:15-22.
5. During this period the Egyptian Pharaoh dies but the Israelites continue to groan in their slavery and cry out to God for help. God, remembering his covenant to Abraham and Isaac, is concerned for them. Ex 2:23-25.
6. Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law and he brought them to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire. Moses saw that, though the bush was on fire, it didn’t burn up so he drew closer to see the strange sight. Ex 3:1-3.
7. When Moses had approached the bush the Lord calls to him "Moses! Moses!". "Here I am", Moses replies. Ex 3:4.
8. Moses is told take off his sandles and the voice says to him "I am the God of your Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob". Ex 3:5-6.
9. The Lord tells Moses that he has seen the misery of the Israelites. Moses is to rescue them and bring them to a land "flowing with milk and honey." Ex 3:7-9.
10. Moses questions how he is to do this, he is answered "I will be with youand when you have brought the people out of Egypt you will worship God on this mountain". Ex 3:10-12.
11. God said to Moses. "I am who I am". This is what you are to say to the Israelites: "I am has sent me to you." God promises to make the Egyptians favourably disposed towards the Israelites. Eventually the Israelites will plunder the Egyptians. Ex 3:13-22.B.C.
12. In order to convince Moses God makes a rod change into a snake and then back into a rod. He tells Moses to take the rod with him. Moses is told to put his hand into his pocket. It comes out leprous. When he puts it back it is restored. Moses is still reluctant but God tells him that he will teach him what to say. Ex 4:1-13.
13. Moses is told that Aaron, his brother, is coming to meet him, and will go with him to Pharaoh and God will be with them. Ex 4:14-17.
14. Moses tells his Father-in-law, Jethro, that he must return to Egypt. The Lord assures Moses that all the people who wanted to kill him are dead. Ex.4:18-23.
15. During the journey back to Egypt God meets Moses and is prepared to kill him for failing to circumcise his son. His wife Sephora takes a sharp flint and carries out the circumcision. Ex 4:24-26.
16. Moses and Aaron meet. Moses tells Aaron all that God has said. Aaron tells the people and they, believing, fall down and adore God. Ex 4:27-31.

THE PLAGUES.

1. Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh who rejects their request to go into the wilderness to offer sacrifice. Ex 5:1-5.
2. Pharaoh tells the overseers to make the work more difficult for the Hebrews. The Israelite foreman complains to Pharaoh but is ignored. Ex 5:6-19.
3. The Hebrews complain to Moses and Aaron. Moses appeals to the Lord. Ex 5:20-23
4. God renews his promise to Moses. Ex 6:1-13.
5. Geanology of Moses and Aaron. Ex 6:14-27.
6. God tells Moses to go again to Pharaoh and request that the Hebrews be allowed to leave Egypt. Ex 6:28-30 & 7:1-9.
7. Moses and Aaron go to Pharaoh. Moses casts down the rod which turns into a serpent. Pharaoh’s wise men cast down their rods which also turn into serpents but Moses’ serpent devours all the others. Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. Ex 7:10-13.
8. First plague: Waters of Egypt turn to blood Ex 7:14-25.
9. Second plague: frogs. Ex 8:1-15.
10.Third plague: mosquitoes. Ex 8:16-19.
11. Fourth plague: flies. Ex 8:20-32. B.C.
12. Fifth plague: Disease. Ex 9:1-7.
13. Sixth Plague: Ulcers. Ex 9:8-12.
14. Seventh plague: Hail & Thunder. Ex 9:13-35.
15. Eighth plague: Locusts. Ex 10:1-20.
16. Ninth plague: Darkness. Ex 10:21-29.
17. Prediction of Tenth plague. Ex 11:1-10.
18. The Paschal Lamb. Ex 12:1-14.
19. The Unleavened Bread. Ex 12:15-20.
20.The transom and door posts to be sprinkled with blood of the lamb. (Thus the destroyer who is to kill the firstborn will ‘Passover’ the homes of the Hebrews.) Ex 12:21-28. (The lamb or kid speak of God’s protection and provision for his people. The bitter herbs remind them of their suffering in Egypt. The unleavened bread reminds them of the haste of their departure, no time to use yeast and wait for the bread to rise.)
21. The firstborn of the Egyptians are slain. Ex 12:29-30.
22. Pharaoh calls Moses and Aaron in the night and tells them to "go forth from among my people." Ex 12:31-34.
23. The Israelites asked the Egyptians for items of silver, gold and clothing which the people gave them; thus they plundered the Egyptians. Ex 12:35-36

Circa 1270 BC

1.The Israelites set forth from Ramesse to Socoth. Their number were 600,000 men on foot besides women and children. The length of time the Israelite people had lived in Egypt was 430 years. Ex 12:37-51.
2. God asks for sacrificial offering of the first born. (Every first born boy to be consecrated for the ministry of divine worship. Every first born of beasts to be given for sacrifice.) Ex 13:1-16.
3. God led them out not through the shorter route through Philistine country in case they were attacked and, in fear, returned to Egypt. But they went out by the desert road to the Red Sea. Ex 13:17-18.
4. Moses takes Joseph’s bones with him as Joseph had requested "Carry out my bones from hence with you". Ex 13:19. B.C.
5.The Lord guides the Hebrews by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Ex 13:20-22.
6. God instructs Moses to make camp by the sea so that Pharaoh will think he has them trapped. "Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord." Ex 14:1-4.
7. Pharaoh pursues the Israelites with six hundred chariots. Ex 14:5-9.
8. The Hebrews are frightened but Moses tells them "Fear not". Ex 14:10-14.
9.Moses is told to raise his staff over the sea and divide the water. Ex 14:15-18.
10.The pillar of cloud moved from in front to behind the Israelites, coming between them and Pharaoh’s army. Ex 14:19-20.
11.The Israelites pass through the sea on dry land. Ex 14:21-22.
12. Pharaoh’s army follow, the waters close and they are drowned. Ex 14:23-31.

JOURNEY TO SINAI

1. Moses sings a canticle of rejoicing. Ex 15:1-19.
2. Miriam, the prophetess, Aaron’s sister and all the women dance and play tambourines. Ex 15:20-21.
3. Moses led the Israelites for three days without finding water. At a place called Marah they found water but could not drink it as it was bitter. (Marah means bitter). Ex 15:22-23.
4.The people grumbled so Moses cried out to the Lord who showed him a piece of wood and told him to throw it into the water which became sweet and good to drink. Ex 15:24-25.
5.The Lord made a decree telling the Israelites that if they obey his commands then he would not bring on them any of the diseases he brought on the Egyptians. Ex 15:26.
6.They came to Elim where there were twelve springs and seventy palm tress and they camped there. Ex 15:27
7. They continue their journey but once again the Israelites grumble against Moses and Aaron. The Lord tells Moses that he will provide meat at twilight and bread in the morning. Ex 16:1-12. B.C.
8. In the evening quail came and covered the camp and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. This was the bread (Manna; the word means ‘What is it?’) promised by the Lord. Ex 16:13-15.
9. Moses told the people to gather only sufficient for one day’s needs. But on the vigil of the Sabbath they were allowed to collect twice as much. Those going out on the Sabbath found none. Ex 16:16-34 & 36.
10. This manna was to feed the Israelites for forty years. It ceased abruptly when they entered Canaan Ex 16:35.
11. The Israelites moved to Rephidim where they was no water. Once again they quarrelled against Moses who asked for God’s help. God told Moses to strike a rock with his staff and water came forth. Moses called this place Massah which means ‘testing’ as the people had put God to the test. Ex 17:1-7.
12. The Amalekites, a nomadic tribe, attack the Israelites. God gives victory to the Israelites who kept winning provided Moses kept his arms raised. Ex 17:8-16.
13. Moses father-in-law, Jethro, comes to meet and talk with Moses. He hears all that the Lord has done for the Israelites. But he sees that Moses is approached as Judge by everyone. He gives Moses the advice to select capable men to deal with these problems so that only the most difficult ones will be brought to Moses. Moses agrees to Jethro’s advice. Ex 18:1-27.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. The Israelites camped at the foot of Mount Sinai. God’s presence on the Mountain is heralded by thunder, fire, earthquake and lightning. Ex 19:1-19.
2. Moses goes up the mountain and receives on the tablets of stone, the Ten Commandments. Ex 19:20-25; 20:1-21.
3. There follow general instructions about worship known as ‘The book of the Covenant’. It is the oldest record of Jewish Law. Ex 20:22-26.
4. Instructions on the rights of servants. Ex 21:1-11.
5. Instructions on manslaughter and injury to human life. Ex 21:12-32.
6. Instructions on injury, theft and damage to property. Ex 21:33-36; 22:1-15.
7. Instructions on social and religious obligations. Ex 22:16-31.
8. Instructions on justice and human rights. Ex 23:1-13.
9. Laws for the three main feasts. a. Unleavened Bread, b. Firstfruits and c. Harvest. Ex 23:14-19. B.C.
10. God’s undertakings for his obedient people. Ex 23:20-33.
11. The covenant is ratified. Moses stays up the mountain for forty days and forty nights.(The number ‘forty’ occurs at almost every new stage in Israel’s history; e.g. The Flood, the time of the spies in Canaan, Elijah’s journey to Horeb. And in the New Testament; Jesus time in the wilderness and the time between the resurrection and the ascension.) Ex 24:1-18.

PLANS FOR THE BUILDING OF THE TABERNACLE

1.The next seven chapters are concerned with the detail of the building of the tabernacle including the offerings, consecration of the Priests and sacrifices for the consecration. Exodus Chapters 25 to 31.

ISRAEL FALLS INTO IDOLATRY

1. Only six weeks after making their solemn Covenant, the people, tired of waiting for the return of Moses, persuade Aaron to make a golden calf for them to adore. Ex 32:1-6.
2. God tells Moses that the people are adoring a golden calf. The penalty is death but Moses prays for their forgiveness and God hears his prayer. Ex 32:7-14.
3. Moses returns and in his anger throws down the tablets. The breaking of the tablets proclaims the broken covenant. Ex 32:15-19.
4. Moses destroys the calf and exacts punishment. The Levites, Moses’ own tribe, go through the camp slaying. Some three thousand die that day. Ex 32:20-29.
5. The next day Moses returns to the mountain to ask God’s pardon. He asks to see God in His glory and his request is granted but he is only allowed to see God’s back; "You cannot see my face, for no-one may see me and live." The tablets are rewritten and the Covenant renewed. Moses descends the mountain. His face is radiant from having seen God. Ex 32:30-35; 33:1-23 & 34:1-35.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TABERNACLE

1. The next six chapters are concerned with the detail of the constructing the Tabernacle and the Priest’s vestments. Ex 35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40:1-31.
2. God signifies his approval by descending as a cloud to cover the tabernacle. No-one, not even Moses, can enter. Ex 40:32-33.
3. The cloud, for the Israelites, was the sign for moving on or staying where they were. In all their travels whenever the cloud lifted they would set out. But if the cloud did not lift they would not set out. The Tabernacle remained the focal Centre of the nation’s worship. (In three hundred years it will be placed in Solomon’sTemple.) Ex 40:34-36. B.C