Book Report-Exodus

Notes taken from NKJV-The New Spirit Filled Life Bible

Author: Traditionally Moses
Date: About 1440 B.C.
Theme: Deliverance
Key Words: Deliver, Sacrifice, Sign, Tabernacle, Sanctuary

Tradition has it that Moses died around 144o B.C. so he most likely compiled this book during the forty years in the wilderness.

Exodus records the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery at the hands of the Egyptians. Joseph's family of about 70 had grown into a large nation of millions and the Egyptians became afraid of them and enslaved them. God heard their cry and sent Moses, who had been raised in the Egyptian culture, to intervene for them with Pharaoh, and to take a stand, saying, "Let my people go." Ten plagues ravished the land before Pharaoh's heart was softened enough to let the Israelites go. Changing his mind, he pursued them with chariots and many mighty men. When God parted the Red Sea and His children had crossed it, the Egyptians followed them, only to be devastated by the mud and the water that crashed down on them. Egypt lost their crops, their cattle, their drinking water, their health, and their mighty army due to the stubbornness of Pharaoh's heart.

Exodus records God's provision for His people. His presence was with them; a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He gave them manna from heaven and quail from the sky. He gave them The Law so they would know how to be holy unto God and how to treat one another. God told them how to build the tabernacle and furnish it with meaningful and useful items.

In the New Testament, we are told that we are now the temple of the Living God. When I see how carefully He planned for the tabernacle in the Old Testament, it makes me want to be a holy place for Him to dwell. When God's glory filled the temple, even Moses couldn't go into the tabernacle.

God instructed the workers to use the colors of gold, blue, scarlet, and purple to make beautiful tapestries. This year, I want to plant an array of flowers with those colors, so I can get an idea of the way things looked and perhaps understand why God chose this combination of colors.

One thing I find really interesting is how God chose men and women and filled them with His Spirit and with wisdom to do this creative work. For example, Ex. 35:26 says, "And all the women whose hearts stirred with wisdom spun yarn of goats' hair. Ex. 36:30-32 says, "...See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel...and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works....and He has put in his heart the ability to teach...and filled them with skill to do all manner of work."
We may think this was natural talent but God is the one who gave them wisdom and His Spirit so they could do these things.

I've heard that it should have taken only 11 days for the Children of Israel to get to The Promised Land. Instead it took them 40 years. But think of all the things God had to bring them through. They had to learn to obey Him and trust Him and to get rid of a slave mentality. They had to fight smaller battles and win before they could fight the giants and win. God had to make of them a nation who worked together to have a common goal. They had to learn to respect their leaders. There was so much God had to do. He was willing to take His time. He was patient with them and during those times when He had had enough of them and was going to blow them to bits, Moses intervened for them and God heard him. I don't think we have to be afraid to intervene and intercede for our nation either. He can always say,"No." But He looks for a man or a woman to intercede because He is reluctant to judge His people. He is not willing that any should perish.

My favorite verses in Exodus are in Chapter 19:3-6.
"And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priest and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."

Peter wrote something similar in 1 Peter 2:9.
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praise of him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;..."
Just as the Israelites were called out of the bondage of slavery, so we are called out of darkness....to become a people of God.

Yesterday, Phil called my name with urgency. I ran outside and he showed me a bald eagle soaring in the wind. Just imagine being borne on eagle's wings, soaring to new heights, diving to new depths, being carried to God.
I watched and soared and I was free.