Invitation to Discovery
Genesis ends in Egypt.
God has called Abraham, established His covenant promises, preserved Jacob’s family through
Joseph, and begun forming a people through whom blessing will eventually reach the nations.
Then the page turns. Generations pass. Joseph is forgotten. Israel multiplies – and Pharaoh enslaves
them.
From the human perspective, God’s promises might appear to have disappeared beneath
generations of suffering. But God has not forgotten.
“And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and
with Jacob.” – Exodus 2:24
Exodus invites us to discover the God who remembers, reveals Himself, redeems, and dwells
among His people.
He hears their cries. He calls Moses. He confronts Pharaoh. He delivers Israel. He leads them
through the sea. He provides in the wilderness. He establishes His covenant with them.
And then He does something extraordinary: He comes to dwell among them.
Exodus is certainly the story of Israel leaving Egypt. But the deeper story is about God bringing His
people to Himself.
As you begin Exodus, listen carefully to Pharaoh’s question: “Who is the LORD…?” – Exodus 5:2
And when God reveals His name to Moses, pay attention: “I AM WHO I AM.” – Exodus 3:14
What is God revealing about Himself?
Exodus at a Glance
Trail Map
Divine Author: God
Human Author: Moses, traditionally understood as the human author of Exodus and the
Pentateuch.
Hebrew Name: Shemot – “Names,” taken from the opening words, “These are the names…”
English Name: Exodus – meaning “departure” or “going out,” referring to Israel’s deliverance from
Egypt.
Original Audience: The people of Israel, learning the identity and character of the God who
delivered them and what it means to live as His covenant people.
Audience Today: Everyone seeking to understand God’s character, redemption, covenant,
worship, holiness, His presence, and the unfolding story of salvation that ultimately points toward
Jesus Christ.
Date Written: Traditionally associated with Moses and therefore commonly placed during Israel’s
wilderness period in the second millennium BC.
Time Period Covered: From Israel’s oppression in Egypt through approximately the first year
after the Exodus, concluding with the completion of the Tabernacle at Mount Sinai.
Historical Setting: The descendants of Jacob have grown into a numerous people living under
Egyptian oppression. God delivers them from slavery and brings them to Mount Sinai, where He
establishes His covenant with them and prepares to dwell among them.
Literary Genre: Primarily historical narrative, containing covenant law, poetry, genealogical
material, worship instructions, and detailed descriptions of the Tabernacle.
Purpose: To reveal the covenant-keeping God who makes Himself known, redeems His people
from bondage, brings them to Himself, establishes them as His covenant people, and graciously
chooses to dwell among them.
Major Themes: God’s self-revelation; covenant faithfulness; redemption; deliverance; God’s
sovereignty; God’s holiness; worship; obedience; God’s presence; Passover; covenant; law; the
Tabernacle; mediation; preparation.
Key People: Moses, Aaron, Miriam, Pharaoh, Jethro, Joshua, Bezalel, Oholiab, and the people of
Israel.
Key Locations: Egypt, Goshen, Midian, the sea, the wilderness, Rephidim, Mount Sinai, and the
Tabernacle.
Key Verse: “I AM WHO I AM.” – Exodus 3:14
Central Discovery: Exodus reveals the covenant-keeping God who makes Himself known,
redeems His people from bondage, brings them to Himself, and graciously chooses to dwell among
them.
Timeline
Israel in Egypt
Israel has multiplied greatly, but a new Pharaoh enslaves the people and orders the death of their
sons.
Exodus 1
Moses Is Born
God preserves Moses through Pharaoh’s murderous decree and eventually brings him into
BibleGrounded.org | Exodus Introduction v1.0
Pharaoh’s household.
Exodus 2:1-10
Moses Flees to Midian
After killing an Egyptian, Moses flees Egypt and spends years as a shepherd in Midian.
Exodus 2:11-25
The Burning Bush
God calls Moses and reveals His covenant name: “I AM WHO I AM.”
Exodus 3-4
Moses Confronts Pharaoh
God commands Pharaoh to release Israel. Pharaoh repeatedly refuses. Through the confrontation
that follows, God increasingly reveals who He is.
Exodus 5-11
Passover
Judgment comes upon Egypt, but God provides a means by which Israel will be spared. The
Passover lamb and its blood become central to Israel’s deliverance.
Exodus 12
The Exodus
After generations of slavery, God brings His people out of Egypt.
Exodus 12-13
The Sea
With Pharaoh’s army approaching and Israel trapped before the water, God makes a way where
His people can see none. Israel passes through; Pharaoh’s pursuing army does not.
Exodus 14-15
Mount Sinai
God brings Israel to Himself and establishes His covenant with them. “I bore you on eagles’ wings
and brought you to myself.” – Exodus 19:4
Exodus 19-24
The Tabernacle Instructions
God gives Moses instructions for a sanctuary where He will dwell among His people. “And let them
make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” – Exodus 25:8
Exodus 25-31
The Golden Calf
Israel quickly turns toward idolatry and breaks covenant faithfulness. In the aftermath, God
reveals both the seriousness of sin and the extraordinary depth of His mercy and faithfulness.
Exodus 32-34
The Tabernacle Completed
Israel constructs the Tabernacle according to God’s instructions. Then “…the glory of the LORD
filled the tabernacle.” The God who heard Israel crying from slavery in Egypt now dwells among
His people.
Exodus 35-40
Trail Ahead -> Leviticus
Exodus ends with God’s glory filling the Tabernacle. God is dwelling among His people. But that
creates an enormous question:
How can sinful people approach and live in the presence of a holy God?
Leviticus is waiting.
The trail continues…
Discover Exodus
Exodus begins with a cry.
Israel has been enslaved. Generations have lived under oppression. Their suffering rises before
God.
And God responds.
He hears. He remembers. He sees. He knows. And then He comes down to deliver.
Before Moses confronts Pharaoh, before the plagues, before Passover, and before the sea opens,
Exodus directs our attention toward God.
The story of redemption begins with the God who hears the cry of His people.
What follows is more than the story of slaves escaping Egypt. It is the unfolding response of a
covenant-keeping God who loves His people.
His love acts.
He rescues them from bondage, brings them to Himself, teaches them to live as His people, and
ultimately chooses to dwell among them.
Exodus is not merely a story of deliverance. It is a revelation of the God who hears, knows, loves,
and responds.
When Moses asks what name he should give Israel, God answers: “I AM WHO I AM.” – Exodus 3:14
This is one of Scripture’s great mountain overlooks. God does not introduce Himself by comparing
Himself with something else. He simply is.
He is not created. He is not dependent. He is not one god among many. Everything else exists
because He wills it to exist.
And this God chooses to reveal Himself. The God who simply is wants His people to know Him.
When Moses confronts Pharaoh, Pharaoh asks: “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice…?” –
Exodus 5:2
That question hangs over everything that follows. Again and again through the plagues, God
explains that what He is doing will cause Egypt, Israel, Pharaoh, and ultimately the nations to
know that He is the LORD.
Exodus therefore becomes much more than a confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh. It is
revelation. God is making Himself known.
Then comes Passover. Judgment is coming, but God provides a way for His people to be spared. A
lamb. Blood. Deliverance.
Israel does not overpower Pharaoh. Israel does not rescue itself. God delivers them.
At the sea Moses says: “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD…” – Exodus 14:13
God makes the way. Again, redemption begins with Him.
At Sinai God explains what He has done: “…I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” Exodus 19:4
That sentence changes the way we see Exodus. The destination isn’t merely freedom. It is
relationship.
God is forming a covenant people who will know Him, belong to Him, trust Him, worship Him, and
represent Him among the nations.
Then God gives His law. And the order matters. He rescues them first. Then He teaches His
redeemed people how to live as His people. Redemption precedes instruction.
But Israel fails quickly. While Moses is on the mountain, the people make the golden calf. The
people who have witnessed God’s deliverance turn toward an idol.
God is holy. Sin matters. Idolatry matters. Covenant unfaithfulness matters. Yet we also encounter
His mercy.
Moses asks: “Please show me your glory.” – Exodus 33:18
God reveals His character: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and
abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…” – Exodus 34:6
Moses asks to see God’s glory, and God reveals who He is.
Then Exodus moves toward its remarkable conclusion: the Tabernacle.
God says: “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.” – Exodus 25:8
God isn’t merely leading Israel toward a destination. He intends to dwell among them.
And Exodus ends with: “…the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” – Exodus 40:34
The God who heard His people crying in Egypt now dwells in the middle of their camp.
But there is a problem. God is holy. Israel is sinful. How can they approach Him? How can the holy
God continue dwelling among sinful people?
We turn the page. And suddenly Leviticus doesn’t seem quite so intimidating anymore. It seems
necessary.
And Exodus ends with: “…the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” – Exodus 40:34
The God who heard His people crying in Egypt now dwells in the middle of their camp.
But there is a problem. God is holy. Israel is sinful. How can they approach Him? How can the holy
God continue dwelling among sinful people?
We turn the page. And suddenly Leviticus doesn’t seem quite so intimidating anymore. It seems
necessary.
Reflection Questions
What does “I AM WHO I AM” reveal about God’s nature and character?
What does God’s response to Israel’s suffering reveal about His compassion, love, and covenant
faithfulness?
Why does God repeatedly say that people will “know that I am the LORD”?
What does Passover reveal about judgment, mercy, and God’s provision for deliverance?
What changes when I understand the Exodus not merely as freedom from slavery, but as God
bringing His people to Himself?
Why does redemption come before God’s instructions for covenant living?
What does Exodus 34 reveal about God’s character and His glory?
What does the Tabernacle reveal about God’s desire to dwell among His people?
How does Exodus prepare us to understand Jesus Christ and God’s greater work of redemption?
Throughout Exodus, continue asking: “What is God revealing about Himself?”
Prayer Before Reading
Father,
As I begin Exodus, help me see beyond the familiar stories and discover You.
Show me what Your name, Your faithfulness, Your holiness, Your mercy, Your justice, Your
steadfast love, and Your presence reveal about who You are.
Help me understand that redemption begins with You and that You call Your people not merely out
of bondage, but into relationship with Yourself.
Teach me to trust You when I cannot see the way ahead.
Help me recognize Your faithfulness to Your promises and Your desire to be known by Your
people.
As I read, deepen my knowledge of You, grow my love for You, and teach me to walk faithfully with
You.
Above all, help me see how Your work in Exodus prepares the way for the greater redemption You
reveal through Jesus Christ.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now Open Your Bible
You’ve looked at the trail map.
Behind you is Genesis: Creation. The Fall. Abraham. Isaac. Jacob. Joseph. Egypt. And a covenant
promise that remains unfinished.
Now the trail continues.
Ahead lies a burning bush. A name: I AM. A lamb. A sea. A mountain. A covenant. A Tabernacle.
And the glory of God dwelling among His people.
Don’t hurry through Exodus simply because you recognize some of its stories.
Walk slowly. Watch what God does. Listen carefully to what He says about Himself.
Keep asking: “Father, what are You revealing about Yourself?”
The trail continues.