Exodus — a book of deliverance and patterns

The book of Exodus is a hugely significant book in the Bible.  I am afraid it may be underrated.  After the record of so much sin and failure through the book of Genesis, Exodus is a book of deliverance and patterns from the God who saves.

God makes Himself known by bringing the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage.  As one reads the battle between Moses and Pharaoh over the Israelite people, over and over again one reads that the plagues were put on the Egyptians under the watchful eyes of the Israelites in order “that they may know that I AM the Lord…”  Indeed the account was made known to the world, that they all might know the God of Israel.  The salvation of Israel from slavery was only possible by the magnificent power of Almighty God.

Israel was delivered from Egypt and presented to God.  In Exodus 19 God explains that they were now His people, if only they would obey His voice.  All the earth belongs to God, but these would be God’s special, chosen people.  They belonged to Him.  Their relationship was dependent upon their faithful obedience to His will.  So, over the next few chapters the law was delivered from God, through Moses to the people of Israel.

The second half of the book is primarily an account of the building of the Tabernacle.  That “tent of meeting” represented the dwelling place of God, among His people.  So, to this Tabernacle the people would bring their sacrifices, and offer their service.  Reading the instructions for the building of the Tabernacle, its furniture and priests garments is a tedious exercise.  There are so many specific instructions detailing exactly what God required.  Materials, colors, dimensions, structure, shape and decorations were all specified.  As  you read you begin to see the phrase that each thing should be done “as the Lord had commanded Moses…”  Continue reading and you will find the account of the actual building process.  Closer to the end you will begin to find the often repeated statement that everything was done “according to the commandment given to Moses.”  God was looking for humble submission of human hearts to His will in trust and reverence.

We need to see that our only deliverance from our bondage in sin is by the great power of God.  We are delivered from sin unto God.  We belong to Him.  His ownership and claim on us will be seen in our careful attention to doing all things according to the pattern delivered to us, through Christ in the gospel.