The Exodus Essays

Though Moses is a main character throughout Exodus 1-18, the Hebrews would never have escaped Egypt were it not for the women. According to one commentator, “Exodus 1-2 is charged with God’s hidden presence working in and through the apparently primary actors there, in particular through the woman,” (Janzen, 13). Before Moses is even born, the women are setting up the scene so he can have the opportunity to free his people. The Hebrew Midwives, the Pharaoh’s daughter, the mother and sister of Moses

In this first pericope, the author of Exodus begins this text with a description of the Israelites fleeing from the Egyptians after the tenth plague (i.e. the death of all the firstborn in Egypt) and their unfortunate fate of being trapped at the Sea of Reeds. In their utter desperation, “the Israelites cried out to the Lord” (v.10). God, in his infinite mercy, heard His peoples’ plea and intervened in order to deliver them out of the hands of their Egyptian taskmasters. Moses reassured the people

Question 1: Perhaps one of the first stories about oppression, the story of the book of Exodus describes the experiences of the people of Israel in their liberation from the slavery the Egyptians have subjected them to. It is important to primarily note that oppression is convoluted in the worst way, and it takes the agency of multiple forces in order to end it. In this case, one might discuss Moses and God’s roles as the most important in the liberation of the Israelites. However, it is also of

The book of Exodus starts four years after Joseph and his family had died, and a new Pharaoh ruled the land of Egypt. The Pharaoh did not know Joseph and his family when he became the new king, “Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.” (Exodus 1:8) When he saw that the Children of Israel were stronger and were multiplying quickly, he told his people, “Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they

Exodus After Genesis comes the Exodus, which means “to go out”, and in this context Israel is led by God ‘out of’ Egypt. Exodus is separated into three distinct parts; the first part follows Moses and the Hebrews coming into Egypt. Moses was instructed by God to lead His people out of bondage. Some might ask why God would allow His people to be in bondage; but when you read into context and consider God’s nature we see exactly why God allowed His people to end up in bondage—He wanted to show His

Exodus contains a truly remarkable story about God allowing the Israelites to become slaves to an Egyptian king and endure much suffering. The Israelites refused to repent of their wickedness, and therefore, God showed them how powerful He is. However, God took compassion upon His people and later sent Moses, along with his brother Aaron, to deliver the Israelites out of slavery and into a land flowing with milk and honey. Nonetheless, despite the ten plagues God inflicted, Pharaoh was stubborn and

Many passages in Exodus are very repetitive. For instance, chapters 23 and 34 repeat many of the same sentences outlining rules for the people of Israel to follow. In regards to literary genres, Exodus is divided. Half of Exodus is told in story form and was probably derived from the oral tradition of the Jewish people. This literary genre of historical narrative includes the life of Moses, the plagues set upon the Egyptians by God, and the people’s journey to Mount Sinai/Horeb. It is on the mountain

The book of Exodus has several instances of violence. The Israelites suffered greatly from the hands of the oppressor. The acts of violence started when the king ordered the midwives to kill the male children, born of the Israelites. Again, the oppressors forced them to do the hard work of making bricks under hard harsh conditions. They were whipped and afflicted in every way. An Egyptian fought a Hebrew, which aggrieved Moses. In the course of trying to defend the Hebrew, Moses accidentally killed

The book of Exodus tells the story of God revealing his identity through his words, signs and wonders and powerful acts of grace so that his chosen people and the world might know him. Specifically, God reveals himself to Moses, Pharaoh and the people of Israel is ways that help them get a clearer picture of his nature and where he is leading them. First of all, God reveals himself to Moses in a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-3). Surprisingly, Moses is about 80 years old when he first experiences the

The Exodus Passover is a tradition dating back to the time of Moses. This tradition has been passed down by the Israelites for generations and is still being celebrated today. The Exodus Passover is an important tradition for the Jewish people, showing triumph over the Egyptians and sorrow for the hardships that Moses and the Israelites endured. This can be shown by the significance of the Passover, how the Passover shaped Judaism, and how the Passover shaped Christianity today. The Passover meal

In the story of Exodus, God had a plan for Moses and Aaron. He told Moses that he was to go to the elders and explain to them that God has chosen him to speak through. God gave Moses powers, such as his staff turning into a snake, to prove to the elders and the pharaoh that he was really sent by God. He then told Moses he is supposed to go to the pharaoh and ask him to let the Israelites go for a sacrifice they must make to their God, three days away. God told him that the pharaoh would deny this

In the Book of Exodus God calls Moses up into the mountains for a different reasons than that of Abraham. Scripture says, “On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone forth out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. And when they set out from Reph′idim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying

Another account of political liberation is in The Book of Exodus. The Book of Exodus begins by detailing the death of Joseph and his brothers; although, their future generations would continue to produce in Egypt (Mathiowetz 183-184). However, a new Pharaoh came into power in Egypt and felt threatened by Joseph’s descendants and decided to not only kill all of the Hebrew boys but to also throw them into Nile River and enslave all of the women (Mathiowetz 184-185). Later, a woman bore a son and wanted

In the book of Exodus a new king of Egypt, named Pharaoh ruled over all the Israelites. Pharaoh was very overpowering and put all the Israelites to work, making them build statues, pyramids, and buildings for him. The Israelites were also forced to haul heavy bricks and materials. One day Pharaoh ordered that every Hebrew baby boy to be killed and thrown into the Nile River. Jochebed found out she was having a baby boy and did not want to throw him in the Nile river. She hit the baby for

In the book of Exodus there was a transition in Israel from a family, to "a people" in bondage and slavery, to a nation delivered and relying on God in the wilderness. In Corinthians 10:1-4 the verse relates to a historical event that happened earlier in the bible where Moses and the Israelites cross the red sea. When the Egyptians were after the Israelites they became worried and cried out to Moses. He tells them in Exodus 14:13, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance

Manna and Quail The contribution of Moses and his unfailing love as well as his devotion for God is significant in the book of Exodus. The extraordinary works that he had completed, being obedient to God’s calling, saving the Israelites. Although, he was raised as an Egyptian, he was founded in the Nile River by the Pharaoh’s daughter, who rescued him and called as her own. He was under the influence of Pharaoh, who was by all means a harsh ruler and ignorant, yet Moses stood up for Hebrews, who

He did it with Moses. In the Bible, the book of Exodus tells the story of how He called Moses and Moses blew it. Moses threw down the tablets and broke them. Moses took the power of God into his own hands and struck a stone to bring water from it. God was not pleased and basically said, “Moses I’m through with you.” Later, however, He brought Moses back and gave him a second chance. He did it with Samson. You can find the story of Samson in the Bible in the book of Judges. Samson was a powerful

enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country’” (New Living Translation, Exodus 1:8-10). The Book of Exodus is a powerful story of salvation, beginning with the enslavement of the Hebrews and ending with their freedom from bondage. It lays a “foundational theology in which God reveals his name, his attributes, his redemption, his law and how he is to be worshiped” (“Book of Exodus”). Nicolas Poussin, a 17th century French painter-philosopher,

The book of Exodus relates to the story of freedom for God's people from slavery, and the beginning of their national identity.God was the only one who could free his people. God is the great I Am. He is a Holy God. He is the God that remembers. He is the God that acts in salvation. It is God that lives among his people. The word Exodus means "way out or departure". The children of Israel crying out to God, and He is getting ready to deliver them.God said in his word that He heard the cry of His

Moses plays the largest role in Exodus, as he is the voice of God and the new influence to the Israelites. He is used largely to convey God's words to the people, and to present to them their covenant to follow in order to access the promised land. For Jewish believers in today's day and age, he is held in the most pious stance, and remembered every Passover and Sabbath, for he is the one that freed the Israelites and led them to this holy land. However, at the time, it took much convincing from