The Exodus
The Exodus refers to the event in which the Israelites, who had been enslaved in Egypt for approximately 400 years, escaped from their bondage. To subdue Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and to deliver the Israelites, God sent ten plagues upon Egypt. The Israelites obeyed God’s commandment by keeping the Passover and took their first step toward Canaan. This event was the fulfillment of a prophecy given in the time of Abraham, in which God foretold that the Israelites would be enslaved but later set free.[1]
Outline
The term Exodus means “to escape from Egypt” and is derived from the Greek word ἔξοδος,[2] which translates to “departure.” It generally describes a large group of people leaving a particular place simultaneously. The name Exodus became specifically associated with the Israelites’ escape from Egypt when it was used in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible.[3]
The Exodus was one of the most significant events in Israelite history, both politically and religiously. Through Moses, God revealed Jehovah, the name of the Savior in the Age of the Father.[4] Before the Exodus, God established the Passover as a means to judge the false gods of Egypt, declaring that Jehovah alone was the Savior of Israel. Through the power of the Passover, the Israelites were freed from Egyptian oppression and came to recognize their identity as God’s chosen people. This event also laid the foundation for both the nation of Israel and its religious system.
Historical Background
In the 20th century B.C., God called Abraham, who was living in Haran, and commanded him to go to the promised land of Canaan. Trusting in God’s promise, Abraham left his homeland and settled in Canaan, where his son Isaac was born in his old age and later became his heir. Isaac fathered Esau and Jacob, and Jacob had twelve sons. During a severe drought in Canaan, Jacob and his 70 family members relocated to Goshen in Egypt, where his eleventh son, Joseph, had risen to the position of prime minister. Over time, Jacob’s descendants multiplied, forming the twelve tribes and eventually becoming the nation of Israel, which filled the land of Egypt.[5]
Exodus
Egypt’s Oppression and Cry for Deliverance
The number of Israelites continued to grow day by day. Fearing that they might ally with enemies and rebel, Pharaoh appointed overseers and began to oppress them, forcing them into hard labor to build the store cities of Pithom and Ramses. However, the more the Israelites were oppressed, the more they multiplied and prospered. In response, Pharaoh intensified their suffering, making their labor even harsher—forcing them to mold bricks, bake them, and perform all kinds of agricultural work. Despite the passage of time and the rise of new kings, the oppression persisted. The Israelites groaned under their burdens, and their cries reached God, who looked upon them with compassion.[6]
The Calling of Moses
God chose Moses as the prophet who would lead the Israelites out of slavery and into Canaan. Moses was born at a time when Pharaoh had ordered all newborn Israelite boys to be thrown into the river. However, by God’s providence, he was rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter and raised as Egyptian royalty. At the age of forty, Moses left Egypt and settled in Midian. When the appointed time came, God called Moses while he was tending sheep on Mount Horeb. At first, Moses hesitated to accept God’s mission, claiming that he was slow of speech and tongue.[7] In response, God appointed his brother Aaron as his spokesperson to assist him. Understanding God’s will, Moses set out for Egypt. At that time, he was 80 years old.[8]
Plagues Upon Egypt
Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and delivered God’s command to let the Israelites go. However, Pharaoh ignored them and instead made their labor even harsher. As their suffering increased, the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron. God then revealed to Moses and Aaron that He would bring great plagues upon Egypt to demonstrate His power and set the Israelites free. One by one, He struck Egypt with plagues: The first plague turned all the rivers in Egypt into blood. As the water turned to blood, the fish died, and the river reeked, making it undrinkable. However, Pharaoh, with his hardened heart, refused to release the Israelites.[9] Following the first plague, the plague of frogs,[10] the plague of gnats,[11] the plague of flies,[12] the plague on livestock,[13] the plague of boils,[14] the plague of hail,[15] the plague of locusts,[16] and the plague of darkness[17] befell throughout Egypt. Despite these plagues, none of them affected the Israelites living in Goshen.[18][19][20][17] Each time a plague struck, Pharaoh, overwhelmed by suffering, promised to release the Israelites. But once God removed the plague, he hardened his heart and broke his promise.
The Last Plague and the Passover
Before bringing the tenth plague, God warned Pharaoh through Moses, but he still refused to listen. In preparation for the plague, God instructed Moses and Aaron to establish the Passover as a means of protection from disaster. God commanded them to take a one-year-old male lamb without blemish, slaughter it at twilight on the 14th day of the first month, and apply its blood to the sides and tops of their doorframes. That same night, they were to eat the roasted meat, along with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. Any leftovers were to be burned by morning. Moses summoned the elders of Israel and delivered God’s instructions. The Israelites obeyed and carried out everything God had commanded.
“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood (of the Passover lamb), I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”
That night, the angels of destruction struck down all the firstborn throughout Egypt. This plague spared no one, affecting people of all social classes alike—from Pharaoh’s own son to the firstborn of maidservants and even the firstborn of animals. As God had foretold, an unprecedented cry of mourning echoed throughout Egypt. However, only the houses that had not kept the Passover were struck. The homes marked with the blood of the Passover lamb remained untouched. Overwhelmed by God’s power, Pharaoh finally released Israel from bondage. The Egyptians, having witnessed the ten plagues, urged the Israelites to leave swiftly, fearing further disaster.[21]
Miracle of the Red Sea
The day after the Passover, the Israelites assembled by divisions and set out from Rameses in Goshen. Among them were not only the Israelites but also a mixed multitude of other people who had lived in Egypt. Meanwhile, upon hearing of the Israelites’ departure, Pharaoh regretted letting them go. Determined to reclaim them, he led his entire army, including chariots, commanders, and horsemen, in pursuit of Israel. Pharaoh’s army soon caught up to them by the sea near Pi Hahiroth. Finding themselves trapped between the Red Sea ahead and Pharaoh’s army behind, the Israelites fell into desperation and cried out in fear. They complained to Moses, saying, “It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” But Moses reassured them, saying, “Do not be afraid; you will see the deliverance of the LORD.”
Then God moved the pillar of cloud that had been leading them to the rear, blocking the Egyptian army’s advance. God then commanded Moses, “Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea.” When Moses obeyed, a strong east wind blew all night, causing the sea to part and stand like walls on either side. The Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. The Egyptians pursued them into the sea, but God threw their army into confusion, causing the wheels of their chariots to come off, making it difficult for them to advance. Once the Israelites had safely crossed, God commanded Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea again. The waters rushed back, covering Pharaoh’s army and burying them beneath the sea. Having witnessed God’s mighty power in parting the Red Sea, the Israelites continued their journey into the desert.[22]
Significance of the Exodus
In the Old Testament, God foreshadowed what He would accomplish in the future through copies and shadows.[23] Everything written in the Bible serves as an important lesson for future generations, transcending time.[24] The Exodus is not merely a historical event confined to the Old Testament era, but also a prophecy that reveals what will be fulfilled in New Testament times.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were liberated from Egypt after keeping the Passover and went into the desert. Likewise, in the New Testament, the saints will be freed from this sinful world and enter the desert of faith by keeping the New Covenant Passover, which was established by Jesus. The Israelites, who were slaves in Egypt, represent humanity, who are enslaved by sin and death.[25][26] Meanwhile, the Passover lamb represents Jesus, who shed His blood to grant the forgiveness of sins to all mankind.[27][28]
See also
Related videos
- Sermon: The Passover God Commanded Us to Keep
References
- ↑ "Genesis 15:13–14".
- ↑ Strong's Greek: 1841. ἔξοδος, Bible Hub
- ↑ Exodus, Britannica
- ↑ "Exodus 3:15".
- ↑ "Exodus 1:7".
- ↑ "Exodus 2:23–25".
- ↑ "Exodus 4:10–13".
- ↑ "Exodus 7:7".
- ↑ "Exodus 7:20–23".
- ↑ "Exodus 8:5–6".
- ↑ "Exodus 8:17".
- ↑ "Exodus 8:24".
- ↑ "Exodus 9:3–6".
- ↑ "Exodus 9:10".
- ↑ "Exodus 9:23–24".
- ↑ "Exodus 10:13–15".
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Exodus 10:22–23".
- ↑ "Exodus 8:22".
- ↑ "Exodus 9:4".
- ↑ "Exodus 9:26".
- ↑ "Exodus 12:1–36".
- ↑ "Exodus 12:37–14:31".
- ↑ "Hebrews 10:1".
- ↑ "Romans 15:4".
- ↑ "John 8:32–3".
- ↑ "Romans 6:23".
- ↑ "1 Corinthians 5:7".
- ↑ "Matthew 26:19–28".