Exodus

Click on the link to view the image of the Sinai Peninsula. Notice the mountains in the middle of peninsula in the middle of the picture. Mount Sinai (and perhaps Mount Horeb) is located here. Also shown is the northern portion of the Red Sea, as this satellite picture is taken looking from the Southeast.… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 3

As chapter 6 starts, we find a Moses who seems a bit disoriented. He knew enough from what God has previously said that there would be reluctance on the part of Pharaoh to just let the people split (God gave him signs and wonders for a reason specifically to combat doubt). However, the impact this… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 6

Things have come to a head, one more plague is to come and Pharaoh will release the Israelites completely. The goal has always been the complete freedom of God’s people (remember, God has promise to keep with these folks and the land of Canaan, which we were reminded of in chapters 3 & 6) and… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 11

Although Elim sounds nice, the travel continues. Why not stay in Elim? Well, it’s neither the mountain of the Lord (Mt. Sinai) nor the promised land of Canaan for starters. More directly, though, the cloud and fire that leads them places ain’t staying in Elim. When the magic cloud and fire move, you pack up… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 16

The people continue the trek through Sin, following cloud and fire as they went (likely how we should understand that “…according to the commandment of the Lord” bit. They camp at Rephidim, just a bit further south and the last stop prior to Mt. Sinai. Wouldn’t you know it, there’s no water there for the… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 17

There are some things at face value that seem troubling in chapter 21 but that I think they are resolved with proper context and understanding of language. First, on slavery in the Bible. The terms generally in play here have a relatively wide range. There are various Hebrew words for servant, the most common being… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 21

The laws continue. Interestingly, the covenant law has no prison system or confinement as a punishment, it always focuses on restitution. There are a number of possible reasons for this. Practically, it could be that they are a travelling group so setting up a permanent prison system might be quarrelsome. However, the Law was always… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 22

On to the tabernacle, or “dwelling place”. Here we have the symbolic home of God’s presence among His people. It was to be situated in the middle of the Israelite camps (entrance facing east). So, although in battle or travel, God’s presence went before His people, when they were at rest, His presence was to… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 26

We’ve established where God is going to “live” among His people (the tabernacle), how His place will be furnished (and what it will be used for), and what the area surrounding His house will be like. Now, the burning question of what those who are in God’s service are going to wear. This may seem… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 28

Chapter 32 represents a major shift in the Exodus narrative. Since arriving at Mt. Sinai, God has been laying the foundation of His covenant with His people, including what He will do for them, their purpose (a kingdom of priests), and how they are to live to properly reflect that purpose and the image of… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 32

In chapter 33, Yahweh is meeting with Moses in the tent of meeting outside the camp, His restricted presence a consequence of Israel’s recent golden bull/revelry idolatry action and its clear breaking of the covenant between them and Yahweh. God tells Moses to continue on the journey into Canaan, He will keep His promise, but… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 34

As with the chapters that precede it, chapter 38 continues the historical record of the people of God fulfilling the commandments of God that were passed down to them through Moses. We’ve moved out into the items in the courtyard and both the burnt offering altar and wash basin are made as instructed. Interestingly here… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 38

The stage has now been completely set, the lights are humming, the crowd has gathered, it’s time to fire this beast up. God speaks to Moses and tells him it’s time to erect the tabernacle. This happens on the first day or the first month of the year, which seems very unlikely to accidentally coincide… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 40

Exodus opens with the names of the sons of the man Israel. This is important for both historical and literary reasons. To history, we’ll come to find out that it’s been a few hundred years since this family first came to settle in Goshen, within the territory of the Egyptian pharaoh. They had now spent… Read more: Exodus | Chapter 1

Entry two of the 5-part narrative that kicks off the Old Testament, Exodus is a continuation of the story that began in Genesis. This is no surprise, as we saw predictions and promises made by God to families in Genesis that have yet to come to complete fruition (a return to the land of Canaan… Read more: Exodus | Introduction