The Title
"Exodus" means "departure" and of course refers to the exodus of Israel out of Egypt.

1. The Author
Moses is the author of the first five books of scripture. These books are known as the Pentateuch. In Mark 12:26 our Lord specifically referred to Moses as the author of Exodus.

2. The Outline of Exodus
(See Previous Page)

3. The Importance of Studying Exodus
All scripture is spiritually profitable (II Timothy 3:16). Even Old Testament histories are full of practical spiritual food (Romans 15:4, I Corinthians 10:11).

Exodus contains some notable information:
a. Exodus is our major source of information on the life of Moses.
b. Many prophesies given in Genesis are fulfilled in Exodus (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:13-16).
c. Exodus records important events in salvation history as God’s redemptive plan unfolds. The enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent takes new proportions as Israel and Egypt clash (Genesis 3:15). God enters into covenant with Israel at Mt. Sinai. This covenant of law was an important preparation for the coming of Christ (Galatians 3:24). God's righteous standards reveal to men their need of Christ.
d. There are doubtless more types of Christ in Exodus than in any other book of scripture. While Genesis illustrates the doctrine of election; Exodus emphasizes the work of redemption. Think of the Passover and the exodus of Israel from Egypt (I Corinthians 5:7 & 10:1-11). Consider also the tabernacle which is one great figure of Christ (Hebrews 9:8-9).

4. The Land Of Egypt
Israel was held captive in Egypt. This nation is always a type in scripture of the evil world system (I John 5:19). To help understand the aptness of this type let us consider the following details:
a. Egypt at the time of our narrative was the chief nation of earth and the star of man’s accomplishments.
b. Egypt from the air would be seen to be a vast desert with a seven mile wide ribbon of green running through it. This ribbon was the Nile and its flood plain. All agriculture in Egypt depended not on rain from above but on the yearly flooding of the Nile. This plain was fertile beyond comparison.
c. In these matters Egypt was a wonderful type of the world. The rain that enriched their land fell far from their sight. All of their blessing came from Heaven but they did not see this. They looked down to the Nile as the source of their prosperity and in fact worshiped it. Canaan on the other hand was watered by rain from Heaven (Deuteronomy 11:10-11). Israel was taught to look upward to the source of their blessings (James 1:17).
d. Egypt was notorious for its cruelty to slaves. The lost are slaves to sin. The Devil is a hard taskmaster.
e. Egypt's relics remind one of death. Pyramids and mummies are their memorials. Their greatest literature was the "Book of the Dead." Only in Jesus Christ is life found (I John 5:12).
f. The elect people were held in bondage in Egypt until redeemed and led out by Moses. God's elect are in spiritual bondage until redeemed and called out of this present world system (Gal 1:4, I John 5:19).

5. The Purpose Of The Egyptian Bondage
Let us quickly review the purpose of God in permitting Israel to suffer in Egypt. This was formerly covered in Genesis:
a. The bondage of Israel in Egypt provides a great type of sin and redemption by Christ.
(1) Egypt was the place where Israel could multiply into a great nation without being absorbed or influenced by a pagan culture. Egypt practiced strict segregation with the Israelites (Genesis 46:34).
(2) In leaving Egypt, the Israelites obtained materials needed to construct the Tabernacle (Genesis 15:14).
(3) In the redemption of Israel from bondage the power of God was wonderfully displayed (Exodus 9:16). God often allows trials to create an opportunity to magnify His name.
(4) While Israel grew as a nation the original inhabitants of Canaan gradually filled up their measure of sins and exceeded the limits of God's longsuffering. They were ripe for judgment when Israel crossed Jordan (Genesis 15:16).