INTORDUCTION TO THE BOOK OF EXODUS

                                           

                                              BOOK TITLE

The name Exodus is translated from the English, Exodus, which is a transliteration of the Septuagint and comes to us through the Latin Vulgate. In Greek, the word means "departure" or "going". In Hebrew Shemoth which means these are the names. In Indonesian output.

BOOK AUTHORITY

1. Author.

The author of Exodus was Moses (Exodus 17:14, 24:4-7, 34:27). One of the strongest evidences pointing to Moses as the author of this Pentateuch is the testimony of Jesus, who mentions this part of the Old Testament as “the law of Moses” (Luke 24:44). Although there are several verses in the Pentateuch that appear to have been added by someone other than Moses – for example, Deuteronomy 34:5-8, which describes Moses' death and burial – most Bible scholars still attribute most of these books to Moses.

2. Recipient.

The original recipients of the Book of Exodus were the Israelites. The Israelites received this book while they were in the desert view, when they began to arrive at Mount Sinai. From there, the Israelites were given the laws governing the nation's pattern of life, the prohibitions they had to stay away from and the commands they had to do. The relationship between the writer and the reader, the writer is a leader appointed by God to lead the Israelites out of the land of Egypt.

3. Place and time.

The book of Exodus was written around 1445 and 1405 BC at its place on Mount Sinai.

4. Genre

The Book of Exodus is a narrative genre.

                                THEMES AND OBJECTIVES OF WRITING THE BOOK

The themes of the book of Exodus are Yahweh, the Ten Plagues, the Passover, the Ten Commandments, and the Presence of God.

1. Yahweh

The revelation of the name Yahweh (Jehovah) to Moses as the deliverer of Israel ordained by God marked a new stage in the gradual revelation of God's self to the Hebrews. God's name is usually translated "I AM" and designates all the personal, eternal, and essential aspects of God's character. Yahweh revealed His nature and personality as well as His divine will and purpose for Israel in several ways, namely: the Angel of the Lord (Ex. 3:2; 14-19), other intermediary angels (Ex. 23:20; 33 :2), Miraculous events (Ex 8:16-19), A thorn bush burning with fire (Ex 3:2), Fire, smoke, thunder, and lightning, at Sinai (Ex 19:18-20), Voice and direct communication (Ex 24:1), Cloud of glory (Ex 16:10), Cloud of guiding pillar of fire (Ex $0:34-38), Face to face with Moses (Ex 33:11; band v. 20- 23).

2. The Ten Plagues

Moses was able to bring the Israelites out of the land of Egypt from the hands of Pharaoh because of God's intervention and submission. One of them is the ten plagues God gave ten plagues as punishment for the Egyptians especially to Pharaoh who always hardened his heart.

3. Easter

The historical context of the first Passover event (Ex 12) is the final plague against Pharaoh, the Egyptians and the Egyptian gods. This plague of death hastened the release of the Hebrew people from slavery and oppression (Ex 12:21-27). The present generation is commanded to celebrate the Passover as a holiday to commemorate the deliverance of the Hebrew people which was accomplished by the power of the hand of Yahweh (13:140.

4. The Ten Commandments

These ten commandments were written by God Himself on two stone tablets (Ex 20:1; 32:16). The purpose of the law is to regulate relations that already exist through the means of orders.

5. God's Presence

One of the important consequences of the agreement between Yahweh and Israel was the presence of God who accompanied the Israelites on their journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab through Mount Sinai. God's presence was also evident when God sent down a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire to guide the Israelites' journey. The structure of the Tabernacle in Exodus 25-40 was designed to symbolize God's presence among the Israelites.

Purpose of writing the book of Exodus

1. To describe the birth of Israel as a nation that will bring God's reign in the world. This book records the story of the redemption of Israel under the leadership of Moses. The book of Exodus also exposes the lies of idolatry. Yahweh is declared to be superior to any so-called "god". The book of Exodus also teaches that obedience to God is essential for the redeemed and set apart.

2. To provide reports on God's historic and atoning actions so that Israel was delivered from Egypt, established as His chosen people and given a written statement of His covenant with them. This book is also written as a very important history in the whole of God's gradual self-revelation that culminates in Jesus Christ and the NT. To describe the difficulties of the Israelites in Egypt, God's concern for the Israelites while in Egypt and manifest His goodness to the Israelites by deliver the Israelites from slavery.

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