UNDERSTANDING EXODUS | MEGA-THEMES

0. Introduction

a) The Bible Book Introductions are divided into 4 parts (Overview, Vital Statistics, Blueprint, Mega-themes) for easy-to-understand.

1. Mega-themes

@1. Theme: "Slavery" 

a) Explanation

i) The Israelites were slaves for 400 years. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, oppressed them cruelly. They prayed to God for deliverance from this system. 

b) Importance

i) Like the Israelites, we need both human and divine leadership to escape from the slavery of sin. After their escape, the memory of slavery helped the Israelites to learn to treat others generously. We need to stand against those who oppress others.

@2. Theme: "Rescue / Redemption" 

a) Explanation

i) God rescued Israel through the leader Moses and through mighty miracles. The Passover celebration was an  annual reminder of their escape from slavery. 

b) Importance

i) God delivers us from the slavery of sin. Jesus Christ celebrated the Passover with his disciples at the Last Supper and then went on to rescue us from sin by dying in our place.

@3. Theme: "Guidance"

a) Explanation

i) God guided Israel out of Egypt by using the plagues. Moses' heroic courage, the miracle of the Red Sea, and the Ten Commandments, God is a trustworthy.

b) Importance

i) Although God is all-powerful and can do miracles, he normally leads us by wise leadership and team effort. His words give us the wisdom to make daily decisions and govern our lives. 

@4. Theme: "Ten Commandments" 

a) Explanation

i) God's law system had three parts. The Ten Commandments were the first part, containing the absolutes of spiritual and moral life. The civil law was the second part, giving the people rules to manage their lives. The ceremonial law was the third part, showing them patterns for building the tabernacle and regular worship. 

b) Importance

i) God was teaching Israel the importance of choice and responsibility. When they obeyed the conditions of the law, he blessed them; if they forgot or disobeyed, he punished them or allowed calamities to come. Many great countries of the world base their laws on the moral system set up in the book of Exodus. God's moral law is valid today. 

@5. Theme: "The Nation" 

a) Explanation

i) God founded the nation of Israel to be the source of truth and salvation to all the world. His relationship to his people was loving yet firm. The Israelites had no army, schools, governors, mayors, or police when they left Egypt. God had to instruct them in their constitutional laws and daily practices. He showed them how to worship and how to have national holidays. 

b) Importance

i) Israel's newly formed nation had all the behavioral characteristics of Christians today. We are often disorganized, sometimes rebellious, and sometimes victorious. God's Person and Word are still our only guide. If our churches reflect his leadership, they will be effective in serving him.