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Exodus, Freedom in God

The book of Genesis is all about beginnings. From the cosmos to Israel, the entirety of the first book in the Bible is dedicated to explaining how things began. To the Israelites, now free from bondage in Egypt, it was the story of how they got to now. It showed them that God had been with them from the beginning, even before there was a nation.

The next book, Exodus, continues the story.

Background

The book of Exodus was likely written around the same time as Genesis; while the Israelites were camped at Mt. Sinai. This means that the same dating issues that surround Genesis also exist here. The author, Moses, recorded how God rescued Israel from Egypt and forged a covenant with them. 

The name of the book, Exodus, refers to one of the two central events of the narrative; the Israelites exiting Egypt. This name comes from the Greek translation of the Old Testament called the Septuagint. The Hebrew name for the book, however, has nothing to do with the contents of the book. The five books that make up the Torah (or the Pentateuch) were named after the first words in each book. Genesis was named "In the beginning," which just so happened to fit. Exodus' Hebrew name is "These are the names." 

Exodus was written for the people of Israel, to remind them of what God had done for them in Egypt and the covenant they made at Mt. Sinai. It chronicles the beginning of a nation; a nation that is wholly rooted in God's grace and mercy. 

Themes

The book of Exodus centers on two foundational events in Israel's history; the exodus from Egypt and the covenant at Mt. Sinai. These two events form the basis of God's entire relationship with Israel. They are the two most frequently mentioned events in Israel's history. In fact the book of Exodus can be divided into two parts; the exodus and the covenant. 

The exodus section focuses on how God rescued the people of Israel from Egypt and brought them to Mt. Sinai. This is the part of Exodus we like to read. It has the birth of Moses, the ten plagues, the burning bush, and the parting of the Red Sea. This story (which is Exodus 1-18) is one of freedom. It shows God rescuing his enslaved people from cruel taskmasters, through miraculous means no less. 

What we don't like is second section of Exodus; the covenant portion. Typically we don't really study Exodus 19-40 with a couple of exceptions (the Ten Commandments in 20 and the golden calf in 32). I think it has to do with our misconception about what freedom means, but more on that later. Anyway this section focuses on the covenant between God and Israel. It shows the promise both make to be faithful. It also begins the process of God giving Israel the Law through Moses.

The main theme of the book of Exodus is freedom.

Theological Point

The theme of the book is the theological point of the book; freedom is only found in God (specifically YHWH, but more on that next week). This is something I think we see easily in the first half of Exodus, but not so easily in the second half. As stated earlier, I think this has to do with our misconceptions about freedom.

We have let the American definition of freedom permeate our reading of Scripture. When Americans say freedom that means no one telling us what to do. It means the ability to do whatever we want. It means that we are our own boss. American freedom is very "me" centered. 

The Biblical definition of freedom couldn't be more different. In Scripture freedom is always seen in surrender to God. To us the very word "surrender" implies the opposite of freedom, but that's what the Bible shows us. Biblical freedom is living in step with God's character and will. 

Exodus shows us that God is the source of all freedom. The Israelites learn this twofold; by being rescued from slavery and surrendering to the rule of God in their lives. Now even the Israelites have trouble with this concept of freedom. Whenever they are surrendered to God they are fine. It's when they decide to do things their way, to be their own boss, that things don't work. 

God is the only place where freedom truly lies. 

Conclusion

I pray that this post helps you see the book of Exodus a little clearer than before. These posts aren't meant to be comprehensive but rather provide a lens through which to read the Bible. There are many other themes and points made in Exodus that I could have touched on, but the idea of freedom is by far the most prevalent. 

Still those other ideas are very important. Next week I will be discussing one in particular that starts in Exodus but flows through the rest of Scripture.

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