Exodus

God rescues Israel from slavery in Egypt, leads them through the sea and into the wilderness, and makes a covenant with them at Mount Sinai. He gives them the Ten Commandments and instructions for the tabernacle, a tent where he would live among his people.

Author

Traditionally Moses

Written

Traditionally about 1400 BC

Chapters

1. 1Exodus 1Jacob’s descendants multiply in Egypt. A new Pharaoh fears them, enslaves them, and orders every Hebrew baby boy to be killed, but the midwives fear God and refuse.
2. 2Exodus 2Moses is born and hidden in a basket in the Nile, where Pharaoh’s daughter finds and adopts him. As an adult he kills an Egyptian and flees to Midian, and God hears Israel’s groaning.
3. 3Exodus 3God appears to Moses in a burning bush, reveals his name “I AM”, and sends him to bring Israel out of Egypt.
4. 4Exodus 4Moses objects that he is not able, so God gives him signs and sends his brother Aaron to help him speak. Moses returns to Egypt, and the people believe.
5. 5Exodus 5Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to let Israel go worship. Pharaoh refuses and makes the slaves’ work harder, and the Israelite foremen turn on Moses.
6. 6Exodus 6God reassures Moses that he will rescue Israel and keep his covenant: “I will take you as my people.” The family records of Moses and Aaron are given.
7. 7Exodus 7Aaron’s staff becomes a snake, but Pharaoh’s heart is hard. In the first plague, the Nile turns to blood.
8. 8Exodus 8The plagues of frogs, gnats and flies. Pharaoh promises to let Israel go, then changes his mind.
9. 9Exodus 9Plagues on livestock, boils and hail strike Egypt, while Israel in Goshen is spared. Pharaoh admits his sin but again refuses.
10. 10Exodus 10Plagues of locusts and thick darkness. Pharaoh offers partial terms, then drives Moses away.
11. 11Exodus 11God announces the final plague: the death of every firstborn in Egypt.
12. 12Exodus 12God institutes the Passover. Israel sacrifices lambs and puts the blood on their doorposts, and the Lord passes over them. The firstborn of Egypt die, and Pharaoh sends Israel out.
13. 13Exodus 13The firstborn of Israel are set apart to God, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is to be remembered. God leads the people by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night.
14. 14Exodus 14Pharaoh chases Israel to the Red Sea. God parts the waters, Israel crosses on dry ground, and the sea returns to cover Egypt’s army.
15. 15Exodus 15Moses and Miriam lead Israel in a song of victory. At Marah God makes bitter water sweet and calls himself “the Lord who heals you”.
16. 16Exodus 16The people grumble about food, and God sends quail and manna from heaven each morning, with a double portion before the Sabbath.
17. 17Exodus 17At Rephidim God gives water from a rock. Israel defeats the Amalekites while Moses’ arms are held up by Aaron and Hur.
18. 18Exodus 18Moses’ father-in-law Jethro visits and advises him to share the work of judging the people with capable leaders.
19. 19Exodus 19Israel arrives at Mount Sinai. God offers to make them his treasured possession, a kingdom of priests, and comes down on the mountain in thunder, fire and smoke.
20. 20Exodus 20God gives the Ten Commandments. The people are afraid and ask Moses to speak to God for them.
21. 21Exodus 21Laws about servants, violence, and injury, including the principle of fair, limited justice: “an eye for an eye”.
22. 22Exodus 22Laws about property, theft, and caring for the vulnerable: do not mistreat foreigners, widows or orphans.
23. 23Exodus 23Laws about justice and honesty, the Sabbath year and three yearly festivals, and God’s promise to send his angel ahead of Israel.
24. 24Exodus 24Israel agrees to the covenant, sealed with blood. Moses and the elders see God and eat in his presence, and Moses goes up the mountain for forty days.
25. 25Exodus 25God gives instructions for the tabernacle, where he will live among his people: the ark of the covenant, the table and the lampstand.
26. 26Exodus 26Instructions for the tabernacle’s curtains, coverings, frames and the veil separating the Most Holy Place.
27. 27Exodus 27Instructions for the altar of burnt offering and the courtyard.
28. 28Exodus 28Instructions for the priests’ garments, including the ephod and the breastpiece bearing the names of Israel’s tribes.
29. 29Exodus 29Instructions for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests, and God’s promise: “I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.”
30. 30Exodus 30Instructions for the incense altar, the atonement money, the bronze basin, the anointing oil and the incense.
31. 31Exodus 31God fills Bezalel and Oholiab with his Spirit and skill to make the tabernacle. The Sabbath is given as a lasting sign.
32. 32Exodus 32While Moses is on the mountain, the people make a golden calf and worship it. Moses pleads for them, breaks the tablets in anger, and calls the people to choose the Lord.
33. 33Exodus 33God says he will not go with the stubborn people, but Moses pleads for his presence. God agrees, and shows Moses his goodness while hiding him in a rock.
34. 34Exodus 34God renews the covenant and passes by Moses, proclaiming himself merciful, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. Moses’ face shines after being with God.
35. 35Exodus 35The people bring generous offerings for the tabernacle, more than enough, and the skilled workers begin.
36. 36Exodus 36Work begins on the tabernacle’s curtains and frames, exactly as God commanded.
37. 37Exodus 37Bezalel makes the ark, the table, the lampstand and the incense altar.
38. 38Exodus 38The altar, the basin and the courtyard are made, and the materials are counted.
39. 39Exodus 39The priests’ garments are made, and Moses inspects all the finished work and blesses the people.
40. 40Exodus 40The tabernacle is set up. The cloud covers it and the glory of the Lord fills it, and God’s presence leads Israel on their journeys.