Summary of the Book of Exodus
It has been said that to truly understand the Old Testament one must first understand the Book of Exodus. The exodus event is the key that unlocks the entire Old Testament because therein lies the story of the formation of the people, Israel, and the unabashed proclamation of the God who calls Israel into existence. The deliverance from Egypt, the initial journey through the desert, and the establishment of a covenant with God on Mount Sinai give Israel her identity. In these events God is recognized as the powerful liberator who has “witnessed the affliction” of his people in Egypt; has “heard their cry of complaint”; “knows well what they are suffering”; and has “come down to rescue them” and “lead them out of that land into a good and spacious land” (Ex 3:7–8).
The Book of Exodus relates stories that existed in Israel’s oral tradition for centuries. These tales, gathered together from multiple traditions, are not presented in the way a modern historian might present them. Rather, selected events are described in a way that best expresses Israel’s self-understanding as the people of God. Israel’s story is always the story of its encounter with God and of its response to that encounter. Consequently, the storyline does not always flow smoothly and sometimes stories are repeated from different points of view.
The account, set in Egypt in the 13th century B.C., describes a struggle involving two claims on the Hebrews: that of pharaoh, most likely Rameses II, and that of Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Pharaoh’s claim means the oppressive work and unrelenting cruelty that is slavery. God’s claim means freedom and new life. Working through Moses God is victorious. In his victory, God proves to be the powerful and merciful director of history and the savior of Israel.
The exodus event serves as a model of how a saving God acts in the midst of his people. By God’s power the people passed from a condition marked by slavery, oppression, and death to a new condition marked by freedom and life. This journey included traversing the desert where Israel learned that God always journeyed with them and that they were totally dependent upon him. Christians today also believe that salvation means journeying from one condition to another, leaving behind slavery to Satan, sin, and death to become a new creation in Jesus Christ. In baptism we journey from death to life and promise to continue that journey throughout our lives, even during our times in the desert.
Perhaps the most important place in the Book of Exodus is Mount Sinai because it was the place where God met with his people. It was at Sinai that God called Moses and it was at Sinai that God offered to Israel the covenant—the gift of a personal relationship with him. He promised to be their God; they promised to be his people. After God demonstrated his love for Israel in this way, he gave them the law so that they would know how to keep the covenant. Nevertheless, the Israelites sinned time and again, breaking the covenant relationship. However, in spite of their infidelity, God continued to show his love by forgiving them and remaining faithful to them.
While the story of the Book of Exodus is ancient, its message remains relevant. Studying Exodus moves us to reflect on our response to God’s call, our thankfulness for his forgiveness, and our joy because of his salvation. Studying Exodus not only means journeying deep into the heart of the Old Testament, it means journeying deep into our own hearts as well.
Questions for Reflection—Book of Exodus
1. What character traits of Moses do you see in the Book of Exodus? Why do you think that God chose a person with these traits to lead Israel out of Egypt?
2. Notice how Moses responds to God’s call in Exodus 3:4—4:17. How have you experienced a call in your life? Was your response similar to or different from that of Moses?
3. The Bible calls the plagues described in Exodus “signs,” that is, events that carry a message from God. What events in your life have been signs for you? What did these signs reveal about God?
4. How is God characterized in the song of Exodus 15:1–18? What is your response to this characterization?
5. The theme of grumbling dominates Exodus 16–18. About what did the Hebrews grumble? In what situations is grumbling a problem today? What do you think is the source of grumbling and what must happen for grumbling to cease?
6. What relationship do you see between the Israelites’ desert experience and your own life?
7. What similarities do you see between Moses’ experience of God in Exodus 3 and the experience of the people in Exodus
19–20? What similarities do you see between each of these and Matthew 17:1–8? Why do you think Matthew describes the scene the way he does?
8. What specific meaning do you think the first commandment (Ex 20:2–6) has for us today?
9. Reflect on the prayers of Moses in Exodus 32–34. What do you learn that can be helpful in your own prayer life?
10. Based upon your reading of the Book of Exodus, what do you learn about God, about Moses, about Israel, about yourself?
Summary and Reflection Questions offered by
Mr. Gene Giuliano, M.A.
Gene Giuliano is an instructor for the Catholic Biblical School at the University of Dallas School of Ministry. He has over 30 years experience in Adult Faith Formation and currently teaches deacon formation classes for the dioceses of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Tyler, and scripture classes using The Catholic Biblical School Program, which he co-authored for Paulist Press. There currently are more than 600 adults participating in this program both onsite in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and online. Information about The Catholic Biblical School Program can be found at www.udallas.edu/ministry. Gene is also the author of the introductions to the twelve Minor Prophets in the St. Mary's Press College Study Bible. He has given numerous workshops on biblical topics in parishes and at diocesan conferences and welcomes invitations to speak.
