Introduction
I. Israel Formed by a Mighty Act of Redemption (Ex. 1–18)
A. Growth of the nation Israel: Joseph and his brothers are now dead…Creation: Gen. 1:28
B. Bondage: new pharaoh…slave labor and infanticide
C. God raises up a mediator: Moses…“ark” (2:3)…redemption plan…he must flee Egypt Midian: shepherd, marries and has children. (2:11-17)
a. Ex. 2:24. God remembers his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
b. Peter Enns quote
D. God reveals Himself as YHWH: burning bush….(3:6) God is sending Moses to Pharoah Moses protests…reveals to Moses his name: YHWH (3:14).
o 6800 times, “LORD” = “I AM” or “I will be who I am”….divine deliver (Ex. 6:6-7).
Redemption
Moses returns to Egypt… Pharaoh and YHWH face off (5:2)…
Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh…constant refusal leads to ten plagues.
1. By mighty acts of judgment: not simply naturalistic…the hand of God…Lord of nature.
a. Against Egyptian gods (Ex. 12:12). religious meaning…Osiris…Heqet.
b. Against Pharaoh: son of the sun god, “Re”… “ma’at”… YHWH’s power over Pharaoh and all creation reveals YHWH’s great name to the world (9:16).
2. By blood of lamb (Passover): Ex. 12, blood of a lamb on their doorposts…Passover is resurrection day: new creation and new life…(Ex. 14) Pharaoh’s final attempt
3. Celebration of Redemption (Ex. 15): victory song…new creation/second Eden…40 years.
Enns quote
II. Israel Bound to God in Covenant (Ex. 19–24)
Mt. Sinai: 3 months after leaving Egypt…Mt. Sinai…God speaks to the entire nation of Israel
A. Mt. Sinai
1. “You saw what I did in Egypt” (19:3-6): God reminds them of who he is and who they are
2. “I carried you on eagle’s wings”: God as mighty deliverer…they must trust God alone.
3. “I brought you to Myself”: God saves them for a relationship with him.
Map of journey
B. Call of the covenant (19:3-6)
1. Treasured possession, priestly kingdom, holy nation: God has chosen them…Holiness
If they are obedient, Israel will be a mediator between God and all the nations!
2. Election to privilege and service: Blessed to be a blessing.
3. Display, showcase people: chosen to represent God’s goodness to all the nations
4. For the sake of the nations: “on earth as it is in heaven”…Shalom = whole life knit together
Deut. 7:7-9…W. Dumbrell quote
C. Ancient Near East Background (ANE)
1. Exodus 19 – 24: Form of Covenant Document similar to ANE vassal treaties
o Similar to Hittite documents, this is not a covenant between equals.
o Different than ANE vassal treaties, Israel is not a dominated nation.
2. ANE Covenants in Hittite and Egyptian Empires
o 1. Preamble, 2. review of history between king and nation, 3.principal stipulations governing relationship, 4. detailed stipulations, 5. witnesses to the covenant, and 6. blessing and curses related to obedience or disobedience.
Map of Egyptian and Hittite Empires
Covenant
o God is Great King: Ex. 19 – 24 and Deuteronomy.
o Israel subject people: God’s chosen people are expected to live obediently
o All of Israel’s life is subject to God’s rule: politics, economics, family life, and the law.
o Law: rules for every aspect of daily living
Law
o God’s rule over all of life: Already exposed to some form of law in Egypt.
o Return to creational intention: YHWH is reshaping with distinct elements
o Good news! Life to the full!: YHWH is creating a pattern of life that brings shalom.
o Display to nations: The world will see how unique and set apart these Israelites are

Details of Law
Exodus 20: Ten Commandments (Deut. 5)
o General stipulations: a royal priesthood and holy nation that will bless all the nations.
o Israel’s relation to God (1 – 4): 1. no other gods (unique), 2. no image of God (ridiculous to outsiders), 3. YHWH not to be used as a magical incantation, 4. work/Sabbath (positive, creation restored)
o Israel’s relation to each other (5 – 10). 5. Honor parents (positive) 6. Murder: God has command over all of life. 7. Adultery: sex with a married/betrothed woman. 8. Stealing: failing to trust God to provide. 9. Lying: lying in court 10. Covetousness: refers to heart instead of actions, a summary of the commandments
o mirror God’s way of life…a gift not a constraint…given to Israel in the ANE.
Exodus 20 – 22: All of life comes under God’s reign…23:5 help a donkey!
D. Covenant Ceremony: Exodus 24
o The covenant is ratified by a ceremony before all of Israel…half the blood on the altar and half on the people…This is a serious and public commitment of all of Israel to YWHW their deliverer
o The “blood of the covenant” will be referenced again with Jesus in the upper room.
o Exodus 24:9-11 Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 elders go up to the mountain
III. God Comes to Dwell With His People (Ex. 25–40)
(15:17 song refers to “sanctuary”)…Ex. 29:25-46
A. Instructions for Tabernacle (25 – 31): detailed plans…thirteen chapters in Exodus and are given twice!...chosen people must choose to have God dwell with them.
B. Israel unworthy of God’s presence (32 – 34): rebellion in the camp…fearing Moses is dead… golden calf…fail to trust their Creator King…fall of Genesis 3! God’s grace
34:6 “slow to anger and abounding in love”
C. God indwells Israel on the basis of love (35 – 40): portable sanctuary…led by cloud/fire and fire (Ex. 40).
IV. Conclusion
o Malibu Fires: what is the church?