Exodus Overview and Outline

AUTHOR: Moses   

DATE: 1450-1410 B.C.

The Hebrew title of the book is “The Names,” taken from the first verse, “these are the names of…” The English title is Exodus, which means ”way out.”

The theme of Exodus is redemption, specifically God’s deliverance of His people from bondage in Egypt, in fulfillment of the promise of Gen. 15:13-14. The book records the birth of the nation Israel, the giving of the law, and God’s prescription for ritual worship. 

God is revealed throughout the book.

• He is the one who controls history (chap. 1)
• He revealed Himself in a new name (3:14)
• He is the sovereign of the covenant relationship (19:5)
• He is the faithful redeemer (6:6; 15:13)
• He is judge of His own people (4:14; 20:5; 32:27-28) and of His foes (chaps. 7-12)
• He is the transcendent one (33:20) who nevertheless lived among His people (29:45). 

Exodus also tells the story of Moses, including, his birth and God’s providential protection for him (Ex 2),  God’s call of Moses (Ex 3:14; 5:1), the crossing of the Red Sea (Ex 14), God’s provision of manna (Ex 16), the Ten Commandments (Ex 20), the Tabernacle (Ex 25-27), and the golden calf (Ex 32). 

KEY VERSE:  Exo 15:13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.

This verse is the 3-point outline of the book of Exodus:  

1. Deliverance: “Thou…hast led forth Thy people.
2. Direction: “Thou hast guided them”
3. Dedication: “holy habitation” (the Tabernacle)

3.  Third plague: gnats, 8:16-19

4.  Fourth plague: flies, 8:20-32

5.  Fifth plague: disease on the livestock, 9:1-7 

6.  Sixth plague: boils on man and beast, 9:8-12

7.  Seventh plague: hail, 9:13-35 

8.  Eighth plague: locusts, 10:1-20 

9.  Ninth plague: darkness, 10:21-29 

10.  Tenth plague: death, 11:1-12:36

a.  The plague announced, 11:1-10

b.  The Passover instituted, 12:1-36 

II.  Israel’s Journey to Sinai: Emancipation, 12:37-18:27 

A.  The Departure from Egypt, 12:37-51

B.  The Dedication of the Firstborn, 13:1-16 

C.  The Direction of the Cloud and Fire, 13:17-22 

D.  The Drying Up of the Red Sea, 14:1-22 

E.  The Destruction of the Pursuing Egyptians, 14:23-31 

F.  The Deliverance Sung by Moses and the People, 15:1-21 

G.  The Dissatisfaction of the People, 15:22-17:7 

1.  The complaint about bitter water, 15:22-27 

2.  The complaint about hunger: the manna, 16:1-36 

3.  The complaint about lack of water, 17:1-7 

H.  The Defeat of Amalek, 17:8-16 

I.  The Division of Responsibility, 18:1-27 

13.  The altar of incense, 30:1-10

14.  The atonement money, 30:11-16 

15.  The laver, 30:17-21 

16.  The anointing oil, 30:22-33 

17.  The incense, 30:34-38 

18.  The builders, 31:1-11 

19.  The sign of the Sabbath, 31:12-18 

C.  The Breaking of the Law, 32:1-34:35 

1.  The sin of the people: the golden calf, 32:1-10 

2.  The intercession and wrath of Moses, 32:11-35 

3.  The repentance of the people, 33:1-11 

4.  The prayer of Moses, 33:12-23 

5.  The covenant renewed, 34:1-35 

D.  The Construction of the Tabernacle, 35:1-40:38 

1.  The instructions to the people, 35:1-36:7 

2.  The curtains made, 36:8-19 

3.  The boards made, 36:20-34 

4.  The veil made, 36:35-38 

5.  The ark made, 37:1-9 

6.  The table made, 37:10-16 

7.  The lampstand made, 37:17-24 

8.  The altar of incense made, 37:25-29 

9.  The bronze altar made, 38:1-7 

10.  The laver made, 38:8 

11.  The court made, 38:9-20 

12.  The materials used, 38:21-31 

13.  The garments for Aaron made, 39:1-31 

14.  The work inspected by Moses, 39:32-43 

15.  The Tabernacle erected, 40:1-33 

16.  The Tabernacle filled (indwelt) by the Lord Himself,  40:34-38 

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