I recently published a post about how to read the book of Genesis, so you might be wondering what makes Exodus different from Genesis. While it is true that both books were written by Moses under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and it is also true that both books are historical narrative, there is one major difference between the books: Moses was an eye witness to everything in the book of Exodus except for chapter 1 (the events leading up to his birth) and part of chapter 2 (his birth).
By verse 11 in chapter 2, Moses is a grown man, so everything else that happens in the following chapters is told to us from the perspective of experience.
Moses Shares His Experience in Exodus
- Moses gave us a first-hand account of committing murder.
- He experienced the burning bush that was not consumed.
- He heard the voice of God telling him to go back to Egypt.
- Moses argued with God about his qualifications.
- He witnessed his staff turning into a snake and picked the snake up by the tail.
- It was his hand that turned leprous and then was healed.
- Moses stood in the throne room of Pharaoh and threatened him with the plagues.
- He faced the anger of the Israelites who blamed him for their extra work.
- Moses heard the great cry in Egypt when the first-born children died.
- He was the vessel God used to part the Red Sea.
- He was the one who struck the rock, providing water for the Israelites.
- Moses walked up Mt. Sinai and communed with God.
- It was Moses who received the Ten Commandments from God Himself.
- He heard God’s promise of a land for the Israelites.
- He received all of God’s instructions for how His people should live and worship.
- Moses pled with God on behalf of the idolatrous Israelites.
- He got to see the remnants of God’s glory.
- It was his face that shone after spending time with God.
- Moses led the Israelites in making everything to God’s specifications.
The fact that Moses was an eye-witness to these things doesn’t affect the credibility of the words (he was, after all, writing what the Holy Spirit told him to write), but it does affect the style of the writing. While Genesis may seem to jump around and miss details, Exodus is told in a more cohesive way. It is easy to follow along with the Israelites as Moses shares the details.
It is incredible to think that Moses experienced the things he wrote down. I often think experiencing just one of the things on that list first hand would be life-changing, and he got to experience all of them. But that is not the point of the book of Exodus.
Exodus Is about God
Even though Moses is giving us a first-hand account, the book of Exodus is not about Moses. It isn’t about the Israelites or the exodus, either. The book of Exodus is about God.
- God saved Moses from the Nile river and Pharaoh’s wrath.
- God showed up in the burning bush that was not consumed
- God gave Moses instructions and encouragement as He called Moses to be the means by which He freed His people from captivity.
- God rebuked Moses for questioning His plan.
- God made the staff turn into a snake and back into a staff, and He made Moses’ hand leprous only to heal him.
- God used the plagues to demonstrate His power above the gods of the Egyptians.
- God was patient with Pharaoh, giving him chance after to chance to obey.
- God showed his favor to the Israelites by confining the plagues to the Egyptians.
- God demonstrated his mercy toward the Israelites, who by faith obeyed His instructions for the passover.
- God followed through on His threats to Pharaoh when he refused to submit.
- God showed up as a pillar of cloud and fire to guide and protect the Israelites.
- God stopped the waters of the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to pass on dry ground.
- God caused the waters to cover and drown the hosts of the Egyptian army.
- God turned bitter water into sweet water and brought water from a rock.
- God provided food for the Israelites while they wandered in the wilderness.
- God met Moses on Mt. Sinai and gave him the Ten Commandments.
- God showed mercy to the Israelites when they worshipped the golden calf in sending a plague rather than annihilating them all.
- God protected Moses as He passed by him.
- God not only gave Moses detailed instructions, but He also empowered workers with supernatural talents to accomplish the tasks.
If you had printed out this post, I would instruct you to draw a big X through the first list. While Moses’ experiences are awe-inspiring, do not let them distract from the goal of the book: to know God. It is important for us to see God’s full character, and the book of Exodus shows us many facets. He is loving, merciful, and gracious, but He is also holy, jealous, and just.
When Proverbs 1:7 tells us the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, we should not down play or reject the term “fear.” Yes, God is our father and our friend, and we are co-heirs with Christ, but we should never forget that God is holy and requires holiness from us, as well.
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