Episode 2440 - Introduction - 3rd Quarter 2025: Exodus - Journey to the Promised Land

The God revealed in the book of Exodus is the loving Lord who at theappointed time—and with His mighty actions—brought salvation anddeliverance to His people (Gen. 15:12–16). The exodus from Egyptand the crossing of the Red Sea were pivotal and unique events—God’s spectacularand marvelous acts. No greater or more glorious event ever happened in the historyof ancient Israel before the Cross. It is the gospel, but according to Moses.God miraculously and repeatedly arose to demonstrate His care and protection for theHebrews, despite their constant backslidings. His mercy surpassed all their understandingsand feelings. With His outstretched arm, the Lord led His people to freedom. It was anunprecedented act. This unexpected series of divine interventions was the beginning of theirrenewed journey with God, a journey from Egypt to (eventually) Canaan.Though Moses plays an important role in Exodus, this book is not about Moses butabout God—the God of love, truth, justice, freedom, and forgiveness, the God who ultimately went to the cross for us. By studying Exodus, we get a unique look at what our Godis really like.And what is He really like? He is a God who was faithful to His people despite theirunfaithfulness. He was constantly for them, even when they were against Him. Againand again, He showed them His mercy, bringing encouragement, correction, and divineinstruction. Leading them in the best possible way, He wanted them voluntarily, out of lovefor Him and His character, to worship and obey, all for their own good.The God of Moses is the God of relationships. The most important objective of Godwas not to accomplish something or to fulfill an agenda; instead, His prime objective wasto create a meaningful relationship with His chosen people, Israel. He led them to Sinai inorder to establish this deep fellowship.The apostle Paul teaches that what happened to God’s people in the past is an objectlesson for us so that we could learn from their mistakesand faithfully follow the Lord today: “Now these thingshappened to them as an example, but they were writtendown for our instruction, on whom the end of the ageshas come” (1 Cor. 10:11, ESV). These past events shouldbe a warning and a source of unforgettable instruction forus now. We should read them, study them, and learn fromthem, because no matter how different the circumstances,the spiritual principles behind them remain the same.Our plan for studying the book of Exodus during these13 weeks is transparent. The book is divided into weeklychapter readings of various lengths (divided thematicallyfor convenience): (1) Slavery in Egypt, the birth of Moses, and Moses’ first 40 years (Exodus1, 2). (2) Commission of Moses (Exodus 3, 4). (3) Complications: when life becomesworse (Exodus 5, 6). (4) The first nine plagues (Exodus 7–10). (5) The tenth plague andthe celebration of the Passover (Exodus 11, 12). (6) The liberation from Egypt, and theRed Sea experience (Exodus 13–15). (7) The journey to Mount Sinai (Exodus 16–18).(8) The gift of God’s covenant and the Decalogue (Exodus 19, 20). (9) God’s law applied(Exodus 21–23). (10) The covenant confirmed and the blueprint of the tabernacle (Exodus24–31). (11) The golden calf apostasy and Moses’ intercession (Exodus 32). (12) God’sself-revelation and the radiant face of Moses (Exodus 33, 34). (13) The tabernacle built anddedicated (Exodus 35–40). Each week we focus on key passages and events from indicatedchapters.May our gracious Lord bless us as we study this pivotal book that reminds us of howGod wants to lead His people from slavery to freedom, from death to life, and from thewilderness to the New Jerusalem (Heb. 12:22).Jiří Moskala is professor of Old Testament exegesis and theology, and dean of theSeventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University