Purpose

To record God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.

Author

Moses, who experienced these events firsthand as God's chosen leader to deliver Israel from Egypt. He was educated in Pharaoh's court but called by God at age 80 to lead the greatest rescue mission in history.

Historical Context

Written: 1440-1400 BC. Israel's slavery in Egypt and their miraculous deliverance, leading to the establishment of the nation.

Significance

Shows God as Deliverer and Lawgiver, establishing the pattern of redemption seen throughout Scripture.

Key Themes

Deliverance, Covenant, Law, Worship, God's Presence

Interesting Facts

• The 10 plagues of Egypt were actually attacks on specific Egyptian gods, showing God's supremacy
• The Passover lamb had to be without blemish - a perfect picture of Jesus 1,400 years before His birth
• Mount Sinai was so holy that even touching it meant death - showing God's holiness

Prophecies

• A prophet like Moses would come (Deuteronomy 18:15, referenced in Exodus) Fulfilled: Jesus Christ, the ultimate prophet and deliverer (1400 years later)

Exodus Chapter 2 provides a detailed account of the early life of Moses, the man chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The chapter opens with the birth of Moses to a Levite couple, who, recognizing him as a 'fine child,' hide him for three months in defiance of Pharaoh's decree to kill all Hebrew male infants. When they can no longer conceal him, his mother places him in a waterproof basket and sets him afloat on the Nile River, where he is discovered by Pharaoh's daughter. She takes pity on him and adopts him, raising him in the palace as her own son. In a twist of providence, Moses' own mother is hired to nurse him, allowing her to care for him during his infancy. As Moses grows, he becomes aware of the suffering of his people, the Hebrews, and one day intervenes when he sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. In a moment of rage and impulsivity, Moses kills the Egyptian and hides his body, believing he has acted in defense of his fellow Hebrew. However, the next day, when he attempts to mediate a dispute between two Hebrews, he is met with hostility, and they question his authority and intentions, revealing that his crime is known. Fearing for his life after Pharaoh learns of his actions, Moses flees to Midian. There, he encounters the priest of Midian's seven daughters, who are being harassed by shepherds at a well. Moses defends them, watering their flock and earning their gratitude. This act of kindness eventually leads to his acceptance into the family of Reuel (Jethro), the priest of Midian, marking a significant transition in Moses' life as he prepares for his future role as a leader. This chapter sets the stage for Moses' development and the unfolding of God's plan for Israel's deliverance.

Purpose

To record God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai.

Author

Moses, who experienced these events firsthand as God's chosen leader to deliver Israel from Egypt. He was educated in Pharaoh's court but called by God at age 80 to lead the greatest rescue mission in history.

Historical Context

Written: 1440-1400 BC. Israel's slavery in Egypt and their miraculous deliverance, leading to the establishment of the nation.

Significance

Shows God as Deliverer and Lawgiver, establishing the pattern of redemption seen throughout Scripture.

Key Themes

Deliverance, Covenant, Law, Worship, God's Presence

Interesting Facts

• The 10 plagues of Egypt were actually attacks on specific Egyptian gods, showing God's supremacy
• The Passover lamb had to be without blemish - a perfect picture of Jesus 1,400 years before His birth
• Mount Sinai was so holy that even touching it meant death - showing God's holiness

Prophecies

• A prophet like Moses would come (Deuteronomy 18:15, referenced in Exodus) Fulfilled: Jesus Christ, the ultimate prophet and deliverer (1400 years later)

Exodus Chapter 2 provides a detailed account of the early life of Moses, the man chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. The chapter opens with the birth of Moses to a Levite couple, who, recognizing him as a 'fine child,' hide him for three months in defiance of Pharaoh's decree to kill all Hebrew male infants. When they can no longer conceal him, his mother places him in a waterproof basket and sets him afloat on the Nile River, where he is discovered by Pharaoh's daughter. She takes pity on him and adopts him, raising him in the palace as her own son. In a twist of providence, Moses' own mother is hired to nurse him, allowing her to care for him during his infancy. As Moses grows, he becomes aware of the suffering of his people, the Hebrews, and one day intervenes when he sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. In a moment of rage and impulsivity, Moses kills the Egyptian and hides his body, believing he has acted in defense of his fellow Hebrew. However, the next day, when he attempts to mediate a dispute between two Hebrews, he is met with hostility, and they question his authority and intentions, revealing that his crime is known. Fearing for his life after Pharaoh learns of his actions, Moses flees to Midian. There, he encounters the priest of Midian's seven daughters, who are being harassed by shepherds at a well. Moses defends them, watering their flock and earning their gratitude. This act of kindness eventually leads to his acceptance into the family of Reuel (Jethro), the priest of Midian, marking a significant transition in Moses' life as he prepares for his future role as a leader. This chapter sets the stage for Moses' development and the unfolding of God's plan for Israel's deliverance.