Assembled here is a survey of each chapter in Exodus. A few sentences for each chapter to summarize the core content and meaning of the second book of the Mosaic law. All forty chapters are put together here to assemble a coherent view of the Book of Exodus as a whole. These summaries were not written from a historical, poetic, literal, or figurative interpretative view. These summaries are merely of content produced within the valid, authoritative, sufficient, infallible, and inerrant strength of God’s word.
Theme of Exodus:
The deliverance of the LORD’s people from their captivity, slavery, and misery. Introduction of the Mosaic covenant and law with fellowship and relationship with the LORD restored.
Exodus 1:
The population growth of Israel increases within Egypt. Israel becomes enslaved with an evil king or Pharaoh in control. Pharaoh is a murderous ruler who has no fear of God.
Exodus 2:
Moses is born to an Israelite woman and becomes adopted into Pharaoh’s household. After Moses grows into adulthood, he kills a man abusing a Hebrew slave and flees into Midian. Pharaoh died and Israel groaned in misery to get the LORD’s attention.
Exodus 3:
Moses encounters God from the burning bush on Mount Horeb. The LORD calls Moses to deliver His people from Egypt. God decrees that He will severely afflict Egypt with many calamities.
Exodus 4:
God empowers Moses with miraculous abilities to confront and persuade Egyptian authority to free the Hebrew slaves. Moses acquires the authority of the LORD and the help of Aaron.
Exodus 5:
Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh and on behalf of the LORD demand the release of the Hebrew slaves. Pharaoh refuses and he imposes added hardship on the slaves.
Exodus 6:
God encourages Moses and reiterates that He will bring His people out of slavery. Moses relays the message to the Israelite people, and they are not receptive. The genealogy of Moses and Aaron is presented in detail.
Exodus 7:
Moses and Aaron again appear before Pharaoh. God hardens Pharaoh’s heart where he again rejects a demand to free the slaves. The first plague is applied to the people of Egypt. Moses strikes the water of the Nile river and it turns to blood.
Exodus 8:
Moses and Aaron again appear before Pharaoh. Pharaoh again rejects a demand to free the slaves. The second, third, and fourth plagues strike the people of Egypt. Frogs, gnats, and flies invade the land upon command of Moses through the power bestowed upon him by the LORD.
Exodus 9:
Moses and Aaron again appear before Pharaoh. Pharaoh again rejects a demand to free the slaves. The fifth, sixth and seventh plagues strike the people of Egypt. Killed livestock, boils, and sores breakout upon the people, and hail with fire falls down upon the land of Egypt upon command of Moses through the power bestowed to him by the LORD.
Exodus 10:
Moses and Aaron again appear before Pharaoh. God hardens Pharaoh’s heart where he again rejects a demand to free the slaves. The eighth and ninth plagues are applied to the people of Egypt. The locusts eat all vegetation and cover the entire territory. Darkness covers the area for 3-days.
Exodus 11:
Moses prophesies the tenth plague that the firstborn of humanity and cattle shall die. The LORD makes a distinction between Israelites and Egyptians. The LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart where he would not let the Hebrew slaves go.
Exodus 12:
The angel of death passes over the people of Israel in the land of Egypt as it kills all first-born as prophesied. The plague of death strikes and the Exodus of Israel from Egypt commences. The Passover ceremony tradition begins.
Exodus 13:
The firstborn of Israel are consecrated to the LORD. The ceremony and tradition of the Feast of Unleavened bread commence as the Hebrews are led out of Egypt. Guided by a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night to set their route.
Exodus 14:
The Egyptians pursue the Hebrews while on their exodus. The Hebrews become obstructed by the Red Sea. The pillars of fire and cloud separate the Egyptian army from the Hebrews as the LORD divides the Red Sea. As Israelites pass through the parted Red Sea, the waters close on the Egyptians to kill them.
Exodus 15:
Moses and the people sang a song to the LORD upon their rescue and deliverance. The LORD purifies drinking water through a log Moses cast into a bitter water source. The LORD promises to care for His people, protect them and heal them if they listen to Him and obey.
Exodus 16:
The people of Israel encounter new hardships. They do not have food to eat and the LORD provides manna bread from the sky to nourish and fuel their bodies for 40-years.
Exodus 17:
By striking a rock, Moses provides water to the people through the power of the LORD. Joshua and his men defeat the aggressors of Amalek.
Exodus 18:
Jethro, a priest of Midian, and Moses’ father-in-law advise Moses to set up delegated authority among the people of Israel.
Exodus 19:
The people of Israel arrive at Mount Sinai. God makes a covenant with Moses and warns him about people’s exposure to the LORD. Priests and leadership have access to the LORD only through consecration.
Exodus 20:
The LORD delivers the Ten Commandments to His people. The formation of the Mosaic law begins. Laws concerning the construction of altars.
Exodus 21:
Through Moses, the LORD delivers laws concerning slaves and property restitution.
Exodus 22:
Through Moses, the LORD delivers laws concerning justice.
Exodus 23:
Through Moses, the LORD delivers additional laws concerning justice. Additional laws concerning working on the Sabbath and Festivals. The LORD confirms the conquest of Canaan.
Exodus 24:
The Mosaic covenant is confirmed to the people of Israel. The LORD appears before 74-elders of Israel.
Exodus 25:
Preparations and contributions are made for the forthcoming tabernacle. The Ark of the Covenant is designed and made for the tabernacle sanctuary.
Exodus 26:
Instructions are delivered about the preparation and construction of the tabernacle.
Exodus 27:
Further details concerning the tabernacle include oil substances, a bronze altar, and its courtyard.
Exodus 28:
Instructions are given about the Priests’ garments. Priest appointments were named and associated with assigned attire.
Exodus 29:
Priests are consecrated and prepared with instructions about operating the tabernacle of the LORD in support of sacrifices and worship.
Exodus 30:
Further instructions are given concerning the tabernacle altar, incense, oil, and compulsory taxation upon the people.
Exodus 31:
Craftsmen are appointed to make the materials and implements of the tabernacle. Instructions are given about keeping the sabbath day of rest.
Exodus 32:
The people of Israel construct a calf made of gold to worship it. The LORD nearly destroys His people until Moses interjects. Moses returns to the camp, where the gods that inhabit the golden calf are worshiped. Moses destroys the tablets of the Ten Commandments and eventually kills 3000 men due to their idolatry and sin. Moses again pleads atonement and forgiveness, but God decrees that He will blot out those who sin against him from His book.
Exodus 33:
The LORD commands Moses and Israel to leave Mount Sinai. The LORD extends His mercy to the stubborn Hebrew people. Moses intercedes on behalf of the LORD’s people and the presence of the LORD rests with His people.
Exodus 34:
The tablets of the Ten Commandments are remade by Moses. God writes His law on those tablets. Moses delivers the law to the Israelites and the glory of the LORD physically affects Moses.
Exodus 35:
Additional instructions concerning the sabbath, contributions for the tabernacle, and its construction.
Exodus 36:
The craftsmen and workmen build the tabernacle.
Exodus 37:
The chosen craftsman, Bezalel, made the Ark of the covenant, the table, lampstand, and altar of incense according to the intricate details given by the LORD.
Exodus 38:
Bezalel continues making elements of the tabernacle to include the altar of burnt offering, a bronze basin, and added materials such as hooks, pillars, capitals, etc.
Exodus 39:
Involving precious stones and fine fabrics and priestly garments as the LORD commanded Moses.
Exodus 40:
The tabernacle is erected and populated with its consecrated furniture, holy implements, Ark of the covenant, and additional elements as defined by the LORD. The work of the tabernacle is completed. The glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
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