THE BOOK OF EXODUS by Professor James Robertson

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 30, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 38.

THE BOOK OF EXODUS.

By Professor James Robertson

BY PROFESSOR JAMES ROBERTSON.

THE NAME by which the second book of the Pentateuch is usually denoted is a Greek word meaning "departure," and has been bestowed upon the book because it describes the departure of the children of Israel from Egypt. In the Hebrew Bible it is simply entitled "These are the names of . . ." or "names" from its opening words. In later Jewish literature it is sometimes called "The Book of Damages," with reference to the legislative contents of the latter half of it. Neither this name nor the current one, it will be observed, is a sufficient designation of the whole book.

CONTENTS. — The book falls naturally into two divisions by the arrangement of the matters with which it deals — the first mainly historical, the second chiefly legislative.

1. The first part embraces ch. 1-18. It begins with the oppression of Israel in Egypt, and relates the birth and upbringing of Moses, till he is called to be the deliverer of his people (1-4). The next six chapters (5-10) contain the account of the interviews with Pharaoh, the contest with his magicians, and the infliction of the plagues, culminating in the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn, and the hurried departure of the Israelites (11 to 13. 16); in close connection with which the ordinance for the Passover is given, and the firstborn are claimed as the Lord's. Then follow the accounts of the march to the Red Sea, the miraculous crossing, and the destruction of the Egyptian host (13. 17 to 14. 31), which is celebrated in the song of Moses (15. 1-21). Thereafter come the journey to Sinai, with the divine provision for the people's guidance and sustenance in the wilderness (15. 22 to 17. 7), their successful encounter with the Amalekites (17. 8-16), and the visit of Jethro, with his counsel to Moses for the regular administration of justice among the people (18. 1-27).

2. The second part (ch. 19-40) exhibits the ransomed people bound to Jehovah by solemn covenant, and provided with a system of legal ordinances for their guidance. The fundamental covenant is to preserve them as "a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation" (19. 1-6). The condition being accepted by the people, the Lord comes down upon Mount Sinai in thunder and lightning (19. 7-25), the law of the Ten Commandments is solemnly proclaimed, and, along with other statutes, is ratified over the book of the covenant (20. 1 to 24. 8). During forty days' stay in the mountain, Moses receives from God the tables of stone and detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furniture (24. 9 to 31. 18). In his absence the people sin by worshipping the golden calf; Moses intercedes for them; God reveals Himself as the Merciful and Righteous One; the tables are renewed, and the covenant again confirmed (32-34). The last six chapters (35-40) relate the preparation and fitting of the Tabernacle, which is set up on the first day of the first month of the second year from the Exodus.

LITERARY FORM. — The book of Exodus is not so regular in structure as Genesis. Though the two main parts may be distinguished as historical and legislative, yet these two elements