EXODUS: AN INTRODUCTION

Exodus is an epic tale. It sets before us two mighty nations—Israel and Egypt—and two towering figures: Moses, the liberating servant of God, and Pharaoh, the hard-hearted enslaver.

Scene after scene is an exciting work of art: a baby hidden in a basket, a bush burning without being consumed, a river turned to blood and plagues that humble a superpower, the night of Passover and the angel of death, the sea opening for God’s people, bread from heaven in the wilderness, water from the rock, thunder and lightning on the mountain, the Ten Commandments, the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, the tragedy of the golden calf, and the glory of God filling the tabernacle.

Once you hear these stories, you don’t forget them. They shaped Israel for centuries, forming a people’s identity, worship, and hope. And Christians have always recognized something more: Exodus is the gospel in Old Testament form. It is God’s first great act of redemption—rescuing slaves who could not rescue themselves.

That is why Exodus still speaks today. It tells every captive there is hope of freedom. Apart from Christ we are all enslaved to sin, but the God who delivered Israel still saves, still delivers, and still leads his people into life.