Exodus

The Israelites, numbering 70, had grown numerous in Egypt after Joseph's death and the passing of his generation. A new Egyptian king, unaware of Joseph's contributions, feared the Israelites' growing population and potential alliance with enemies, so he imposed harsh labor and tasked them with building treasure cities. Despite their affliction, the Israelites continued to multiply, prompting the king to order the Hebrew midwives to kill newborn sons, but the midwives disobeyed and saved the children. The king then commanded all newborn sons to be cast into the river, while sparing the daughters.

A Levite woman gave birth to a son and hid him for three months before placing him in a basket and setting him afloat on the Nile River. The daughter of Pharaoh discovered the child and adopted him, naming him Moses, and his mother was hired to nurse him. As Moses grew, he witnessed the suffering of his Hebrew brethren and killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, but was forced to flee to Midian after the incident became known. In Midian, Moses helped the seven daughters of a priest and was invited to stay with them, eventually marrying one of the daughters, Zipporah, and having a son named Gershom.

Moses encounters God in a burning bush while tending his father-in-law's flock, and God commissions him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. God reveals himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and promises to be with Moses as he confronts Pharaoh. Moses expresses his inadequacy for the task, and God responds by giving him a sign and revealing his name as "I AM THAT I AM." God instructs Moses to gather the elders of Israel and demand that Pharaoh let the Israelites go, but warns that Pharaoh will not comply until God intervenes with wonders and plagues.

Moses expressed his concerns to God that the Israelites would not believe him, and God instructed Moses to cast his rod on the ground, which turned into a serpent and then back into a rod. God also gave Moses two more signs to perform: his hand becoming leprous and then healing, and turning water from the Nile into blood. Moses still felt inadequate due to his speech difficulties, but God reassured him that He would be with him and teach him what to say. God then instructed Moses to have his brother Aaron serve as his spokesman. Moses returned to Egypt, where he met Aaron and together they gathered the elders of Israel, performed the signs, and delivered God's message, resulting in the people believing and worshiping.

Moses and Aaron demanded that Pharaoh let the Israelites go to worship in the wilderness, but Pharaoh refused, not knowing the Lord and instead increased the Israelites' workload by requiring them to gather their own straw to make bricks. The Israelite officers were beaten for not meeting their quotas, and they blamed Moses and Aaron for their troubles, saying they had made them abhorrent to Pharaoh. Moses then questioned God about why He had sent him to Pharaoh, as the situation had only worsened for the Israelites.

God reiterates to Moses that He will deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and fulfill His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give them the land of Canaan. Moses is instructed to tell the Israelites of God's promise, but they do not listen due to their suffering. God then instructs Moses to speak to Pharaoh, despite Moses' concerns about his ability to communicate effectively. The chapter also lists the genealogy of the sons of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, including the families of Moses and Aaron.

The Lord commissions Moses and Aaron to demand that Pharaoh release the Israelites, with Aaron serving as Moses' prophet. The Lord hardens Pharaoh's heart, and when Pharaoh requests a miracle, Aaron's rod turns into a serpent that swallows the rods of the Egyptian magicians. The Lord then instructs Moses to meet Pharaoh by the river and warn him to release the Israelites, threatening to turn the river's water to blood if he refuses. When Pharaoh still refuses, Aaron strikes the river with his rod, turning the water to blood and killing the fish, but the Egyptian magicians replicate the miracle, and Pharaoh's heart remains hardened.

God instructs Moses to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, but if he refuses, God will send a plague of frogs upon Egypt. The frogs infest the land, and Pharaoh asks Moses to pray for their removal, promising to let the Israelites go. However, after the frogs die, Pharaoh reneges on his promise. God then sends a plague of lice, which the Egyptian magicians are unable to replicate, and later a plague of swarms of flies, which God spares the Israelites from. Pharaoh again asks Moses to pray for the removal of the flies, and Moses agrees, but Pharaoh once more refuses to let the Israelites go after the plague is lifted.

The Lord sent Moses to Pharaoh, warning him to let the Israelites go or face a plague that would kill Egypt's livestock, but spare Israel's. The plague occurred, killing all of Egypt's livestock, but Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. The Lord then sent a plague of boils upon the Egyptians, but Pharaoh still refused to let the Israelites go. The Lord then sent a hail storm that destroyed Egypt's crops and killed people and animals, but Pharaoh's heart remained hardened. After the storm, Pharaoh briefly relented, but when the storm passed, he hardened his heart again and refused to let the Israelites go.

The Lord instructed Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand that he let the Israelites go, warning that if he refused, locusts would come and destroy the remaining crops. Pharaoh refused, and the locusts came, covering the land and eating everything. Pharaoh then asked Moses to pray for the locusts to be removed, and the Lord sent a strong west wind to take them away. However, the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart again, and he refused to let the Israelites go. The Lord then sent a thick darkness over Egypt for three days, but the Israelites had light in their homes. Pharaoh offered to let the Israelites go, but only if they left their livestock behind, which Moses refused.

The Lord tells Moses that one more plague will be brought upon Pharaoh and Egypt, after which the Israelites will be forced to leave. The Israelites are instructed to ask their Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold, and the Lord gives them favor in the Egyptians' sight. The Lord then announces that He will go out at midnight and kill every firstborn in Egypt, from Pharaoh's son to the firstborn of the maidservant, but spare the Israelites.

The Lord instructed Moses and Aaron to establish the Passover, where each household would select a lamb without blemish and kill it on the 14th day of the first month. The blood of the lamb would be applied to the doorposts of the houses, and the lamb would be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The Lord would pass through Egypt that night, striking down the firstborn of every household that did not have the blood on the doorposts. The Israelites obeyed the Lord's instructions, and at midnight, the Lord smote the firstborn of Egypt, leading to Pharaoh's urgent request for the Israelites to leave the land. The Israelites departed in haste, taking their flocks and herds, and the Egyptians gave them jewels of silver and gold as they left.

The Lord instructs Moses to sanctify all firstborn males of Israel, both human and animal, as a reminder of the Lord's deliverance from Egypt. The Israelites are also commanded to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days and to set apart the firstborn of their animals to the Lord. When the Israelites ask about the meaning of these customs, they are to explain that they are a reminder of the Lord's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The Lord leads the Israelites through the wilderness, guiding them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

The Israelites, led by Moses, encamp by the sea as instructed by God, who intends to harden Pharaoh's heart and bring glory to Himself through the Egyptians' pursuit. Pharaoh and his army chase the Israelites, but God intervenes, dividing the sea and allowing the Israelites to cross safely on dry ground. The Egyptians follow, but God troubles their chariots and ultimately causes the sea to return, drowning the Egyptian army. The Israelites witness the destruction of the Egyptians and come to fear and believe in God and His servant Moses.

Moses and the Israelites sang a song of praise to the Lord after their deliverance from the Egyptians, describing God as a warrior who threw the enemy's horses and riders into the sea. The song also described the Lord's power and greatness, and how He led the Israelites to safety while destroying their enemies. After the song, the Israelites journeyed into the wilderness of Shur, where they found no water for three days and eventually came to a place called Marah, where the water was bitter. The Lord showed Moses a tree to cast into the water, making it sweet, and then gave the Israelites a statute and ordinance, promising to protect them from diseases if they obeyed His commandments.

The Israelites, after leaving Elim, complained to Moses and Aaron about the lack of food in the wilderness, wishing they had died in Egypt where they had plenty to eat. God responded by promising to provide bread from heaven, which would be gathered daily, with a double portion on the sixth day in preparation for the Sabbath. God also provided quails in the evening for the Israelites to eat. The bread, called manna, was a small, round, white substance that tasted like wafers made with honey, and it was gathered according to each person's needs. The Israelites were instructed to rest on the seventh day, the Sabbath, and not gather manna, but some disobeyed and found none.

The Israelites journeyed to Rephidim, where they found no water and complained to Moses, who in turn cried out to the Lord for help. The Lord instructed Moses to strike a rock with his rod, and water came out for the people to drink. The Israelites then fought against the Amalekites, with Moses holding up his rod to ensure Israel's victory, and Joshua led the army to defeat Amalek. The Lord vowed to have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, visited Moses in the wilderness with his wife and sons, and Moses shared with him the story of Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Jethro rejoiced and acknowledged the Lord's greatness, offering sacrifices to God. The next day, Jethro observed Moses judging the people and advised him to appoint able men to share the responsibility, warning that Moses would wear himself out if he continued to judge alone. Moses heeded Jethro's counsel, choosing leaders to judge smaller matters and reserving the harder cases for himself.

The Israelites arrived at Mount Sinai, where God instructed Moses to tell the people that if they obeyed God's voice and kept His covenant, they would be a special treasure to Him and a kingdom of priests. The people agreed to do what the Lord had spoken. God then instructed Moses to prepare the people for His appearance on the third day, warning them not to touch the mountain or they would be put to death. On the third day, God descended on the mountain in fire, smoke, and thunder, and Moses spoke to God, who then instructed Moses to keep the people from breaking through to gaze at Him.

God establishes the Ten Commandments, stating that He is the one true God who brought the Israelites out of Egypt and that they should have no other gods before Him. He commands them not to make idols, take His name in vain, or work on the Sabbath, and to honor their parents, not kill, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, or covet. The people witness God's power and ask Moses to speak to them instead, and God instructs Moses on how to build an altar for worship.

The laws for Hebrew servants state that they serve for six years and are set free in the seventh, unless they choose to remain with their master and family. A daughter sold as a maidservant is not released in the same manner as a male servant, but her master must treat her as a daughter if he gives her to his son. The laws also address punishment for murder, with the death penalty for intentional killing, but allowing for accidental killing to be atoned for by fleeing to a designated place. Physical harm to others, including servants, is punished with restitution or the loss of a corresponding body part. The laws also cover the responsibility of an ox's owner if the ox kills someone, with the owner being put to death if the ox had a history of violence and was not kept in.

Restitution must be made for stolen or damaged property, with the thief paying double the value of what was taken. If a person is entrusted with someone else's property and it is lost or damaged, they must make restitution unless they can prove they were not at fault. Those who harm or kill others' animals must also make restitution. A person who borrows something and damages or loses it must make restitution, unless the owner was present. Men who seduce or harm women must make restitution or marry them. The Israelites are also commanded not to oppress strangers, widows, or orphans, and to treat the poor with kindness, not charging them interest on loans.

The Israelites are instructed to uphold justice, not bearing false witness or following the crowd to do evil, and to treat the poor and their enemies with fairness. They are also commanded to rest on the seventh day and to observe three annual feasts. Additionally, they are warned not to worship other gods or make covenants with the inhabitants of the land they are about to enter, but instead to drive them out and serve the Lord.

Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and 70 elders of Israel were instructed to worship the Lord from a distance, while Moses alone was to approach the Lord. The people agreed to follow the Lord's words and judgments, and Moses wrote them down, then built an altar and offered sacrifices. Moses read the book of the covenant to the people, who again agreed to follow the Lord's words, and he sprinkled blood on the people to seal the covenant. Moses then went up the mountain with the elders, where they saw the God of Israel, and later Moses went up alone to receive the tables of stone and the law from the Lord.

God instructs Moses to have the Israelites bring offerings of various materials, including gold, silver, and fine linens, to build a sanctuary where God can dwell among them. The sanctuary will include an ark made of shittim wood, overlaid with gold, and a mercy seat with two cherubim. A table and candlestick, also made of gold, will be placed in the sanctuary, along with other vessels and utensils. God provides specific instructions for the construction of these items, emphasizing that they must be made according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain.

The tabernacle is to be made with ten curtains of fine linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, with cherubim embroidered on them, each measuring 28 cubits by 4 cubits. The curtains are to be coupled together with loops and gold taches, and a covering of goats' hair is to be placed over the tabernacle. The tabernacle is also to have a covering of rams' skins dyed red and badgers' skins. Boards of shittim wood are to be made for the tabernacle, with silver sockets and gold overlay. A vail of blue, purple, and scarlet is to be made to divide the holy place from the most holy place, and the mercy seat is to be placed on the ark of the testimony. The table and candlestick are to be placed outside the vail, and a hanging for the door of the tent is to be made with needlework and five pillars of shittim wood.

The altar for the tabernacle is to be made of shittim wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide, with horns of brass on the four corners and overlaid with brass. The altar's vessels, including pans, shovels, and firepans, are also to be made of brass. The tabernacle's court is to be made with fine twined linen hangings, supported by pillars and sockets of brass, with hooks and fillets of silver. The gate of the court is to have a hanging of blue, purple, and scarlet, with pillars and sockets of brass and silver. The Israelites are to bring pure olive oil for the lamp in the tabernacle, which Aaron and his sons are to tend from evening to morning.

God instructs Moses to have Aaron and his sons minister as priests, and to make holy garments for them, including an ephod, breastplate, robe, coat, mitre, and girdle. The ephod and breastplate are to be made with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, and the breastplate is to have twelve stones, each engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel. The breastplate is also to contain the Urim and Thummim, which will be used to determine God's will. The robe is to be made entirely of blue and have a golden bell and pomegranate on the hem. A golden plate with the inscription "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" is to be placed on the mitre, which will be worn on Aaron's forehead. The priests are also to wear linen breeches to cover their nakedness when they minister in the holy place.

To consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests, they are to be washed, clothed in priestly garments, and anointed with oil. A bullock is to be offered as a sin offering, and two rams are to be offered as a burnt offering and a consecration offering. The blood of the offerings is to be sprinkled on Aaron and his sons, and on the altar. The fat and other parts of the offerings are to be burned on the altar, and the breast of the ram is to be waved as a wave offering. The holy garments of Aaron are to be passed down to his sons, and they are to eat the flesh of the ram and the bread in the basket. The altar is to be cleansed and anointed for seven days, and two lambs are to be offered daily as a continual burnt offering.

The altar of incense is to be made of shittim wood, overlaid with gold, and placed before the veil in the tabernacle. Aaron is to burn incense on it every morning and evening, and once a year he is to make atonement on its horns with the blood of the sin offering. When the Israelites are numbered, each person 20 years old and above is to give a half-shekel as a ransom for their soul. A laver of brass is to be made for Aaron and his sons to wash their hands and feet before entering the tabernacle or approaching the altar. The Lord also instructs Moses to make an oil of holy ointment and a perfume, which are to be used to anoint the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests, and are not to be used for any other purpose.

God has chosen Bezaleel, a skilled craftsman, and Aholiab to lead the construction of the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments, and has given them wisdom and understanding for the task. God commands Moses to instruct the Israelites to observe the Sabbath as a sign of their covenant with Him, and warns that anyone who works on the Sabbath will be put to death. The Sabbath is a day of rest, holy to the Lord, and is to be observed by the Israelites throughout their generations. God gives Moses two stone tablets, written with His own finger, when He finishes speaking with him on Mount Sinai.

The Israelites, impatient for Moses' return from Mount Sinai, asked Aaron to create a god for them, and he fashioned a golden calf from their earrings. They worshipped the calf, and Aaron built an altar for it, proclaiming a feast to the Lord. However, God saw their actions and told Moses to return to the people, as they had corrupted themselves. Moses interceded for the people, reminding God of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and God relented from destroying them. Upon seeing the calf, Moses' anger flared, and he destroyed it, then called for those loyal to the Lord to come to him, resulting in the Levites killing about 3,000 men who had participated in the idolatry.

The Lord instructs Moses to lead the Israelites to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but warns that He will not go with them because of their stubbornness. The people mourn and remove their ornaments in response to this news. Moses sets up the Tabernacle outside the camp, where he meets with the Lord, who speaks to him face to face. Moses asks the Lord to show him His way and to go with the people, and the Lord agrees, promising to give them rest. Moses then asks to see the Lord's glory, but is told that no one can see the Lord's face and live; instead, the Lord will pass by Moses, covering him with His hand, and Moses will see the Lord's back.

The Lord instructs Moses to create two new stone tablets to replace the ones he broke, and to come to Mount Sinai alone. The Lord then descends in a cloud and proclaims His name, describing Himself as merciful, gracious, and forgiving, but also just and punishing of sin. Moses asks for the Lord's presence and pardon for the people's sins, and the Lord makes a covenant with Moses and Israel, promising to drive out the inhabitants of the land and perform marvelous works. The Lord also gives Moses instructions on how to worship and live, including the command to destroy the idols of the land, observe the feast of unleavened bread, and bring offerings to the Lord. Moses spends 40 days and nights with the Lord, writing the words of the covenant on the tablets, and when he comes down from the mountain, his face shines with the glory of the Lord.

Moses gathered the Israelites and instructed them to observe the Sabbath and to bring offerings for the construction of the tabernacle. The offerings included various materials such as gold, silver, and fine linen, which were brought by those whose hearts were willing. The Israelites, both men and women, contributed generously, and Moses noted that the Lord had called Bezaleel and Aholiab to lead the construction effort, filling them with wisdom and skill to work in various crafts.

The skilled craftsmen, led by Bezaleel and Aholiab, worked on the tabernacle according to God's instructions, using the materials donated by the Israelites. The people brought so many offerings that Moses had to tell them to stop, as they had more than enough. The craftsmen then made the curtains, boards, and other components of the tabernacle, including the veil and the pillars, using fine materials such as gold, silver, and precious fabrics.

Bezaleel constructed the ark of shittim wood, overlaying it with pure gold, and added a mercy seat with two cherubims made of gold. He also made a table of shittim wood, overlaying it with gold, and created vessels for it. Additionally, Bezaleel crafted a candlestick of pure gold, an incense altar of shittim wood overlaid with gold, and made the holy anointing oil and pure incense.

The altar of burnt offering was made of shittim wood and overlaid with brass, with horns on its four corners and a brasen grate underneath. The vessels of the altar, including pots and shovels, were also made of brass. The laver was made of brass from the looking glasses of the women who assembled at the tabernacle. The court was constructed with fine twined linen hangings, supported by pillars with brasen sockets and silver hooks. The gate of the court was adorned with needlework of blue, purple, and scarlet. The total amount of gold, silver, and brass used in the construction of the tabernacle was accounted for, with specific amounts used for various components, including the sockets of the sanctuary and the altar.

The skilled craftsmen made the priestly garments, including the ephod, breastplate, and robe, as well as the garments for Aaron's sons, according to God's instructions. The breastplate was adorned with 12 precious stones, each representing one of the 12 tribes of Israel. The craftsmen also completed the tabernacle and all its furnishings, including the ark, table, candlestick, and altars. When the work was finished, the Israelites brought all the completed items to Moses, who inspected them and blessed the people for their faithful obedience to God's commands.

The Lord instructed Moses to set up the tabernacle on the first day of the first month, and Moses followed the instructions, placing the ark, table, candlestick, and altars in their proper positions. Moses then anointed the tabernacle, its vessels, and the priests, Aaron and his sons, and clothed them in holy garments. After completing the setup, a cloud covered the tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled it, preventing Moses from entering. The cloud served as a guide for the Israelites' journeys, and they only moved when it lifted.