1–2

Note how in 2.24–25 the events of Exodus are grounded in the covenant with Abraham.

3–4

5.1—7.7

In 6.7 we see for the first time a phrase that echoes through the whole Bible, all the way to Rev 21.3: “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.”

What's this family tree doing in 6.14–25? It connects the story back to Genesis and forward to the a later time (maybe the time that Exodus was written down). See: Family tree of Levi

7.8—10.29

The ten plagues are very well-known, but the account itself is a little repetitive. It may be helpful to realize that the plagues are organized in three groups of three, the tenth plague being special.

(1) Nile	(2) Frogs	(3) Gnats
(4) Flies	(5) Livestock	(6) Boils
(7) Hail	(8) Locusts	(9) Darkness
(10) Firstborn

Also, the purpose of the plagues was to show that the LORD was the one true God (v.5). Apparently many of the plagues alluded to Egyptian gods; for example, the plague of darkness showed that the LORD was supreme over the sun god Re (source: Enns).

11.1—13.16

13.17—15.21

15.22—18.27

19.1—20.21

Note that the mountain (19.1–2) is the same mountain as in chapter 3. The mountain of God plays an important role in Exodus (and later in 1 Kgs 19).

20.22—23.33

What relevance does the Law have for the Christian? On the one hand, the New Testament confirms the Law (Mt 5.17–20; Rom 13.8–10; Gal 5.14); on the other hand, it modifies the Law (Mt 5.22ff; 15.11; 19.9) and even declares that we are free from the Law (Rom 6.14; Gal 2–3). A full discussion of this issue is beyond the scope of these notes, but we should recognize that as a revelation of God's eternal moral law it continues to be applicable, especially the Ten Commandments, but in other respects it had only a temporary significance. For example, as a legal code it pertained properly to the ancient nation of Israel; as a system of worship (e.g., animal sacrifice) it was a pointer to Christ and passed away with Christ's coming (see Heb 8–9).

25–27

It is helpful to consult a diagram (source: painsley.org.uk):

28–31

32–34

34.6 is another phrase that echoes through the whole Old Testament: “A God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy.” No more talk of the “God of the Old Testament” being a God of hate!

35–39

This passage is mostly the same, word for word, as chs. 25–31. You would not miss much by skipping one section or the other. The following chart shows how chs. 35–40 duplicate or summarize chs. 25–31, or add new material.

35.1–3 31.12–17 Sabbath

35.4–9 25.1–7 Call for materials

35.10–19 Call for workers

35.20–29 Materials brought

35.30–35 31.1–6a Workers commissioned

36.1–7 Offering continued

36.8–38 26.1–37 Tabernacle

37.1–24 25.10–40 Ark, table, lampstand

37.25–28 30.1–5 Altar of incense

37.29 30.22–38 Oil and incense

38.1–7 27.1–8a Altar of burnt offering

38.8 30.17–21 Washbasin

38.9–20 27.9–19 Court

38.21–31 Record of materials used

39.1–31 28.1–43 Priestly vestments

39.32–43 Summary

The theme of the glory or presence of the LORD also recurs throughout the Bible (1 Kgs 8.10–11; Ezek 10; 43.1–9; Jn 1; Rev 21–22).