In the Old Testament we can find five books written by Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and finally Deuteronomy. The second book, Exodus, was written around 1450-1410 B.C. Its purpose is to record the events of Israe's deliverance from Egypt and its development as a nation. Every country has its own national historya record of the events leading to the nations's independence. The book of Exodus records Israel's national history, recounting the earliest years of the nation and of God's covenant with them. Exodus takes its name from the main event of the book: the Israelites' deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The book begins with a short account of how the Israelites bacame slaves in Egypt. The focus then shifts to the birth and life of Moses, God's chosen leader for Israel. From a burning bush in the Sinai Desert (Exodus 3), God called Moses to return to his homeland of Egypt and lead the Israelites to freedom. But Pharao permanently refused to free the Israelites and set in motion God's ten devastating plagues upon Egypt. The final plague not only changed Pharao's mind but became a memorial of God's deliverance, celebrated in the observance of Passover.
Once set free, the Israelites traveled to the wilderness of Sinai to worship God. To worship him was God's main intention when he decided to set his people free. But Pharao chased the Israelites to the Red Sea, where God displayed his power by parting the sea for the Israelites to cross and then closing it over the pursuing Egyptians. The Israelites were then free to travel to Mount Sinai. There God established his covenant with them, giving his people the Ten Commandments and plans for the Tabernacle. After the Israelites constructed the Tabernacle, God filled it with his glory, signifying his presence with them. The book ends with the completion of the Tabernacle.
