Exodus 2 Commentary

The book of Exodus is the second book of the Torah (“law”). It continues the story of Genesis concerning the migration of the family of Jacob (the Israelites) to Egypt (Genesis 50). It describes the commissioning of Moses and Aaron as God’s representatives on earth to accomplish God’s deliverance of His people from slavery in Egypt and lead them to the Promised Land (the land of Canaan). It also relates the miraculous deliverance from Egypt beginning with the plagues on Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea. It then describes the journey to Mount Sinai and the establishment of the Mosaic covenant with the Israelites. The last part of the book involves the specifications and building of the tabernacle – the place where the Lord Himself dwelt amongst His people.

In the book of Exodus, the focus shifts to the deliverance of God’s people.

Chapter 2 contains the story of the birth and the deliverance of the one who would lead the Israelites out of Egypt. It includes the birth and deliverance of Moses, his failure as deliverer, his exile from Egypt, and the beginnings of the work of the true Deliverer, the LORD.

Before Israel’s deliverance takes place, all of those involved needed to be prepared for the deliverance:

• Moses the deliverer (2:23 – 4:24)
• Israel the delivered (4:25 – 7:5)
• Egypt the barrier to deliverance (7:6 – 11:10)

Chapter 2 can be outlined as follows:

• The Birth of Moses (2:1-10).
• Moses Flees to Midian (2:11-14).
• Moses Settles in Midian (2:16-22)
• God Begins His Deliverance of His People (2:23-25).