The Three Sides of the Exodus

Based on the sources used to write the Book of Exodus (Yahwist, Elohist, Priestly), three slightly different versions of the Exodus story can be examined to create fuller understanding of the events portrayed and the God who acted during those events.

TAKE 1: The Song of Miriam on the Exodus (Exodus 15:1-18)

In this version of Exodus, God is presented and praised in a personal, human way. 'The Lord is my strength and my might. This is my God and I will praise him. My father's God, and I will exalt him.' Further, the Lord's strength is demonstrated through his right hand, which shatters the enemy and overthrows adversaries, and his nostrils cause the waters to pile up. In this way, the events of the Exodus are portrayed as a result of God personally interceding on behalf of the Israelites to deliver them from the Egyptians. Finally, after the Exodus, the Lord leads the Israelites in his steadfast love and strength, and plants them on the mountain where he makes his abode, the sanctuary which his hands have established. Meanwhile the Egyptians are separated from God and sink like lead and go down like a stone, while Israel's future opponents, the people of Philistra, Edom, and Moab are dismayed, tremble and melt away in terror and dread. The song gives a very black and white illustration. Yahweh is our/my God and he is not your God. He saves us with his strength and destroys you with that same strength.

TAKE 2: The Old Epic version of Exodus (Exodus 14)

In this version of the Exodus there is a symbolic interplay described between the darkness and light. The Israelites are allowed to pass because of the pillar of cloud which 'lights up the night,' while the Egyptians meet their demise in the natural light (the time between the morning watch and the dawn when the sea returns to its normal depth.) Thus the Lord saved the day from the Egyptians.

All of this occurs despite the Israelites initially fearing the Egyptians who they see when they look over their shoulder. Moses promises the Israelites that the Lord will fight for them and all they have to do is keep still while God’s power delivers them. Finally, as a result of God's deliverance under Moses' leadership, the people believe in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

TAKE 3: The Priestly writings on the Exodus (Exodus 15)

In these writings on the Exodus, the Lord's behavior is strikingly similar to that demonstrated in Genesis 1: (a) the Lord says something and (b) then he does it. For instance, in Genesis, the Lord says (a) let there be light, stars, and sun - - and then (b) it happens, and then God adds that it is good. This same pattern follows when he creates the earth, animals, and then man.

By comparison, in Exodus 15, the Lord says (a) he will harden the Pharoah's heart (1-4) and then (b) he proceeds to do it (8-9). Then the Lord says to Moses (a) 'I will fight for you against the Egyptians', creates the pillar of cloud, then the Egyptians say, (b) 'Let us flee from the Israelites for the Lord is fighting for them.' Also, the same cause and effect scenario happens as the Lord tells Moses to (a) stretch out his hand over the sea, and then (b) the sea parts so that the Israelites may pass - - and again when Moses stretches out his hand over the sea so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians.

At this point in the Exodus it's interesting; however, that Moses becomes a co-creator and co-destroyer on behalf of the Lord. The Lord's mighty power is wielded through Moses' hand. In perspective to the creation story in Genesis 1, God uses his hands to form man from earthen clay, so it is interesting that God now enlists the hands of Moses to carry out his work against the Egyptians.