Bible -- Exodus

Exodus, the second book in the Old Testament, is Moses' account of the history of his people, the Israelites. The book is told through Moses' eyes and centers heavily on the patriarch's relationship with God. Exodus also describes the formation of the Jews into a cohesive society as well as the formation of a politically as well as spiritually significant Israel. Exodus starts off with Israelites enslaved in Egypt; their "exodus," or out-movement signifies their shift from bondage into freedom. The movement of the Jewish people from Egypt to the Promised Land was facilitated by God. Therefore, one of the key messages of the book of Exodus is that God watches over the Jewish people. The sacred bond between God and the Jews is referred to as the covenant, and remains the central tenet of the Jewish faith as well as the central theological theme of this Old Testament book.

Also key components of Exodus are the miracles that God performs to assist the Jewish people attain their freedom, the most famous of which is the parting of the Red Sea. In exchange for God's miracle work, the Jewish people are instructed to follow a rigorous, strident set of laws. These laws were delivered by God to Moses, who transmits them to the laypeople. The covenant between God and the Jews demands obedience to these scriptural laws. The detailed description of the construction of the tabernacle offered in Exodus illustrates the extent of the spiritual code that binds the "chosen people" with their Almighty.

The central theological theme of the Biblical book of Exodus is that God and humanity enter into a sacred contract. To break the contract means breaking a promise to God, a horrible offense punishable by the wrathful Creator. Ascription to the covenant will mean that God will continue to watch over the Jewish people and ensure their heritage in the Promised Land.