The Book of Exodus is perhaps one of the most important books in the Bible. It continues where Genesis left off, after Joseph's influence in Egypt, and continues God's covenant with Abraham through his descendant, Moses. Hopefully we are all familiar with the story of Moses, but if not, I will take the time to quickly go through it...
It is long after Joseph's reign, and since his day in court, a new Pharoah has come to rule. He notices how fruitful the Israelites have become. Afraid that they may try to overpower him, the Pharoah enslaves the Israelites and instructs that all the newborn boys be killed. Moses is born during this time, and in an effort to preserve his life, his mother sets him alongside the Nile River in a basket. It is the Pharoah's daughter who ends up saving Moses, and he goes on to live a life of royalty.
One day, as an older man, Moses encounters an Egyptian brutally whipping a Hebrew slave. He cannot handle the sight of it, so Moses kills the Egyptian. Terrified that Pharoah will kill him, Moses takes off into the desert, where he encounters a tribe of nomads and becomes a shepherd.
While tending to his sheep, Moses stumbles upon a burning bush -- a bush that is God in disguise. God reveals Himself to Moses, tells him that He has heard the cries of the Israelites, and that He is going to send Moses to save them from Egypt.
"'Who gave man his mouth? ... Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and teach you what to say.'" (Exodus 4:11-12)
(Source: https://healingrooms.info/3-important-faith-lessons-from-moses-and-the-burning-bush)
Afraid and unconfident, Moses returns to Egypt with nothing but his faith. He approaches the Pharoah, stating, "'Let my people go, so they may hold a festival to (God) in the desert.'" (Exodus 5:1).
Of course, by this point, you probably know how the story goes: Moses asks, Pharoah refuses, and God answers with a plague! 😬
The plagues are as follows: water to blood, frogs, gnats, flies, death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, and darkness. By the time the tenth and final plague has arrived -- the death of every firstborn son -- the Pharoah finally concedes and lets the Israelites go.
However, it doesn't take long for the Pharoah to change his mind! He chases Moses and the Israelites through the desert, and Moses parts the Red Sea in order to escape. God then sends the waters crashing down onto Pharoah and his chariots, wiping them out and proclaiming His victory over the Egyptians.
(Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/exodus-story-lesson-change-management-adrian-phang)
Through their journey in the desert, God is with Moses and the Israelites. "By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pilar of cloud to guide them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light" (Exodus 13:21). He delivers them manna and quail, and derives water from solid rock. He protects them from opposing enemies!
When they arrive at Mount Sinai, it is here that God gifts the Israelites with the Ten Commandments. This becomes one of the most pivotal moments in the entire Bible, for whereas previously God only shared one covenant with one person (Abraham), this is the covenant between ALL of His people. The Ten Commandments gave not only the Hebrews, but EVERYONE the opportunity to have a relationship with God.
(Source: https://bibleencyclopedia.com/pictures/Exodus_21_Ten_Commandments_given_on_Mount_Sinai.htm)
During Moses' time up on Mount Sinai, the Israelites make a golden calf to worship and attribute their freedom to this calf. Moses asks God not to be angry, but by the time he descends and witnesses what is happening, even HE cannot contain his emotion! Moses and the faithful Israelites wipe out the sinful ones, and destroy the false god.
Now, the Book of Exodus has many contradictory points, of which I will do my best to answer...
Firstly, why did God harden Pharoah's heart so that he would not free the Hebrews? Why did God allow the Israelites suffering to linger?
I think the easiest way to interpret it, is competition. God was not a well-known "concept" back then, and the Egyptians already had their share of gods who they attributed certain feats and miracles to. If God was going to get through to such stubborn people and convince them of His almighty power, it would be through fear and awe.
"'... so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. ... But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you My power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.'" (Exodus 9:14-16)
"'And I will harden Pharoah's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for Myself through Pharoah and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.'" (Exodus 14:4)
Or, perhaps a BETTER question: why did God rescue the Israelites "just to kill them" in the desert? Well, for being ungrateful and refusing to serve the One who saved them!
While reading Exodus, I could actually greatly sympathize with God. Not once, not twice -- but SIX TIMES God saves the Israelites! And every time, there is nothing but complaints! 🤬😡 Every time they grumble against God and refuse to heed His instructions. The patience of God is not exaggerated in the slightest! 🤦♀️😩
"'What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? ... It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!'" (Exodus 14:11-12)
By the time the Israelites have made a false god to worship, both God AND Moses recognize that fear is the only solution: to show the Israelites that should they sin, they are not exempt from God's wrath. Similar to parents chastising their child to keep them safe, one must set them on the right path. After all, the definition of insanity is allowing the same error to occur without correction...
(Source: https://www.britannica.com/topic/golden-calf)