Exodus naturally divides into three major sections, each tied to a specific location and theme:

1. Israel in Egypt: From Slavery to Deliverance (1:1-12:36)

Israel's Oppression (1:1-22)
- Population growth fulfills God's promise to Abraham
- Egyptian enslavement and attempted genocide
Moses' Preparation (2:1-4:31)
- Birth, rescue, and Egyptian upbringing (2:1-10)
- Flight to Midian and forty years as a shepherd (2:11-25)
- Burning bush encounter and divine commission (3:1-4:17)
- Return to Egypt with Aaron (4:18-31)
Confrontation with Pharaoh (5:1-11:10)
- Initial demand and increased oppression (5:1-23)
- God's reassurance and renewed commission (6:1-30)
- The ten plagues demonstrating God's power (7:1-11:10)
The Passover and Exodus (12:1-12:36)
- Passover institution and the tenth plague (12:1-30)
- Israel's hasty departure (12:31-36)

2. Journey to Sinai: From Egypt to the Mountain of God (12:37-18:27)

Departure and Red Sea Crossing (12:37-15:21)
- Journey to the sea (12:37-14:4)
- Pharaoh's pursuit and the miraculous crossing (14:5-31)
- Moses and Miriam's victory songs (15:1-21)
Wilderness Challenges (15:22-17:16)
- Water at Marah and Elim (15:22-27)
- Provision of manna and quail (16:1-36)
- Water from the rock at Rephidim (17:1-7)
- Victory over the Amalekites (17:8-16)
Jethro's Visit and Administrative Reforms (18:1-27)
- Reunion with Moses' family (18:1-12)
- Establishment of Israel's first judicial system (18:13-27)

3. Israel at Sinai: Covenant, Law, and Tabernacle (19:1-40:38)

Covenant Establishment (19:1-24:18)
- Preparations for God's appearance (19:1-25)
- The Ten Commandments (20:1-21)
- The Book of the Covenant (20:22-23:33)
- Covenant confirmation ceremony (24:1-18)
Tabernacle Instructions (25:1-31:18)
- Collection of materials (25:1-9)
- Furniture specifications (25:10-30:38)
- Craftsmen appointed and Sabbath reminder (31:1-18)
Covenant Broken and Renewed (32:1-34:35)
- Golden calf idolatry (32:1-35)
- Moses' intercession and God's revelation (33:1-23)
- Covenant renewal and tablets replaced (34:1-35)
Tabernacle Construction and Completion (35:1-40:38)
- Materials gathered and work begins (35:1-36:7)
- Construction details (36:8-39:43)
- Assembly, consecration, and God's glory (40:1-38)

This structure mirrors Israel's spiritual journey—from physical slavery to covenant relationship and the establishment of worship. The narrative tension builds from oppression to deliverance, then reaches its climax not at the Red Sea crossing but at the tabernacle completion when God's glory descends to dwell among His people.

Commentaries

John Gill

On Exodus 16:8

Matthew Henry

On Exodus 16:1–12