Exodus For You: Thrilling you with the liberating love of God

God's Word for You

by Tim Chester

Without Exodus, we have an impoverished understanding of the nature of God, the achievement of the cross, the triumph of the resurrection and the identity of God's people.

With his trademark Christ-centred clarity, Tim Chester walks readers through Exodus, making its great themes thrillingly clear to those new to the book, and unearthing wonderful new surprises for those familiar with it.

You can read through this book as a normal book… work through it as part of your daily Bible-reading routine using the questions for reflection at the end of each chapter… or use it to help you teach this book of the Bible, whether in small groups or from the pulpit.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Reference, Faith, Old Testament, Ebooks

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2016

About the author

Dr Tim Chester is involved in The Crowded House, a church planting initiative in Sheffield, UK. He was previously Research & Policy Director for Tearfund UK, and has been published widely on prayer, mission, social issues and theology. He is married to Helen and has two daughters.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a book smart layman, but not a educated theologian by any stretch of the imagination. I am not going to do a review, discussing the details of material presented in this book.

We were doing a small group study of Exodus and I purchase this guide to help with my understanding of Exodus. We were using a prepared study guide from this book. I will say, that this book was not easy to get through. I encountered materials that I disagree with and questioned and discussed with home group members. I am not terribly familiar with Tim Chester and this is the first book I read by him.

If you are studying Exodus, this book may help with some of the deeper details of the book of Exodus. I think the author was reaching in some of his conclusions, but there is other material for the discerning reader that will help with the deeper meanings and symbolism of Exodus.

[Alan Rennê · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente exposição do livro de Êxodo!

[Maggie Mince · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. Truly deepened my fascination for the Word and points to how Jesus is woven into every page of scripture. Blown away by the themes of creation and de-creation and re-creation represented in the garden and through the plagues & the intricate way the construction of the tabernacle so closely resembles Eden. It has made me more in awe of our God who is the author of this whole, grand story. I highly recommend this book as you study Exodus!!

[Peter Krol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chester has a good, clear writing style. But this commentary wasn't as close to the text of Exodus as I had hoped. It departs too often from analyzing the text to theologizing from it. Peter Enns's volume in the NIV Application Commentary is still the best I've read on Exodus.

[Taylor Bradbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75/5 stars

Overall good book. Chester’s insights on Exodus’ introduction, the burning bush narrative, and plagues are valuable. He takes a slightly sub reformed/presbyterian approach to the law/covenant (Ex. 20–24) that is too common amongst evangelicals today. But even here, Chester had some great insights. I simply think you can have the great insights he puts forth, while at the same time affirming a tripartite division of the law (which he denies), the distinctiveness of the 10 Commandments when compared to the rest of the law (he doesn’t acknowledge), and the perpetual nature of the moral law as summarized in the Decalogue (he, again, refutes). Chester writes, “the words of the law of Moses no longer apply to Christians.” The Westminster, Heidelberg, and Reformed Christians of old would like a word…

But overall, there is much to admire in the book. It’s readable, practical, and insightful. Chester provides a great introduction to Exodus.

[Chloe ET · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Such an encouraging way to consolidate/keep meditating on Exodus after a year of studying it in small groups. Chester is so deep in the text and so helpful at fitting it in the big Bible story as well very pastorally and practically applying it. Learnt so many cool new things I hadn’t noticed/heard about before.

[Jonathan Egger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Das Cover tut einfach weh und die Struktur ist etwas seltsam - aber die christologischen Linien und metaphorischen Auslegungen sind anders geil.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

You need to know that this is not a commentary - but not being a commentary has advantages! Sometimes commentaries (especially more technical ones), fail to see the wood from the trees, but Tim Chester does the complete opposite. He zooms out and considers Exodus in the light of the rest of scripture and how it applies to us today. I would suggest reading this alongside a commentary.

[Eli Montoya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro maravilloso que nos muestra desde el antiguo testamento el plan de redención por medio de Jesucristo. Excelente para trabajar en grupos pequeños de conexión o como apoyo para profundizar en el devocional. Gracias a Dios que tenemos escritores tan sabios que nos llevan a la verdad del evangelio por medio de esta literatura.

[Todd McGlinchey · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite commentaries in this series. So many parallels to the New Testament and Jesus found in the book of Exodus. I love it.

[Barbara Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book of Exodus has some of the most exciting and touching passages in the Bible, but also some chapters of details that aren’t quite so inspiring to read. Our ladies’ Bible study at church used Exodus for You: Thrilling You with the Liberating Love of God, where Tim Chester shares insights to better help us get the most from Exodus. I didn't agree with every little point, but I benefited from the book. I especially liked the symbolism drawn from the tabernacle details.

My full review is here: https://barbaraleeharper.com/2025/12/...

[Ryan Lian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devotional!

So readable, some great insights. I used this as a devotional and must say it worked quite well. He does have a bit of a weird structure to chapters 31-40 but I suppose he had his reasons.

[Michael Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most helpful commentaries/study guides I've read. I feel that I have a better grasp of the themes and lessons of Exodus as a result of using it.

[Lauren Fee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really helpful commentary that I cited often in my Exodus Bible lessons.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super helpful to read as I taught through the book of Exodus to 7th-12th grade students!

[Gareth Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful companion through Exodus and how that book points to Christ.

[Phil Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book on Exodus I have ever read. I was so encouraged, challenged and informed. Really easy to read. I totally recommend it!

[Zak Mellgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this as my companion while leading a small group study on Exodus and it served me well. Grateful for Tim Chester's balance - he is mostly accessible but is not afraid to stretch the reader a bit. The study questions were excellent primers for our conversations. This is the second book I've read in the "... For You" series and I think they are excellent small group aides.

That said, I do have a complaint against the book - its materials and its formatting. The cover, the paper, and the binding are...well, they're awful. Cheap materials, cheaply made. I almost never consider the physical quality of a book, but this one was so poorly put together it honestly distracted me throughout. Also, it seems The Good Book Company did not assign an editor to this project. It is filled to the brim with grammar and punctuation errors and missing/nonsense words that cannot be accounted for merely by the difference between British and American English. Again, distracting at multiple points.

In short, excellent content - poor packaging.

[Irina Storozuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

No estuvo mal pero esperaba algo más profundo, a modo de comentario bíblico. Me pareció más una guía devocional. Los capítulos en general se dividían en dos, una parte explicando el evento histórico y otra relacionándolo con Jesús. Eso me gustó porque ayuda a poner el éxodo de Israel en el contexto de la redención de la humanidad. También cada sección trae algunas preguntas para reflexionar.

Me costó que algunos capítulos abarquen muchos capítulos de Éxodo y otros menos. También sentí que en algunas cosas se exageró la relación de Éxodo con la re-creación. Es la primera vez que leo algo de teología sobre este libro asi que tendré que seguir meditando y estudiando si quizás la perspectiva del autor es la correcta.

Igualmente me pareció una lectura recomendable para acompañar el estudio de este libro de la Biblia.

[Ruth Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the "for you" series but the Exodus one has been such an encouraging and deep reading. Each day I read the Bible verses for one of the parts of each chapter, then I read that part and reflected on the questions as my personal time with God. I have really enjoyed this series as a way of guiding my devotionals. I always feel that I learn something deep and practical at the same time. Exodus for you is no exception and Tim Chester does an incredible job explaining the text and helping understand how Exodus points to God's full picture of salvation. I want to read it again because it was so good and deep I feel there are things I've missed out.

[Justin Orman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a traditional commentary, but a fantastic study of a book of the Bible too often overlooked as merely a history/law book. I read Chester's study concurrently with another, similar commentary on Exodus, but preferred this one a bit.

While I lean more dispensational, I felt that most of what Chester taught is not inconsistent with loose dispensationalism.

This is a great book for anyone wanting to see how the Old Testament looks forward to and anticipates Christ and his church, and forms a united message from Genesis to Revelation.

[Gaines Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exodus is a book of the Bible with some standout stories of the Lord’s faithfulness to his people, but also “boring” genealogies and lengthy, repetitive instructions on how to build a tabernacle. Yet, Tim Chester found a way to point out Jesus in every detail of Exodus and I could not recommend this book enough!! I will forever read Exodus and many other books of the Bible in a new light after reading Exodus For You.

[James Lockwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this popular-level commentary on Exodus. It's a fascinating book and one I hope to study in more depth, but as a readable and accessible guide with the aim of not just knowledge gain but application it ticks all of the boxes. There's many more in-depth studies on the themes in Exodus and the book as a whole but in terms of achieving the aims of the "For You" series I think Chester nails it and so 5/5.

[Jeremiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, this is not a commentary. That being said this a great book to walk beside you as you go through the book of Exodus. The thing I have enjoyed about this series of books is they ask better questions than most bible study books ask and if you consider them and answer them thoughtfully you will grow spiritually.

[Chylton · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book and using it along side my Exodus reading as a devotional, I learned so much. I now see that the book of Exodus in a different light. Tim does a wonderful job not only explaining things in great detail, but also does it in an interesting and captivating way. I love the "For You" series of books. This one does not disappoint.

[Jon Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for anyone wanting to undestand Exodus better and prepared to change.

This book is both eye opening and thought provoking. It will help you appreciate the book of Exodus more deeply and how it points to God's salvation in Jesus. It will also challenge your thinking and behaviour.

[Dana Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edifying

Extremely helpful are the number of explanations showing the unity of the Bible in the parallels between God's presence in the Garden of Eden God's presence in the Tabernacle and all the way through to the renewed creation in the Book of Revelation where we once again will be enjoying a fully restored relationship with God

[Suzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series I find really helpful for the questions at the end of each section. They really prompt me to go deeper with God and think through what I have read. The guides themselves are helpful and thought provoking although I always use them alongside something weightier. However, I love the questions and prompts and this one on Exodus is brilliant for that

[Petra Stoneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful, easy-to-read companion to the incredible book of Exodus. I'm thankful for all the wisdom and insight Tim Chester shares in Exodus for You, and for all the reflection questions placed after each section to help you go even deeper on a personal level.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource- I used this while leading a Bible study, but so enjoyed it for my own study and growth. Meaty while remaining very readable, relatable and applicable while being very focused on understanding Scripture.