At first glance, one might wonder why Goldingay would choose to cover to massive books of the Old Testament in one small volume. But the answer is more obvious than one might assume. Combining the two books allows Goldingay to focus on the entire story of Israel at Sinai, while also incorporating the cataclysmic events that allowed Israel to arrive at the peninsula.
In short, it allows Goldingay to trace and tell the story of Israel from Genesis to Kings coherently. In this third volume of the Old Testament for Everyone Series, Exodus and Leviticus Goldingay builds on the story of Israel as it began volumes 1 & 2 on Genesis.
As noted above the focus in this volume is on Israel at Sinai, how they arrived there (Ex. 1-18), and the institution of the covenant as they dwelled in the Sinai wilderness. (Ex. 19-40, Leviticus).
Reader's should keep in mind that Goldingay's intention is to avoid unnecessary scholarly jargon and debate, and to focus on the meaning of Exodus and Leviticus. His writing is accessible and lucid, and his work here will greatly benefit everyone's knowledge of the biblical text (yes, even scholars).
Following on the heels of the successful New Testament for Everyone commentaries by N. T. Wright, John Goldingay, an internationally respected Old Testament scholar, authors this ambitious Old Testament for Everyone series. Covering Scripture from Genesis to Malachi, Goldingay addresses the texts in such a way that even the most challenging passages are explained simply. Perfect for daily devotions, Sunday school preparation, or brief visits with the Bible, the Old Testament for Everyone series is an excellent resource for the modern reader. This third volume in Goldingay's series presents a rich overview of the action-packed book of Exodus and is an excellent guide to Jewish law as presented in the book of Leviticus.