Exodus the Study of Deliverance
Unit 1: Getting Ready. Why is Israel’s exodus from Egypt so important? The rest of the Bible answers that question, but there are three reasons we can cite. First, the exodus shows God’s redemptive activity on behalf of His people. God is not a “concept” or “theory” God, but one of action and deeds. Second, the story of the Exodus, shows God’s self-revelation in the lives of His people. God was with them on their journey. Third, the exodus becomes the common ground for a covenant relationship with all of Christianity that followed this event.
Lesson 1: Just When Things Were Going So . . . . . (Exodus 1:1-2:25)
Read 1:1-7
1. Who went to Egypt with his family? ____________________________________________________
2. What was Jacob’s relationship to Abraham? ______________________________________________
3. Why is Abraham significant in the story of the Exodus although he was not even there?
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4. What happened to the people of Joseph’s generation? (1:6) _________________________
5. How did the Hebrews get to Egypt in the first place? ________________________________
6. How is the Hebrew population growth described? __________________________________
Read 1:8-10
7. Who came to power in Egypt? _______________________________________________
8. What was the new pharaoh’s attitude toward the Hebrews? __________________________
9. How does the attitude of the pharaoh compare with some later rulers in history? Name some.
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10. Have you ever “stretched the envelope” of ethical and moral standards because of fear of losing what you have or the promise of getting more? _______________________________
Read 1:11-14
11. What was Pharaoh’s first strategy to limit the growth of the Hebrews? _______________
12. What measures did Pharaoh take to increase the work of his forced labor force?
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Read 1:15-22
13. What was the second strategy used by Pharaoh to oppress the Hebrews? _______________
14. How would this strategy, if successful, spell the end for the nation of Israel?
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15. Who were Shiphrah and Puah? ________________________________________________
16. What significance should be attached to their mention in this passage? ________________
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Read 2:1-10
17. What are two aspects to the preparation of Moses for his eventual destiny as the “deliverer” of the Children of Israel? ________________________ and ____________________________.
18. Which of the tribes of Israel did Moses come from? _____________________________.
19. How important is family heritage in our lives? __________________________________.
20. Moses’ mother defied civil law by not killing her baby. What impact should such teachings have on our attitudes toward civil obedience or disobedience? _________________________
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21. How did Moses’ mother’s employment as his nursemaid and nanny impact his cultural upbringing? _________________________________________________________________
22. How did Moses’ life in the royal household affect his upbringing? __________________
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23. How did his life as a Hebrew and life as a member of Pharaoh’s household affect his future duties in leading the Children of Israel on their journey? _______________________________
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Read 2:11-25
24. What was the underlying reason for Moses trouble and his flight from Egypt?
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25. After all this preparation did God make a mistake with Moses? ______________________
26. Was God concerned with the plight of the Hebrews? ______________________________
27. What are some of the words God used to express his concern? _______________________
God is always at work, he is calling individuals for mission and ministry and for each one he calls, he also prepares. Sometimes we are prepared by open doors of opportunity, sometimes we are prepared by closing of other doors. In all ways he is preparing us for his work.
We are faced with choices everyday to do God’s work. God called Moses in a unique way, yet Moses had to say yes. He had to make a choice to follow the call. The same is true for us today, God opens the doors but we have to move through them.