Exodus 1:1 - 9:35
Exodus Background
Ø The book was written by Moses around 1446 B.C. probably during the 40 year wanderings
of the Israelites in the desert.
Ø The themes:
ü The birth of a nation.
ü God's miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.
ü God's covenant relationship to Israel.
ü The Ten Commandments
Ø A Summary of Exodus: "After coming to Egypt to escape the famine in Canaan (Gen. 46), the Israelites endured 400 years of bitter servitude (1:1–14). God had told Abram this would happen (Gen. 15:13–21) but that after the 400 years Israel would return to Canaan as his instrument of judgment against the Canaanites ("Amorites," Gen. 15:16). Exodus records the story of how God supernaturally freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, formed them into a nation governed by his law, and began leading them back to their homeland in Canaan."[1]
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1:1-22: Israel Oppressed
Ø Why did Israel and his sons go to Egypt in the first place?
Ø Did God bless the Israelites after that move?
Ø What is a frequent response of the world to God's people when He blesses them?
Ø Does worldly persecution thwart God's plans and blessings?
Ø Do we have to stay a slave to the world or worldly habits?
2:1-25: The Birth and Early Years of Moses
Ø What does the preservation of infant Moses teach us about the protection and providence of God?
Ø Do you see any similarities between the birth of Moses and the birth of Christ? Is Moses a type of Christ? How?
Ø How did God use the years that Moses life?
Ø What usually has to happen to a child of God before God can use him?
3:1-4:17: God Calls Moses into Full Time Service
Ø Is the method God used to call Moses into His service normative?
Ø How can we know if God is calling us into His service?
Ø Notice Moses' response to God's call and God's response back to Moses (3:11-12). What does this tell us about Moses and about God?
Ø Did all the miraculous signs that God showed Moses convince Moses to take on this ministry? Why not?
Ø Were their later consequences for Israel because of Moses disobedience and the insertion of Aaron?
Ø How does the interaction between God and Moses apply to us when we are called into ministry?
4:18-31: Moses Prepared for Ministry
Ø How do you explain the statement from God: "I will harden his heart"?
Ø What is the significance of verses 24-26 where the text says that "the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him?
Ø Is God concerned about the details of our obedience toward Him and His commands?
Ø If we neglect to live out, teach, and walk our faith before our families will that hinder how we teach, live out, and walk our faith in our other ministries?
5:1-21: God Prepares His People
Ø Why did God make the situation worse for the Israelites?
Ø How did the people respond to Moses and Aaron after their situation worsened?
Ø Does God still use that method in dealing with us?
Ø How do we respond when things get more difficult for us?
5:22-6:27: God Promises Deliverance
Ø Since he first questioned God's call in his life, Moses continued questioning or complaining to God either about His leading or about the fact that the people God wanted Moses to lead were obstinate.
Ø Is it wrong to question God? How does God usually handle our objections?
Ø God views our situation and circumstances from a perspective that we cannot fathom. Why is it so difficult for us to believe that He is in control and wants the best for each of us?
6:28-7:7: Moses and Aaron Sent to Pharaoh
Ø What is the significance of the Lord saying to Moses: "I have made you like God to Pharaoh"?
Ø Again we see God saying that He will harden Pharaoh's heart. What does this mean?
Ø What happened when Pharaoh's heart was hardened toward God?
Ø Application for us?
7:8- 9:35: Let the Contest Begin
Ø We now witness the war between God Almighty and Pharaoh god of the Egyptians.
Ø How were the sorcerers able to replicate the miracles of God?
Ø Plague #1 – turning the Nile into blood. How did the Egyptians view the Nile? What was God demonstrating to Pharaoh and the Egyptians??
Ø Plague #2 – Frogs over the entire country. What did frogs represent to the Egyptians? What was God demonstrating with this plague?
Ø After this plague the sorcerers could no longer duplicate the powers of God.
Ø Plague #3 – Swarms of gnats. This plague came without warning. Why?
Ø Plague #4 – Swarms of flies. None of the plagues affected the Israelites, just the Egyptians. Application?
Ø Plagues #5, #6, and #7 – Death of livestock; boils; and hail. These plagues affected the economy of Egypt. Application?
[1]Willmington, H. L. (1997). Willmington's Bible handbook (43). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
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