CC WESTGROVE S WOMENS MINISTRY - 2013/2014 EXODUS The New American Standard Bible (NASB) has been used to prepare this Study. When a question instructs you to use your study tools/helps, this means to use your personal concordance, dictionary or other resource. Introduction & Chapter 1 The book of Exodus gives us an account of the birth of Israel as a Nation. Under the protection of Egypt, a family of 70 rapidly multiplies reaching a population numbering between two and three million people, instilling fear into the heart of the new Pharaoh who had just risen to power. The word Exodus is translated exit, departure, or going out. At the appointed time, God would remove His beloved Israel from the cruel and oppressive grasp of the Egyptians. After many years of bitter cries for deliverance, He leads His people out of bondage under the direction and leadership of their long awaited deliverer, Moses. Many scholars believe that Moses is indeed the author of the book of Exodus. Because of its amazing story lines and awesome miracles, Exodus has been the source of many movies, books, documentaries, etc. As we journey along with the children of Israel by studying this book, I pray that God will encourage and strengthen you in your relationship with Him. Looking Ahead: Chapter one picks up where Genesis leaves off. Joseph, all his brothers, and all that generation have passed, so what comes next? We will soon discover that a new king has risen to power in Egypt a king that did not know Joseph. Remember how God sweetly brought the children of Israel to Egypt to protect them and to provide for them in a time of severe famine? Once they arrived in Egypt, they were treated well, for Joseph s sake, and even given the very best of the land. Things are about to change significantly for the Israelites. They will no longer be favored by Pharaoh, but cruelly oppressed and afflicted. What caused Pharaoh to treat them in this way? To what extent is he willing to go to not only afflict them, but destroy them as well? Once again, The LORD is in the midst of His people. Any of Pharaoh s attempts to thwart the plan of Almighty God cannot and will not succeed. Let s get started This week s Memory verse is Psalm 145:18. Begin memorizing the verse(s) today. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you memorize this passage and for opportunities to apply it The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18 Write out Psalm 145:18 Write this verse(s) on your index cards keep one with you & post the other in a prominent place. 1
DAY ONE Before jumping in, let s discover a few interesting facts about the Book of Exodus. Open in prayer. 1. Exodus theme is one of redemption. Define REDEMPTION A. In your own words, share what redemption means to you: 1. According to 1Corinthians 1:30, our redemption is found where? 2. There are two key verses in the book of Exodus. Record what these verses say. ** Exodus 6:6 - Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, _. ** Exodus 19:5-6 Now then,. A. The key chapters in the book of Exodus are 12-14. The climax of the entire Old Testament is recorded in these chapters: the salvation of Israel through blood (the Passover) and through power (the Red Sea). As New Testament believers, how can we celebrate what Jesus, our Passover Lamb did for us? (1Corinthians 5:7-8) The day before Passover was called the Day of Preparation, in which the Jews would rid their homes of every trace of leaven in preparation for the Passover and the six-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. Paul draws on this well-known understanding as a call for recommitment to holiness and purity on the part of the Corinthian body. The picture for us is that we have left Egypt- the world- through the blood of our Passover Lamb shed for us on the Cross. Therefore, let us continue on from that point without leaven-without the secret sins that puff up and spread through our fellowship so easily. Jon Courson Let s practice our memory verse: The is to who, to who call upon Him in. : DAY TWO Looking back to Genesis - Open in prayer. Instead of jumping right into Exodus 1, let s do a brief review of some of the relevant facts from Genesis. Whether you have studied Genesis or not, this review will better prepare you for the blessings ahead! 1. Read Genesis 12:1-3. ** Who is God speaking to? ** Where was he to go from and to? ** What would be the result of Abram s obedience? (v.2) ** Write out v.3c:. A. Abram, later named Abraham, had a son. ** What was his name? (Genesis 21:1-3) ** What was Abraham s wife s name? 1. According to Hebrews 11:11-12, what was so miraculous about Isaac s birth? 2
2. Isaac, with his wife Rebekah, had two sons. What were their names? (Genesis 25:21-26) A. Which of these sons received the same promise that God had given to Abraham and Isaac? (Genesis 35:9-12) Challenge: For more insight as to why this promise was given to one brother and not the other, go back and read Genesis 27. Briefly share this story with the other ladies. 3. God later changed Jacob s name from heel-catcher or suplanter to Israel. Jacob had 12 sons, but only one of them would receive the birthright. ** On which of his sons did he pronounce the blessing of the birthright? (Genesis 49:26) **What part did the brothers play in Joseph ending up in Egypt? (Genesis 37:23-28) Note: Joseph received the blessing of the birthright, but the promise of the Messiah came through Judah. A. What circumstances did God use later to move Jacob and his other sons to Egypt? (Genesis 41:57) 1). What promise did God make to Jacob (Israel) just prior to this move? (Genesis 46:2-3) Time to practice Psalm 145:18 DAY THREE Pray then read Exodus 1:1-7 1. List the names of the sons that came to Egypt with Jacob. A. Including their households, how many were there? (v.5) 1. We are told in v.6 that Joseph, his brothers, and all of that generation died. According to Genesis 50:26, what additional information are we given about Joseph s death? a. What specific requests did Jacob make about his death in Genesis 47:29-30? Explain. So we can see how the first part of chapter one of Exodus is really just the continuation of the book of Genesis, again, written by Moses. It is interesting that the five books of Moses comprise almost one seventh of the entire Bible, that they comprise almost as much as two-thirds of the New Testament. Now if God devotes one seventh of the book to one particular period of History and study, it evidently is basic and foundational and God wants us to really know it and understand it. Pastor Chuck Smith 2. During their stay in Egypt, the children of Israel experienced a population explosion! According to v.7, describe this growth. A. God had promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that His children would become a mighty nation. To what does He compare their great numbers? Mix and Match 1) Genesis 15:5 as the sand of the sea 2) Genesis 22:17 as the dust of the earth 3) Genesis 28:14 as the stars in the heavens 4) Genesis 32:12 as the stars of the heavens and sand of the seashore 3
Without peeking, write out Psalm 145:18 speaking it out loud as you write: Ask someone if you may share Psalm 145:18 with them. If you did share with your group DAY FOUR Pray then read Exodus 1:8-14 14 1. Egypt had once been a place of refuge for the children of Israel, but things were about to change. Describe the event that marked the beginning of this change? (v.8) A. According to Genesis 47:11, how had Joseph s family been treated by the Pharaoh when they first arrived in Egypt? 2. What was the king s fear? (v.9-10) A. Fear is triggered by many things. What does 1 John 4:18 teach us about fear? 1. How would you explain this verse to a friend who is being tempted to become fearful? There is no fear in love: The completeness of love means we do not cower in fear before God, dreading His judgment, either now or in the day of judgment. We know all judgment we ever deserved- past, present, and future- was poured out on Jesus Christ on the cross. David Guzik a. According to the following references, Who (and why?) are we to fear? Psalm 33:8 Psalm 111:10a Proverbs 23:17-18 Matthew 10:28 Which of the above ministers to you the most and why? 3. Because Pharaoh greatly feared the Israelites, what attempt did he make to control them? (v.11) A. According to v.12, were his plans successful? Explain. Define DREAD 1. When God has a plan, nobody, not even Pharaoh, can keep it from coming to pass. How does Isaiah 14:24 confirm this? Can you recall a specific time in your life when God brought about His perfect plan for you even in the midst of heavy opposition? If you can, briefly encourage the other ladies with your story 4. According to v.13-14, what word(s) are used to describe the severity of the labor that the Egyptians inflicted upon the Israelites? A. What does Deuteronomy 4:20 liken their affliction to? 4
Time to practice Psalm 145:18 DAY FIVE Pray then read Exodus 1:15-22 1. The king s attempt to thwart the Israelites growth takes on another dimension. ** To whom did he make his request? (v.15a) ** Which two women are specifically mentioned? (v.15b) & ** What were they instructed to do? (v.16) 2. Again, Pharaoh s plans were unsuccessful! Why not? (v.17) A. What excuse did the midwives give for NOT killing the baby boys? (v.19) 1. What was the result of the midwives fearing God? (v.20-21) 2. What are some of the benefits for those that fear (reverence) the LORD rather than man? Psalm 31:19 Psalm 33:18-19 Psalm 85:9 Psalm 112:7 Proverbs 10:27 Proverbs 14:26-27 Revelation 11:18 3. It s important to notice that God not only blessed the midwives for their godly fear, but He also protected them from any wrath or anger Pharaoh could have inflicted in them for their disobedience to him. Read and meditate on Isaiah 41:10-13. Write out Isaiah 41:13 inserting your name where it fits!! 4. Pharaoh isn t easily discouraged. In v.22, he gives a command. *To whom does he give this command? Define:COMMAND *What is this command? A. Oh No! Should we be worried about Pharaoh s new plan? How does the Lord respond to these types of situations? (Psalm 37:12-13) Perfect segue to practice & write out your memory verse: Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:30 5
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