INTRODUCTION This week we will consider God s powerful deliverance of the Hebrew people from Egyptian slavery. The Exodus is the greatest example of God s deliverance until we see Jesus redemptive work. Genesis concludes with a family moving to Egypt. When the book of Exodus opens, hundreds of years have passed and the family has grown into a multitude of people. God s compassion and power are on display as He steps into the midst of history to watch over 54 DAY 4 THE WHITEBOARD BIBLE THE EXODUS His purposes. God still watches over our lives; the lessons of Exodus are relevant for us.
56 OUTLINE OF THE LESSON Use the outline below to follow along during the video. I. Deliverance Exodus 3:6-8 6 Then he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The Lord said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. A. Wilderness Exodus 13:17-18, 21-22 17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.... 21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. C. Manna Exodus 16:2-5 2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, If only we had died by the Lord s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death. 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. 5 On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days. D. Grumbling E. Ten Commandments F. The Tabernacle G. Refusal to Trust B. Marah Exodus 15:23-24 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter... 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, What are we to drink?
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DISCUSSION Using the questions that follow, we will review and expand on the teaching we just experienced. APPLICATION Now it s time to make some personal applications of all we ve been thinking about in the last few minutes. 60 1 Name 2 Exodus a favorite scene from the movie The Ten Commandments. Does the movie make the biblical narrative more believable or more like a fantasy? is the account of the Israelites leaving where? Who was the leader that God provided as a catalyst for the events of Exodus? Being Set Free: The Components God revealed as Deliverer Moses, a reluctant leader Pharaoh, a stubborn antagonist Plagues, God s power on display Freedom, a new beginning for God s people READ ALOUD For forty years Moses had been living in the desert because of a moment of rage. Then he had an encounter at the burning bush, and God handed him an assignment. God is in the business of restoring people. Almost every character we look at in Scripture has a season when God lifts them above their own failures. God is a redeeming God. 3 List a few of the ways God involved Himself in the lives of the Israelites. Do you imagine God is still involved in the direction of people and nations? How? 5 Read Exodus 3:7-10. a. God said He had seen, heard, and was concerned about His people. What was God concerned about? b. God s response to His people involves two things: 1) to rescue them and 2). 4 In Exodus God is a deliverer, provider, and protector. From your life experience describe events when God has delivered, provided, and protected. READ ALOUD Before God recruited Moses to confront Pharaoh, Moses had murdered an Egyptian and was forced to flee into the desert. God uses flawed people there are no other kind. God s power transforms our flaws and failures into useful parts of our character. 6 Read Exodus 2:11-12. Can you recognize one of your flaws or failures that God has transformed into a strength?
Lessons in Freedom: Freedom Challenges: The Components Better to be God s people Free but still dependent upon God God s love expressed in boundaries Delivered for a specific destination The Components Bitter places Wrong responses Expressions of grace 62 7 As the Israelites moved away from the Red Sea, they were free and Egypt was in total disarray. It is better to be God s people. From your experience describe benefits and challenges of being God s people. 12 God led the Israelites to a place where the water was bitter; He had a plan. Take a step of faith and thank God for the bitter places you have walked through. 8 The 9 Freedom Israelites were free of Egypt but still needed God s help for daily provision. Why do circumstances that require dependence on God often feel so unpleasant? is not independence from God, it is a confident assurance God is present for whatever challenges occur. Where would you like to experience greater freedom? 13 Grumbling is normal but not helpful. Grumbling is about our heart more than our circumstances. Thankfulness is the antidote for grumbling. Ingratitude is the catalyst for complaining. Take a moment and list four or five things for which you can express gratitude. Think about ways to maintain a thankful/appreciative attitude this week. 10 God provided guidance for the Israelites in the form of rules and regulations life s warning labels. God s love would not be complete if He did not warn us about destructive outcomes. Is accepting boundaries easy or difficult for you? Describe a circumstance when you benefitted from a rule or boundary. READ ALOUD Exodus is an account of a journey. You are living out a God-journey. The names are changed, but many of the components are similar: dreams, failures, antagonists, fear, God s involvement, confusion, and the challenges of learning. God has a plan for your good! 11 God sets us free for a purpose, and without His direction we will enslave ourselves again. Describe ways you are learning to cooperate with God s purposes. Can you identify freedoms associated with your obedience?
PRAYER Close the session in prayer. Use the notes page to collect the verses that stood out to you today and to journal your daily prayer requests. 64 Heavenly Father, thank you for caring for me. I know your grace and mercy surround me. Today I turn my face to you asking for your help. May your power bring freedom and deliverance to my life. I choose to cooperate with you, to yield to your instruction. Forgive my grumbling. May a spirit of thanksgiving grow within me. May my life be pleasing in your sight. Grant me a spirit of contentment as I follow your path. In Jesus name, amen. Prayer requests:
GOING DEEPER This section is designed for further study if you choose to spend more time today. Read Exodus 20:1-17. List the Ten Commandments. How many of them are prohibitive? 66 How many of them are directive? Which commandments come with a promise? The Ten Commandments were a part of God s provision for His people. Why do you suppose there is so much controversy surrounding these principles for life? Do these commandments seem like they would help or hinder contemporary society?
FURTHER REFLECTIONS These are key Bible verses and reflection questions that will help you think about and apply the insights from today s session. 68 Deuteronomy 6:4-6 Doorframes 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. How are we to love the Lord? Exodus 15:2 Strength The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father s God, and I will exalt him. We gain strength when we exalt God. What things can you praise Him for today? Exodus 3:6-8 When God Moves 7 The Lord said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Exodus 9:16 God s Purpose But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. This cannot have been good news that Moses delivered to Pharaoh. What two purposes are behind all God does? In what ways is God still accomplishing these purposes in your life? Exodus 13:21-22 God s Way 21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. How did the Lord lead them? How is He leading you? DAILY MEMORY VERSE The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father s God, and I will exalt him. Over what matters in your life would you say you have really cried out to God? What has been the result of seeking and waiting for His answers? Exodus 15:2