Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Exodus 32:11 PREVIOUS Message Summary: In Exodus 30-31, instructions for additional furnishing, oils, and incense were given to Moses, two men were identified as Spirit-filled artisans, and we read an important reminder about rest. For a detailed outline and the free media files from Exodus 30-31, please visit the expound archives: http:// cabq.us/a PRAY Father, please show me the importance of intercessory prayer as I learn from Moses example in Exodus 32-33. In Jesus name, amen. Journal your prayer here: PREVIEW PREVIEW: In Exodus 32-33, Moses became the mediator and intercessor who turned God s wrath away from consuming His children. 1
PREPARE The Gold Calf - Read Exodus 32:1-35 The children of Israel saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain (v. 1). How long had Moses been on the mountain? (See Exodus 24:18 and Deuteronomy 9:9 12.) What did the people ask Aaron to do? Why is this wrong? (See Exodus 20:2-4.) What did Aaron collect from the people (vv. 2-3)? What did he do with what he collected (v. 4)? What did the people proclaim (v. 4)? JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP! study ahead & come prepared discuss the text ask & answer questions free coffee WEDNESDAYS 5:30pm in the HUB What did Aaron build and what did he proclaim (vv. 5-6)? In verse 6, the people rose up to play. What do you think that means? 2
Whom did the Lord say was responsible for bringing the children of Israel out of Egypt (v. 7)? What words did God use to describe the people (v. 9)? What do these words imply? What did God want to do to the people (v. 10)? What did God want to do with Moses (v. 10)? What word describes what Moses did with the Lord (v. 11)? PRODUCE Explain why the production of and revelry toward the gold calf was such an offense to God. PROCEED Share with the group what the children of Israel were doing when God told Moses, Go, get down! (Exodus 32:7). 3
What did Moses ask God to recall (v. 13)? (See also Genesis 22:16 18.) How did God respond when Moses pleaded with Him (v. 14)? What Moses did for the people was intercession. Why is it important and how can it become part of our prayer life? (See 1 Timothy 2:1-4 and 1 John 5:16.) What did Moses do with the gold calf (vv. 19-20)? (See also Deuteronomy 9:21.) Moses confronted Aaron about the gold calf (v. 21). How did Aaron say the calf came about (v. 24)? Where did the calf actually come from (v. 4)? PRACTICE Moses intercession was honest, selfless, biblical prayer that moved the hand of God. How can you put this type of prayer into practice in your life? PROCLAIM How were the actions of Levi s sons (Exodus 32:17) like what we need to do with evil in our lives? (See 1 Corinthians 5:13, Colossians 3:8, Ephesians 4:31, 5:11, and 1 Peter 2:1.) 4
When Moses saw that the people were unrestrained, what did he declare (vv. 25-28)? How many of the children of Israel died on the day the Law came down from the mountain (v. 28)? How many people were saved when the Spirit of God was given on the Day of Pentecost? Read Acts 2; specifically verse 41. Why is this significant? (See John 1:17, 2 Corinthians 3:6, Romans 3:20, Galatians 3:10, and John 6:65.) What did Moses pray for the people (v. 31-32)? Who prayed a similar prayer in the New Testament? (See Romans 9:1-5.) PROTECT Meditate upon why God s presence was critical to Moses when he was commanded to bring this people up. Why is God s presence so important to you? (See John 15:5.) PROMOTE God told Moses, For you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name (Exodus 33:17). Share with the group how that is true of you. (See John 10:3, 20:16.) 5
What book was God likely referring to (v. 33)? (See also Exodus 17:14, Deuteronomy 29:20, Revelation 3:5, 20:15, and 21:22-27.) What did the Lord do to the people because of the gold calf (vv. 34-35)? (See also Deuteronomy 32:35 and Romans 2:5-6.) The Command to Leave Sinai - Read Exodus 33:1-6 The Lord instructed Moses to depart with the people and reminded him of His covenant (v. 1). God also promised to drive out their enemies from before them (v. 2). What bad news did God convey to Moses (v. 3)? What did the people do in response to the bad news (v. 4)? PROCESS Take time to review the lessons you ve discovered from the revelry surrounding the gold calf and the importance of intercessory prayer. Write what you ve learned: 6
What were God s thoughts toward the people at this time (v. 5)? Moses Meets with the Lord - Read Exodus 33:7-11 Moses met with God far outside the camp (v. 7), in the tent of meeting. What did the people do when Moses met with God (vv. 8-10)? What words describe the meeting between God and Moses (v. 11)? The Promise of God s Presence - Read Exodus 33:12-23 What were the four elements in Moses prayer to God (v. 13)? Moses intercession caused God to reverse the previous bad news. What additional promise does God make (v. 14)? (See also Deuteronomy 12:10, 25:19, and Joshua 21:44, 22:4.) Moses second request was for confirmation that the Lord would indeed go with His people (vv. 15-17). Why did Moses ask for this confirmation (vv. 15-16)? (See also Exodus 34:10 and Deuteronomy 4:7, 34.) What was Moses third request (v. 18)? What did God show Moses (vv. 19, 23)? Don t forget to invite someone to attend midweek service with you on Wednesday night! 7
NOTES Use this page to take additional notes during the week and/or during the service. PRAY Father, thank You for Moses example of intercessory prayer for God s people. Please teach me to do likewise. In Jesus name, amen. Journal your prayer here: 8