Week 7 | Exodus 8-17

The book of Exodus displays the wondrous nature of our redeeming and delivering God. In Exodus, “we meet the real God. This God is almighty. He rules over creation. He alone is sovereign. He is a jealous God. He will not share His glory with another. He will punish people according to their sins. He is merciful. He will save all who cry out to Him in humility and genuine repentance.” (Christ-Centered Exposition of Exodus)

Key Themes

• The plagues are incredibly visual and they display the real power of God--He has authority over all creation and He is able to defeat every god of the Egyptians. Even as Pharaoh continues to flex his power by not letting the Israelites go out to worship God, we witness the LORD answer with demonstrations of His true and utter authority over all.
  • Considering the oppression they have lived under and the trek ahead of them, what do you think the plagues revealed to the Israelite people about who God is?
  • We often think of the plagues as God’s judgement on the Egyptians. But how do they also reveal his mercy? What does the text say or reveal about the purpose of the plagues?
• The Passover is an incredible act of deliverance and the whole Bible testifies that this moment foreshadows what God will do for us through Christ. In this greatest and final plague, the death of the firstborn is avoided only through the sacrifice of the passover Lamb.
  • The Passover is not only an event, but a memorial feast God calls the Israelite people to observe and remember this “throughout your generations as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.” (Exodus 12:14) 
  • What are the Israelites celebrating and “remembering”?
  • The Israelites are passed over because of the blood of the lamb. Believing God’s Word, they cover their doors with the blood of the sacrifice and they are passed over in the judgement. Notice this: the Israelites are not passed over because of their righteousness--they are covered by the blood.
  • How do we as Christians celebrate this reality in our lives?
• What was the outcome of the Red Sea crossing? What did Israel see and believe? What are their responses?

Resources

Below are additional resources to help you engage with the narratives we are reading this week and have already covered.

The Ten Plagues

Jehovah Versus the Gods of Egypt

Watch: Getting Out

Why did God harden Pharoah's heart? 

Get Out! Tim Keller on the Exodus Story 

Questions for Application

How would you describe your story as one being delivered/redeemed/rescued so that you can worship God?

What are the similarities between Passover and the Lord’s Supper? How can familiarity with Passover make celebrating the Lord’s supper more meaningful?