Liberation from Slavery (Exodus 1-2)

Exodus may be outlined as follows [chapters]:

1. 1-14: Exit from Egypt. In graphic detail God demonstrates his identity as Creator.
2. 15-18: Journey to Sinai. The people's slowly growing trust in God's provision for their daily needs: manna, meat, water, protection.
3. 19-24: 10 Commandments and the Book of the Covenant. Laws for a new society based on God's justice and mercy to maintain their newfound freedom. The 10 Commandments were placed in the holiest place at the center of the community.
4. 25-31: Tabernacle Instructions. God descends from the heavens and from Mt. Sinai and dwell in their midst to be present daily and to travel everywhere with them (Exo 40:38).
5. 32-34: Golden Calf Crisis and God's Forgiveness. God forgives sinful rebellious people and provides a 2nd exodus for them, an exodus from the bondage of their own sinful inclinations (Gen 6:5; 8:21). Ex 34:6-7 are some of the most critically theologically significant OT verses.
6. 35-40: Tabernacle Build and God's Dwelling Presence. The people's heartfelt willing response, bringing generous offerings and building the tabernacle. Exodus ends with God's visible descent to dwell on earth in their midst (Exo 40:34-38; Jn 1:14).

In summary:

• 1 tells of God's intervention in delivering the people from forces of evil, oppression and bondage.
• 2,3,5 concerns equipping the people to live in free relation with God. God gives wilderness provision, builds trust from daily troubles, orders their lives by laws and teaches them to live as forgiven sinners. The laws, given by God as the Creator of the earth, are critical in their role as a blessing to all the nations: lifting the burdens of the oppressed, just courts, healthy ethical living, truth-telling and worship.
• 4,6 concerns God's daily presence in the midst of their lives. The tabernacle creates space for God as well as a place to belong, to give generously and to experience the glory of the Lord.

Questions:

1. What made the new king fearful and why (Exo 1:8-10)? What did he do (Exo 1:11,13)? Why did it not work (Ex 1:12, 7; Gen 1:28; 12:2; 18:18; 22:17)?
2. What is the king's next birth control strategy (Exo 1:15-16)? How did the midwives respond and why (Exo 1:17-19)? Why were the midwives named but not the king (Exo 1:15, 8, 18, 22)? Why should you fear God (Exo 1:20-21; Prov 1:7; 9:10)?
3. How ruthless is Pharaoh's policy of mass scale forced male infanticide (Exo 1:22; Ac 7:19)? Who would God eventually drown (Exo 14:28)?
4. Who were the 5 women who defied Pharaoh's authoritarian decree (Exo 1:15; 2:1,4,9-10; 6:20; 15:20)? Why did Moses' mother do what she did (Exo 2:1-3; Heb 11:23)? What did Moses' sister do (Exo 2:4-9)?
5. What is the time interval between Exo 2:10 and Exo 2:11 (Ac 7:23)?
6. What does Moses' first spoken words suggest about him (Exo 2:13)? What was good and bad about his actions (Exo 2:11-13, 17; Ac 7:24; Heb 11:24-26)? Why did he do this (Ac 7:25)? Was Moses "ready" for God's service?
7. How did the Israelite respond to Moses (Exo 2:14; Ac 7:26-28)? Why did Moses flee to Midian (Exo 2:15)? What happened to him there (Exo 2:16-3:1)? How long was he there (Ac 7:30)?
8. Why was Moses a man who was never at home anywhere (Exo 2:22)?
• Do you sometimes feel as though you don't belong anywhere?
9. What are the four verbs that describe God's consideration of the Israelites (Exo 2:24-25)?
   
• Do you have a sense and awareness of God's presence and his love and care for you personally [and communally]?