Classes - Pentateuch - Exodus 12-18

Pentateuch: Exodus 12-18

A study on the book of Exodus

Learn how you can use the guide here.

Even after a great show of power and miracles, God is not done with His fierce display of love and jealousy over His people Israel. Exodus 12-18 is one of the most exciting and climatic moments of the book yet and we are about to witness a mighty move of God to deliver His people from their oppressors and take them into a new journey of life. However, it is not a smooth-sailing process as they would have hoped. Does this mean that God did not really care or love them as much as He had claimed? Let’s read on and learn about His heart and plans for His people, and reflect on what this means for us.

Pre-Video Reading

Read Exodus 12-18.

Watch the video

Supplementary Reading

What is Passover? Bible Meaning and Connection to Christ
Credit: Christianity.com
The Route of the Exodus
Credit: Jesuswalk.com

The route of the Exodus has been hotly debated. Since there are no archaeological artefacts from the Exodus itself and place names seldom match places identifiable today, we are left to sort out the probable route based on clues from the biblical accounts and the land itself. Three main routes of the Exodus to Mount Sinai have been proposed.

Application Questions

Read Exodus 12:1-30. We see that God would display His great power through a move that eventually tipped the scales and compelled Pharaoh to free the Israelites from their bondage.

a. Within these scriptures, what parts of the work were done by God, and what parts were done by the Israelites?

b. Would the plan for the Israelites have worked if they did not do their part?

c. What does this say about how God involves His people in His plans for deliverance?
Read Exodus 12:14-13:16. God had commanded His people to keep the Passover and the events of this day as a memorial.

a. Why do you think it was so important for the Israelites to commemorate this event?

b. In what way is the Passover a notable event in New Testament history?

c. How did celebrating festivities within Christian history play a part in the believer’s relationship with God?

d. Exodus 13:8-10 and 14-15 reveal the need for the next generation to understand the significance of history and their actions for commemoration. Why is it important to share this with the next generation?
Read Exodus 13:17-14:14.

a. Why did God not want the people of Israel to take a straight path in their escape route?

b. Was God absent or present in this journey? Why or why not?
Exodus 15:1-21 documents a song of praise to God.

a. Why do you think the immediate response of the people is in song, and what does this possibly say about the way God made us?

b. By observing the words and themes found in the song, what do you think is the purpose of praise and worship? How does it draw us closer to God?
Read Exodus 16-17:7.

a. What was God’s intent for letting the people experience the wilderness (see 16:4, 12)?

b. Did the people have enough food and water for each day in the end? How so?

c. What do you think was God’s intent for allowing the people to get “each as much as he can eat” (Exodus 16:16, 18), and not more or less?

d. Is the wilderness a good or bad place to be in? Process your reasoning with your life group.

Closing Reflection

True to His promise, God delivers Israel from bondage by His strength and might. However, this process is not what you would call a “straight path”, as it is riddled with many tests and obstacles. Despite a great show of miracles, the people of Israel would constantly grumble and lose trust in their leader every time difficulty arose. While it is easy for us to blame them as forgetful and fickle, the story of Israel’s journey is a story for every believer. We, too, can forget God’s faithfulness and might and His ability to sustain us and lead us into the Promised Land of victory.

Today, take the time to remember the times in your life when God had come through for you. As the people of Israel did, remind yourself about those moments through worship, and through conversation with your life group.

Prayer: Connecting with God

Thank God for all the moments of personal breakthrough in your life, repent for the times you have forgotten, got offended, or lost faith in Him, and ask Him to reveal a future hope that you can be anchored in even when times get tough.