Winter 2013

Lesson 6: When Circumstances Seem Impossible

Exodus 14 & 32

Introduction: Prior to this text, God had redeemed His chosen people from their bondage in Egypt and now began to test their faith. This lesson covers two specific events during the Exodus—God’s deliverance through the Red Sea and His meeting with Moses on Mount Sinai. Before you begin your lesson each day, seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to better understand the text and apply its principles to your life.

Day One: Read Exodus 14, focusing on Exodus 14:1–12; God’s Plan Explained

1.How did last week’s study of the Passover deepen your understanding of God’s character and care for His people?

2.From Exodus 14:1–4, summarize God’s plan,its purpose, and who it affected.

3.According to verses 5–8, what was Pharaoh’s response to the departure of the Israelites?

a.Remembering that the Egyptians had just buried all their firstborn children, does Pharaoh’s response surprise you? Explain your answer.

b.What was Pharaoh depending on now, and how did that differ than during the plagues?

4.Having just experienced God’s deliverance from their bondage in Egypt, does Israel’s reaction to their present situation in verses 9–12 surprise you? What was controlling their response? Explain your answer.

Day Two:Read Exodus 14, focusing on Exodus 14:13–31; God’s Plan Unfolds

1.In verses 13–14, how did Moses respondto the people?

a.Compare Moses’ faith here with his faith in Exodus 5:22–23. What do you think has changed?

2.In your own words, describe God’s plan and purpose according to verses 15–18.

a.In this study we’ve seen that the Lord often commanded the Israelites to take courage. Is there asituation in your own life where you can move from fear to faith as you focus on God’s character?See also Psalm 46:10 and Romans 8:28–31.

3.From verses 19–23, how did God protect the Israelites? (See also Exodus 13:21–22.)

4.In verses 24–25, who caused the confusion during the pursuit? What was the Egyptians’ conclusion?

5.What was the Israelites’ response in verses 26–31 when they saw God’s care and provision for them? How can that be an example for you today?

Day Three:Read Exodus 32, focusing on Exodus 32:1–14; The Circumstance

1.Skim Exodus 24. Where was Moses, who was with him, and how long was he there?

a.According toverse 14, what instruction did Moses give the elders?

2.The intervening chapters detail God’s specific instructions for the tabernacle and the expectations forHis people. Moving ahead to Exodus 32:1, why did the Israelites become impatient during Moses’ absence? What did they ask Aaron to do and why?

3.In verses 2–5, what did Aaron do, and how did the people respond?

4.In your own words, describe what the people did in verse 6(see also verses 7 and 25.) What instruction did God give Moses in verses 7–8?

a.According to verses 9–10, what was God’s response to the people?

5.From verses 11–14, what did Moses ask the Lord, and how did He respond?

a.Which attributes of God are displayed in this narrative, and how is that meaningful to you today?

Day Four:Read Exodus 32, focusing on Exodus 32:15–25; The Sin

1.As Moses and Joshua came down the mountain with the tablets, what did they think was happening in the camp?

2.What did Moses do when he saw what was happening in the camp?

3.According to verses 21–24, what did Moses ask Aaron, and what was Aaron’s explanation?

4.Where in Scripture does God direct His people to worship Him alone? Cite several specific references.

Day Five:Read Exodus 32, focusing on Exodus 32:26–35; The Deliverance from Sin

1.What did Moses say to the people in verse 26, and who responded?

a.According to verses 27–28, what did Moses instruct them to do? What was the outcome?

b.From verse 29, what was the result of the Levites’ obedience?

2.In verse 30, what did Moses tell the people?

3.When Moses met with God in verses 31–32,why do you think he asked for his name to be blotted out from God’s book?

a.What was God’s response in verses 33–34?

b.Find several references in Scripture that pertain to God’s holiness and His forgiveness of sin. Explain how they deepen your understanding of the text in Exodus.

4.How would you describe Moses as aleader in chapter 32?

5.When you considerthe great events of this lesson, including God’s parting of the Red Sea and the people’s worship of the golden calf, what challenges you to greater obedience?

______Luenebrink/Peters February 13, 2013

NOTES