We shall
continue the study of Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament.
(1) The Israelites, after their miraculous Exodus, were traveling “from place to place as the Lord commanded.”
(2) In Moses’ reply to the people, why did he point out that their action amounted to putting “the Lord to the test”?
(3) What then should they have done?
(4) Are you (or have you been) in a similar situation as the Israelites? Have you complained? Why would God lead you to such a place? What then should you do?
(5) Repeatedly during hardship, the Israelites’ refrain to Moses seemed to be, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die?”.
(6) Since Exodus symbolizes our salvation out of the slavery of sin, how then should we avoid making the mistake of bitterly complaining about our hardship as children of God, saved by the blood of Christ?
(7) How serious was this attack against Moses this time?
(8) How did Moses show his spiritual maturity this time?
(9) How does the Apostle Paul interpret this incident in I Corinthians 10:4? Why?
(10) In naming the place Massah (which means testing) and Meribah (which means quarreling), what did Moses point out as the key issue in this incident?
(11) As churches face divisions and strifes, we often hear the same question raised as in v. 7. What should the answer be?
(12) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
(1) This appears to be the first real battle that the Israelites had to face after the Exodus. In terms of “tests”, which might be a greater test—the engaging in a battle or the harsh conditions of the desert?
(2) Why didn’t the Israelites complain about the attack of the Amalekites (presumably unprovoked)?
(3) How did Moses use his staff? What has it become to him and to the people of Israelites?
(4) Presumably, Moses was raising the staff with both hands:
a. What does such a gesture of raising hands represent?
b. Why did God choose to make them win when Moses’ hands were raised, but lose when Moses’ hands were lowered?
c. Why would Moses lower his hands, knowing that it would cause the Israelites to lose (and by losing, it might mean some being killed)?
d. It is commonly interpreted that the raising of hands means prayers, and thus when Moses prayed, the Israelites would win, and when he did not pray, they would lose. Do you think this is necessarily a lesson (i) on prayer, or (ii) on the need to depend on the Lord or (iii) on who is the only or real source of victory? What do you think and why?
(5) Although this is the method chosen by the Lord for the winning of this battle, Moses was human after all. How did he manage to keep his hands from lowering? What significant lesson can we learn from Aaron and Hur?
(6) Why was it important that “Joshua” would know what actually happened on the hill?
(7) How did God make sure that Joshua knew? Is there any lesson to be learned from His method?
(8) What do the following actions of Moses after the victory signify?
a. building of an altar
b. naming the altar, “The Lord is my Banner”
c. What does banner mean, according to Moses?
(9) In this battle, there were four main characters: Moses, Aaron, Hur and Joshua. With whom can you identify the most? What did each learn in his role?
(10) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
(1) Since
the Bible mentions the two sons of Moses in detail, let’s reflect on
them. We know when, where and why Moses
named his firstborn, Gershom (see Exod.
a. When likely was he born?
b. Where likely was he born?
c. Why was he named Eliezer?
(2) What changes in Moses can you detect between the births of the two sons?
(3) From the details the Bible gives of what Moses told Jethro in vv. 7-8, can you tell how Moses looked upon his father-in-law?
(4) Why did he mention hardship as well, and not just the miracles in Egypt?
(5) It
is debatable whether Jethro was a Midian priest to idols or the Lord. The Talmud appears to favor the former. In
any case, consider the following:
a. What had Jethro learned about God because of Moses?
b. What did his offering to the Lord represent?
(6) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
(1) What did Moses do as the judge of his people? (vv. 15-16)
(2) Why did Moses alone act as the judge for the people?
(3) Why did he not at least delegate this responsibility to or share it with Aaron, Hur and Joshua?
(4) What might be his worry?
(5) How will you describe Moses’ style of leadership? Why, according to Jethro, was it “not good”?
(6) According to Jethro, which responsibilities should Moses retain and which should he delegate?
(7) To what kind of men should Moses delegate such important tasks?
(8) Still, what might Moses be risking by delegating such important tasks?
(9) Why did Moses listen?
(10) While Jethro saw his advice as necessary, he under-girded his recommendation with “and God so commands” (v. 23). How important is this attitude?
(11) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
Presumably,
(1) Read Exodus 3:12. What was the sign that God talked about? How far-fetched did the command and the promise seem to Moses at the time?
(2) What would have happened if Moses had succeeded in refusing the commission?
(3) Now, what happened as he obeyed this impossible heavenly vision?
(4) Before the Lord delivered the all important Ten Commandments, He wanted the people to know how special they were to Him:
a. God brought them to Himself: What does it mean?
b. He carried them on eagles’ wings: What does it mean?
c. God stressed that “the whole earth” is His. Why?
d. He explained the ultimate purposes of the Exodus with these words:
- “for me”: What does it mean?
- "a kingdom of priests: What are its implications?
- "a holy nation": What are its implications?
(5) In order that they could fulfill these ultimate purposes, what were the people to do? (v. 5)
(6) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
(1) What was God’s game plan to make sure the people would listen to His appointed leader, Moses? Do you think it would work?
(2) Do you think if that’s how God chooses to reveal Himself to you, you will definitely be totally obedient to Him? Why or why not?
(3) In order that they would meet with God, what were the preparations they needed to do? Why?
(4) How do you meet with God corporately these days? What preparations then should you do in order to come close to His holy presence?
(5) In the actual gathering, God put limits around the mountain. Why?
(6) What would happen to those who violated these limits? Why should God put such severe penalties to the violators?
(7) What did the sounds of a long blast of ram’s horn signify?
(8) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?
(1) It had to be an awesome sight as the Lord appeared to the people by descending onto Mount Sinai. Try to list all the awesome sights, tremors and sounds as God appeared. How would you feel if you were there?
(2) All these awesome sights, tremors and sounds—were they for show as a scare tactic or were they part of the reality of the descent of the Holy God?
(3) As our Lord Jesus Christ and the Father are one (Jn. 10:30), read also the glory He revealed in Revelation 1:12-17. Therefore, can you understand what Jesus had forsaken by becoming a man?
(4) Why were the people not allowed to go up to the mountain even they had consecrated themselves?
(5) Why were the priests, if they had consecrated themselves, allowed to approach the Lord (19:22)?
(6) Eventually who made it to the top to meet with God and why?
(7) Given the holy and majestic nature of God, how could He dwell in human hearts in these days?
(8) What should be the implications to you that the Spirit of God now dwells in your heart? How then shall you live? (Rom. 8:9)
(9) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?