Tag: Exodus

OT Journey 2.0: Exodus

On By BrianIn OT Journey 2.0

There are 8 studies for the book of Exodus, which you can find below. You can use them to continue leading a study through the Old Testament or to just lead a study on Exodus. Be sure to read the introduction to OT Journey 2.0 at the bottom of the page here for more information. You are encouraged to use the Bible Project overview videos (Exodus 1-18 and Exodus 19-40) at the beginning of Study #1 and Study #5.

Study 1: Exodus 1-5

Study 2: Exodus 6-10

Study 3: Exodus 11-15

Study 4: Exodus 16-20

Study 5: Exodus 21-24

Study 6: Exodus 25-30

Study 7: Exodus 31-34

Study 8: Exodus 35-40

May God bless you as you study His Word!

Exodus-Deuteronomy: Four Themes

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(Exodus 11-13, 14-15, 20) Describe the final plague.  How do the people of Israel escape?  How does this point to Jesus (I Corinthians 5:7)?

Every year, the people of Israel were to re-enact the Passover event.  How does Jesus adapt the Passover festival for the New Covenant (Luke 22:14-20)?

Through the plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea, God frees his people from slavery in Egypt.  How does this point to Jesus (John 8:34-36)?

How did the people respond to their salvation (14:31, 15:1-21)?  How should we respond to our salvation (see I Peter 1:3-9, 17-19)?

What further response did God expect the people to have in 20:1-21?  What does God expect of us (see I Peter 1:14-16)?

(Leviticus 1-9, 17) What arrangement did God make for when the people failed to obey God’s commands?

How does this point to Jesus (Hebrews 9:24-26)?

(Exodus 19-24, Deuteronomy 5-32) These passages present to the people of Israel what we call the Mosaic Covenant.  It was first given at Mt. Sinai (Exodus) and renewed as the people prepared to enter the Promised Land (Deuteronomy).  How does this covenant begin (Exodus 20:2, Deuteronomy 5:6)?

What then follows (Exodus 20-23, Deuteronomy 5-26)?

Notice then the condition.  What will happen if they obey (Exodus 19:5-6, 23:22; Deuteronomy 28:1-14)?

What will happen if they disobey (Deuteronomy 27:15-26, 28:15-68)?

How does this play out in the history of Israel?

How does Jesus address the Mosiac Covenant for us?

  • Matthew 5:17, I Peter 2:22 –
  • Galatians 3:10-14 –
  • Hebrews 7:22 & 8:6, 13 –

(Exodus 25-29) What was the main purpose of the tabernacle (25:8, 29:45-46)?

How does the tabernacle point forward to Jesus (John 1:14)?

To the church (Ephesians 2:19-22)?

To the Christian (I Corinthians 6:19-20)?

To the future kingdom (Revelation 21:3, 22)?

How should we respond to these truths?

Reflections on Exodus 38-40

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

The people of Israel finish the tabernacle and God’s presence descends upon it.  Notice:

  • Israel’s obedience – Did you notice the repeated refrain throughout the last two chapters?  Again and again we read that they did everything “as the LORD had commanded Moses.”  They perfectly followed the pattern God gave them for the tabernacle.  Is it your goal to do everything as the Lord has commanded you?  Are you seeking to live out the pattern God has given you for your life as revealed in the Scriptures?  In what ways do you need to closer conform to that pattern?
  • God’s glorious presence – God descends upon the tabernacle.  His glory fills it.  God is dwelling in their midst.  Ponder what it means to be in God’s presence.  How should that affect your life today?
  • God’s guidance – When God’s glory would ascend, the people would set out.  When his glory remained, they remained.  How are you learning to follow God’s guidance in your life?  Right now, do you think you are following, or have you run out in front of him?  Or maybe you are lagging?

Reflections on Exodus 35-37

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

In order to build the tabernacle, Moses needs people to give and people to serve:

  • Giving – The people were asked to bring materials for the tabernacle.  As their hearts moved them, so they should give to this special work of the Lord.  The people were so moved that they gave more than was needed, and had to be restrained from giving more!  Is your heart moved to give to the work of the Lord?  In what ways?  If your heart is not so moved, what does that say about your heart?
  • Serving – Like giving, those whose hearts stirred them were to come to help build the tabernacle.  They needed all kinds of workers to build the frames, craft the furniture, make curtains, create the priestly garments, and construct everything else involved in this gigantic undertaking.  God needs all kinds of people to do all kinds of things in his church today too.  To what service is God stirring your heart?  If your heart is not stirred to serve God, what does that say about your heart?

Exodus 35-40: Building the Tabernacle

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(35) In order to build the tabernacle, the people needed materials.  What words describe the hearts of those who gave?

When has your heart been moved to give?

Should we not give if our hearts are not stirred?

(35-36) In order to build the tabernacle, the people needed workers.  Describe what God did to provide for this need.

What similarities do you see in how God provides workers for his church today?

 (39-40) What phrase is repeated throughout these chapters?

Why do you think this point is stressed throughout these chapters?

What does this suggest about how we approach God in worship?  How we lead and serve in his church?  How we live our lives?

(40) After setting up the tabernacle, Moses anointed everything – consecrating all of it to God.  And God moved in!  We too have been anointed by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 1:21-22), and set apart unto God as his dwelling places (I Corinthians 6:19-20).  What does this suggest about how we should live?

(40) In what two ways did God guide his people in this chapter?

How does God guide us?

Reflections on Exodus 33-34

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Moses continues to intercede and asks to see God’s glory.  Consider:

  • God’s Presence – God threatens to not go with the people.  This is devastating news!  Moses again intercedes for the people; he doesn’t want to go if God is not with him.  Is God’s presence that important to you?  Why?
  • God’s Revelation – Moses asks to see God, and God reveals himself to Moses.  This revelation primarily takes the form of proclamation.  Read 34:5-8 again, and ponder the God we serve.  Then follow Moses’ example and bow down in worship before the one true God.

Reflections on Exodus 31-32

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

It doesn’t take long for Israel to desert the one true God, creating for themselves a golden calf.  Consider:

  • False gods – Israel grows weary waiting for Moses, so they have Aaron make them a god – a golden calf.  Compared to the one true God who thundered on the mountain, here is a safe god, a god their size that they can handle.  How are you tempted to bring God down to your size?
  • Proper honor – Israel credits the golden calf with their deliverance from Egypt.  When God blesses you, do you give him the credit, or do you credit something else – maybe yourself?
  • Intercession – Moses intercedes for the people of Israel in their rebellion.  Who is walking away from God that you need to intercede for?

Exodus 31-34: Idolatry and Intercession

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(32) Which of the Ten Commandments did Israel break in this chapter?

How does the golden calf compare to the one true God revealed throughout the book of Exodus?  Revealed especially in 34:6-7?

In what ways are we tempted to domesticate God?

What other gods are we tempted to follow?  Why?

(32) What excuses does Aaron offer when Moses questions him about the golden calf?

What excuses might we use to justify our idolatry?

How does the rest of the chapter make clear that God doesn’t “buy into” Aaron’s excuses?

(32-33) What are the results of their idolatry?  How is this a warning to us?

(32-34) The people make a calf, Aaron makes excuses, and Moses makes intercession for them.  To what attributes of God does Moses appeal?  What requests does Moses make?  How does God respond?

32:11-14 –

32:30-34 –

33:12-19 –

34:9 –

What can we learn from Moses’ example of intercession and apply in our own prayers?

Reflections on Exodus 28-30

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today focuses on the clothing and preparation of the priests, as well as further descriptions of the tabernacle furniture.

  • In remembrance – The High Priest’s garments included two stones engraved with the 12 tribes of Israel to bring the tribes before the LORD for remembrance (28:9-12).  Again, the garments included 12 stones each engraved with a tribe of Israel to bring the tribes before the LORD in remembrance (28:21-29).  Today our High Priest, Jesus, brings our names before the Father, interceding for us (Hebrews 7:23-25).  How does Jesus’ intercession for you encourage you?  Through Jesus, we too can come to the Father and intercede for others.  Who do you need to intercede for before the Father right now?
  • God’s Presence – God brought the people out of Israel that he might dwell with them (29:46).  Likewise, Jesus died for our sins to bring us to God (I Peter 3:18).  God desires to fellowship with us.  We have the incredible privilege to dwell in his presence.  What do you think of that?  How do you feel about that?  How do you think we should live in light of this?

Reflections on Exodus 25-27

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Our passage today describes how the tabernacle is to be made.

  • Giving – Before the tabernacle can be made, there must be materials.  So God tells Moses to call for a freewill offering toward the building of the tabernacle.  All who have a heart to give are to give.  What work of the Lord moves your heart to give?
  • God’s presence – Why should they build a tabernacle?  So God may dwell with them.  Almighty God will dwell in their midst.  Many years later, the God will become flesh and dwell (or literally – tabernacle) among us in the person of Jesus (John 1:14).  Today God dwells in his church by His Spirit (I Corinthians 3:16-17) and in each Christian individually (I Corinthians 6:19-20).  How should we live in light of his presence with us?  (Read the passages from I Corinthians for some ideas.)