Beginning the exodus

Freed to be God’s people: a study of Exodus
Beginning the exodus
Exodus 12:29-13:22
The Lord frees his people from slavery and establishes them in the story of their redemption

1) After the Lord strikes down Egypt’s firstborn, Pharaoh demands the people of Israel go from Egypt to serve the Lord, 12:29-32.
How hard is it for Pharaoh to tell the slaves he had controlled and dominated to GO SERVE THE LORD – the God who had defeated him who represents the gods of Egypt? Why is Pharaoh disqualified from being blessed by Moses?

2) The Egyptians fear they will die and they give Israel what they ask for as they leave Egypt, 12:33-36.
As much as the people of Israel suffered in Egypt, are there ways in which it would have been hard for them to leave? If so, what are those ways? So it’s why God led the Egyptians to urgently thrust them out in a hurry. What is amazing bout how God provides for their journey? How do Matt. 12:29 and Mark 3:27 point to the way Christ plunders the enemies of his people today? What is Christ’s “plunder”?

3) Having been in Egypt 430 years, Israel leaves Egypt, 600,000 men, as Yahweh watches over, 12:37-42. How has God fulfilled his promises (Gen. 15:5, 13-14; 22:17)?

4) All Israel must keep the Passover, as well as sojourners who are circumcised, 12:43-51.
What is the requirement for participating in the Passover? How does this requirement relate to what is required to participate in the Communion meal?

5) Israel is to consecrate to God all firstborn of their people and beasts, 13:1-2.

6) Israel is to remember Yahweh brought them out of Egypt with a strong hand by keeping the seven days of unleavened bread, 13:3-10.
What is Israel to remember by keeping the feast of unleavened bread? Why is this so important? What is the slavery Christ has freed us from (Rom. 6:17; John 8:34)?

7) Israel is to set apart the firstborn to the Lord because Yahweh brought them out of Egypt with a strong hand, 13:11-16.
Why is Israel to consecrate/set apart their firstborn to the Lord? how are they to consecrate their firstborn sons? How has Christ fulfilled God’s purpose in consecrating the firstborn (Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:18)? How do we live in light of being redeemed through Christ (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23; Romans 12:1-2)?

8) Yahweh led Israel by way of the wilderness to the Red Sea by pillar of fire and cloud, 13:17-22.
Why does God lead Israel by the long way rather than the shorter route? How have you experienced times when God has “led you by the longer route”? We might wish God would lead us by a pillar of cloud or fire. In what ways is having the Holy Spirit far better?