Exodus Lesson #1

In case you missed our first study in Exodus, here it is.

Author: Moses

Dates: Exodus - 1260 B.C. , 1313 B.C.

Genre: OT Narrative

Three Dimensions of OT Narratives (taken from Enery's Hermaneutics lesson #2):
- The eternal, universal Plan of God
- The story of God's people
- The stories of individuals

Observation. Read Exodus 1:1 – 2:25.
List 20 facts from the passage. These can be verses taken verbatim or a summary. Be as clear and succint as possible.

Interpretation.
Principles of Interpretation (Taken from Enery's Hermeneutic Lesson #2)
- God is the hero! Don’t overpersonalize.
- Take big bites. All of the events in a narrative are connected.
- Avoid allegorizing. The Bible was written to show God’s plan for redemption, not to illustrate principles.

Review your 20 observations and try to group them into themes. The themes should be detailed enough to allow us to locate the passage in the text.

1. Theme: God keeps his promise to Abraham by blessing the Hebrews in strength and numbers. God blesses people in strength and numbers.

2. Theme: Moses, in fear, commits sin but nevertheless, God will fulfill his plan to use Moses to deliver the Hebrews. God is holy. Sin has no place in God's plan and will not interfere with God's sovereignty.

3. Theme: God remembers, hears, and sees the plight of the Hebrews. God never fails to hear the cries of his people.

Application
Questions for Application
Question #1: What does this passage tell us about God, His plan, or the role that His people should be playing in His plan?

Question #2: What positive or negative model might this passage be setting before us to teach us about trusting God in the midst of His plan?


Come up with an “aim” for each of the three themes you listed above. Use the questions above to guide your application.

Aim #1:

Aim #2:

Aim #3:


Small Group Questions
1. On which of the aims do you want to work?
2. How will you work on it this week?
3. How can your small group encourage you and keep you accountable?