In part eight of the Book of Exodus, we’ll look at Exodus 12:31–13:22 and the exodus. Journey from Egypt to the Red Sea and be part of this epic miracle as we explore the power and mercy of God who sets us free and fulfills His promises!

TALK IT OUT

Below, you’ll find some key discussion points to consider, questions to personally reflect on and/or discuss in your small group, with your family, or in your circle of friends, and some action points for the week. 

Memory Verse of the Week: Exodus 13:20–22 (NIV)

“After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

Faithful Provider

READ: Exodus 12:31–42

This passage reminds us of God’s faithfulness over time. From Israel’s growth into a nation to their provision of food during their exit, God was their faithful provider. 

To the Israelites, it may have seemed as though God had forgotten them, for they spent years, generation after generation, suffering as slaves in the hands of the Egyptians. But God, through His careful and sovereign rule, was not absent nor unaware of their troubles in captivity. He was using this time for His plans and, at the right time, He came to rescue them. 

This story clearly reflects God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises to His people. Neither time nor trouble can alter God’s plans, for He works all things together for His glory (Romans 8:28). This was true for the Israelites, and it’s also true for us. God’s promises are not based on anything we can produce, but based on His character alone. Our timeline, circumstances, expectations, and doubts cannot speed up or slow down what God has planned. This means we can trust Him with the things He said He will do. We can also rest in His provision and care. 

We’re told that “they had been driven out of Egypt and did not have time to prepare food for themselves” (Exodus 12:39 NIV). This detail woven in this narrative is a powerful reminder that the Israelites were completely dependent on God for their deliverance and sustenance, and so are we. God showed Himself mighty to deliver and provide for them in this moment and continually after their exodus—and if He did it for His people then, He can certainly do it for His people today. 

Do you feel God has forgotten you? Are you struggling to see His hand at work in your life? Perhaps you’ve grown weary of waiting for His promises to come to pass. Don’t lose heart. Our God is sovereign, which means His ways are not our ways, nor are His thoughts our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). And because of His love and mercy, you can trust He’s at work in your life. No amount of worrying or fretting will bring you the outcomes you desire, but your surrender and dependence on Him will produce the outcome He desires for you—a heart at peace that trusts in the Lord for what He said He would do. And just as the Israelites witnessed their breakthrough in its rightful time, you will, too. 

Discussion Question 1: Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life? How does this impact your faith and walk with Him? 

Who’s Invited to the Feast?

READ: Exodus 12:43–51

The Passover feast tells the story of God saving His people from slavery in Egypt, of their freedom and special relationship with the Lord, which was reserved for God’s covenant people, the people of Israel, whom God had adopted as His own. So, at this time (approximately 3,500 years ago), only certain people could participate in Passover—basically, random travelers and foreigners outside of the people of Israel couldn’t partake.

Here’s where this whole feast takes on a new, exciting, and profoundly beautiful meaning: The Passover event and the yearly feast were merely pointing the people to something greater that was to come. Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, was the full and complete expression of the exodus and the Passover. Because of His sacrifice, we pass over from death to life and are set free from the shackles of sin and death; we enter into a special covenant relationship with the Lord, and we receive the promise of eternal life in heaven! 

But unlike the old covenant and this feast which was for the people of Israel, the new covenant of grace through faith in Christ is open to all who believe. John 1:12 (NIV) tells us “to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Isn’t that amazing? Not by our works, not by circumcision or perfect adherence to the requirements of the law, but by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8–9). 

Our equivalent to the Passover celebration is called communion, which you can read about in 1 Corinthians 11:23–25. It’s a beautiful tradition done to remember what Jesus did for us, and anyone who receives Him can participate. If you have never received Christ, make today the day! Trust in Him as your Savior, surrender your life to Christ, and He will receive you into His kingdom and give you a seat at His table!

Discussion Question 2: Read Matthew 26:17–30 and 1 Corinthians 11:23–25. What similarities do you see between Passover and communion? What is the key difference? 

The Cost of Consecration 

READ: Exodus 13:1–16

Why did the Lord institute the laws of consecration and redemption for Israel upon entering Canaan? 1) It showed them that their first and best belonged to God, 2) it taught them to depend on Him and, 3) it reminded them of what God did for them in delivering them from Egypt. As Moses said, “It will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead” (Exodus 13:16 NIV). 

In the same way kids would see a scrapbook with movie or plane tickets, or preserved flower petals so they can learn about their parents’ first date or the trip where they got engaged, the Israelite parents would get to tell their kids about the exodus, about God’s faithfulness and power, and about the wonderful privilege of being His chosen people! 

Today, we can apply these exact words to our lives: “It will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the Lord brought us out . . . with his mighty hand” (Exodus 13:16 NIV). Except our rescue wasn’t simply from physical slavery and oppression at the hands of a foreign government. Instead, it was a physical and spiritual rescue from the clutches of sin, death, and hell and into the eternal kingdom of heaven through adoption into His family by the sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This gospel truth is now “written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3 NIV). It’s important to remind ourselves of the gospel and the work God has done in us and others (Titus 3:4–8). And it’s important that our lives, as those consecrated unto Him, serve as mementos to others that “proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV).

Discussion Question 3: Why is it important that we not skip over passages like this? What do these types of laws and practices in the Old Testament teach us?

Discussion Question 4: What do mementos and milestones teach us? Why is it important to remember the works of the Lord in our lives and the lives of others? 

GPS

READ: Exodus 13:17–22; John 14:16–26; John 16:13

Leaving Egypt was just the beginning of a venture that would cover the next four decades as the Israelites would wander through the wilderness! But it was also at this starting point that God did something truly wonderful for His people. Knowing they would need His guidance going forward, He revealed His glorious presence in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night to lead them to where they were to go. But this was much more than a divine GPS that routed them towards a desired destination; it also assured the children of Israel that their heavenly Father was ever-present with them. Day and night, the proof was always there that they weren’t alone or abandoned in their wanderings!

As Christians, we’ve received something similar. God doesn’t manifest Himself via a pillar of cloud or fire for us. He’s actually done something far more fantastic by filling our hearts with His Holy Spirit, who also serves to guide and assure us as we sojourn through this world.

The Lord doesn’t leave His children without a means of navigation, either then through a pillar representing His presence or now through the indwelling presence of His Spirit. And we would be wise to always follow the route the Spirit reveals to us because wherever His presence leads us will always prove to be the right direction.  

Discussion Question 5: How does your own relationship with God mirror the experience of the Israelites in Exodus?

Discussion Question 6: What steps can you take this week to be more attuned to the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

This Week

Read and write out Titus 3:4–8! Display it somewhere to remind yourself about the gospel of your salvation and to be able to share this beautiful truth with someone!

A LOOK AHEAD

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you had your back against the wall? As a believer, what are we called to do in those situations? In our next study, we’ll look at Exodus 14 as the Israelites cross the Red Sea. Discover how the Lord both leads us to those moments and leads us through them, all the while bringing about good and being glorified in it!