Study the Bible in Two Years

Saturday – Exodus 21-22

1.  These two chapters introduce the civil laws for God’s people as an earthly nation. Some try to use parts of these laws as commandments for us today.  For example, I have seen people use 21:6 against pierced ears for men.  That has nothing to do with our custom today – it’s about slavery.  Besides, what has happened to all the Old Testament laws, now that we have Jesus?   See Colossians 2:14. 

2.  A key concept to many of the civil laws is 21:23-25.  What is the concept?   It is more than just taking an eye for an eye, or a life for a life.    Notice that in the very next verse, God already gives an exception to an “eye for an eye.”

3.  Note 22:21-27.  How does the Lord expect them to treat foreigners and the poor?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Friday – Exodus 19-20

1.   How does God carry us “on eagles’ wings”? What does God say about his people in 19:4-6 that applies to us?  See how Peter uses the same thoughts in 1 Peter 2:9-10.  

2.  What is the first thing the Lord said, before he spoke the First Commandment, 20:2?  What does that teach you about why they (and we) should keep these commandments?

3.  How did the people react to hearing the Lord himself speak to all of them?  Do you think this is what God wanted?  Why or why not?

4.  Note the Lord’s instructions for an altar – low to the ground, not fancy, natural stones.  What does that teach us about our places of worship?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Thursday – Exodus 18

1.  What had Moses done with his wife and two sons while he was in conflict with Pharaoh?  18:2.  What dangers might they have faced if they had stayed inEgypt?  In what ways does a husband and father show such leadership today?

2.  What was Moses doing that Jethro said was “not good?” 18:17.   How might this apply to pastors today?

3.  Jethro gave good advice to his son-in-law.  Think of some of the benefits when pastors and congregations follow this advice today.

Study the Bible in Two Years

Wednesday – Exodus 16-17

1.  The next complaint is about not having enough food. Why do they always think back on how “wonderful” it was inEgyptwhen we know it wasn’t so wonderful?  How might you fall into the same trap?

2. God commanded the Israelites to only pick up enough manna for one day. What was he trying to teach them with that?  16:4.  What happened for those who didn’t listen to God?  What is he trying to teach us with this lesson?

3. What does it mean in 17:3 that the Israelites put the LORD to the test?     How might we be testing God when troubles come our way?

4.  How can people today be like Aaron and Hur holding up the hands of Moses?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Tuesday – Exodus 15

1.  The first verse of Moses’ song is the refrain, which Miriam uses to sing and dance in praise to the Lord, 15:21.   What is the “horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea” for you?

2.  In his song, Moses not only looks back at what the Lord has done, but also looks forward to what he has promised, 15:13-18.  What are some similar promises that the Lord has made for you?  How does the last verse of this song guarantee those promises?

3. Three days after God had saved them, the children of Israelwere already grumbling. What caused them to grumble? How was their grumbling a lack of trust in God? What situations in your life have had you grumbling like the Israelites?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Monday – Exodus 14

1.  We sometimes look down on the Israelites because of their complaining.  But put yourself in their shoes.  If you saw that the most powerful army in the world is chasing after you, how would you react?  

2.   Why was Moses so confident that God would protect the Israelites? 

3.   Note what the “angel of God” does in 14:19-20.  Who is this angel of God?  See the answer in 14:24.  Even today, how is Jesus and his cross like a darkness to one side and a guiding light to the other side?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Saturday – Exodus 13

1.  Since the Lord had spared the firstborn sons ofIsrael, the Lord says that they are his!  This included the animals, who were given over to the Lord in a sacrifice.  How were the people supposed to redeem their firstborn sons?  See what Joseph and Mary did for Jesus in Luke 2:22-24.

2.  By this ceremony of redemption (buying back), what did God want them to learn? 

3.  In this chapter we see for the first time the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire which were visible signs of God’s presence with his people.  What makes us confident of God’s presence with us?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Friday – Exodus 11-12

1.  What items in the Passover meal and ceremony, make you think of Jesus? Look for them in 12:5, 6, 7, 13.

2.  What does unleavened bread, (bread made without yeast) symbolize?  If you are not sure, see 1 Corinthians 5:6-8.

3. Israelwas to celebrate the Passover meal every year in the future.  What yearly celebrations do we have, so that we might remember the wonderful deeds of the Lord?

4.  The night before he died, Jesus and the disciples celebrated the Passover.  Jesus replaced the Passover meal with what?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Thursday – Exodus 10

1.  With the eighth plague, we see Egyptian society unraveling.  How does both hail and locusts totally ruin the local economy?   See 10:12.   The other officials want Pharaoh to let the people go, but he cannot.  See the reason again in 10:20.  How are we to interpret various natural disasters today?  Is there a message there for us?

2.  Note what Pharaoh says in 10:16-17.  How can you tell that this was a fake repentance?   What is the reason that he asks for forgiveness?  How might that be like people today who are really not sincere?

3.  How did the 9th plague symbolize the problem with Pharaoh and of allEgypt?  What does it mean to be living in spiritual darkness?  In what way does Jesus take away the darkness?   What significance is there to the fact that the Israelites did have light in the midst of darkness?

Study the Bible in Two Years

Wednesday – Exodus 8-9

1.  Frogs were sacred animals to the Egyptians.  What was God showing the Egyptians and Pharaoh about their gods?

2.  With the third plague, of gnats, what has changed from the first two?  See 8:18.  What is the Lord teaching all of the Egyptians and Pharaoh?

3.  After the sixth plague of boils, there is a change in Pharaoh’s response.  See 9:12.  Up to this time, it was Pharaoh who resisted.  Now the Lord himself will not let him change.  Jesus described this process as the sin against the Holy Spirit, which cannot be forgiven, Matthew 12:30-32.  Pharaoh had resisted what clear message of the Lord?  Now his chances have run out.  How might this happen to people today? 

4. In the seventh plague, what is significant about the fact you see in 9:26?