Lesson 5: Moses and the Victories

The Victories

This week we come to a high point in the life of Moses. We will see him accomplish what God directed him to do when he was in the desert: to deliver and lead the sons of Israel out of Egypt. This was no easy task for Moses and the path had been difficult for him. Yet, here he was, ready to help bring about God’s purpose for Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and the sons of Israel.

Day 1: God’s Saving Grace

At this point, we will begin to break away from reading every verse in every chapter. This is not a study of the book of Exodus, but a study of the life of Moses. Therefore, I want to focus on his life, not on the history of Exodus. We will skip some passages for that reason. Feel free to read all of Exodus, but for the purpose of this study, we will mainly look at the passages that deal with Moses’ life and his spiritual growth.

Looking To God’s Word

Exodus 12:1-13; 21-28

1. What was the purpose of the blood on the doorposts?

2. Would that purpose be accomplished if they just killed the lamb but didn’t put the blood on the doorpost? Why or why not?

3. Hebrews 11:28 states, “By faith he (Moses) kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that he who destroyed the firstborn might not touch them.” Why was keeping the Passover and the sprinkling of blood on the doorposts an act of faith?

Looking Deeper

What do these verses tell us about our salvation?

Romans 5:8

Colossians 1:13-14

Hebrews 7:25-27

1 Peter 1:18-19

Looking Upward

4. Based on Romans 10:8-10 and Ephesians 2:8-9, what must a person do in order to be saved from the penalty of sin?

5. Have you accepted Christ’s redeeming work on the cross and allowed His shed blood to cleanse you from all your sins? If you have, describe how you came to that decision. If not, what is hindering you from accepting His gift?

6. Based on John 5:24 and 1 John 5:11-13, how can you know for sure that you have eternal life?

Looking Reflectively

Jesus has provided all that is necessary to give us salvation but we must personally accept that payment and accept Him as our Savior.

Have you accepted Him as your personal Savior? If you have, take some time to thank Him for your salvation and for all that He endured on the cross for your sake.

If you have not personally accepted Him as your Savior, I encourage you to make that decision now. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and that your sins have made a separation between you and a holy God. Thank Him that He loves you so much that He sent His only Son, a perfect sacrifice, to die on the cross for your sins. The penalty for sin is death, and Jesus paid that penalty for you. Accept His payment for your sins. You can express that to Him through a simple prayer: “Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Come into my life. I accept you as my personal Savior and place my trust in you for my salvation. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Amen.”

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior when I was 9 years old. My parents had taught me that Jesus died for my sins, and I could choose to accept or reject His payment. As a 9-year old, I didn’t have many “blatant” sins, but even at that age, I knew what sin was, and I knew I was a sinner. I had a volatile temper (ask my mom), and I could be very selfish and say unkind things to my parents or brothers or friends when I got angry. I wanted to accept His payment for my sins, and I wanted to become His child. I made the choice to accept Him as my Savior, and it is a decision that I have never regretted.

Day 2: God’s Faithfulness

Today we will look at the exodus of the sons of Israel. Finally, the day had come when Pharaoh would “let” the sons of Israel leave Egypt. God was still very much in control, and all that happened was part of His plan. Moses must have been excited finally to see the sons of Israel set out from their bondage in Egypt.

Looking To God’s Word

Exodus 12:29-41

7. Describe the situation that caused Pharaoh finally to send the sons of Israel out of Egypt.

8. In what ways did the tenth plague differ from the other nine?

9. How many years were the sons of Israel in Egypt (12:40-41)?

10. How was God faithful to His word in Genesis 15:13-14 and to Moses in Exodus 3:20-22?

Looking Deeper

How do these verses describe God?

Deuteronomy 7:9

Deuteronomy 32:3-4

Psalm 119:89-90

Lamentations 3:22-23

Looking Upward

11. How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your own life?

12. What could tempt you to doubt God’s faithfulness?

13. Had you been one of the sons of Israel, what emotions would you have felt on this night?

Looking Reflectively

God is faithful to His word. However, He works in His timing, not ours.

Are you questioning God’s timing in a situation? Are you impatient or discouraged with His timing? Be honest with God and let Him know how you feel, but then give your feelings to Him. Trust Him and His faithfulness.

Meditate on Lamentations 3:22-23.

Day 3: God’s Leading

Things were going well. The sons of Israel were on their way out of Egypt and had plundered the Egyptians. They were finally moving toward freedom and out from bondage to Pharaoh. It was perfect…or was it? All of a sudden, Pharaoh reconsidered and decided to go after the sons of Israel. They were no longer thrilled about leaving Egypt and their bondage. How quickly they forgot what their lives had been like. Can you relate to the sons of Israel in any way? Go to God’s Word with an open heart today.

Looking To God’s Word

Exodus 13:17-14:12

14. In what ways do you see that God had a specific plan and purpose in how He was leading the sons of Israel?

The pillar of cloud and pillar of fire was the visible symbol of God’s presence among His people.

15. Describe the attitude of the sons of Israel in 14:10-12.

16. Why did they respond in the way they did?

Looking Upward

17. How do you respond when you don’t like the direction God is leading you?

18. What causes you to question God’s leading at times?

19. Psalm 119:105 says that God’s Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. How has God used His Word to give “light” to your path?

What other methods does God use to lead and direct you?

Looking Deeper

2 Chronicles 20:1-19

Contrast Jehosophat’s view of God and his response to an overwhelming situation with that of the Hebrews.

Looking Reflectively

God leads us continuously. He doesn’t lead us to a point and then expect us to find the rest of the way on our own.

God doesn’t necessarily choose the easiest path for us, but He has a reason for the path He does choose.

Our perspective of God and life can become distorted when we are faced overwhelming challenges.

Has your perspective of God become distorted because of challenges and hard times? Are you content with the path on which He has you? Spend some time with Him today, thanking Him for His leading in your life. Ask Him for grace to wait on His timing and leading and to trust His hand in your life.

Day 4: God’s Power

Moses was faced with a difficult situation. God had led them out of Egypt, but when the sons of Israel saw Pharaoh’s armies coming after them, they lost heart. Instead of people marching out boldly, they began to complain. Yet, God was still very much in control. He would be glorified through what was about to happen. Moses was obedient and God used Him once again to carry out His plan.

Looking To God’s Word

Exodus 14:13-31

20. What stands out to you about Moses in the way he responded to the people’s complaints?

21. List what the sons of Israel were told to do, what Moses was told to do, and what God would do.

22. How did the attitude of the sons of Israel change toward God and Moses after God delivered them from the Egyptians (Ex 14:30-31)? Why?

Looking Upward

23. What does Moses’ response to the people show you about His relationship with God?

24. How do you know when to sit back and let God take care of a situation or when to step out and take action yourself?

25. When have you seen God work a “miracle” in your life when the situation seemed hopeless?

Looking Deeper

Psalm 46:1-11

What are some principles from this Psalm that you can apply to times of overwhelming situations in your life?

Looking Reflectively

God is greater than any obstacle we may face.

When life seems hopeless, God wants us to turn to Him and not to our own methods or strength. He wants to be glorified.

Is there a situation in your life that seems overwhelming? Can you rest in God’s strength instead of worrying about it? Spend some time with Him and give Him those overwhelming situations. Trust Him to work in His way and His timing. Let Psalm 46 encourage your heart.

Day 5: The Praise

Life was going great for the sons of Israel. God had delivered them from Pharaoh and killed all those who sought their lives. They had seen God’s miraculous and powerful hand at work on their behalf. Now they turned their attention and focus to praise Him for who He is and what He had done.

Looking To God’s Word

Exodus 15:1-21

26. As you read the song of Moses and Israel, list all that they praised God for, including who He is and what He did.

27. What do you learn about Miriam in verses 20-21?

Looking Deeper

Psalm 106:6-12

As you look at another perspective of this story of the Israelites, why did God deliver them (v. 8)?

How did the perspective of the sons of Israel differ in verses 7 and 12?

Looking Upward

28. When do you find it easiest to praise God? When is it the hardest?

29. Why is it difficult to trust God and praise Him before He acts, but easy to praise Him afterwards?

30. What effect does praising God have on your heart in the midst of great times and difficult times?

Looking Reflectively

Praise takes our focus off our circumstances and ourselves and places our focus on God.

Our praise is a pleasing fragrance and aroma to God.

Spend some time today praising and worshipping Him for who He is. Use what you listed from Exodus 15 to guide you through your time of praise. Perhaps praise Him with music and song.

This week we have looked at Moses as a strong leader who led the sons of Israel out of Egypt. We have seen him in the midst of a great victory, but we have also watched him deal with adverse circumstances. The sons of Israel were not an easy group to lead – yet Moses continued to seek God and obey Him.

High points and victories in life are exciting! We love to be on the mountaintops, but God doesn’t want us to stay there. For on the mountaintops, everything is wonderful and we love the Lord and praise Him; but we are not in need on the mountaintop. God has to bring us into the valleys to teach us, to build our character, to bring us to a place of dependence on Him. Valleys are where God is most reflected to others as we look to Him in the midst of our trials. We need both mountaintops and valleys in our lives.