Exodus 1–5: Early Oppression & Courage
These two groups disobeyed Pharaoh’s command to kill Hebrew boys because they feared God.
Who are the Hebrew midwives (Shiphrah and Puah)?
The plagues primarily reveal this attribute of God, showing that He keeps His promises.
What is God’s faithfulness?
This annual ritual was commanded so Israel would remember God’s deliverance forever.
What is the Passover?
The first commandment deals with this basic relationship between God and humans.
What is worship / placing God first?
Idolatry is best defined as giving this kind of honor to anything other than God.
What is worship / ultimate devotion?
The event in which Moses killed an Egyptian reveals this moral principle about defending the vulnerable.
What is the principle of defending the oppressed / standing up for justice?
Pharaoh’s repeated refusal to let Israel go illustrates this moral lesson about the human heart.
What is the hardening of heart?
The bitter water at Marah revealed Israel’s tendency to do this when faced with difficulty.
What is complaining / grumbling?
Many “strange” ancient laws (like property laws or restitution laws) existed to protect this vulnerable group in society.
Who are the poor, widows, foreigners, and vulnerable?
The people demanded an idol because Moses was gone and they fell into this temptation of impatience and fear.
What is impatience and lack of trust?
Moses doubted his calling at the burning bush because he lacked this personal quality.
What is lack of confidence / fear / feeling unworthy?
The plagues show God judging not only Pharaoh but also these spiritual realities worshiped by Egypt.
What are Egypt’s gods?
In the manna story, God taught Israel this moral lesson about daily trust.
What is trusting God daily?
The Ten Commandments can be divided into these two moral categories (hint: duties toward ___ & ___).
What are duties toward God and duties toward neighbor?
The Golden Calf was made from this material and symbolized a desire for a god they could do this to.
What is gold, and “control” or “manipulate”?
This family member of Moses showed courage by watching over him as he floated in the Nile.
Who is Miriam?
The plague of darkness revealed Egypt’s powerlessness against God and symbolized this spiritual condition.
What is spiritual blindness?
Moses raising his hands during the battle with Amalek teaches this practice essential for spiritual victory.
What is intercessory prayer?
Ancient laws involving animals often served this purpose related to maintaining communal peace.
What is preventing harm / maintaining justice and order?
Idolatry destroys a community because it replaces God with something that cannot offer this essential spiritual reality.
What is true life / communion / God’s presence?
Pharaoh’s increasing cruelty in Exodus 1–5 teaches this moral truth about power, sin, and human dignity.
What is the truth that sin corrupts power and leads to injustice?
The final plague — death of the firstborn — teaches a lesson about justice and this moral necessity for salvation.
What is the need for repentance and sacrifice?
Water from the rock reveals God’s faithfulness even when Israel commits this repeated sin.
What is unfaithfulness / grumbling / doubt?
This moral principle explains why even seemingly outdated ancient laws can still have modern equivalents.
What is moral reasoning within historical context?
A modern example of idolatry that works exactly like the Golden Calf — people give ultimate devotion to this thing, hoping it will save them.
What is money, success, fame, technology, etc.?