Posts in Exodus Pt 2: Wilderness
Exodus 17 & 18 - The Power of Weakness
  1. Read Exodus 17:8-16. Israel’s battle against Amalek contains the last appearance of the “staff of God” (17:9), which was the instrument used to bring the plagues against Egypt (e.g., 4:17, 20; 7:17; 8:5, 16; 9:23), to part the Red Sea (14:16), and to bring water from the rock (17:5). What do these prior uses of the staff suggest about the nature of the battle that ensues?

  2. At the Red Sea, God fought Egypt for Israel (14:14). At Rephidim, however, God fights Amalek through Israel (17:8–16). What might these two types of physical warfare illustrate for us concerning God’s role and our role in the spiritual battles we face today?

  3. Read Exodus 18:1-12. How does Jethro’s worship of the LORD relate to God’s purposes for the exodus, expressed in Exodus 9:13-16?

  4. Read Exodus 18:13-27 and Acts 6:1-7. In his book, Old Paths New Power, Daniel Henderson notes three essential tasks for spiritual leaders expressed in both pf these passages. Study the two passages and identify the following three items in each. What might stand in the way of Christian leaders following in these paths today?

    • Prayer

    • Teaching the word

    • Empowering gifted leaders

  5. In Exodus 17-18, the success of God’s mission is contrasted with the weakness of God’s people. Why does God choose to work through our weaknesses? Take some time to share weaknesses with one another and pray together for God’s power to be evident in your lives.

* Some questions derived from Exodus: A 12-Week Study (Knowing the Bible). Crossway. by Matthew R. Newkirk

Exodus 15:1-21 - The Song of the Sea

Read Exodus 15:1-12. The majority of Israel’s song of praise recalls God’s destructive judgment against Israel’s enemies, as does the reprise of verse 21. How might we apply this emphasis to our understanding of our own salvation? For clarification, see Eph. 6:10–13.

Read Exodus 15:13-17. How do the themes of these verses relate to the verses in the first half of the song?

Moses sets his trajectory for the future based on God’s faithfulness in the past. What does this look like for the Christian? What future hopes to we await? How can we be sure they are secured for us? (For help, see 1 Peter 1:3-9, but only if you need help!)

After describing Israel’s future entry into the Promised Land (15:13–17), the song ends by proclaiming God’s everlasting kingship (15:18). Why might the song connect these two themes? What does this suggest about the nature of God’s kingship?

Take some time together as a group to RECOUNT graces from this past year and REJOICE in them through prayer or singing. Then, share what you anticipate for 2019 and pray for one another.

  • Some questions adapted from EXODUS: A 12-WEEK STUDY by Matthew R. Newkirk