This post is the first of Faithlogue’s 2023 Summer Series: “The Women of the Exodus.” Click here to receive each week’s post in your inbox!
Think back to your early years in Sunday school. Do you remember hearing stories about Moses and God’s rescue of the Israelites from Egypt? If you did not attend church, perhaps you recall the iconic images of Charlton Heston in The Ten Commandments (1956), the voice of Val Kilmer in DreamWork’s The Prince of Egypt (1998), or the silliness of Moses as a cucumber cowboy in VeggieTales: Moe and the Big Exit (2007).
These sources all recount God’s rescue of the Israelites through Moses’s leadership and Pharoah’s stubbornness (some in very creative ways). The Biblical narrative found in the Old Testament book of Exodus is equally dramatic. The plot line includes a burning bush, plagues, Passover, and the parting of the Red Sea. The events of the Exodus capture our imaginations with vivid images of God at work. That imagery lends itself well to childhood lessons and cinematic productions.
However, studying the book of Exodus also provides important insight into the nature of God. In fact, my Bible study friends recently declared our study of Moses and the Exodus as the most formative in their spiritual growth and development. According to my friends, our time learning about God’s rescue of the Israelites helped them learn how to study the Bible and increased their understanding of God’s sovereignty, provision, and faithfulness to His people and promises.
Given that insight, I would like to base Faithlogue’s first Bible study series on the women of Exodus 1-4. These chapters describe how God remembered His promises and prepared Moses and His people for the coming days of trial, rescue, and wandering. A close reading of these chapters reveals how God worked through many women to preserve the lives of Moses and the Israelites and prepare them for the days ahead.
This series will explore how God worked through the circumstances, resources, and courage of women to preserve and prepare the Israelites for rescue from Egypt. As we will discover, through both named and unnamed women, God protected Moses’s life and revealed His compassion and provision for His people. Each woman played a significant role in God’s plans for His people.
Studying this time of God’s preparation of the Israelites prepares us to understand the broader story of Moses and the Exodus. So, before we begin, I invite you to dust off your childhood or cinematic memories and re-read Exodus 1-4 sometime this week. As you read, consider your questions about these chapters and notice the women you encounter. We will hopefully cover your questions and much more as we begin with a look at Shiphrah and Puah next Monday. I look forward to studying with you!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Each week of our series, I will offer a recommended resource to enhance your study and understanding of Moses and the Exodus. I personally use these books and reference works in my own individual and group Bible studies. Eventually, these resources will appear alongside many more in the Faithlogue bookshop (coming soon)!
The entire narrative of God’s rescue of the Israelites spans the Old Testament books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Yes, it’s a lot! These books are also complex and full of deep theological insights about God. To help tackle this work, I really enjoyed the guided Bible study Choose: A Study of Moses for a Life that Matters by Jodie Niznik.
In this ten-week study, Jodie combines the work of studying Moses with weekly spiritual practices to help you grow as you learn. Her approach balances the study of the text with application to your daily life.
Following is a link to Jodie’s study. Enjoy!
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Choose: A Study of Moses for a Life that Matters By Jodie Niznik |
© 2023 Lori Myers Berry