SOURCE FOR QUESTIONS
Exodus 12:1 through 15:21

‍KEY VERSE FOR MEMORIZATION
“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:13)

BACKGROUND

In spite of the devastation that had come upon Egypt, Pharaoh continued to harden his heart against God, thus setting in motion the painful consequences which precipitated the Exodus of the Children of Israel from bondage. By the hand of God, in a single night the Children of Israel exchanged slavery for freedom, and living in the land of Goshen for a journey to the Land of Promise. As Egypt buried their dead, the Children of Israel left the country, a free people at last.

God instructed the Israelites to commemorate the night when the Lord had “passed over” their homes and, through the sacrifice of an innocent lamb, had spared their firstborn from death. This annual feast, called the Passover, foreshadowed the death of the Lamb of God, who would be sacrificed at Calvary for the sins of all people. The Passover would remind each succeeding generation of the nation’s deliverance from Egypt, and would mark the beginning of the Jewish religious year.

God gave the Children of Israel a pillar of a cloud by day and one of fire by night so they would know that God was leading and protecting them on their journey to the Promised Land. He directed them to an encampment by the Red Sea — a seemingly defenseless position — and, at the miracle of the Red Sea parting, delivered Israel from the Egyptian military might. The people witnessed a miraculous event, crossing the Red Sea on dry ground, while their enemies perished. After the triumph of escape and victory, they rejoiced in a magnificent song of praise.

QUESTIONS

1. What did God instruct the Children of Israel to do in order to prepare for the final plague and for the observance that would become the first Passover? Exodus 12:3-13
   
2. Parallel the lamb slain in the households of the Israelites to Christ, the Lamb of God, and His provision for our salvation.
   
3. God had promised the Israelites deliverance. However, to obtain it they not only had to obey His instructions regarding slaying a lamb and preparing and eating the Passover meal, but they actually had to walk out of Egypt. What are some ways we must “walk away” from our former lives when we begin our new lives in Christ?
   
4. Moses was instructed to sanctify (or consecrate) certain individuals unto God. Who were they? Why do you think this commandment was given? Exodus 13:1-2, 12-16
   
5. What circumstances did God consider when selecting Israel’s route to the Promised Land? (Exodus 13:17-18) What can we learn from this?
   
6. What visible sign of God’s presence accompanied the Children of Israel on their journey? What did this visual indicator do for them? Exodus 13:21-22
   
7. When seemingly trapped between the advancing armies of Egypt and the “uncrossable” Red Sea, Moses said to the people, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today” (Exodus 14:13). Why would it have been difficult for the Israelites to “stand still” under those circumstances? What lesson can we learn from this incident for when we face challenges in our own lives?
   
8. After crossing the Red Sea, the Children of Israel expressed their gratitude to God in a song of deliverance. What attributes of God did they extol in this song (Exodus 15:2-3,11-12)? How can we express our gratitude to God for our spiritual deliverance?

CONCLUSION

The Israelites stood, free at last, on the far side of the Red Sea. Their miraculous deliverance not only signified freedom from the oppression of Egypt, but it was also a physical demonstration of the power of God. What an encouragement for Israel to continue to place their faith and trust in the Almighty God as they journeyed toward the Promised Land!