Discussion Questions
Share some of the challenges that have surprised you during this period of "safer at home" and "social distancing.” What has God been teaching you through these new mandates?
God's people repeatedly looked back on their slavery in Egypt as if it was better than their freedom in the desert (Exodus 14:12; Numbers 11:5;14:2-4). New adversity seemed to make them re-narrate their past slavery as if it was a good thing. How does "adversity reveal us"?
We are told the midwives' names (v.15), yet we never learn the names of Moses' parents, Pharaoh, Pharaoh's daughter, or even Moses' Hebrew name. Read 1 Corinthians 1:27-31. What is God's agenda in using the 'foolish' (insignificant) to shame the 'wise'? How might that be encouraging to us in the midst of our current societal situation? Why is it so hard for us to see significance in many of our mundane, daily tasks?
Moses' mother seemed like a resourceful planner. (Exodus 2:1-10) How can we use our creativity similarly to love our neighbors, while submitting to the governing authorities?
Why did Pharaoh's daughter act directly against her father's wishes? (v.6) How does the compassion of Pharaoh's daughter wind up being more powerful than all of Pharaoh's might and rule? Notice the compassion of Jesus in Luke 7:13. When have you seen compassion rule the moment?
Moses was a murderer (2:11-14). Why would he include his own failure in reminding his people of their story? The Bible is rather clear that murder is one of the worst things we can do. What does this say about God's willingness to redeem our worst failings? How can that be an encouragement to us while in the 'desert'?
Big Themes: God uses the seemingly insignificant, creativity and compassion conquered the power of Pharaoh, and Moses humbly led with his failures. Why does God stress these themes across the Old Testament? How do they point forward to what Jesus called his "exodus" (Luke 9:31)?
