at a glance
author: Moses.
date: During the 1400s BC, while the Israelites were traveling in the desert.
setting: God miraculously liberates the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and then establishes his covenant with them in the desert.
verses to remember: God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them (2:24–25).
theme to consider: Exodus is a wonderful example of the extraordinary lengths God will take to reach out and rescue those he loves, including you.
unchanging truth
Your Life: Scene 1: Was it the disastrous Spanish test, the bad haircut or the fight with your friend that started all this? Your life feels like a hopeless mess. No matter what you do, things keep getting worse. Why would anyone ever want or need you? All you want to do is crawl into bed, pull the covers over your head and sleep for a hundred years or so.
Scene 2: Just when you reach your breaking point, a friend comes alongside you and asks what’s wrong. Just the fact that someone actually cares about you is a huge relief.
Most people experience times when life seems pretty bleak. That’s when it’s wonderful to have someone in your life who loves and cares for you. When you know you’re not facing tough times alone, the problems don’t seem as frightening.
The Israelites knew all about impossible situations. They were slaves in Egypt with no hope of being free. But God hadn’t forgotten about them. He sent a rescuer, Moses. And then he sent ten plagues to convince Pharaoh to let his people go. And although the Israelites would face all kinds of trouble and problems as they trekked across the desert, God continued to show them his love and concern.
When problems start to overwhelm you, stick your head out from under the covers and look to God. He’s into big rescues.
1. When God planned his rescue mission, he chose an unlikely leader in a very unusual way (3:1–10). Watch for the different ways God communicates with you.
2. The Israelites had huge problems, but repeatedly God came to their rescue (14:9, 21–31). He’s faithful. Always.
3. There’s no guesswork in how God wants us to live—with respect and love for him and for each other (20:1–17).