Getting Started

When you open the book of Exodus, you can’t help but ask, “What happened to God’s promises?” and even more disturbing, “What happened to the God of the promises?” You can easily sympathize with the Hebrews who hadn’t seen evidence of their God’s concern for centuries. 

In this first lesson we will see that God does care about the suffering of His people and remembers His covenant promises. You’ll begin to see how Scripture takes us from a covenant with a sojourning family to a covenant with an emerging nation. And that transition will take place in the crucible of brutal suffering in Egypt—a land that once favored the family of Joseph. 

While Exodus 1 reveals the scope of Pharaoh’s oppression, Exodus 2 features the unexpected emergence of a child who will become the Hebrew savior. Moses is initially the one rescued—rescued from a royal decree for male infanticide … and rescued by the princess to be raised in the court. It appears Moses is well situated to be the leader of his people—but not when he thinks he’s ready. 

Once we get to know the story of the calling of Moses, we’ll be ready to face some questions about our own callings as well.