Moses: From the Burning Bush to the Promised Land

Lesson 1When Your Back Is against the Wall ..................................3Exodus 14:10-18

Lesson 2Sharing the Load..............................................................8Exodus 18:13-26

Lesson 3Show Me Your Glory ......................................................13Exodus 33:12-23

Lesson 4With Heart, Soul, and Strength ......................................18Deuteronomy 6:1-12

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prepare Before the SessionRead the session for today in the Study Guide. Then read the options in this Teaching

Guide, placing checkmarks beside the activities you plan to include. After you have decidedwhich options to use, gather the appropriate materials.

WHAT’S IN YOUR TEACHING GUIDE

This Teaching Guide has three purposes:➤ to give the teacher tools for focusing on the content of the session in the Study Guide.➤ to give the teacher additional Bible background information.➤ to give the teacher variety and choice in preparation.

The Teaching Guide includes two major components: Teacher Helps and Teacher Options.

Teacher Helps

Teacher Options

Bible BackgroundThe Study Guide is your main

source of Bible study material.

This section helps you more fully

understand and

interpret the Scripture text.

Teaching Outlineprovides you with an outline

of the main themes in the

Study Guide.

The next three sections provide a beginning, middle, and end

for the session, with focus paragraphs in between.

Focus Paragraphsare printed in italics at the top of the page because they

are the most important part of the Teaching Guide. These

paragraphs will help you move your class from “what the text

meant” to “what the text means.”

You Can Choose!There is more material in each session than you can use, so choose the options from each section

to tailor the session to the needs of your group.

Bible BackgroundFree at Last!The Hebrew slaves were finally

free of their Egyptian oppres-sors. After spending nearly 430

years as slaves, they left Egypt with amplesupplies, gold and silver taken from theEgyptians (12:35-36), a sense of God’sleadership, faith in a charismatic leader,and anticipation that God was about tofulfill ancient promises of land and homefor the descendants of Abraham. What apowerful sight this enormous horde ofpeople must have been, moving out ofEgypt with their possessions and live-stock toward a new future filled with thepromise that God would provide theirevery need. So magnetic was the momentthat people other than Israelites weredrawn into and became part of the exodus(12:38). Now the Israelites were makingtheir way as free people toward a newhome.

The exodus is to the Jews what thecross is to Christians. Jews throughouttime have looked at the exodus fromEgypt as the defining moment in theestablishment of their nation. The bookthat bears the name “Exodus” in theChristian Old Testament is a recountingof the acts of God on behalf of theHebrew people: First, God brought themto a land where they could grow innumber as a people. Then God deliveredthem from the oppression of a pharaoh

whose name we do not know. People offaith consider this spectacular deliver-ance—accomplished through horribleplagues and a parting sea—one of themost dramatic acts of God recorded inScripture.

Years of BondageExodus, which is translated “going out,”is the title of the book taken from theGreek translation of the Old Testament.This title is probably derived fromwording found in 19:2, which records thatthe people “set out,” or “went out.” In theHebrew Bible, the title is translated “Andthese are the names,” taken from the firstfew words of the Hebrew manuscript—acommon practice in Hebrew literature.These words tie the book directly to theclosing chapters of the book of Genesis.These chapters record the life of Josephand the events that took him to Egypt,where he ultimately rose to be the secondmost powerful man in the country. Fromthat lofty position, he was able to bringhis family to Egypt from the land ofCanaan, which was experiencing aprotracted famine, and he provided forthem and protected them. In all, seventymembers of Joseph’s family, includingJoseph, made Egypt their home (Gen46:27; Ex 1:5). From those humblenumbers God grew a multitude (Ex 1:7),but their fate was not to stay in Egypt.

Eventually, a king who no longerremembered Joseph and his influence

1Lesson Teaching Guide

WHEN YOUR BACK

IS AGAINST THE WALLExodus 14:10-18

ascended to the throne of Egypt (1:8).This marked the beginning of theoppression of the Hebrew people. Butthe more Pharaoh and the Egyptiansattempted to control the numbers of theHebrew people, the more the Hebrewsmultiplied (1:12).

Throughout the many years of theiroppression, the people cried out for help,and God heard them. God told Moses, “Ihave seen their misery, I have heard themcrying, I am concerned about their suffer-ing, and I have come down to rescuethem” (3:7-8). God sent Moses to lead theHebrew people out of Egyptian bondage,but it took miraculous intervention tobring Pharaoh to the point where hefinally let the Hebrew slaves go free. Onlyafter the people of Egypt endured tenplagues did Pharaoh release his manyslaves.

A Final Challenge on the Way toFreedomYears before, God had promised to makeAbraham’s descendants into a greatnation with their own land. Even underEgyptian oppression, the first of thesepromises was fulfilled. Now, the peoplewere to realize the second promise—aland of their own. Pharaoh finallyrelented to the demands of God andMoses following the tenth plague: thedeath of the firstborn in each Egyptianhome. So terrible was this final plaguethat all Egyptians welcomed the depar-ture of the Israelites (12:33).

Though the shortest route to thepromised land was along the coastline,God directed the Hebrews a different way.The emerging nation was in no positionto defend itself against the Philistines,who were skilled and ferocious fighters(13:17). Instead, God led his peopletoward the Red Sea, where God oncemore demonstrated great power in rescu-ing the people from the Egyptians, nodoubt intending to show that God is theLord (14:4). God instructed Moses tomake camp at the sea, which placed the

Hebrews in a vulnerable defensive posi-tion. Realizing that he had lost his cheaplabor force (14:5), Pharaoh gathered hisarmy and chariots and pursued theIsraelites, overtaking them at the Red Sea.Though the Israelites had marched withboldness away from Pharaoh’s oppression(14:8), the sight of the approaching armyterrified them, and they were soon willingto abandon their freedom.

In ancient warfare, few things weremore feared than an army of chariots, theequivalent of modern-day tanks. One can

Introduction: Free from their Egyptianoppressors, the Israelites were making theirway to a new home: the land promised tothe descendants of Abraham. But just astheir release had not been acquired easily,neither would the trip to their new home beeasy. They would soon face their first chal-lenge as a free people.

I. The People Want to Go Back (14:10-12)A. Pharaoh’s army approaches and the

people cry out to God (14:10).B. The people blame Moses for their

predicament (14:11-12).II. Moses Desires to Stand Still (14:13-14)

A. Moses urges the people not to beafraid, for God will act to deliver themby destroying the Egyptians (14:13).

B. Moses expects God to do all the fight-ing, so the people need only stand stilland watch (14:14).

III. God Wants the People to Move Forward(14:15-18)

A. God commands Moses to tell thepeople to move (14:15).

B. Moses is to raise his staff to divide thewaters of the sea (14:16).

C. God will harden the heart of Pharaohso that he will have his army pursuethe people, which God will use to gainglory (14:17).

D. The Egyptians will know that God isthe Lord (14:18).

4 Lesson 1

visualize the scene as all the chariots ofPharaoh’s army, including his 600 bestchariots (14:7), suddenly emerged over thehorizon just when the Israelites werebeginning to feel the joy of theirnewfound freedom. Hundreds, perhapsthousands, of chariots probably created adust cloud that could be seen for miles,signaling the approach of devastation anddeath. It is no wonder the Israelitesreacted with fear and anguish. With thesea to their backs, the desert surroundingthem, and an army pursuing them, their

first instinct was to panic and place theblame for their predicament on the onewho only hours earlier had been theirsavior. “Was it because there were nograves in Egypt that you brought us to thedesert to die?” they asked Moses. Thisquestion expresses a sense of desperation.The people would rather serve as slaves inEgypt—where they knew their place andunderstood their roles—than be exposedto the hazards of freedom. Going back toEgypt seemed to be their only option.

❍ From Miraculous to MundaneRead the Scripture passage for today andthen explain its context. Only a brief timehad passed since the Israelites leftEgyptian slavery. What would it be like tolead such a group?

The situation was desperate. Thepeople were trapped between thepharaoh’s advancing army and the RedSea. How desperate, though, had theirsituation been while they were still underPharaoh’s control? Did not God providean unexpected escape for them throughthe miracles of the ten plagues?

Questions➤ How are we guilty of failing to perceive

God’s providence in our lives?➤ Why do people so quickly forget what

God has done for them?➤ How might we have reacted if we had

been among the Israelites on the banksof the Red Sea?

❍ Let’s Go BackDiscuss what it means to “go back.” Askthose who are willing to share instanceswhen they wanted to “go back” because ofdifficulties they encountered. What didthey learn about God’s provisions in thosetimes?

Recall the circumstances that led theIsraelites to slavery in Egypt and then tofreedom under Moses’ leadership. Readthe passage for today.

Questions➤ Does it seem surprising that the people

wanted to go back to Egypt? ➤ What does this suggest about their

understanding of and appreciation forthe previous acts of God on theirbehalf?

One of the important themes in this session is our tendency to want to “go back” tomore familiar surroundings—regardless of the circumstance—when we face chal-lenges. People of faith are not immune from this tendency. Fear of the unknown

often paralyzes us, but faith requires us to trust God when no resolution is apparent. How do werespond when we find ourselves with our backs against the wall?

A Way to Begin

Teaching Guide 5

❍ Recognizing God at WorkWrite “People are the same” and “God isthe same” on a white board or large pieceof newsprint. As you discuss the text,invite class members to give examplesfrom the text and from their own experi-ences that support these two statements.Have learners identify ways in which thepower of God was at work in the lives ofthe Israelites. Have them also identifyways in which the people demonstratedlack of faith.

Questions➤ Given their recent history with God,

why were the Israelites so fearful at thesight of the approaching Egyptianarmy?

➤ What does it say about a person’s faithin God when fear prevails over trust?

➤ Why is it important to recognize andremember God’s work on our behalf?

➤ How can we better connect God’s pastfaithfulness with present-day chal-lenges?

❍ No Way OutFrom time to time we find ourselvespinned against the wall with no apparentmeans of escape. This can be true in rela-tionships, finances, health, or othercircumstances. Ask the learners toconsider a time when they felt that theirsituation was hopeless.

Questions➤ When have you been in a difficult situa-

tion that offered no apparent escape? ➤ How was the dilemma resolved? Did

anything unexpected change your situ-ation?

➤ What lessons in faith did you learnfrom that experience?

➤ At what point did you recognize God’spresence and influence?

➤ How has the experience prepared youfor future challenges in life?

Such circumstances are often used toreveal the glory and power of God. Thiswas certainly the case in today’s text (seeEx 14:18). Remind the learners that God’sultimate goal in redeeming us is to bringglory to God.

A Way to Explore Scripture The behavior of the Hebrew people is not so surprising because, even though ourcircumstances differ, we have acted in similar ways. This story, like so many in the

Old Testament, is relevant for two reasons. First, people are basically the same todayas they were in Moses’ time. We may drive cars rather than chariots, but we’re the same. Second,God is the same. Thus, we can find value in God’s actions for and words to generations far removedfrom us.

6 Lesson 1

❍ Remembering God’s ActsWhen we take God’s acts on our behalffor granted, we are likely to forget themwhen faced with new challenges.Distribute copies of page 23, titled“Remembering God’s Acts.” Encourageyour learners to use it this week tobecome more aware of God’s providence.Discuss these questions together.

Questions➤ In what ways do you see yourself in

today’s text? ➤ In what ways do you see God at work in

your life that are similar to the waysGod worked in today’s text?

➤ How is God’s glory being revealedthrough your life?

➤ How have past experiences preparedyou for future challenges in life?

❍ Recognizing the Glory of GodThe acts of God are ultimately intendedto reveal the glory of God. When God toldMoses that the Israelites would be rescuedand the Egyptian army destroyed so thatthe “Egyptians will know that I am theLORD,” the lesson was meant for theHebrew people as well. The Egyptiansneeded to learn the lesson because theywere worshiping other gods, but theIsraelites needed to learn it because theyhad forgotten that God had already beenat work to redeem them. Ultimately, it wasall for God’s glory.

Encourage the group to make acommitment to pray the following kindsof prayers that will make them moreaware of the glory of God.

➤ Praise—for God’s creating, delivering,and sustaining power

➤ Confession—of all the ways we forgetGod’s care

➤ Thanksgiving—for God’s many dailyblessings

➤ Commitment—so that we may beinstruments for revealing God’s gloryto the world.

We often act in the same manner as the Israelites when confronted with a dilemma.Through this story we have witnessed typical human response to fear. When we

factor out God in our times of crisis, we are likely to fall into the “let’s go back toEgypt” syndrome. After the spectacular miracles God already performed on behalf of the Hebrews,what made them doubt God could work in another amazing way? How are we like the Hebrews?

A Way to End

Teaching Guide 7

2Bible Background

God’s Mighty DeedsThe miraculous deliverance of

the Hebrew slaves from Egyptmarked the beginning of a new

nation. Yet despite their wondrous releasefrom slavery, the people’s actions andconversation quickly became more remi-niscent of spoiled children than ofappreciative recipients of divine interven-tion. Within days after leaving Egypt, thepeople began to complain about theirliving conditions, even though they werenow a free people. Although hardshipssoon arose in their newfound freedom,was it proper for the people to comparethese hardships to the life of slavery theyhad known in Egypt (14:11-12; 16:3; 17:3)?Before we get too critical of the Hebrews,we must remember that humans areprone to be more comfortable with themisery of the familiar than the challengesof the unknown, even when the unknownoffers the possibility of a better life.

Consider the ways in which God’spower had been demonstrated to theHebrews already. Through a series ofdisastrous plagues and a miraculouscrossing of the Red Sea, God rescuedthem from Egypt. At Marah (ch. 15) andMassa (ch. 17), God provided them withwater to drink; God also gave them quailand manna to eat (ch. 16). Finally, Godmade them victorious over theAmalekites at Rephidim (ch. 17).

A Grumbling, Stiff-necked PeopleIt seemed, however, that the Israeliteswere unimpressed with God’s stunningacts of deliverance. They complainedabout everything from the lack of foodand water to the way Moses was leadingthem. In each case, God responded totheir complaints by providing the necessi-ties of life, but God did so in a way thatdemonstrated divine power and control.Just as God had acted at the Red Sea toprove lordship over the Egyptians (14:18),God acted on numerous occasions toprove lordship over the Israelites (15:26;16:8; 16:12). In each instance, God’s provi-sion was more than adequate to meet thepeople’s needs, but each was also a test ofobedience. Unfortunately, the Israelites’performance was far from impressive. Furthermore, the Israelites constantlycriticized Moses’ leadership. One can onlyimagine the challenges associated withleading so many people and the inevitabledisputes that would erupt among them.

A Family ReunionPerhaps overwhelmed by the demands ofleadership and fearing for the safety ofhis family, Moses had sent his wife,Zipporah, and his two sons, Gershom andEliezer, to be with his father-in-law,Jethro. “Jethro” is apparently a title (“hisexcellency”) and not a proper name.Moses’ father-in-law is called Hobab else-where in Scripture (Num 10:29-32; Jgs

Lesson Teaching Guide

SHARING

THE LOADExodus 18:13-26

4:11) and is once called Reuel (Ex 2:18),unless, as some Talmudic rabbis tookit, this is a reference to Jethro’s father.Following the defeat of the Amalekites(Ex 17), Jethro sent word that he wouldsoon arrive with Moses’ family. Upontheir arrival, Moses received Jethro intohis tent and shared the many ways Godhad acted on behalf of the Israelites.Jethro responded with praise and testifiedthat God was greater than all gods(18:11). He offered a sacrifice to God andshared in a sacred fellowship meal withMoses, Aaron, and the elders of Israel.

Jethro’s presence in the camp was nodoubt a blessing to Moses, and his adviceto Moses would prove invaluable. Moses’responsibilities included acting as a judgein settling disputes that arose among thepeople (18:13). Considering the thou-sands of people in the camp (12:37) andthe circumstances in which they lived, it isno surprise that disputes were common,creating an enormous demand for arbi-tration. The morning after Jethro’s arrival,Moses sat down (the posture of leader-ship) to serve as judge for the people.Although the text does not say so specifi-cally, this was probably a role Mosespracticed regularly but only periodically.So many people waited to be heard thatday that “they stood around him frommorning until night” (18:13). Jethroobserved this arrangement and pointedout that it was not healthy either forMoses or for those who came to him forjudgment. The task was simply too greatfor one person to handle alone. Seeingthe crowd that continuously surroundedMoses, Jethro raised an important ques-tion: “Why are you attempting to do thisalone when there are so many peoplestanding around waiting to see you theentire day?” The tone of Jethro’s questionsuggests that Moses was doing a disserv-ice both to himself and to the ones heserved as judge.

Welcome AdviceJethro proposed a system by whichtrusted leaders would be chosen to

oversee groups of ten, fifty, one hundred,and one thousand. These leaders wouldbe charged with judging the less impor-tant but potentially time-consumingmatters. Only the more important issueswould be brought to Moses’ attention.The benefits of such a plan are obvious.First, Moses would be relieved of theburden of acting as the sole judge for the

Introduction: Few things are more devas-tating than being overworked and underappreciated. Yet this is exactly what washappening in the Hebrew camp whenMoses attempted to be the sole judge forall the disputes that arose. Both Moses andthe people were affected by his failure todelegate. Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro,helped him see a better way to serve thepeople while helping himself in the process.

I. Moses serves as judge of the camp(18:13–18:16).A. Moses takes his seat as judge,

surrounded by people from morningtill evening (v. 13).

B. Jethro raises the question of Moses’effectiveness (v. 14).

C. Moses explains his rationale (vv. 15-16).

II. Jethro offers sound advice to Moses(18:17-23).A. Jethro points out the flaws in Moses’

method (vv. 17-18).B. Jethro helps Moses focus on his most

critical role (vv. 19-20).C. Jethro’s plan is laid out before Moses

(vv. 21-22).D. Jethro’s rationale for the plan is

explained (v. 23).III. Moses responds to Jethro’s advice

(18:24-26).A. Moses implements Jethro’s plan

(v. 24).B. Moses chooses leaders for the various

sizes of groups (v. 25).C. The plan works as intended (v. 26).

Teaching Guide 9

❍ Standing in a Mile-long LineRemind learners of the major events thathad taken place since the Israelites leftEgypt as described in the BibleBackground section. Discuss the difficul-ties of managing such a large group ofpeople and the inevitability of conflict.

Questions➤ When was the last time you had to

stand in a long line at the store, thebank, etc.?

➤ Did you lose your patience with thosewho were in charge? With the peopleahead of you?

➤ What might it have felt like for theperson who had to take care of eachindividual in line?

This situation is unappealing from eitherside of the counter. Everyone’s nervesbecome frayed, tempers flare, stress israised, and the entire process bogs down.

❍ Manageable BitesRemind the class of the old joke that goes,“How do you eat an elephant?” Answer:“One bite at a time!” Most of us are wiredto handle life in manageable bites. Few ofus can handle sustained waves of pressurefor long.

Questions➤ When you were last given a heavy

assignment at work or school, one thatseemed overwhelming at first, how didit make you feel?

➤ How did you handle it?

Read the Scripture passage. Discuss waysboth Moses and the people might havebeen overwhelmed by their situations.How might your church be experiencingsome of the same frustrations?

entire camp. Second, capable peoplewould be integrated into the various lead-ership roles. By creating a mechanism foridentifying, equipping, and putting intoservice those who showed leadershippotential, Jethro’s advice helped build astronger community with greater long-term stability. Finally, this arrangementensured that justice would be morereadily available to the people.

This system serves as a model foreffective leadership in any generation. Infact, advocates for small-group ministriesin the church often point to this “Jethro

principle” as a model for ensuring thatevery member of a church receivesadequate pastoral care. If a group ororganization is to survive past the firstgeneration, new leadership must be iden-tified, trained, and employed in the workof the group. Just as important, though, isthe necessity to keep the group vibrant bymeeting the group’s needs in an orderlyand efficient manner. Jethro’s advice is asrelevant for the church today as it was forMoses and the Hebrew people, for itensures the well-being of the group and ofthe group’s leadership.

We often encounter leaders at work, at church, and even in the home who try to dotoo much on their own. The stress associated with work overload leads to ineffi-ciency, disgruntled followers, and poor health for the leader. How can we lead

effectively and take care of our own well-being?

A Way to Begin

10 Lesson 2

❍ Sharing the LoadLead a discussion guided by the sessionoutline.

Questions➤ What was wrong with Moses’ method

of handling disputes in the camp? ➤ Why didn’t Moses realize that his

method was inappropriate? ➤ How might Moses have been blinded to

the faults in his leadership?➤ Why is delegating responsibility impor-

tant to a group? ➤ Who benefits most from proper delega-

tion, the leader or the group? Why?

One of the key attributes of successfulleaders is the ability to delegate. In Moses’defense, he did exactly that when Jethrosuggested it. Proper delegation bringsnew energy into leadership roles andallows group members to have a sense ofownership. It also ensures that leadershipwill not be overburdened, which in turnguarantees the health of both leaders andorganization.

❍ The Value of Sage AdviceAsk a class member to read the text fortoday. Lead the group in a discussion ofthe text guided by the session outline. Asyou discuss the text, ask learners to high-light the strengths and weaknesses ofMoses’ leadership style.

Questions➤ What was Moses doing wrong? What

was he doing right? ➤ Why was Moses eager to listen to his

father-in-law? What does this suggestabout Moses’ character?

Suggest two reasons why Moses heardand followed Jethro’s advice. First, Mosestrusted Jethro because of their past rela-tionship. Moses knew Jethro was a wiseman and therefore he was confident thatwhatever advice he offered would behelpful. This underscores once again thevalue of healthy relationships.

Second, Moses was willing to learnfrom his mistakes. Some leaders are tooproud to recognize their shortcomings,much less listen when others point themout! The community benefits whenleaders and followers are willing to setaside pride and to receive the advice ofwise and trusted people.

Questions➤ How do unhealthy relationships

prevent us from hearing wise advice?How does pride keep us from acceptingthe counsel of others?

➤ What other factors keep us from receiv-ing correction and insight from others?

➤ What are other biblical examples of theimportance of taking advice from godlycounselors?

Moses was a dynamic leader who had successfully led the Israelites out of Egypt. Hehad Aaron as his spokesman and God as his guide and strength. Even so, when it

came to the seemingly less complicated issue of settling disputes within the camp,Moses’ method was insufficient. The people needed timely justice and arbitration, but they alsoneeded to learn that their newfound freedom would require some of them to become leaders.

A Way to Explore Scripture

Teaching Guide 11

12 Lesson 2

❍ Are You Called to Lead?Provide a list of service opportunitiesavailable through your church. Ask learn-ers to consider assuming a place ofresponsibility in a ministry or function.Remind them that each of us is called toserve. Encourage learners to look forservice opportunities that will help easethe workload of the present leaders.

Questions➤ Who should be entrusted with leader-

ship roles?➤ Are leaders more important than

followers?➤ Why is sharing the load important to

the health of the community of faith?➤ Do you regard service in the commu-

nity of faith as a blessing or a burden?

❍ Knowing When to Give AdvicePart of the challenge of being in a commu-nity of faith is knowing when and whennot to offer advice. Jethro felt comfortablegiving advice to Moses because he knewMoses and his situation. Jethro was wiseto offer advice that would strengthenMoses and the entire community.

Questions➤ From whom are you willing to receive

advice? What character traits make thatperson a welcome counselor?

➤ What hinders people from offeringadvice? To what extent are thesehindrances justified?

➤ How do we discern when to offer adviceand when to keep silent?

We feel more like part of a group, regardless its overall size, when we see ourselves asmore than single grains of sand on a vast beach. We are healthier when life seems

more personal and intimate and we feel that our voice will be heard. Groups arehealthier when led by trustworthy and ethical people.

A Way to End

3Bible Background

Giving the LawFew passages of Scripture

record a more intimateencounter between God and a

human being than the one we considertoday. Previous lessons have demon-strated the close connection betweenMoses and God, but here it reaches levelsof intimacy unknown before.

Moses had led the Israelites to thebase of Mount Sinai. There God calledMoses up the mountain to give him thelaws and decrees that would define theIsraelites’ way of life in the land they wereto inhabit—the land God promised themas descendants of Abraham. The mostrecognizable of these laws, the TenCommandments, are recorded in Exodus20, but the eleven subsequent chapterscontain laws and decrees addressing crim-inal, social, and religious matters thatwere also handed down to Moses while hewas on the mountain.

Breaking the CovenantThe people waited for Moses’ returnthroughout his extended absence. Theirpatience wore thin, however, and theybegan to grow restless, even rebellious.Finally, fearing that Moses may have diedon the mountain and desiring a god theycould worship, the people convincedAaron to make them an idol from theirown gold jewelry. Aaron relented and

fashioned a calf from the melted gold.Later, when called to account for hisactions, Aaron gave a ridiculous excuse:“The people gave me gold, and I threw itinto the fire, and out came this calf!”(32:24). On the contrary, he actually builtan altar to the golden calf and led thepeople in worship before it, offeringburnt offerings and sacrifices to the life-less image.

God had informed Moses of every-thing taking place below. Burning withanger at the people’s sin, God dismissedMoses and decided to destroy theIsraelites. But Moses interceded for them.He argued that if God completelydestroyed Israel, the Egyptians could sayGod had simply brought the Israelitesinto the desert with an evil intent: to killthem, not to allow them to worship God(32:12).

Moses returned from the mountaincarrying the stone tablets God gave himthat bore the laws of God. Seeing Israel’sdebauchery, he threw the tablets to theground, breaking them. He then groundthe golden calf into powder, mixed thepowder with water, and forced the peopleto drink it. Because of their idolatry, some3,000 of the Israelites were slain (33:28).Even more ominous, though, was God’sdecree that the entire nation would bedestroyed (33:9-10). God deemed thesepeople a “stiff-necked” bunch, not worthyof the time and energy invested in them.God fully intended to destroy them and

Lesson Teaching Guide

SHOW ME

YOUR GLORYExodus 33:12-23

establish a new nation under Moses’leadership, but Moses’ interventionseems to have prompted God’s lesseraction: sending a plague on the people.God then commanded Moses to leadthem to the promised land, but with anotable difference: God would no longeraccompany them. The promise toAbraham would be fulfilled, but withoutGod’s constant presence.

Moses’ IntercessionThis announcement caused great anguishto Moses and the people. Leading thisrebellious group was a tough assignment,but the thought of God not being in theirpresence was too much for Moses. Moseshad been meeting with God “face to face”in the tent of meeting (33:11), indicatingan intimate relationship, but now Mosesfaced the prospect of having to lead thepeople without the benefit of God’s pres-ence (33:3). His appeal to God for therevelation of God’s glory is one of themore moving requests in all of Scripture,for Moses understood that apart fromGod’s presence, there was no hope forthem. The exchange between Moses andGod is reminiscent of the incident inwhich Abraham appealed to God to spareSodom if he could find fifty righteouspeople there (Gen 18:22ff ). But beyondthat, Moses appealed to God to rememberthat these people, despite their rebellion,still were the people of God (33:13).

In effect, Moses stated, “Your pres-ence is so important to me that I don’twant to think about going any-wherewithout it!” God’s presence is, after all,the defining feature of the faith relation-ship, that which distinguishes the peopleof God from others (33:16b).

Entering God’s PresenceGod then promised that Moses and thepeople would not travel without God’spresence, but this promise was specificallytied to God’s prior intimate relationshipwith Moses (v. 17). Moses responded witha remarkable request: “Show me your

glory.” Moses had already demonstrated adesire to know God completely so that hemight remain in God’s favor (33:13). Nowhe asked to see God for all that God trulyis. This was the pinnacle of Moses’ desireto know God. The long journey thatbegan with Moses begging God to choosesomeone else as the Israelites’ leader

Introduction: Rebellion against God carriesmany consequences, but none moreominous than the removal of God’s pres-ence. Left to our own devices, we strugglewith life’s challenges alone. Because of theiridolatry, the Hebrew people faced the terri-ble prospect of going forth without God.

I. Moses’ First Appeal (33:12-13)A. Moses wishes to know who will go

with him (v. 12).B. Moses asks God to teach him the ways

of God (v. 13a).C. Moses reminds God that the Israelites

are God’s people (v. 13b).II. God’s Response (33:14)

A. The promise of God’s presence (v. 14a)

B. The promise of rest (v. 14b)III. Moses’ Second Appeal (33:15-16)

A. If you don’t go with us, then don’tsend us (v. 15).

B. God’s presence is a sign of God’s favor(v. 16).

IV. God’s Response (33:17)A. God agrees to Moses’ request (v. 17a).B. God is pleased with Moses (v. 17b).C. God knows Moses by name (v. 17c).

V. Moses’ Third Appeal—“Show me yourglory” (33:18)

VI. God’s Response (33:19-23)A. God agrees to reveal God’s goodness

(v. 19).B. The revelation of God is limited

(v. 20).C. God arranges to reveal the divine glory

to Moses (vv. 21-23).

14 Lesson 3

(4:13) ended with “show me your glory!”(33:18).

Again, God responded affirmatively—but with a proviso. Moses would beallowed to see the glory of God, but onlyin a measure that would not destroy him.God’s glory seen in its fullness wouldbring death to Moses. God could haverefused to answer Moses’ request, but asin the case of the golden calf, God worksaround human weakness. This storyholds in tension both the awesome other-ness of God—whose face no one can see

and live—and God’s great grace andcondescension to humankind. God placedMoses in a protected area, covered him,and passed by him. Moses saw the after-glow of God’s presence and glory. It mayappear contradictory that God spoke toMoses “face to face” (33:11) but thenwould not allow Moses to see the face ofGod (33:20). In the first reference,however, Moses was not experiencing thefull revelation of God; in the second refer-ence he was.

❍ A Study in ContrastsRemind class members of the context ofchapter 33, in which God commandsMoses to lead the people to the promisedland, although God refuses to accompanythem because of their sin. By worshipingthe golden calf, the Israelites committedtwo atrocities. First, they turned awayfrom God. Second, they succumbed toidol worship. They did this while Mosesenjoyed spiritual intimacy on the moun-tain. Consider the dramatic contrastbetween the people and their leader.

Questions➤ What made it easy for the people to

turn their backs on God?➤ Why was Aaron so easily persuaded to

build the golden calf?➤ Would you have reacted differently had

you been there? Why or why not?

❍ Standing in the GapRemind class members that the Israeliteshad already seen God perform mightydeeds on their behalf, yet they rebelledagainst God by worshiping the goldencalf. Because of this breach of relation-ship, God told Moses that he and thepeople must journey to the promised landwithout God’s presence. Hearing this, thepeople began to mourn (33:4), but Mosesacted as their advocate, begging God toreconsider.

Questions➤ What is the role of an advocate? ➤ How have you served as an advocate for

others? Who has advocated for you?➤ What qualifies a person to be an advo-

cate? ➤ What was Moses’ motivation for inter-

ceding for the Israelites? ➤ What made Moses’ advocacy effective?

Do you recall Moses’ initial reaction when God called him to lead the Israelites outof slavery? He offered God several excuses for not being able to do the job. Beingclose to God changes a person. We can see this clearly in Moses’ journey from

reluctant prophet (4:13) to devoted servant who asked God to “show me your glory” (33:18). Isthere similar evidence in our lives that we have grown closer to God?

A Way to Begin

Teaching Guide 15

❍ One Person’s InfluenceDiscuss how one individual could havegreat influence on a group. Moses had anumber of attributes that gave himunprecedented access to God. Have learn-ers explore the passage to identify some ofthose attributes.

Questions➤ How do Moses’ statements indicate the

health of his relationship with God? ➤ What indications do you find that

Moses was intent on growing in hisrelationship with God?

Those who genuinely seek God are notsatisfied with past experiences. Mosesasked God to go with him and the peopleas an indication to the other nations oftheir unique relationship with the Lord.

Questions➤ How deeply do you desire the presence

of God in your life? ➤ Does your relationship with God

distinguish you from the rest of theworld?

➤ What episode from the life of Mosesbest describes your current spirituallife?

➤ What can we learn about Moses fromhis act of intercession? What can welearn about God?

➤ How did Moses’ relationship with Godinfluence the people around him?

❍ Seeking God’s GloryDiscuss what it means to seek to know theglory of God in its fullness. Observe thatMoses sought knowledge of God above allelse. He wanted to experience God’s pres-ence and God’s glory.

Questions➤ How are God’s presence and God’s

glory related?➤ How did Moses demonstrate humility

in the requests he made to God? ➤ Under what circumstances would you

be able to ask God for God’s presenceand an experience of his glory? Howmight God respond to such requests?

Moses’ request did not arise out of thinair: it grew out of his previous experience.When we have experienced God’s glory inpart, we desire to experience it more fully.God’s glory fully revealed would over-power humanity to the point of death.Even so, God stands ready to reveal divineglory to the extent that our devotionallows.

A Way to Explore Scripture Given their rebellion against God, the people probably deserved to be left to theirown devices. Yet Moses’ appeal to God on Israel’s behalf apparently turned God’s

heart from abandoning them on this difficult journey across the wilderness. What canwe learn from the way Moses approached God?

16 Lesson 3

❍ Acknowledging God’s GloryDistribute copies of page 24, titled“Acknowledging God’s Glory.” Remindclass members that by acknowledgingGod’s glory with our mouths, we honorGod’s reign in our lives.

Invite volunteers to read aloud eachof the Scripture verses quoted on page 24.Discuss how each verse guides us inacknowledging God’s glory.

Questions➤ Other than in private or corporate

worship, how can we acknowledgeGod’s glory?

➤ How is acknowledging God’s glory tiedto our ethics? Our family relation-ships? Our personal witness?

➤ How is God’s glory revealed throughGod’s people?

❍ Devoted to GodWhen Moses returned from the mountainwith the commandments of God, hefound the Israelites living in rebellion andidolatry. But Moses remained devoted toGod and even interceded for the peoplebefore God. God honored Moses’ devo-tion by showing him divine glory in waysMoses had never experienced.

Questions➤ How can we follow Moses’ example by

praying for those who have turnedaway from God rather than condemn-ing them?

➤ How can our intercession lead to amanifestation of God’s glory?

➤ What degree of spiritual intimacy withGod is necessary for us to respond inthis way?

In any relationship, what we learn from each other comes in increments that grow withmutual trust and respect. The higher the trust level, the more we feel comfortable

revealing who we are to others. The same is true with God. Moses had already provenhis devotion to God by following God’s directives. That obedience led to relationship, relationshipto devotion, and devotion to desire for deeper intimacy. Each of us should undertake that same kindof journey to know God more intimately.

A Way to End

Teaching Guide 17

Bible BackgroundMoses’ Final DaysThe book of Deuteronomy is a

series of sermons Moses deliv-ered to the Israelites on the plains

of Moab (1:5), just before they entered thepromised land. The sermons are bothretellings of the laws and decrees God hadearlier given to Israel at Mount Horeb andexhortations to follow them. Followingthe Jewish tradition of naming a book byits opening phrase, the title of the book inthe Hebrew Bible is “These Are theWords” (see Deut 1:1). In these sermons,Moses delivered his farewell address tothe people. Because of Moses’ past disobe-dience, God was not going to allow himto enter the promised land (3:21-29).

The Israelites poised to enter thepromised land were of the second genera-tion. They had been born in thewilderness, the children of those who hadhad left Egypt forty years earlier. Theyhad not seen the plagues fall on theEgyptians, the wondrous departure fromEgypt bearing the Egyptians’ gold andsilver, or God’s miraculous guidance andprotection through the deliverance fromPharaoh’s army at the Red Sea. The oldergeneration had been forbidden to enterthe promised land because of theirdisobedience and lack of faith in God andin Moses’ leadership (Num 14:20ff ). Theolder generation had died in the wilder-ness. Only Caleb and Joshua remained

from that generation who had witnessedthe exodus from Egypt and the giving ofthe law at Mount Sinai. Only those twohad seen the miracles of God on behalf ofthe people (Num 14:24). Moses’ sermons,therefore, were vital to the well-being ofthe people set to claim the inheritance ofGod. He spent his final days telling thepeople the story of God’s saving deedsthat led to their establishment as a freenation. He also reminded them of thelaws God had passed down for them tofollow. They were about to enter thepromised land. It was time for them tolearn.

A Call to ObedienceConditions in their new homeland weregoing to be very different from life in thedesert. Instead of tents, the Israeliteswould live in houses. Instead of exclu-sively tending to livestock as nomadicpastoralists, they would now grow cropsin settled communities. Where they hadbeen wanderers in the wilderness, nowthey would live in villages and citiesengaging in agriculture, commerce, andtrade. Given this new lifestyle, though,they were still expected to maintain theirsingular devotion to the one true God—and they were not to take the blessings ofGod for granted. Moses sought to educatethem about God’s expectations of them.These expectations were not to be consid-ered as shackles but rather as a divine

Lesson Teaching Guide

WITH HEART, SOUL,AND STRENGTHDeuteronomy 6:1-12

4

prescription for leading lives of content-ment and peace (6:18).

Moses reminded the people thatthe instructions he was giving themoriginated in God and not in him. Hewas simply the message bearer. The factthat these laws and commands were fromGod underscores their importance. Theywere given for a specific people in aspecific place, but they are laws that haveuniversal implications and applications,for they reflect the nature of God.

Keeping these laws would lead to twoconsequences. First, the people would livein “fear” of God. The laws were meant toestablish the boundaries within which thepeople could live and be acceptable toGod. Understanding these boundariesleads to a healthy respect for the One whoestablished them. It might be tempting tobelieve no negative element of fear, as indread, is intended here, but this isunlikely. There are benefits to knowingthat unpleasant consequences result whenone crosses the line of acceptable behav-ior. In that regard, the negative aspect offear can make a positive contribution to ahealthy life.

But God did not desire the people tolive under a crushing, debilitating kind offear, as is evidenced by the second conse-quence of following God’s laws andcommands: the people would enjoy longlife (6:2b). It is clear that there is a correla-tion between obeying God’s commandsand leading a long, happy life. Verse 3continues the benefits of obeying God.Doing so will insure that things will “gowell” for the people and that they willgrow as they live in the land of promise.The promises of long life and growth inthe land based on obedience to God carrya negative connotation. Disobedienceleads to stagnancy and the inability to“enjoy long life.”

Worship One God OnlyOf all the important concepts Moseswished the people to grasp, the mostimportant were obeying God and avoid-ing idolatry. Moses understood that

turning away from God results inworshiping other gods. This was demon-strated a generation earlier when, at thepeoples’ instigation, Aaron fashioned agolden calf to worship while Moses was

Introduction: As the Hebrews were poisedto enter the promised land, Moses onceagain instructed them in the law God hadgiven them. By keeping the law, the peoplewould demonstrate their love for God. Atotal commitment of heart, soul, andstrength was required to do this.

I. Moses Lists the Benefits of Keeping theLaw (6:1-3)A. Keeping the law demonstrates “fear”

of God (or respect for God) andallows one the ability to enjoy life(vv.1-2)

B. Israel is urged to “hear” and to “obey,”which, if they do, will insure thatthings will go well for them and thatthey will increase in the land accordingto God’s promise.

II. The Shema (6:4-9)A. Israel is commanded “to hear” that

God is one, and that God is uniqueand all-inclusive (v. 4).

B. Israel is commanded to love God withall their being—heart, soul, andstrength (v. 5).

C. Israel is commanded to incorporateGod’s law into every aspect of life (vv. 6-9).

III. Do Not Take the Blessings of God forGranted (6:10-12)

A. God’s promises made to Abraham,Isaac, and Jacob are about to befulfilled (v. 10).

B. God will give provisions for all of lifeto the new inhabitants of the land (v. 11).

C. The people are warned against allow-ing their provisions to undermine theirdependency on God (v. 12).

Teaching Guide 19

❍ When Hearing Makes a DifferenceVerse 4 begins with the command “Hear,O Israel!” Discuss the difference between“hearing” and “hearing with understand-ing.” Brainstorm examples that illustratethe difference between the two.

Questions➤ How does one move from mere hearing

to hearing with understanding? ➤ How did the Israelites fail to make this

transition? How do we?

❍ When Hearing Becomes DoingRead Deuteronomy 6:1-12. Today’s textunderscores the importance of imprintingthe desires of God onto our hearts andinto our lives. To do this, we must be ableto hear and understand what God expectsfrom us.

Questions➤ Have you ever had to give someone

instructions on how to do somethingover the phone or via email?

➤ How is that different from givinginstructions face to face?

➤ What are the factors that make it hardto follow directions given from adistance?

➤ What is required of the person follow-ing directions given from a distance?

As servants of God, we are called to hearthe expectations God has for us withunderstanding. Guide the learners into astudy of today’s text, encouraging them tohear with understanding.

God’s intention in giving the law was not to bind the Israelites to another form ofslavery. Rather, the law was intended to set them free to experience an unencum-bered relationship with God, resulting in a life filled with God’s blessings. In the

same way, we are “bound into freedom” when we willingly give our lives to God and serve Godfaithfully in every aspect of life.

A Way to Begin

20 Lesson 4

on the mountain receiving the laws ofGod.

Verse 4 begins a section of Scriptureknown as the Shema. Its name is derivedfrom a transliteration of the Hebrew verbtranslated “hear.” “Hear, O Israel: TheLORD is our God, the LORD alone.” Thisfoundational cry forms the basis formonotheistic thought in both the Hebrewand Christian faiths. Scholars debatewhether Moses intended to make a casefor the singularity of God in this state-ment, but at the very least it is adeclaration about the uniqueness andpriority of God. The call to give Godpriority in life is underscored in the state-ment “Love the LORD with all your heartand with all your soul and with all yourstrength.” These elements—heart, soul,strength—encompass the totality of being

in Hebrew thought. If one loves Godcompletely in this way, love and devotioncan be given to no other. All other godsare in effect rendered null and void.

Moses urged the people to be singularin their devotion to Yahweh because noother nation enjoyed the unique relation-ship they had with their God (4:7ff ). Healso reminded them of the terrible pricemany of the earlier generations had paidfor idol worship (4:3-4; see Num 25 forthe full account). Moses then recountedthe ten commandments God had given atMount Sinai. These commandments werethe means by which the people could liveobediently before God. For Moses,nothing was more terrible than abandon-ing the living God for a worthless, lifelessidol.

❍ Literal or Figurative?Many Jews consider this text so sacredthat they take the commands in verses 8-9literally. Orthodox Jewish men bind smallleather boxes known as tefillin to theirwrists and to their foreheads when theypray. Each box contains small slips ofpaper inscribed with Scriptures thatremind them of their religious obliga-tions. They also put small scrolls withScriptures on one side and a name of Godon the other into small cases calledmezuzahs and attach them to the door-posts of their homes. As Christians, weinterpret this passage figuratively, but westill believe it teaches the importance ofse-curing a permanent place for God’scommands in our hearts and minds.

Questions➤ How can we ensure that we will make

God the priority of our lives?➤ What things do we allow to have prior-

ity over God?➤ Why did Moses encourage the Israelites

to love God with all their heart, soul,and strength?

➤ How are devotion to God and content-ment in life related?

❍ Taking God for GrantedGuide learners through the teachingoutline. Relate that the Israelites werestanding on the doorstep of the promisedland. When they stepped into their newhomeland, the two promises God made toAbraham—to make of his descendants amighty nation and to give this nation itsown land—were finally fulfilled. In Egyptthe people had grown to monumentalnumbers. Now they were about to takepossession of the land. But before theydid, they needed to be reminded of whattheir covenant with God demanded ofthem. They also needed to be remindednot to take God’s blessings for granted.

Questions➤ How do you connect the command to

love God with heart, soul, and strengthwith the idea that one should be carefulnot to forget God (v. 12)?

➤ Why do people tend to take God’sblessings for granted?

➤ How can we ensure that we will nottake God’s blessings and provisions forgranted?

➤ What are the consequences of takingGod’s blessings for granted?

➤ What promises does this passage offerfor those who obediently and faithfullyfollow the commands of God?

➤ Are those promises relevant for our dayand our relationship with God? Why orwhy not?

We often send mixed signals to the world about our relationship with God. On theone hand we claim to know and follow God, while on the other hand we allow many of

life’s attractions to undermine that relationship. Moses’ message was that we shouldnot allow anything to take precedence over God. Rather, we must guard the sacredness of that rela-tionship by recognizing God’s uniqueness and following his commands. When we do this, ourrelationship with God will be more consistent and others will no longer be confused by the mixedsignals we send about our faith.

A Way to Explore Scripture

Teaching Guide 21

22 Lesson 4

❍ A Time of Commitment andRenewal

Look at each aspect of our livesmentioned in verse 5—heart, soul, andstrength. Consider how each aspect mightbe more genuinely devoted to God.Discuss using the following exercises tofoster deeper devotion and commitmentto God.

• In Hebrew thought, the heart is the seatof emotion. Practice making your hearttender by engaging in mission efforts,service projects, and prayer groups. Seeand hear the needs in other people’s livesand work to meet them.

• Feed your soul by exploring the Bible andall its treasures. Work to establish aregular study routine. Memorize Scripturepassages that will guide your daily walk.Get involved in Bible study groups duringthe week. If you do not already do so,begin the practice of meditating on thethings of God for a deeper appreciation ofGod at work in your life.

• Develop your strength by exercising yourspiritual muscles through daily awarenessof and involvement in the needs of peoplearound you, by taking spiritual nourish-ment through Bible study and prayer, andby being active in a strong community offaith. Realize that spiritual weakness andlethargy are symptoms of a need forrecommitment of your life to God.

❍ A Prayer of DevotionDistribute copies of page 25, titled “APrayer of Devotion.” Read the prayerresponsively, using the time as an oppor-tunity for personal and corporatededication of heart, soul, and strength toGod. Encourage learners to use thisresponsive reading as a model prayerduring the coming week, repeating it eachtime they commune with God in personalstudy and prayer.

When we accept Christ as Savior, we commit to a relationship with God that is securedby Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf. Does that mean we are then free from the respon-

sibility to follow God’s commands? Not at all! We are still to love God with all ourheart, soul, and strength. No matter how we express this love, the real issue is whether we takeseriously the command to be devoted to God above everything else.

A Way to End

REMEMBERING GOD’S ACTS

1. When and where did you first commit your life to Christ? What were the circumstances? Who wasthere?

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Record this information on the inside cover of your Bible or in the margin next to a meaningful verseof Scripture.

2. List specific instances in which God delivered you from a fearful situation. How did you see God’sinvolvement in your deliverance?

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

3. Use a concordance to find relevant Scripture verses for the instances you recorded under number 2above. Make a note in the margin of your Bible next to these verses to remind you of your experience.

4. Commit to memorizing these verses.

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

ACKNOWLEDGING GOD’S GLORY

Psalm 19:1—“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of God’s hands.”

Psalm 72:18-19—“Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel who does marvelous deeds. Praise beto God’s glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with God’s glory.”

Psalm 96:2-3—“Sing to the LORD, praise God’s name; proclaim God’s salvation day after day. DeclareGod’s glory among the nations, God’s marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

Isaiah 6:3—“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of God’s glory.”

1 Corinthians 10:31—“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

A PRAYER OF DEVOTION

Leader: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

People: We will love the Lord our God with all our heart.

Leader: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.

People: We will love the Lord our God with

all our soul.

Leader: The Lord our God, the Lord is

one.

People: We will love the Lord our God

with all our strength.

Leader: Do what is right and good in the

Lord’s sight so that it may go well with you.

People: We will love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and strength.

All: We will not forget the Lord our God who brought us out of bondage.