Exodus 3:13-22 Notes: The Divine Name Revealed

Section 6: The Divine Name Revealed – Exodus 3:13-22

Theme or topic of this section

Look, I’m God, This is the Plan, You’re My Man, and
             Here’s Your Instructions

Moses’ Assignment

Start Packing

Trust Me

I Have a Name and You Have a Mission

Questions written by the class

- Moses, what are your intentions when you get to Egypt?  How are you able to do this chore, and why did you take it on?

- How is God going to make the Egyptians give the jewelry and other articles?

Some interesting points

- Moses’s second objection is “The Israelites won’t know who you are.”

- Why does God need Moses to speak instead of just God speaking himself?  Perhaps because generations after will know that an ordinary guy could do an extraordinary task.   See Philippians 4:13

- God says his name is

            I am who I am                       or

            I will be what I will be          or

            I am who I will be                 or

            I will be who I am                 or...

In other words, God is infinite, and has no definition.

- Moses needs to know that God is not one of the Egyptian gods.

- God has to re-establish monotheism (and is still re-establishing it today).

- Does Moses get a satisfactory answer to his question about God’s name?

            - Yes and no.

            - It’s as clear as it could be.

            - Moses wanted him to say something like, “My name is Paul.”

- the name “I am” denotes just how big God is.  There are no words to describe God in human terms.

- Throughout the Bible we see these regular old schmoes getting a mission.

- What would you do if your rhododendron started talking to you?

What we learned about the nature of God from this passage

- God is everywhere all the time.

- God has compassion.

- God is trying to give Moses confidence.

What we learned about other characters from this passage

- Moses was Prince of Egypt, now humble shepherd, is wanted for murder.  He’s not too ambitious now.

- Moses was probably used to the wilderness.

- Pharaoh will not easily let them go, but God wil compel him.

- Egyptians will be disposed to give plunder willingly.

What we learned from this passage that we can apply to our lives

- Trust God even if you are not feeling qualified.

- God helps me out of difficulty.  I thank God every day for that.

- Some things don’t have an answer that can be articulated.

Exodus 3:13-22 Study questions: The Divine Name Revealed

Exodus Study, Section 6:  The Divine Name Revealed – Exodus 3:13-22

Initial observation

1. Read Exodus 3: 13-22 out loud in the group.

2. Underline or highlight frequently used words (or refer to your homework).

3. What words, phrases, or ideas make an impression on you?

4.  What was your “newspaper reporter” question about this passage?

In-depth Observation

5. What is Moses’ second objection (verse 3:13)? (the first one was in 3:11)

6.  How does God answer Moses’ second objection?

7.  How does your Bible translate God’s name (verse 14)?  What does this name tell you about God?

8.  Does Moses get a satisfactory answer to his question about God’s name?

9.  Write down the theme or topic of this section.

Interpretation and Application:

A. What do you learn about the nature of God from this passage?

B.  What do you learn about the other characters from this passage?

C.  What can we learn from this passage that applies to our own lives?

Homework (after Section 6):

Read Exodus chapter 4.  Underline or highlight frequently used words. Look up the meaning of any words you don’t know. Note which words, phrases, or ideas make an impression on you. 

Write down one ‘newspaper reporter’ type question (starting with Who, What, Where, When, How or Why) to discuss with the group next time.

Exodus Section 1 Questions: Prologue

Exodus Study, Section 1: Prologue – Exodus 1:1-7

Initial Observation

1. Read Exodus 1:1-7 out loud in the group.

2. Underline or highlight frequently used words.

3. What words, phrases, or ideas make an impression on you?

4. Who is mentioned frequently? 

5.  In what geographical location does the story of Exodus begin?

6.  What Bible story comes just before this one?  What was the status of the children of Israel in that story?

In-depth Observation

7.  The Hebrew name for this book of the bible is “Shemot” which means “Names.” What is the importance of names in verses 1 -5?

8.  Reread verse 7.  Where else have you heard the words “fruitful” and “multiply” together?

9. Write down the theme or topic of this section.

Interpretation and Application:

A. What do you learn about the nature of God from this passage?

B.  What do you learn about other characters from this passage?

C.  What can we learn from this passage that applies to our own lives?

Vocabulary and notes

Verse 7: “they multiplied”  – the Hebrew word is related to “swarming creature” (Gen 1:20), suggesting that the Israelites proliferated like animals.

Homework:

Part I

A. Read Exodus 1: 8-22.  Underline or highlight frequently used words. Look up the meaning of any words you don’t know. Note which words, phrases, or ideas make an impression on you. 

B. Read the handouts from the first session.