Session 3
Believers can trust that God will do what He says He will do.
29 Now at midnight the Lord struck every firstborn male in the land of Egypt,
from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne
to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon,
30 During the night Pharaoh got up,
he along with all his officials and all the Egyptians,
and there was a loud wailing throughout Egypt
because there wasn’t a house without someone dead.
31 He summoned Moses and Aaron during the night and said,
“Get out immediately from among my people, both you and the Israelites,
and go, worship the Lord as you have said.
32 Take even your flocks and your herds as you asked and leave,
and also bless me.”
Loud wailing
The word expressing Egypt’s anguish
from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne
is the same word used for Israel’s previous misery
as they called out to the Lord against their Egyptian oppressors (3:7). This is also the word used in the Lord’s prediction that Egypt would express anguish and mourning “such as never was before or ever will be again” (11:6).
Such fear and agony in a land
with no house without someone dead is impossible to imagine.
No wonder the people panicked and believed everyone was going to die (see v. 33).
Pharaoh cracked (at least temporarily) and commanded Israel
to “get out immediately” (v. 31).
review verses 29-30 (PSG, p. 34)
discuss the extent of God’s judgment.
review verses 31-32 (PSG, pp. 34-35)
discuss the contrast between Pharaoh’s previous encounters with Moses and this one.
every level of Egyptian society was touched by the angel of death.
29) Throne . . . dungeon:
God’s judgment against the Egyptians was complete.
From government officials to captives in prison,
virtually every home in the nation felt the impact of this final plague
(see v. 30).
This included Pharaoh’s family.
The wording suggests that he lost a child during that night.
If this is true, it also seems likely that this son would have been the heir to the Egyptian throne.
Draw attention to the grief and mourning,
as well as Pharaoh’s desire to experience God’s blessing after enduring so many plagues.
The God who humbled Pharaoh
is the same God who is working in your life if you are a Christ follower.
He can still overcome any obstacle and any enemy
if you will trust Him and obey His guidance in your life.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 36 of the Personal Study Guide:
Encourage adults to identify which action is the easiest and which is the most intimidating-and why.
Allow volunteers to share their thoughts from the first set of questions on page 36 of the PSG. Direct attention to Pack Item 1 (Map: The Route of the Exodus). Note that leaving Egypt was just the first part of the Israelites’ adventure with God. Point out that as we trust God, He does incredible things-but those incredible things often set us up for even more blessings.
Enlist a volunteer to read the summary statement for this session: God delivers His people from their bondage. Encourage adults to consider what kind of “bondage” they are facing and to ask God to give them freedom in Him.
Close the session in prayer, thanking God for revealing His power-and for giving us freedom through His Son.
During the week, call or text individual adults in the group and ask them share any serious personal battles they are facing. Assure them that you will be praying for them this week. Also, during the week, send an email or text to the group highlighting this session’s memory verse, Exodus 12:13. Encourage them to spend time reflecting on the verse and how it applies to their lives. Remind them that the blood points us toward Jesus and share that you are willing to talk more with anyone who has questions about the salvation they can find in Him.
Salvation
Salvation involves the redemption of the whole man and is offered freely to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, who by His own blood obtained eternal redemption for the believer. (See Luke 1:68-69;
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.)
Observe when and for what purpose a New Testament passage includes an Old Testament reference.
Read Exodus 12:14-20 and 1 Corinthians 5:7-8. What connection did Paul make between the Passover event in Exodus and Jesus’s sacrifice? How did Paul relate the observance of Passover to the problem of immorality in the Corinthian church (1 Cor. 5:1-6)?