Southside Lexington Podcast

3-10-24 (Jeremy Stewart) Identities in Exodus - The Israelites

2024-03-10

Exodus 19:3-8

3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.

FROM THE SERMON:

Israel's pattern of looking back:

Slavery was better than death in the desert (14:12)
We miss Egypt (16:3)
God brought us here to kill our children (17:3)

Look Back, See God, and Trust Forward.

How to help our perspective:

Commit to and engage with the church.
Give it time.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Ice Breaker - what is something you remember with "Rosy Recollection" - the experience of recalling something more positively than you actually experienced it?

2. What do you think is responsible for the Israelites' pattern of longing to return to Egypt?

3. How do you relate to the Israelites in the book of Exodus?

4. Their time in Egypt clearly had a strong effect on the Israelites, causing them to misunderstand God and distorting their values. What might it look like for this to happen to Christians in America? What are our golden calves, and what about American culture that doesn't mesh with following Jesus do we sometimes long for?

5. How can looking back on God's activity help us to trust him going forward? Do you have a moment you look back on as a reminder that God can be trusted?

6. Jeremy shared that one way to help with our perspectives on the past is by being engaged with the Church. How does the community of Christ's body help our perspectives?