BibleProject | Discovering the Exodus Way Theme in ScriptureSample

Wondrous Event or Way of Life?

Welcome to the first day of The Exodus Way reading plan, which is ironically not about the book of Exodus. Instead, we will explore a connected series of Exodus-like stories to see the exodus less as a single event and more as a way of life.

We’ll highlight moments when a person or group of people need rescue (a way out), receive God’s deliverance (a way through), then exit one kind of life by entering into another (a way in). That’s the Exodus way.

We’ll start in Genesis, where Abraham and Sarah are rescued from an impossible situation in Egypt, centuries before Moses and the Israelites experience deliverance in the same place.

In Genesis 12:1-20, God promises to bless Abraham (first named Abram) with a large family, so they can bless all the other families of the world. Abraham and his wife, Sarah (first named Sarai), trust and follow God. And when severe famine strikes, they move to Egypt so they don’t starve to death.

Then the devastating twist comes. The pharaoh wants Sarah for himself. Abraham is terrified of the pharaoh, so he lies, claiming Sarah is his sister. From there, everything quickly spirals out of control. And Abraham and Sarah end up in an impossible situation, facing near certain death.

But then, in Genesis 12:17-20, God intervenes with plagues. The pharaoh allows the couple to depart—to exodus—and continue their life-changing journey with God.

As we read on, pay attention to how the pattern repeats—desperate situations, divine intervention, and deliverance into new ways of life. Yes, people move from bad situations to good ones, but every story also seems to include changes in the way people live.

Check out The Exodus Way video to learn more and orient yourself to the literary patterns we’ll be tracing throughout this plan.

Reflection Questions:
Crippled by fear and resorting to lies, Abraham gets himself into a terrible situation. But despite Abraham’s actions, God chooses to intervene and rescue Abraham and Sarah. What could this suggest about God’s character or nature?

God starts Abraham’s story with a promise to bless him and his family beyond comprehension. But why would God choose to bless him like this? Read Genesis 12:1-3 carefully (especially verse 2), and in your own words, describe God’s ultimate goal in blessing Abraham and his family.