Exodus 32:30-33:23

• Take a few minutes to recap last week's bible study (or last Sunday morning's sermon) on Exodus 32 - Breaking the Covenant (the golden calf).

  • What did you take away from that part of the story?

Today's study picks up where we left off lasat week. We now move into the aftermath, the next day:

Read Exodus 32:30-33:6

• What did Moses want from the Lord?

• Why do you think God didn't want to go with the people? And why do you think that thought upset Moses and the people so much?

• What does this show us about the importance of God's presence?

• What is the significance of God's presence in your life?

Read Exodus 33:7-23

• Why do you think God relented and agreed to go with the Israelites? (v17)

• What is the link here between God's presence and His glory?

• What is the connection for us between God's presence and glory?

Read Hebrews 9:15-28

• According to this passage, in what ways is Jesus similar to Moses in Exodus 32-33?

  • And in what ways is the New Covenant different and unique?

• How do we then read Exodus, in light of what is now true in Jesus' sacrifice for sin?

• Looking back on the past week or two in Exodus (and the accompanying passages from Hebrews), what can we learn about covenant, sin, and forgiveness?

  • What are you personally going to take away from all this?

Spend some time praising God together, in light of the sacrifice of Jesus for the sins of the world. You might like to listen to (or sing) a worship song or two that focus particularly on Jesus' sacrifice - see if anyone in the group has one that particularly speaks to them...