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Exodus #1
Exodus: Part 1
"Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph" (Exodus 1:8).
With that introduction, we enter into the story of the Hebrew people in the Book of Exodus. No longer under the protection of their forefather Joseph, the children of Israel became slaves to the Egyptians. But God was raising up a deliverer in Moses, to lead His people from bondage to freedom so they could worship Him.
The exodus of the Israelites shapes our understanding of the whole Bible, its themes
reverberating all the way to Revelation. Exodus is the birth narrative of a nation
unmistakably guided by the Great Deliverer.
In this 10-session verse-by-verse study of Exodus 1-18, Jen Wilkin shows us that Israel's story is our story: the same God who delivered Israel also delivers all those He loves from slavery to sin and from service to the pharaohs of this world. He lifts our eyes to the promised land He has prepared where we dwell with I AM and worship Him as the one true God.
Additional purchase or renting of the video teaching sessions is recommended for the best experience of this Bible study book.
Features:
Leader helps to guide questions and discussions within small groups
Personal study segments to complete among 10 weeks of group sessions
Ten essential teaching videos, approximately 30-45 minutes per session, available for purchase or rent
Benefits:
Learn the deeper theological implications of stories you've known for years.
Understand how God protects His children and prioritizes their worship of Him above all else.
Explore how God provided deliverance for His children to be able to worship Him freely and how it affects our lives today.
With that introduction, we enter into the story of the Hebrew people in the Book of Exodus. No longer under the protection of their forefather Joseph, the children of Israel became slaves to the Egyptians. But God was raising up a deliverer in Moses, to lead His people from bondage to freedom so they could worship Him.
The exodus of the Israelites shapes our understanding of the whole Bible, its themes
reverberating all the way to Revelation. Exodus is the birth narrative of a nation
unmistakably guided by the Great Deliverer.
In this 10-session verse-by-verse study of Exodus 1-18, Jen Wilkin shows us that Israel's story is our story: the same God who delivered Israel also delivers all those He loves from slavery to sin and from service to the pharaohs of this world. He lifts our eyes to the promised land He has prepared where we dwell with I AM and worship Him as the one true God.
Additional purchase or renting of the video teaching sessions is recommended for the best experience of this Bible study book.
Features:
Leader helps to guide questions and discussions within small groups
Personal study segments to complete among 10 weeks of group sessions
Ten essential teaching videos, approximately 30-45 minutes per session, available for purchase or rent
Benefits:
Learn the deeper theological implications of stories you've known for years.
Understand how God protects His children and prioritizes their worship of Him above all else.
Explore how God provided deliverance for His children to be able to worship Him freely and how it affects our lives today.
90 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 2021
48 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
Jen Wilkin
70 books1,493 followersJen Wilkin is a speaker, writer, and teacher of women’s Bible studies. During her thirteen years of teaching, she has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. Jen and her family are members of the Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas. She is the author of Women of the Word.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 8, 2023
This was such a good study. I have never really dug into exodus like this before, and it’s always just so amazing to see how God works everything for His glory. The birth narrative, the plagues, the Passover, the wilderness & the foot of mt Sinai. All of it pointing to a savior to come! Excited to get my hands on the second part of exodus
June 11, 2023
This is a Bible study book that goes along with a video series. Don’t try to do it without those.
Highly recommend as this is an excellent study! Learned so many things and the discussion questions make you dig deep and think practically.
Excited to do the next study which is the last half of Exodus.
Highly recommend as this is an excellent study! Learned so many things and the discussion questions make you dig deep and think practically.
Excited to do the next study which is the last half of Exodus.
November 28, 2023
Round 2 of this study for me — great for groups, with or without the video. So good. 🤍
August 9, 2021
This study was such a wonderful way to ponder and meditate on the birth narrative of Israel!
February 11, 2022
Great study on Exodus! I studied this on my own, not in a group.
December 3, 2025
I studied this with my church ladies' Bible study. I really enjoyed how her questions made me stop and ponder, and were often not thoroughly answerable simply by reading the text. She purposefully wanted us to sit with questions we couldn't answer, to get used to the uncomfortableness of not knowing.
Her teaching videos were well-done and I enjoy her teaching style. (Except her hands--the way she holds her fingers and gestures with her hands creeps me out 😆😆😆)
100% recommend! Looking forward to doing the follow up book (God of Freedom) next semester!
Her teaching videos were well-done and I enjoy her teaching style. (Except her hands--the way she holds her fingers and gestures with her hands creeps me out 😆😆😆)
100% recommend! Looking forward to doing the follow up book (God of Freedom) next semester!
December 15, 2022
I've participated in several Bible studies by Jen Wilkin in the past and have reviewed them: Better (Hebrews), God of Creation (Genesis part 1), and God of Covenant (Genesis part 2). I like her approach to study, and so when church offered another one this fall, God of Deliverance, I signed up. The process was that small groups spend the first hour discussing questions from the previous week's study, and then as a large group we watch a video of Wilkin going over the passage.
God of Deliverance covers Exodus 1-18. She also has God of Freedom, which covers the rest of Exodus and which our group will study next fall.
As usual, Wilkin finds ways to make stories I have read many times come alive. She has a way of picking out nuggets of truth. I also like the way she reads Scripture as you might read a classic novel, looking for themes, symbolism, etc. She says, "the heart can't love what the mind doesn't know," and I like her cerebral approach to Bible study. Each week I worked through the assignments in the book, and here are some of the notes I've marked as things I found interesting:
*As you might guess from the title, Wilkin goes with the "deliverance" theme throughout this study. She points out many similarities between birth and what the Israelites went through, beginning with midwives in the beginning of the book who refused Pharaoh's orders to kill Hebrew baby boys at birth. It's interesting that other than Moses, the midwives are the only ones named in this part of the story, showing the importance God gave them. Yes, they disobeyed Pharaoh, but "they gave the truth to whom the truth is owed."
*When Moses came before Pharaoh, his rod became a snake. This was an example of God having authority over the natural order (also, Moses' snake/rod eating those of Pharaoh's magicians was emblematic of God being greater than Wadjet, the Egyptians' snake god). Moses' hand becoming leprous, and then God healing it, showed God's authority over disease. God turning the Nile to blood showed his authority over life and death.
*"What we repeat in times of ease we will recall in times of hardship."
*On the week when we studied the plagues, Wilkin listed interesting parallels between the various plagues and corresponding Egyptian gods: Nile -- blood of Isis; frogs -- Heqet, goddess of fertility; gnats -- Geb, god of earth; flies -- Khepri, god of creation/birth; death of livestock -- four Egyptian gods that were bulls; boils -- Isis, goddess of medicine; hail -- Nut, goddess of the sky; locusts -- Serapea, god that protects from locusts (I may have this one wrong as I can't find more online); darkness -- Ra, sun god. Seeing how these plagues lined up with Egyptian deities helped me see how the plagues would have been even more meaningful to the people at that time.
*In keeping with the birth/deliverance theme, Wilkin described the plagues as "birth pangs." When the Angel of Death passed over Hebrew homes, their homes were marked with blood on the doorframes -- they were delivered "through a doorway of blood," which is similar to a baby's birth.
*Wilkin also points out many parallels between Exodus' deliverance story and Genesis' creation story. Much of the language is similar. One example is in Exodus 14:21 when it mentions God "dividing the waters" of the Red Sea for the Hebrews to walk through. Similarly in Genesis 1:7, God "divided the waters" during creation. This is just one example of many.
*Another parallel is that of Moses on the hill, holding up his arms as the Israelites fought the Amalekites, with Christ, who "held up His arms" (in crucifixion), as He fought for us in Calvary.
*Once the Israelites left Egypt, at Marah the Lord tested them. At Marah, they tested God. Despite reading this story so many times, I had never noticed this twist about who was testing whom.
See, now isn't this interesting? I would recommend God of Deliverance, or any of Jen's studies, if you like a cerebral approach to studying God's word.
God of Deliverance covers Exodus 1-18. She also has God of Freedom, which covers the rest of Exodus and which our group will study next fall.
As usual, Wilkin finds ways to make stories I have read many times come alive. She has a way of picking out nuggets of truth. I also like the way she reads Scripture as you might read a classic novel, looking for themes, symbolism, etc. She says, "the heart can't love what the mind doesn't know," and I like her cerebral approach to Bible study. Each week I worked through the assignments in the book, and here are some of the notes I've marked as things I found interesting:
*As you might guess from the title, Wilkin goes with the "deliverance" theme throughout this study. She points out many similarities between birth and what the Israelites went through, beginning with midwives in the beginning of the book who refused Pharaoh's orders to kill Hebrew baby boys at birth. It's interesting that other than Moses, the midwives are the only ones named in this part of the story, showing the importance God gave them. Yes, they disobeyed Pharaoh, but "they gave the truth to whom the truth is owed."
*When Moses came before Pharaoh, his rod became a snake. This was an example of God having authority over the natural order (also, Moses' snake/rod eating those of Pharaoh's magicians was emblematic of God being greater than Wadjet, the Egyptians' snake god). Moses' hand becoming leprous, and then God healing it, showed God's authority over disease. God turning the Nile to blood showed his authority over life and death.
*"What we repeat in times of ease we will recall in times of hardship."
*On the week when we studied the plagues, Wilkin listed interesting parallels between the various plagues and corresponding Egyptian gods: Nile -- blood of Isis; frogs -- Heqet, goddess of fertility; gnats -- Geb, god of earth; flies -- Khepri, god of creation/birth; death of livestock -- four Egyptian gods that were bulls; boils -- Isis, goddess of medicine; hail -- Nut, goddess of the sky; locusts -- Serapea, god that protects from locusts (I may have this one wrong as I can't find more online); darkness -- Ra, sun god. Seeing how these plagues lined up with Egyptian deities helped me see how the plagues would have been even more meaningful to the people at that time.
*In keeping with the birth/deliverance theme, Wilkin described the plagues as "birth pangs." When the Angel of Death passed over Hebrew homes, their homes were marked with blood on the doorframes -- they were delivered "through a doorway of blood," which is similar to a baby's birth.
*Wilkin also points out many parallels between Exodus' deliverance story and Genesis' creation story. Much of the language is similar. One example is in Exodus 14:21 when it mentions God "dividing the waters" of the Red Sea for the Hebrews to walk through. Similarly in Genesis 1:7, God "divided the waters" during creation. This is just one example of many.
*Another parallel is that of Moses on the hill, holding up his arms as the Israelites fought the Amalekites, with Christ, who "held up His arms" (in crucifixion), as He fought for us in Calvary.
*Once the Israelites left Egypt, at Marah the Lord tested them. At Marah, they tested God. Despite reading this story so many times, I had never noticed this twist about who was testing whom.
See, now isn't this interesting? I would recommend God of Deliverance, or any of Jen's studies, if you like a cerebral approach to studying God's word.
December 26, 2025
I blew through this in about 10 days instead of 10 weeks because I was test-driving it for possible use in our women's ministry in 2026, so ymmv - but I found it to be a helpful resource and guide. It definitely isn't designed to stand alone, but rather to serve as a companion/supplement to video teaching from Jen Wilkin (which I would very much enjoy, but do not seem to have access to given that I bought a secondhand copy). I'm still not sure if we'll use it, but I appreciate Jen's approach to walking through a passage, and I personally gleaned some insights not just specific to Exodus but in terms of how to craft a thoughtful Bible study workbook.
February 6, 2024
Great study. I did this 10 week study in a ‘speed’ mode (1week) so I could do it with my daily Bible reading. I love how Jen walks you through each verse and shows you so much deeper insight. Great way to learn and study deeply in the Bible.
August 13, 2021
Another rich study from Jen Wilkin!
January 29, 2022
This is the first Bible Study I’ve done and it was amazing. The author does a great job of showing how God so graciously saved His people in Exodus and how the story ultimately points to when Jesus comes! I already want to buy another Jen Wilkins Bible Study!
February 23, 2022
Another wonderful study by Jen Wilkin . Excited to study the second part of Exodus.
January 10, 2023
Love all of Jen Wilkins' studies that I have done so far!. Looking forward to God of Freedom.
July 10, 2021
This is, without a doubt, the most amazing study of Exodus I have ever done. The riches it helps you mine from the book, paired with the teaching videos, are incredible. God’s faithfulness to His people shines in through. I can’t wait for the second book to finish Exodus.
August 6, 2019
You can find her audio teachings of this on the flower mound bible study podcast (or on their website). Get it now before it’s taken down - there are about five or so other teaching series’ on there and they are all fantastic (and free- including the workbook!)
May 21, 2024
In this verse by verse study of Exodus 1-18, Jen Wilkin’s God of Deliverance delves into the theological implications of familiar Bible stories and transforms the legendary into learning opportunities. It illuminates how God protects His children and prioritizes their worship above all else. And it explores how God’s deliverance of the nation of Israel from the captivity of Egypt through the blood of a lamb in the Old Testament points to God’s deliverance for all nations from the captivity of sin through the Lamb of God today.
Deliverance is often preceded by difficult circumstance. When we find ourselves in the desert or drowning in the waves of despair for our lives and/or the lives of those we love most, God compels us to lay down and/or let go of our hope, and cry out for help. Our tears of desperation elicit His compassion. He draws us out of the waters and provides for us in ways we could never have imagined. Just as Moses struck a rock to satisfy the thirst of the Israelites, Christ is the Rock that was struck and poured out His blood to slake our spiritual dehydration. The unleavened (aka unsinful) bread symbolized His sinless body and the bitter wine, His bitter cup/sweet blood poured out for our deliverance from spiritual bondage to abundant life.
If you are seeking to be set free, Jen Wilkin offers to be your tour guide on your sojourn to the foot of Mount Sinai with the God of Deliverance as your banner: “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you” (Exodus 18:10). A life changing study!
Deliverance is often preceded by difficult circumstance. When we find ourselves in the desert or drowning in the waves of despair for our lives and/or the lives of those we love most, God compels us to lay down and/or let go of our hope, and cry out for help. Our tears of desperation elicit His compassion. He draws us out of the waters and provides for us in ways we could never have imagined. Just as Moses struck a rock to satisfy the thirst of the Israelites, Christ is the Rock that was struck and poured out His blood to slake our spiritual dehydration. The unleavened (aka unsinful) bread symbolized His sinless body and the bitter wine, His bitter cup/sweet blood poured out for our deliverance from spiritual bondage to abundant life.
If you are seeking to be set free, Jen Wilkin offers to be your tour guide on your sojourn to the foot of Mount Sinai with the God of Deliverance as your banner: “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you” (Exodus 18:10). A life changing study!
November 18, 2021
I have done other Jen Wilkin studies in the past and loved each of them. I knew what to expect and was not disappointed. Each of the 10 lessons is well thought out, with good background questions and meaningful application questions. With this covering Exodus 1-18, each week we were asked to look for how God delivered in that lesson. We also were asked to look for an attribute of God each week, which is typical of her studies and always good to do. I led a group of women through this at my church and the learning was rich and deep. I highly recommend this as a great study of the Exodus. It's best to also have the teaching videos along with the study book.
December 6, 2023
I really enjoy how Jen Wilkin’s studies are structured. The homework is substantial while being attainable, the questions are thought provoking instead of “fill in the blank”, the discussion questions are full of personal application instead of “what do you feel the text is saying?”, and the commentary is always fascinating. Every now and again I do disagree with her conclusions, but no heresy in this one. She also sometimes imagines Christophanies in odd places. But, overall, would highly recommend this one.
October 30, 2024
I love Jen Wilkin's bible studies. She does a great job of pointing to Biblical themes and patterns that I otherwise might have missed. However, I think that the best thing she does is ask questions that simply force you to slow down and reflect on a text for an extended time. I have a bad habit of reading passages a little too quickly, which then causes me to miss important details and themes.
I would recommend this study to anybody. Going to take a short break from Exodus, then I'll come back and do her study that goes from Ch 19 -40.
I would recommend this study to anybody. Going to take a short break from Exodus, then I'll come back and do her study that goes from Ch 19 -40.
November 15, 2021
This was the first Jen Wilkin Bible study I've done, and it won't be my last. She takes the book of Exodus and goes through it verse by verse. We do the homework over the specific chapters first and then come together in our group to go over some of that. We end our study with the teaching video over those chapters. Jen is very knowledgeable and pulls things out of Scripture that I had never seen or realized were in there.
November 18, 2025
So sad to finish this study! Has been so fruitful, challenging, and wonderful to study about the wonderful deliverance of the Lord with sweet sisters in Christ! Hopefully looking forward to the next one soon! Jen really has a way of moving you to fix your eyes on the Lord while gently pointing out our brokenness and need for Him without making the study self-focused! Loved diving in to the goodness book!
April 6, 2022
I love this study! I went through it with a group at my church. I want to redo it and go slower. Jen pulled out so many golden nuggets in the scripture to show who God is as our deliverer as well as prophecies about Christ.
What an amazing man Moses was I had no idea. I truly see him differently now! This study is a treasure!
What an amazing man Moses was I had no idea. I truly see him differently now! This study is a treasure!
April 26, 2023
Anything by Jen is gonna be a fiver for me. The book comes with questions and videos of her teaching. I will say the workbook can be lengthy, but it is well worth it. Jen really weaves in the literal and metaphorical theme of childbirth in a mind blowing way, and touches on two faithful women in Exodus 1 that often get overlooked.
January 4, 2026
This is the 2nd bible study book I have completed written by Jen Wilken. I thoroughly recommend this study. I have taught Exodus for years to kids and thought I knew this book well, but slowing down and really spending time to understand it better was worth gold. So many shadows of Christ and his and his work to be seen and cherished. I have already got the next study ready to go.
November 16, 2021
Another home run from Jen Wilkin! Can't wait until the 2nd part of the Exodus study comes out! I love the way she ties the Old Testament to the New Testament. Jesus said Moses wrote about Him (John 5:46). This study illuminates that New Testament teaching.
May 25, 2022
Another strong study from Jen Wilkin. I did this with a group at my church. Jen highlights many aspects of deliverance in this portion of Exodus and other Bible teachings to enrich the lessons of deliverance and make God's deliverance of Israel meaningful for us today.
November 16, 2023
I enjoyed this study of the first half of Exodus and am looking forward to part 2, God of Freedom. I haven’t done an in depth study of Exodus before, and it was helpful to get the full timeline of events. I learned how doubtful and hesitant I can be like Moses, how forgetful and grumbly I can be like the Israelites, and how infinitely patient God is with me through it all.
March 4, 2024
This was my intro to Jen Wilkin. Her study was so helpful at teaching me how to dig into the word for myself. The video teachings that go along with the workbook had such valuable insights and brought the text to life. Reading God of Freedom next!
November 21, 2024
The book itself is a helpful tool to use to study the first 18 chapters of Exodus. However, in the video sessions that are included with the book Jen Wilkin takes quite a few liberties with her interpretation of the Bible that make it so that I can't recommend this study to anyone.
June 9, 2025
Jen Wilkin deliver's an amazing bible study over the first half of Exodus... the concept is that God delivered the people of Israel from slavery in the metaphorical form of childbirth. The is a woman's bible study, but both sexes can benefit from it...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews