Exodus Chapter 23 Summary

Judgments on the national feasts. Instructions concerning the conquest of Canaan.

Discussion Questions for Exodus, Chapter 23

  1. What does this chapter show us about God’s heart for what people today would consider the “underdog”? How does God see His people?
  2. What do verses 4-5 teach us about loving our enemies? How can you apply this concept to your life today?
  3. What conditions for God’s blessing do you see in this chapter?
  4. Verse 9 says, “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.” (ESV) This is a repeated command, as we read it in the previous chapter. Why do you think it was commanded again?
  5. What does this chapter teach us about rest? How would obeying the Sabbath have brought people into closer communion with God?
  6. What were the three feasts that the people were commanded to keep? What purpose would each of these feasts serve? How would each feast impact the community as well as their walk with God?
  7. What do you see being promised to the people in verses 20–33? How does this promise connect with God’s covenant to His people?
  8. “You shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you.” (Exodus 23:25, ESV) What did God’s promise in verse 25 mean to the Israelites? What does this verse show us about God’s heart for His people and what He has always wanted for them from the beginning?
  9. What kind of level of strategy do you see in verses 28-31? How does this show us God’s intentionality?
  10. “They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.” (Exodus 23:33, ESV) What does it mean that it would be a snare? How do you guard yourself from the snares of the world?

Key Words/Phrase

Judgments, 21:1.

Characters

God, Moses.

Strong Verse(s)

7, 12, 20, 22, 25.