The Bible Recap — Day 030 (Exodus 1–3) — Year 8

Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Date: January 30, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tara-Leigh Cobble introduces the book of Exodus, exploring chapters 1–3 and laying out the historical and theological context. She draws connections between Genesis and Exodus while recapping the major events—Israel’s oppression in Egypt, Moses’s miraculous preservation, his exile to Midian, and God’s call at the burning bush. Throughout, she shares her signature personal insights (“God shots”), relating ancient events to themes of brokenness, divine purpose, and hope.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introduction to Exodus and Its Connections to Genesis

• Exodus as Continuation: Exodus means “exit” or “departure” and is the direct continuation of Genesis. “Genesis, a word that means beginning. And today we begin the book of Exodus, which means exit or departure.” (00:05)
• The Torah/Pentateuch: The first five books are a single unified work in Jewish tradition, called the Torah or Pentateuch. Most historians attribute authorship primarily to Moses.

2. Historical Context: Israel’s Oppression Foretold

• Fulfillment of God’s Promise: God’s prophecy to Abraham in Genesis 15 is now unfolding—“they will be afflicted for 400 years, but I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.” (00:31)
• A New Pharaoh, A New Threat: The friendly Pharaoh of Joseph’s era is gone; the new Pharaoh is driven by fear and racism. “Do you know what drives a lot of racism, fear and self preservation. When we aim to protect ourselves, instead of trusting God for protection, we take matters into our own hands to try to secure our future. It leaves us unable to love others well.” (02:05)

3. The Brutality of Egyptian Oppression

• Enslavement vs. Forced Labor: Tara-Leigh clarifies the nature of Israel’s slavery, distinguishing ancient Hebrew servitude from American chattel slavery. “What's happening here with the Hebrews is forced labor, and this is more like what we think of as slaves.” (03:15)
• Attempted Population Control: Pharaoh’s genocidal edict for Hebrew midwives to kill newborn boys is introduced.
• Hebrew Midwives’ Faith and Civil Disobedience: Shiprah and Puah fear God more than Pharaoh, refuse to kill the babies, and are honored for it. “...these women are put in a position to either be a liar or a murderer, and they’re discerning enough to choose wisely.” (04:50)

4. Moses’s Early Life and Divine Preservation

• Moses’s Rescue: Moses is hidden by his mother, discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter, and then cared for by his own mother. “Not only does the baby get to live, but the baby's mom gets paid to nurse him.” (06:25)
• Moses’s Upbringing: Raised in Pharaoh’s household yet aware of his Hebrew identity, possibly due to circumcision.

5. Moses’s Crisis and Exile

• Moses Kills an Egyptian: Reacting in defense of a Hebrew, Moses murders an Egyptian and flees upon discovery.
• Escape to Midian: At 40 years old, he finds sanctuary with the priest of Midian, marries Zipporah, and starts a new life. “Nice guy. Murderer, but a nice guy nonetheless.” (08:53)

6. God “Remembers” His People

• Divine Action in Response to Suffering: “When Scripture uses the word remember, and especially as it regards God himself, it's not indicating that something slipped his mind … It's indicating a move to action.” (10:14)
• The 400-Year Clock: Israel’s deliverance is imminent as per God’s ancient promise.

7. The Call of Moses: The Burning Bush

• The Theophany: Moses encounters God (“the angel of the LORD”) at the burning bush on “the mountain of God.” (11:30)
• Divine Identity Revealed: God introduces himself as the patriarchal God and uses the unique identifier “I AM.”
• Moses’s Excuses and God’s Assurance: Moses is reluctant, citing personal inadequacy, but “neither of [the excuses] gets any traction with God.” (14:11)
• The Meaning of “I AM”: “That means no one created God. He's always existed and always will. All of creation depends on him and he depends on nothing.” (14:45)
• God Reveals the Plan: Moses receives detailed instructions and assurance of divine success.

8. Personal Takeaway (“God Shot”)

• God Uses Broken People: “Moses is taken from his home at a young age … He’s either insecure or disobedient or both. Yet he is the man God appoints for this role.” (16:25)
• Hope for Listeners: “If you have a crazy history, or if you're a parent who's worried that your mistakes have ruined everything for your child, take heart. God has nothing but sinners to work with, and he seems to specialize in using the unlikely.” (16:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On What Drives Pharaoh:
  “Do you know what drives a lot of racism, fear and self preservation. When we aim to protect ourselves, instead of trusting God for protection, we take matters into our own hands to try to secure our future. It leaves us unable to love others well.” — Tara-Leigh (02:05)

• On Hebrew Midwives’ Courage:
  “These women are put in a position to either be a liar or a murderer, and they’re discerning enough to choose wisely. ...be as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves.” — Tara-Leigh quoting Matthew 10:16 (04:50)

• On God’s “Remembering”:
  “When Scripture uses the word remember, and especially as it regards God himself, it's not indicating that something slipped his mind … It's indicating a move to action.” — Tara-Leigh (10:14)

• On God’s Self-Existence:
  “That means no one created God. He's always existed and always will. All of creation depends on him and he depends on nothing.” — Tara-Leigh (14:45)

• On God’s Use of Broken People:
  “God has nothing but sinners to work with, and he seems to specialize in using the unlikely. He calls those who are furthest from him and he draws them nearer to Himself. And that's the best news for all of us. Because he's where the joy is.” — Tara-Leigh (16:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01–02:30 — Introduction, transition from Genesis, context of Exodus
• 02:31–05:30 — Israel’s oppression, Pharaoh’s motives, and the Hebrew midwives
• 05:31–08:52 — Birth and rescue of Moses; Moses’s early years in Egypt
• 08:53–10:13 — Moses kills the Egyptian, flees to Midian, marries Zipporah
• 10:14–11:29 — God hears Israel’s cry, the significance of “God remembered”
• 11:30–14:44 — The burning bush, theophany, God’s personal revelation to Moses
• 14:45–16:24 — God’s instructions, “I AM,” Moses’s reluctance, God’s assurances
• 16:25–end — Reflection on Moses’s brokenness, God as the God of unlikely

Conclusion

Tara-Leigh wraps up by encouraging listeners to find hope in God’s unwavering purpose through broken people like Moses. She asserts that God’s faithfulness, not human perfection, is the heart of the Exodus story—a message as relevant now as ever.

“He’s where the joy is.” (16:54)