Wisdom of the Word (W.O.W.) Bible Study Lesson

Series:  Walking Through the Bible:  A Look at Giant Killers

“Confronting the Giant of Bondage: Moses and the Power of Obedient Faith”

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For deeper study, review Exodus Chapters 1–14.

​Central Verse:  “And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt… and I am come down to deliver them.” — Exodus 3:7–8 (KJV)

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Key Background Scriptures

• Exodus 1:8–14 – Israel oppressed in Egypt

• Exodus 2:1–10 – Moses preserved by God

• Exodus 3:1–12 – God calls Moses

• Exodus 7:1–5 – Confronting the Giant (Pharaoh)

• Exodus 12:31–33 – Deliverance begins

• Exodus 14:13–14 – Victory at the Red Sea

 

Key Terms

• Giant – Any persistent obstacle, opposition, or influence that resists God’s purpose, intimidates faith, and seeks to limit spiritual growth, obedience, or destiny. Giants may appear external (people, systems, circumstances) or internal (habit, attitude, fear, sin, insecurity, unbelief, etc.), but they are ultimately confronted and overcome through faith, obedience, and reliance on God. Giants can usually be placed under 3 categories:  flesh, world, Satan (demonic).  

• The Three Enemies: Christian theology often defines the spiritual, daily battles as fighting against the world (the system opposing God), the flesh (sinful human nature), and the devil (Satan).

• Bondage – Any condition—spiritual, emotional, or physical—that restricts freedom and purpose

• Deliverer – One chosen by God to lead others (and sometimes themselves) out of captivity

• Pharaoh – A symbol of controlling forces, habits, or systems that resist God’s authority

• Obedience – Faithful submission to God even when deliverance is uncomfortable

• Redemption – God’s power at work to restore what bondage attempted to destroy

 

INTRODUCTION

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Giant killers are not defined by physical strength but by spiritual obedience and divine assignment. Moses did not slay a giant with a stone, but he confronted one of the greatest giants in Scripture—the giant of bondage. Israel’s enemy was not merely Pharaoh, but a system designed to enslave, exhaust, and strip identity. In the same way, modern believers face giants that may not wear crowns but still rule hearts and minds. This lesson shows that the same God who delivered Israel is still confronting bondage today.

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You may think, if God was giving them the land, why didn’t He simply clear out the giants Himself? The Lord didn’t make all of their problems suddenly disappear because He wanted to teach them how to trust Him and lean on Him for the strength they needed to overcome their enemies.  God wants to "GROW" us.  He wants us to grow in grace.  Spiritual growth happens when we cultivate spiritual disciplines like prayer, praise, studying the word, fasting, AND when we exercise characteristics like love, humility, mercy, forgiveness, etc.  

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Spiritual growth also takes place when we exercise our faith in God and trust him through trials that we face.  Like the Israelites, we all have “giants”—problems in life we have to overcome. But if we choose to run to God and rely on His strength to help us, we can not only defeat our giants, but the Lord will make us stronger in the process...then use us to do greater things than we ever imagined!

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Question to consider:  What qualities/character traits does Moses possess that makes him a giant killer?

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DISCUSSION

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The Giant of Bondage and Oppression

The book of Exodus opens with Israel living under severe oppression in Egypt, a place that once provided refuge but later became a prison. Pharaoh represents the giant that thrives on fear, control, and limitation. Bondage often begins subtly and grows stronger when left unchallenged. Many believers experience similar patterns when sin, unhealthy habits, or emotional struggles begin to dominate their lives. God’s concern for Israel shows that He does not ignore prolonged affliction.

 

Preparation Before Confrontation

Moses’ life began under threat, yet God preserved him for a greater purpose. His exposure to both Hebrew suffering and Egyptian power prepared him to confront the giant effectively. Likewise, believers are often shaped through personal struggles before they are equipped to overcome them. God allows seasons of growth that feel confusing but are actually strategic. What looks like delay is often divine development.

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God’s Call to Holiness in the Midst of Weakness                                                                                   

At the burning bush, God calls Moses while Moses feels inadequate and hesitant. Moses focuses on his limitations, but God focuses on His presence. This mirrors how believers often respond when facing giants like depression, addiction, or spiritual dryness. God does not wait for perfection before calling us into deliverance. His assurance—“I will be with thee”—is the foundation of victory.

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Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush marks the moment when preparation meets divine calling. The bush burned but was not consumed, revealing a God who is holy yet sustaining, powerful yet purposeful (Exodus 3:2–5). Before assigning Moses to confront Pharaoh, God first required reverence, instructing him to remove his shoes as a sign of surrender and humility. This encounter shows that deliverance begins with personal holiness before public ministry. The burning bush reminds believers that God often calls us in ordinary places, but the moment becomes extraordinary when His presence is recognized and obeyed.

 

Practical Application: Bondage of Sin and Emotional Captivity                                                      

Pharaoh symbolizes more than an external enemy; he represents internal bondage as well. Sin, unforgiveness, depression, fear, and anxiety can become modern-day taskmasters. These giants drain spiritual energy and convince believers that freedom is unreachable. Just as Israel cried out, believers must be honest about their need for deliverance. Obedience begins when we stop normalizing what God wants to break.  Like the Israelites, we often get comfortable in sickness, sin, and oppresive situations.  We learn to "put up with" and make "concessions" for living beneath our privileges.  Living beneath your privilege refers to failing to utilize the spiritual authority, peace, and blessings God has already provided (Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:6; 2 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Peter 1:3).

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Dry Seasons, Persistence, and the Red Sea Moment                                                                               

The journey out of Egypt was not instant, and neither is spiritual freedom. Dry seasons can feel like standing at the Red Sea—trapped between the past and uncertainty. Moses’ instruction to stand still reminds believers that faith is not inactivity but trust. God often creates a way forward where none seems possible. Dry seasons do not mean defeat; they often precede divine breakthrough.

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The Temptation to Return to Bondage                                                                                                      

After deliverance, the children of Israel repeatedly expressed a desire to return to Egypt whenever they faced discomfort, lack, or uncertainty (Exodus 16:2–3; Numbers 14:1–4). Though God had demonstrated His power through miracles, the people romanticized bondage because it felt familiar and predictable. God responded with righteous displeasure, revealing that freedom without trust leads to rebellion. Moses stood in the gap, interceding for the people and appealing to God’s mercy rather than their merit. This reflects how believers today may be tempted to return to sinful patterns, unhealthy coping mechanisms, or old mindsets when faith is tested, requiring continual repentance, intercession, and trust in God’s sustaining grace.                 

 

Application to Believers Today.  Just as Israel struggled to adjust to freedom, believers must learn how to live delivered.  Paul says in Philippians 2:12 to work out your salvation in fear and trembling.  This means  actively living out the faith God has given you, developing spiritual maturity, and letting Christ's transforming power show in your actions -- not earning salvation -- but making the gift manifest through obedience, humility, and perseverance, with God empowering you to do so. Old habits can feel safer than new faith, especially during dry seasons or trials.  God's response shows that deliverance is not the end of the journey -- it is the beginning of responsibility, self-discipline, seeking God through prayer and intercession, and obeying his word in order to stay free. True Giant Killers not only leave Egypt but refuse to rebuild it in their hearts.                                                                                                             

CONCLUSION

 

In today’s context, the giant of bondage and oppression, represented by Pharaoh in Scripture, symbolizes any persistent system or power that dehumanizes people, restricts God-given freedom, and places heavy burdens on their lives. While Pharaoh was a literal ruler, modern “Pharaohs” often appear as structures, ideologies, or practices that demand control and suppress dignity, reflecting the same spirit of oppression. The Bible warns against such systems, declaring, “Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees” (Isaiah 10:1), and reminds us that God is deeply concerned with justice for the afflicted (Exodus 3:7). These forces thrive on fear and compliance, yet Scripture affirms that God hears the cry of the oppressed and acts on their behalf (Psalm 9:9).

 

Moses’ story teaches that giant killing is not about personal strength but reliance on God’s authority. Bondage—whether external or internal—loses its grip when confronted by obedience. The same God who parted the Red Sea still opens pathways through emotional and spiritual captivity. Deliverance may be progressive, but it is always purposeful. Freedom is God’s will for His people.

 

Essential Thought:  What God delivers you from must not be allowed to pursue you again.

 

Key Takeaways

• Bondage can be spiritual, emotional, or habitual—not just physical

• God often prepares us through struggle before granting deliverance

• Obedience activates God’s power in everyday life

• Dry seasons are not abandonment but development

• Giants fall when God’s voice is obeyed consistently

 

Reflection Questions                                                                                                                                       

1. What forms of bondage—sin, fear, or emotional heaviness—are you currently confronting?

2. How might God be using your past experiences to prepare you for freedom or ministry?

3. What step of obedience is God asking of you right now?

4. How do you respond during spiritual dry seasons—retreat or trust?

5. What would it look like to “fully” leave Egypt and not return to your old patterns?

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LESSON EXTENSION AND DEEPER STUDY

Getting out of bondage requires recognizing sin's captivity, sincerely repenting, and trusting in Jesus Christ—the ultimate bondage breaker—to set you free. True freedom involves replacing old sinful habits with spiritual discipline, renewing the mind, and walking in the power of the Holy Spirit to avoid falling back into bondage.   Key Idea:  Freedom is a state of mind.

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Core Principles of Breaking Free

• Jesus is the Liberator: Jesus came to "proclaim liberty to the captives" (Luke 4:18). He breaks chains of sin, addiction, and oppression.

• True Repentance: This involves acknowledging the need for help, confessing sins, and taking responsibility for actions, rather than blaming circumstances.

• Total Consecration: A crucial step is "burning bridges" to the old life and dedicating oneself completely to God, removing distractions and temptations. 

Practical Steps to Freedom

1. Renew Your Mind: Combat the thoughts that lead to sin by focusing on God's Word rather than the cravings of the flesh (Romans 13:14).

2. Change Environment: Avoid people, places, and activities that fuel the addiction or sin (1 Corinthians 15:33).

3. Use Spiritual Weapons: Regular, disciplined prayer and Bible study are essential for feeding the new nature (Ephesians 6:10-18;  2 Corinthians 10:4-5); 

4. Community/Right Fellowship: Surround yourself with believers who help you, rather than pull you back into old patterns (Hebrews 10:24-25). 

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Returning to "Egypt": Just as the Israelites wanted to return to slavery, believers often return to old habits when tempted (Galatians 5:1).

• Neglecting the Root: Trying to fix outward behavior without dealing with inward spiritual, emotional, or mental root causes.

• Living in Self-Reliance: Attempting to break free without relying on the Holy Spirit's power. 

Key Scriptures on Freedom

• Galatians 5:1: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage".

• John 8:36: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

• Romans 8:2: "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

• Understand your identity: You are a child of God, not a slave to fear (Romans 8:15). 

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