Explore the Bible  Lesson Preview
March 7, 2010
"Compassionate Action"
Background: Exodus 1:1 - 4:31
Lesson:  Exodus 2:23-3:10, 19-20

Motivation: Exodus is a continuation of our study in Genesis.  A gap of approximately four hundred years is bridged between verses 6 and 8.  In this study Moses is introduced.  From his life we gain insight into God's preparation, purpose and plan for each of us.

Examination:

I.       Unwelcome Turns (1:2-22)

A. God's People Suffer Oppression (1:1-22)

1.   Expansion of God's People (1-7) "But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly..." 

a.   Resettled Expatriates (5) - Believer's Study Bible, p. 79: 1:5 "The number ‘seventy' may be a round number not intended for precise enumeration.  However, some count this ‘seventy' as including Jacob, his 12 sons, his 51 grandsons, his four great grandsons, his daughter Dinah, and his granddaughter Serah (cf. Gen. 46:8-27; 46:26).  Joseph was sold by his brothers in 1899 B.C.  The remainder of Jacob's family arrived in Egypt in 1876 B.C., 430 years prior to the Exodus (Ex. 12:40; Gal 3:17).  Sesostris III (1878-1843) B.C.) was pharaoh in Egypt when Jacob arrived."

b.   Reasons for Expansion (from 70 to two million)

1.   Promise - God has made an unconditional unilateral, sworn covenant with Abraham that included many descendants.  (Gen.15:5-6; 17:6; 22:17).  The covenant was given with an oath (Heb. 6) the law had no such oath.

2.   Protection - They suffered no losses from war; Egypt was the most powerful nation in existence.

3.   Prosperity - The land of Goshen was prime fertile delta land.

4.   Permanence - God's people tied their security and significance to the provision of the Egyptians rather than to God.  As long as times were good, they had no need to cry out to God.  (2:24; 3:9) They forsook their birthright of a land to call their own (Canaan) and settled for comfort and convenience over doing the will of God.

2.   Examples of Persecution "But there arose a new king over Egypt who did not know Joseph." (8)  The "new king" probably refers to the new Egyptian dynasty founded by Pharaoh Ahmesis I who expelled the Semetic Hyksos rulers who would have been favorable to the Israelites.  (1720 B.C. - 1570 B.C.)  Believer's Study Bible outlines the rising severity of the persecution, p. 81: 1:22 "This climax of a series of steps taken by Pharaoh to control the numbers and the strength of the children of Israel:

a.   He appointed taskmasters (v. 11)

b.   He increased the work load until it became bitter and oppressive (v. 14)    

c.   He commanded the midwives to kill all the male children, thus weakening the future strength of an Israelite army (vv. 15, 16)

d.   He ordered the Egyptians to drown all male Israelite babies."

B.   God Provides a Savior (2:1-22)

      Moses is introduced; in Hebrew, the name means "to draw out" foreshadowing his role as a deliverer.  In Egyptian, the name might suggest "child" or "son."  Moses is considered the greatest leader ever produced by the Jewish race.  Note the parallels to Jesus; in Rev. 15:3-4 the songs of heaven will concern Moses and the Lamb.  (Heb. 3:1-6 gives a major distinction: Jesus is worthy of greater honor because he was the builder while Moses was the servant).

1.   Priestly line - "a man of the house of Levi" (1) Jesus is said to be a "priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek" (Heb. 5:6). 

2.   Threatened as a Child "she hid him three months" (2) Jesus was threatened by Herod as an infant (Matt. 2:16).

3.   Miraculous Deliverance "she had compassion on him" (6) Moses was found by Pharaoh's daughter who drew him out of the water where he would have eventually perished.  Her attitude of compassion is in stark contrast to her father's murderous intent (1:22).  Jesus was miraculously delivered by an angelic warning (Matt. 2:13).  In a touch of irony, God not only saves Moses but pays for his upbringing out of pocket of his sworn enemy (2:9).

4.   Proclaimer of a New Law - Moses is known as the great lawgiver; Jesus said, "A new commandment I give unto you..." (John 13:34). 

5.   Deliverer of People in Bondage - Moses led the Israelites from physical bondage; Jesus led "captivity" from spiritual bondage (Eph. 4:8; Rom. 8:15; Eph 4:3; Gal. 5:1; Heb. 2:15).  Moses' first attempt to be a "deliverer" ended in abject failure.  Although educated by the Egyptians (Acts 7:22), Moses had not forgotten the lessons of his childhood (Prov. 22:6).  He tried to do God's work in man's way (2:12); the result was banishment to the wilderness.  Even in this, God trained Moses to lead his people in the same wilderness during the exodus.  Through the incident of murder, several things are revealed about Moses:

a.   Even though raised by the Egyptians, Moses identified with God's people. (11)

b.   Even though it threatened his position, Moses acted boldly with a sense of justice. (12)

c.   Even though he acted for their cause, Moses was rebuked by his countrymen. (14)

d.   Even though he was raised in privilege and comfort, Moses fled to Midian (15).  Sometimes our nest has to be torn up before we spread our wings toward God's plan.  Moses was spared a life of slavery so that he could lead God's people (Luke 12:48).  Although from his narrow focus, Moses must have felt the victim of ill fortune.  However, behind the scenes, God was working.

6.   Established a New Nation - Moses took captives and established the nation of Israel; Jesus redeemed sinners and turned them in to a kingdom of priests. (1 Peter 2:9).

7.   Sacrificed His Life - Moses gave everything he had to save his people; Jesus died for us, a "ransom for many" (Matt. 20:28).

II.     Divine Compassion (2:23-3:10)

A. God's Plan: (2:23-25)

1.   "God heard their groaning"

2.   "God remembered His covenant"

3.   "God acknowledged them"

      All of the verbs demonstrate God's care, protection and love for His people.

B.   God's Call (3:1-10)

1.   The Mountain (1) Believer's Study Bible, p. 82: "3:1 In Semitic thought one always faced east instead of north when giving directions.  The Hebrew phrase ‘the back of the desert' may thus be translated ‘the west side."  The verb ‘led' is a participle indicating a continuing occupation.  Moses had not traveled there expecting to find God; he was looking for fertile valleys.  Thus, Horeb is called ‘the mountain of God' only as Moses writes in retrospect.  It has been suggested that Horeb may be the mountain range and Mt. Sinai a peak of that range, or Horeb and Sinai could be another example of two names for the same mountain (v. 12; Deut. 5:2).  Here the Sinai covenant was to be established.  A tradition as old as the fourth century A.D. identifies Jebel Musa (‘the mountain of Moses,' elevation 7,363 feet), at the southern end of the Sinai peninsula, as Mt. Sinai / Horeb.  Although many different locations have been proposed in various parts of the southern, central, or northern peninsula, in Midian (Arabia)l, and in Edom (e.g., Jebel Sin-Bisher and Jebel Helal), the southern Sinai is still the most likely location for ‘Horeb, the mountain of God.' "

2.   The Messenger (2) Believer's Study Bible, p. 82: "3:2  The term ‘angel' means ‘messenger.'  In this case it refers to a messenger who is identified as God Himself (vv. 4-6).  Though such terminology does not specifically teach triunity, it is certainly consistent with a Trinitarian doctrine of God.  The God who spoke audibly to Moses evidently is the same Word of God who later became flesh (John 1:14).  The entire O.T. may be theologically understood as the self-testimony of the coming Christ.  Jesus, whose name means ‘YAHWEH is salvation,' is the Redeemer-God, acting and expected in the O.T.  Only a literal historical interpretation of the phenomenon of the burning bush can provide a meaningful basis for the great theological truth which the event symbolized: as a relatively insignificant thorn bush may burn with the apparently destructive and consuming fire of God without being consumed, so Israel may experience the trial by fire as God's redemptive and purifying preparation for a special calling for service.  Most biblical miracles relate to the redemptive purpose of God's revelation." (Acts 7:30-37)

3.   The Mandate (3-10) In commissioning His servant, Moses, God reveals how He reaches out to each one of us:

a.   God Takes the Initiative to Reveal Himself to Us "I will now turn aside and see this great sight

. . ." (3)  We have no indication that Moses was looking for a job to do.  God sought him out.  We should not suppose that God is hiding His will from us.  If we direct our attention to Him, He will direct us (Romans 5:8; Matt. 6:33).

b.   God Knows Us Personally "Moses, Moses" (4) - God deals with us as individuals; His Love is a personal love (John 3:16, 10:1-5).

c.   God Calls Us to Holiness "the place where you stand is holy ground" (5) We are not in a position to dictate terms to God; we are called on His terms (Isaiah 6:3).

d.   God's Call is Eternal "I am the God of your father - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (6)  Believer's Study Bible, p. 83: 3:6 "Based upon the grammatical form of this expression, Jesus spoke of the continued existence of the patriarchs after death (Matt. 22:32).  The immediate theological significance is that Moses was not introducing another religion, nor bringing a new god to Israel; he was being called by the one true God to fulfill the covenant promises already made to the nation (cf. Gen. 9:13)." (Ex. 3:14)

e.   God Knows Our Need "I have surely seen the oppression of my people. . ." (7) Specific service is generally a response to need (the need for missionaries, the need for teachers, the need for extended service volunteers, and the need for off-site parkers. . .) Yet need must be balanced by call.  Moses recognized the need forty years earlier, but responded inappropriately.  We must be sensitive and obedient to God's call; just as he meticulously prepared Moses to meet a need, so He will prepare us.

f.    God Has a Plan "So I have come down to deliver them. . ." (8) God doesn't just deliver us from sin but to righteousness, joy, and peace.  This is the first use of "a land flowing with milk and honey."  This descriptive phrase speaks of God's abundant provision.  He will bring them up out of Egypt, to a higher plane of living.  God's plan also involved judgment upon the sinful tribes occupying Canaan.  In Genesis 15:12 ff He promised the land to Abraham and said, "the iniquity of the Ammorites is not yet complete."  Now centuries later their punishment was on the way.

g.   God Calls Us to Action "I will send you" (10) God calls all His people to specific service.  Here he calls a murderer and an outcast.  His call upon our lives is certain; how will we respond?

Moses said, "Why me?"

Elijah said, "Poor me!"

Jonah said, "Not me."

Isaiah said, "Send me!"

III.    Reluctant Service (3:11 - 4:17)

A. Who Am I? "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh . . . ?" (11) Satan attacks all of us with doubt at the point of our significance: who am I to teach, lead, witness or serve?  Moses had plenty of baggage that would argue against leadership; he was a convicted murderer, a fugitive and a known associate of the Midianites.  From the Hebrew perspective, he was too closely affiliated with the Egyptians; from the Pharaoh's perspective, Moses was a vagabond.  However, God answers the objections of significance by affirming that Moses was not expected to go in his own strength but to go in God's power (Gal. 2:20).  The promise in verse 12 is one of victory: "When you have brought the people out of Egypt."

B.   Who Are You? " . . . and they say to me, ‘What is His Name?' What shall I say to them?" (13) Believer's Study Bible, p. 83: "3:14 ‘I AM WHO I AM' is a very literal rendering of the Hebrew text, expressing God's real, perfect, unconditional, independent existence.  God exists in a way that no one and nothing else does.  He is without beginning or end.  He is the only Being who is self-existent.  All other existence is dependent upon His uncaused existence.  Jesus is this same God (cf. John 8:58; Col. 15-17; Heb. 13-8; Rev. 1:8).  God is not the abstract being of Greek philosophy; rather He is the active, infinite, personal Being who reveals Himself as Redeemer and covenant-making Lord.  He can only be defined in terms of Himself, but He is revealed by what He says and what He does (cf.  Is. 45:5-7; 18-25).  God's name surely includes the idea of His continuing presence (cf. v.12).  The whole content of biblical history is a commentary on the meaning of this name (Gen. 2:4)."

C. What About Them "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice?" (4:1) God gave Moses the plan in minute details.  He promised Moses success (3:12), a willing audience (3:18), miraculous power (3:20) and even prosperity (3:21-22).  As if he had not heard any of this, Moses asks, "What if they won't believe me?"  God answers all our "What if's" by saying "Trust me."  Without faith it is impossible to please God (Rom. 14:23; Heb. 11:6).  Without "What if's" there would be no room for faith.  The challenge God issues to all Believers is to walk by faith and not by sight (II Cor. 5:7).  An indication of God's grace and mercy is the promise of signs:

1.   The staff/serpent:  God took Moses' most familiar tool and turned it into a dreaded enemy.  The Egyptians actually worshipped snakes, perhaps because they had the power of life and death.  God asks, "What are you afraid of?" He answers, "I am in control!"

2.   The staff would later be used to work miracles; it also would figure in Moses' act of disobedience for which he was banned from the Promise Land (Ex. 17:5-7; Num. 20:7-12).  God was teaching Moses not to trust in his own resources but, rather, to trust in God.

a.  God wants our hand and heart - J. Vernon McGee makes an excellent point: (Thru the Bible, Vol. 1, p. 213) "Moses put his hand in his bosom and it came out leprous.  He put his hand into his bosom again and it came out clean.  Out of your heart will ultimately come what you are.  God wanted that rod in the hand of  a man yielded to Him.  He wanted that man's hand to move in the same direction as his yielded heart.  This is the great lesson God had for Moses, the children of Israel, and for us today."

b.  God provides the power to accomplish His plans - Moses had already been assured of success and prosperity.  But, God in His patience, gives Moses three tangible signs.  It is our responsibility to be yielded to God's direction; God will take the responsibility of getting us where He wants us to go.

3.   The water turned to blood:  Of the three signs, this had to be taken by faith; there was no immediate demonstration.  Just as the sign of Horeb (3:12), God expected Moses to act in faith and see confirmation later.  As we will see, many of the signs were directly aimed at Egyptian gods; the Nile was viewed by the Egyptians as a divine source of prosperity.  Moses had himself been rescued from the river.  Turning the water to blood demonstrated God's power over Egyptian gods.

D.  What About Me? "O my Lord, I am not eloquent . . .  I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." (10)  By this time, Moses' objections became comic in their absurdity.  In spite of the three signs he received, he's concerned about his lack of polished oratory.  Pretty much any speaker I've ever heard who turned sticks into snakes and water into blood didn't have to worry much about word choice!  Sadly, Moses was still focusing on his inability rather than God's ability. The feature that endeared David to God was that he didn't say "Look how big that giant is!", but rather "Look how big my God is!"

E.   Can't Someone Else Do Better? "O my Lord, please, send by the hand of whomever else you may send." (13)  Moses' last line of defense was false humility.  Why send little ol' me when there are others much more talented?  With God, ability is not as important as availability and dependability.  God certainly meets Moses at the point of his fears and supplies a spokesman.  As we continue the story, Moses speaks for God on every major occasion; Aaron does little but carry Moses' briefcase.

IV.    Encouraging Responses (4:18-31)

A. Encouragement of Immediate Obedience "Please let me go and return to my brethren who are in Egypt..." (4:18) As the hymn says, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way..."

B.   Encouragement of God's Word "Now the Lord said to Moses..." (4:19-23). God provided a preview of the trial Moses would face.  His Word, the Bible, provides such encouragement for us each day.

C. Encouragement of Overcoming Disobedience (4:24-26) God almost killed Moses because of his failure to circumcise his son.  Moses obviously knew what was expected, because even his Midianite wife knew.  Circumcision of one male child might seem to be a minor thing, not worthy of death.  However, God requires total obedience.

D. Encouragement of God's Power (4:27-31) "Then he did the signs in the sight of the people.  So the people believed..." (30b-31a).  Moses' reunion with Aaron was an obvious encouragement (27).  His story of God's work was another (28).  Gathering the elders of Israel (29) was an act of faith that God's power extended even to the pagan land of Egypt.

Application

1.   God answers objections if we listen.

2.   God expects obedience in all areas of our life.

3.   God prepares us thoroughly for the service He expects.

Leader Pack Item 1: Lesson Illustrations; Item 2: "Map of Exodus"; Item 3: Poster: "The Tabernacle"; Item 4: Poster: Unit 1

Illustrator: p. 10 "Egypt Before the Exodus"; p. 40 "The Afterlife: An Egyptians View"  

Notes: **You may access David's Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: http://www.hfbcbiblestudy.org/;

Dates: 2010 Dates: 1/13-5/12 -  Milestones and Midlink for Spring;  1/26 - 4/13 - Livingproof Bible Study; 3/5 - "Letters to God" film presentation; 3/14 - Time Change Sunday; 3/17 - No Midlink Meal or Classes for Spring Break; 3/25-26 - FBA Middle School Spring Musical; 3/28 - Spring Loaded at HCHS; 3/29 - HUB Golf Scramble; 4/1 -Broken for You Service; 4/4 - Easter Sunday - NO SBS; 4/11  - SBS Quarterly Workers Dinner; 4/18 - New & Pros. Member Orientation; 4/22 - MetroLIVE in the City; 4/24 - AIDSudan 5K Walk/Run; 4/25 - John Bisagno preaching and 50^th Anniversaries celebrated; 4/27 - FBA Spring Athletics Banquet.