Exodus

INTRODUCTION

Last week we looked at the life of Joseph.

We saw how God used a sinful family, that very likely should have fallen apart, to set the foundation for the people of Israel to begin multiplying.

God used the sinful actions of Joseph’s brothers to bring him to Egypt, where he would become second only to Pharaoh.

Later on his entire family would be saved from the famine, and come to dwell in the land of Egypt.

At the end of Genesis Jacob and Joseph die.

We pick up in Exodus 1:1-7...

That generation died, and the population began to increase rapidly.

This causes concern for the new Pharaoh in town, and he takes action by setting new immigration laws to protect the interests of the native Egyptians.

Let’s read Ex 1:8-22.

The first thing I want us to see as we study these passages is…

The Fullness of God’s Redemption

EXPLAIN

The Israelites were enslaved in more ways than just one.

Tony Merida, in his commentary on Exodus points out 4 aspects of Israel’s slavery.

The first is…

Political Slavery (Ex. 1:8-10)

The Israelites had come to Egypt as refugees/immigrants.

Things started out pretty well for them under Joseph, but things turned South when the next Pharoah came in.

Becuase of their rapid growth, he viewed them as a threat.

The second aspect of Israel’s slavery is…

Economic Slavery (Ex. 1:11-14)

This new Pharoah used the Israelites for slave labour.

He gave them “heavy burdens”, “oppressed” them, “worked them ruthlessly”, etc.

The goal was to stop their growth, and oppress them so they wouldn’t overtake them.

The third aspect of Israel’s slavery is…

Social Slavery (Ex. 1:15-22)

The oppression through work has not stopped their growth, so Pharoah initiates a new plan...

Let’s kill all the male boys born to them.

Again, Pharoah is stopping to slow the growth of the people of Israel.

But God uses godly women, Shiphrah and Puah, to save them.

Finally, Pharoah issues the command for all Egyptians to take part in killing the Israelite baby boys.

The fourth and final aspect of Israel’s slavery is…

Spiritual Slavery

All of this oppression is ultimately spiritual slavery.

Speaking on this in his commentary, Tony Merida says…

“Pharaoh appears in archaeological records with the snake on his crown. It makes us think of the promise in Genesis 3:15, where we read of the enmity between the triumphant seed of the woman over the opposing seed of the serpent.

Pharaoh lived out the serpent role by killing boys. Egypt was the enemy of God, and God must deliver Israel so that “they may worship [Him]” ( Exod 9:1). This story shows us a cosmic, spiritual battle, not just a battle between Moses and Pharaoh.”

SUMMARY

God’s plan of redemption was to save the Israelites from more than just spiritual slavery.

His redemption was complete and full, in that he redeemed them from the physical elements of their suffering as well.

APPLICATION

As we think ahead to all that Christ has accomplished for us as NT Christians, we know that Jesus has saved us from our spiritual bondage to sin and death… but…

Does Jesus save us from all of the physical hardships that we experience in this life?

No, he doesn’t.

We actually find scriptural warrant for honouring God in the circumstances He has placed us.

The Christian can find liberation in the fact that we can honour God even amidst bad circumstances.

He will redeem it all in the next life.

As the church, should we be addressing spiritual slavery alone? Do we have an obligation to address physical aspects of slavery as well?

We are commanded in Scripture to meet physical needs, not just spiritual needs.

1 John talks about not just wishing people well, but actually doing something about their suffering.

1 John 3:16–18 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

What are modern day aspects of physical slavery we should seek to address?

Sex trafficking; pornography; slavery; oppression; physical/verbal abuse.

We cannot remedy every situation, nor does God promise that we will be delivered from every earthly injustice, but as Christians we must seek to end injustice when we can.

That is a godly attitude to have.

We have seen the injustice that God sought to address, but who is God going to use to get it done?

Next we are going to see…

Moses: The Right/Wrong/Right/Wrong/Right Man for the Job

EXPLAIN

As we look at the life of Moses’, we bounce back and forth a bit on whether or not he is the right man for the job.

This has nothing to do with God’s inadequacy, but Moses’s.

Moses: A Special Birth

At the time of his birth, we see there is something special about him.

Let’s read Exodus 2:1-10.

There is something unique Moses.

Hebrews 11:23 ESV

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

And we see God’s hand of favour on their obedience as he turns the heart of Pharaoh’s daughter to take him in as her own son.

We see even in his young life, Moses appears to be the right man for the job.

Later on in his life though, some doubts start to arise… Next we see…

Moses: A Murderer

Let’s read Exodus 2:11-12.

Moses, in an attempt to help his people, murders a man.

Was Moses right in killing the Egyptian?

His own actions show that he knew it was wrong.

Let’s continue reading Exodus 2:13-15.

In Acts 7:25 we read…

Acts 7:25 ESV

He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.

Moses tried to lead the people out before God told him to.

Then he lives in Midian as a shepherd for 40 years… he doesn’t appear to be the right man… until…

Moses: Called by God

Let’s read Exodus 3:1-10.

God meets Moses in a burning bush.

He had never personally met with the God he had been raised to believe, but God tells him who He is.

Exodus 3:6 ESV

And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Then God tells Moses that He has seen the affliction of His people, and His plan is to send Moses to deliver them.

Moses must be the right guy! But wait…

Moses: Insecure and Doubting

Moses first questions God for picking the wrong person.

“Who Am I?”

God tells him not to worry… “I will be with you.”

Then Moses says what if I come to the people of Israel and they ask what your name is?

God says, “I AM WHO I AM.”

Great mystery exists here. No one knows for certain how to pronounce YHWH, and the meaning is mysterious also, but the meaning seems to be related to the idea of this verb “to be.” God is. He is central. He has no beginning. He causes everything to be. He is God

Romans 11:36 ESV

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Next, Moses doubts that the Israelites will believe him, despite the fact that God had said they would.

God gives him the sign of the staff turning into a snake, his hand turning leprous, and water turning into wine, as evidences to the Israelite people.

Moses is not done giving reasons he is not the right man. Let’s pick up in Exodus 4:10-17.

God does not give up on Moses, and gives him a helper.

Moses: Ultimately… Obedient

Let’s read Exodus 4:18-20.

Ultimately, we find that Moses is obedient to the Lord’s call on his life.

SUMMARY

Moses is the right man for the job, because God is the One who has called him.

If God is for us, then who can be against us?

APPLICATION

God used Moses to bring about redemption to the enslaved Israelites.

But Christ is the ultimate servant that was used by God to bring redemption to the entire human race.

He is our great example of humble obedience to being used by God for His purposes.

Philippians 2:6-11.

Can you relate to Moses insecurity and doubt?

Yes! I am a sinner.

I am weak, and don’t feel worthy to be called by God.

Do you think it would have been better for God to pick someone who was more confident, or more ready?

God can use anyone, but Moses feeling of inadequacy would help him depend on God.

It took faith for him to go out, which is an example to us.

Now that Moses has finally agreed to go, the path is going to be easy, and everything is going to be smooth right?!?

YUP!! .......

It’s All Going According to Plan?

Have you ever felt misled by someone? You later came to find out they had left out certain details.

Maybe you were asked to help with something, but they let on like it was less work than it actually was...

My story about my finger. They made it sound like they saved more of it than they did.

EXPLAIN

Things are going according to plan… God’s plan!

God doesn’t give Moses some sort of watered down version of the plan.

He is up front about all that is going to happen.

PHARAOH IS NOT GOING TO LISTEN!!!!!

“Let My People Go”

Exodus 5:1-3.

Moses gives Pharaoh God’s message: These are not your people, they are MY people.

Let them go so they can worship me.

“You Are Lazy!”

Exodus 5:4-9.

Pharaoh is unwilling to listen, and instead puts a heavier workload on them.

He thinks they are making excuses so they don’t have to work.

“We Stink!”

Exodus 5:19-21.

The Israelites see they are in big trouble!

Pharaoh now has a reason to kill them since they will not be able to succeed.

“I Told You This Wouldn’t Work!”

Exodus 5:22-23.

Moses now begins to complain to God.

I knew this wouldn’t work… I told you I wasn’t the right man for the job…

And you… you have not delivered your people at all!

“We’re Right on Schedule.”

Exodus 6:1.

God says, not to worry Moses… things are right on schedule.

This is all going according to plan!

SUMMARY

God was going to work through his stubborn disciple Moses, who had a lot to learn, and He was also going to work through Pharaoh’s stubbornness.

God was going to bring much glory to Himself through these men!

APPLICATION

We will not always know what God is doing, but we must have complete trust in Him.

Why does Moses cry out to God? Do you get where he’s coming from?

He doesn’t understand why obedience has led to more suffering.

Yes! I would feel the exact same way!

Is there anything positive we can take away from Moses’ prayer to God?

He went to God!

He didn’t desert God and walk away, but went to the One who could help him.

We should pour out our hurts and feelings to God.

This is a biblical concept.

CLOSING PROMPTS

Is there an area of your life where you feel frustrated that God “isn’t doing anything”?

Is there an area of your life where you’re struggling to obey and are thankful for God’s grace?