THE LAW: NARRATIVE

Reminders

Main Purposes of the Law

It displays the holiness of God.

2. It shows us our own sinfulness.

3. It shows us our need of a Savior.

4. It often uses signs, types, and shadows to teach greater truths.

5. It often uses narratives to warn or encourage us.

Good Questions to Ask

Examples: What does the text say? Who is the writer? Who is he writing to? Who are the people in the narrative? What is going on in this passage? When is this taking place? Where are the places being discussed? Are there any historical or cultural things that I need to investigate further to help me better understand this passage? Are there any comparisons or contrasts? Are there repeated words or ideas? Are there any words that I don’t know the meaning of? Are there particular things that I just don’t understand? What is the context of what is going on? Is this connected to the previous passage (look for words like therefore, but, and so)?

What is the background of this passage? What has happened to lead up to this point?

See Genesis 15:1-21… (What are some ways we could find this passage, or others like it?)

What are the main points of the passage?

What is the main point of these verses? Can you think of other passages to further support that truth?

Numbers 23:19 “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?”

Job 42:2 ““I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

What is Pharaoh’s problem with Israel in verse 8-22? What are some of the things he does to them?

What happens to Israel as they face this persecution? What does this teach us about the Lord? What does it teach us about us? Is this a one time thing? Can you think of any other times when something like this happened?

See Acts 8:1-4...

Genesis 50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Knowing what we know about God and His promises to Israel, how do you think He will react to Egypt’s mistreatment of Israel?

Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.””

Difficulties

What did Pharaoh command the midwives to do? What did they do instead? Why did they do it? Is it okay to lie for the greater good? Did God bless them because of their lie? What does the Bible teach about God’s view of lying?

Acts 5:29 “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”

See Hebrews 6:18, John 14:6, Proverbs 6:16-19, Proverbs 12:22, Psalm 5:6, John 8:44, Revelation 22:15...

See Verses 20-21...

Hebrews 11:31 “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.”

See Romans 3:5-8...

Call to Action

How should these truths shape our beliefs and actions?