Why do oppressed people not hear the good news?
E6:9 “...So Moses spoke thus to the sons of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage...”
When would they start listening? How faithful would they be?
How confident was Moses that Pharaoh would listen?
E6:12 “...But Moses spoke before the Lord, saying, “Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?...”
On what was Moses focusing that caused his doubt?
E7-E11
Why did God bring the plagues?
E7:3,5 “...I will harden Pharaoh's heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt ...The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord...”
E9:14 "...For this time I will send all My plagues on you and your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth...”
E9:16 "...But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth...”
That ALL might know there is a God in heaven.
What were the ten plagues?
E7:19-21 “...water ... turned to blood through all the land of Egypt...”
E8:2-6 “...frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt...”
E8:16-17 “...gnats on man and beast...through all the land of Egypt...”
It took several plagues before the magicians (the clever) we’re convinced that E8:19 “...This is the finger of God...”
E8:21-24 “great swarms of flies ...in all the land of Egypt...”
E9:3-6 “...all the livestock of Egypt died...” [livestock in the field]
E9:9-11 “...boils were on the magicians as well as on all the Egyptians...”
E9:18-25 “...hail struck all ... in the field through all the land of Egypt...”
After 7 plagues, the servants were convinced. Ex.10:7 “...Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God..."
E10:4-15 “...the locusts came...they ate every plant ...and all the fruit...”
E10:21-23 “...thick darkness in all the land of Egypt...”
E11:5 “...all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die...”
How does a hardened heart relate to God?
It wants what it wants, maneuvering God to achieve its preferences, but always remains in control.
Ezekiel 11:19 "...And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh,...”
God’s restoration promise gets to the root problem.
Short of this, a person’s life is destroyed.
Does God make a distinction between people of the world and people of the Kingdom?
Ex.11:7 “...understand how the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel...”
Can you distinguish? Wheat/Tares
Intentions - serve God not self?
Lifestyles - God’s expectations?
Relationship - Know God?
E12 The Passover Lamb
How was the institution of Passover about blood not race?
Ex.12:2,11,13,14 “...This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you ...it is the Lord's Passover ...when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you ...celebrate it as a permanent ordinance...”
Firstborn Egyptians in a home with the blood were spared.
Firstborn Israelites not in a home with the blood were destroyed.
What is the distinction that God makes today?
The blood of Jesus spares. Without the blood, destruction.
Was the calendar recalibrated, based on the Passover?
This happened in the seventh month of the civil year, which became the first month in Israel’s religious calendar.
The month of Abib - “fresh young ears” (of barley)
When did the calendar change again?
Following the spotless passover lamb of God shedding blood, taking upon Himself the punishment for mankind’s sin. (BC/AD)
How many of the tribe of Israel went to Egypt?
G46:27 “... All the persons ... who came into Egypt were seventy...”
How many left Egypt?
Ex.12:36-38 “...and the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. Now the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, aside from children. A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock...” [At least 2 million]
E13 Charged to remember.
E13:3 “...Moses said to the people, "Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the Lord brought you out from this place...”
E13:5 “...when the Lord brings you to the land of the Canaanite, ... which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall observe this rite in this month. For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread...”
Remember what? [deliverance from captivity]
Why? [to not forget the purpose and power of God]
How? [Passover feast of unleavened bread]
How often? [same month every year]
1 Corinthians 11:24-26 “...and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes...”
Remember what? [deliverance from sin’s penalty]
Why? [to not forget the purpose and power of God]
How? [communion bread and cup]
How often? [As often as necessary to best remember the purpose and power of God] Remembrance, not ritual!
What is the significance of Firstfruits?
E13:12 “...you shall devote to the LORD the first offspring of every womb, and the first offspring of every beast that you own; the males belong to the LORD...”
[An integral part of remembering, by giving the first and best to God.]
E14,15
Who set up the Red Sea event? Why?
Ex.14:1-4 “...Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Tell the sons of Israel to turn back and camp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. "For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, 'They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' "Thus I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." And they did so...”
This wasn’t a random event where they had to beg God to intervene. [neither are our events]
Who else needed to know “that I am the Lord”?
Ex.14:31 “...When Israel saw the great power which the Lord had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant Moses...”
Is this the typical human response cycle?
E14:10 “...As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD...”
Fear of circumstances!
E14:14 “...The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent..."
Assurance from the Lord!
E15:7 “...in the greatness of Your excellence You overthrow those who rise up against You...” Celebration of success!
E15:22,24 “...they went three days in the wilderness and found no water... So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?...” Failure to remember!
What is man’s part? What is God’s part?
E15:26 “...If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the Lord your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the Lord, am your healer..." (Jehovah Rapha)
Is our view of disease consistent with Biblical accounts?
E16 The wilderness journey,
How many people grumbled because they assumed they would die of hunger?
E16:2 “...The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness...”
How did God test His people regarding Sabbath rest?
E16:4,5 “...Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction. On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily...”
Is grumbling against leaders really grumbling against God?
E16:8 “...Your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord..."
In spite of the grumbling, the Grace of God supplied daily bread
E16:31 “...the house of Israel named it manna...”.
E16:16-20 “... the Lord has commanded, ‘Gather of it every man as much as he should eat; ... he who had gathered much had no excess, and he who had gathered little had no lack; ...Let no man leave any of it until morning.” But they did not listen to Moses, and some left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and became foul;...”
Do we trust for Daily provisions? Do we end up with “wormy and foul” hoarded provisions?
What were people told to do on the seventh day?
E16:23 “...This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD...”
E16:29 “...Understand that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day He will give you two days’ worth of bread...”
Observance of Sabbath even before the 10 commandments were given.
E16:24 The extra for the Sabbath didn’t smell or have maggots.
E17 Challenges along the journey.
Does God provide where God guides?
How can expectations interfere with trusting God?
E17:3 “...thirsted ...for water ...grumbled against Moses...”
E17:6 “...I am going to stand there in front of you on the rock at Horeb; when you hit the rock, water will come out of it and the people will drink.” Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel...”
E17:7 “...they tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord among us, or not?...”
An unusual Battle Plan! How was the battle won?
E17:8 “...Amalek came and fought against Israel...”
E17:11 “...when Moses held his hand up ...Israel prevailed...”
E17:12 “...Aaron and Hur supported his hands ...his hands were steady...”
E17:13 “...Joshua overwhelmed Amalek...”
E17:14 “...Write this in a book as a memorial...”
E18 Jethro, the father-in-law.
What led to Jethro’s believing in God?
E18:11 “...Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods, because He did wonders when the Egyptians acted arrogantly against Israel...”
Does our testimony help people believe?
How did Jethro help Moses?
E18:17-18 “...What you’re doing is not good,” Moses’ father-in-law said to him. “You will certainly wear out both yourself and these people who are with you, because the task is too heavy for you. You can’t do it alone...”
E18:21 “...select ...able men who fear God, men of truth ...let them judge the people...”
What happens when we try to make it on our own?
E19 Arrival at Mt. Sinai.
E19:1 “...In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai...”
What was God’s intention for them?
E19:5,6 “...My own possession ...a kingdom of priests and a holy nation...”
What were God’s instructions?
E19:10 Purity “...And the LORD told Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes...”
E19:11 “...On the third day, the Lord will come down on Mt. Sinai...”
E19:13 Timing “...When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they may go up the mountain...”
What was it like meeting God?
E19:16,17 “...thunder ...lightning ...loud trumpet ..the people trembled ...to meet God...”
Thunder comes from heaven.
E19:19 “...Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder...”
Rev.4:5 “...Out from the throne come flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder...”
Rev.6:1 “...Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures saying as with a voice of thunder, "Come....”
John 12:27,28,29 “...Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. "Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, "An angel has spoken to Him..."
Ex.20:18,20 “...All the people perceived the thunder and ... they trembled and stood at a distance...” “...Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin...."
How does God speak? Do we hear? Is it just thunder to our ears?
Who’s the possession and who’s the possessor? Do you think you can fit God into a hole in your life to make everything okay? What about purpose, direction, and marching orders?
Acts 7:39 “...Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him, but repudiated him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt...”
E20 The Ten Commandments
10 - the number of divine perfection.
10 plagues, 10 commandments, 10 “I Am” statements by Jesus in the John’s gospel account.
Are these commandments still valid?
Matt.5:17 “...Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill...”
Matthew 5:19 “...Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven...”
< Theme Video on Law >
E21 Additional Ordinances
E21:2-6 Releasing a slave after six years.
E21:7-11 Fair treatment options.
E21:12-27 Acts of force, cursing, violence.
E21:28-36 Animal issues.
E22 Property Rights
E22:1-4 Theft.
E22:5-6 Damage to others property.
E22:7-15 Breach of trust.
E22:16-20 Sexual sin, sorcery, idolatry.
E22:21-24 Caring for strangers, widows, orphans.
E22:25-31 Loans, badmouthing, tithing.
E23 Sundry Laws
E23:1-5 Truthful, fair, kind.
E23:6-9 Just, no bribes.
E23:10-11 Sabbath for land in 7th yr.
E23:12-13 Sabbath for man, beast, slave, stranger.
E23:14-19 Feasts: Unleavened Bread, Harvest, Ingathering.
Why do current judicial systems face these issues?
Mark 10:5 “...Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart He wrote you this commandment...”
Laws are necessary because selfish ambition leads to deviation from God’s intentions for mankind.
Laws offer justice for victims and limit revenge escalation.
New Testament verses offer insight into the heart of God!
Matthew 5:38-39 "...You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.' "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also...”
1 Corinthians 6:7-8 “...Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren...”
God’s part?
E23:20 Leadership - “...Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared...”
E23:25b Blessing - “... will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst...”
E23:31 Place to Live -“...I will fix your boundary from the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River Euphrates...”
Mankind’s part?
E23:21 Obedience - “...Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him ...”
E23:24 Faithfulness - “...You shall not worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their deeds ...”
E24
What was the response to God’s intentions?
E24:3 “...all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the Lord has spoken we will do!..."
E24:7 “...All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!.."
When is it easier to say something than to do it?
How many went up and saw God?
E24:9-11 “...Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank...”
Who then went up to receive the law and commandment?
E24:13 “...Moses arose with Joshua ... Moses went up to the mountain...”
Ex.24:18 “...Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights...”
What is so special about the number 40?
Noah rain (Gen.7:17), Embalming Jacob (Gen.50:3), Moses on mountain (Ex.24:18), Replacement tablets (Ex.34:28), Spying promised land (Num.13:25), Goliath taunted Israel (1Sam.17:16), Ezekiel on his right side (Ez.4:6), Jesus’ wilderness fast (Matt.4:2), Jesus’ appearances after resurrection (Acts 1:3)
Some say it deals with judgment or testing, that it’s the number of “probation” or “trial.”
A Jewish Rabbi would say the number 40 represents transition or change; the concept of renewal; a new beginning. The number 40 has the power to lift a spiritual state.
E25: Details, details, details
Tabernacle - E25:2 “...raise a contribution for Me...”
Ex.25:8 "...construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them...”
Does God want to dwell among us?
Ark of the Covenant - E25:10 “...construct an ark...”
E25:14 “...poles into the rings ...to carry the ark...”
Put the ark on a cart and Uzzah died (2 Samuel 6).
E25:16 "...You shall put into the ark the testimony which I shall give you...”
Solomon brought the ark to the temple - 2 Chron.5:10 “...There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the sons of Israel, when they came out of Egypt...”
Are we keeping track of the new covenant in Jesus?
