><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Exodus) CHAPTER 1-2 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 What are the contrasting attitudes of the Israelites towards their circumstances, as revealed in this passage? Cf Heb. 11: 23-25. What is God's attitude to the situation? See especially 2: 23-25. 2 By what varied means from birth onwards was Moses prepared for his life-work? Cf Acts 7: 20-29. What does this reveal con- cerning God's ways of working? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Exodus) Chapter 1-2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- God was concerned for his people, though he let them suffer. It shows that God allows suffering, trials and hardships for a reason. However, he provided Moses to lead the people out of Egypt. There were also those inspiring, brave souls (e.g. the midwives) who feared God and stood up for their beliefs. One thing I feel is that no matter where we go, we can usually find at least one other person that can encourage our faith in some way. Praise the Lord for the lights of Jesus and leaders in our Christian communities. Some are renowned, and some are just behind the scenes - both are equally precious in God's eyes. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Exodus Chapters 1 and 2 God Remembers and Concerns In these first two chapters, the background story is that (1) Pharaoh's daughter naively carried out God's plan and (2) God sent Moses away to keep him for His purpose. 2:24-25 "God heard their groaning and HE REMEMBERED His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was CONCERNED about them." In our lifetime, we may face the situations that there are slave masters to oppress us. However, God did not grant the right to compel men to do things that are contrary to His law; the Hebrew midwives are the typical example for us to realize (1:17) that He is in control. It comforts us. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The Israelites grew and multiplied in number, becoming so great that they were overtaking the Egyptians in number. This was a major concern for the Egyptians and they decided to enslave the Israelites. They even tried infanticide as a method to stifle the growth of the Israelites. The Israelites cried to God 2:23 from their enslavement for deliverance. God 'took notice of them'. How powerful a simple statement is. That so great and mighty a God would notice insignificant man. Praise Him who takes notice of each and every one of us and knows each hair on our heads! 2) Moses was prepared for his life work through his royal education. Acts 7:22 22 "Moses was educated in all the learning of the Egyptians, and he was a man of power in words and deeds. We often remember Moses being reluctant to speak, yet in Acts it seems to indicate that he WAS a trained speaker but may have been looking for an excuse, just as we might from doing what God wanted him to do. God also prepared Moses by sending him to be a shepherd, to learn to nurture and care for His people. Whatever task God has ordained for each of us, He will equip and enable us to perform. Praise the great equipper and God of preparation. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Exodus) CHAPTER 3:1-4:17 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Consider God's revelation of Himself in the incident of the burning bush. How would you sum up God's being and character as revealed in this incident? 2 Was Moses' reluctance to accept God's call to be commended? Cf 2 Cor. 3:5; Rom. 12:3. Why was God angry with him? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Exodus) Chapter 3:1-4:17 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM". It is the name that God wanted to be identified by and worshiped as by the Israelites, a representation of his character. It shows that His worshipers must have full trust and dependence on Him (NIV Study Bible). We must believe that He will be with us in all things. Additionally, Moses was called to trust God completely, that He would give Him the ability and power to approach Pharaoh. What is the Pharoah in your life? May we truly, fully learn to put our complete trust in "I AM". Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in THE LORD with ALL your heart and lean NOT on YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING; in ALL your ways, CONSIDER HIM and HE will make your paths STRAIGHT." Praise God. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Exodus 3 - 4:17 God's Calling to Moses When God called Moses to serve Him, He identified Himself as "I am the God of your father (a Levi, 2:1), the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." 4:6a Matthew 22:32 - "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? HE IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD BUT OF THE LIVING." Exodus 4:5 - "that they may believe the Lord, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God Isaac, and the God of Jacob, HAS APPEARTED TO YOU." Moses was called by the living God!! Who is not made by wood or stone. He is the everlasting Spirit. Our forefathers dead but the almighty God lives forever. He is the Word and talks to you and I daily, if we go to Him. 3:11 "Who am I ---? --." That was Moses' question about his calling. It is not the matter that who are we? It is important that whether or not the Lord God is with us? 3:12 "--- I will be with you ----." After the Lord answered all his questions, Moses said "Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever Thou wilt." 4:13. God was angry with him because of his disobedience. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) God shows Moses his Holy character. He also reveals to Moses His name - 'I AM WHO I AM'. HE reveals His nature and the essence of what He is about to Moses. Moses is silent enough to listen to God and to hear what He has to say. He must have been in complete awe at the wonder and the majesty of what was being shown to him. 2) Moses' reluctance to the call should not have been so. 2 Cor 3:5 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, God will equip each of us for whatever work He calls us to task. God became angry with Moses for his reluctance. He had originally intended Moses to be the mouthpiece, but instead, Aaron would serve as the mouthpiece. Like a trumpet, the instrument cannot be played or heard without a mouthpiece, so God's word needed to be delivered by a mouthpiece. Instead of being the one to trumpet the deliverance message of the Lord, Moses' own insecurities and self-perceived weaknesses made him miss out on the full blessing. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Exodus) CHAPTER 4:18-6:9 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 Contrast 4: 29-31 with 5:20, 21. What had happened to change the people's attitude? How did Moses react? 2 Consider God's answer to Moses' cry. What does it teach us about the faithfulness of God and the reliability of His promises? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Exodus) Chapter 4:18-6:9 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- God was angry with Moses, 4:14, "Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses..." so he sent Aaron along. Obviously, God really intended for Moses to do this task. It was Moses who was afraid. Certainly, we can all relate to Moses very well. The people's attitude changed when they heard that "the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped." (4:31). The God of compassion and love is the one that I love to worship too; God is love. God promised great things to the Israelites. But they were too discouraged to hear Moses. In fact, we are just like them. We get so self-absorbed with our own problems and struggles that we forget that God is REFINING US. We are not yet finished products. Praise God for faith that is tested and refined, to come out as pure gold. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Exodus 4:18 - 6:9 God Sought to Kill Moses God intended to kill Moses for his son was not circumcised. Obviously because his wife, Zipporah - a Midianite, did not believe the Hebrew's custom. 4:24. It was a very serious statement that "---- the Lord --- sought to kill him." 4:25. Regardless what was the conflict, Zipporah must have realized that no one could serve God unless he is separated from this world. Finally, she showed her obedience and reluctantly accepted the request and reached a peaceful solution for this family issue. Pharaoh at Moses Time Did Not Know the Lord, 5:1 Pharaoh made unreasonable request for Israelites to work even "overtime" and still could not be able to accomplish the task. Does it sound familiar to you in today's workload of your Job? (5:6-9) After they complained to Pharaoh, the Israelites turned to Moses and Aaron and charged them as the cause of their oppression. Here is the answer God gave to Israelites: "I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. ---" 6:7-8. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) At first the people were behind Moses and Aaron. Then, when the hardships came, they were against them. Pharaoh had greatly increased the difficulty of the work that the people had to do. Does this happen to us? Do we get mad at God when our workload or amount of hardships increases? We should not, but we often do. Moses reacted by asking and searching out God to see why God had done what He did. 2) God hears Moses' cry and tells him that He will make Pharaoh release the people. It shows us that the Lord hears His people, and He answers their cries. Praise the God who hears the cries of His people and answers them! ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Exodus) CHAPTER 6:10-7:25 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1 God had called Moses and promised deliverance to the people. Why did He delay so long in fulfilling His promise? What did Moses learn from these diflicult experiences and delays? 2 Why was Pharaoh so confident and so adamant in disobeying God's command? See particularly 7: 11-13, 22,23. How does this kind of opposition to God show itself now? Cf 2 Tim. 3:1-9 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Exodus) Chapter 6:10-7:25 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- Throughout the OT (Old Testament), it seems that God really prolonged lives and years of struggle. However, He also extended his grace periods (e.g. the years before the Flood were 969 - the lifetime of Methuselah, the grace period after Enoch, the prohet of doom and father of Methuselah preached about impending judgement). It makes me feel that the Lord allows Christians to suffer in order to show us His glory more fully. Without sorrow and struggles, we have not really lived a deep life with a full range of emotions. When we have struggled, it allows us to feel even more joyful when God's promises are manifested. May we bear that in mind as we go through the tough times of life. Let us bear our "individual" crosses with the joy of knowing Jesus paid it all for us. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Exodus 6:10 - 7:25 Moses Confronts Pharaoh With Miracles 7:16 "---- Let My people go, that THEY MAY SERVE ME in the wilderness ---." The Nile River is the primary source of natural resources in Egypt. The first plague was the water of the Nile River turned into blood, 7:14-25. "The fish that were in the river died, the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink the water of the river. So there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt." 7:21. When a king can not provide the needs of his people, he would lose his power and respect. That was the end result Pharaoh was facing. However, Pharaoh would not listen to Moses at all and he had no fear of God. He thought that he could manage the case. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) God delayed to fulfill His promise to deliver the people. In delaying the promise to deliver, God taught patience. Many times God holds His deliverance from sorrow or suffering that we might learn something and that our faith be built up. 2) Pharaoh's heart was hardened. He was made adamant and would not yield his position and release the people. Instead, his heart was hardened to the point that He would not even consider listening. 2 Tim. 3:1-9 shows us how we manifest this kind of hardening of the heart. 1 ¶ But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. 9 But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes' and Jambres' folly was also.