Be Bold for Jesus

• 1^st – Let my people go… vs. 1-4
  • 1^st – Sovereignty of God… vs. 1-3
    • Moses told Pharaoh to let Israel go (imperative – piel) …
      • God commanded them to hold a feast – worship him – in the wilderness…
      • If God wanted it to happen – then it would seem reasonable to think nothing could stop it!
      • You would think that would make it certain Pharaoh would let them go!
      • We often get the idea when something is from the Lord it will be EASY…
      • But the reality is often just the opposite – it is often the harder way to go!
    • Moses asked to go a THREE DAY journey in the desert – Exodus 3:18 / 8:27
      • This obviously presents a PROMBLEM – it is NOT true!
      • God did not intend for Israel to go for THREE days – He wanted to set them free!
      • Exodus 3:17 – “I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land… flowing with milk and honey.”
    • Does that mean God told Moses to LIE…
      • Obviously NOT – God cannot LIE – Hebrews 6:18 / Numbers 23:19
      • And he CERTAINLY would NOT tell Moses to LIE for Him!
      • What we see here is the SOVERIGHTY of God – He knew what would happen…
      • Even asking Pharaoh for JUST a THREE day journey would be REJECTED…
      • God knew Pharaoh would HARDEN his heart and NOT listen – Exodus 4:21
      • God simplified the request to emphasize just how HARD his heart was!
      • We see again just how powerful our God is – NOTHINGS happens by chance…
      • Even though things may not be EASY – even when things seem out of control…
      • When life seems uncertain – we can be confident ultimately God is in control!
  • 2^nd – Who is the LORD… vs. 4
    • The answer of Pharoah…
      • Who is the LORD [יְהוָה] that I should OBEY His voice to let Israel go (piel) …
      • I do NOT know (SEE) the LORD [יְהוָה] – NOR will not let Israel go!
      • A somewhat truthful answer – Pharaoh did not know the LORD…
      • Moses and Aaron were just slaves making demands for an UNFAMILIAR God…
      • There was little reason for Pharaoh to believe them – or to let Israel go…
      • What Pharaoh did not know is God was going to use Moses make Himself KNOWN!
    • The world is LOST – and does not KNOW God…

• When we step out to follow the Lord – it may not be easy…
• But when we stand for God in spite of the hardship – others will take notice…
• God uses us to reveal Himself to others who otherwise do not know Him!
• Ezekiel 28:23 – “I will magnify Myself… and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.” 

• 2^nd – A hardened heart… vs. 5-21
  • 1^st – Preparing the people to leave… vs. 5-13
    • Moses told Pharaoh the God of the HEBREWS has met with us…
      • HEBREWS – one from beyond – emphasizing Israel did NOT belong to Egypt…
      • PLEASE let us go three days into the wilderness – and sacrifice to the Lord our God…
      • Because if we do NOT – some pestilence / or sword – will fall!
    • The answer of Pharoah answer…
      • You take (hiphil) the people from their WORK – YOU get back to WORK (imperative) …
      • The people are many – and YOU make (hiphil) make them rest from THEIR work!
      • Pharaoh commanded the taskmaster – have the people collect their own STRAW…
      • BRICKS are made with mud mixed with STRAW and baked still they harden…
      • Up till then the Israelites had to meet their QUOTA – but the materials were provided…
      • They still had to meet their QUOTA – AND provide for all the materials!
      • Suppose you had a job cooking three meals a day for 100 people – a lot of work…
      • Then one day – because you asked for Sunday off to go to church – you were told…
      • You must have too much EXTRA time to be thinking about God and church…
      • Cook those same meals for 100 people – but BUY all the groceries as well!
    • Pharaoh assumed the Israelites were IDLE…
      • IDLE (niphal – passive) – the Pharaoh was accusing Moses of MAKING the people IDLE…
      • Because they were listening to FALSE WORDS – the promise to go and worship God…
      • Pharoah intended to PUNISH the people for listening to Moses…
      • Making them work TWICE as hard – gathering stubble to make BRICKS!
      • No doubt after 400 years many of the Israelites had become quite comfortable…
      • If Moses had come and asked them to leave – MANY would have stayed…
      • But because of the hardships the Pharoah brough on them…
      • At this point the children of Israel were more than ready to LEAVE Egypt!
      • I have noted that often when the Lord is preparing to move me – life gets HARD…
      • It would be easy to put our eyes on the circumstances – and become discouraged…
      • But the truth is God is just preparing our hearts – so when He calls…
      • We are MORE than ready to step out in FAITH and follow!
  • 2^nd – Too close to the world… vs. 15-19
    • The Israelite OFFICERS were BEATEN when the QUOTAS were missed…
      • The OFFICERS were likely men of importance – men who had a little easier life…
      • They were the ones who HELPED out the Egyptians keeping the Hebrews slaves…
      • I find it interesting those who were the closest to the Egyptians – OFFICERS…
      • Ended up being the ones who SUFFERED the most when God began to do a work!
        
      • I have met so many believers who are miserable – there is no joy in their lives…
      • They have too much LOVE for the world – to be HAPPY in the Lord…
      • The problem is they think the world has something to offer them…
      • Yet the world abuses and mistreats them because they belong to Christ…
      • So they are not HAPPY in the world – because they KNOW too much about the Lord…
      • They are miserable wherever they are – because they are divided in their heart!
    • They complained to Pharaoh – the EGYPTIANS are not providing the STRAW…
      • But Pharaoh repeated his accusation – you are IDLE – get your own STRAW!
      • NOTE – the OFFICERS did not go to the Lord – instead they went to the king of Egypt!
      • When times are good – everyone in the world will be your friend…
      • When hard times come – if we are caught up in the world – we will look to the world…
      • But when we look there – we will find no compassion – and no help!
  • 3^rd – A bad smell… vs. 20-21
    • Moses and Aaron stood to meet the OFFICERS as they walked out…
      • The OFFICERS complained – let the LORD look and judge you…
      • Because you have made us abhorrent (stink) before Pharaoh – put a sword in his hand!
    • They were blaming Moses and Aaron – but it was the fault of God…
      • They had smelled GOOD before was because they were like Pharaoh…
      • When Moses encouraged them to stand for God – they started to SMELL like Jesus!
      • When we try and blend into the world – they embrace us – we SMELL like them…
      • But when we stand up for Jesus – we STINK – because we now represent the Lord!
      • II Corinthians 2:15 – “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.”

• 3^rd – Looking to the right place… vs. 22-5
  • 1^st – Moses complained to the Lord… vs. 22-1
    • Why have you brought TROUBLE on these people – why have you sent me…
      • For since he came to Pharoah to speak in the name of the LORD – the Pharaoh did EVIL…
      • And the LORD had YET to deliver His people from the bondage of Egypt!
    • Moses was understandably discouraged – the people were suffering for his actions…
      • God reassured Moses – Pharaoh would kick (piel) the Hebrews out before it was all done…
      • In other words – this was all part of the plan of God – do not loose heart!
      • Too often we focus on the negative – and as a result miss what God is doing…
      • Anytime we get our eyes off Jesus and onto our circumstances we are in trouble…
      • We are bound to be overwhelmed – filled with doubt and fear…
      • It is when we keep our eyes on Jesus that we see this great truth!
      • II Corinthians 4:18 – “We do not look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen [Jesus]. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”
  • 2^nd – Who is in charge… vs. 2-5
    • God clarified who was really in charge – NOT Pharaoh…
      • I am the LORD [יְהוָה] – the proper name of God – the existing (or eternal) one!
      • Who appeared to Abraham / Isaac / and Jacob – El Shaddai [אֵל שַׁדַּי] – God ALMIGHTY…
      • God makes clear in His title that nothing is impossible for Him!
      • The Patriarchs did NOT know His name – [יְהוָה] the name of God…
      • But he established His covenant (promise) – give them the Land they were strangers in…
      • God heard (perfect) the groaning of the children of Israel – remembered His PROMISE!
        
    • When times are tough – perspective is important…
      • When the disciples were threatened by the Sanhedrin – Acts 4
      • Threatened and commanded to no longer preach in the name of Jesus – they prayed!
      • Acts 4:24 – “They raised their voice to God with one accord and said: Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them…”
      • It is good to remember El Shaddai [אֵל שַׁדַּי] – God ALMIGHTY – is on our side…
      • It is always good to remember – the one who is really in control…
      • Our problems and challenges might look like mountains to us…
      • Till we look at the one who created – and can level – mountains!

• 4^th – What God WILL do … vs. 6-13
  • 1^st – I will BRING you out of Egypt… vs. 6
    • Therefore SAY (imperative) to the children of Israel…
      • God gave Moses the WORD to share with His discouraged people…
      • I will BRING (hiphil) – the LORD would CAUSE the people to come OUT of Egypt!
    • Everything that happened to Israel was an example for our lives…
      • I Corinthians 10:11 – “All these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”
      • We were all in SLAVES to this world (Egypt) – working for this world – getting nothing!
      • Everything this world can give us does not last – it is only temporary…
      • God wants to bring us out of this world into the abundant life in Jesus!
      • Where we store up for ourselves treasures that last forever – Matthew 6:19-20
  • 2^nd – I will RESCUE you out of bondage… vs. 6
    • I will RESCUE (hiphil) – the LORD would rescue Israel from their BONDAGE…
      • The way God takes us out of the world – is to free us from the BONDAGE of the flesh…
      • So many people today are in bondage to their flesh – their own desires and lusts…
      • Sin is like a drug – the most addictive kind of drug – and it will take over your life…
      • Sin can seem to be enjoyable – but it sucks us in – and we are trapped!
      • In the end we find we are in bondage to sin – morally and spiritually bankrupt!
      • Romans 6:16 – “You become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God…”
    • Like the taskmasters the flesh is cruel – only looking to keep us in bondage…
      • It is a sad life that is broken and consumed by alcohol / drugs / immorality…
      • God wants to break that cycle – free us from our own sinful nature…
      • He wants to crucify the flesh so we can be free to live the abundant life of the Spirit!
      • Romans 6:6 – “[We] were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.”
  • 3^rd – I will REDEEM you… vs. 6-8
    • REDEEM – [גָּאַל] – GOEL – the KINSMAN redeemer…
      • Israel was LOST – practically they had no HOME – spiritually they had no HOPE…
      • God came to REDEEM them – give them back both their HOME and their HOPE!
    • Jesus came to REDEEM us – give us a HOPE…
      • He gave us HOPE through the cross – where He PAID the price for all our sin!
      • We all were in bondage to sin – we had sold ourselves as slaves to his world…
      • We could not set ourselves free from bondage – we could not pay our price…
      • So Jesus came to be our GOEL our REDEEMER – He came to purchase us back!
      • I Peter 1:18-19 – “You know that God paid a ransom to save you… the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver.  He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.”
  • 4^th – I will TAKE you as My people… vs. 7
    • God would TAKE Israel and make them His people…
      • This would take place when they arrived at Mount Sinai – received the Law of God…
      • TAKE (perfect) – Israel was and will ALWAYS be the people of God!
    • Once God has REDEEMED us – we become the children of God…
      • When Jen and I were in Israel in 2008 – we had to pass through the Netherlands…
      • We had a long layover – and thought it might be nice to get out of the airport…
      • Because my PASSPORT said I was from the US – I was allowed go out…
      • But because her PASSPORT said she was from the Philippines she was denied…
      • It had nothing to do with being a good or bad person – or our religion…
      • We were granted or denied solely based on our citizenship!
      • We can only be citizens of one of two kingdoms…
      • We either belong to the Kingdom of God – or the kingdom of this world!
      • Matthew 12:30 – “He who is not with Me is against Me…”
      • And if we try to get into heaven with the wrong PASSPORT – the doors are closed!
      • But once we are born again – saved – we are no longer foreigners…
      • We no longer belong to this world – we have changed our citizenship!
      • And when one day we stand at the entrance into heaven – Jesus will welcome us in!
  • 5^th – I WILL BE your God… vs. 7
    • It was not JUST about becoming the people of the LORD – He would become THEIR God…
    • WILL BE (perfect) – the LORD [יְהוָה] would then become the ONLY God of Israel…
    • Then they would KNOW (perfect) – I am the LORD who brought (hiphil) you out of Egypt!
    • People are known by the God they believe in – it becomes their label…
    • I am a MULSIM – I am a BUDIST – I am a CHIRSTIAN (little Christ)!
    • Only when believe in Jesus – accept him as our identity – who we are…
    • Will we truly understand all that He has done for us – freed us from the world / sin!
  • 6^th – I will BRING you into the Land… vs. 8
    • The LAND He swore to give to Abraham / Isaac / and Jacob…
    • He would give it to them as a POSSESION – because HE IS THE LORD!
    • NOTE – all SIX of these promises have NO conditions – they are what God WILL do!
    • God desires to being us into the LAND – take us to be with him in heaven!
    • He does ALL the WORK – He brought us out of the world / He rescued us from sin…
    • He redeemed us through the cross / He made us His own special people…
    • Then He became our God – and now will take us to spend eternity with Him!
    • John 14:3 – “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
  • 7^th – Not listening… vs. 9-13
    • Moses spoke to the children of Israel – but they could NOT hear the words of Moses…
    • Their crushed spirit because of their cruel bondage made them deaf to his words!
    • Therefore God told Moses to go and speak to Pharaoh again…
    • But Moses argued – if Israel did not listen to me – why would Pharoah listen!
    • I am a man of uncircumcised lips – not worthy to open my mouth!
    • But the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron – bring my people out of Egypt!
    • We have been given the SAME message as Moses – the GOOD NEWS – the GOSPEL!
    • But we might be like Moses and ask – who am I to talk about Jesus…
    • I have an UNCLEAN mouth – I have no right to tell others about God…
    • But it is NOT about OUR mouth – it is about the WORD of the Lord…
    • I fear too often when God calls – we would rather pretend likes it is a wrong number…
    • We assume there is no way God would want to / or for that matter be able to – use us…
    • But the only qualification for being used by God – be ready to answer the call – Here I am!
    • Isaiah 6:8 – “Whom shall I send… I said – Here I am! Send me.”

• 5^th – Genealogy of Moses… vs. 14-30
  • 1^st – The sons of Israel… vs. 14-25
    • We are given a genealogy of the first three oldest sons of Jacob – but we stop at Levi…
      • The list begins identical to the one given in Genesis 46:8-11
      • But here we are given the genealogy of Levi – there were eight grandchildren in all…
      • Included in the genealogy is Amram – the son of Kohath!
    • Amram – married Jochebed – the sister of his father (aunt) …
      • Amram had two sons – Aaron and Moses – and he died at the age of 137…
      • We are told Levi lived to be 137 – and Kohath lived to be 133…
      • All together their lives total 407 years – add to that the age of Moses – 80 years old…
      • And we have the 400 years that Israel was in Egypt – Genesis 15:16
      • We see there are only four generations between Jacob and Moses!
    • Additional genealogy of Kohath…
      • Izhar and Uzziel –had a combined six sons – among them was Korah – Numbers 16
      • Aaron married Elisheba and had four children – Nadab / Abihu / Eleazar / Ithamar…
      • They are mentioned here because they become the line of the HIGH priest…
      • But Nadab and Abihu die because they offer a sacrifice of STRANGE fire – Leviticus 10:2
      • Eleazar – became the firstborn – and his son Phinehas the next HIGH priest!
  • 2^nd – Moses and Aaron… vs. 26-30
    • The same Moses and Aaron whom God called bring Israel out of Egypt…
    • God would bring them out by their ARMIES – no longer SLAVES!
    • The same Moses and Aaron who spoke to the Pharoah of Egypt…
    • The Lord spoke to Moses there in Egypt – tell Pharaoh all that I say to you…
    • The same Moses who said I am a man of uncircumcised lips!
    • But Moses would SPEAK – God would WORK – and Pharoah would LISTEN
    • When we stand for God – in the power of God – the world has no choice but to listen!