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Introduction

  • 1st – The whole counsel of God
  • Our desire to is to teach through the whole Bible Genesis to Revelation
  • Acts 20:27 – “For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.”
  • We have finished Genesis – and will now move on to Exodus!
  • 2nd – Who wrote the book of Exodus…
  • Ultimately inspired by the Holy Spirit – the written Word of God – II Timothy 3:16
  • Moses wrote the book as well as the rest of the Pentateuch / Torah (1st 5 books of the Bible)
  • The Hebrew Bible – Tanach – same books as our Old Testament – divides them differently…
  • Tanach – Acronym: T – Torah – Law / N – Nev’im – prophets / K – Ketuvim – writings…
  • Tanach breakdown of the OT: 24 books = our 39 books!
  • Thought to have been written during the wilderness wandering of Israel 1450-1490 B.C.
  • Exodus 34:27 – “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of my covenant with you and with Israel.’”
  • 3rd – Theme of the book…
  • There are two main THEMES in the Book of Exodus…
  • Chapters 1-18 – The deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt…
    • This FIRST section is a narrative that is a direct continuation from Genesis…
    • The word Now – first word in Exodus – ties the events of Exodus to the story of Joseph…
    • 400 years after Joseph – Israel had been enslaved as a labor force for the Egyptians…
    • The name Exodus is from the Greek word meaning WAY OUT or TO DEPART…
    • Exodus is the story of God delivering Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt!
  • Chapters 19-40 – The FIRST giving of the Law of God as the Lord makes Israel His nation…
    • Rather than historical narrative – the text becomes law / legislation…
    • The law was given in order to organize Israel into a nation…
    • A theocracy – a nation ruled by God in which civil and religious law are combined…
    • So the second theme of Exodus is the establishment of Israel as the people of God!
  • 4th – Outline…
  • 40 chapters / 1213 verses – in the book of Exodus
  • Outline – we will TRY and cover 2 chapters each week…

1. Chapters 1-18 – Moses leads the Children of Israel out of Egypt…

  • Chapter 1 – The birth of Moses
  • Chapters 2-4:17 – Moses called by God to redeem Israel
  • Chapters 4:18-6:30 – Moses return to Egypt
  • Chapters 7-12 – The 10 plagues of Egypt – Passover
  • Chapters 13-18 – The Exodus (from Egypt to Mt. Sinai)

2. Chapters 19-40 – The Israelites at Mt. Sinai…

  • Chapters 19-24 – The giving of the Law of God
  • Chapters 25-31 – Instructions for the Tabernacle of God
  • Chapters 32-34 – The golden calf rebellion
  • Chapters 35-40 – The building of the Tabernacle of God

Moses – drawn from the water… (4 points)

  • 1st – A new King over Egypt… vs. 1-14
    • 1st – 400 years in Egypt… vs. 1-7
      • Israel (Jacob) went to Egypt during the famine with his 12 sons and families – 70 in all…
        • There are some issues with this number – it is not inclusive of EVERYONE who came…
        • The number does NOT include – Jacob / his wives / wives of his sons / or all daughters…
        • The count was just those who came FROM the body of Jacob!
        • We are also told 66 made the journey from Canaan to Egypt – Genesis 46:26
        • Joseph / Ephraim / and Manasseh were already in Egypt – but that only makes 69!
        • Also Steven tells us 75 people made the journey – Acts 7:14 (quoting from LXX)
        • So what is the point – obviously not the EXACT count – but that there were a LOT!
      • Joseph – and his eleven brothers died…
        • But their descendants remained in Egypt for 400 years!
        • Why the 400 year wait – the sin of the Amorites was not yet complete – Genesis 15:16 
        • When Israel enters the Land – God commands them to kill every man / woman / child…
        • If God is love – I John 4:8 – how could He command Israel to commit genocide…
        • They were a wicked people – who worshiped many false gods – Exodus 23:23-24
        • They offered their children as sacrificed to demons – Leviticus 18:21-24
        • They practiced every form of sexual immorality – Leviticus 18
        • Deuteronomy 9:5 – “It is not because you are so good or have such integrity that you are about to occupy their land. The LORD your God will drive these nations out ahead of you only because of their wickedness…”
      • Yet God in His LOVE held back judgment on the sinful nations for 400 years…
        • God is not quick to judge – He is very patient – hoping there will be repentance…
        • He did not want to give the land to Israel yet – hoping the Canaanites would repent!
        • God is also longsuffering with us – not that He will not judge sin – He certainly will
        • But He is patient hoping that many will come to repentance!
        • II Peter 3:9 – “[The Lord] does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.”
      • It also allowed the nation of Israel to GROW…
        • They increased ABUNDANTLY – multiplied – grew exceedingly MIGHTY – filed the Land!
        • They were no longer just 70 people – they counted 600k men – Exodus 12:37
        • That is not including the women and children – depending on how many kids per family…
        • They total population of Israel could have been between 2.5 – 5 million people!
    • 2nd – There was a new King in Egypt – who did not remember Joseph… vs. 8-14
      • Historical background – the King of Egypt…
        • There is a LOT of debate over who was Pharoah at the time of the Exodus…
        • Some say it was Pharaoh Thothmes III – ruled in 1440 B.C.
        • Others argue for a later date – 1290 B.C. – and Seti I (cruel Pharaoh) / Ramses II (Exodus)
        • The sister was Thermouthis – named by Josephus / and book of Jubilees 47:5
        • It was during these 400 years Egypt became the FIRST (of seven) world Empires!
        • Egypt / Assyria / Babylon / Medo-Persia / Greece / Rome / Anti-Christ!
        • Genesis 12:3 – “I will bless those who bless you, I will curse him who curses you.”
        • Once the Israelites left Egypt – it declined and never was a world power again!
      • When Joseph had been SECOND – Israel had received special favor…
        • But now 400 years later – the king of Egypt did not remember those days…
        • The population of all Egypt was between two and five million at the time…
        • The Israelites numbered more than the Egyptians – a serious threat to Egyptian power!
        • In the event of war – if they turned against Egypt – they might break free and LEAVE…
        • The Egyptians recognized their prosperity was BECAUSE of Israel – they HAD to stay!
      • Therefore they made them SLAVES…
        • The Pharaoh set TASK MASTER over the people – who afflicted (piel) them!
        • They build the Pharoah supply (treasure) cities of Pithom and Raamses…
        • He used the Israelites as an enormous FREE labor force – slavery…
        • With them he built some of the most lavish structures of the ancient world!
        • The temple of Karnak at the city of Thebes – one of the largest building ever built…
        • Over the main entrance is a stone – 12 meters long weighing 140k kilos!
        • 134 giant columns – 12 central columns 24 meters high / 4 meters in diameter!
        • So large that on top of just one column 100 people can comfortably stand!
      • The Egyptians treated the Hebrews harshly – trying to keep them from multiplying…
        • They were cruel to them – forcing them to perform hard manual labor…
        • They had bitter lives – working in bondage (no pay) – with clay and brick…
        • But the more the Egyptians humbled (afflicted) them – the stronger they became!
        • II Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
        • Strength does NOT come from money / power / influence / even who you know…
        • True strength comes when we realize we are NOT strong – in fact we are weak…
        • The problem is we are LIMITED – LIMITED time / talent / money / ability…
        • But God had limitless – He has ALL the time / talent / money we could ever need!
        • In realizing this – we do NOT depend on our strength – we depend on the Lord!
  • 2nd – The Final solution… vs. 15-22
    • 1st – Cruelty was not enough… vs. 15-17
      • The Pharaoh commanded the Hebrew midwives – kill all the male Hebrew children…
        • Their names were Shiphrah (fair) and Puah (splendid) …
        • The idea was to eliminate the MEN could grow up as a threat against Egypt…
      • But the Midwives feared God – and did not obey the command of Pharaoh!
        • Romans 13:1 – “Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there…”
        • Hananiah / Mishael / Azariah were three young men told by their king to bow to an idol…
        • Daniel 3:18 – “Let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
        • We are called to obey the laws of the land – so long as they do NOT contradict the Word…
        • When the laws of men contradict the Law of God – we obey God!
    • 2nd – Telling a LIE… vs. 18-21
      • When asked why the Midwives disobeyed the command – they LIED…
        • The TRUTH was they FEARED the God of Israel – more than they FEARED Pharoah…
        • But they said the Hebrew women were TOUGH and gave birth before they arrived…
        • And God blessed them giving them their own families – EVEN THOUGH they LIED!
        • This passage – along with Rahab – Joshua 2:5 – are used to JUSTIFY lying!
      • One of the 10 commandments is DO NOT LIE – Exodus 20:16
        • Which leaves the question – is there ever a good reason not to tell the truth…
        • Such as if it keeps someone from having hurt feelings – how do I look – ugly!
        • Or to save a life (midwives) – Corrie Ten Boom – hid Jews during the Nazi Holocaust!
        • The end does NOT justify the means – its as much about the journey as the destination…
        • There is NEVER a good reason to lie – it is depending on our efforts…
        • Better to be honest – tell the truth – and trust in / depend on the Lord!
        • The midwives were blessed in SPITE of their lie – because they FEARED the Lord!
    • 3rd – Throw them into the river… vs. 22
      • So Pharaoh commanded all his people – the SONS born to Israel throw into the Nile river…
        • His FINAL solution to the problem of the Hebrews – kill them!
        • King Herod heard Jesus was born – he ordered all boys to be killed – Matthew 2:16
        • Right up to modern times – Adolf Hitler wanted to solve the – Jewish problem…
        • His solution – the Nazi concentration camps – killed 6 million Jews (1.5 million kids)!
      • Why so much hate against Israel…
        • It would be through Israel the Messiah – Jesus would come into the world!
        • Satan tried to stop the birth of Moses – the one who would redeem Israel…
        • Satan tried to stop the birth of Jesus – the one who would redeem the world…
        • Satan tried to destroy all of Israel – because they were the chosen people of God!
        • But in spite of all the effort – Moses was born – Jesus lives – Israel still exists!
        • I think too often we give satan WAY too much credit – as if he is some super villain…
        • BUT – if satan CANNOT use a KING to kill a BABY born to slaves…
        • If satan CANNOT kill a BABY born to a carpenter in an impoverished Judean slum…
        • If satan CANNOT wipe out a people scattered and homeless for 2000 years…
        • It would be fair to ask – can satan DO ANYTING – the answer is NOT unless God allows it!
        • Nothing to fear in life – SINCE God is for us – NO ONE can stand against us – Romans 8:31
  • 3rd – The Baby Moses… vs. 1-10
    • 1st – A couple from the tribe of Levi – the branch of Kohath… vs. 1-4
      • Their names were Amram and Jochebed (aunt of Amram) – Exodus 6:20
        • They had a beautiful [טוֹב] son – so the mother hid him for three months…
        • But when she could no longer him – she put him in an ARK (small basket like boat) …
        • Jochebed then set the ARK in the reeds along the banks of the Nile river…
        • His older sister Miriam stood afar off to see what would happen to him!
      • By FAITH – Amram and Jochebed were NOT afraid…
        • Hebrews 11:23 – “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.”
        • BEAUTIFUL – 2x in NT (both about Moses) – of the city – to be elegant or handsome!
        • I do NOT think Moses was the most handsome baby ever – EVERY parent think that!
        • I DO think Amram and Jochebed believed God had a PURPOSE for their son…
        • Therefore they were NOT afraid to DEFY an earthly king!
        • I wish ALL parents had the heart of Amram and Jochebed when it comes to their kids…
        • Having FAITH – that God has great plans for their children…
        • Not listening to the world and letting men dictate what our kids can become…
        • But believing the Lord and by FAITH seeing what God desires for them to be!
    • 2nd – Thermouthis – daughter of the Pharaoh – came down to bathe… vs. 5-10
      • She saw the baby in the ark – and the baby WEPT – she knew he was a Hebrew child…
        • But she had COMPASSION – to spare / have pity! 
        • Miriam – was watching and came to ask if she needed a nurse for the child…
        • The baby was given back to Jochebed – his mother to raise as a son of the Pharaoh!
        • Thermouthis called him Moses – because he was taken out of the water!
      • In order to keep him – Jochebed had to give him away…
        • If she had tried to keep the baby – he would have been lost / killed…
        • Only because she was willing to GIVE him back to the Lord – she was able to KEEP him!
        • Matthew 16:25 – “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
        • Too often we cling onto our life – thinking we cannot afford to give it away to God…
        • But when we give our life away – when we live for Jesus – we find true life!
        • A seed is not good by itself – if you take a seed and hold onto it – nothing happens…
        • If you let it go – if you bury it – if it dies – then it becomes what God intended!
        • Only when we are willing to let our life go – do we truly find life in Jesus!
        • John 12:24-25 – “I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”.”
  • 4th – Moses as a man… vs. 11-25
    • 1st – Prince of Egypt… vs. 11-15
      • Now 40 years old Moses had become a powerful leader in Egypt…
        • Acts 7:22 – “Taught all the wisdom of the Egyptians… mighty in speech and action.”
        • Leader of the Southern army – perhaps even in line to the throne – Moses had it all!
        • God called Moses to be the redeemer of Israel – Moses knew God had called him!
        • Acts 7:25 – “Assumed his brothers would realize God had sent him to rescue them…”
      • One day while visiting his brethren – he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave…
        • He looked around – seeing no one – he killed the man and hid him in the sand…
        • The next day he saw two Hebrews fighting – he tried to break them up…
        • Who made you a judge – are you going to kill me like you killed the Egyptian!
        • Moses fled in fear to Midian – knowing Pharaoh now wanted to kill him!
      • It all looked so right – but it went so wrong…
        • Moses had it all – and he knew God had called him to redeem Israel…
        • But he tried to do in his OWN strength – his OWN understanding…
        • 40 years in Egypt – had filled Moses with confidence in himself – the result…
        • Death – of the Egyptian / Confusion – the children of Israel did not understand…
        • Failure – Moses fled for his life to Midian!
        • The worst thing we can ever start a sentence with is the word I…
        • The only thing that will EVER follow the word I – is CANNOT!
        • Because when we try and do anything in our own strength – death / confusion / failure…
        • Whatever we try and do – it DIES / we are CONFUSED as to why things are NOT working…
        • Feel like we are FAILURE – as if somehow – we are destined not to succeed!
    • 2nd – The solution – the wilderness… vs. 16-22
      • When Moses arrived in Midian (strife) – he sat down by a well…
        • The priest of Midian – Reuel (friend of God) – had seven daughters…
        • They came to the well to water the flocks of their father – but shepherds chased them…
        • But Moses stood up and helped them – watered their flocks (like Jacob) – Genesis 29:10
        • When Reuel asked how the girls watered the flocks so quickly – they said Moses!
        • Moses came to live with Reuel – he gave his daughter Zipporah (bird) as a wife!
        • They had a son named GERSHOM (stranger) – because Moses was a stranger in Midian!
      • Moses had been a prince of Egypt – now God had him serving as a Shepherd…
        • 40 years tending sheep in the wilderness – must have seemed like a DEAD end job…
        • I am sure that Moses thought he was all washed up – God was done with him…
        • Yet God was preparing Moses to be the SHEPHERD for the sheep of Israel!
        • We may think that what we are doing is pointless…
        • In truth God is emptying us – filling us with Him – preparing us!
        • II Corinthians 4:6 – “We have this treasure in earthen vessels…” 
        • We often get the impression there are SPECIAL people whom God chooses to use…
        • There are only ORDINARY people – who believe in God – making them SPECIAL!
        • We are all just clay pots – the question to be asked is what is inside of us…
        • Are we full of ourselves – trusting in our abilities – NOT SPECIAL…
        • Or are we full of Jesus – believing in God – having faith (trust) in His Word!
        • Moses was emptied – and God was filling him up – to become the redeemer of Israel!
    • 3rd – God remembered His covenant… vs. 23-25
      • The king of Egypt died – and the children of Israel groaned because of their bondage…
      • God REMEBERED (not that He forgot) His promise to Abraham…
      • Genesis 15:13-14 – “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years.”
      • Moses had been humbled and prepared – he was almost ready…
      • The time was right – the people were ready to step out and become the nation of Israel!
      • I have a dear friend who is a very gifted artist – and I enjoy watching him work…
      • As he begins – I have no idea what he is painting – seems like random lines and colors…
      • But with each stroke the design becomes clearer – his picture comes together!
      • Moving forward in life it is hard to see how the Lord is directing our steps…
      • Life moves by like a blur – and can often seem to be full of random events…
      • But as we look back – the picture becomes clear / comes into focus…
      • Nothing is by accident – the hand of God is directing our every step…
      • As we are faithful to listen to His Word – and obey His commands!


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