My Daily Bible Study - Exodus (2)

[Frances]

Exodus 1

What Does the Text Say? - Jacob went to Egypt of his 75 descendants, Joseph was already there. Each generation of Israelites increased abundantly, causing the Egyptians to regard them as a possible threat, so they made the Israelites their slaves and treated them harshly. The worse the Israelites/Hebrews were treated, the more their numbers increased. Pharaoh told the Hebrew midwives to kill each male baby at birth, but they didn't as they worshipped God. The midwives told Pharaoh the Hebrew women gave birth before they got there, so Pharaoh told his people to throw all Hebrew baby boys into the river.

Application? Being treated badly maybe God's Provision for future freedom. Do I obey God trusting His Power, or obey men because I fear their power over me? God Blesses those who honour Him.

[Frances]

Exodus 2

What Does the Text Say? A son was born to a Levite couple and they hid him. Three months later his mother made an ark out of bulrushes waterproofed with a layer of asphalt and pitch, then put it, with the boy in it, in the bulrushes where Pharaoh's daughter would go to bathe. The princess decided to bring the boy up as her own, and called him Moses. The baby's sister offered to fetch a wet nurse for Moses, and fetched her mother, who was paid to raise the baby. When Moses no longer needed a wet nurse (about 5 years) he went to live with Pharaoh's daughter. When he was a man (about 40 y.o) Moses killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, and buried the body in sand. Next day Moses tried to stop two Hebrews fighting, and one asked if he was going to kill him as he had the Egyptian. When Pharaoh heard of it he intended to kill Moses, but he fled to Midian. Resting by a well Moses helped Jethro's daughters to water their sheep. Jethro invited him to stay and gave him his daughter Zipporah as wife, she bore him a son. Years later, under another Pharaoh, the Israelite slaves prayed for relief from their situation. The time had come for God to answer their prayers.

Application :- Preservation of loved ones lives by some means, under an unGodly, cruel government is OK, wisdom is necessary as well as trusting God with the outcome. What seems to be a calamity may be used by God in some way. God had told Abram his descendants would be slaves for 400 years (Gen. 15:13) and the time for their release had arrived. When God does not grant my request maybe the right time has not yet come; am I prepared to wait and trust Him? What seems a tragedy may result in some training I need for the future.

Quote:- (Henry H. Halley)" Moses is thought to have been appointed to high office in the government of Egypt. Josephus says he commanded an army in the south. His 40 years in the wilderness was, in God's Providence, part of Moses training . . . and developed sturdy qualities in him hardly possible in the softness of the palace. It familiarised him with the region in which he was to lead Israel for 40 years. . .
Midianites were descended from Abram through Kenturah (Gen. 25:2). Some traditions have it that Moses wrote the book of Job during this 40 years."

[Frances]

Exodus 3

What Does the Text Say? - Moses looked after his father in law's sheep and had taken them to Horeb(Sinai, Acts7 30 34) when he saw a bush burning but not consumed. God called to Moses from the bush, telling him to remove his shoes because he was on holy ground, that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and would rescue their descendants from their slavery to the Egytians and give them the land He'd Promised Abraham, also He was sending Moses to Pharaoh and to lead the people. Moses was to tell the Israelites "I AM WHO I AM" had sent him, he was to speak to the Elders of the people who would believe him. Then Moses must go to the King of Egypt to ask that they all be allowed to go 3 days journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the Lord their God, but Pharaoh would not let them go, so God would perform many Miracles and eventually Pharaoh would let them go and the Egyptians would give them much wealth before they left.

Application - Do I enjoy many Blessings and feel I am "Somebody"? Have I run ahead of God in some way? Am I now a "Nobody"? One day, when my training is complete, God may give me a task I don't want. Will I accept that task or reject it? My age will not be a deterrent.

Note:- Moses spent 40 years learning to be "Somebody", then 40 years learning to be "Nobody" before he had sufficient knowledge, experience, and humility necessary to be used in a mighty way by God.

[Frances]

Exodus 4

What Does the Text Say? - Moses didn't believe the Israelites would accept that God had sent him to lead them out of slavery, so God gave him the ability to turn his stick into a snake, and back into a stick, turn water into blood, and to make his hand leprous and restore it to health. Moses was still fearful, saying he didn't have the 'gift of the gab', the Lord was angry but agreed that Moses could tell his brother Aaron what to say, and Moses could be Moses' spokesperson. Jethro agreed to Moses request to return to his countrymen in Egypt. On the way the Lord seemed about to kill Moses but Zipporah, his wife, circumsized his son and touched him with the skin, so the Lord released him. The Lord told Aaron to go to meet Moses. When they met the Elders of Israel, Aaron said what Moses told him to, and Moses did the Signs. The Elders believed and worshipped God.

Application:- Do I think of reasons (excuses) not to obey God? Have I, too late, regretted not having another such opportunity? God will use what I have available (like an ordinary stick). Moses had had specialist training, both in the palace and the wilderness, and there was no other Israelite with that training. What specialist training for the Lord's Service have I 'unkowingly' received? Whatever my age there is probably someone whose permission I must ask before setting out in a new direction. Am I Blessed with the opportunity to be someone's helper? When the Lord tells me to go somewhere do I always go? Am I still learning that if I don't obey the Lord instantly I will be the loser in a wide variety of ways that I may not discover for some time?

[Frances]

Exodus 5

What Does the Text Say? - : Moses and Aaron told Pharaoh God wanted all of His people to travel for 3 days into the wilderness to sacrifice to Him, and they asked Pharaoh's permission to do so. Pharaoh said "No" and that same day instructed their Egyptian taskmasters not to give the Hebrews straw but to make them collect it for themselves, while fulfilling the same quotas as formerly; as they could not do this their leaders were beaten. The Hebrew leaders pleaded with Pharaoh for mercy but he took no notice. Moses and Aaron were waiting for the leaders when they left Pharaoh, and were maligned by them. Moses accused God of not keeping His Word and letting Moses down.

Application:- Do I ensure the 'voice' I am heeding is, in fact, the Voice of Almighty God and not self or Satan? Do I obey God however pointless His Instructions may seem? Do I still trust Him even though my obedience has made life more difficult, not only for me but painful for others too? Do I expect fellow Christians to understand that I have obeyed God even when He does not fulfill His Promise immediately? When those I have acted for turn against me do I complain to God?

Archeological Note:- Naville in 1883, and Kyle in 1908, found that at Pithom the lower courses of bricks were made with good straw, the middle courses with less, being stubble including the roots, and the bricks forming the top courses were pure clay, confirming the historical accuracy of Exodus 5.

[Frances]

Exodus 6

What Does the Text Say? – The Lord told Moses He would rescue the Israelites from the Egyptians with His Mighty Power; they would be His people and He would be their God, and He would take them to the land He'd Promised their forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - but the people didn't believe Moses because their situation was so depressing. God told Moses to go to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go.

Application - The Lord is able to rescue me from all evil that seeks to keep me in bondage; His Power is far superior to any other being, physical or spiritual . Is the Lord my God? Have I inherited a Promise made to my ancestors? Will I follow Him to the good land He has Promised? Have I shared Jesus' offer of Salvation with
those who have taken no notice because they are too depressed by their circumstances?

Note: - This must be a; brief geneology stating only prominent people as Moses was listed as a grandson of Kohath, and according to Numbers 3:28 there were 8,600 kohathites at that time.

[Frances]

Exodus 7

What Does the Text Say? Almighty God told Moses that Pharaoh would take no notice of him until He had performed many signs and wonders in Egypt and the Egyptians and Israelites acknowledged Him the Lord. Moses was 80 and Aaron 83 years old. The first sign of the Lord's Power was when Moses stick became a snake and swallowed the sticks of Pharaoh's magicians (Jannes and Jambres 2 Tim.3 8). The second sign was when Moses met Pharaoh at the river bank and turned all the water above ground in Egypt to blood, which the magicians also did, but Pharaoh didn't heed Moses request to let the Israelites go.

Application - My obedience to the Lord does not guarantee immediate success, I may only see a fragment of His Plan. I will never be too old to serve the Lord in some way. Not all miracles are performed by servants of Almighty God but may be performed by those involved in the occult. The Lord may allow people to suffer hardship for a while to encourage a greater awareness of His Power.

Note The plagues of Egypt demonstrated God's Power over the people's gods. eg. Pharaoh was deified, the river Nile was a god, as was Ptar, represented by a bull, Amon by a cow, Heka by a fly, Nechabt by a serpent and Set(Satan) by a crocodile, and they had many other gods too, including a frog.

[Frances]

Exodus 8

What Does the Text Say? - God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh another refusal to let His people go would result in a plague of frogs over the whole land, which it did. The occultists did the same. Pharaoh pleaded for the frogs to be removed so Moses told Pharaoh to say when he should pray, so there'd be no doubt the Power belonged to the Lord God of the Israelites. God killed the frogs, but when Pharaoh had relief he still didn't let the people go. The Lord sent a plague of lice/gnats. The occultists couldn't replicate this plague and said it was caused by "the Finger of God". Next God, through Moses threatened, and sent, flies that would be everywhere except in Goshen where His people were. Pharaoh agreed to let the people go, but changed his mind as soon as he had relief from the flies.

Application - Do I prevent anyone from worshipping the Lord? (eg. by not giving them a lift or necessary meal?) Do I recognise the 'Finger of God' in my circumstances and realise He is able to do what I cannot? Was Moses, through Pharaoh's many refusals, gaining the confidence to know God could always be trusted what he would need in the years ahead? Do I trust God to, similarly, be working in and through me when circumstances seem unkind? If I turn against God's Will for me 'today' it will be harder for me to do His Will 'tomorrow', but easier for me to turn away from Him then too.

[Frances]

Exodus 9
What Does the Text Say? - Pharaoh continued refusing to let the Israelites go into the wilderness to worship the Lord by making sacrificed to Him so, 1st the Egyptian cattle, oxen, horses and donkeys died, but not the livestock of the Israelites. The 2nd time boils broke out on the people and animals. The next time Pharaoh refused to let them go Moses forecast very heavy hail, that would kill people and animals. That time Pharaoh said the people could go, but when the plague stopped he changed his mind.

Application - Do I promise to obey Almighty God while I'm suffering, but 'forget' when the worst of the suffering is removed? What have I promised the Lord I would do that I have not? The bull was the chief Egyptian god, so to harm their cattle demonstrated God's supreme Power over their gods yet again. Do I worship anything other than Almighty God? if so, I may well suffer as a result. Do I heed God's warnings? Do I hesitate to obey God because of the cost, disregarding the far greater benefits?

Quote (Henry H. Halley)" Pharaoh (probably) hesitated because of the immense loss . . . in slave labour. Israelite labour had contributed greatly to Egypt's rise in power, and with the Israelite's departure the Egypt's decline began.

[Frances]

Exodus 10

What Does the Text Say? God hardened Pharaoh's heart, to give Him the opportunity to perform spectacular miracles that would always be remembered by His people, so they would have no doubt that He is the Lord. Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh again, requesting him to let the Israelites go. At first Pharaoh refused, then said just the men could go but not the women, children, flocks and herds. So the Lord sent a plague of locusts. Pharaoh said they could go if the locusts were removed, but when they were gone he changed his mind. The Lord sent thick darkness over all Egypt for 72 hours except where the Israelites lived. Then Pharaoh said all the people could go, but not their animals, and he told Moses if he ever returned he would die. Moses agreed they'd never meet again.

Application? How many times can I reject the Lord's will before He ensures I will suffer greatly for the instruction of future generations? How many times have I already disobeyed God? Do I try to 'water down'' the Lord's requirements to make them 'more acceptable' to me? Have I tried the Lord's Patience too much already?

Quote (Henry H. Halley) "Locusts come in vast clouds eating every green thing, they repose on the ground at night to a depth of 4 to 5 inches. When mashed the smell would be unbearable. Darkness was a direct blow to Ra, Egypt's sun god."

[Frances]

Exodus 11

What Does the Text Say? - While Moses was still with Pharaoh the Lord told him He would bring one more plague, then Pharaoh would let the people go, he said every Israelite must ask their Egyptian neighbour for articles of gold and silver. Moses told Pharaoh the first born of all the people and animals would die around midnight, but Pharaoh took no notice. The Egyptian people gave the Israelites much gold and silver as they respected the Power of Moses' God.

Application - Do I recognise the power of those who negotiate with the leaders of my nation to cause me distress? Am I as generous as the Lord wants me to be? Am I grateful that unbelievers donate money to charities that benefit God's people in need? Do I realise the unlimited Power of God when He is against me, or do I keep battling on like a dog with a dead rabbit? Do those who know me respect the Power of my God?

[Frances]

Exodus 12

What Does the Text Say? - The Lord told Moses it was now the beginning of the year for Israel. On the 10th of that month each family must choose a perfect lamb or goat. On the 14th of that month, in the evening, the lambs must all be killed without breaking their bones, and their blood sprinkled on the door-posts and lintels of the houses; the Israelites must eat the roasted lamb’s flesh with unleavened bread, prepared to leave Egypt; any meat not eaten must be burnt. That night God would execute Judgment on the Egyptians, and anyone not in a house protected by the blood on the door-posts would suffer too. The Israelites must always celebrate Passover as a memorial, eating only unleavened bread for 7 days each year. At midnight all the firstborn in Egypt died, except those protected by the lamb’s blood. Pharaoh sent for Moses (1446BC) and told the Israelites to go with their flocks and herds. There were about 600,000 men, with their families, who went from Rameses towards Succoth - they and their ancestors had been in Egypt 430 years. No uncircumcised person is able to eat the Passover meal.

Application - Almighty God is still very specific regarding His requirements for each person's Salvation. Am I protected by the Blood of Jesus Christ? or have I overlooked any of His requirements? Did those who told me of His offer of Salvation tell me every detail? Would I be wise to study His Word to make sure?

Quote:- (Henry H. Halley) 'Nearly a year had passed. At last the crisis was at hand. The blow fell. Pharaoh yielded and Israel departed. Except for the 10 plagues Israel would never have been delivered, and there would have been no Hebrew nation.
Archeological note:- Inscriptions have been found indicating that Thoothemes IV, successor of Amenhotep II was not his first-born or heir apparent. Also that Merneptah's first-born met death on peculiar circumstances, and his successor was not his first-born or heir apparent. So, which ever Pharaoh the Biblical statement was confirmed."

[Frances]

Exodus 13

What Does the Text Say? - the Lord claimed every woman’s, and animal's, male 1st born to be consecrated to Him as a reminder of all the Egyptian 1st born that He had killed to enable the Israelite’s release,. God also said the Israelites must always remember the day they left slavery in Egypt by eating unleavened bread for 7 days in the month of Abib, and by having a feast on the 7th day in His honour. When the Israelites left Egypt, with Jacob's bones, the Lord led them in the wilderness towards the Red Sea to continue their training of trusting Him in all circumstances; they went from Succoth and camped in Etham. The Lord always went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night.

Application - Is my life consecrated (set apart) to the Lord? Do I regard bread without yeast as a reminder of the purity the Lord requires of His people? Do I realise the difficulties I encounter in life are part of the training I need to trust the Lord in all circumstances? Do I follow where He leads, day and night?

[Frances]

Exodus 14

What Does the Text Say? The Lord told Moses to camp by the Red Sea, as He would encourage Pharaoh to persue the Israelites and demonstrate more of His Power. The Israelites were afraid when they saw the Egyptians coming, Moses told them to trust the Lord who would save them. The pillar of cloud moved behind the Israelites to give them light and protection and the Egyptians darkness. The Lord told Moses to hold his hand over the sea, then He made a path through the sea for His people. When the Egyptians followed their chariots got stuck and their wheels came off. When the Israelites were all clear the Lord made the Sea return and drown the Egyptians when, as instructed, Moses raised his hand over it. So the people revered the Lord and Moses even more.

Application Does the Lord tell me to do what seems to invite difficulties, if not annihilation? Do I trust the Lord enough to obey Him when He does? Am I sometimes afraid even though I trust and obey Him? The Lord still makes paths through seas of difficulty for His obedient people today.

[Frances]

Exodus 15

What Does the Text Say? - A hymn of praise to the Lord because He triumphed on behalf of His people. The Lord is my Strength and song. The Lord has become my Salvation. He is my God and I will praise Him. The Lord is a Man of war. The Lord is glorious in Power. He is excellent. He overthrows those who act against Him. His Wrath is terrible. The Lord has no equal, He is Glorious in Holiness He leads those He has Redeemed and Guides them to His holy abode. The Lord will reign forever. The Israelites journeyed in the wilderness for 3 days before they found water - but it was bitter and undrinkable. Moses prayed to the Lord, and He showed him a tree to put into the water to make it sweet; and He said if they did all He told them and kept all His decrees, He would not inflict on them the diseases He brought on the Egyptians, as He is the God who Heals. Then they camped at Elim where there were 12 wells.

Application - Do I sing the Lord's praises? When I rely totally on the Lord, and am obedient to Him(and sometimes when I’m not), He acts for my benefit. The Lord will become the Salvation of all who trust Jesus Christ to have died in their place, paying their penalty for their Sin, and trusting His resurrection to enable them to rise to New Life with Him. Is He my God? If I am trusting and obeying the Lord all who act against me are acting against Him. I would be wise not to encourage the Lord's Wrath. Do I follow wherever He leads or do I follow the crowd? If I'm trusting Him the Lord will turn my bitter experiences to sweetness. The Lord will Heal the diseases He afflicts me with if I heed His Word and obey Him (that doesn't seem to always include infirmity brought on by stupidity or those common to mankind.