Chapter Four

The week of February 12


With the death of Joseph much of the memory of why the Israelites had traveled to Egypt was forgotten. They amalgamated into the culture. They were taken advantage to such a degree that they actually became slaves to Pharaoh. Almost 400 years passed. The Egyptians recognized that submission comes by being ruthless. One way to control the population is to kill the male children. So after hiding her son for several months, the mother of the baby Moses had a scheme of her own. She put her son in a waterproof basket, having her daughter watch for his safety. Then when Pharaoh’s daughter came to bathe, Moses was discovered. And, “Oh, do you want me to get one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby?” How about Moses’ mother?

P 44 Like Moses’ mother and sister, aren’t we able to help and cooperate with God’s plan?

P 44 On the other hand, Moses set to help his own people and killed an Egyptian. The next day he was found out and went to the Sinai to escape Pharaoh. What was different between what Moses and his mother did?

P 45 About 40 years passed and God heard their groaning. The Israelites likely had been groaning all along. Why did God finally hear to act? Does it feel like God takes awhile to hear you?

PP 45-6 In the burning bush God identified Himself as I AM WHO I AM. Moses had his first of many personal encounters with Him. What is the significance of this first person relationship? What is your first person relationship with God?

PP 46-7 When Moses told God that he was slow of speech, God sent Aaron from Egypt to find him. When have you had someone speak for you?

P 47 The Israelites were challenged to make bricks without straw. When have you been asked to accomplish work without the necessary equipment?

P 51 Ten plagues follow. Kids love this story but the injuries and death is pretty pervasive. Finally, if blood from the lamb is on the home doorpost, the angel of death will pass over the house. Blood on the doorpost prefigures blood of the Lamb of God on the cross.

P 52 After 430 years Israel was prepared to leave Egypt. At the Red Sea, Moses was caught between Pharaoh and the faithless people of Israel. God prevailed and provided deliverance. When leading have you felt caught between two people(s) you loved.

P 55, 56 The people were a grumbling lot, even with God’s miraculous intervention. He comes through successively with water, quail and manna. When will they ever learn to trust Him? When will we ever learn?