Today’s passage: Exodus 9

Helpful thoughts:

• Three additional plagues are recorded in this chapter
  • Death of the livestock
    • God performed this judgment exactly as He said He would, and when He said He would.
    • Pharaoh investigated the accuracy and the damage done.  Yet, his heart was hardened.  He knew what God had done, but he refused to submit.
  • Boils
    • In this plague, we are reminded of the magicians.  They would not even come before Moses to attempt replication of the miracle because they were so badly affected by the plague themselves.  God prevented them from any involvement.
  • Hail
    • God made it clear, He could have entirely destroyed Egypt and given Israel their freedom.  But, He had other purposes.  Pharaoh was being used by God to prove a point, that the world would know who the true God is.
    • In this plague, God gave Egypt counsel on what to do in order to avoid the effects of the hail.  Those who feared the Lord could take shelter.
    • Moses knew Pharaoh would not be truly repentant because there were some crops that had yet to sprout.  Pharaoh took solace not in repentance or in the Lord, but in what he still had left.

Questions to consider:

1. What are some unique aspects of these narratives that differentiate these plagues from the others than went before?  (Not so much the animals, bugs, or weather…but the interactions between the people and the Lord.)
2. What has Pharaoh’s hard heart produced in his words and actions?  From what we are reading, how would you define a hard heart?  What kinds of responses would a hard heart produce in your life?  How about a softened heart?
3. In what way has God provided a shelter for us to find refuge in from his coming judgment against sin? (Romans 7:24-8:1)

Today’s passage: Exodus 8

Helpful thoughts:

• Plagues 2-4 are described in today’s chapter.
  • Frogs
    • When the nation was overwhelmed with frogs, the magicians made more.
    • When Moses asked Pharaoh when he wanted the frogs to leave, he said, “Tomorrow!”
      • A little humor in this narrative…
  • Gnats
    • There was no request or warning in this plague.  God simply brought it about.
    • Because the magicians were unable to mimic the miracle, they now became intimidated.
      • Regardless of why God allowed these magicians to repeat the previous miracles, the effect of their inability this time was to add increasing pressure on Pharaoh.
  • Flies
    • Pharaoh promised a second time to let the Israelites go.  But once the pressure was off, his heart was hardened and he went back on his word.
• Pharaoh and the people of Egypt were going to know who the Lord is.  This includes the knowledge that Pharaoh was not the most powerful in Egypt!  The plagues repeatedly put Pharaoh in his place.  His resistance to the truth cost his people dearly.

Questions to consider:

1. What would some of the consequences have been of the first four plagues?  What would all the water turning to blood and that many frogs, gnats and flies do to the land?  What did their arrival and schedule departure communicate about the power and authority of God?
2. Moses gives Pharaoh two reasons the Israelites needed to go out into the wilderness to sacrifice in verses 25-27.  What are they?  Which was the practical reason Pharaoh would be quick to understand and which was the deeper, true reason?
3. Who had told Moses where to go and what to say?  How can reasoning with people (as Moses did) be helpful?  Why are God’s commands all we really need?  Why is that enough?

Today’s passage: Exodus 7

Helpful thoughts:

• The Egyptians would know that God is the LORD.
  • God was going to cause Pharaoh to see Moses as if he was the “Pharaoh” of the Israelites…  Moses the “god” and Aaron the prophet.
  • God was going to providentially harden Pharaoh’s heart to bring about judgment and deliverance as He righteously and rightfully saw fit.
• In the first plague, the Lord turned the Nile (And other water throughout Egypt) into blood.
• The enemy of God can perform “signs” as well.  Beware looking for signs.  Beware loving signs more than you love God.

Questions to consider:

1. Why can we know that God’s decision to harden Pharaoh’s heart was good, right and just?  Is it because things turned out “well” or is it because of God’s character and attributes?  Can God do anything that isn’t good, right and just?  What must we consider if we ever feel He has been unjust?
2. Why is it so dangerous to be carried away by signs or to look for signs (Matthew 16:4)?  What has God given us that is better than a million other signs?
3. What did God allow these signs and plagues in Egypt to accomplish?  What purpose did they serve?  How did they show His superiority over the false Egyptian gods?  Since the Egyptian gods didn’t exist, who would have actually been behind the return signs (Deuteronomy 32:16-17)?  Whether the Egyptians believed it or not, who had truly given them the Nile River and fertility in the land?

Today’s passage: Exodus 6

Helpful thoughts:

• The Lord responds to Moses’ questions and accusation from the end of chapter 5.
• God committed to fulfill his promises to the children of Israel, but they did not believe Him.
  • The doubts of Pharaoh and the doubts of the Israelites made the judgment of God and the release of His people all the more poignant.  The LORD, sovereign God, was going to accomplish what He purposed to do.
    • “You shall know that I am the LORD your God.” (Verse 7)
• The genealogy in chapter 6 serves a few different purposes:
  • It identifies Moses and Aaron as from the tribe of Levi.
  • It makes sure the readers know exactly which Moses and Aaron we are reading about in these narratives.
  • It introduces us to the Aaronic line for the future priesthood.
  • It introduces us to Korah, who would later rebel against the Lord and Moses.
    • This genealogy skips generations.  It wasn’t intended to tell us every name in the family tree.  Only to point out certain significant members to move the narrative forward.

Questions to consider:

1. What can we learn about the promises of God in this passage?  Does God need our belief to bring about His decreed will?  Does He become less powerful when we doubt?  Why should this only cause us to believe all the more?
2. What is the irony of verses 28-30?  What do you think these verses are supposed to make us think about?
3. Why did Moses feel unqualified to speak?  Who had qualified him?  What has God commanded us to share with others?  Who has qualified you to share?

Today’s passage: Exodus 5

Helpful thoughts:

• As the task of calling on Pharaoh to “let the people go” begins, the testing of the faith of Israel (Moses included) also begins.
• Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and declared, “Thus says the Lord” (Verse 1).  The Egyptians responded with, “Thus says Pharaoh” (Verse 10).  Pharaoh was a god to the Egyptians.  Israel would not be permitted to go serve their God.  They would remain and continue to serve Pharaoh instead.
• The burdens and complaints of the people took Moses’ eyes away from what God had already promised was going to happen.

Questions to consider:

1. What is the answer to Pharaoh’s first question in verse 2?  Did Pharaoh have an obligation to obey the Lord of the Israelites?  Why so?  Is there anyone who isn’t accountable to Him (Even if that person is a “god” to many others)?
2. Though we certainly could sympathize with the Israelite people, what does it appear they wanted most in this moment?  They had God, but they were frustrated with God and God’s chosen leader for His people if they didn’t get what?
3. What are some hardships in this life that can take our eyes away from God, even if He has told us in His Word what He is doing?  How important is it to give our regular attention to God’s Word, so that we can remember who He is and what He has promised?

Today’s passage: Exodus 4:18-31

Helpful thoughts:

• The firstborn son (Verse 22) is a title for the one who is preeminent and will be the heir.  Israel was to be the inheritor of God’s promises.  The Pharaoh (Being royalty) would have understood this statement very clearly (Probably better than we do).  This designation also makes the final plague Egypt would endure all the more poignant (The death of the firstborn).
  • God told Moses ahead of time that He would harden Pharaoh’s heart.  He told Pharaoh from the very beginning, if Pharaoh didn’t let God’s “firstborn” go, He would take Pharaoh’s firstborn.  God knew from the beginning exactly what was going to happen and what He was going to do.  God is eternally omniscient, sovereign, providential.
• God is also holy and just.  Part of the covenant Moses was part of required circumcision.  The leader of Israel would be held accountable.  Through the quick intervention of his wife, Moses’ life is once again preserved by the actions of another.
• The mission got off to a great start!  Moses and Aaron were reunited.  The people heard the plan of God, saw the signs, believed and worshiped God for having heard their cries.  It wouldn’t be this easy from here on out.

Questions to consider:

1. Why might we think God’s actions toward Moses in judgment would have appeared unjust?  How does Zipporah’s quick action tell us that she and Moses both know what they were supposed to have done?
2. Why would God have hardened Pharaoh’s heart?  What purpose was it going to serve?  Was Pharaoh particularly interested in following God before this series of events?  What particularly was God going to harden Pharoah’s heart to do?
3. How can the knowledge of God, along with his righteousness and justice, compel us to live in a healthy fear, reverence and obedience to Him?  How does this give us a greater understanding of all that Christ endured on the cross as He paid the penalty for all our sin?

Today’s passage: Exodus 4:1-17

Helpful thoughts:

• Moses has just been commissioned by God to go lead Israel out of Egypt.  In today’s passage, Moses tries to get himself out of the job.
• Moses shared two main concerns:
  • The people wouldn’t believe Moses had been sent by God.
  • He wouldn’t be able to properly articulate or verbalize all that needed to be said.
• God shared two answers:
  • God gave Moses three signs to show his authenticity.
  • “Who made your mouth?”  God could use a donkey to speak to Israel if He wanted (Numbers 22:28).  He certainly had the ability to use Moses.
    • God mercifully also gave Moses his brother, Aaron.  To be a support and an additional speaker in the cause.

Questions to consider:

1. In what way does verse 13 show the desire of Moses’ heart in this moment?  What did he want?  What didn’t he want?  Why did he voice the concerns that he did before God?
2. What can we learn about God in verse 14?  Why was His anger kindled?  What should Moses have been able to believe without self-preservation blinding him?  What did God provide to Moses in his weakness?  How does this show God’s long-suffering, patience, mercy, etc.?
3. What has God given us to do?  If we are ever blinded by a desire for self-preservation, what questions do we bring up?  What is the irony of self-preservation causing us to disobey the God of the universe?

Today’s passage: Exodus 3

Helpful thoughts:

• Some different names for the same people or places:
  • Reuel of Exodus 2:18 and Jethro of Exodus 3:1 are the same person, Moses’ father-in-law and the “priest of Midian.”
  • Mount Horeb, the “mountain of God” and Mount Sinai are the same mountain.
  • The Angel of the Lord is clearly understood in this passage to be God Himself.  He also reveals Himself in this passage as “I AM WHO I AM,” “I AM,” and “The LORD” or “Yahweh.”
• When Moses sees the bush burning yet not being burned up, he looks closer.  This is how the Lord manifests his presence in this instance.
  • When the Lord addresses Moses, he is instructed to take off his sandals, because the Lord’s presence made that ground holy.
  • When Moses realizes who it is he’s speaking with, he covers his eyes for fear of his life.
• God tells Moses exactly what’s going to happen.
  • Moses will talk to Pharaoh and make the request, and Pharaoh won’t listen until a number of wonders are wrought by God’s mighty hand.
  • The people will follow Moses out of Egypt.
  • When Israel leaves Egypt, they will not leave empty-handed.  They will plunder the Egyptians.

Questions to consider:

1. How do you envision the burning bush?  What do you think it looked like?  How do you think the voice of God sounded?  What would have compelled Moses to be obedient to take off his sandals and cover his face?
2. What do the names of God, or these phrases referring to Him, reveal about Him?  What would the children of Israel have learned about God through these names/descriptions?
3. With what God told Moses was going to happen, should Moses have expected smooth sailing in the task ahead?  How might this have caused Moses to think twice about what God was asking him to do?  How could God’s detailed instructions and promises have calmed Moses and given him confidence even when things looked bad in the days ahead?  How can the promises of God give you confidence in your life?

Today’s passage: Exodus 2

Helpful thoughts:

• There are three major events covered in this chapter:
  • The adoption of Moses by Pharaoh’s daughter (or the story of his survival).
    • Moses’ sister was the one who asked the Egyptian princess if she wanted to find a Hebrew nurse.
    • Moses’ true mother got to nurse her child!
  • Moses’ crisis of identity at the age of 40.
    • After living as Egyptian royalty for forty years, Moses came to understand who his people really were.
    • For a second time in his life, Moses narrowly escaped the Pharaoh’s desire to have him killed.
    • After fleeing, Moses became a shepherd and lived among the Midianites.
  • God hearing, seeing, knowing the cry of His people, and remembering His covenant.
• In all of this, we see the providence of God at work.  The pieces of the narrative which God has orchestrated are being constructed before the reader’s eyes.
• This chapter could account for as many as 80 years (Acts 7:23, 30, 36).

Questions to consider:

1. Moses lived forty years like an Egyptian and forty years like a Midianite, yet what was his true identity?  What must Moses have known and continued to consider to not lose sight of who he was?  How can we keep our identity in Christ fixed in our minds as we journey through this life?
2. What was the meaning of Gershom’s name (Verse 22)?  What is ironic about this meaning?  When had this not been true of Moses and all of the children of Israel?
3. What do we learn about God in verses 23-24?  Why can we trust in Him?  Why should we turn to Him?  How comforting is it to know that God hears, sees, knows and remembers?