15. GOD PROVIDES A DELIVERER FOR ISRAEL
Jacob, overjoyed at finding Joseph alive, settled with his family in the Land of Goshen. The Egyptians continued to suffer the effects of the famine as they were forced to sell their lands to Joseph, in order to buy food. After the death of Jacob and Joseph the family of Israel were treated cruelly by the Egyptians.
In the midst of great sorrow and heartbreak the ground was being prepared for Moses, their deliverer.
Exodus 2
INTRODUCTION.
Quite a while before Isaac was born, God had given Abraham a prophecy concerning Israel dwelling in a strange country and serving under affliction (Gen. 15:13, 14). Yet God had also planned the time when He would bring them out. They would not be just a family of seventy which went into Egypt, but they would become a nation through whom God would declare Himself and be glorified among men (Gen. 46:3).
JACOB BLESSES JOSEPH'S SONS (Gen. 48)
When the time drew near that Jacob would die (47:29) Joseph brought his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim to him to be blessed.
Jacob made a remarkable choice in blessing Ephraim above Manasseh for Manasseh was the elder (v.14). Jacob was guided by God in the matter and once again showed how God selects people according to His will, so that in this case the "elder" shall serve the younger.
Jacob's blessing (v.15, 16, 19, 20) was a very moving plea to his God who had so faithfully preserved him from evil. As we consider these words against the tragedies in Jacob's life, his great faith in God becomes apparent.
DEATHS OF JACOB AND JOSEPH (Gen. 49; 50:22-26)
Jacob had dwelt in Egypt for seventeen years (Gen. 47:27,28) when the time came that he should be gathered to his fathers in death. Before Jacob died, he blessed his sons, revealing to them things that would happen in the "last days" (Gen. 49).
Jacob died in Egypt though God had promised him the territory of Canaan for an everlasting possession. Like the promises made to Abraham and Isaac, this promise of God has yet to be fulfilled. God also told Jacob not to fear to go down into Egypt for He would "bring him up again" (Gen. 46:4). Though this had particular reference to the deliverance of the nation of Israel, it also had a personal application to Jacob.
At Jacob's request he was not buried in Egypt, but taken back to Canaan (Gen. 47:29-30). He had lived in hope of inheriting that land of promise when God would bring about the Kingdom and the resurrection of the faithful seed of Abraham. Even as he was dying that land was in the forefront of his mind. Clearly his hope lay in deliverance from Egypt and in a resurrection to an eternal inheritance in the land promised him. As Hebrews says, he also "died in faith, not having received the promises but, having seen them afar off" (Heb. 11:13).
In time Joseph died also. His final words to his brethren demonstrated his faith in the covenants made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen. 50:24; Heb. 11:22). He reminded his people that God would not leave them in Egypt but would surely visit them to bring them out.
Joseph requested his bones be taken with them at their Exodus and be buried in the land promised to their father Abraham, These bones acted as a constant reminder to them of Joseph's words, "God will surely visit you and bring you out of this land" (Gen. 50:24, 25). In a sense, they represented the living faith of a dead man!
ISRAEL'S BONDAGE (Exod. 1:8-14)
As the years passed, Jacob's descendants multiplied and became a mighty people (Exodus 1:7).
Then came tragedy: "There arose a king over Egypt who knew not Joseph" (v.8). He had no regard for the good that Joseph had done for Egypt. Fearing the great number of Hebrews and fearing the danger to Egypt should they join with Egypt's enemies, he afflicted them and made them slaves (v.10). Because slavery did not stop them increasing in numbers the Egyptians made them "serve with rigor and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage." Harsher and harsher measures were taken, until Pharaoh commanded that every firstborn male infant should be slain (v.22). We can only just imagine the shock and terror experienced in the family life of the Hebrews.
Great was the bitterness of heart in the land of Goshen where Israel dwelt. Under the affliction of slavery and having their children slaughtered, Israel dwelt in terror without apparent help or hope. But God was well aware of their plight and was preparing a deliverer according to His promises.
It was during this time of persecution that Moses was born.
BIRTH OF MOSES (Exodus 2:1-10)
Moses was the third child of Amram and Jochebed of the tribe of Levi (Ex. 6:20). Aaron and Miram were Moses' elder brother and sister.
Moses was born at Israel's darkest hour. It required strong faith on his parents' part to defy the rule of Pharaoh (Heb. 11:23). His parents realised that he was a "proper child" and was "exceeding fair to God" (Acts 7:20 marg.).
Paul in Romans 10:17 says "faith cometh by hearing the word of God." Therefore, when Hebrews chapter 11 describes Moses' parents acting by faith we may safely assume that Amram and Jochebed were given a special message about Moses, indicating, that he would deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage. Therefore, they took special care to keep him safe.
When it became impossible to hide the boy any longer he was deliberately placed in an ark of bulrushes. He was set afloat at the very spot where Pharaoh's daughter bathed. They did not abandon Moses, but deliberately placed him in that position. They prepared Miriam with what to say to the Princess. In faith they allowed God to work out His purpose with Moses.
When Pharoah's daughter arrived and saw the ark she commanded someone to fetch it. When she opened it the babe wept. Her motherly instincts aroused, she decided to adopt the child. At the prompting of Miriam, Moses was given to his own mother to nurse until he was old enough. What an amazing answer to the hopes and concerns shown by the parents of Moses. Their faith was upheld in a wonderful way for through it Moses was given a wonderful education in the promises made unto the fathers by his mother!
Pharaoh's daughter named him Moses for she "drew him out of the water". Pharaoh had tried to destroy the strength of Israel by casting all their baby boys into the river. His own daughter drew one out of the river who became the means in God's hand of destroying Pharaoh and delivering God's people. What an amazing reversal of Pharoah's evil plans!
Moses was educated in the "wisdom of the Egyptians" and rose to power in Pharaoh's realm: he "was mighty in works and deeds" (Acts 7:22). Yet Moses never forgot the spiritual instruction of his mother in early years. He realised he was a Hebrew and awaited the time and opportunity to set his people free. He perceived that it was God's purpose that through his own hands Israel would be delivered (Acts 7:25).
As Moses grew older in the palace he was faced with a very difficult choice. He could use his position to enjoy the material pleasures and luxuries of Pharaoh's court, or he could deny himself the lusts of the flesh, and prepare himself for the task of leading the people out of Egypt into the promised land. He chose to deny himself because he believed that God would fulfil his promise. He knew that God's way was far better than life in Egypt (Heb. 11:24-26).
Moses becomes an important example to us, for we live in the midst of luxury and plenty. We must refuse to become involved in seeking this world's goods and devote our time and energy in the service of God.
We can reap a much greater reward by entering the Kingdom if we have the courage to stand for God's way now (Matt. 6:19-21; 2 Cor. 4:17-18).
THE FLIGHT FROM EGYPT (Exodus 2:11-22)
At forty years of age Moses determined to deliver Israel from Egypt (Acts 7:23-25). But the Israelites had lost hope and were not prepared for the coming of a deliverer. Indeed many of them had embraced the idols of Egypt and turned from Yahweh.
Moses felt sorry for his brethren. They were mere slaves in a seemingly hopeless position. He visited his brethren and when he saw an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, he was moved to action. He slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. The next day when seeking to stop two Hebrews quarrelling it was clear that this secret was known (Ex. 2:11-14). Moses knew that Pharaoh would hear of it and would seek to slay Moses. Moses therefore fled from Egypt and found refuge in Midian near Mount Sinai (Ex. 2:15-22).
The Midianites were descendants of Abraham of the family of Keturah (Gen. 25:2). At a well, Moses met the seven daughters of Jethro, the priest of Midian. He was made welcome at his house. He married Zip-porah, one of Jethro's daughters and kept his flock forty years (Acts 7:29, 30). In the quiet rugged environment of Sinai, away from the pomp of Egypt, Moses tended humble, harmless sheep and learned humility and care for the weak. That is a real need for a true leader, espcially of God's people. Self confidence was replaced by trust in God. When he returned to Egypt hi$ character was mature. He was now a shepherd God would use to lead his "sheep" out of Egypt (Psa. 78:52, 77:20).
PARALLELS BETWEEN MOSES AND JESUS—IN THIS LESSON.
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Moses |
Jesus |
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1. Pharaoh slew male babies |
1. Herod slew all the children of Bethlehem. |
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2. Moses was saved from death. |
2. Joseph and Mary were warned and escaped to Egypt. |
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3. Deliverer, lawgiver, mediator. |
3. Deliverer, lawgiver, mediator. |
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4. First appearance rejected— “Who made thee a prince and judge over us?" |
4. First appearance rejected—"Who art thou. . .By what authority. . .?" |
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5. Moses fled into a far country |
5. Jesus ascended into heaven. Refer to parable in Luke 19:10-15. |
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6. Moses returned to deliver. |
6. Jesus will return bringing great salvation to those who look for him. |
SUMMARY:
• Jacob and Joseph showed faith in God's promises in the instructions given at their deaths. •Slavery and the murder of their infants made Israel cry to God, who heard and prepared for them a deliverer.
•Moses was divinely looked after and educated for his great work. He refused Egypt and its pleasures and chose affliction with the people of God.
•As a shepherd he learned the lessons which qualified him, under God, to lead His people—humility, patience, tender care. •He was a prophet like Messiah would be.
REFERENCE LIBRARY:
"The Story Of The Bible" (H. P. Mansfield)—Pp. 208-237
"Ways Of Providence" (R. Roberts)—Chapter 9
"The Visible Hand Of God" (R. Roberts)—Chapter 9
"Elpis Israel" (J. Thomas)—Part 2, chap. 4, pp. 286-289
"Moses my Servant" (H. Tennant)—Chapt 1
PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:
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When Jacob reached the end of his life how did he show his faith?
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What commandment did Joseph give concerning his bones and why?
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Why did Moses' parents hide him ?
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Describe Moses' education from boyhood to 40 years old.
ESSAY QUESTIONS:
1. Describe the events which came upon Israel after the death of Joseph and up to Moses' flight into exile.
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How was Moses as a boy in Egypt and as a shepherd in Midian prepared for the work of deliverance of Israel?
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Of Moses it is said, "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Heb.11:25). How does this apply to us today?