Redemption From Egypt (1:1-18:27)
God Raised Up A Deliverer (2:1-7:7)
Preparation Of The Deliverer (2:1-4:31).
GOD’S CALL TO THE DELIVERER: MOSES: EXCUSES
Exodus 2:23-4:17
Reading: Php 4:6-13
Songs:
Theme: God help to us in doing his work.
INTRODUCTION
A. Two cows were grazing alongside a highway when a tanker truck of milk on its way to the distributor, happened to pass by them. On one side of the truck in big red letters was a sign that read,
"Pasteurized, homogenized, standardized, improved, Vitamin A added."
One cow turned to the other and remarked, "Makes you feel sort of inadequate, doesn’t it?" In making comparisons we can easily feel that way.
We need to take care that we don’t make ourselves out to be too insufficient, inexperienced, ineffective, inadequate or inaccessible to be useful to God. Though God expects certain things of us, he understands our weaknesses. We need to understand that in our weakness, as he told Paul, he can make us strong. “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (cp 2Co 12:9). God never expects of us beyond what we able to perform. This was a lesson Moses had need of learning.
B. Though in the Book of Exodus we read that God was fulfilling his promises to the patriarchs, beginning with the Book of Genesis, and continuing through the Book of Exodus, indeed in reading the Bible from cover to cover, we cannot but notice the continuity in all that God has done in working in the history of man to bring about the a promise he first made to Adam and Eve; a promise he formulated before the time began - to bring a savior for man in regard to his sins; one would bless all nations. In Exodus, chapter one, we read of the devil’s attempt through a new king in Egypt, to thwart God’s work of bringing Israel out of bondage, in bringing about the overall redemption of mankind. In chapter two of the Book of Exodus, God began to raise up a deliverer for Israel. In both chapters one and two, God’s providence and control was emphasized. Let’s continue our examination of God’s raising up Moses as a developer for Israel hand his preparation to lead
Body
I. THE ENCOUNTER (2:23-3:8).
Israel’s Call To God: God’s Concern
A. ... Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came unto God ... (2:23-25).
23 ¶ And it came to pass in process <01992> <07227> of time <03117>, that the king <04428> of Egypt <04714> died <04191> (8799): and the children <01121> of Israel <03478> sighed <0584> (8735) by reason of <04480> the bondage <05656>, and they cried <02199> (8799), and their cry <07775> came up <05927> (8799) unto God <0430> by reason of the bondage <05656>.
24 And God <0430> heard <08085> (8799) their groaning <05009>, and God <0430> remembered <02142> (8799) his covenant <01285> with Abraham <085>, with Isaac <03327>, and with Jacob <03290>.
25 And God <0430> looked <07200> (8799) upon the children <01121> of Israel <03478>, and God <0430> had respect <03045> (8799) unto them. {had…: Heb. knew}
1. The king died, Israel sighed and cried, and God replied.
2. Back in Exodus chapter one verse fourteen we read that "...And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour".
a. rigour, Strong’s - 06531. K.P. PEEK per’-red; from an unused root meaning to break apart; fracture, i.e. severity:— cruelty, rigour.
b. The people of Israel were at their breaking point and wanted something better.
c. No doubt they labored from sun rise to sun set, seven days a week, without rest. There would have been no honoring God in worship on the Sabbath. In their misery they cried out to the Lord and he heard them.
d. God always hears his faithful and always has a plan for their deliverance.
e. With Israel it had to do with Moses.
God’s Ball To Moses (3:1-4:17)
God’s Revealed Himself To Moses
B. ... the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush ... (3:1-6).
1 ¶ Now Moses <04872> kept <01961> (8804) <07462> (8802) the flock <06629> of Jethro <03503> his father in law <02859> (8802), the priest <03548> of Midian <04080>: and he led <05090> (8799) the flock <06629> to the backside <0310> of the desert <04057>, and came <0935> (8799) to the mountain <02022> of God <0430>, even to Horeb <02722>.
2 And the angel <04397> of the LORD <03068> appeared <07200> (8735) unto him in a flame <03827> of fire <0784> out of the midst <08432> of a bush <05572>: and he looked <07200> (8799), and, behold, the bush <05572> burned <01197> (8802) with fire <0784>, and the bush <05572> was not consumed <0398> (8794).
3 And Moses <04872> said <0559> (8799), I will now turn aside <05493> (8799), and see <07200> (8799) this great <01419> sight <04758>, why <04069> the bush <05572> is not burnt <01197> (8799).
1. When Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, on Mount Horeb, Moses saw a bush burning, but the leaves were not being consumed (vs 1-3).
a. father in law, Strong’s - 02859. Ntx CHATHAN khaw-than’; a primitive root; to give (a daughter) away in marriage; hence (generally) to contract affinity by marriage:— join in affinity, father in law, make marriages, mother in law, son in law.
TWOT-781b; v AV-law 27, affinity 3, marriages 3; 33 1) to become a son-in-law, make oneself a daughter’s husband 1a) (Qal) wife’s father, wife’s mother, father-in-law, mother-in- law (participle) 1b) (Hithpael) to make oneself a daughter’s husband
08802 Stem - Qal See 08851
Mood - Participle Active See 08814
Count-5386
(1) Because the word render “father in law” could be render thus or refer to other relationships of marriage - “join in affinity”, some claim that Jethro was probably Reuel’s son and not Reuel.
(2) “This would have that Jethro was brother-in-law to Moses; the same word in Hebrew meant either.” [1]
b. Curiosity lead him to investigate it.
c. It was a theophany or manifestation of God.
d. God had often used fire to symbolize and represent his presence (Exo 13:21; 19:18; 24:17; Jud 13:20; 1Ki 18:24, 38; 2Ch 7:1-3; Eze 1:4-28; Dan 7:9-10; Heb 12:29).
4 And when the LORD <03068> saw <07200> (8799) that he turned aside <05493> (8804) to see <07200> (8800), God <0430> called <07121> (8799) unto him out of the midst <08432> of the bush <05572>, and said <0559> (8799), Moses <04872>, Moses <04872>. And he said <0559> (8799), Here am I.
2. As with Abraham (Gen 22:11), as with Jacob (Gen 46:2), as with Gideon (Jud ), and Jeremiah (), so with Moses (v 4).
a. When God called Moses said, “Here am I.”
b. Do you answer when God calls you?
(1) He calls the lost through the gospel (1Co 1:9; 2Th 2:14).
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(2) He also calls the saved through his word (Gal 5:13; Eph 4:1)
5 And he said <0559> (8799), Draw not nigh <07126> (8799) hither <01988>: put off <05394> (8798) thy shoes <05275> from off thy feet <07272>, for the place <04725> whereon <0834> thou standest <05975> (8802) is holy <06944> ground <0127>.
6 Moreover he said <0559> (8799), I am the God <0430> of thy father <01>, the God <0430> of Abraham <085>, the God <0430> of Isaac <03327>, and the God <0430> of Jacob <03290>. And Moses <04872> hid <05641> (8686) his face <06440>; for he was afraid <03372> (8804) to look <05027> (8687) upon God <0430>.
3. Notice that:
a. in calling Moses to himself, Moses was not allowed to approach God until God gave instruction as to how to approach.
(1) The devil has deceived most into believing they can approach God in any manner they choose.
(2) However, God has always determined the manner and place in which men could approach.
(3) In these latter days, the manner is through obedience to the gospel, followed by continued faithfulness to all God has commanded and thereby, the place to approach is in Christ (together - Joh 4:24; privately - Heb 4:16 ).
b. in identifying himself to Moses, the Lord declared not that he was the God of those men mentioned who had years before died, but that God is the God of those people named though they were physically dead (vs 5-6; cp. Mat 22:31-33).
(1) When people pass out of this life, they do not sleep or cease to exist.
(2) Luke wrote that souls go to Hades to await the day of judgment (Luk 16:).
God’s Revelation To Moses
C. ... I have surely seen the affliction of my people ... I am come down to deliver them ... (3:7-9).
7 ¶ And the LORD <03068> said <0559> (8799), I have surely <07200> (8800) seen <07200> (8804) the affliction <06040> of my people <05971> which are in Egypt <04714>, and have heard <08085> (8804) their cry <06818> by reason <06440> of their taskmasters <05065> (8802); for I know <03045> (8804) their sorrows <04341>;
1. God declaring his concern for Israel. He had:
a. seen the affliction
b. heard their cry
c. knew their sorrows
d. Certainly God is aware of what is going on in the lives of his faithful.
8 And I am come down <03381> (8799) to deliver <05337> (8687) them out of the hand <03027> of the Egyptians <04714>, and to bring <05927> (8687) them up out of that land <0776> unto a good <02896> land <0776> and a large <07342>, unto a land <0776> flowing <02100> (8802) with milk <02461> and honey <01706>; unto the place <04725> of the Canaanites <03669>, and the Hittites <02850>, and the Amorites <0567>, and the Perizzites <06522>, and the Hivites <02340>, and the Jebusites <02983>.
2. God described to Moses the land that was to fulfill the original promise made of land to Abraham.
3. By this time, Moses must have been standing there thinking to himself, "This sounds great and all, but what does this have to do with me?".
4. No doubt Moses had wondered how God was going to do it.
Transition: In answering five questions for Moses, described for us is the encouragement and strength we need to serve God successfully.
II. THE OBJECTIONS (3:9-4:17).
Moses’ First Objection
A. Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt ... (3:9-12)?
9 Now therefore, behold, the cry <06818> of the children <01121> of Israel <03478> is come <0935> (8804) unto me: and I have also seen <07200> (8804) the oppression <03906> wherewith the Egyptians <04714> oppress <03905> (8801) them.
10 Come <03212> (8798) now therefore, and I will send <07971> (8799) thee unto Pharaoh <06547>, that thou mayest bring forth <03318> (8685) my people <05971> the children <01121> of Israel <03478> out of Egypt <04714>.
11 ¶ And Moses <04872> said <0559> (8799) unto God <0430>, Who am I, that I should go <03212> (8799) unto Pharaoh <06547>, and that I should bring forth <03318> (8686) the children <01121> of Israel <03478> out of Egypt <04714>?
1. With this question, Moses declared his insufficiency and denied his responsibility - “Who me?” (v 11).
a. Moses was looking at his own abilities rather than God’s
(1) It is not difficult to understand Moses’ hesitation, having been rejected once already.
(2) Competency in doing what God expects of us does not come of our own strength.
(3) That is what the apostle Paul wrote, (2Co 3:5-6).
b. It is interesting that when Moses was in Egypt he tried to become the deliverer of Israel but later, when God gave Moses the opportunity he was unsure about accepting it.
c. The question could be asked of each of us, “How would you respond if God told you he had something he wanted to accomplish and asked you to go tell the people?
d. The fact is God has asked each of us to take the gospel to other people both through our example and in our conversation (1Pe 3:15).
12 And he said <0559> (8799), Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token <0226> unto thee, that <03588> I have sent <07971> (8804) thee: When thou hast brought forth <03318> (8687) the people <05971> out of Egypt <04714>, ye shall serve <05647> (8799) God <0430> upon this mountain <02022>.
2. God’s response to Moses’s question was a message of assurance - “Certainly I will be with thee” (v 12; Jos ; Jud ).
a. God promised to be with Isaac (Gen 28:15).
b. God promised to be with Joshua (Jos 1:5; 3:7; Deu 31:23).
c. God promised to be with Jeremiah (Jer 1:8).
d. God promised to be with Israel (Hag 1:13).
e. God promised to be with the apostles (Mat 28:19-20).
3. The Lord is always with the faithful, to help them in the very thing to which they are called (cf. Exo 3:18; 4:23; 5:1, 3; Rom 8:31-39).
Moses’ Second Objection
B. ... What is his name? what shall I say unto them... (3:13-22)?
13 And Moses <04872> said <0559> (8799) unto God <0430>, Behold, when I come <0935> (8802) unto the children <01121> of Israel <03478>, and shall say <0559> (8804) unto them, The God <0430> of your fathers <01> hath sent <07971> (8804) me unto you; and they shall say <0559> (8804) to me, What is his name <08034>? what shall I say <0559> (8799) unto them?
1. With his question, Moses was declaring his inexperience - “By what authority” (v 13).
a. When I was a young boy sometimes a younger member was sent to an older member to relay a command given by our parents.
(1) The usual reply was, "Who died and left you in charge."
(2) Rephrasing the answer, the question was really, "Who gave you authority to tell me what I need to do?"
b. Without God's approval, we have no authority to speak for him.
(1) However, he gave his authority to speak for him to prophets and apostles such as Paul (Mat 28:18-20).
(2) Paul entrusted it to such people as Timothy who by command entrusted it to others and so on to us it came, through the word of God (2Ti 2:2).
(3) Each of us is to be ready to teach (2Ti 2:24;1Pe 3:15).
c. Some people, like Moses, make up many excuses as to why we can't serve the Lord.
d. God responds to Moses’ objection by telling him everything he needed to know, and everything he needed to communicate to the people of Israel.
14 And God <0430> said <0559> (8799) unto Moses <04872>, I AM <01961> (8799) THAT I AM <01961> (8799): and he said <0559> (8799), Thus shalt thou say <0559> (8799) unto the children <01121> of Israel <03478>, I AM hath sent <07971> (8804) me unto you.
e. God told his name to Moses , "I AM THAT I AM "(v.14; cp. Gen. 15:7).
15 And God <0430> said <0559> (8799) moreover <05750> unto Moses <04872>, Thus shalt thou say <0559> (8799) unto the children <01121> of Israel <03478>, The LORD <03068> God <0430> of your fathers <01>, the God <0430> of Abraham <085>, the God <0430> of Isaac <03327>, and the God <0430> of Jacob <03290>, hath sent <07971> (8804) me unto you: this is my name <08034> for ever <05769>, and this is my memorial <02143> unto all <01755> generations <01755>.
(1) He was the same God who was the God of the past - God of the fathers - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (v 15).
16 ¶ Go <03212> (8798), and gather <0622> <00> the elders <02205> of Israel <03478> together <0622> (8804), and say <0559> (8804) unto them, The LORD <03068> God <0430> of your fathers <01>, the God <0430> of Abraham <085>, of Isaac <03327>, and of Jacob <03290>, appeared <07200> (8738) unto me, saying <0559> (8800), I have surely <06485> (8800) visited <06485> (8804) you, and seen that which is done <06213> (8803) to you in Egypt <04714>:
(2) He is the same God who was the God of the then present, “hath sent me unto you” (v 15) and “appeared unto me” (v 16).
(3) He was the same God of the then future - “unto all generation” (v 15).
(4) He is the same God who continues today and has made the promises to us (Heb 13:8.).
17 And I have said <0559> (8799), I will bring <05927> (8686) you up out of the affliction <06040> of Egypt <04714> unto the land <0776> of the Canaanites <03669>, and the Hittites <02850>, and the Amorites <0567>, and the Perizzites <06522>, and the Hivites <02340>, and the Jebusites <02983>, unto a land <0776> flowing <02100> (8802) with milk <02461> and honey