Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 14

5/26/2012

Exodus 14

-The miraculous Red Sea crossing is narrated in this amazing chapter of Scripture. Pharaoh assembled his army in defiance of all God had done to release His people, and they embarked on a quest to bring back their slave labor force even after all the plagues and destruction. However, a key reiteration is made several times through the chapter with God speaking, “I will be honored through Pharaoh (Exodus 14:4, 17, 18).” God is not mocked and only He in the end will receive the glory and honor because of His great power (Galatians 6:7).

-The people were naturally afraid of the advancing army against them. They were indecisive and skeptical about the situation. This is where Moses’ leadership was incredible. He told them not to fear but to stand by and see the salvation of the LORD (Exodus 14:13). “The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent (Exodus 14:14).” They only had to trust in the LORD; it was not by their own might or power (Zechariah 4:6). God sent His angel behind the camp to divide the parties, and He sent a strong east wind all night, which dried up the sea so that they could cross on dry land towards safety. *Application* How many times in life do we feel trapped like there is no way out of a particular situation and no possible solution to a dilemma. God can make streams in the dessert and dry land to walk across when your back is against the wall (Isaiah 44:3-4). He can make a way where there is no hope at all. Trust in Him with whatever circumstance you find yourself in today!

-The LORD sent confusion amongst the Egyptians as they pursued their enemies into the Red Sea, and their chariot wheels swerved making driving difficult. They realized they were in over their heads as the LORD was fighting for the sons of Israel. But, before they could retreat Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the water returned killing the entire Egyptian army. “Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses (Exodus 14:30-31).” *Application* Here are the two great biblical principles that lead us to salvation and knowing the LORD. Fear the LORD; this is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). This is reverential awe of His power. He is ultimately in control and we are called to submit to His authority, which is kind and just. Secondly, belief in the LORD is essential. Without faith it is impossible to please God “for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).”

Verses to Memorize: Exodus 14:14, 31

Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 13

5/25/2012

Exodus 13

-The consecration of the firstborn of man and beast is what God communicates with Moses as the LORD leads them out of the places where they lived in Goshen toward Succoth and then Etham on the edge of the wilderness.

-The LORD institutes the feast of unleavened bread with them as a remembrance of all He had done to deliver the children of Israel from the oppressive hands of the Egyptians. “With a powerful (mighty) Hand the Lord brought you out of Egypt (Exodus 13:9, 14, 16)” is the refrain that is reiterated to remind them of their deliverance from slavery. *Application* Again remember that this has significance for us in the realm of our salvation. Sin had us in bondage until the powerful Hand of Christ delivered us through His death, burial, and resurrection. We should forever remember and be thoroughly grateful for the work that our God has done for us to redeem and rescue us.

-The redemption of the firstborn serves as a sign on the children of Israel’s hands and as phylacteries on their foreheads to sanctify them before the LORD. It is a constant reminder of His power and how He killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt because of their stubbornness in letting them go when it was the appointed time.

-Now God took them out toward the Red Sea by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He was always with them and never left them. He took them on a route that would avoid war with the Philistines even though it would have been a shorter route. War would be avoided going this way and the devastation of seeing that the LORD knew may make them faint of heart and return to captivity. *Application* We need to be willing to let the LORD take us on His path and in His time. He knows what is best and what we need to avoid. The shortest way is not always the best way and God knows the pitfalls to steer us away from. We should let Him always guide the way even when it may not make the most rational sense to us in our frame of thinking. Remember that God’s ways are always best.

-The bones of Joseph are taken out of Egypt as he had made them swear. The prophesies had come true and the Israelites were heading back to their promised land covenanted to them by the LORD.

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 13:22

Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 12

5/24/2012

Exodus 12 

-The Passover is initiated with its ordinances for the children of Israel and all who will become circumcised under the covenant. This becomes the beginning of months for the Jewish nation and sets the course for their national identity. It is to be a perpetual celebration and ordinance throughout their generations commemorating the work that the LORD did in bringing them out of slavery by His mighty right Hand. The firstborns of all the Egyptians and their beasts (livestock) were struck down dead and a mighty wailing cry arose in the land. The Hebrews were ushered out immediately with the favor, gold, silver, and clothing of their oppressors. “Thus they plundered the Egyptians (Exodus 12:36b).”

-*Application* A hermeneutical device used here for many interpreters is typology. What is history and observable in the Hebrew people is a “type,” which helps us understand a deeper spiritual meaning in our own experience with the LORD. The land of Egypt would represent our natural state, which is in disobedience and sin before the LORD and estranged from Him in bondage (slavery). Our release comes when we groan for God and His deliverance from this bondage (Exodus 2:23-24). God hears us and has mercy on us to come and save through His incarnate Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is our Passover; see the types here depicted in Exodus as a pointing, or perhaps we shall say a tutor (teacher, educator) to help us understand better the work of Christ (Galatians 3:24-25). He is the perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29) who was killed for our transgressions in a substitutionary atonement so that the LORD will “Passover” our sins and iniquities. The blood which was applied represents the shed blood of Jesus on the cross. The shape of the lintel and two doorposts where the blood was to be applied forms the shape of a cross. Anyone who was under the blood was safe from the death angel. This applied not just to the Jews, but anyone who would apply the blood. God made no distinction here; it was open for all. These were under His blessing and were released from death. Salvation was theirs and they were freed from their bondage. A release was given. In future chapters the Christian walk is further defined in this typology hermeneutic. Read on!

-430 years to the day when they arrived in Egypt, the children of Israel left with all the hosts of the LORD. God had come through big time and the slaves were finally set free. But, this is only the beginning as the 600,000 men (not including children and probably women) ventured away from their captivity. They went out with rejoicing seeing the awesome and mighty Hand of the LORD with all they owned plus their plunder, but the adventure was just beginning.

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 12:12

Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 11

5/23/2012

Exodus 11 

-Chapter 11 recounts the exchange of words between the LORD, speaking through Aaron and Moses, and Pharaoh before the very last plague. A complete driving out is prophesied and the children of Israel are instructed to ask from his neighbor for the articles of silver and gold. The LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians and Moses was highly esteemed in all the land of Egypt.

-The LORD’s warning is crystal clear as to what was about to happen giving Pharaoh and Egypt one last chance to repent and let God’s people free without repercussions. However, Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened and his eyes were blinded to what was about to envelop his land and his people including his own family.

-Some of Moses’ last words to Pharaoh included the fact that God was making a distinction between Egypt, who worshiped false gods, and Israel, who worshiped the true and living God. *Application* This is the great line of separation and still is today. There is only one truth, one way, and one life, which comes only through Jesus Christ, God’s Messiah (John 14:6). God has only one way to salvation and it is up to us to accept that reality.

-Moses leaves Pharaoh’s presence in hot anger, and the LORD reassures him that there is purpose in this so that His wonders will be multiplied in the land of Egypt. Pharaoh fulfilled the word of God by hardening his heart to the things of God one last time, and it would destroy his soul, his family, his pride, and his nation. *Application* Oh friend, if the LORD is calling you please do not spurn His voice and turn your own way. Call upon the Name of the LORD while you can and receive His forgiveness and restoration that comes abundantly and freely to all that will accept Him (Isaiah 55:6, Romans 10:13). He is gracious and compassionate abounding in love and favor for those who cry out to Him (Exodus 34:6, 2 Chronicles 30:9, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 103:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2).

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 11:5

Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 10

5/22/2012

Exodus 10 

-Two more plagues and interaction between Pharaoh and Moses and Aaron are given for us in chapter 10. God reveals again His purposes for the signs and wonders and hardening. His purpose is for knowledge of the Holy One, the Righteous One, the All-Powerful One. “That you may know that I AM the LORD (Exodus 10:2).” These works were manifested for a perpetual testimony throughout the generations to the awesomeness of the Living God and that there was no other god besides Him. The testimony was instructed to be taught and carried on into the future. *Application* God reveals Himself to us so that we can instruct others in the knowledge of His greatness.

-As Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh for one of the last times they give him the word of the LORD asking the question, “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me (Exodus 10:3)?” This gives us the heart and root issue facing the god of Egypt, Pharaoh. He simply could not bring himself to acknowledge that there was a power greater than himself and kept refusing to let God’s people go so that they could fulfill His purposes back in the land of promise. His stubbornness is known by the LORD and drastic action has to happen and keep happening to bring about the release of the Hebrew people. He would not even listen to his servants who were telling him that Egypt is destroyed because of his actions. They realized that Moses was a snare to them and that he needed to be let go along with the children of Israel.

-Now locusts cover the land and eat the remaining vegetation left after the tremendous hail storm. Pharaoh hurriedly calls for Moses and Aaron as he realizes the complete annihilation that this plague is causing. He even acknowledges his sin against the LORD and the children of Israel and begs for the prayers of the righteous. Moses graciously makes supplication to the LORD, and the LORD does relent by shifting the wind so that the locusts are driven into the Red Sea. But, Pharaoh’s heart is again hardening by the LORD and he refused again to let the people go. *Application* Waffling back and forth is a horrible approach to God. He was overly gracious with Pharaoh as we see here in the text, but he spurned the grace of God and went back to his pride. For Pharaoh and us the LORD’s patience eventually runs out and His wrath comes only after every effort is made to draw us into His love and protection. It is foolish to keep resisting God and His authority in our lives. Don’t let His patience run out. Give up and run to Him for His mercy is great and endures forever. You’ll be glad you did.

-Darkness is now covering the earth in the next to last plague of God’s demonstrated power in Egypt for the release of the captive children of Israel. This is an intense darkness that could be felt, which was an ever increasing and ominous declaration that the gods of Egypt were futile to do anything against the LORD. God was making a statement against false gods. Let’s review a bit to see the powerlessness of the Egyptians gods as they began to realize the LORD’s power. Hapi, the god of the Nile River, could not prevent the waters from turning to blood (Exodus 7:20). Hathor, the shrewd cow-goddess, was helpless as Egyptian livestock died in vast numbers (Exodus 9:6). Amon-Re, the sun god and head god of the Egyptians, could not stop an entire and eerie darkness from covering the land for three full days (Exodus 10:21-22). God was marking out His exclusivity as the true, living-personal Being that was the only One worthy of being worshiped. He made these things manifest to not only His children of the promise, but the Egyptians as well. If we understand the cultural context, we see that God made every effort in His desire to draw them to repentance and knowledge of His truth. In other words, His wrath on them in the end was justified because He made every attempt to show them the way to life.

-Pharaoh was willing at this point to let them go with their children, but he wanted the livestock to remain with him. This partial disobedience was once again nullified by Moses in argument that sacrifices had to be made and the exact number had not yet been determined; therefore, the livestock must go with them. This led to Pharaoh’s last refusal to let them go. Pharaoh threatens Moses with death if he sees his face again. Moses prophesies in retort that indeed Pharaoh will not see his face again. The stage is set for the Passover.

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 10:27

Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 9

5/21/2012

Exodus 9

-Three more plagues are described in chapter nine with no more effect on Pharaoh in the end than the first ones. Moses and Aaron maintained that he should “Let My people go, that they may serve Me…” from the LORD, but the response remained bitter and anti-God in the final analysis. The distinction was made every time between Israel and Egypt that the world would know that there was a powerful God who was ultimately in control and wanted His rightful place to be worshiped. There is no One like Him in all the earth (Exodus 9:14). *Application* We must understand God’s redemptive purpose in all that happened during the Egyptian plagues. God wanted mankind to know and obey His ways. The stubbornness of man is the great theme we must keep in mind as we read these acts of the LORD. He would have relented at any point if the hearts of the Egyptians would have come into conformity with His will. Our arrogance towards God will never allow us to succeed ultimately. The quicker we give up ourselves to His perfect will, the quicker we will experience true and good life to the full (John 10:10). Submit to His authority and He will raise you up in His power for His glory. This is His always His purpose and plan. He has plans for you to prosper you (Jeremiah 29:11).

-The first plagued was the death of all the livestock in Egypt. The second was boils that made the magicians crazy. The third was a fierce and violent hail, thunder, and lightening storm that destroyed much in the land. There was a gracious warning to take cover in this storm.

-Pharaoh admitted sin with this plague and claimed the LORD as the righteous One and that his people were wicked. He asked again for supplication, which Moses did, and he promised he would let them go and not have to stay any longer. All these acts of God were done so that they would know that the earth is the LORD’s. This is Moses’ plea, but he knew that Pharaoh did not yet fear the LORD God. When the LORD relented, Pharaoh again hardened his heart and he did not let them go, just as the LORD had spoken through Moses (Exodus 9:35).

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 9:1, 14

Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 8

5/20/2012

Exodus 8 

-The plagues are now under way with three more coming in this chapter. The first one has to do with the frogs coming onto the land and into their houses and bedrooms and beds and into their cooking facilities. Every aspect of their lives was altered by the frogs. The magicians were able to do the same with their secret arts, but this time Pharaoh called upon Moses and Aaron to entreat the LORD for the removal of the frogs. Pharaoh said he would let them go at this point, but when relief was given by the LORD, he hardened his heart and did not listen to them just as the LORD had said would happen (Exodus 8:15).

-The swarms of gnats and insects were commanded by the LORD upon the land. Now it had gotten to the point that the Egyptian magicians could not duplicate the feats, and they counseled Pharaoh that this was the finger of God. But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened as predicted, and he did not listen to them.

-There was also now a division between the Hebrews and the lands of the Egyptians. Goshen, where the Hebrew people were, was not affected by the swarms of insects. The LORD gave His people separation from the plight of His plagues. *Application* God is our protection in adversity. Pray the prayer that God will have mercy on His servants in this day and age in the midst of His wrath and judgment on a wicked world.

-Pharaoh is beginning to crack a bit and tells Moses and Aaron they will be able to go sacrifice to their God in the land of Egypt. Moses, at the LORD’s direct command, stands firm on the three day’s journey into the wilderness. *Application* Pharaoh wanted partial obedience from the Hebrews, but Moses knew what God had commanded and would not back down from it. When God gives you instructions, don’t compromise at any point. Otherwise, your partial disobedience is fully a sin against God. He will bless you eventually when you remain utterly true and faithful. Stick to His Word!

-Pharaoh makes promises to let them go and is asking for supplication from the prophet, which he got. God did what Moses asked for, but Pharaoh again spurned the LORD and hardened his heart against Him. He did not let the people go. *Application* There is something to be said for honesty and following through with what you promise here. Pharaoh’s word was no good. He went back on his promise. Do we follow through with people on the things we tell them we will do for them? Be a person of your word.

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 8:15