Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 3

5/14/2012

Exodus 3 

-Moses was now pasturing the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro (or Reuel, Exodus 2:18). What a humble job he was now performing compared to the riches and honor he enjoyed as he grew up as an adopted son of Pharaoh’s princess. He had been used to having all his needs provided, and his culture would have taught him that sheep herding was detestable (Genesis 43:32; 46:32-34). Now he was doing everything himself, but God was teaching him about the people he would lead out of Egypt. *Application* God uses every experience to equip us for His good purposes as we stay obedient to His call and direction. Allow every opportunity to become a teachable moment in your life. God doesn’t waste occurrences and incidents.

-It is while he is tending the sheep that the LORD visits him at His mountain, Mount Horeb (or Mt. Sinai). He appears in a burning bush that catches Moses’ attention because it is not being burned up, yet if flames and flames. Moses turns aside to glimpse this marvelous sight (Exodus 3:3). *Application* God will do some amazing things to grab and hold your attention if you are observant enough.

-The LORD begins to speak as He calls out Moses’ name. He tells him not to come too near, for he is standing on holy ground and a respectful removing of the sandals is required. Obviously Moses is afraid and hides his face from the Holy One. Then God assures him that He has seen the affliction of His people who are in Egypt. He has given heed to their cries for help because of their taskmasters. He was certainly aware of the whole situation and their sufferings. Now was the time of His coming down for deliverance from their oppressors and oppression. *Application* God is just and will defend His people. Sometimes this takes longer than we’d like or think, but God knows best and acts when it is perfectly appropriate.

-God’s purposes are indicated in this meeting with His servant Moses. He is going to bring His people out of their slavery to a good and spacious land that flowed with milk (probably refers to the goat’s milk of the region of Israel) and honey (probably refers to the date palm honey of the region of Israel). He also recognized the coming conflict and enemies that would need to be removed in the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites (do a web search to find out more about these ancient cultures that inhabited the land of God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). The LORD promises to be with His servant as He commands him to go to Pharaoh for the release of the captives. Moses doesn’t think that he is of the pedigree to do such a task at this point. God gives him a sign that he will come back to Mt. Horeb (Mt. Sinai) to worship the LORD.

-Now Moses asks for the Name of this God who is sending him for the deliverance of His people. God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM…I AM has sent me to you (Exodus 3:14).” This Name shall be His Name forever. It is the self-existent title of the Living God who is. It is the form of being verb denoting His eternality and reliance on no one. This is the God of the universe making Himself revealed and known to man. This was to be His memorial Name of all generations. From the Hebrew form as it has come down to our English language as pronounced Yahweh or sometimes Jehovah. Kind of mind blowing when we think about it, right?

-God also promises that the elders of the Hebrew people would listen to him and go with him before Pharaoh in this daunting task of freedom. However, a prophecy is given by the LORD that Pharaoh is known by God and he will not permit the children of Israel to go easily. It will have to be by compulsion that they are released. *Application* God absolutely knows the heart of each man and has perfect understanding. This doesn’t mean that He controls or manipulates them in any way. God gives Pharaoh free will just like anyone else, but the LORD knows exactly Pharaoh’s response and reactions before they ever take place. This is how prophesy works. God’s foreknowledge must be understood properly in these deterministic matters.

-God knows that He will have to strike Egypt with all His miracles for the purpose of getting His children out of slavery. Further, He will bless His children as they go out with favor in the sight of the Egyptians and they will not go out empty-handed. They will end up plundering the Egyptians in the end with their silver, gold, and clothing.

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 3:14

Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 2

5/12/2012

Exodus 2

-The story of Moses begins with his salvation from the Nile as he is rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter. Moses’ sister arranges his mom to be the nurse for her own little boy in times of persecution. Once again we see the sovereignty of God being demonstrated to His people and His plan for the redemption of mankind. Moses grows up in Pharaoh’s house as an educated, adopted son of his daughter with power and prestige. He would give all this up for his people and his God one day according to the LORD’s purpose. *Application* When God wants something to happen, it will, and no force on earth can stop it. What does the LORD want to do in your life? He has a call out for you.

-Circumstances necessitate Moses’ fleeing to Midian where he meets Reuel, the priest of Midian, and his seven daughters, one of which would be given as his wife, Zipporah. Moses had chosen to fear God more than man for the first time that we know of. This would be a trait that continued to be developed in this great and humble prophet of God who would change the course of history (Numbers 12:3). By faith he spurned the passing pleasures of sin and comfort in Pharaoh’s house and went forward as a sojourner and later received ill-treatment with the people of God (Hebrews 11:24-27). Because of his sojourning he named his first son, Gershom. *Application* How content are we in our walk with God? Are we at times too complacent with the status and position that we have been given? Sometimes, as we see here, our prosperity is a test to see where our heart really is. If we are not careful, we will gravitate to the pleasures and riches and cares of this temporary world and miss out on the LORD’s greater purpose (Matthew 13:22, Luke 18:18-24).

-Now the narrative turns to a new phase as the king of Egypt died and the sons of Israel begin to cry out to their God, to which He heard and responded from Heaven. The LORD heard their groaning, knew their needs, and remembered His covenant with them through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He took notice of them and things were about to miraculously change. Slavery was about to become freedom! *Application* Notice carefully the process that takes place. Many times in Scripture we see people crying out to God in their affliction and down times. One thing we must remember about the Creator of the Universe is that He hears and responds to His creation. Don’t ever think that the Almighty is aloof and not paying attention. He is not some God that is distant in any way. He is with us.

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 2:24

Exodus Bible Study Notes Chapter 1

5/11/2012

Exodus 1

-Four hundred and thirty years after the time of Joseph (Exodus 12:40, Acts 7:6), the Hebrew children are set free to return to their promised land. Exodus begins before this releasing with a new king who arises over Egypt that did not know Joseph and feared the multiplication and might of the Hebrew people. He enslaves the sons and daughters of Israel making them labor vigorously building storage cities in Pithom and Raamses and labor in the fields. They worked with brick and mortar very rigorously as slaves.

-The dread of the sons of Israel continued to grow as they kept multiplying and increasing in might. The Egyptian rulers made their lives bitter with increasingly hard labor, but God was with His children.

-The king of Egypt plotted against the Hebrew boy population by telling the Hebrew midwives to put to death males that were being born. However, these women feared God and did not do as the Pharaoh commanded. The LORD blessed them for their fear of Him and established households for them even though they had lied to Pharaoh. They had done the greater good of promoting God’s plan for redemption by saving lives. This, just like with Rahab later on (Joshua 2:1-6), does not make this a sinless act, but is used for God’s purposes.

-Pharaoh takes another step in dread of the Hebrews by commanding the people of his nation to cast every male Hebrew child into the Nile. The evil of this king is clearly evident and God was now at work to deliver His people, although it would be a process and take some time (approximately 80 years, Exodus 7:7).

Verse to Memorize: Exodus 1:8

Acts Bible Study Notes Chapter 28

5/10/2012

Acts 28

-The remarkable description of the events on Malta begin the last chapter of this incredible book of Scripture. The natives, which history tells us were of Phoenician descent, were extremely kind and helpful to the weary and beaten down travelers. They were nourished back to well being. *Application* The word of God is clear that we should be welcoming to strangers and sojourners who come along our path (Exodus 22:21; 23:9, Leviticus 19:10, 33-34; 23:22, Deuteronomy 24:20-21; 26:11, Zechariah 7:10, Matthew 25:34-40). In fact we may at times be entertaining angels and be total unaware of it (Hebrews 13:2). These people from Malta should be our example in how to help people in a sincere and loving fashion.

-Paul pulls out a snake that fastens to his hand and flings it in the fire on the Island of Malta. When he doesn’t swell up and die, the accusers turn to worshipers (Luke 10:19). Although the text is silent after this event, I am sure that Paul corrected them and directed them to the true God and Lord, Jesus Christ, who gives the power for protection and all good things.

-Paul does a healing of a leading man of the island’s dad. This leads to other miraculous healings and a powerful witness on the island. The crew destined for Rome is treated well with many marks of respect as they set sail and were provided with all that they needed for their journey. *Application* What a powerful story of hospitality in a desperate situation. God ordained this event for safe passage to the capital of the Roman empire so that His fame could be spread throughout the whole world! God looks after His servants and works all things out for good (Romans 8:28).

-As the party ventured northward towards Rome they made several stops along the way. It is fascinating to read how the brethren (God fearing believers in Christ) connected up with Paul and his entourage. The question becomes, how did they come to know Christ in these places? The answer lies somewhere in the spreading of the gospel throughout the Roman Empire. It may have been other converts that matriculated to these environs. It could have been people who were in Jerusalem at Pentecost and returned with the joy and Spirit of the Lord to spread the gospel (Acts 2:10). In any event, the word of God was reaching places further and further away from Jerusalem as was prophesied (Acts 1:8). These brethren encouraged Paul a great deal. This gave him the vigor and strength to go on and face the call of God on his life in Rome. *Application* Be an encourager to someone today. All they may need to continue on is a good word from you. People need words of blessing and hope.

-Paul finally enters Rome and is given some privileges by his guardians. He calls together the leading men of the Jews and witnesses to them defending his innocence of being against his people and their customs. We must understand that Paul never ventured away from his Jewish roots. He abided by the Law, but accurately pointed out its deficiencies in its ability to provide salvation (Galatians 2:15-3:29). As was always the case, some were persuaded to believe in Christ and received eternal life. Other rejected the message of God and left unbelieving. Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 upon their rejection of the gospel and again turned his message of salvation to the Gentiles. There arose a great dispute over the issue of Jesus concerning His work on the cross and resurrection. *Application* This fight of faith still rages today doesn’t it?

-Paul remains two full years in his own rented quarters awaiting trial and his accusers. He was welcoming all who would come to him as he preached the Kingdom of God and taught the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered. God had given him an open door! He was able to even penetrate Caesar’s household with faith in Christ (Philippians 4:21-23). We are not told from Scripture what happened next in Paul’s life. The point of the Holy Spirit’s work unto the utter ends of the earth (Rome was the commercial and governmental center of the known world) was accomplished in the text, and therefore there was no need for further revelation. Historical tradition has that Paul was released for a short period of time (maybe because of the two year limit on the prosecution bringing a case to trial). There is no record of him standing before Caesar. He also indicated that he hoped he would soon be released in his letter to the Philippians (Philippians 2:24). Paul mentioned places he would like to take the gospel like Spain (Romans 15:24,28). He may have gotten that chance according to early Christian literature that speak plainly about other travels by Paul.

Writings from nonbiblical orthodox and heterodox traditions include:

• The Acts of Paul (Orthodox, 160-190) A collection of legendary stories which emphasize the asceticism of Paul and his followers
• The Acts of Thecla (Orthodox, circulated separately and as a part of the Acts of Paul, 160-190) Legends about a young virgin from Iconium (now Konya, Turkey) who refused to marry and followed Paul in the face of many persecutions
• The Acts of Peter and Paul (Orthodox, c. 200) Only the first chapters of this book describing Paul and Peters last days and their confrontation with Nero survive
• Acts of Xanthippe, Polyxena, and Rebecca (Orthodox, c. 270) Legends about some women in Spain who leave their husbands to follow Paul
• Apocalypse of Paul (Orthodox, c. 380) A widely circulated book which claimed to describe Paul's experiences when he was caught up in the third heaven (I Corinthians 12:2-4)
• Apocalypse of Paul (Gnostic, 2nd century) This heterodox fragment of a book exalts Paul above all of the other apostles. It is entirely different from the one by the same name listed above.

-Tradition tells us that Paul eventually died a martyr’s death in Rome in the mid to late 60s A.D. His life is a testimony of the graciousness of God and a man who died to himself and lived in Christ’s resurrection power (Galatians 2:21). His example has been the standard for Christian missionaries ever since.

-God’s church was expanding and the world was becoming aware of His love and chance for redemption. We read in Acts the work of the Holy Spirit in ever-widening circles of influence through merchants, travelers, slaves, jailers, church leaders, males, females, Gentiles, Jews, rich, and poor. The gospel is for all and we should receive and transmit it gladly. It is the hope for eternity! Continue the story of God’s glory!

Verses to Memorize: Acts 28:30-31

Acts Bible Study Notes Chapter 27

5/9/2012

Acts 27

-Paul finds himself being boarded an Adramyttian ship on the first leg of his journey toward Rome and an appeal to Caesar. Luke is on the trip as evidenced from the use of his pronouns in this narrative. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica who was spoken of when they were in Ephesus, also accompanied them (Acts 19:29; 20:4, Philemon 1:24). The centurion given charge of Paul was Julius of the Augustan battalion. He gave Paul some favorable treatment and spared his life during the course of travel, probably because he had a closeness in proximity to the Apostle and gained respect for him (Acts 27:3, 31, 42-43).

-The Lord was with them during this long and arduous trip, even though there were times that brought the company to the point of despair and hopelessness. Just at the crucial moment, “that very night,” an angel of the Lord came to Paul and told him, “Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you (Acts 27:24).” Paul then addressed the men, “Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told (Acts 27:25).” *Application* God is near us in our times of need. He is an ever present help in time of trouble (Psalm 37:39; 46:1). Many times God will take us to the brink of disaster so that our confidence and faith will be solely on Him. God is our great rescuer.

-In the end, God’s word of prophecy comes to fruition and they all were brought safely to land. *Application* God always keeps His promises.

Verse to Memorize: Acts 27:24-25

Acts Bible Study Notes Chapter 26

5/8/2012

Acts 26 

-Paul makes his defense before Agrippa and Festus pointing out Agrippa’s vast knowledge (Acts 26:3) and faith in Judaism (Acts 26:27) and recounting his testimony as he himself turned to Christ. This defense was convincing and almost persuaded Agrippa to become a Christian it appears from the text. Paul would have been let go had it not been for his appeal to Caesar (Acts 26:32). They concluded he had done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment (Acts 26:31).

-Some interesting words of Christ are given in this third detailed account of Paul’s Damascus road conversion. God called Paul and sent him “to open their eyes so that they (Jews and Gentiles) may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me (Acts 26:18).” There is some great theology in this statement by Jesus. First, there must be recognition of our depravity before a living, holy, and righteous God. Our sin is great and separates us from the God who illuminates us in His light and His control (dominion). Repentance (a turning, a changing of the mind, a new direction in life) must occur for us to begin to inherit the Lord’s salvation and receive forgiveness of the terrible and horrible sins we have committed that tear us apart from the God who loves us (John 3:16). The crucial last step is sanctification (a setting apart, a making holy), which happens as a result of our faith in Christ Jesus’ atonement based on His death on the cross, burial, and resurrection (faith is only as good as the object it is placed in). Christ gave Paul this message upon revealing Himself to him along that Damascus road and Paul was faithful to preach it everywhere he went after receiving it. *Application* Have you been saved and sanctified? Have you turned from the darkness of Satan’s dominion to the light of the Lord’s authority? Have you believed in Him?

-*Application* Some people might think we are crazy as Festus did with Paul. But the facts of the gospel stand and the resurrection gives us power to hope in a bright future for all eternity. Paul’s hope was for all to be as he was as a believer (Acts 26:29). Let us also tell the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet.

Verses to Memorize: Acts 26:18, 29

Acts Bible Study Notes Chapter 25

5/7/2012

Acts 25

-Festus arrives in the province to be governor and three days later he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea Maritima, the Roman port city on the west coast of Israel. He is confronted by the chief priests and leading Jewish men concerning Paul as they wanted him to be brought back to Jerusalem for a trial and planned to kill him on the way.

-Festus wisely has them come to Caesarea for the accusations at first, but wants him to consent to a trial in Jerusalem as a favor to the Jews. This was a political move much like Felix had done to attempt to keep the peace with these religious fanatics in their opinion. Paul, however, maintains his innocence of any wrongdoing and appeals to Caesar as a Roman citizen.

-King Agrippa and Bernice come and spend many days with Felix in Caesarea and hear about the situation with Paul. Amid great pomp and circumstance Paul is brought out before the king and the prominent men of the city to give his defense to his accusations. *Application* Paul’s life had been prophesied and now was the time of fulfillment to stand before kings and give an account for the hope that was in him through Jesus Christ, his living Savior (Acts 9:15-16). How about you? Has God given you a word about your future and the destiny that He has for you? Abide in His plan and work and He will bring forth all His good promises for you even though there will be suffering associated with it. Keep the faith and persevere!

Verse to Memorize: Acts 25:12