All written materials for this series will be posted on this website, http://servingandsharing.com/, under the category, “Exodus – God Makes a Way.” All corresponding video presentations may be found on this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFXW6HwOySA&list=PL7JRppjEn33ZzlfbuQKdvQQfsrkwm0GC5. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, send a message via the “Contact” button.
Here’s my overall outline, for the big picture, before we dig deeper.
Ex 4:18-6:27 – Moses Confronts Pharaoh.
Ex 4:18-31 Return: Moses Returns to Egypt.
Ex 5:1-5 Request: Moses Requests Release.
Ex 5:6-14 Redoubling: Pharaoh Redoubles Workload.
Ex 5:15-19 Response 1: The Foremen Respond to Pharaoh.
Ex 5:20-21 Response 2: The Foremen Respond to Moses.
Ex 5:22-23 Response 3: Moses Responds to Yahweh.
Ex 6:1-13 Reassertion: Yahweh Reasserts Deliverance.
Ex 6:14-27 Reaffirmation: Scripture Reaffirms Leadership.
Ex 4:18-31 Moses Returns to Egypt.
At what age does Moses ask his father-in-law’s (boss’) permission?
After forty years in Midian with his family, who are Moses’ “brethren?”
Why perform the signs, knowing that Pharaoh will not submit?
On what basis does God justify the future death of Egypt’s firstborn?
Discuss Moses’ near death and Zipporah’s circumcision of her son.
Describe the relationship between Aaron (older) and Moses (leader).
Why assemble the elders first, before all the people?
What is the people’s initial response and why?
What do they likely anticipate is coming next?
Ex 5:1-5 Moses Requests Release.
A feast, three days’ journey, sacrifice – a test of Pharaoh’s attitude?
Key question: “Who is Yahweh, that I should obey His voice?”
Key problem: “I do not know Yahweh!”
Key concern: “This will hurt our bottom line: labor and profit!”
Ex 5:6-14 Pharaoh Redoubles the Workload.
“Demand the same results without providing the same resources.”
“People who request changes in their work are lazy!”
“We can fix that! Silence them by making their jobs tougher!”
“Let’s pressure the people and beat and badger their foremen!”
What’s wrong with this approach?
If this approach doesn’t work, why do many bosses keep taking it?
What are some better ways to improve efficiency and benefit all?
Ex 5:15-19 The Foremen Respond to Pharaoh.
Curious fact – Hebrew foremen have access to Pharaoh himself.
Is it ever right to complain, when one’s situation is unfair?
If so, what are some guidelines to follow?
Go to the person who can fix the problem, even to the top.
Address the specific issue.
Propose a reasonable solution.
If you get nowhere, you’re in trouble (5:19)!
Ex 5:20-21 The Foremen Respond to Moses.
Why do these frustrated foremen now turn on Moses and Aaron?
“This is your fault!”
“May Yahweh judge, convict, and condemn you!”
“You’ve made us odious! You’ve given them a sword to kill us!”
Ex 5:22-23 Moses Responds to Yahweh.
Why would (how could) Moses blame God for this dire situation?
Have you heard of “kicking the cat?”
Here it goes, not down the chain of command, but up to the top!
“Lord, this is your fault! You’re the cause of all this pain!”
“You promised deliverance. You sent me. I obeyed You. You failed!”
Was Moses justified in accusing God?
Had God promised that this first encounter would save His people?
Reread Ex 4:21-23. What result did God actually predict?
Why not deliver the Hebrews now?
Ex 6:1-13 Yahweh Reasserts Deliverance.
Pharaoh’s resistance will lead to further proof of Yahweh’s power.
Major point. Not just to save Israel, but also to reveal the true God.
Pharaoh’s “strong hand” that has held Israel will force Israel to leave!
Ex 6:3 Did the patriarchs not know God as “Yahweh?” They did.
Example: Gen 13:4 “Abram … called on the name of Yahweh.”
Yet not to the extent that He now reveals Himself as the “I AM,” the covenant-keeping God who will overthrow Egypt and save Israel.
(For “God Almighty,” or El Shaddai – Gen 17:1; 35:11; 48:3).
Why wasn’t Moses able to comfort and reassure the people?
Moses: “If even Israel won’t listen …”
Ex 6:14-27 Scripture Reaffirms Leadership.
What is the value of genealogies, especially in the Bible?
You must know where you’ve been to see where you’re going.
Selective: [1] Reuben, [2] Simeon, to get to [3] Levi. Gen 29:32-34
Emphasis on Levi to point to Aaron and his family and Moses.
Selective: specific generations noted, not an exhaustive list.
From Kohath (through Amram and Aaron): priests in the tabernacle.
Basis for the role of the Levites, to be developed further in Exodus.
Bracketed between Ex 6:10-13 and Ex 6:28-30.
