Promises from the Prophets
See also: Musa in the Qur'an »
OUTLINE
God blessed the children of Isaac
After Israel's migration to Egypt in a time of famine, the family grew so much that the Egyptians feared them (Genesis 25:11, Genesis 26:1-5, Genesis 26:12-33, Genesis 27:26-29, Genesis 46:1-6, Genesis 47:27, Exodus 1:5-7). Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt, enslaved them. He ordered the death of their firstborn sons (Exodus 1:8-16).
God heard their cries, and provided a liberator
God heard their cries, and provided a liberator (Exodus 2:23-25). Jochebed, wife of Amram, hid her baby Moses in a basket among the rushes of the river Nile. Moses was hidden from Pharaoh's soldiers, and God even arranged for Moses to be rescued from the waters by Pharaoh's own daughter (Exodus 2:1-10)! She raised Moses as a royal prince, weaned by his Israelite mother! As Moses grew, he was upset by the Israelites' cruel treatment by the Egyptians. One day, he killed an Egyptian slave-driver. When the news spread, Moses fled for his life, to Midian (Exodus 2:11-15).
God spoke to Moses from a burning bush
In the wilderness, God spoke to Moses from a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6). God commanded Moses to challenge Pharaoh and rescue the Hebrews enslaved in Egypt. God said: “I have seen the misery of my people … I have come down to rescue them' (Exodus 3:7-10). But Moses pleaded with God, “please send someone else”! So God was angry with Moses, and God sent Aaron, Moses' brother, to speak for him (Exodus 3:11, 4:10-17).
God worked wonders to free his people
As Aaron challenged Pharaoh to let the people go, Moses performed signs and wonders (Exodus 7-10). Pharaoh resisted. Finally, God sent a plague against the sons of Egypt (Exodus 11, Exodus 12). Chased by Pharaoh's army, Moses and his people crossed the Red Sea, and entered the promised land of Abraham (Exodus 12:31-42, Exodus 13:17-22, Exodus 14:1-31).
Moses warned his people to remember what God had done
Moses warned his people to remember what God had done (Exodus 12:14, Exodus 12:42, Exodus 13:3, Exodus 16:1-3). Each year, the Passover festival recalled their liberation, when God told the children of Israel to sacrifice their best, spotless lambs. They were to paint their houses with the blood of an innocent lamb, so the deadly plague on Egypt would 'pass over' them: “when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will touch you...” (Exodus 12:5-13)
Through Moses, God gave a Law to his people
Through Moses, God gave a Law to his people (Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25). The Law told the people, "love the Lord your God". As they did so, they would know God's blessing and guidance (Deuteronomy 5:5). But Moses reminded the people: “it is not because of your righteousness..." (Deuteronomy 9:4-5)
REFLECTION: HOW GOD PROVIDES
God provided a rescuer to save his people from slavery.
Moses also bound the people to a Law and its sacrifices, saying, ‘it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.’ As we have seen, God provided animal skins to cover the shame and guilt of Adam and Eve's sin. Abraham's son was also replaced with a ram and his life was spared.
Moses was commanded to use the blood of lambs – the very best of the flock – to spare the lives of the Israelites. This event, the Lord's Passover, is a significant one: it runs throughout the history of Israelites. We will see that it has a significant connection to the life and ministry of Jesus.
DISCUSSION POINTS
- Read Exodus 12:1-13. Why did people paint their doors in blood?
- Read Deuteronomy 9:1-6. Why does Moses say God was bringing his people out of slavery?
- Read Exodus 3:13-15 and John 8:57-59 in the Bible. What is the name which God ascribes to himself with Moses, and how is this significant for us?