A Reversal of Fortune

As Exodus begins the Jewish people have plummeted from the pinnacle of Joseph in power, and his extended family privileged, to a generation of Israelites who are in bondage and servitude – a very drastic change of fortunes.

A Testimony of Faith

Oppressively hard labor is miserable enough. But with all boy babies under threat of extinction, the future of G-d’s chosen people seems to hang in the balance. The fear factor for Jewish families approaches the highest level as infant males are murdered.

A Baby Boy is Spared

The focus of the story has narrowed. The majority of the Hebrews continue to suffer. But for one family, there is delight in the preservation of a helpless little boy and giving him a hopeful future – even if it is within the walls of the palace of a wicked and cruel king.

“What’s My Motivation Here?”

You’re on the jury judging a case. The facts in evidence include a man beating another man. Suddenly a third man appears and strikes the first fellow, killing him. Is this murder in the first or second degree? Justifiable homicide? You witnessed the event. But how do you correctly assign motive to the actors?

A Well and a Welcome

Many biblical stories take place at a well. Everyone needs water! Moses has escaped to Midian – alone and apparently resource-less. How will G-d provide for him?

Who Hears When We Cry?

“Sighing,” “crying,” and “groaning” define the very human response to intense and prolonged suffering. Perhaps those words describe your present experience. If you’re wondering, Is anyone listening? Does anyone care? you may find encouragement in today’s study in Exodus.

A Dramatic Encounter with G-d

Decades have passed since Moses fled Egypt. We picture a sun-weathered man, now pushing 80, tending his father-in-law’s sheep in the western Arabian wilderness. At Mount Horeb he has a personal encounter with divinity for the first time. And it is quite a story!

The G-d Who Comes to Deliver

The children of Israel have been suffering oppression for generations. How many times must they have wondered, Does G-d even know what’s happening to me? And if He does know, does He care?

See how He answers those questions in this wonderful passage.

“Who Am I?”

“Who am I?” is an existential question for which every person seeks an answer. Moses asks this question of G-d. And then he follows with an even more important question . . . .

The Divine Strategy Revealed

The Almighty has introduced Himself to Moses as the G-d of his fathers, with the intention of sending him to deliver the Hebrews from Egypt. But how will this be accomplished?

What’s My Excuse?

Moses’ initial response to G-d’s “I will send you to Pharaoh” was “Who am I?” The L-RD has revealed Himself in a very personal way, promising to be with Moses on this daunting venture. Though victory won’t be swift or easy, ultimate success is assured. So, good to go, right?

The Adventure Begins

Having G-d’s assurance of His presence and Aaron’s assistance, Moses is now willing to obey the L-RD – despite His admonition that it wouldn’t be easy. True enough! Even the early stages of this venture has challenges . . . .

When the Going Gets Harder

“Believe in G-d and all your problems will be solved.” This may be a popular teaching in some circles, and suffering people are attracted to it. But how does it align with Biblical truth? Exodus 5 teaches a vital life lesson for all believers.

When G-d Says “I Will”

To what extent do your circumstances determine your theology? “Isn’t G-d good!” is easy to say when all is well in our personal lives. But how do we respond when our assumptions, desires, and expectations of life (and of G-d) are unmet? Here’s a real-life example of very human reactions to tough times.

“A Brother is Born for Adversity”

Have you noticed G-d is never in a hurry? Three years before Moses was born, the L-RD gave a son to Amram and Jochebed. Who would have foreseen the role Aaron would play in Israel’s history eighty-three years later?

The Power Encounter Begins

Who isn’t entertained by a master illusionist? We delight in sleight-of-hand, disappearing acts, and mind-blowing “How’d he DO that?” feats. But some demonstrations are not merely “the hand is quicker than the eye” performance or the use of smoke, mirrors and sophisticated props . . . .

“No G-d Like Our G-d”

Prayer is a powerful tool given to us by G-d. In tough times our prayers are often focused on our own circumstances. Who would want to intercede with the Almighty on behalf of an enemy – and why?

Swarming Insects, Bargaining Pharaoh

“If you just get me out of this mess, G-d, I’ll do what you want.” How many times are we tempted to bargain with the L-RD when life crashes in around us? And after we dodge the bullet – what then?

Disease, Boils and Hail – Oh My!

Does anyone remember “bovine spongiform encephalopathy?” If you lived through the “mad cow disease” of the 1980s and ‘90s, you’ll recall whole herds of cattle had to be eliminated. Beyond the impact on meat supply in the United Kingdom, concern grew when the disease spread to other European countries, Japan, and North America. What if other animals – or humans – could catch such a fatal disease?

Never So Many Again

If you’re a farmer in northeastern Africa today, you’re living one of your greatest fears. Swarms of locusts are devouring every green sprout. And if you’re a parent tucking a child into bed at night, you know the value of even a little nightlight to ease the fright. (Perhaps you haven’t forgotten your own fear of the dark.) Nightmare-inducing plagues fill our story line today.

Lights Out and Last Chance

What’s the darkest place you’ve been? If you’ve been deep in a cavern on a tour when the guide has everyone extinguish any light source, including the glow of a wristwatch, you’ve experienced how suddenly the space around you turns inky black. Very quickly the realization hits that you cannot visually distinguish between air and solid matter. Walls, floor, ceiling, the people you know are around you – all are invisible. It’s creepy. Now imagine three days of total darkness . . . .

“I will pass over you”  

Who likes to hear, “Get OUT of here!”? Slaves freed from bondage, for sure. The last of 10 fearsome plagues is about to be unleashed in Egypt. And we are we still retelling the story of the Exodus three millennia later. Here’s the original version.

Free at last!

“What price freedom?” How much does our sin cost us? Some valuations are beyond an economist’s ability to calculate. Today’s study provides food for thought . . . .

Lest We Forget

Planning a family trip for even a few days can be a challenge. What route will we take? Where will we stop to eat and sleep? What do we need to bring with us?

Now think about planning a trek of over 5,000 miles. On foot. Through a desert. With perhaps two million people in your traveling party. Oh, and you must leave after dinner tonight….

A Dedication to Remember

Memories fade over time, we know. We’ve all experienced how details of even significant events can be forgotten or confused. “Was it you or your sister who…?”

What works best for you to be reminded of something important? G-d gave Israel two practical ways to recall His delivering His people from Egyptian bondage.

When Elation Turns to Fright

“Why is life SO hard?” “Is there a purpose to all my suffering?” “Will this never end?”

Who hasn’t asked these questions at some point (perhaps today!)? Our study in Exodus provides food for thought on gaining perspective when difficult times seem unending.

While You Keep Silent

How do you respond when someone gets “in your face?” How do you feel when you are blamed for circumstances beyond your control? How recently have you had to “wait upon the L-RD” when you could not “fix things” on your own? Today’s Encouragement from Exodus explores one of those times for Moses and the nation of Israel.

The L-RD Fights for Israel

Most people like to root for the underdog. We like it when “the little guy” wins against impressive odds. The most powerful army in the Ancient Near East is about to pounce on a trapped mass of escaped slaves. In whose favor are the odds? “One plus G-d equals a majority.”

Great Things He Has Done

What is the most joyous event your family has celebrated? The birth of a child? The return of a loved one from a long absence? Great news from a doctor’s report that the disease has been defeated? The victorious end of a war? Was there joyous singing and dancing (and perhaps some feasting)? “There’s a party going on” at the conclusion of our Encouragement from Exodus study!

Epilogue

Our journey in Exodus has brought us to the other side of the Red Sea. We closed our study with a fitting hymn of praise composed by none other than Moses.

That was then. This is now. Check out the Epilogue for some parting words of encouragement in fearful times.