Exodus: Moses, Burning Bush & The Ten Plagues

• Exodus details the birth and calling of Moses

Israel's Oppression in Egypt:

• A new Pharaoh enslaved the Israelites
• The Pharaoh ordered the killing of male infants

Birth of Moses:

• Moses was placed in a basket in the Nile and found by Pharaoh's daughter
• He was raised as an Egyptian Prince but nursed by his own mother
• He was aware of his Hebrew identity

Fleeing to Midian:

• Moses killed an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew and fled to Midian
• Moses married Zipporah and became a shepherd

The Burning Bush (Exodus 3):

• God appeared to Moses in a burning bush at Mount Horeb/Sinai

Divine Calling:

• God commissioned Moses to deliver Israel from slavery
• God revealed His name as "I AM WHO I AM" (Yahweh)

Signs and Excuses (Exodus 4):

• God gave Moses signs, including Staff to Snake, Leprous Hand, and Water to Blood
• Moses hesitated due to his speech impediment, so God appointed Aaron as his spokesman

The Ten Plagues and the Passover (Exodus 7-12)

• Moses and Aaron demanded Pharaoh release the Israelites

Confrontation with Pharaoh:

• Pharaoh repeatedly refused, leading to ten plagues

The Ten Plagues:

• Water to Blood (Nile River)
• Frogs
• Gnats (Lice)
• Flies
• Livestock Disease
• Boils
• Hail
• Locusts
• Darkness
• Death of the Firstborn

Passover (Exodus 12):

• Instructions were given to sacrifice a spotless lamb and apply its blood to doorposts, and eat unleavened bread, symbolizing haste

Significance:

• The Angel of Death passed over homes with lamb's blood
• The Passover Feast was established as a lasting ordinance

Pharaoh Relents:

• After the death of his firstborn, Pharaoh let the Israelites go
• This event is a Typology as Passover foreshadows Christ as the sacrificial Lamb

Crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 13-14)

• Guidance was provided by a Pillar of Cloud and Fire
• A cloud during the day and fire by night led Israel to the Red Sea
• Pharaoh pursued the Israelites after changing his mind

Miraculous Crossing:

• Moses parted the Red Sea by stretching out his staff, causing the waters to divide
• The Israelites crossed on dry ground

Egyptian Defeat:

• The waters returned, drowning Pharaoh's army

Song of Moses and Miriam (Exodus 15):

• This song celebrated the victory and deliverance of the Israelites
• The theme of salvation presents God as the divine warrior and redeemer

Receiving the Law at Sinai (Exodus 19-20, 24)

• The Israelites camped at Mount Sinai, and Moses ascended to meet God

Arrival at Mount Sinai:

• The people consecrated themselves, preparing to hear God
• Thunder, lightning, and trumpet sounds signified God's presence

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20):

• The Ten Commandments comprise of commands like:
• No other gods
• No idols
• Don't misuse God's name
• Observe the Sabbath Day
• Honor parents
• No murder
• No adultery
• No stealing
• No false witness
• No coveting

Ratification of Covenant (Exodus 24):

• Moses built an altar and offered sacrifices
• The covenant was sealed with blood, sprinkled on people as a sign of obedience

The Golden Calf (Exodus 32-33)

• While Moses was on the mountain, the people grew impatient and turned to idolatry and apostasy
• Aaron made a golden calf, and they worshiped it as their god who brought them out of Egypt

Moses' Intercession and God's Wrath:

• God threatened to destroy them, but Moses interceded

Judgment and Consequences:

• Moses shattered the tablets, destroyed the calf, and made the people drink its ashes
• 3,000 were killed by Levites as judgment

Renewal of the Covenant:

• Moses pleaded for God's presence to continue with Israel
• God rewrote the Ten Commandments on new tablets

The Tabernacle (Exodus 35-40)

• The construction of the Tabernacle involved detailed instructions followed exactly as God commanded
• The materials included gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, and precious stones

Components of the Tabernacle:

• The Holy Place housed the Table of Showbread, Lampstand, and Altar of Incense
• The Holy of Holies contained the Ark of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat as God's throne

Completion and God's Glory:

• The Cloud and Glory of God filled the Tabernacle, signifying His presence
• A Pillar of Cloud and Fire guided Israel's journey

Leviticus and Numbers

• The Day of Atonement is an event mentioned in Leviticus

Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16-17)

• Annual Atonement was performed for Israel

Annual Atonement for Israel:

• The High Priest entered the Holy of Holies only on this day

Two Goats:

• A Sacrificial Goat was offered for sin
• A Scapegoat symbolically carried Israel's sins into the wilderness

Atonement and Blood:

• Blood was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat to atone for sins

Significance:

• The Day of Atonement foreshadowed Christ's ultimate atonement as the High Priest and Sacrifice

Guidance of the Cloud, Twelve Spies, and Rebellion (Numbers 9-14)

• Guidance was provided by a cloud

Guidance of the Cloud (Numbers 9):

• A cloud by day and fire by night indicated when to set out or camp

Twelve Spies (Numbers 13-14):

• Twelve spies explored Canaan and were sent
• Ten gave a negative report
• 2 spies, (Caleb and Joshua) gave a faithful report

Rebellion and Judgment:

• The Israelites refused to enter Canaan, wanting to return to Egypt
• Their judgment was 40 years of wandering, one year for each day the spies explored

Balaam's Donkey and Prophecies (Numbers 22-25)

• Balak's motive was fear

Balak's Fear and Request:

• King Balak of Moab hired Balaam to curse Israel

Balaam's Journey and Talking Donkey (Numbers 22):

• An Angel of the Lord blocked Balaam's path, visible only to his donkey
• The Donkey spoke, rebuking Balaam for his blindness

Prophecies and Blessings (Numbers 23-24):

• God compelled Balaam to bless Israel, despite Balak's desire for curses

Four Prophecies:

• A Messianic Prophecy stated, "A star shall come out of Jacob"

Explore the key events in Exodus: Moses' birth, his calling through the burning bush, and God's signs. Learn about the ten plagues inflicted upon Egypt and the establishment of Passover.