2014 BSF "The Life of Moses" Lesson 5, Q5~Q6

THIRD DAY: Read Exodus 7:14-8:19.

Q5.

The Lord              Moses and Aaron               Magicians               Pharaoh

Blood-God’s command: “Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt… and they will turn to blood.”

Did just as the Lord had commanded.

Did the same things.

Did not take it to heart.

Frogs-God’s command: “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your hand with your staff over the streams and canals and ponds, and make frogs come up on the land of Egypt.’”

Did the Lord had commanded.

Did the same things.

Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen.

Gnats-God’s command: Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground,’ and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats.”

                                                      Did the Lord had commanded

                                                                        They could not produce gnats.

Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen.

Q6.

a. 

This is what the Lord says.

b. 

It’s a statement about what Moses tells Pharaoh is the word of God. It’s God’s order.

c. 

When we study Bible we study God’s word. It’s a direct connection between God and us. We should follow what we heard from the Holy Spirit.

2014 BSF "The Life of Moses" Lesson 5, Q3~Q4

SECOND DAY: Read Exodus 6:28-7:13.

Q3.

a. 

Exodus 6:12 But Moses said to the Lord, “If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips?”

Exodus 6:30 But Moses said to the Lord, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”

Moses doubted his own ability that he can’t even convince his own people how can he go convince Pharaoh.

b. 

With man it may be impossible but with God all things are possible. The Lord said to Moses “I have made you like God to Pharaoh, not a god, the God. Wow! Aaron will be your prophet. You don’t need to worry about what to say to Pharaoh. Aaron will do the talking. Just do what I command you.

c. 

God knows everything, my good and my weak. Stop worrying and trust Him that He will show me the way to live a life for Him.

Q4. Read Proverbs 28:14; Zechariah 7:12. The Lord promised to harden Pharaoh’s heart.

3 But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt, 4 he will not listen to you.

Proverbs 28:14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Zechariah 7:12 They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry.

a. 

The Lord blesses those peoples who fear Him, but Pharaoh will be in trouble by not listening to God's words that the Lord has sent by Moses because whoever hardens their hearts fall into trouble.

b. 

Egypt would be in trouble because the Lord was very angry. God will lay His hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment.”

c.

When a nation's ruler has a hard heart against God that nation won’t be existed long with God's mighty acts of judgment.

The 1st plaques broke out in 65AD, the same year emperor Nero killed himself. 

The 2nd plaques broke out when co-emperors Marcus Aurelius (Antoninus) and Lucius Verus repressed the Syrian rebellion and brought back the disease to Ancient Rome.

The 3rd plaque called the Plague of Cyprian that this plague may have been a key driving force behind the spread of Christianity in the Empire.

In Ancient Rome, plague broke out frequently, which made roman society turbulent, and social beliefs went into crisis. The traditional religions could not respond to the changing situations, while Christianity took advantage of it and defeated traditional religion whether in spiritual and practical realms, and then was regarded as state religion. In a sense, if plague hadn’t broken out frequently, Christianity would lose the opportunity to rise. Quoted from http://www.cawhi.com/plus/view.php?aid=13980

2014 BSF "The Life of Moses" Lesson 4, Q8~Q11

FIFTH DAY: Read Exodus 6:1-27.

Q8.

a. 

God ensured Moses about His promise to Israel would be fulfilled and Moses would see Pharaoh let the Israelites go.

b. 

I am the Lord [2,6,7,8].

c. 

We have learned that God is the Lord who our fathers long worshipped to, the only one established a covenant with us, the only one would give us the land of Canaan, and the only one heard our groaning of suffering. The only Lord will free us from being slaves by his outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. And the only Lord takes us as his own people.

Q9.

a.

You will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.

I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.

I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.

I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession.

b.

God was the only one heard my groaning when I suffered by depression and freed me from being ill. Afterward he took me as his own daughter.

Q10. From verses 9-12.

Satan often attacks us with discouragement. It causes us lose hearts, motivation, and hope. We should be alert and stand firm in the faith when we feel discouraged. To resist it by the Spirit from our daily prayers and also by seeking guide and help from our church.

1 Peter 5:8-10

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Q11.

a.

Levi –> Kohath –> Amram & Jochebed –> Moses & Aaron (the 4th generation)

b.

Aaron married Elisheba [wife], daughter of Amminadab and sister of Nahshon, and she bore sons: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar [sons]. Eleazar son of Aaron married one of the daughters of Putiel [daughter-in-law], and she bore him Phinehas [grandson].

2014 BSF "The Life of Moses" Lesson 4, Q6~Q7

FOURTH DAY: Read Exodus 5:22-23.

Q6.

a. 

Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people?

Is this why you sent me?

b. 

See, I’ve told you [angry]. You made me look bad again [embarrassed]. I am nobody but I’m not stupid [defensive]. I told you Pharaoh wouldn’t listen to me [feeling smart]. My people blamed me now [embarrassed].  I should never listen to you [regret].

Q7.

a. 

Not from my own example - a singer in Taiwan recently was attacked emotionally after she answered a question regarding to homosexual folks by saying those gay friends need God’s healing. Some people felt that Christians are judgmental and gay people felt rejected by God.

b.

Be wise and don’t judge others but let go of our own thoughts and feeling when we are doing God’s works.

Pray all the time. Talk to God and His peoples.

2014 BSF "The Life of Moses" Lesson 4, Q5

THIRD DAY: Read Exodus 5:15-21.

Q5 

They believed God was concerned about them and saw their misery so they went and appealed to Pharaoh. [5:15]

b. 

After they realized they were in trouble, they complained to Moses and Aaron. [5:19-21]

2014 BSF "The Life of Moses" Lesson 4, Q3~Q4

SECOND DAY: Read Exodus 5:1-14.

Q3.

a. 

Moses said, The sacrifices Israelites offer the Lord our God would be detestable to the Egyptians. And if they offer sacrifices that are detestable in Egyptians’ eyes they may stone Israelites.

b. 

The first part they said was same with what God told them to say in Exodus 3:18 ‘The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God.’ However, the second part shouldn’t be “the Lord may strike us with plaques or with the sword” but “the Lord may strike the Egyptian with plaques and sword.”

c. 

Pharaoh slaved the Israelites and he didn’t want Moses took the people away from their labors.

Q4.

a. 

Answer in 5:14 “And Pharaoh’s slave drivers beat the Israelite overseers they had appointed…”

b. 

They might think they were superior to the low level of Israelites.

2014 BSF "The Life of Moses" Lesson 3, Q8~Q12

FIFTH DAY: Read Exodus 4:18-31.

Q8. From verses 18-20, how did Moses prepare his family for the trip back to Egypt?

I do not find him well prepare for the trip but asked his father-in-law’s permission and took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey and started back to Egypt. He took the staff of God in his hand and trusted God would lead the way.

Q9. What was Moses to tell Pharaoh about Israel?

Israel is the firstborn son of the Lord.

Q10.

a. From verses 24-26, what had Moses apparently left undone?

His son has not yet been circumcised.

This part of passage is fragmentary. Literally, after God said He would kill the firstborn of Egyptian the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him because Moses neglected the rite of circumcision of his son. However, there is no scriptural basis for taking the life of a father who does not circumcise a son.  Punishment for failing to be circumcised falls upon the child, not the father (Genesis 17:14). Therefore, it is possible the narrative is about Moses worried about God would kill his son because he’s yet been circumcised. So Moses and his wife circumcised the boy then.

b. Who had to do what Moses should have done?

His wife, Zipporah.

c. What obligation to God for your family or friends have you left for someone else to do?

The gospel I should bring to my family to help them desire to repent their sins, which I have not done yet.

Q11. From verses 14-16 and 27-31, what do you learn about Moses’ brother, Aaron?

From 14 Aaron the Levite, he can speak well. He will be glad to see Moses.” 16 “He will speak to the people for Moses. He obeyed God’s instruction 27 The Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him. .

29 Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites, 30 and Aaron told them everything the Lord had said to Moses. He (Moses) also performed the signs before the people, 31 and they believed. And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

Q12. How did Moses and Aaron carefully obey the Lord, and what was the result in the lives of the Israelites?

They followed God’s instructions. They told the Israelites everything the Lord had said to Moses and performed the signs before the people. They brought the people back to God they bowed down and worshiped the Lord. Then the relationship between God and the Israelites was reconnected.

2014 BSF "The Life of Moses" Lesson 3, Q7

FOURTH DAY: Read Exodus 4:1-17.

Q7.

a. What three additional objections did Moses make?

1: What if they do not believe me or listen to me.

2: I am not eloquent. I am slow of speech and tongue.

3: Please send someone else.

b. How did God answer these three objections? Give verses.

1: What if they do not believe me. 2-9 God provides Signs for Moses by his staff to perform the signs with it, then the people would believe that God sent Moses to Israelites. 17 But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”

2: I am slow of speech and tongue. 11 The Lord said “I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”

3: Send someone else. God provides helper to Moses. 14 …“What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. 15 You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.”

c. What objections have you used when God has asked you to take part in His work? How did God deal with your objections?

Not qualified to take part in His work because lacked of knowledge of Bible. God led me attending Bible study classes.

2014 BSF "The Life of Moses" Lesson 3, Q5~Q6

THIRD DAY: Read Exodus 3:11-22.

Q5

a. Give the two ways Moses objected to God’s commission in these verses.

1: I am nobody. How can I go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt. [11 “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”]

2: You are my God but the Egyptians don’t know You though. What shall I tell them about You? [13 “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”]

b. What was God’s answer to these two objections? Give verses for each.

1: I am nobody. 12 God said, “I will be with you.”

2: What shall I tell them about You? 14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

c.  Which of God’s answers encourages you most today and why?

God will be with us and let us know what to say. So we don’t need to worry how to glorify His kingdom by sharing gospel to people.

Q6.

a. Read John 8:58-59. How do these verses compare with Exodus 3:14?

In John Jesus said, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

In Exodus God said, “I am who I am.”

b. What do you learn about the Lord Jesus Christ from these verses?

Jesus is God Himself.