Beginning of the Tabernacle

                                                            Sunday School Lesson

                               
Lesson: Exodus 40:16-21, 29-30, 34, 38                                                                                                 
Golden Text: “For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys” (Exodus 40:38).

INTRODUCTION.  When God delivered Israel from bondage, He was faithful in giving them a system of worship.  He provided the design of the tabernacle, and every item needed to properly worship Him. The planning, preparation and setting up of the tabernacle took a lot of work.  It fact, it was a year after they left Egypt before everything was ready and the tabernacle was set up.  God also prepared two men, Bezalel, from the tribe of Judah and Aholiab from the tribe Dan, whom He filled with the Spirit of God gifting them with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of artistic craftsmanship (see Exodus 35:30-33).  These two men were also gifted to teach others their skills to help in constructing the tabernacle (see Exodus 35:34-35; 36:1).  The key to this week’s lesson however, is that God planned it all and gave Moses the instructions that he carried out just as the Lord had commanded.  The objects constructed for the tabernacle and the procedures to be conducted are types and symbols of the work of our Lord Jesus in redeeming us from sin.  Therefore, it is profitable for us to study the tabernacle to understand more of God’s grace and provision for our salvation.

II. Background for the Lesson:  As our lesson takes place, the Israelites had been camped at Mount Sinai for about nine months after leaving Egypt (see Exodus 19:1).  During that time, God had given them instructions concerning their sacrifices, their leadership, and how they were to live.  It had started with God confirming that Israel were His people by establishing the Mosaic Covenant (see Exodus 19:5-8); the giving of the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:1-17); followed by the teachings on interpersonal relationships which included everything from neighbor relationships to immorality, and the establishment of national feasts and offerings for the tabernacle (see Exodus chapters 21-23).  In chapters 25-27 while on Mount Sinai, God gave Moses directions for the construction of the tabernacle; in chapters 28-30 instructions were given for the conduct of the priesthood, and the use of the tabernacle.  In chapter 31, God gives the names of the two men who would lead in the construction of the tabernacle and also gave Moses the two tablets of stone containing the Ten Commandments.  In chapter 32, we see Aaron building the golden calf that the people begged for while Moses was away getting the Law from God.  This chapter also includes Moses’ reaction of breaking the tablets of the Law and Israel’s judgment (see Exodus 32:7-35).  In chapter 33 Moses constructs a temporary tabernacle to be used until they finished the one God directed them to build.  Chapter 34 tells of the second tables of the Law that God gave to Moses as well as reiterating the feasts that were to be celebrated.  In chapter 35, the Lord re-emphasizes the commitment to the Sabbath day and He also gave Moses instructions for gathering the gifts (materials and supplies) from the people to be used in the construction of the tabernacle.  Chapters 36-39 record the actual construction of the tabernacle as well as the making of Aaron’s holy priestly garments.  This is where our lesson begins.

III. THE PEOPLE’S PREPARATIONS (Exodus 40:16-21, 29-30)
A. The tabernacle raised (Exodus 40:16-17). 
1. (vs. 16).  This verse says “Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him, so did he.”  In Exodus 39:42-43, we are told that Moses looked at all the work that had been done in constructing the tabernacle as the Lord had directed and “Moses blessed them.”  Immediately after this our first verse gives a summary statement saying “Thus did Moses: according to all that the Lord commanded him, so did he.” 
2. (vs. 17).  The Lord had already commanded Moses to set the tabernacle up on the first day of the first month so in this verse to remind us that Moses was completely obedient to God’s command, this verse says “And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.”  The people “reared up” or set up the tabernacle “in the second year” or a year after leaving Egypt, and on the first day of the first month which was Abib (see Exodus 13:2-5).  It later became known as Nisan (see Esther 3:7) during the Babylonian Captivity.  The tabernacle was now a visible reminder to the Israelites that God was always with them and they would not be making this difficult journey to Canaan by themselves.
B. The tabernacle covered (Exodus 40:18-19).
1. (vs. 18).  This verse says “And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.”  The items Moses used in setting up the tabernacle had already been selected and prepared (see Exodus chapter 36).    The “bars” held the entire sides of the tabernacle together (see Exodus 36:31-33).  The hangings for the door were placed on the “pillars.”  These items were used to set up the frame of the tabernacle.
2. (vs. 19).  Next Moses “spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the Lord commanded Moses.”  The tent covered the structure and consisted of ten beautiful curtains fastened together in groups of five (see Exodus 36:8-10).  The tent was also covered with eleven curtains made of goats’ hair and another layer of curtains made of rams’ skin dyed red (see Exodus 36:14-19).  These layers made the tabernacle waterproof and therefore protecting the articles inside.However, after each step of the construction was finished, we are told that it was done “as the Lord commanded Moses.” 
C. The ark installed (Exodus 40:20-21).
1. (vs. 20).  Once the building was erected Moses “took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark.”  The “ark” which was normally referred to as “the ark of the covenant” was the most important item placed in the tabernacle.  It was a wooden box overlaid with gold (see Exodus 37:1-2).  The cover had on it the figure of two gold cherubim (see Exodus 25: 10-18; 37:6-7) and “the mercy seat,” where the high priest would sprinkle the blood for the atonement of the people’s sins once a year (see Leviticus 16:14-16; Hebrews 9:5-7).  It was also regarded as the meeting place of God (see Exodus 25:22).   Inside the ark, Moses placed “the testimony” which refers to the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments that God had given Moses (see Exodus 25:16).  Hebrews 9:4 informs us that a pot of manna and Aaron’s rod were also placed in the “ark” with the Ten Commandments.  The Ark of the Covenant was made with rings on its corners for the insertion of “the staves” or poles used by the priests to carry it (see Exodus 37:3-5).  Moses “set the staves on the ark” so they would always be ready for use.  Note:  God was very specific and serious about carrying the ark with the poles by the priests.  When it was carried on a cart in David’s time, Uzzah lost his life for grabbing hold of it when it almost fell from the cart (see II Samuel 6:2-7).  On the second attempt to move the ark, David insisted that it be done properly and it was a joyous occasion (see II Samuel 6:12-13).
2. (vs. 21).  After Moses placed the testimony in the Ark of the Covenant, this verse says “And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the Lord commanded Moses.”  Within the tabernacle, in order to make sure that no one other than the high priest entered God’s direct presence in the most holy place, a “vail” or curtain was hung to separate the most holy place from the holy place (see Exodus 26:31-34: Hebrews 9:7).  In the most holy place or holiest of holies which was behind the veil, Moses placed the “ark of the testimony” or “Ark of the covenant” (the Ten Commandments).  Again, we are told that this was done “as the Lord commanded Moses.”   We should see in all of this the importance of obeying God.  If Moses doesn’t follow God’s directions exactly, he would be disobedient.  Remember, partial obedience is still disobedience.
D. The altar installed (Exodus 40:29).  The tabernacle was to be placed inside a courtyard with specific dimensions (see Exodus 38:9-17).  In this verse we are told that Moses “put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the Lord commanded Moses.”  The first thing one would see as they entered the courtyard was “the altar of burnt offering” to be used by the priests for the offerings brought by the people.  We are told that Moses placed it “by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.”  However, it was actually placed closer to the entrance of the courtyard.  Once Moses put the altar in place, he “offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering.”  Of course the “burnt offering” was an animal, but the “meat offering” was actually a grain offering or meal offering with flour and oil being its basis (see Leviticus 2:1).  It was bloodless and meatless.  The “meat offering” was also to be offered with the “burnt offering” (see Numbers 15:1-16).  Both offerings were made to atone for a person’s sin.  Once again, we are told that Moses did this “as the Lord commanded Moses.” 
E. The laver positioned (Exodus 40:30).  Moses next “set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.”  The next item that was important in the sacrificial system was the “laver.”  It was a large round basin that Moses placed “between the tent of the congregation and the altar.”  In other words, it was placed just after the altar of burnt offerings, and before the tabernacle (see Exodus 30:18).  The phrase “put water there, to wash withal” means that it was used by the priests to wash regularly.  It was to be filled with water, and the priests were to wash their hands and feet every time they entered the tabernacle or stepped up to the altar to offer a sacrifice.  This was so important that God said that if the priests didn’t wash before serving they would die (see Exodus 30:20).  If the priests were going to enter God’s presence on behalf of His people, they needed to be clean in every way.  They offered sacrifices for themselves but they also needed to wash.
IV. THE SIGN OF GOD’S BLESSING (Exodus 40:34, 38).  It was now one year after the Hebrews had left Egypt (see Exodus 40:17) and Moses and the Israelites had set up the tabernacle.  The furniture was put in its proper place (see Exodus 40:22), and Moses along with Aaron and his sons washed themselves preparing to enter the tent (see Exodus 40:31-33).
A.  Divine approval (Exodus 40:34).  At this point, God placed His approval on the tabernacle by showing His personal presence.  This verse says “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”  This was the same cloud that had appeared to lead them after the Passover (see Exodus 13:21-22).  It was a symbol of God’s presence and would go with and direct Israel throughout their wilderness journeys.  As they made their way to the Promised Land they would always have visible evidence of God’s presence.  As the “cloud covered the tent of the congregation” or the tabernacle, “the glory of the Lord filled” it.  God’s glory was so bright that Moses was unable to enter the tabernacle (see Exodus 40:35).
B. Continual presence (Exodus 40:38).  The last verse of our text says “For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.”  During the day the Lord revealed His presence in the cloud over the tabernacle, and at night God revealed His presence in a pillar of fire.  This was done “in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.”  The cloud that had guided the Israelites when they set out from Succoth (see Exodus 13:20-22) now dwelt among them to lead them to the land of promise (see Exodus 40:36-39).  It must have been an awesome sight to look toward the tabernacle and see the cloud by day and the fire by night.  These were visible signs that the presence of God was with them.  Note:  Today, believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit, who bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God (see Romans 8:16).  We don’t need the cloud or fire.  We don’t need symbols of God’s presence, because we know He’s with us for Christians today are the temple of God (see I Corinthians 6:19-20).
                         
V. Conclusion.  Moses obeyed God completely in all the instructions to build the tabernacle.  Once it was assembled, the glory of the Lord filled it to the extent that Moses, even though he had stood in the presence of God before, was not able to enter the tabernacle.  Sadly, the Prophet Ezekiel later described a vision in which he saw the glory of God leave the temple due to the sin of the people (see Ezekiel 10:18). 
Below is a description ot the Tabernacle, its furnishings and how they all are a shadow of Jesus Christ and His work of redemption.  
                                                                                          
The Tabernacle: A Picture of “Good things to Come”
The tabernacle and its rituals are called a “shadow of good things to come” a reference to the salvation of Jesus Christ – of which He is the substance (Hebrews 9:9-11; 10:1; Colossians 2:17).  Many still focus on religious rituals rather than receiving the reality - the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  They are chasing shadows.  They are like a husband who sees the shadow of his bride appearing as she is ready to walk down the aisle.  He then ignores his bride and embraces her shadow.  Are you chasing shadows or have you embraced the only living Savior?
The tabernacle was a sacred tent where God’s presence dwelt among Israel as they journeyed through the desert from Egypt to their promised land.  As a tent (unlike their future temple) it was portable and could be moved from spot to spot as Israel traveled.
The details and order of the tabernacle are recorded in the Old Testament Holy Scriptures (Exodus 25-40).  The New Testament Scriptures call the tabernacle a “figure” (or illustration) of “good things to come,” God’s good news concerning His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:9-11).  In modern times we often communicate with symbols and so does God.

The tabernacle was enclosed by a white wall.  There was 1 door to enter.  It was on the east side (the rising of the sun).  There were 2 sections: #1, the outer courtyard; #2, the first sanctuary or the holy place; #3, the most holy place inside the veil where God appeared.  There were 7 pieces of furniture: the altar of sacrifice; the washing laver; the lampstand; the table of bread; the altar of incense, the ark, and its lid the mercy seat.  Let’s see the New Testament symbolical meaning.

The Wall
The wall was made of fine twined linen (white) and enclosed the courtyard and the sanctuary.  If the biblical measurement of a “cubit” is indeed 18 inches, then the wall formed a rectangle 150 feet long (half the size of a football field) and 75 feet wide (Exodus 27: 9-15).
If there was no wall this would indicate that everyone is born with close access to God.  But the wall formed a barrier to God’s presence.Simply put, God was on the inside and man was on the outside.  The Son of God taught that there is a barrier between man and God: “Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come (John 8:21).  God is pure and holy and man is impure and sinful.
The Door
The wall did, however, have a gate (door) of access.  And there was only one.  The one gate was made from cloth of four colors: white, blue, scarlet (red) and purple. It hung on four pillars forming three equal openings to the one gate (Exodus 27:16).
The wall was not meant to keep people away from God, but to show the approach to God is single or only one Way.  “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
Though a wall keeps out, a door lets in.  If there was no door that would show that because God is holy, man could never come to Him.  If there were several doors then the picture would say that there are many ways to God.  But one door says one way.  The Son of God said: “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:9).
The four pillars of the gate remind us of the four gospels of Jesus Christ that present Him as the one Savior for the four corners of the world.  The three sections remind us of the one triune God: Father, Son and Spirit.  The four colors remind us of the character of Christ.
White linen tells us He’s the sinless One.
The heavenly blue that He’s God’s only Son;
The purple says that He, as King shall reign,
The scarlet says He for our sins was slain.
The 7 Pieces of Furniture
God gave the specific order for the arrangement of the furniture (Exodus 40:20-38).  The ark and mercy seat are two separate pieces forming one.
1. The Altar of Sacrifice
The first piece a worshipper would encounter as he came through the door was the altar.  It was wood covered with brass (or copper at that time).  It was a perfect square with horns on each of the 4 corners.  It was where the blood sacrifices of clean lambs and goats would be offered in the heat of fire unto God for atonement meaning the covering and forgiveness of sins (Exodus 27:1-8; Leviticus 17:11).
Since the brazen was FIRST, it tells us that judgment on sin and forgiveness must come first in one’s approach altar to God.
If the courtyard had been set up with no altar or priest to offer the sacrifice, it would indicate that one could come into God’s presence without a sacrifice or mediator.  Some religions teach this.  But the altar says our sin must be dealt with first by God’s ordained Priest, Jesus Christ.  It was the Son of God who on the cross sacrificed His sinless blood on behalf of the sinner (1Corinthians 15:3).  “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).  It was Jesus who was resurrected as the High Priest.  When people receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, they are taking their place as a sinner under judgment and trusting Christ alone as their Savior before God.
2. The Laver of Washing
The second piece of furniture was a washing basin for the priests called the laver or lavatory – place of washing (Exodus30:17-21).  It came after the altar of sacrifice and before the entrance to the sanctuary (Exodus 38:8).  It was made of polished copper.  Its purpose was “to wash.”  The priests had to daily wash their hands and feet from dirt and contamination before they worshipped God at the altar or entered the sanctuary to serve.  The laver was not for the shedding of sacrificial blood for sin, but for the washing of dirt.  One had to be clean to serve (Exodus 30:18-21).  The laver, this second piece of furniture, tells us that God is not only interested in the forgiveness of our sin, but also our daily cleanliness in living for Him.
The New Testament teaches that once one is forgiven of sin by Christ’s sacrifice he or she receives the “living water” of the Holy Spirit.  One purpose of the Spirit is to renew our minds to serve God acceptably.  We also read of “the washing of water by the word.”  As the Christian daily learns God’s Word, the Bible, he or she is cleansed from wrong thinking and wrong ways so their service is acceptable to God (John 8:37-39; Romans 12: 102; Hebrews 12:28; Ephesians 5:26; Psalm 119:11).  If the order was the laver first and the altar second that would indicate that Christ’s gospel says to live clean and then God will forgive and make you right.  Many religions support this order.  But God’s order reveals that first God forgives by Christ and then He gives the power (Spirit) for one to live clean unto Him.
The Holy Place
(The First Part of the Sanctuary with 3 Pieces of Furniture)
The holy place (Exodus 26:36-37; 36:37-38) contained gold not copper: the golden lampstand, the golden table of bread and the golden altar of incense.  Here the washed priests entered to perform service and representative worship unto the Lord.  This section tells that God is not only interested in our forgiveness and daily cleanliness, but also our worship.
3. The Golden Lampstand
On the south side of the holy place stood the pure golden lampstand (25:31-40; 37:17-24).  The gold was formed by beating or hammering into the shape of an almond tree in the full bloom of life.  It had six fruitful branches with a central shaft or trunk.  They were designed to hold seven bowls filled with olive oil to provide light.  Light and life merged together in one unit.  The light was continual and was never to go out (Exodus 27:20-21).  There was no light at all in the holy place except that which came from the golden lampstand.  The varied colors and beauty of the inner sanctuary could only be seen in this one light.John 1 presents the one Christ (Jesus) as both light and life.  “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.”  He alone as God in the flesh gives life eternal and the light to understand and know God.  The number six of the branches reminds us of man (created on the sixth day).  The number seven of the lamps reminds us of God’s perfect number (resting on the seventh day for all things were completed and good).  Jesus Christ is both six (man) and seven (God) in one person.  The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is also pictured as a lampstand through which his Spirit and Word reveals the gospel truth and glory of God (Revelation 1:20).
4. The Golden Table of Showbread
Directly opposite the lampstand stood the table of showbread (Exodus 25:23-30; 37:10-16) on the north side.  One could only see the bread by the one light.  Twelve loaves of bread were set on it once a week.  During the week the bread was to be displayed before God.  On the Sabbath the priests were to eat it (Leviticus 24:5-9).  Thus God and man shared the same table together in fellowship of the same bread.A table is a place where friends fellowship while eating.  We read of the “Lord’s table” in the New Testament where the Christian breaks the bread and eats it in the fellowship of the body of Christ (1Corinthians 10:16-21).  Here God and man are in harmony over the same thing: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  His death was pleasing to the Father as an acceptable offering for our sin, and His death is precious to us as the means by which we are forgiven and know God’s love (Romans 5:8).
5. The Golden Altar of Incense
The third and last piece of furniture in the holy place was the altar of incense with its four horns (Exodus 30:1-10; 37:25-28)). This stood by the veil, which separated the holy place from the holiest of holies.  This altar was for one purpose only: to burn incense, not sacrifice.  The incense was a special God-prescribed formula, which sent out a rich fragrant smoke when the priest lit it at morning and evening.Incense pictures prayers to God (Psalm 141:2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3).  When one prays in the name of God’s priest (the Lord Jesus) there is power and it is a pleasing aroma to God.
 The Holiest of Holies
(The Second Part of the Sanctuary with 2 Pieces of Furniture)
The holiest place of all (Hebrews 10:19-20) contained the Ark of the Covenant (Hebrews 9:4) covered with a special lid called the mercy seat (Exodus 25:10-21).  This was where God’s presence resided and where He communed (talked) with Moses (Exodus 25:22).  The veil or curtain blocked the way so others could not enter in (Exodus 26:31-35).  However, the minute the Lord Jesus died on the cross the veil, then in the temple, was split in two showing that the way was now made for all to come into the communion with God (Matthew 27:51; Hebrews 9:7-8, 10:19-21).
6&7 The Golden Ark and Mercy Seat
The Ark (Exodus 25:10-22) was a chest made out of wood covered with gold and having a crown border like the table and incense altar.  It, however, rested in the holiest place behind the veil where the presence of God dwelt (Hebrews 9:1-6).  The chest contained the two tablets of the Ten Commandments, God’s standard of righteousness; a golden pot of manna, Gods provision to sustain His people in life: and Aaron’s rod that budded with life, which looks forward to Christ, God’s choice as High Priest to be our continual mediator and intercessor (Psalm 40:6-10; John 6:51; Hebrews 4:14).
The Mercy Seat was the cover of the ark (Exodus 25:21; Hebrews 9:5).  It was solid gold beaten into winged cherubim; one at each end looking down where God’s presence was.  Cherubim are involved with the protection of God’s holiness.  Here, once a year, the high priest alone went in with sacrificial blood from the bronze altar to sprinkle it on the mercy seat to obtain forgiveness of sins for Israel.The mercy seat tells us that there is mercy with God.  The sacrifice of Christ is God’s mercy seat (Romans 3:25).  “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He [the Lord Jesus] entered in once into the holy place [heaven], having obtained eternal redemption for us [all believers]” (Hebrews 9:12).

If you follow the tabernacle symbols they will lead you to His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.

 

 

Beginning of Freedom

                                                                 Sunday School Lesson
Lesson scripture: Exodus 14: 21-30                                                                                                 
Golden Text: “Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore” (Exodus 14:30).

INTRODUCTION.  With the Exodus, the approximately two million Hebrew people traveled southeastward toward what is today the Gulf of Suez.  They were led by a pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that God had provided (see Exodus 13:21-22).  The Lord again hardened Pharaoh’s heart causing him to regret releasing his former slaves.  He then assembled his army, both chariots and horsemen and departed in pursuit of the Hebrews.  Full of faith and briefed by God as to what He was going to do (see Exodus 14:4); Moses led the Israelites down to the sea.    

II. Background for the Lesson.  After the Lord brought the tenth plague upon Egypt which was the death of all firstborn humans and animals, the Egyptians urged the Israelites to leave Egypt immediately (see Exodus 12:31-33).  Over 600,000 men plus women and children journeyed from Rameses to Succoth (see Exodus 12:37).  A large company of non-Israelites, as well as a great deal of livestock, also made the journey (see Exodus 12:38).  From Succoth, the Israelites continued their journey to Ethan located on the edge of the wilderness (see Exodus 13:20), where they set up camp.  By day, God used a pillar of cloud to guide His people and by night He used a pillar of fire to give them light and direction (see Exodus 13:21).  The Lord told Moses that Pharaoh would come after them (see Exodus 14:4).  However, God would crush Pharaoh’s forces and bring honor to Himself and make His identity further known to the Egyptians.  At some point, Pharaoh and his officials had a change of heart.  They regretted letting their Israelite slaves go free (see Exodus 14:5).  Pharaoh then organized a large military force of soldiers and chariots to pursue the Israelites (see Exodus 14:6-8).  The sight of Pharaoh and his great army terrified the Hebrews (see Exodus 14:10), but Moses reassured them that they had no reason to fear, for the Lord would rescue them from danger and fight on their behalf (see Exodus 14:13-14).  The Lord wanted His people to go forward (see Exodus 14:15) so He told Moses to lift up his rod and stretch out his hand over the sea, which would then divide and the Israelites would pass through the sea on dry ground. As Pharaoh’s army drew near the Israelites, the pillar of cloud relocated behind them (see Exodus 14:19), and all during the night the cloud brought darkness to the Egyptian forces but light to the Israelites.  By doing this, God kept the Egyptian army at bay until He was ready to judge them.  This is where our lesson begins.         

III. A PATHWAY OPENED (Exodus 14:21-25)
A.  The waters divided (Exodus 14:21-22). 
1. (vs. 21).  This verse says “And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.”  Moses did exactly as God had commanded him.  He “stretched out his hand over the sea.”  Because Moses was obedient, “the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.”  In other words, when Moses obeyed God by stretching his rod over the Red Sea, the Lord used a strong east wind to drive back the sea all through the night and made the seabed into dry ground.  This was clearly a miracle of God.  In Exodus 15:8, Moses and the children of Israel sang a song that graphically described what the Lord did.
2. (vs. 22).  Here we are told that the “children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.”  As the east wind caused the waters to form a wall on the Israelites’ right hand and left hand, they walked into the middle of the sea on a large stretch of dry land between the two walls of water.  The dry ground was a pathway going through the sea from the shore where the Israelites were located to the shore on the opposite side.
B. The Israelites pursued (Exodus 14:23).  This verse says “And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.”  The Lord knew all along that the Egyptian forces would come after the Israelites.  He allowed them to go “in after them (Israel) to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.”  All of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and cavalry raced onto the dry seabed.  Exodus 15:9 gives us a glimpse of what the Egyptians were thinking at that time.  They arrogantly boasted “I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil.”  Pride is a terrible thing (see Proverbs 16:18).  The enemies of God and His people consistently act with arrogance and are blinded to the power and judgment of God.  The Lord does not look kindly on those who challenge Him or threaten His people.  In the end, all God’s enemies will experience devastation.
C. The confusion and panic of the Egyptian forces (Exodus 14:24-25).  
1. (vs. 24).  This verse says “And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians.”  During the time of “the morning watch” was between 3 and 6 am.  The Jews divided their nights into four watches.  The first watch was from 6-9 pm; the second watch was from 9-12 midnight; the third watch was from 12-3 am and the fourth watch was from 3-6 am (see Luke 12:38; Matthew 14:25). It was during the fourth watch that “the Lord looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud.”  The use of the word “looked” is an anthropomorphism describing God taking a look as if He was human.  There was never a time when the Lord was not aware of what the Egyptians were doing.  Of course, God was leading His people in the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day.  In a moment of time, God brought the Egyptians into a state of confusion and panic.  This is the idea expressed in the phrase that God “troubled the host of the Egyptians.”  The east wind had blown all night (see Exodus 14:1) and now it was time for the Israelites to move ahead.
2. (vs. 25).  At this point we are told that in the process of causing confusion and panic among the Egyptians. God also “took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.”  God took off the wheels of the Egyptian chariots so that “they drave them heavily” meaning that it was impossible to maneuver their chariots.  The situation became so difficult and critical that the once proud Egyptians decided to retreat.  They said “Let us flee from the face of Israel.”  It was clear to the enemy that the Lord was fighting for His people.  This was the real reason that they felt the need to retreat.

IV. A PATHWAY CLOSED (Exodus 14:26-30)

A. The waters returned (Exodus 14:26-27).  The Israelites’ deliverance was about to be completed.  However, when the people saw the Egyptians following them, they complained to Moses saying “Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness?” (see Exodus 14:11).  The people of God had wished that Moses had left them alone to continue in their enslavement to their oppressors (see Exodus 14:12) rather than experience greater suffering from the Egyptian military.
1. (vs. 26).  Now we are told that “the Lord said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand over the sea, that the waters may come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.”  As the Egyptian forces were in a panic stricken retreat, the Lord again (see Exodus 14:21) ordered Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea.  However, this time instead of dividing the waters, the waters would “come again upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen.”  The waters would return to their original position filling the path in the sea and covering the Egyptians, their chariots and their cavalry or “horsemen.”
2. (vs. 27).  This verse continues to say “And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it; and the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.”   As an obedient servant, Moses did what God commanded, he held out his hand over the sea, “and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared.”  The sea returned to its normal state.  As the waters returned to their original position, the Egyptians desperately tried to flee from the rushing waters.  However, their attempts to escape were futile for “the Lord overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.”  The sea completely overcame them.  In Exodus 15:10 in Moses’ song of deliverance and praise to God, he said “Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them, they sank as lead in the mighty waters.”  Note:  Prior to this, Moses had urged the people to “stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (see Exodus 14:13).  They didn’t have to do anything to secure their deliverance.  Moses went on to say, “The Lord will fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” (see Exodus 14:14).  This is exactly what happened.  Before the Israelites’ astonished eyes, God had done it all by Himself.  He wouldn’t allow anyone else to claim credit for His victory. 
B. The Egyptians drowned (Exodus 14:28-29). 
1. (vs. 28).  This verse says “And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh that came into the sea after them; there remained not so much as one of them.”  With Israel safely through the sea, the waters came crashing down covering the chariots, and the horsemen of Pharaoh’s mighty army which had followed after the Israelites into the sea.God’s handling of this situation was so thorough that not a single Egyptian warrior survived.  Moses wrote that “there remained not so much as one of them.”  The same power that delivered the Israelites without exception also destroyed their enemies without exception.  As already noted, the Israelites sang about God’s destruction of the Egyptians (see Exodus 15:3-7).  When God decided to deal with Israel’s enemies, their destruction was complete.  It will be the same way with His enemies on the future Judgment Day.
2. (vs. 29).  While the Egyptians were destroyed, this verse says “But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.”  In contrast to the drowning Egyptians, the Israelites walked along the dry seabed with a wall of water piled up on their right and left sides.  This verse is a repetition of verse 22.  It’s also a summary statement of the entire incident reminding us that God was working on Israel’s behalf throughout the entire situation.  There must be no misunderstanding: this was not a natural event.  It was a true miracle done by God alone.
C. Israel is saved (Exodus 14:30).  Our final verse which assures us that this was the Lord’s work, says “Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.”  That day was a day of deliverance for the people of God.  They could see a large number of dead bodies grotesquely wash up on the seashore.  This was all that remained of the once threatening Egyptian army.  From this the Israelites knew that the Lord had “saved Israel.”  The word “saved” here means to rescue or deliver from something.  The salvation or deliverance of Israel was from their slavery in Egypt.  After centuries of slavery, the Hebrew people were finally liberated from their bonds and were able to worship their God without the interference of others. God’s amazing grace showed up in an unforgettable way!  That day, the Lord saved Israel “out of the hand of the Egyptians.” The word “hand” refers to power, or authority.  To deliver into someone’s hand therefore, meant victory: to deliver out of someone’s hand meant rescue.  
                      
V. Conclusion.  The events in this week’s lesson should impress on us the truth that our God is majestic and powerful.  Like Miriam, we can say “sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea” (see Exodus 15:21).  In addition, Isaiah 41:10 stands as a helpful reminder to the people of God when we feel overwhelmed by our circumstances.  We need not fear for the Lord is with us.  We need not be dismayed, for God will strengthen, help, and uphold us with His righteous powerful hand.

Beginning of Passover

                  
                                                             Sunday School Lesson                                        

Lesson: Exodus 12:1-14
                                                                                                 
Golden Text: “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever” (Exodus 12:14).

 INTRODUCTION.  The biblical account of Israel’s first Passover is the subject we study this week.  No doubt the fathers in every family had some explaining to do to their children as they were watched while preparing to do what God had told them to do.  Lambs were being roasted outside on open fires.  Blood from these unblemished male lambs was to be sprinkled on the sides and top of the doorframes of their houses.  The family members needed to know that their fathers had received a message from God that He would actually kill the firstborn in every house that was not marked by the blood on the doorframes.  There is no parallel in history to the killing of the firstborn of Egypt, the Passover, and the nation of Israel being born in one day.  These facts of history clearly show the hand of God in a dramatic way.  Passover pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ as the Lamb of God, slain before the foundation of the world, but crucified at the proper time on the cross.

II. Background for the Lesson.   When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, Moses gave excuses for why he was not able to go to Pharaoh and tell him to let Israel go (see Exodus 3:11-13; 4:1-9).  The last excuse was that he was “not eloquent and was slow of speech” (see Exodus 4:10-12).  This response caused God to become angry with Moses (see Exodus 4:13). Then the Lord told him that Aaron, his brother was already on the way to meet him and he would be speak for Moses (see Exodus 4:14-16).  Moses then returned to Jethro his father-in-law and asked for his permission to go back to Egypt to check on his family, and Jethro agreed.  God also told Moses that it was okay to return to Egypt because those who sought to kill him were now dead (see Exodus 4:18-20).  Moses then gathered his family, returned to Egypt along with Aaron, his brother and they told the Israelites what God said that He was going to do (see Exodus 4:27-31).  In chapter 5, Moses and Aaron begin their contest with Pharaoh demanding that he let God’s people go. Of course Pharaoh refused and increased the labor to be done by the Hebrew slaves.  In chapter 6, God encourages Moses and Aaron to continue to press Pharaoh warning them that Pharaoh would not release His people.  In chapters 7-10, God brings nine of the ten plagues upon Egypt which included water turned to blood (see Exodus 7:14-25), frogs covered the land (see Exodus 8:1-15), lice and gnats (see Exodus 8:16-19), swarm of flies (see Exodus 8:20-32), diseased livestock (see Exodus 9:1-7), painful boils (see Exodus 9:8-12), hail and fire (Exodus 9:13-35), locusts (see Exodus 10:1-20), and three days of darkness (see Exodus 10:21-29).  Then in chapter 11:1-10, God tells Moses that He will bring one last plague which would be the death of every firstborn in Egypt both humans and animals.  But even then God said that when Moses tells Pharaoh of this last plague he still wouldn’t let the people go.  This is where this week’s lesson begins.

II. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAMB (Exodus 12:1-7) 
A. Beginning the new year (Exodus 12:1-2). 
1. (vs. 1).  Our lesson begins with “And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt saying.”  After Moses and Aaron gave Pharaoh his last chance to let the Israelites go, God spoke to the both of them.
2. (vs. 2).  In this verse God begins to speak to Moses and Aaron saying “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.”  The words “This month” refers to the month Abib which before the Exodus was Israel’s seventh month.  Now it was to be “the first month of the year to you.”  We must remember that this is a new beginning for the nation of Israel and now they would have both a religious calendar with the first month being Abib, and a civil calendar beginning with Tishri.  After the Babylonian Captivity, the name for the first month was changed from Abib to Nisan (see Esther 3:7).  This would correspond to our months of March-April.
B. Choosing a Passover lamb (Exodus 12:3-5).
1. (vs. 3).  The Lord went on to tell Moses and Aaron to “Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house.”  God here begins to give instructions for the preparation of the first Passover.  He directed His spokesmen, Moses and Aaron to “Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel.”  They were to speak to the entire congregation, or nation of Israel, but we are told in Exodus 12:21-28 that Moses and Aaron gave the instructions to the elders to pass on to the rest of the people.  First, God said that on the tenth day of this first month Abib, a lamb was to be chosen “according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house.”  This means that every household was to select a lamb which would be prepared and eaten by family groups.  The Passover was going to be a family activity.
2. (vs. 4).  In this verse God further explains the choosing of the Passover lamb for families.  He said “And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb.”  Just in case a household or family was too small to eat the entire lamb, they were to share it with their neighbor taking into account the number of people that will eat.  The phrase “every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb” means that the number of lambs chosen should be determined by the number of people eating and how much each person would eat.  Therefore, it was possible that two or more families could share lambs and eat together. These directions were given because the lambs were to be eaten on one night and there were to be no leftovers (see Exodus 12:10).
3. (vs. 5).  Here God gave specifics concerning the lamb.  The Lord said “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats.”  There were three basic requirements for the animal to be chosen.  First, the animal had to “be without blemish.”  This means that it had to be a perfect specimen, without any physical flaws, and certainly not diseased.  Note:  These requirements would be repeated to the Israelites as part of the Law when God would give instructions about the sacrifices they were to bring to Him.  An animal with any kind of defect was not acceptable for either burnt or peace offerings (see Leviticus 22:18-25).  The fact that this had to be a perfect lamb looked forward to the Lamb of God, Jesus, who died for us and who was and is perfect in every way (see Hebrews 7:26-27).  Second, the animal also had to be “a male of the first year” or one year old.  Third, the animal could be taken “out from the sheep, or from the goats.”  In other words, the animal could be either a lamb or a goat. 
C.  Applying the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:6-7).
1. (vs. 6).  Still referring to the Passover lamb, God said “And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.”  The phrase “And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month” means that once the perfect Passover lamb or goat was selected, it was to be held until the fourteenth day of the month, four days after it was selected.  On that day, it was to be killed “in the evening” or literally “between the two evenings.”  Note:  The Jews had two evenings.  The first was 3:00 p.m. when the evening sacrifice was killed: and the second was at 6:00 p.m. or near sunset.  According to Josephus, the Jewish historian, the Passover lamb was slain between 3 and 5 p.m.  Thus the death of our Lord at the ninth hour or 3:00 p.m. (see Matthews 27:45) agrees with the time of the offering of the Passover lamb as well as the second daily sacrifice. (For a detailed explanation of how Jesus’ death fulfilled every aspect of the Passover, see the tab on this web site that says “The Last Week of Jesus’ Life.”)  During the four day period that the lamb was set aside, it still had to be without any blemishes at all when it was killed.
2. (vs. 7).  After the animal is killed God said “And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.”  They were to take the blood from the slain animal and “strike it” or spread it on both sides of the door and on the top of the doors of the homes where they would eat the animal.  Everywhere a lamb was eaten its blood was to have been applied.  The blood would be the means of salvation or deliverance from the judgment that God would bring later that night.  Likewise, Jesus’ blood is the only means of our eternal salvation.  Note:  The application of the blood on the doorposts and upper post, or lintel of each house in which the Passover lamb was eaten would protect those in that house from God’s final plague in Egypt: death of the first born.  God prescribed this process as a matter of faith.  It was not a matter of logic, nor did it require human consent.  It was what God required for the walk of faith at that moment.  It’s most important to understand that Scripture tells us that God would only pass over the houses where He saw the blood applied.  This indicates that if any Israelite home didn’t have the blood applied to the door posts, the first born in that house would die as well. This was not limited to just Egyptians.  Salvation has and always will be based on one’s faith (see Ephesians 1:12-13; 2:8-10).  Spreading the blood over the doors was also a type, or picture of the Lord Jesus and what He would do on the cross.     
III. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BLOOD (Exodus 12:8-14)
A.  Eating the Passover meal (Exodus 12:8-9). 
1. (vs. 8).  The Lord went on to say “And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.”  The Israelites were to “eat the flesh in that night” meaning the meat of the lamb was to be eaten the same night that it was killed.  In addition, God said it was to be roasted and eaten with “unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs.”  The bread that they ate was to be without leaven or yeast which caused the bread to rise.  The people had to eat their meal quickly because the Exodus would happen quickly.  There would be no time to wait for the bread to rise.  Note:  In Hebrew, this unleavened bread is flat bread called matza.  The bread eaten for the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread was not to have any leaven because leaven in Scripture typifies sin (see I Corinthians 5:6-8).  Along with the roasted lamb and unleavened bread, they were to also eat “bitter herbs.”  The Bible does not tell us what these “bitter herbs” were, but it is thought that they may have been chicory, horehound and wild lettuce.  We are not told the purpose of the bitter herbs, but one would have to agree that they would remind the people of the bitterness of their oppression and suffering while in bondage.
2. (vs. 9).  Still talking about the roasted lamb, in this verse God said “Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.”  The people were not to eat the meat raw, “nor sodden at all with water.”   This means that they were not to boil it in water.  Again God stated that it was to be roasted in fire.  The phrase “his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof” means that the animal was to be roasted whole with the head, legs and “purtenance thereof” or the inner parts.  Simply stated, the Passover lamb could not be eaten raw, but had to be roasted whole with its inner parts intact. 
B. Being ready to leave (Exodus 12:10-11). 
1. (vs. 10).  The Lord continued to say in this verse “And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.”  The phrase “let nothing of it remain until the morning” means that there were to be no leftovers.  If anything was left, they were to burn it up.  When Pharaoh would finally let Israel go, it would happen quickly and there was to be nothing from these Passover animas left behind.  This verse ends with God saying “it is the Lord’s Passover.”  There was to be no doubt that God was in charge of everything that will happen on that night.
2. (vs. 11).  This verse says “And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord's passover.”  God here said that they were to eat the lamb “with your loins girded” or with their cloaks tucked in their belts.  They were also to eat with their shoes on and with “your staff in your hand” so all they had to do when they finished eating the Passover meal would be to get up and go without having to look for anything.  They were to also “eat it in haste” or eat it quickly because once the Lord killed the firstborn in the land, Pharaoh would call Moses and Aaron and tell them to get out of Egypt as quickly as possible (see Exodus 12:31-34).  They would be expected to gather all of God’s people and start their journey immediately. 
C. Observing the blood (Exodus 12:12-13). 
1. (vs. 12).  Now God tells Moses and Aaron why everyone needs to follow His instructions perfectly.  The Lord said “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord.”  God said that He was going to do two things.  First, He was going to go through the land of Egypt that night and kill all the “the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast.”   The first born in every family and the first born of every animal would be killed as God passed through Egypt.  Second, God said that He would execute or bring judgment “against all the gods of Egypt.”  The Egyptians had many gods, but Israel’s God would demonstrate that He was the true and living God for He confirmed “I am the Lord.”  This implied that He was the only God and all the gods of Egypt were nothing, and completely powerful in His presence.
2. (vs. 13).  In this verse, the Lord said “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.”  God said that the blood would be a “token” or sign as evidence that they were to be spared from the destruction.  When the Lord saw the blood, He would “pass over” those houses.  The only thing that would save the Israelites from the death of the firstborn in Egypt would be the blood that God saw over the doorposts and lintels.  It is very clear that the lambs being put to death were types of Christ who was the antitype or fulfillment of the Old Testament Passover lambs.  The Apostle Paul told the Corinthian believers that “even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” (see I Corinthians 5:7).  The Apostle Peter wrote that we were not redeemed with corruptible things but with “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (see I Peter 1:18).  All of the Old Testament sacrifices were fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross, shedding His blood for us.
D. Establishing a memorial (Exodus 12:14).  In our final verse God says “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.”  The Lord said that “this day shall be unto you for a memorial” meaning that the Passover, the fourteenth day of Abib, was to be an annual reminder of their deliverance from bondage in Egypt.  The nation of Israel was to celebrate this occasion as a “feast” or festival forever “by an ordinance” or commandment from the Lord.  Bible-believing Christians today don’t observe the Passover Feast because it was designed for Israel only.  We believe that Jesus Christ is our Passover for He has been sacrificed for us (see I Corinthians 5:7).
                        
IV. Conclusion.  For believers in Christ, Israel’s slavery in Egypt pictures our bondage to sin from which we have been delivered.  The Exodus of God’s people from slavery and bondage in Egypt is still one of the most important events in Jewish history.  What was an act of mercy for them, a display of God’s grace, was at the same time, without doubt, an act of divine judgment upon Pharaoh.  This all was a fulfillment of God’s prophecy to Abram in Genesis 15:13-14, 16.  We can be sure that our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who identifies Himself as the Lord, or Jehovah the covenant keeping God, always keeps His promises.

Preparation for Deliverance

                   


                                                   Sunday School Lesson                                           

Lesson: Exodus 3:7-17
Golden Text: “Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:16-17).

INTRODUCTION.  For forty years Moses lived in the desert of Midian.  During that time, he married Zipporah who bore him a son, Gershom (see Exodus 2:16-22).  In 1445 B.C. the sovereign Lord manifested His presence to Moses.  God was summoning this now humble and aged shepherd to liberate His people from bondage in Egypt.  The task that lay before Moses was daunting, but God would give His servant the ability and resources to succeed in his mission.  All Moses needed to do was to trust and obey God every step of the way.
II. BACKGROUND FOR THE LESSON.  In spite of his early upbringing in Pharaoh’s court (see Exodus 2:10: Hebrews 11:24), at the time of our lesson Moses found himself in exile from Egypt.  He had tried, rather ineptly, to help his people by killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew.  The incident was made known to Pharaoh, who sought to have Moses killed, so he fled (see Exodus 2:11-15).  Moses arrived in the land of Midian and married a priest’s daughter, raised a family, and committed himself to the life of a shepherd (see Exodus 2:16-22).  On this occasion Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, on “the backside (west side) of the desert” and there he “came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb” (see Exodus 3:1).  Horeb is another name for Sinai and was called the “mountain of God” in anticipation of its later importance as the place where God gave the law.While Moses was occupied with the mundane concerns of shepherding, “the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush” (see Exodus 3:2).When Moses recognized the Lord’s presence, God told him not to come near and to remove his sandals, because he was standing on holy ground (see Exodus 3:5). This ground was holy because God was there.  Before and after this time, it was only a normal spot in a barren part of the Sinai desert.  At this point the Lord revealed His identity to Moses saying that He was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Moses hid his face (see Exodus 3:6).  This is where our lesson begins.
III. GOD’S ASSIGNMENT FOR MOSES (Exodus 3:7-12)            
A. God’s observation and plan (Exodus 3:7-8). 
1. (vs. 7).  This verse says “And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.”  The children of Israel had been under severe bondage for a long time and God reassured Moses that He had “seen the affliction of my people” and “heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters.”  While in bondage in Egypt the Israelites received harsh treatment from the “taskmasters” and God said “I know their sorrows.”  Pharaoh had set taskmasters over the Hebrews because of he feared them (see Exodus 1:9-10) as they continued to multiply.  They were seen as a great threat to Egypt and were made “to serve with rigor” (see Exodus 1:13).  This is what made the people cry out for help.  These humanlike expressions “I have surely seen” and “heard their cry” indicate that God had taken a keen interest in what was happening to His people.  He knew the full extent of their “affliction” or sufferings at the hands of the Egyptians.
2. (vs. 8).  In this verse God tells Moses what He plans to do about the situation. He said “And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.”   First, God said that He had “come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians.”  The phrase “come down” meant that God took a personal role in human affairs (see Genesis 11:5, 7; 18:21).  In this case, God’s role would result in Israel’s freedom.  Second, the Lord had determined to “bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large.”  The land was good because it was “flowing with milk and honey.”  This indicates that the land was a herdsman paradise.  There his animals would thrive and produce milk abundantly, and there the herdsman would find bees’ honey in the hollows of trees and the crevices of rocks.  It was a place of plenty.  To support His description of the land as “large,” God named the peoples who inhabited it.  This list is not a complete list of Canaanite peoples (see Genesis 15:18-21; Deuteronomy 7:1), but it includes the most prominent groups.  The term “Canaanites” sometimes was used collectively for all the groups of people, but here it probably refers to those people in the northern part of the land.  “Hittites” seemed to have been immigrants to Canaan from the Hittite Empire of Asia Minor.  The “Amorites” were people who inhabited the Judean hills and the territory east of the Jordan River.  The term “Perizzites” most likely means villagers and refers to those who lived in walled villages.  The “Hivites” lived, among other places, in central Canaan at Shechem and Gibeon.  The “Jebusites” were the original inhabitants of the area of Jerusalem.  All these groups of people lived in the “large” land to which the Lord would take Israel.
B. God’s plan revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:9-10).
1. (vs. 9).  Here the Lord continued to say “Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.”  God directly told Moses that the “cry of the children of Israel” had risen to Him, and that He had personally observed the “oppression” they were experiencing.  It’s noteworthy that Scripture does not say that the people cried unto God (although many probably did) or that the Lord even came to their minds (see Exodus 2:23-24).  However, because of His covenant with their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God paid attention to their plight.
2. (vs. 10).  In this verse God went on to say “Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.”  This was the climax of God’s conversation with Moses whose assignment was to lead the Exodus, one of the greatest of all events recorded in the Bible.  While God would do all the deeds necessary to rescue His people, He would do them through Moses.  Moses would represent Him before Pharaoh.  The Lord had waited a long time before finally coming to the aid of Israel, but His timing was just right as always.  
C.  God’s reassurance and promise (Exodus 3:11-12). 
1. (vs. 11).  Now Moses speaks and “said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”  The phrase “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh” expressed how inadequate Moses felt for this job.  He had become genuinely humble during his years as a mere shepherd in Midian.  If the the Lord had called Moses to “bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt” forty years earlier while he was in Egypt, he no doubt would have accepted it eagerly, but with unwarranted self-confidence (see Acts 7:22-29).  Now he had the opposite problem.  He was a simple shepherd and he doubted his fitness for the job.  The credentials he once had as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter no longer meant anything.  He was a shepherd, not a statesman and probably felt that there had to be someone else who could fulfill this role better than he could.
2. (vs. 12).  In this verse, we find that God had an answer ready for Moses.  He said “Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.”  The Lord assured Moses that He would be with him every step of the way.  Note:  Notice that God didn’t try to make Moses feel better about himself, for Moses was indeed inadequate for the task.  Instead, God promised that His own presence and power would compensate for Moses’ weakness.God wanted to teach Moses the truth that the Apostle Paul later learned through his “thorn”---that God’s strength was made perfect in his weakness (see II Corinthians 12:9-10).  We must not focus on our limitations or inabilities, but we must focus on God’s power, presence and His provision.  God is not looking for eloquent speakers.  He’s looking for those who will trust Him and depend on Him to fulfill His promises.  Remember, true success is finding, following, and finishing God’s plan for our lives.  After assuring Moses that He would be with him, God added that He would give Moses a “token” or sign that He was sending him on this assignment.  The sign to confirm that God was sending him to bring “forth the people out of Egypt” would be that after leading the Israelites out of Egypt, he would “serve God upon this mountain.”  Of course the mountain God referred to was Sinai where God and Moses were now conversing.  One might wonder how this could be a sign since it wouldn’t happen until after the deliverance had taken place.  The answer is simple.  The sign in this case wasn’t designed to strengthen faith: it required faith.  When Moses’ faith was victorious, God would fulfill His word and bring him and Israel back to this spot.  Note:  The fact that the delivered Hebrews would “serve God upon this mountain” indicates that Moses’ responsibility included more than leading his people out of bondage.  It also included leading them in worship of the true God.  It was this realization that led Moses to tell Pharaoh that Israel had to go out and hold a feast to the Lord in the wilderness (see Exodus 5:1).  Our God deserves full-time worship, especially when He has been true to His word.
IV. GOD’S REVELATION FOR ISRAEL (Exodus 3:13-17)
A. God identifies Himself (Exodus 3:13-14). 
1. (vs. 13).  Again Moses speaks and says to God “Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?”  Despite the reassurance of the Lord, Moses continued to remain reluctant.  It had been forty years since he was in Egypt so now Moses imagined going to the Israelites and telling them that “The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you.”  Moses also anticipated them asking him “What is his name?” or what is the identity of this God?  In other words, Moses was afraid that the people would want to know what characteristics of their father’s God could have meaning to them in their present need.  The name of a deity or god revealed its nature and character, and a certain name often accompanied a certain revelation (see Genesis 14:19-20; 17:1; 21:33; 22:14).   So, what was His name and what did His revelation mean to His people were the questions that Moses thought he may have to answer.  Therefore, Moses asked God, “What shall I say unto them?”
2. (vs. 14).  God’s response to Moses was direct and profound.  This verse says “And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.”  God identified Himself as “I Am That I Am,” therefore Moses was to tell the children of Israel that “I Am hath sent me unto you.”  This name is from a single Hebrew word “hawah” which means “to be.”  Thus, “I Am That I Am,” can also be rendered “I am who I am” or “I will be what I will be.”  The name “I Am” reveals to us that the One we worship is the living God.  He exists eternally, without beginning or end.  He is both the source and the sustainer of life.  The name “I Am” also refers to the covenant-keeping heart of God in His relationships with both Israel and with us.  Only the Creator could have a name like this.  Note:  Of all the names for God in Scripture, this one uniquely sets Him apart from every false god.  It underscores the fact that He is entirely faithful and dependable.  The Hebrew word translated “I Am” is related to God’s name, Yahweh, which is rendered “Lord” (in large and small capital letters in the Bible) as in verse 15.  Yahweh, which means He is, He will be, or He causes to be, comes from the verb hawah, which means to be.  Although the divine name was probably pronounced “Yahweh,” it was regarded by Jews as being too sacred to pronounce.  That’s why Jewish scribes added the vowel signs of the name Adonai to the consonants of YHWH (known as the tetragrammaton) to alert the reader to say Adonai (which also means Lord) wherever they saw the name Yahweh.  Jehovah is the spelling that resulted from this practice.          
B. God’s message for the Israelites (Exodus 3:15-16). 
1. (vs. 15).  The Lord continued to say “moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”  Moses was to be able to explain to the Israelites in detail who had sent him.  He was to tell them that “the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you.”  In other words, the covenant-keeping, all eternal Yahweh, or Jehovah, the God of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was the One who sent him.  The Lord also said that “this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”   Simply stated, Jehovah would be the name of God forever and the name that He wanted to be remembered by forever.  By this name, God’s people would perpetually remember, worship, and serve Him.
2. (vs. 16).  In this verse God instructed Moses to “Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt.”  First, Moses was to get all “the elders of Israel together” to let them know what was going to happen.  The “elders” were representatives of Israel and probably included heads of homes, heads of family groups, tribal leaders, and religious leaders.  These leaders needed to be convinced first of what was going to take place so they would be able to lead the people in support of Moses.  This was going to be a tremendous undertaking and Moses would need everyone’s cooperation.  Second, Moses was to tell the elders that God said “I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt.”  God wanted the leaders to know that He was with them and had seen the treatment His people were getting.
C. God’s promise of deliverance (Exodus 3:17).  In our final verse, God continued with what Moses was to say to the elders.  The Lord said “And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.”  To emphasize what He was going to do, God repeated what He said in verse 8.  First, He assured them that He was going to bring them out of the affliction they were suffering in Egypt.  This deliverance was significant because these people were going to be removed from the worst possible conditions of slavery (see Exodus 1:8-11; 5:6-13).  Second, the Lord said that He was going to take the Israelites to “the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.”  These were some of the Gentile nations that occupied Canaan and were going to be replaced by the Israelites.  In Deuteronomy 7:1, Moses added the Girgashites to this list and also said that every one of these groups were mightier than Israel.  This reveals how miraculous taking the land of Canaan would be.  Finally, God gave a description of the land they were going to have as their own.  He said that it was “a land flowing with milk and honey.”   Again, this is a repetition of the description God had previously given to Moses in verse 8.  The fact that this land was “flowing with milk and honey” indicates that it was one of the best pieces of land on earth (see commentary on verse 8).    
                    
V. Conclusion.  Moses made several attempts to excuse himself from what God wanted him to do (see Exodus 3:13; 4:1, 10, 13). However, graciously God answered each of Moses’ excuses and Moses finally said he would go.I’m sure he was still afraid, but as he followed the Lord’s instructions, the Israelites were delivered from Pharaoh’s stronghold.  We too can take courage as God leads us to do great things for Him.We can trust Him.  He is as good as His word.  Don’t think that God expects more of you than you can be or do.  Remember, God’s assignments for us are always accompanied by His enabling.