Exodus, Part 3
Exodus 2:1-25
Introduction
- Exodus is an incredible study of God's faithfulness to man
-- It is also a great encouragement to see man's ability to be faithful to God
There are two stories in today's passage for us to explore
" The first is about a mother
" The second is about a son
- Read Exodus 2:1-10 / Pray
Point 1 - God's faithfulness to His own plan
- It is my hope that our faith might be strengthened this morning
-- When we get to see a visual example of God working … wow
- First, we see 5 steps of God's faithfulness
1. She was a Hebrew; slave of lowest rank of people (v1)
- She was a generational slave; which means her husband was as well
- She had no knowledge of any other life; for her, this was it
- She also had no way to better herself
2. She was a courageous righteous woman (v2)
- This would've been her third child (Miriam and Aaron siblings)
- Aaron wasn't affected by the king's order, but this baby would be
- When he was born, she noted that he was a "fine child"
- We also learn that she hid him for three months (imagine…)
- APP: when she saw him, she knew that he was to be special
- Her heart knew she must save him … she must find a way
- IMP: Her courage to protect him meant more than her own life (re: decree)
3. She had great wisdom (planned ahead and trusted God) (v3-4)
- Consider: Hiding a newborn would be difficult
- A neighbor might snitch (hoping for favor from Egyptian guards)
- She had to put God in the driver's seat and completely trust Him
- So, she designed a water tight basket, and set him off in the Nile
- She knew if he would be found down-river, he might be saved
- Miriam stood far off to watch … waiting to see
- APP: She put all her trust in God and surrendered her son to Him
4. She witnessed God's sovereign hand (v5-8)
- She got to see first-hand how God works and rescues
- Moses is found by Pharaoh's daughter, who felt sorry for him
- IMP: This is not accidental!
- Basket floating on the Nile? Crocodiles? Over-turned by water? Etc.
- Now … don't miss this … Miriam approaches her and asks (re-read v6)
- Who do you think she went to get? MOSES'S MOTHER!
- God looked after this baby, and then provided a way for his mother to nurse
- Believe Moses's mother had experienced first-hand a verse we know well …
- Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
- APP: God is sovereign; He can do anything; His power is amazing
5. She had her faith rewarded (v9-10)
- This faithful woman now had one job: nurse this child
- She was even paid to look after him; to raise her child for Pharaoh
- I feel it would've been during this time that he learned about God's trust
- His mother would've taught him about his God and faithfulness
- When Moses was older, Pharaoh's daughter would adapt him as her own
-- He was named "Moses" - original spelling is Moseh (def. "drew out of water")
- APP: Love this: Very thing Pharaoh was trying to prevent (rise up leader), was raised in his house, by his daughter, under a slave's watchful eye (nursemaid).
- Consider: Magnitude of this statement … and the fact that we know about it!
- TRANS: So, this is how Moses came to be … but now what does God do?
- Read Exodus 2:11-25
Point 2 - God raises up a mighty leader
- We see that Moses has 5 events in his life that drastically changes him
1. Moses visits his own people (v11)
- Not much is known about Moses's life while living in the palace
- We know his mother was in his life, and perhaps remained there all along
- And we know that he lived under Pharaoh's roof for 40 years
-- Acts 7:23, "When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites."
- This is the first recording that God (and him) want us to know about his life
- He would've known about people, and their plight, but was never stirred
- IMP: Believe God is moving him here - Moses is showing compassion for them
- CHALL: Compassion can give us powerful insight into one another
- We can develop empathy for each other … something needed more today
- He then shows us a second event that happens in his life …
2. He murders an Egyptian (v11-12)
- Bible tells us that while studying his people, a carnal reaction happened
" Acting on impulse, he first checks the scene (no is watching)
" And out of anger, he murders the Egyptian between the Hebrew man
" Then, he buries him in the sand to hide his crime
- STUDY: A carnal reaction can have all kinds of ramifications for us
-- Lying, cheating, adultery, murder, laziness, drunkenness, stealing, etc.
- APP: He knew what he was doing, and what he had done afterwards
- Then, a third event in his visit to his people occurs …
3. He attempts to settle a dispute between two Hebrew brothers (v13-15)
- Coming across two brothers, he tries to settle the dispute but realizes:
1. He is found out (his crime is known) (v13)
2. He is now struck with fear (v14); what is Pharaoh found out (v14)
3. His sin had brought him to separation from all that he knew (v15)
- It would appear that there was some sort of break between Pharaoh/Moses
-- Family members were pardoned for crimes, perhaps this would not happen?
-- Maybe Pharaoh always rejected Moses' lineage? Didn't fully accept him?
- APP: Moses is now reaping the results of his sin … and so he flees
4. He settles in Midian (v15-22)
- This is the fourth event we discover, he runs from all that he knows
- But during this time, five critical things happen in his life:
" He chooses to live in this impoverished place (v15)
" His character grows by standing up for injustice (v15-20)
" He commits himself to work for others (v21)
" He commits himself to be faithful in marriage (v21)
" He declares his faith to the promised land (v22) - naming of his son
o Gershom = stranger, alien, sojourner … reminder of what's to come
- Why are these important? God is changing the man from what he once was
- APP: He is no longer is he a son with privilege; but a favored son of God
- This is evidenced by this final experience that we see before us …
5. Moses' realizes his people's suffering (v23-25)
- Note: Time between v22 and v23 is a period of about 40 years
- IMP: When the king (who wanted Moses arrested) died, he could return
- What Moses found was the Israelites still suffering under Pharaoh
- Forced labor, worked ruthlessly, viciously mistreated (pause) for 40 years
- But also, in this time, they also began to lose faith; accepting Egyptian "gods"
- Their affiliation with the Egyptians caused them even more suffering
- FREE: Ezekiel 20:7-8, "And I said to them, "Each of you, get rid of the vile images you have set your eyes on, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God." But they rebelled against me and would not listen to me; they did not get rid of the vile images they had set their eyes on, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. So, I said I would pour out my wrath on them and spend my anger against them in Egypt."
- Why is this an IMP APP? God will allow you to have it "your way" …
- In desperation, Israelites cried out to God - asked for a deliverer who'd rescue
- God's response (v24-25):
" He heard them
" He remembered His covenant
" He looked upon His people, and,
" He was concerned for them
- TRANS: God knew these people were ready to be redeemed
- He knew that they'd come to a place where they were ready to be rescued
Big Idea: God hears the cry of His people when we are obedient to Him.
- Want us to see this … note the difference in our two stories:
-- First, we see a faithful woman who honors God; is rewarded
-- Then, we see a carnal man who has decided to take control, and has issues
- Curious that these are mother and son … yet so very different
- But, overarching, is that God was ready to hear when they turned to Him
-- Regardless of the circumstances, when God stirred & they obeyed, He was there
- CHALL: How long are you going to keep going at your own ways?
-- When will we surrender to the God who already knows how it all ends?
-- Who already has His plan for your life ready to execute?
- What Jesus offers IS your way. Will you turn to Him?
- Pray
** Special thanks to "The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible" for notes **
