The Basket that Changed History
(Exodus 1:1-2:10)
(note: I used Chapter 3 of DVD "The Exodus Revelaed" (about 4 mintues) as an introduction to the sermon. Then I found internet images of Tutmose I (Thutmosis I) and Hatshepsut; words in CAPS are for power point).
INTRODUCTION
1. Fractured Bible History
Let me begin today by sharing "Bible history according to kids."
IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.
ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE. NOAH’S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AND ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS.
SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.
MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE RED SEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD WHICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS.
THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTERWARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNT CYANIDE TO GET THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENTS WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.
MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA . THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.
THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.
DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN BIBLICAL TIMES.
SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.
WHEN MARY HEARD SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS, SHE SANG THE MAGNA CARTA.
WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED THEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.
ST. JOHN THE BLACKSMITH DUMPED WATER ON HIS HEAD.
THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOWED THE LORD WERE CALLED THE 12 DECIBELS.
THE EPISTELS WERE THE WIVES OF THE APOSTLES.
ONE OF THE OPPOSSUMS WAS ST. MATTHEW WHO WAS ALSO A TAXIMAN.
CHRISTIANS HAVE ONLY ONE SPOUSE. THIS IS CALLED MONOTONY.
2. Real Bible History
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. And God’s Word is accurate, even in the realm of history. Since such is the case, it is often possible to expand our understanding of Scripture by taking into account possible historical correlations.
And the truth we find often helps us to understand the daily struggles of life.
Main Idea: It seems God allow history to run its course. But His unusual interventions demonstrate that He was never absent in the first place.
I. Israel’s WOE and God’s WORKING (Exodus 1:1-2:10)
A. The Israelites ENSLAVED (1:1-14)
application --- Satan’s tactic is also to keep us busy and tired so that we do not have time to build up God’s Kingdom and thus fight against him and his kingdom....
How would it have felt to grow up in slavery, to give birth to children who were slaves, and then to die in slavery? Wouldn’t you wonder, "Where is God in all this? If we are God’s people, why isn’t he doing something?" But God thinks in the long term --decades, centuries, and even millennia. If we are in that "in between" period, we cannot understand God’s purpose. It is like viewing an oil painting close up, a bunch of disconnected swirls. But if we stand back, it might be beautiful. Our fear is that it might be ’modern art’ and still be ugly. But God promises us a beautiful painting -- when all things finally work together! And that working together may be centuries away.
B. INFANTICIDE (1:15-22)
Exodus 6:20 names Moses parents….
C. A SYMPATHETIC Princess and Moses (2:1-10)
Where did she get the idea of the basket.
Many scholars have been impressed by a similar story about another Semite, Sargon of Akkad from the second half of the third millennium B.C. He, too, was placed in a basket of rushes coated with pitch and cast on a river only to be found by Akki the gardener who rescued him and raised him as his son
It seems God allow history to run its course. But His unusual interventions demonstrate that He was never absent in the first place.
II. The PEOPLE Involved
A. WHO was the Pharaoh who enslaved Israel ?
1. Possibly the King of the new 13th dynasty (family) who came to power about the time Joseph died.
2. It is probably much later, after the name of Joseph had been forgotten and his great achievements perhaps attributed to Imhotep. This is supported by Stephen’s sermon in Acts 17:18, "Then another king, who knew nothing of Joseph, became ruler of Egypt."
3. The population of Israel had to be large and the element of fear of allying with Egypt’s enemies was the primary motivation.
4. These enemies could have been either the Hyksos, Canaanite & Phoenician people who eventually controlled the northern 2/3 of Egypt,
5. OR -- if later, the Hyksos Pharaohs were afraid that the Israelite might align themselves with the southern part of the Kingdom, controlled by Egyptians.
6. Or it could be after the Egyptians gained control of all Egypt, and they were afraid that the Hyksos would regain power (best guess); the Pharaoh would be Ahmose I.
B. Who was the EVIL king who ordered infanticide?
C. Who was the PRINCESS?
Perhaps a young woman named Nefure, whose name was later changed to Hatshepsut when she became the second and perhaps last female Pharaoh in Egyptian history
We’ll discuss her more next week
D. WHY did she deliver Moses?
Hebrews 11:23, "By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict."
Acts 7:20-21, "At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child. For three months he was cared for in his father’s house. When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son."
A legend that Amram (Moses’ dad) had a prophetic dream (like Joseph in the NT)
"James Baikie observes (53) that one little fragment of great importance has been preserved, an admission to the effect that she had a particular liking for foreigners"
Arthur Custance
It seems God allow history to run its course. But His unusual interventions demonstrate that He was never absent in the first place.
III. Practical Considerations
A. Is it right to LIE to save a life?
• The midwives lied to Pharaoh and made up a story about how Hebrew women gave birth
• Human life issues are big issues today. We have issues like abortion, persecution of believers or other persecuted groups….we have end of life issues…complex
• All sorts of ethical dilemmas….
• WWII--- Corrie Ten Boom & family…lied to save lives of Jews…right or wrong?
• David feigned madness…
B. The Influence of MATERNAL Instinct
• Maternal instinct made Moses mother hide her boy at the risk of her life
• Maternal instinct made the princess tell her servants to retrieve the baby from the water…
• Maternal instinct needs to be celebrated in a day when mothers abort, abuse, and neglect their children, expecting the schools and society to rear them…
C. Are FOREIGNERS as human as we?
• If Hatshepsut was in fact Moses step-mother, it seems that she tried to make up for the evil infanticide that her father, Thutmose I instituted…she loved foreigners
• But some Christians so value the land of their birth that they forget there is a world of lost people out there who need the Gospel of Jesus Christ…which is why it is crucial for churches to support long-term career missionaries…
D. God Gets the JOB DONE in unusual ways
1. Moses, a baby floating in a basket in a crocodile infested river
2. Baby Jesus, hunted down by Herod, escapes into Egypt
Matthew 2:14-15, "When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son."
3. Both grow up and show their strength
4. The Law came through Moses, Grace and Truth through Jesus Christ
5. Jesus redeemed mankind in a most unlikely way…
It seems God allow history to run its course. But His unusual interventions demonstrate that He was never absent in the first place.
Conclusion
1. What about you? Has God delivered you through the death of Jesus Christ?
2. Jesus died for you, suffered for you, rose for you so that God could forgive you.
3. Have you invited Him into your life to forgive your sins and be your Savior?
4. If not, would you like to do that right now?
