I. God’s preparation for deliverance
Exodus 2:1-10 speaks of the birth of Moses and how God protected him from the evil powers at work in the land of Egypt at that time. Now, Thermuthis the daughter of Pharaoh was moved with compassion upon hearing the babe cry, knowing him to be a Hebrew she brought him out of the water, gave him a name and called him her son.
1. God raises up a man, Moses
2. God educates a man, Moses
Between verse 10 and 11 there has been some time that has elapsed: Dr. Albert Barnes writes, “His training and education was, humanly speaking, all but indispensable to the efficient accomplishment of his work as the predestined leader and instructor of his countrymen.”
A. Moses was educated along with other royalty
B. Moses was accustomed to the rituals, and worship of the Egyptians
Josephus in the writings of the antiquities of the Jews makes this statement concerning Moses, “The king was not hasty to slay him, God himself, whose providence PROTECTED Moses, inclining the King to spare him. He was, therefore, educated with great care. So the Hebrews depended on him, and were of good hopes that great things would be done by him, but the Egyptians were suspicious of what would follow such his education.
C. Everyone knew Moses was a Hebrew
Only through the providence of God was Moses allowed to remain alive and therefore was used to serve the Purpose of Jehovah.
3. God separates a man, Moses (11)
Not only did the people know who Moses was, he knew who he was; and most likely the relationship that he had fostered with his biological mother had been a heavy weight as well as the daily events he saw his fellow Hebrew endure.
Hebrews 11:25
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Something had taken place in the heart of Moses, for almost 40 years he had enjoyed, what some would call the good life, while his fellow Hebrew people suffered. It is worth noting that during this duration of time, “God was preparing Moses” for what would be the greatest event in Hebrew history at that time.
A. Moses identifies himself with Israel
a. By his compassion for them
b. By his attempt of protection for those being persecuted (11-12) the killing of the Egyptian.
B. Moses separates himself from the Egyptians
To separate from sin and identify with the people of God is a picture of repentance; Moses, at this point has been convicted and now repenting of not identifying with the Hebrew earlier.
a. Moses flees for his life
b. Moses also rejected by his brethren
Sadly, Moses desired to identify with his brethren but they would not identify with him.
4. God calls a man, Moses (3:1-14)
One of the very foundational truths of scripture is that God never calls a man without equipping him for the task at hand. Moses tried to make many excuses as to why he couldn’t but the fact remains, if God says we can, we can!!!
A. Moses drawn to the burning bush
The preincarnate Christ appears in the bush, which catches Moses attention. Now, “the bush burned and was not consumed” gives rise to the truth that Moses set back for a moment and watched this great sight then he stated, “I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.”
B. Moses spoken to from the bush
It is during this time that Jehovah reveals His master plan for the life of Moses and the people of Israel.
(1 I know their sufferings, verse 7
When the preincarnate Christ speaks of the sufferings of man, He knows perfectly well what it means to be grieved, for he became just like us for the purpose of death.
(2 I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians
(3 To bring them into the promised land
(4 I will send thee unto Pharaoh
(5 I will be with thee
5. God commissions a man, Moses (15-22)
(1 Jehovah God has sent me unto you
(2 Jehovah God will lead you out of bondage unto the Promised Land
(3 I will be the instrument that God will use to bring you out
II. The announcement of God’s deliverance 4:29-31
Exodus 4:29-31
29 And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel: 30 And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people. 31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.
IN word
Aaron, the mouthpiece for Moses spoke all the things that God had revealed to Moses.
In power
Moses showed the great power of God through the use of the Rod becoming a serpent, and the hand becoming leprosy and then healed.
Now Israel as a nation was moved and worshiped God for the plan of their redemption, but Pharaoh was not convinced.
Chapter 5 holds that Pharaoh cared not for the Lord God and thought the people to be idle in their work, therefore he commanded the taskmasters to not bring straw but let the people find their own straw.
1. A servant in prayer
Exodus 5:22-23
22 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.
III. Why the delay
Moses, Aaron and the people of Israel thought that they were going to just walk out of Egypt on their own. Jehovah’s plan was not that Moses would be exalted but that He would be exalted, therefore God had to deal with some internal issues among the people of Israel.
1. A test of Moses faith
Hebrews 11:26-27
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
A.W. Pink puts it this way, “Faith not only elevates the heart above the delights of sense, but it also delivers it from the fear of man. Faith and fear are opposites, and yet, strange to say, they are often found dwelling within the same breast; but where one is dominant the other is dormant.”
Moses had to come to terms with which he feared most, Jehovah God or Pharaoh King of Egypt.
2. A test of Moses Obedience
Overcoming ones inner fears is one thing but overcoming the rebellious nature that often overrides the hearts of man is quite another; Moses faith in God’s protection and guidance had to be shown by the very act of obedience.
James 2:17-18
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Quote:
A faith that hasn’t been tested can’t be trusted.
ADRIAN ROGERS
3. A test of reliance
Once the man of God had proven his faith and loyalty, the people then must be convinced to follow and to do this Moses had to have total reliance on God without any human intervention.
Everything in the spiritual realm is summed up in these three words:
Faith
Obedience
Reliance
The children of Israel, Moses and Aaron had to learn to have faith in, be obedient to and have total reliance on Jehovah God and then He would show his mighty power through out the land.
The Exodus of the Jews from Egypt was not a man thing but a God thing, such is the case in the doctrine of soteriology; salvation is of the Lord, for the Lord and we are only the benefactors of his benevolence.
1. Are you living by faith
2. Are you obedient to his calling
3. Are you totaly reliant on God as the only source of power
