Lesson 4 – Out of Africa January 24, 2010

Not This... 2

But This... 3

 We’ll cover readings for January  Genesis 37-Exodus 8  Joseph & His Brothers  Joseph in Egypt  Israel Comes to Egypt  Israelites Oppressed in Egypt  Moses Called to Deliver Israel  The Ten Plagues  The Passover  The Exodus This Week 4

 Since Joseph is not in the Messianic line, why is so much attention given to his life?  Born to a rough and rowdy family  Loved by his father; Hated by his brothers  Sold into Egypt as a slave  Mistreated by his master and mistress  Forgotten in prison  Remained faithful in the face of trial  Interpreted Pharaoh's dreams  Raised to exalted status  Saved Egypt, and thereby Israel Joseph 5

 Genesis 45:4-8  4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. ” A Savior for Israel 6

 In what ways does Joseph’s life foreshadow the life of Christ?  Suffered, yet was raised to exalted status  He saved those who came to him  His exalted place put him in a position to save  How else? Deeper into Joseph 7

 Why else is the story of Joseph important to us?  A lesson in perseverance  A demonstration that God is in control  God preserves a remnant  God’s plan for His people is not limited to action through the lineage of Jesus Deeper into Joseph 8

 Is there a reason God would want His people in Egypt instead of Canaan? Explain.  Jacob and his family were aliens in Canaan  Joseph gave them a settlement in Egypt and took care of them there  They would later return to the Canaan to take possession of it, just as God had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Why Egypt? 9

 Genesis 15:13-16 (Page 30)  13 Then the LORD said to him, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” God’s Promise to Abraham 10

 What kind of background did Moses possess, and why was it important in shaping him as a leader of God’s people?  An Israelite background  An Egyptian background  Did Moses feel that he was qualified for the job?  Why not?  God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. Moses’ Qualifications 11

1. Water to Blood 2. Frogs 3. Gnats 4. Flies 5. Death of Livestock 6. Boils 7. Hail (some time must have passed) 8. Locusts (again, some time must have passed) 9. Darkness 10. Death of Firstborn  Anything interesting in this progression? The Ten Plagues 12

 Why would God intentionally harden Pharaoh’s heart?  Exodus 7:3-5 (page 105)  3“ But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt, 4 he will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and with mighty acts of judgment I will bring out my divisions, my people the Israelites. 5 And the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.” Deeper into the Plagues 13

 Exodus 10:1-2 (page 108)  1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of mine among them 2 that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the LORD.”  The plagues were as much for the Nation of Israel as they were for the Egyptians Purpose of the Plagues 14

 What lesson was the Passover designed to teach Israel?  Obedience to God’s plan brings salvation  Salvation is inexorably linked to blood  Blood comes from death; Life comes from blood  A preparatory lesson for the One who is to bring true salvation  What about us?  “When I see the blood...” (Exodus 12:13 - Page 111) The Passover 15

Route of the Exodus 16

 What insights have you gained from this week’s study?  What did you find in these passages that you have never seen before?  How did the Lord speak to your heart through the Word this week?  How will your walk with Him be different as a result? Your Turn... 17

 Readings for January 26-January 30  The Law of Moses Next Week 18