ExodusExodus Fickle People – Steadfast God Lesson 7 – Exodus from Egypt

Last week: Memorials and Ritual Passover meal – to remember what God did The role of ritual – A human need to be reminded Shared adversity and the “bonds that tie” Order, discipline – Dangers: ritualistic observance without meaning The Lord’s Supper – “Remember me” – Reminding us of God’s plan: always to save, provide, reconcile

Migdol Marah Elim miles 200 miles

Migdol Dophkah God baits Pharaoh (Ex 14:1-9) God baits Pharaoh (Ex 14:1-9) Crossing of ‘sea’ (14:13-31) Few to several days after leaving Goshen(?) Few to several days after leaving Goshen(?) Crossing of ‘sea’ (14:13-31) Few to several days after leaving Goshen(?) Few to several days after leaving Goshen(?) 3-day journey (15:22) Sweetened waters (15:23-25) Springs and dates (16:27) Marah Elim 1-month after leaving Egypt(?) Ex 16:1 Ex 16:1 Grumbling Grumbling Quail and Manna Quail and Manna Sabbath observed Sabbath observed 1-month after leaving Egypt(?) Ex 16:1 Ex 16:1 Grumbling Grumbling Quail and Manna Quail and Manna Sabbath observed Sabbath observed Water from a rock (17:1-7) War with Amalek (17:8-16) Advice from Jethro (Chpt 18) Arrive Mt Sinai (19:1) 2 months after leaving Egypt(?) 2 months after leaving Egypt(?) Arrive Mt Sinai (19:1) 2 months after leaving Egypt(?) 2 months after leaving Egypt(?)

Salvation—Unearned and Undeserved Exodus 13:17-18:27 o God continues to demonstrate His power and steadfastness o Man continues to demonstrate his stubbornness and lack of faith

What Does it take? Doubts and Demonstrations Signs of power, nine preparatory plagues, final definitive plague – Burning bush, staff, leprous hand (3:1-4:17), Signs to elders (4:30), Signs to Pharaoh (7:8-13) – Water/blood…darkness (7:14-10:29), Death of firstborn, Passover of those who believed and acted on that belief (11:1-12:32) – God’s presence leads people by day/night (13:21-22) God’s power repeatedly displayed

What Does it take? Doubts and Demonstrations (2) “Caught” in the desert with Pharaoh in pursuit – Response of Israelites? 14:11-12 God’s presence intervenes, sea divided, passage on dry land, destruction of Pharaoh’s army – Response of Israelites? 14: days later…short of water… – Response of Israelites? 15:24

What Does it take? Doubts and Demonstrations (3) Two weeks later…hungry… – Response of Israelites? 16:1-3 Food and instructions provided… – Response of Israelites? 16:19-20, A week of miraculous food…some travel time to Rephidim…thirsty again – Response of Israelites? 17:1-3

Hours Months Few days 2-3 weeks Days What Does it take? Doubts and Demonstrations (4) Man doubts, is fearful – God provides signs to prove power, instill confidence – 4:1-8 staff, leprosy, cure – 7:14-12:29 water to blood…death of firstborn – 13:21-22 visible Presence (pillar of cloud/fire) – 14:19-20 moved His Presence to interpose – 14:21-28 parted waters, gave passage, destroyed enemy – 15:25 sweetened waters – 16:10 visible Presence (His Glory in a cloud) – 16:13 provided meat (quail) – 16:14-15 provided bread (manna) (16:35 continued providing sustenance for 40 years!) – 17:6 provided water (from a rock!) – 17:8-16 defeated enemy

At war…right out of the gates! Israel and Amalek (Ex 17:8-16) – Why not war with Philistines? (Ex 13:17-18) Amalekites – Inhabitants of Negev, southern Sinai – Descended from Esau (Gen 36:12,16) – Mentioned in conjunction with Lot’s experience in Sodom Gen 14:7 – 1 Samuel 15:1-9 Saul ordered to destroy Amalekites for their actions against Israelites (1 Sa 15:2), noted Ex 17:8-16, described in detail Dt 25:17-19 Historical enemy of Israel; memory of such carried through to modern references

Wisdom The story of Jethro and Moses (Ex 18) – Moses had sent wife and children ‘home’ – Jethro hears of Moses/Israel’s experiences – Travels to meet with Moses Moses now relatively close to Midian – Must have been a fond, meaningful memory for Moses, note 18:7-9 – Note significance of sharing a meal, how Jethro is referenced, 18:12 – Wisdom of being open to ‘wise counsel’ – Value of shared responsibility, involvement of others Insight for us?

Insights?

Exodus: Fickle People—Steadfast God July 12 – Overview July 19—Joseph to Moses: Consequences of a Steadfast Faith July 26—Moses: Prepared for the Task Aug 2—The Plagues, 1-9 Aug 9—The Tenth Plague (Part 1) Aug 16—The Tenth Plague (Part 2) – Passover, Feasts, Memorials Aug 23—Exodus from Egypt Aug 30—Songs and Prayers Sep 6—Mount Sinai Sep 13—Priesthood and Tabernacle (Part 1) Sep 20—Priesthood and Tabernacle (Part 2) Sep 27—A Mighty Culmination…and Beginning Bonus – Odd things