Content of the Teacher S Manual s1

CONTENT OF THE TEACHER’S MANUAL

I. ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS THAT ACCOMPANY THE LESSONS

II. FINAL EXAM (STUDENT AND FACILATOR COPIES)

III. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A BOOK REPORT AND AN ESSAY ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS THAT ACCOMPANY THE LESSONS

Background Information on the Book of Exodus

1. Complete the following sentences that discuss the various names given to the first five books of the Bible.

a. The Greek name given to the first five books of Scripture is The Pentateuch. b. The ancient Hebrews called the first five books of Scripture The Torah. c. This book derives its name from one of the central events it narrates. Exodus d. This book derives its name from the event recorded in its first chapter. Numbers

2. According to C.F. Keil, what two facts form the essential substance of the book of Exodus?

a. Israel’s reception of the Law. b. Israel’s liberation from Egypt. c. Israel’s covenant with the Lord. d. Israel’s erection of the Tabernacle.

3. When we consider all the data, the weight of the evidence seems to be in favor of the Exodus having occurred during the reign of Ramses II. True or False

4. How was Moses especially suited to write the Book of Exodus, as well as the rest of the Pentateuch?

a. As an adopted son of an Egyptian princess, Moses would have received a quality education, enabling him to become highly literate. b. As the son of a Hebrew from the tribe of Levi, Moses would have received a thorough knowledge of the Levitical laws. c. Both of the above

5. Put into the correct sequence the events listed below that comprise the second half (chapters 15-40) of the Exodus narrative.

a. Israel’s march to the mountain of God. b. The establishment of the covenant at Sinai. c. Israel’s apostasy in making the golden calf. d. The construction of the Tabernacle. e. The Lord’s coming in glory to dwell with His people. The Threat of Vital Christianity Exodus 1:1-22

1. When a new king ascends the throne of Egypt, how does he view the people of Israel? See Exodus 1:8-10 (printed below)

Now a new king came to power in Egypt, one who did not know Joseph. (9) He said to his people, Look, the people of Israel have become more numerous and mightier than us! (10) Come, we must deal wisely with them or else they will continue to multiply and, if a war breaks out, they will align themselves with our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country. (Exodus 1:8-10)

This new king views Israel as a foreign element and a threat to the security of Egypt. Israel had become a very large population in the midst of Egypt, and there was the fear that they would ally themselves with an invading enemy and depart from the land (verses 9-10). Note: "a new king" signifies one who follows different principles and policies from those of his predecessors. The statement, he "did not know Joseph," means that he did not acknowledge Joseph's contributions to Egypt (Commentaries on the Old Testament, The Pentateuch, Vol. 1, Keil and Delitzsch, pp. 419-420).

2. What measure does the new king institute to combat the threat that Israel posed? See Exodus 1:11-14 (printed below)

Therefore the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over them to oppress them with forced labor— they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. (12) But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more the Israelites multiplied and spread throughout the land. So the Egyptians came to dread the children of Israel. (13) The Egyptians subjected the children of Israel to rigorous labor; (14) they made their lives bitter with hard labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of field work. In all their hard labor the Egyptians ruthlessly exploited them. (Exodus 1:11-14)

Because he views Israel as a foreign element—a people not assimilated into the Egyptian culture, one holding onto a unique religion and identity—and a threat, this new king institutes official measures against Israel. The first policy instituted to contain and control the growing Hebrew nation was to subject it to taskmasters (verses 11-14). The Egyptians' purpose was to "oppress them with forced labor;" i.e., to make them serfs (Keil and Delitzsch, p.422). The goal was not only to break down their physical strength, but to convey (and reinforce) the notion that they were subservient aliens living under the dominant Egyptian culture—i.e.; to designate them as "second class citizens" without rights and whose very existence was for the benefit of the State.

3. When the initial measure taken against the Israelites failed, what was the next measure instituted by the Egyptian government? See Exodus 1:15-16 (printed below)

The king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other was named Puah. (16) He said to them, When you are helping the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if they deliver a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live. (Exodus 1:15-16)

A second intensified policy instituted against Israel was that of official government-ordered infanticide (verses 15-21). The midwives (i.e.; the Egyptian women assigned to help deliver Hebrew babies) were privately instructed to kill the newborn Hebrew male infants. The goal was that the Hebrew females would eventually have to marry Egyptians and thus the Hebrew nation would lose its identity by becoming assimilated into the Egyptian race and culture.

4. How did the Hebrew midwives (i.e.; the Egyptian women assigned to help deliver Hebrew babies) respond to Pharaoh's order? Why? What happened to them? See Exodus 1:17-21 (printed below)

But the midwives feared God, so they did not do what the king of Egypt commanded them; they let the boys live. (18) Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live? (19) The midwives answered Pharaoh, The Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women; they are robust and deliver their babies before the midwife arrives. (20) God was good to the midwives, and the people of Israel continued to multiply and became even more numerous. (21) Because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own. (Exodus 1:17-21)

When the Hebrew midwives were instructed by the king to kill the Hebrew male infants, they did not carry out his order. The reason given for their non-compliance was the fact that they feared God (verse 17). Their fear of God caused them to take a moral stand: to refuse to carry out an official command that was contrary to the law of God and would cause them to violate that divine and moral law. Note that Scripture indicates God blessed the midwives because of their godly fear (verse 21)—but Scripture does not condone their deceit. Their obedience, even though it was less than perfect, was rewarded. Though they are an example of Christian conduct (in standing in opposition to ungodly demands), they are a less than perfect example (as seen by the fact that they resorted to deceit in an effort to conceal the true reason for their non-compliance with the king's command).

5. When this second measure also fails, what does the Egyptian government do? See Exodus 1:22 (printed below)

Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, Every boy that is born to the Hebrews you must throw into the River, but you must let every girl live. (Exodus 1:22)

The third policy instituted against Israel by the Egyptian government was one of all-out persecution (verse 22). Now every Egyptian citizen was enlisted in the campaign to exterminate the future generation of Hebrew males (who would be potential leaders and propagators of the race). It now became a public responsibility to report the birth of a Hebrew male and a civic duty to kill such infants.

6. The world may be indifferent towards dead orthodoxy and it may sneer at hypocrisy, but it feels threatened by vital/living Christianity. Fill in the blank

7. According to the commentary, we may expect to encounter opposition to our vibrant Christian faith, especially when a society has departed from its Christian roots. Complete the sentences listed below that describe the features of secularism that have replaced biblical Christianity as the predominant religious outlook of the modern Western World.

a. This view does not take into account God’s supremacy and the matter of eternity; rather, it merely confines its perspective to this present world and human history. This is…the Secular Mind b. Those who hold to this view not only renounce dictatorships and other repressive government agencies, but also reject all other bonds and obligations, such as those relating to marriage, the family, and all social hierarchies. This is…the Secular View of Freedom c. Those who hold to this view accept one’s own personal opinion and the will of the majority as their standard, instead of the written Word of God. This is…the Secular View of Truth

8. At first, the Egyptian government carried out a subtle rather than overt form of opposition against the Israelite community. According to the commentary, what are some subtle means of attacking vital Christianity that are practiced in contemporary Western society?

a. Regulate the Christian religion to the realm of the private and the personal, and do not allow it to voice its views in the realm of public decision-making. b. Enact laws making it illegal to conduct Christian evangelism and impose stiff penalties on anyone for converting to Christianity. c. Promote the dogma of relativism and label as dangerous those people who claim to possess absolute truth that has come via divine revelation. d. Piously accuse religion (especially the Christian religion) of being the chief cause of all war and human misery in the world.

9. From the action taken by the Hebrew midwives we learn that it is legitimate for a Christian to refuse to obey a law that is contrary to the commandments of God and, when necessary, to resort to deceit in an effort to avoid punishment for non-compliance with such a law. True or False 10. As we study the opening chapter of Exodus, we learn that we may expect to encounter opposition to vital Christianity, but we must not allow that opposition to stifle and silence our Christian witness or conduct. Match the passages of Scripture listed below with the lessons they teach on this subject.

a. Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33) We must lead a public Christian life. b. Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, he said. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood. 29Peter and the other apostles replied, We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:27-29) We must not allow our Christian witness to be silenced. c. Let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor will we worship the golden statue that you have erected. (Daniel 3:18) We must not submit to laws that violate God’s law. A Role Model for Christian Parents Exodus 2:1-10; Hebrews 11:23-27

1. According to Hebrews 11:23 (printed below), why did Moses' parents make a special effort to spare their son? What was there about Moses that showed his uniqueness? See Exodus 2:2 and Acts 7:20 (printed below)

By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they did not fear the king's edict. (Hebrews 11:23) The woman conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months. (Exodus 2:2)

At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful to God. For three months he was cared for in his father's house. (Acts 7:20)

Hebrews 11:23 informs us that Moses was hidden for three months "because (his parents) saw that he was no ordinary child." At the time of his birth, Moses' parents, especially his mother (note Exodus 2:2), noticed the uniqueness of their child. In Acts 7:20 Stephen describes the infant Moses as being "beautiful to God." The word used here to describe the infant Moses means an attractiveness or physical beauty that is striking. In the case of the infant Moses, God chose to use the striking beauty of this infant to call attention to His unique purpose for this child—and Moses' parents had the spiritual insight to recognize this.

2. What measures does Moses' mother take to spare her son? See Exodus 2:2-4 (printed below)

The woman conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months. (3) When she could no longer hide him, she got an "ark" made of bulrushes for him and coated it with tar and pitch. She placed the child in it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the River. (4) His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. (Exodus 2:2-4)

Recognizing the uniqueness of this child, Moses' mother made every effort to preserve his life. First, she hid him in their home for three months. When the child had become too old to be concealed for any longer, she built an ark for him, placed him in it, and set it among the reeds of the Nile. She stationed her daughter, Miriam, to watch over the ark, and then instructed Miriam to offer her mother's services as nurse to the child when he was retrieved from the river by the Egyptian princess.

3. What is significant about the fact that the basket into which Moses' mother placed her son is identified as "an ark?"

In constructing an "ark" for her son, Moses' mother is recalling how the Lord spared Noah from the floodwaters of death (cp. Genesis 6:13-14a). By her action she is requesting that the Lord would do the same for her infant son Moses; namely, that He would take care of her son and spare his life.

4. During the first three months of his life, what risk was Moses' mother taking?

At the time of Moses' birth, there was in force a royal edict that stipulated that all sons born to the Hebrews must be thrown into the Nile River (Exodus 1:22). Moses' mother took a great risk in hiding her infant son for three months; she could have lost her life and she was putting her whole family in jeopardy. (Sometimes we must sacrifice our safety and security for the sake of obedience to Christ.) At the same time, she took an apparently foolish risk; there would come a time when the child could no longer remain hidden, then what would they do? (Sometimes we must take an act of obedience and leave to God the ordering of future events.)

5. When he was grown up, in what ways did Moses resemble his parents? Compare Exodus 2:1-10 (printed below) with the account of Moses given in Hebrews 11:23-27 (printed below).

Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a daughter of Levi. (2) The woman conceived and gave birth to a son. When she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him for three months. (3) When she could no longer hide him, she got an "ark" made of bulrushes for him and coated it with tar and pitch. She placed the child in it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the River. (4) His sister stood at a distance to see what would happen to him. (Exodus 2:1-4)

By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they did not fear the king's edict. (24) By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. (25) He chose to share mistreatment together with the people of God, rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. (26) He regarded sharing in the reproach of Christ to be of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he looked forward to the reward. (27) By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king—and he survived, almost seeing him who is invisible. (Hebrews 11:23-27)

When he had grown up, Moses came to exhibit the same spiritual insight that had been characteristic of his parents. He willfully renounced the privileges of Egyptian royalty; he willingly chose to identify himself with Christ and His people, even though it meant hardship, deprivation, ostracism, and persecution. Why did Moses make such a choice? He did so because he recognized that "the pleasures of sin" are only for "a short time"—i.e.; they are only temporary and fleeting. Moses looked to eternity and the reward God promises to those who love Him and serve Him. Furthermore, when he had grown up, Moses came to exhibit the same spiritual boldness that had been characteristic of his parents: he "forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king." Like his parents before him, Moses' courage stemmed from his faith in Christ: "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king" (Hebrews 11:27). It was his relationship with Christ that enabled him to display godly courage—and it was his commitment to Christ that caused him to display such courage.

6. According to the commentary, in what ways does Moses’ parents serve as role models for Christian parents?

a. Moses’ parents possessed spiritual insight; they recognized that their child was uniquely set apart by God and that God had a special purpose for his life. b. Moses’ parents lived a bold Christian life; they not only possessed spiritual insight, they also exhibited the courage to act upon that insight. c. Moses’ parents prayed that they would bear the child who would be Israel’s great deliverer, and God graciously answered their prayer.

7. The Lord could have called attention to His unique purpose for Moses by bestowing upon the infant an unusual amount of physical strength or an abundant measure of intellectual alertness, but He chose to do so by bestowing upon the infant Moses an extraordinary amount of physical beauty. Fill in the blank

8. As Christian parents we should recognize that our sons/daughters are unique…

a. if their birth has been a miraculous answer to prayer b. when they make a public profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ c. after they have dedicated themselves to serving the Lord in fulltime ministry d. because they are covenant children set apart from the world

9. According to the commentary, what are the means by which we can gain and grow in spiritual insight? Match the passages listed below with the statements that describe the lessons derived from them.

a. Give your servant a discerning heart…so that I may distinguish between good and evil (1 Kings 3:9) We can pray for spiritual insight. b. I have more insight than all my teachers, because I meditate on your statutes. (Psalm 119:99) We gain spiritual insight by studying God’s Word. c. I have more understanding than the aged, because I obey your precepts. (Psalm 119:100) We grow in spiritual insight by obeying God’s Word.

10. From the example of Moses’ parents we learn that we as Christian parents (and as Christian people) must not only gain spiritual insight, we must also exhibit Christian courage by acting upon that insight and thereby living consistent Christian lives unto the glory of God. Fill in the blank Can God Use Me? Exodus 2:11-22; Exodus 3:1-7a, 3:10-4:17

1. When Moses witnesses the oppression of his people, the Israelites, what action does he take? See Exodus 2:11-13 (printed below) Why does he take such action? Note Acts 7:25 (printed below)

Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. (Acts 7:25)

When Moses witnesses an Egyptian beating a Hebrew he delivers his fellow Hebrew by killing the Egyptian. The next day when he observes two fellow Hebrews fighting, he stops them and seeks to reconcile them. Moses took these actions because he had a sense of his divine calling and he assumed that his brothers would realize that God was using him to rescue them.

2. Besides having an awareness of his divine calling, what else would you say Moses' actions reveal about him at this stage in his life?

When we first meet Moses, he shows himself to be a spiritually sensitive man. He recognizes his relationship to the people of God, that the people of Israel are his brothers. He is sympathetic to their plight. But Moses also proves to be a very impulsive, self-willed, self-reliant man. When he sees an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, Moses murders the Egyptian. When he sees two fellow Hebrews striving against one another, Moses assumes the role of arbitrator and judge. When his efforts are not appreciated by the Hebrews, and not concealed from the Egyptians, Moses leaves Egypt for the land of Midian.

3. Compare and contrast Moses' position and attitude when we are first introduced to him in Exodus 2:11-13 (printed above under question #1) with our next encounter with him (Exodus 3:1-2,7,10-11 printed below).

Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. (2) There the angel of Jehovah appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses looked and saw that, although the bush was burning with fire, the bush was not consumed...(7) Then Jehovah said, I have certainly seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt... (10) Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. (11) But Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? (Exodus 3:1-2,7,10-11)

When Moses had been reduced from being a prince in Pharaoh's court to being a shepherd in the wilderness of Midian, it was then that the Lord God appeared to him and gave him a call to divine service. When Moses had been reduced from being a man of self-confidence and human strength to being a man who was broken and very conscious of his own inability, it was then that in the sight of God he was ready for divine service.

4. How does Moses respond to God's divine calling and what does God say in reply? See Exodus 3:7,10-12 (printed below)

Then Jehovah said, I have certainly seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt... (10) Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. (11) But Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? (12) Then he said, I will certainly be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain. (Exodus 3:7,10- 12) In response to God's divine calling to deliver the children of Israel from their Egyptian bondage, Moses now raises the question, "Who am I?" Moses is protesting that he is too insignificant and powerless to stand before the great king of Egypt and lead the whole nation of Israel out of Egypt. He testifies that he is no match for the power, the wisdom, the evil of the world. God responds to Moses' objection by assuring him, "I will certainly be with you" (verse 12a). Then the Lord declares, "This shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain" (verse 12b). What God is telling Moses is that the confirmation of the Lord's calling and faithfulness comes as the result of faith and obedience. By trusting God and doing what He says, Moses will discover that God will use him to accomplish His plan for His people Israel (cp. John 11:40 where Jesus says to Martha, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?")

5. When Moses objects that the people of Israel will not listen to him (Exodus 4:1), what sign does the Lord provide for him (see Exodus 4:2-5 printed below?) What do you think is the significance of this particular sign?

Jehovah said to him, What is that in your hand? Moses answered, A staff. (3) Then he said, Throw it on the ground. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses ran away from it. (4) But Jehovah said to Moses, Reach out your hand and take it by the tail. So he reached out his hand and took hold of it, and once again it became a staff in his hand. (5) This,” declared Jehovah, is so that they may believe that Jehovah, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you. (Exodus 4:2-5)

The Lord causes the shepherd's staff in Moses' hand to become an instrument of His divine power and grace. The shepherd's staff represented Moses' life (it was his livelihood, his identity, his security). At the command of God it is laid down before God and when it is retrieved it becomes the instrument of God's power and grace—to be employed by Moses in performing the mighty works of God (cp. Exodus 4:17). Note: when the staff was turned into a serpent on the ground what was being indicated was both the exposure to demonic danger as well as the ultimate victory over the devil that God's servant would experience and witness. We must recognize here the power of a life surrendered to Christ, offered in service to Him.

6. What is Moses like when we are first introduced to him?

a. He identified himself with the people of God. b. He was timid and lacked self-confidence. c. He was sympathetic to Israel’s plight. d. He had a sense of his divine calling.

7. Match the passages listed below with the descriptions of the attributes necessary if a man is to be truly useful in service to God.

a. We are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To the one we are the stench of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:15-16) God can use you when you…grasp your own inadequacy for the work b. He (the Lord Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30) God can use you when you…acknowledge the purpose of Christian service c. Not that we are competent to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant…(2 Corinthians 3:5-6a) God can use you when you…recognize your dependence on divine resources

8. When Moses had become a man of strength and self-confidence and was no longer overwhelmed by a sense of his own inability, it was then that in the sight of God he was ready for divine service. True or False

9. Match the miraculous signs God gave Moses with the descriptions of their spiritual significance. a. By means of this sign we should recognize the power of a life surrendered to Christ for His service. The shepherd’s staff turned into a serpent b. By means of this sign we should recognize the power of a life that is being transformed by Christ into His image. The leprous hand drawn from the bosom c. By means of this sign we should recognize the all-sovereign power of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Nile River turned into blood

10. How should we answer the question posed by this lesson, “Can God use me?”

a. God can use you if you are not self-willed. b. God can use you when have cultivated your inner strength and resources. c. God can use you when you have developed a strong sense of self-confidence and self- reliance. d. God can use you if you have achieved a high degree of theological training. e. God can use you when you have a true awareness of your own inability.

The Lord Will Hear Your Cry Exodus 2:23-3:12

1. Exodus 2:23 refers to Israel crying out because of their Egyptian bondage. What important detail does Numbers 20:16 (printed below) tell us about their cry?

When we cried out to Jehovah, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. (Numbers 20:16) Note that Israel's cry referred to in Exodus 2:23 was not simply a crying out in the night, a desperate crying out to the stars and the wind. On the contrary, it was an earnest and conscious calling upon the Lord their God. Note, too, that it was Israel's cry unto the Lord that set in motion the events of divine deliverance that follow: "I have heard them crying out ... (8) I have come down to deliver them" (Exodus 3:7-8).

2. According to Exodus 2:24 (printed below), what is one reason the Lord responded to the Israelites' cry for help?

And God heard their groaning and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. (Exodus 2:24)

According to Exodus 2:24, one reason the Lord responded to Israel's cry was because He "remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob." In Exodus 3:7 the Lord identifies the nation of Israel as "my people" and He assures Moses of His intention to fulfill for them the covenant promise He originally made to Abraham (cp. Exodus 3:7-8 with Genesis 15:18-21). We can be assured that the Lord hears the cry of His people because He is the faithful God who remembers His covenant.

3. What do we learn about God's character from Exodus 2:25 and Exodus 3:7 (printed below?)

So God looked upon the children of Israel and God was concerned about them. (Exodus 2:25)

Then Jehovah said, I have certainly seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard them crying out because of their taskmasters. I know their sorrows. (Exodus 3:7)

Exodus 2:25 informs us, "God looked upon the children of Israel and God was concerned about them." The Lord not only recognized them as being His people, He was sympathetic and compassionate towards them when He saw their affliction. In Exodus 3:7 the Lord declares to Moses, "I have certainly seen the affliction of my people." The Hebrew verb "to see," may also bear the meaning, "to see with concern," or, "to regard,"—here is a deep, true, accurate observation of their suffering, an observation that is not cold and distant but warm and empathetic.

4. What do you think it means when the Lord says of Israel, "I know their sorrows"?

In Hebrew the verb "to know" not only means intellectual knowledge or awareness, it may also bear the meaning, "to have a personal acquaintance" with someone or something—to have a personal experience with that person or thing. By way of example, Genesis 4:1 literally reads, "Adam knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to a son." Thus the intimacy of the marriage relationship is described as a knowing of one's spouse. Speaking of Jesus the Messiah, Isaiah 53:3 declares, "He was despised and rejected by men; he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with suffering."

5. Compare and contrast Moses' observation of Israel's plight and his action (Exodus 2:11-15 printed below) with that of the Lord as recorded in Exodus 3:7-8 (printed below).

Now it came about in those days, when Moses had grown up, that he went out to see his brothers and he observed their hard labors. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of Moses' brothers. (12) He looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one else present, he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand. (13) And he went out the next day, and he saw two Hebrews fighting with each other. He said to the offender, Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew? (14) The man replied, Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you plan to kill me like you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses became afraid and thought, Surely, what I have done has become known. (15) When Pharaoh heard about this, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh's presence and went to live in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well. (Exodus 2:11-15) Then Jehovah said, I have certainly seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard them crying out because of their taskmasters. I know their sorrows. (8) I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. (Exodus 3:7-8)

Whereas Moses witnessed the oppression the people of Israel were suffering, the Lord by His divine grace had a personal and experiential acquaintance with their suffering—He did not merely observe it from a distance. Moved by compassion, Moses sought to deliver his people, but he failed to do so. He wound up fleeing into the wilderness alone. Conversely, the Lord declares that He has personally come down from heaven to deliver His people, and by means of His mighty acts described in the subsequent chapters of Exodus He will accomplish that great work of deliverance. That is why this second book of the Bible bears the title, "Exodus."

6. Men do not necessarily have to cry out to the Lord God Himself for deliverance in time of need; since the Lord is gracious He will answer them even if they cry out to their own pagan gods or simply lift up a cry in the night. True or False

7. The commentary points out that one reason the Lord responded to Israel’s cry is because He is the faithful God. Match the descriptions listed below with the forefathers in Israel’s history to whom the Lord previously displayed His covenantal faithfulness.

a. The Lord established His covenant with this forefather as a means of assuring him that the Lord would certainly fulfill His divine promises. Abraham b. The Lord re-affirmed His covenant with this forefather as a means of comforting him and restraining him from pursuing a dangerous course of action. Isaac c. The Lord re-affirmed His covenant with this forefather as a means of assuring him and strengthening him as he set out on a dangerous course in obedience to the Lord’s command. Jacob

8. The passages listed below provide examples of times in which the Christian can confidently cry out to the Lord knowing that He will answer because He is the faithful God. Match the passages with the situations they describe.

a. Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you will glorify me. (Psalm 50:15) Because the Lord is the faithful God you may call upon Him when you…face a crisis b. No temptation has seduced you except the kind that is experienced by all men. But God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear; on the contrary, along with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Because the Lord is the faithful God you may call upon Him when you…are confronted by temptation c. The Lord is faithful, he will establish you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3) Because the Lord is the faithful God you may call upon Him when you…are harassed by the devil d. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you wholly. May your entire soul, spirit and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) Because the Lord is the faithful God you may call upon Him when you…fear you may not reach your final heavenly destination

9. What does the Lord tell Moses with regard to the people of Israel?

a. “I know their sorrows but I am powerless to deliver them.” b. “I know their sorrows and I am sending you to deliver them.” c. “ I know their sorrows and I have come down to deliver them.” d. “I know their sorrows and I will ask Pharaoh to deliver them.” 10. Match the passages listed below with the situations we as Christians encounter and of which our Lord Jesus Christ has personal and empathetic acquaintance.

a. Because he himself has suffered by being tempted, he is able to aid those who are tempted. (Hebrews 2:18) Jesus knows… the agony of trial and temptation. b. He was despised and rejected by men; he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we did not hold him in esteem. (Isaiah 53:3) Jesus knows… the pain of rejection. c. When the sixth hour of the day arrived, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? (which, being interpreted, means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?) (Mark 15:33-34) Jesus knows… the horror of feeling alienated. There are No Exemptions from Obedience Exodus 4:18-26

1. What assurance does Jehovah (the Lord) give Moses (see Exodus 4:19 printed below?) But what happens to Moses at the lodging place as he and his family are journeying to Egypt? See Exodus 4:24 (printed below)

Now Jehovah had said to Moses in Midian, Go, return to Egypt; for all the men who attempted to kill you are dead. (Exodus 4:19)

At a lodging place on the way, Jehovah met Moses and attempted to kill him. (Exodus 4:24)

Having called Moses to return to Egypt, the Lord now assures Moses that his life will be safe because the men who sought to kill him are now dead. Forty years have elapsed since Moses fled Egypt and now that former generation of leaders have all died off. But in Exodus 4:24 we are told that at the lodging place the Lord met Moses and attempted to kill him. The very Lord who called Moses to return to Egypt and assured him that his life would no longer be threatened by the Egyptian rulers, now personally attempts to kill him—even as Moses is obeying the divine command.

2. What does Zipporah do to rescue Moses? See Exodus 4:25 (printed below)

Then Zipporah took a flint knife and cut off her son's foreskin and threw it at his feet. She said, You are surely a bridegroom of blood to me! (Exodus 4:25)

Moses' wife, Zipporah, springs into action to save his life: she grabs the hunting knife and hastily performs an operation of circumcision on their little son. Then we read that the Lord "left him alone" (verse 26); His divine anger was appeased and He withdrew from His attack against Moses.

3. What caused the Lord's righteous anger to be aroused against Moses?

The Lord's anger was aroused against Moses and He rose up against him because Moses had failed to circumcise his (younger?) son. In the Old Testament, circumcision was the sign of the covenant, and it was a mandatory requirement for all the sons of Abraham (note Genesis 17:9-10,14). It was Moses' solemn responsibility as a Hebrew father to circumcise his sons, how much more was it his responsibility to do so as the divinely appointed leader and deliverer of God's covenant people!

4. Why do you suppose Moses failed to circumcise his son? Hint: note Zipporah's attitude as described in Exodus 4:25 (printed above under question #2).

As soon as the Lord displays His anger against Moses, Zipporah immediately circumcises her son—she knew what was the cause of the problem. She flings the bloody foreskin at Moses' feet and in a tone of disgust calls him "a bridegroom of blood" (verse 25). The sacrament of circumcision, (and what it represents, namely, original sin), may have been offensive to Zipporah; or else, it was painful to her as a mother to inflict any pain upon her little child. To keep peace in the home Moses may have initially postponed the required act only to find that as the child grew it became harder to perform the required circumcision. For one reason or another, the act was never performed. Perhaps Moses eventually rationalized, "Such a relatively insignificant act is not worth the big hassle with Zipporah—and is this not confirmed by the fact God initially issued His divine call despite the neglected act of circumcision and without even bringing up the matter?

5. What lessons was the Lord teaching Moses and what lessons must we learn from this incident?

One lesson God forcibly brought home to Moses in no uncertain terms is the fact that there are no exceptions when it comes to obedience, no matter who you are. Before Moses could call upon Israel and upon Pharaoh to submit to God's commandment, Moses himself had to submit to God's commandment. No one, not even Moses, is exempt from the requirement of obedience. A second lesson Moses would be taught in no uncertain terms is that there are no exemptions when it comes to obedience, even in "the little things." It is not for Moses to categorize God's commandments into degrees of importance; it is his duty to obey them all. It is not his prerogative to sacrifice obedience to God for the sake of peace within the home; it is his responsibility to give the Lord first priority in his life and in his home. There are no exemptions from obedience, because we have been called for obedience, such is the ultimate purpose and end of salvation (cp. Ephesians 2:8-10).

6. Because Moses was called to a position of leadership it was not necessary for him to comply with the commandments of God, especially something as relatively minor as circumcision. True or False

7. Match the biblical characters with the exemptions from obedience to which they erroneously thought they were entitled.

a. He served God by establishing the kingdom of Israel and ruling over it with justice, but this did not permit him to commit personal acts of immorality and murder. David b. He received a miraculous healing and a special sign from God, but when his response to these blessings was sinful pride rather than humble gratitude, he and the whole nation paid the price. Hezekiah c. His wife convinced him that because he was the king he could employ his power and influence to get whatever he desired, but in the end what he got was divine retribution. Ahab

8. As Christians we must understand that there are no exemptions from obedience because…

a. obedience is the ultimate purpose of our salvation b. obedience is the primary means of our salvation c. obedience is the most effective way of earning merit on behalf of our loved ones

9. According to the commentary, what is a likely reason why Moses neglected to circumcise his son? a. Having been separated from the covenant community of Israel for forty years, Moses had forgotten about the divine requirement to circumcise every son. b. Because Moses as a shepherd spent the majority of his time away from the family, it was Zipporah’s responsibility to circumcise their son and Moses was unaware of her failure to do so. c. Zipporah was offended by the practice of circumcision, so in order to maintain peace in the family Moses refrained from circumcising his son.

10. This incident recorded in Exodus 4:18-26 points out that it is necessary for us to be obedient to all of God’s commandments, even those which we may think to be minor or insignificant. Match the passages listed below with the reasons they give for rendering obedience even in “the little things.” a. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is undependable with very little will also be undependable with much. (Luke 16:10) Our conduct with regard to “little things”…reveals the principles that govern our lives b. Because you have been faithful (in your present trial) … I in turn will be faithful to keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world in order to test those who live on the earth. (Revelation 3:10) Our conduct with regard to “little things”…may spare us from more severe demands c. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will give you charge over many things. Enter into the joy of your master. (Matthew 25:21) Our conduct with regard to “little things”…may open up greater opportunities for service What to Do When You Face (Spiritual) Opposition Exodus 4:27-6:13

1. What happens when Moses requests Pharaoh to allow the people of Israel to leave Egypt? See Exodus 5:1-9 (printed below)

Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, This is what Jehovah, the God of Israel, says: Let my people go, so that they may hold a feast for me in the wilderness. (2) But Pharaoh said, Who is Jehovah, that I should pay attention to his voice and let Israel go? I do not know Jehovah; and furthermore, I will not let Israel go. (3) Then they said, The God of the Hebrews has met with us. We request that you allow us to make a three-day journey into the wilderness and offer a sacrifice to Jehovah our God, or else he may strike us with pestilence or with the sword. (4) But the king of Egypt said to them, Why are you, Moses and Aaron, keeping the people from their work? Get back to your labors! (5) Then Pharaoh said, Look! The people of the land are now numerous, and you cause them to cease from their labors! (6) That same day Pharaoh gave this command to the taskmasters appointed over the people and to their foremen, (7) You shall no longer supply the people with straw for making bricks as you have up until now. Let them go and gather straw for themselves! (8) But you shall still require them to make the same number of bricks as they have been making. You shall not reduce the quota, for they are lazy; that is why they are crying out, Let us go and offer a sacrifice to our God. (9) Make the work harder for the men so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies. (Exodus 5:1-9)

Moses and Aaron gain an audience with Pharaoh. They inform him of the Lord's command, "Let my people go, so that they may hold a feast for me in the wilderness" (Exodus 5:1). Note that initially they only request a three-day journey into the wilderness (Exodus 5:3), they do not immediately ask for a complete exodus. But even in making this initial request they encounter opposition. Pharaoh does not acknowledge the Lord, he refuses to let the people go, and he insists on increasing their burden.

2. What was the people of Israel's initial response to Moses (see Exodus 4:29-31 printed below?) How did they react when Pharaoh refused to grant their request and increased their burden? See Exodus 5:10,15-21 (printed below)

Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. (30) Aaron spoke all the words that Jehovah had spoken to Moses and he performed the signs in the sight of the people—(31) and the people believed. When they heard that Jehovah had visited the children of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped. (Exodus 4:29-31)

So the taskmasters in charge of the people, together with the foremen, went out and spoke to the people. They told them, This is what Pharaoh says: I will no longer supply you with straw. (11) Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your quota will not at all be reduced.... (15) Then the Israelite foremen went and appealed to Pharaoh, saying, Why are you treating your servants like this? (16) Your servants are given no straw, but yet they tell us, Make bricks! And look, your servants are beaten, but the fault lies with your own people. (17) But he said to them, You are lazy! You are lazy! That is why you say, Let us go and offer a sacrifice to Jehovah. (18) Now go and work! You will be given no straw, yet you must deliver the same number of bricks! (19) Then the Israelite foremen realized that they were in a difficult position when they were told, You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day. (20) When they left Pharaoh, they met Moses and Aaron who were standing there waiting for them. (21) The foremen said to them, May Jehovah look upon you and judge you! You have made us odious in Pharaoh's sight and in the sight of his servants, so as to put a sword in their hand to kill us! (Exodus 5:10,15-21)

Moses and Aaron come to the people of Israel, report to them what the Lord is about to do, perform the confirming signs He had given them, and the people believed. They bowed their heads and worshiped Jehovah (Exodus 4:31). But now consider the response of the Israelites when Pharaoh refuses to grant them permission to even take a three-day journey into the wilderness. The leaders of Israel went and cried to Pharaoh; they appealed to him for mercy and understanding—but he rejected their pleas (Exodus 5:15). Note that the leaders of Israel do not look to the Lord for either explanation or mercy. Furthermore, those leaders of Israel actually curse Moses and Aaron: "May Jehovah look upon you and judge you!" (Exodus 5:21)

3. How does Moses respond to the opposition he has encountered from Pharaoh? See Exodus 5:22-23 (printed below)

Then Moses returned to Jehovah and said, Lord, why have you dealt harshly with your people? Why have you sent me? (23) Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has been hostile towards this people, and you have not delivered your people at all. (Exodus 5:22-23)

In contrast, to the way the leaders of Israel responded to Pharaoh's opposition, Moses turns to the Lord. We read that he returned to the Lord and prayed (Exodus 5:22-23). Consider the prayer Moses addressed to the Lord. There is a bold questioning of God, "Lord, why have you dealt harshly with your people? Why have you sent me?" (Exodus 5:22) What we learn from Moses' prayer is that it is completely legitimate for us, as children of God in Christ Jesus, to voice our questions. It is completely legitimate to honestly seek to know the mind of our heavenly Father, especially when what we presently see does not seem to correspond with the promises or the character or the will of God (contrast Exodus 3:7-8; with Exodus 5:6,9). But we must always approach God with a humble reverence, never with arrogant scoffing or with defiant insistence that God give an accounting to us for His actions or His inaction.

4. What does the Lord tell Moses? See Exodus 6:1-8 (printed below)

Then Jehovah said to Moses, Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; because of my strong hand he will let them go; indeed, because of my strong hand he will drive them out of his land. (2) God spoke to Moses and told him, I am Jehovah. (3) I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but I did not make myself known to them by my name Jehovah. (4) And I have also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land where they lived as sojourners. (5) Furthermore, I have heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians are holding in bondage, and I have remembered my covenant. (6) Therefore, say to the children of Israel, I am Jehovah, and I will bring you out from under the burden of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. (7) And I will take you to be my people and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am Jehovah your God, who brought you out from under the burden of the Egyptians. (8) I will bring you to the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and I will give it to you as an inheritance. I am Jehovah. (Exodus 6:1-8)

God first promises Moses that He will employ His awesome power on behalf of His people and in opposition to the nation of Egypt (Exodus 6:1). In the days ahead Moses would witness all of nature rising up against Pharaoh, at the command of God, until the mighty Egyptian empire was brought to its knees in defeat. God furthermore assures Moses that He is Israel's covenant God: "I am Jehovah" (6:2); "I have...established My covenant with them"(6:4); "I have remembered My covenant" (6:5); "I am Jehovah" (6:8). Because He is the covenant-keeping God, the Lord will act on their behalf and fulfill His promises to them (Exodus 6:6-8). Finally, the Lord promises that His people shall know that He is the Lord their God (Exodus 6:7). That is to say, we shall know with understanding and personal experience that He is the true and living God and that He is our God.

5. When the people of Israel refuse to listen to Moses, what does the Lord do for him and Aaron? See Exodus 6:9-13 (printed below), especially verse 13.

So Moses spoke to the children of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses because of the anguish of their spirit and because of their cruel bondage. (10) Then Jehovah said to Moses, (11) Go in and tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the children of Israel depart from his land. (12) But Moses spoke in the presence of Jehovah, saying, See, the children of Israel have not listened to me; why then will Pharaoh listen to me? I am a man with "uncircumcised lips!" (13) Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and to Aaron and he gave them a charge concerning the children of Israel and concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt—a charge to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt. (Exodus 6:9-13)

When Moses brings back to the people of Israel the message of assurance from God, they did not listen, "because of the anguish of their spirit and because of their cruel bondage" (Exodus 6:9). They were spiritually fatigued and overwhelmed by the oppression of their Egyptian overlords. The unbelief and spiritual lethargy of the people had an adverse effect on Moses. When the Lord instructs him to return to Pharaoh and demand the release of the people from their bondage, Moses raises the objection: If Israel will not listen to me, surely Pharaoh will not listen (Exodus 6:12). At this point the Lord re-commissioned Moses and Aaron, this time charging them with divine power and authority to accomplish His will and fulfill His purpose (Exodus 6:13).

6. Because the Lord is the sovereign God, there shall never be any insurmountable opposition to His will and the fulfillment of His divine plan. True or False

7. Which of the statements listed below accurately describes the actions and attitudes of the people of Israel during this time in their history as recorded in Exodus 4:27-6:13?

a. Pharaoh’s opposition to the Lord’s purpose and the increased burdens that resulted came as an unexpected shock to the people of Israel. b. When faced with Pharaoh’s unanticipated resistance to the divine will, the people of Israel prayed to the Lord, humbly seeking understanding and grace. c. Even when Pharaoh refused to grant them permission to leave, the people of Israel resolutely placed their confidence in the Lord and supported His servant Moses. d. The people of Israel were convinced that the Lord had sent Moses as His servant and rejoiced that the Lord had come to deliver them.

8. From the example of Moses, we learn that we as Christians may approach the Lord and seek answers and explanations concerning the way He is dealing with us. But how must we approach Him? Match the passages listed below with the appropriate statements as they inform us how we are to approach the Lord with the questions that burden our hearts. a. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:8) We must approach the Lord with…steadfast unwavering faith b. Abraham responded and said, Behold now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am nothing more than dust and ashes (Genesis 18:27) We must approach the Lord with… a humble and reverent spirit c. I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will give to me. (Habakkuk 2:1) We must approach the Lord with…a willingness to wait and accept His answer

9. When Moses approaches the Lord in prayer, what does the Lord say to him? a. The Lord tells Moses that He will employ His awesome power on behalf of His people. b. The Lord informs Moses that the opposition they are presently encountering is due to their own sins. c. The Lord assures Moses that He is the covenant-keeping God who is ever faithful to His people. d. The Lord promises Moses that His people shall know by personal experience that He is the Lord our God. e. All of the above

10. According to the commentary, when we as Christians feel overwhelmed by the spiritual opposition we face and are tempted to resign from our service for Christ, we should ask the Lord to do for us what He did for Moses and Aaron, namely, give us a divine charge. Fill in the blank Our Sovereign God Exodus 6:28-7:7

1. How does God identify Himself to Moses in Exodus 6:29 (printed below?) See also Exodus 3:14 (printed below)

He said to him, I am Jehovah. Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I tell you. (Exodus 6:29)

God said to Moses, I AM THAT I AM. This is what you are to say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:14)

God identifies Himself to Moses by His name "Jehovah." "Jehovah" is derived from the Hebrew verb "to be," or, "I am." In Exodus 3:14 God elaborates upon His name and His identity, "God said to Moses, 'I AM THAT I AM.'" The Hebrew has the meaning, "I AM BECAUSE I AM," meaning that God is self-existent, depending upon no one and nothing. The Hebrew also has the meaning, "I AM WHO I AM," meaning that God is self-defining, no one tells Him who He is or what He can do.

2. What is Moses to tell Pharaoh and what is he told will happen? See Exodus 7:2-4 (printed below)

You are to speak everything I command you, and Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh, instructing him to allow the children of Israel to depart from his land. (3) And I will harden Pharaoh's heart and multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. (4) And Pharaoh will not listen to you, so I will lay my hand upon Egypt and bring forth my hosts—my people, the children of Israel—out of the land of Egypt with mighty acts of judgment. (Exodus 7:2-4)

Moses is to speak to Pharaoh, instructing him to let the children of Israel depart from his land (7:2). But the Lord warns Moses that Pharaoh will not listen (7:4). Then the Lord informs Moses that He will lay His hand upon Egypt and bring His people out by means of great judgments (7:4b).

3. What do you think it means when the Lord says, "I will harden Pharaoh’s heart" (Exodus 7:3?)

Exodus 7:3-4 is a summary statement foretelling the Lord's act of hardening Pharaoh's heart as an act of judgment upon Pharaoh for hardening his own heart against the Lord. Six times Pharaoh stubbornly resisted the commandment of God, each time hardening his heart against the Lord. First, at the initial interview with Moses when Moses turns the rod into a serpent (7:13). Then, following each of the first five plagues (7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7). Then, starting with the sixth plague (the plague of boils), we read that the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart (9:12). Thus Exodus 7:3-4 is a summary statement, foretelling the Lord's act of judgment in hardening Pharaoh's heart in consequence of Pharaoh's own act of repeatedly hardening his heart against the Lord.

4. Against whom does the Lord execute His judgments? See Exodus 7:4 and Exodus 12:12 (printed below.)

And Pharaoh will not listen to you, so I will lay my hand upon Egypt and bring forth my hosts— my people, the children of Israel—out of the land of Egypt with mighty acts of judgment. (Exodus 7:4)

I will go through the land of Egypt in that night and strike down every first born—both man and beast—and I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. I am Jehovah. (Exodus 12:12)

Right from the outset, this was not merely a political war, nor merely a cultural war, but a spiritual battle. As Exodus 12:12 indicates, the Lord executed His judgments not only against the Egyptian nation, but against "all the gods of Egypt." The spiritual battle waged by the Lord against the gods of the empire is dramatically presented in the first plague: the turning of the Nile River into blood (7:14-25). The Nile was viewed by Egypt as the source of it's prosperity and life, it was honored as Egypt's supreme deity (Commentaries on the Old Testament, The Pentateuch, Vol.1, Keil and Delitzsch, p.478). When Pharaoh went out to the Nile early in the morning, he went out to offer sacrifice and worship; it is here that Moses is sent to confront him with the demand of the Lord. The very first plague became a prophecy of what the Lord would do to this pagan nation—and what He will finally do to every pagan nation—as well as to the powers of darkness that possess such nations: "I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. I am Jehovah" (Exodus 12:12b). 5. What will be the final result of the Lord's great acts of judgment poured out upon the nation of Egypt? See Exodus 7:5 (printed below)

Then the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah, when I stretch out my hand over Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them. (Exodus 7:5)

The Lord informs Moses that the final result of His great acts of judgment will be that "the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah." In other words, as a result of God's mighty acts of judgment the Egyptians shall come to understand that the Lord is the true and living God, He is the sovereign God.

6. Exodus 7:3 tells us that the Lord “hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” What does this mean?

a. The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart as an act of warning in order to show Pharaoh what would happen if he continued to resist God. b. The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart as an arbitrary act to show that He as God can do whatever He desires. c. The Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart as an act of judgment upon Pharaoh for hardening his own heart against the Lord.

7. God reveals Himself to be Jehovah, the great I AM. Match the passages listed below with the statements define some of the attributes of this great and sovereign God.

a. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1) The Lord is the Source of all things. b. He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17) The Lord is the Sustainer of all things. c. … and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36) The Lord is the Supreme Purpose for all existence.

8. The Lord’s great acts of judgment were directed not only against Pharaoh and the Egyptian nation, but also against all the gods of Egypt. Fill in the blank

9. Which of the statements listed below accurately describe the plagues the Lord sent upon Egypt?

a. The first nine plagues are administered in a re-occurring cycle, with the first three plagues forming the first cycle, plagues four through six the second cycle, and plagues seven through nine the third cycle. b. Each time the cycle is repeated the chastisement administered against Egypt becomes more severe. c. After the cycle has been repeated for the third time there follows a final judgment in the form of the tenth plague. d. The cycle of the plagues corresponds to the cycle of the seasons, leading up to the “death” of winter. e. All of the above

10. The Lord declares that by means of His mighty acts the Egyptians shall come to know that He is the Lord. Match the passages listed below with the statements that describe what the Lord is revealing about Himself.

a. This is what Jehovah says: By this you will know that I am Jehovah: With the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water of the Nile, and it will be changed into blood. 18The fish in the Nile will die, and the river will stink; the Egyptians will not be able to drink its water. (7:17-18) He is the Lord over nature. b. I am Jehovah in the midst of the land (of Egypt) (8:22) He is the Ruler over the nations. c. The Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah, when I stretch out my hand over Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them. (Exodus 7:5) He is the Redeemer of His people.

Remember Calvary Exodus 12:1-14; 13:3-10

1. What instructions does the Lord give concerning the selection and sacrifice of the Passover lamb in Exodus 12:3,6,9 (printed below?)

Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them, On the tenth day of this month every man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household...(6) You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to slaughter their animals at twilight...(9) Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roast it over the fire—roast its head and its legs together with its entrails. (Exodus 12:3,6,9)

The lamb was to be selected on the tenth day of the month and slain on the fourteenth day—enough time for the family to become attached to the cute and cuddly little creature, enough time for the lamb to become precious to them. On the fourteenth day of the month that precious little lamb was slain, its blood poured out, and its body roasted over the fire—for the salvation of God's people. By means of these instructions we come to have some understanding and appreciation of what it cost God to redeem His people (note John 3:16).

2. According to Exodus 12:5 (printed below), what kind of lamb was required and what is significant about this?

Your animal must be a year-old male without defect; you may choose it from the sheep or the goats. (Exodus 12:5)

According to Exodus 12:5, what the Lord required was the selection and the sacrifice a lamb "without defect." This symbolized the need for a perfect substitute to be offered in the place of sinful people. What we need to save us from the judgment of hell is a sinless substitute to take God's righteous judgment upon Himself, and that Substitute is Jesus. The apostle Peter tells us, "Christ ... died for sins once for all, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones, so that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18a).

3. With regard to the Passover lamb, what further instructions do the Israelites receive in Exodus 12:7-8 (printed below?) See also Exodus 12:22-23 (printed below)

They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and top of the doorframes of the houses in which they will eat the lambs. (8) That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire; they are to eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. (Exodus 12:7-8)

Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. (23) When Jehovah goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over the doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down. (Exodus 12:22-23)

The lamb's blood needed to be applied to the doorpost of each individual Israelite home and to be spared from the judgment each individual Israelite must stay in the house covered with the blood of the lamb. Furthermore, each of the Israelites had to eat the roasted flesh of the lamb. All this was symbolizing the need for personal identification with the sacrificial lamb. For our salvation God requires us to have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ: to receive Him as our Savior and entrust our lives into His hands.

4. According to Exodus 12:11 (printed below), how were the Israelites to eat the Passover lamb? What do you think is the significance of this?

This is how you are to eat it: With your cloak tucked into your belt, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You must eat it in haste—it is Jehovah's Passover. (Exodus 12:11)

The Lord required that His people eat the sacrificial lamb in travelers' dress: their coats on and their walking staff in hand. By means of the Passover lamb the Lord was redeeming His people from Egypt in order to bring them into the Promised Land. They would now leave Egypt behind and begin their journey to that place prepared for them by the Lord their God. Likewise, our relationship with Christ means we now have a new and different relationship to the world: we do not belong to the world anymore; we are now on a spiritual journey to the kingdom of heaven.

5. What instructions do the people receive in Exodus 13:3-5,8-10 (printed below?)

Moses said to the people, Commemorate this day, the day you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage, because Jehovah brought you out of this place by the strength of his hand. In commemorating this day, no leavened bread shall be eaten. (4) Today, in the month Abib, you go forth. (5) When Jehovah brings you into the land of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Hivite and the Jebusite—the land he swore to your forefathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey—you are to observe this rite in this month...(8) On that day you shall tell your son, I do this because of what Jehovah did for me when I came out of Egypt. (9) This rite will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of Jehovah must be on your lips; for with a mighty hand Jehovah brought you out of Egypt. (10) Therefore, you shall observe this rite at the appointed time from year to year. (Exodus 13:3- 5,8-10)

The Passover was to be remembered as a yearly memorial, a perpetual reminder of the Lord's great work of salvation. The great redemption accomplished by the Lord was to be re-told to the succeeding generations so that they, too, might know of His work of salvation and put their trust in Him. Just as the children of Israel were commanded to commemorate the Passover, in the same way we as Christians must always remember Calvary. For our sake, and for His glory, the Lord would have us to ever remember Calvary, because of the great salvation accomplished there by Christ the Savior.

6. What does the selection and the sacrifice of the Passover lamb reveal to us about sin?

a. It reveals the awful price the unrepentant sinner must finally pay. b. It reveals the awful price Christ paid to save those who trust in Him. c. It reveals the awful price we must pay for our redemption. d. It reveals the price it cost God to redeem His people. e. All of the above

7. The apostle Paul tells us that Christ is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). Match the New Testament passages listed below that describe our “Passover Lamb” with the various characteristics of the Old Testament Passover lamb.

a. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16) It was a precious lamb. b. Christ … died for sins once for all, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones, so that he might bring us to God. (1 Peter 3:18a) It was a spotless lamb. c. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— (Galatians 3:13) It was a sacrificial lamb.

8. The fact that the Israelites were required to place the blood of the lamb on their doorposts and eat its roasted flesh corresponds to what New Testament requirement for salvation?

a. We are required to do our part in contributing to the work of Christ. b. We are required to partake of the sacrament of Holy Communion. c. We are required to personally place our faith in Christ.

9. Match the various details of the Passover experience with their spiritual significance. (Answers continued on next page)

a. According to Exodus 12:1, the Lord provided the Passover while the children of Israel were still residing in Egypt and subject to their Egyptian taskmasters. The Lord came to His people bringing them salvation. b. According to Exodus 12:11, the Lord instructed the Israelites to eat the sacrificial Passover meal garbed in traveler’s dress with their coats on and walking stick in hand. The Lord brings His people out of bondage. c. According to Exodus 12:2, the Lord instructed the Israelites to re-construct their calendars, making the month in which the Passover occurred the first month of the year. The Lord brings His people into a new life.

10. The children of Israel were commanded to commemorate the Passover on a yearly basis; in the same way we as Christians must always remember Calvary. Match the passages listed below with the descriptions of those times in our lives when we especially need to remember Calvary.

a. If anyone sins, we have an Advocate who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 2:1b-2a) When we feel the guilt of our sins b. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature along with its passions and lusts. (Galatians 5:24) When we encounter the lure of temptation c. Far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by means of which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world (Galatians 6:14) When we are swept along by the current of this world d. I delivered to you as of first importance that which I also received, namely, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; 4and that he was buried; and that he has been raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) When we encounter the seduction of false teachers

Follow the Lord with Confidence Exodus 13:17-14:31 1. By what visible means did the Lord lead His people during the Exodus? See Exodus 13:21-22 (printed below)

And Jehovah went before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them along the way and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. (22) The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from the people, they were ever present before them. (Exodus 13:21-22)

The Lord went before the people to lead them by means of a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire throughout the night. Just as the caravans were led through the wilderness by a "pillar of cloud and fire," issuing from wood fires in iron grates fastened to long poles (Commentaries on the Old Testament, The Pentateuch, Vol.2, Keil and Delitzsch, p.40), so the Lord led His people as their Guide with His own divine pillar of cloud and fire. By means of the pillar of cloud and fire, the Lord provided all that His people needed: shade from the brutal desert heat throughout the day and light to give comfort and protection and ward off the predatory dangers lurking in the night.

2. Did the Lord lead His people directly into the Promised Land of Canaan? Explain why or why not. See Exodus 13:17-18 (printed below)

Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was a shorter route; for God said, When the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt. (18) So God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea. Now the children of Israel went up out of Egypt armed for battle. (Exodus 13:17-18)

The Lord led the children of Israel by a totally unexpected, circuitous, mysterious route. He did not lead them by the road that passes through the country of the Philistines, even though that route was more direct. Why? Because He knew they were not yet ready to meet the armed challenge of the Philistine armies. What we can learn from this is that if you accept the Lord's leading and look to Him for guidance, He may well deliver you from challenges/trials/temptations for which you are not prepared and which you would find to be too overwhelming.

3. When Pharaoh learns of the route the Israelites have taken what does he think and do? See Exodus 14:1-3,5-6,9 (printed below)

The route God has chosen for His people Israel is viewed by Pharaoh as being foolish: the Israelites are wandering around in confusion, those ignorant, superstitious fools! (The world mistakes the wisdom and the ways of God as foolishness, because it cannot comprehend the scheme and purpose of God's works.) Pharaoh views this as his opportunity to recapture Israel and destroy their leaders. Seeing that they are hemmed in with the sea at their backs, Pharaoh musters 600 chariots and confidently sets off to dispatch the "helpless" Israelites.

4. What is Israel's reaction when they see the Egyptian army coming out against them? See Exodus 14:10-12 (printed below)

As Pharaoh approached, the children of Israel looked up and saw the Egyptians marching against them. They were terrified and the children of Israel cried out to Jehovah. (11) Then they said to Moses, Is it because there were no graves in Egypt, is that why you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us like this, bringing us out of Egypt? (12) Did we not say to you back in Egypt, Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness! (Exodus 14:10-12)

Israel's initial reaction is a sense of terror and panic: in the distance they see a cloud of dust, then the gleam of war spears glittering in the sun, and now the sight of Pharaoh's chariots arrayed against them (like sharks silently, confidently closing in on the prey), awaiting the order to attack. Then, all in one breath, they raise a cry to the Lord and a blasphemous protest against the deliverer the Lord has appointed: Why have you brought this calamity upon us? It was better for us not to have followed you at all! Israel did not like the fact that they had to face adversity on their way to the Promised Land of Canaan. Note Paul's counsel in Acts 14:21-22, he and Barnabas "returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and teaching that we must enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations."

5. Describe the acts and purposes of God throughout the whole course of the Exodus. See especially Exodus 13:17-18 and Exodus 14:1-4,15-18,31 (printed below)

Jehovah said to Moses, (2) Tell the children of Israel to turn back and camp in front of Pi- hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea—you are to camp by the sea directly across from Baal- Zephon. (3) Then Pharaoh will say concerning the children of Israel, They are wandering in the land in confusion, they are hemmed in by the wilderness. (4) I will harden Pharaoh's heart and he will pursue them; but I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah. So the children of Israel did so...(15) Then Jehovah said to Moses, Why are you crying out to me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. (16) Lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide the waters. The children of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry ground. (17) And I, indeed, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will go in after them. I will gain glory over Pharaoh and over all his army, over his chariots and over his horsemen. (18) The Egyptians shall know that I am Jehovah when I have gained glory over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen... (31) When Israel saw the great power Jehovah had employed against the Egyptians, the people feared Jehovah; and they put their trust in Jehovah and in his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:1-4,15- 18,31)

The Lord was sovereignly orchestrating and overruling the whole course of the Exodus. He led Israel into the wilderness and to the shores of the Red Sea; He caused Pharaoh to pursue after the children of Israel; and He led His people through the parted waters of the sea to peace and rest. The Lord allowed His people to be confronted by their enemies; but He Himself stood watch over them (Exodus 14:19-20). The Lord led His people through the parted waters of the Red Sea to ultimate peace and safety. In the middle of the night Israel passes through the dry valley enfolded by two great mountains of water, and the Egyptians pursue them (14:22). For the Egyptians, it became a passage into death; but for Israel, it was a safe passage through death. The Lord allowed His people to be pursued by their enemies, so that He might demonstrate His power and glory in the destruction of those enemies and the redemption of His people.

6. Why did the Lord lead the Israelites by a circuitous route instead of taking them directly into the Promised Land of Canaan?

a. Because the people were not yet ready to face the challenge of the Philistine armies b. Because Moses did not look to the Lord for guidance, consequently the Lord allowed them to take the wrong route c. Because the Lord wanted to test His people to see if they would trust Him no matter where He might lead them

7. According to the commentary, if we accept the Lord’s leading and look to Him for guidance, He will always lead us to our destination or goal by the most direct route and we will thus avoid having to take prolonged and circuitous routes. True or False 8. The route God chose for Israel was viewed by Pharaoh as being foolish. In every generation the world mistakes the wisdom and the ways of God as foolishness. Match the passages listed below with the statements that best summarize their teaching concerning the ways of God.

d. How great are your works, O Jehovah, how profound are your thoughts! 6A brutish man does not know, fools do not understand. (Psalm 92:5-6) The ways of God…cannot be comprehended by the spiritually ignorant e. My thoughts are not like your thoughts, neither are your ways the same as my ways, declares Jehovah. 9As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9) The ways of God…are different from the ways of men f. Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? (Romans 11:33-34) The ways of God…are unfathomably profound

9. According to the commentary, the Lord’s leading of His people safely through the parted waters of the Red Sea in the middle of the night is reminiscent of what passage from the Psalms?

a. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1) b. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) c. The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

10. Match the passages listed below with the statements that summarize their teaching and reiterate the lessons we as Christians should learn from the way in which the Lord led His people at the time of the Exodus.

a. …we must enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations. (Acts 14:22) We may expect the Lord to lead us along a route that will…be circuitous and even dangerous b. Now for a little while, since it is necessary, you have been brought to grief by all kinds of trials. 7This has happened so that the genuineness of your faith—being of greater value than gold which perishes—having been tested by fire, may be verified, resulting in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7) We may expect the Lord to lead us along a route that will…bring honor to His name c. The Lord will deliver me out of every evil work and will save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:18) We may expect the Lord to lead us along a route that will…bring us safely into glory

Three Keys to Consistent Praise Exodus 15:1-27 1. What do the children of Israel do when they stand safely on the other side of the Red Sea? See Exodus 15:1 (printed below)

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Jehovah: I will sing to Jehovah, for he has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea! (Exodus 15:1)

The children of Israel have passed safely through the parted waters of the Red Sea, they have arrived at the distant shore, and when the last one of them steps out of that dried seabed they hear behind them a mighty rumble. They turn around and behold the wall of seawater collapsing and crashing down upon Pharaoh's army, swallowing them up. Then as they stand safely on the distant shore of the Red Sea they lift up a song of praise to the Lord for His victory over their enemies and former oppressors.

2. What are some of the elements in Israel's song of praise? Note especially Exodus 15:2,13,17-18 (printed below)

Jehovah is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation! This is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him! ...(13) By your lovingkindness you have led the people whom you redeemed; by your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling place...(17) You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance—the place, O Jehovah, you have made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands have established. (18) Jehovah shall reign forever and ever! (Exodus 15:2,13,17-18)

In their song of praise the Israelites profess their allegiance to the Lord (15:2). They go on to confess the Lord's lovingkindness and faithfulness (15:13). They also express their confidence in the Lord (15:17). Finally, their song of praise closes with a shout of adoration for the Lord (15:18).

3. When the Israelites begin their journey to the Promised Land, where is their first stop and what do they find? See Exodus 15:22-23 (printed below)

Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they came to the wilderness of Shur. For three days they traveled through the wilderness without finding water. (23) When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of that place, because it was bitter. That is why it was called Marah. (Exodus 15:22-23)

Some scholars believe that the place where Israel initially encamped after crossing the Red Sea is the place presently known as "The Springs of Moses;" it was the only green spot in this entire region, a place where fresh drinking water was readily available. But now, following the pillar of cloud and fire, the people must break camp and head out into the wilderness of Shur. They journey three days into this desolate wilderness without any sign of water. Things are getting serious; by now their water supply is just about used up and you cannot live very long in the desert without water. But by the conclusion of the third day's travel they finally arrive at a place called Marah: here is a source of water. But the water proves to be so bitter that it is quite undrinkable.

4. How do the people of Israel respond to this turn of events? See Exodus 15:24 (printed below)

The people grumbled against Moses, asking, What shall we drink? (Exodus 15:24)

When the water at Marah proves to be so bitter that it is quite undrinkable, the people spit it out of their mouths in disgust and raise their voices in protest against Moses. In the first half of Exodus 15 we heard Israel lifting up their voice in praise to the Lord. Now in the second half of Exodus 15 we again hear Israel lifting up their voice, but this time it is not in praise, it is in protest; it is not exalting the Lord, it is murmuring against His servant, Moses. What happened to their hymn of praise, a hymn in which they confessed the Lord's lovingkindness and faithfulness (15:13) and expressed their confidence in the Lord (15:17?)

5. What does the Lord do at Marah and then where does He lead His people? See Exodus 15:25-27 (printed below) Moses cried out to Jehovah. Then Jehovah showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the waters and the waters became sweet. There at Marah Jehovah made a statute and a decree for them, and there he tested them. (26) He said, If you will diligently pay attention to the voice of Jehovah your God and do what is right in his sight and listen to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians, for I am Jehovah, who heals you. (27) Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there by the waters. (Exodus 15:25-27)

At Marah the Lord faithfully provided for His people by miraculously sweetening the water by means of a piece of dead wood (15:25). After the Lord miraculously sweetened the waters, the reason and meaning of this bitter experience is defined: "There at Marah Jehovah made a statute and a decree for them, and there he tested them" (15:25b). There at the waters of Marah the Lord presented to His people a divine principle, ("a statute"), teaching them how He would deal with them, and a divine right, ("a decree"), teaching them what they could expect and claim from the Lord their God. The Lord was saying to them, "Throughout your life I will lead you, I will direct your path. At times I will bring you into difficult situations that are beyond your control and ability, but I will always prove Myself to be your all-sufficient God: trust Me." And there at the waters of Marah the Lord tested them: by means of this test the Lord was posing the question, "Will you still trust Me and love Me and serve Me, no matter where I put you and no matter what I see fit to bring into your life?" The experience at Marah was intended to test the genuineness of Israel's words recorded in Exodus 15:2 and at the same time to demonstrate to Israel that they could sing those words with complete confidence. After Marah the Lord led His people to the refreshing oasis of Elim: there they found twelve springs of good water (one for each tribe) and 70 palm trees.

6. Match the verses from Exodus 15 listed below with the statements that describe some of the elements in Israel’s song of praise.

a. Jehovah is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation! This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him! (Exodus 15:2) They profess allegiance to the Lord. b. By your lovingkindness you have led the people whom you redeemed; by your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling place. (Exodus 15:13) They confess the Lord’s faithfulness. c. You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance—the place, O Jehovah, you have made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands have established. (Exodus 15:17) They express their confidence in the Lord.

7. Having brought His people through the parted waters of the Red Sea, where did the Lord now lead them? a. He led them to the oasis of Elim. b. He led them to the bitter waters of Marah. c. He led them into the Promised Land of Canaan.

8. The statements listed below explain the reasons why the Lord brought His people to Marah. Complete each statement with the appropriate words. a. At Marah the Lord presented to His people ______, explaining to them what they could expect from the Lord their God. He was telling them, “At times, as I see fit, I will bring you into difficult situations that are beyond your control and ability.” a divine principle b. At Marah the Lord gave to His people ______, assuring them as to what they could claim from the Lord their God. He was promising them, “You can always depend on me to be your faithful, all-sufficient God.” a divine right c. At Marah the Lord subjected His people to ______, determining whether or not they would be faithful to the Lord their God. He was asking them, “Will you still love and trust me no matter what I see fit to bring into your life?” a divine testing

9. The commentary told the story of Betsy and Corrie Ten Boom imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp. Betsy encouraged Corrie to give thanks and praise to the Lord at all times and for all things. One thing for which Corrie found it difficult to give thanks, but which proved to be the very means God used to provide the women opportunities for worship and witness without interference from the prison guards was the presence of fleas. Fill in the blank 10. According to the commentary, Exodus 15 presents to us three keys to consistent praise. What are they? a. Renewing our commitment to the Lord on a daily basis b. Remembering the Lord’s works of grace c. Realizing the Lord’s purpose in bringing hard times d. Recognizing the Lord’s faithful provisions e. Revising our expectations as to what we can expect from the Lord

Can He Provide Bread? Exodus 16:1-36 1. When the children of Israel depart from Elim, where does the Lord lead them? What is their situation and what is their reaction? See Exodus 16:1-3 (printed below)

Then they set out from Elim and the whole congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, located between Elim and Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departure from Egypt. (2) The whole congregation of the children of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. (3) The children of Israel said to them, We wish that we had died by Jehovah's hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat around the pots of meat, when we ate bread and were full. You have brought us into this wilderness in order to kill this whole assembly with hunger! (Exodus 16:1-3) When the children of Israel departed from Elim (the place of palm trees and springs of water), the Lord led them into the wilderness of Sin—the wilderness of Sin is a barren, desolate place. As the people use up the last of their supplies, they anticipate death by starvation out there in that desolate wilderness. Confronted with this situation, they murmur against Moses (the man who is the representative of the Lord). Also, they idealize their past: they long for "the good old days" when they were slaves in Egypt.

2. What does the Lord promise to do for His people? See Exodus 16:4a (printed below)

Then Jehovah said to Moses, Look; I will rain bread down from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day (Exodus 16:4a)

The Lord has led the people of Israel into this barren wilderness of Sin, they are His people, and He assumes the responsibility for their care (note Psalm 23:1). So it is that the Lord now reveals to Moses, "I will rain bread down from heaven for you" (verse 4). The Lord will open up the storehouses of heaven and from His own unlimited resources will provide for the need of His people.

3. What instruction does the Lord give His people with regard to gathering the manna (see Exodus 16:4-5 printed below?) What happens when they disregard His instruction (see Exodus 16:19-20 printed below?) What is He teaching them?

Then Jehovah said to Moses, Look; I will rain bread down from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, so that I may test them, to know whether or not they will walk in accordance with my law. (5) And it shall be that on the sixth day, when they prepare what they have gathered, it shall be twice as much as they gather daily...(19) Moses said to them, Let no one leave any of it until the morning. (20) But they did not listen to Moses, some left a portion of it until the morning, but it was full of maggots and became rotten. And Moses was angry with them. (Exodus 16:4-5,19-20)

While encamped in the wilderness of Sin, the people are instructed to gather "a day's portion every day" (verse 4). When they seek to store some up for use the next day, contrary to Moses' instruction, they find that it has bred worms and spoiled (verses 19-20). Thus the Lord provides this divine manna in such a way as to teach His people to trust Him for their "daily bread." Remember the way in which our Lord teaches us to pray: "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11).

4. How does the Lord react to the people's grumbling? See Exodus 16:6-12 (printed below)

So Moses and Aaron said to the children of Israel, In the evening you shall know that Jehovah has brought you out of the land of Egypt; (7) and in the morning you shall see the glory of Jehovah, for he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you grumble against us? (8) And Moses said, You will know that it is Jehovah when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning; for Jehovah has heard your grumbling that is actually grumbling against him. Who are we? Your grumbling is not against us, but against Jehovah! (9) Then Moses said to Aaron, Tell the whole congregation of Israel, Come near before the presence of Jehovah, because he has heard your grumbling. (10) As Aaron addressed the whole congregation of the children of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness and saw the glory of Jehovah appear in the cloud. (11) And Jehovah spoke to Moses, saying, (12) I have heard the grumbling of the children of Israel. Tell them, In the evening you shall eat meat and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am Jehovah your God. (Exodus 16:6-12) The Lord takes personal offense at the peoples' grumbling. Israel's murmuring is a slander against the Lord, against His goodness, His faithfulness, His ability, and His very character. To vindicate His great Name, the Lord causes His glory to appear in the cloud (verse 10) and He not only supplies the people with bread but also with an abundance of meat. Note: in the spring, quail fly northward in immense flocks from the interior of Africa; the Lord providentially caused such a flight of quail to fall into the camp of the Israelites, providing them with a miraculous abundance of meat (Commentaries on the Old Testament, The Pentateuch, Vol.2, Keil and Delitzsch, p.67).

5. What commandment does the Lord give His people in Exodus 16:32-34 (printed below?) Why does He give this commandment?

Moses said, This is what Jehovah has commanded: Let an omer's worth of it be kept throughout your generations, so that you may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness when I brought you out of the land of Egypt. (33) So Moses said to Aaron, Take a jar and put an omer's worth of manna into it; then put it in the presence of Jehovah to be kept throughout your generations. (34) As Jehovah commanded Moses, Aaron laid it before the Testimony, to be preserved. (Exodus 16:32-34)

The Lord commands that an omer's worth of the manna be stored in a jar and be preserved for future generations. This jar of manna, kept in the presence of the Lord, would serve as a constant reminder of the Lord's faithful commitment to His people. It would also serve as a constant reminder of the Lord's divine ability to meet the needs of His people, as evidenced by the fact that the manna in the jar was miraculously preserved from rotting.

6. Match the passages listed below with the appropriate statements describing Israel’s response to their situation in the wilderness of Sin.

a. Moses and Aaron said to the children of Israel, “In the evening you shall know that Jehovah has brought you out of the land of Egypt; 7and in the morning you shall see the glory of Jehovah, for he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you grumble against us?” (Exodus 16:6-7) They complained against the Lord. b. The children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by Jehovah’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat around the pots of meat, when we ate bread and were full. You have brought us into this wilderness in order to kill this whole assembly with hunger!” (Exodus 16:3) They idealized their past in Egypt. c. The Lord said, “I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Exodus 3:8) They lost sight of God’s promises.

7. When we as Christians encounter hard times, how might we erroneously idealize our past—our life prior to our conversion? We may be tempted to say…

a. “ Before I came to Christ, I fit in with the crowd, now I feel like an outsider.” b. “Before I came to Christ, I had no fear of death and judgment, now I have no hope of forgiveness and eternal life with God.” c. “ Before I came to Christ, I was unconcerned about my lifestyle, now I struggle to resist temptation and lead a godly life.”

8. When the children of Israel encountered hard times in the wilderness of Sin, they began to regret their Exodus. The Scriptures provide us with safeguards to prevent us from ever regretting our exodus from sin and the bondage of the devil. Match the passages listed below with the statements that summarize their teaching. (Answers continued on next page)

a. I know the plans I have for you, declares Jehovah, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) We must not lose sight of…God’s plans for our future. b. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, those who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) We must not lose sight of…God’s good purpose with regard to all things. c. You have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves. (Hebrews 12:5-6a) We must not lose sight of…God’s fatherly love and commitment to us.

9. The Lord provided manna in such a way as to cause His people to trust Him for their daily bread. Why did He do so? a. Because His people had no place to store up a reserve supply of bread during their journey to Canaan. b. Because His people would grow fat and out of shape if they were permitted to overindulge themselves and then they would have been unable to complete their journey to the Promised Land. c. Because His people would forget about the Lord their God if they had a reserve supply of bread on which they could depend.

10. The Lord took personal offense/insult at Israel’s grumbling because their murmuring was a slander against the Lord, wrongfully calling into question and even denying His goodness, His faithfulness, His ability, and His very character. Fill in the blank

The Lord Will Not Forsake You Exodus 17:1-16 1. What is Israel's next stop on their way to the Promised Land? See Exodus 17:1 (printed below) How does this stop compare with such previous stopping points as Marah (Exodus 15) and the Wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16?)

The entire congregation of the children of Israel set out from the wilderness of Sin, traveling from place to place as Jehovah commanded. Then they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. (Exodus 17:1) Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they came to the wilderness of Shur. For three days they traveled through the wilderness without finding water. (23) When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of that place, because it was bitter. That is why it was called Marah. (Exodus 15:22-23)

When we come to Exodus 17 we find the children of Israel journeying down into the extremely barren and mountainous wilderness of the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Here we find them encamped at a place called Rephidim, a place where there was no water. Since departing Egypt for the Promised Land of Canaan, Israel has encountered numerous trials, and now they face yet another trial, this one more severe than the previous. The waters of Mara (Exodus 15) were bitter, even to the point of being undrinkable, but at least there was water, there was a resource (bitter water though it was) with which the Lord could work and change into sweet water. In the Wilderness of Sin (Exodus 16) there was no bread and they had used up their provisions; but, if need be, they could have begun to slaughter their cattle for food. But now, at Rephidim, they encounter their most severe trial to date: there is no water; there is nothing at all down here.

2. How does Israel react to this situation? See Exodus 17:2-4 (printed below)

The people quarreled with Moses and said, Give us water so that we may drink! And Moses said to them, Why do you quarrel with me? Why are you testing Jehovah? (3) The people thirsted for water there; and they grumbled against Moses, saying, Why have you brought us up out of Egypt, was it in order to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? (4) Then Moses cried out to Jehovah, What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me! (Exodus 17:2-4)

The people quarreled with Moses (verse 2). At Marah they murmured against Moses, there was a tremor of unrest (Exodus 15:24); in the Wilderness of Sin the whole congregation murmured, now there was a rumble of discontent (Exodus 16:2); here at Rephidim there is open hostility against Moses, they are almost ready to stone him (Exodus 17:4). Furthermore, we read that the people make a demand: Give us water (verse 2). It is no longer a legitimate question, as was posed at Marah, "What shall we drink?" nor is it an appeal, it is a defiant demand. Their demand is defined by Moses as a tempting and testing of the Lord (verse 2)—it is one thing to humbly petition the Lord for our needs (our Lord teaches us to pray to our heavenly Father, "Give us this day our daily bread" Matthew 6:10), but it is quite another thing to defiantly make demands of Him.

3. What does the Lord do for His people? See Exodus 17:5-6 (printed below)

Jehovah said to Moses, Walk on ahead of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the River. Now go. (6) I will stand before you there by the rock at Horeb. You are to strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink. So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:5-6) The Lord offers Himself as their Servant (verse 6). "I will stand before you...by (or, upon) the rock"—the Hebrew phrase frequently denotes the attitude and posture of a servant standing before his master, (Commentaries on the Old Testament, The Pentateuch, Vol.2, Keil and Delitzsch, p.77). Then the Lord sacrifices Himself for their sake (verse 6). The Lord instructs Moses, "You are to strike the rock, and water will come out of it" (note Isaiah 53:4, "Surely he has borne our afflictions and carried our sorrows; but we regarded him as one who was stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted as an evildoer.")

4. Following the Lord's miraculous provision of water, what happens next to the children of Israel? See Exodus 17:8 (printed below) and also Deuteronomy 25:17-18 (printed below)

Then the Amalekites came and fought against Israel in Rephidim. (Exodus 17:8)

Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. (17) When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. (Deuteronomy 25:17-18)

As Israel breaks camp in this rugged wilderness of Rephidim, just after the Lord has graciously supplied them with water, they are attacked by the Amalekites. Here was a cruel attack by a heartless, merciless enemy: the Amalekites struck the rearmost portion of Israel, attacking the weakest and the most feeble; attacking Israel when they were faint and weary, having no fear of God (Deuteronomy 25:17-18). Who were the Amalikites? They were a fierce nomadic tribe living in the desert wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula. Amalek was the grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:12)—Esau was the twin brother of Jacob (Israel)— whose descendants became the archenemy of Israel. What we find here is no mere squabble between two nomadic tribes, no mere dispute over land and water. On the contrary, what is involved here is nothing less than that spiritual warfare that traces it's origins back to Jacob and Esau, and back to the distinction God made between "the offspring of the woman" (i.e., the redeemed) and "the offspring of the serpent" (i.e., the world of unconverted mankind under the dominion of the devil) (cp. Genesis 3:15).

5. How are the children of Israel delivered from their enemies? See Exodus 17:9-13 (printed below)

Moses said to Joshua, Choose men for us and go out to fight against the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands. (10) So Joshua did as Moses instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. (11) As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites prevailed. (12) When Moses' arms grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady until sunset. (13) So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword. (Exodus 17:9-13)

Moses orders Joshua to select combat troops from Israel's ranks and meet the Amalekites in battle. Moses goes to the top of the hill and, with the staff of God in hand, lifts up his arms in intercessory prayer to the Lord on behalf of Joshua and the Israelite warriors. As long as Moses held up his arms the Israelites prevailed, thereby indicating that the victory is won by the power of the Lord in response to intercessory prayer (cp. Philippians 1:19; speaking of his present ordeal, the apostle Paul testifies, "I know that, through your prayers and the help provided by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the result of all this will be my deliverance.")

6. Match the trials—and divine deliverances—the people of Israel have thus far experienced on their journey to the Promised Land with the location where these events occurred.

a. At this location the people of Israel found the water to be too bitter to drink, but the Lord miraculously sweetened it by means of a piece of driftwood. Marah b. At this location the people of Israel found themselves in a barren region without vegetation or wild game for food, but the Lord faithfully provided them with quail and manna. The Wilderness of Sin c. At this location the people of Israel found themselves in a totally arid region without any water supply, but the Lord graciously provided water from a rock. Rephidim

7. Trials do not build character; they reveal character. What do the trials the Israelites have thus far encountered reveal about their character? a. The Israelites have shown themselves to be unfaithful, constantly setting their own course and ignoring the Lord’s leading. b. The Israelites have shown themselves to be ungrateful, consistently neglecting to thank the Lord for His provisions. c. The Israelites have shown themselves to be unteachable, persistently failing to learn from their past experiences.

8. When you consider the experiences the Israelites have so far undergone along their journey to the Promised Land of Canaan, you find a pattern that is repeated on each occasion. Put the events listed below in their proper order to reveal the pattern.

a. The Israelites encounter a God-ordained trial or ordeal. First b. The Israelites discover that their own human resources and abilities are inadequate to meet the challenge. Second c. The Israelites are forced to look to the Lord, relying upon His ability, His mercy, and His faithfulness. Third d. The Israelites become the beneficiaries of the Lord’s all-sufficient provisions that prove to be more than adequate to meet their needs. Fourth

9. In contrast to the children of Israel, on each of these occasions the Lord has shown His patience and kindness and has demonstrated His covenantal faithfulness. Fill in the blank

10. According to the commentary, what lessons should we learn from the experiences the children of Israel have encountered in the wilderness, especially those experiences described in Exodus 17? Match the verses listed below with the statements that summarize the lessons they contain.

a. The entire congregation of the children of Israel set out from the wilderness of Sin, traveling from place to place as Jehovah commanded. Then they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. (Exodus 17:1) The Lord will not forsake us, even though He will…bring us into very extreme trials b. Then the Amalekites came and fought against Israel in Rephidim. (Exodus 17:8) The Lord will not forsake us, but He will…allow us to be subjected to demonic assault c. Jehovah said to Moses, “I will stand before you there by the rock at Horeb. You are to strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.” (Exodus 17:6) The Lord will not forsake us, rather, He will…always prove Himself to be faithful

What Awaits You at the End of Life's Road? Exodus 18:1-12 1. Describe the scene recorded in Exodus 18:1-6 (printed below).

Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses' father-in-law, heard about all that God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, how Jehovah had brought Israel out of Egypt. (2) After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, Jethro, his father-in-law, took care of her (3) and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, because Moses had said, I have become a sojourner in a foreign land. (4) The name of the other was Eliezer, because he had said, My father's God was my helper; he delivered me from Pharaoh’s sword. (5) Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, together with Moses' sons and his wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped by the mountain of God. (6) He had sent word to Moses, saying, I, Jethro, your father-in-law, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons. (Exodus 18:1-6)

Word reaches Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, concerning all that God has done on behalf of Moses and His people. Note that the mighty works of God were not done in secret; they were broadcast throughout the ancient world. Upon hearing the report of Israel's deliverance and the fact that Israel is now encamped at 'the Mount of God," Jethro departs from Midian to greet Moses—and he does not go alone. Jethro brings with him Moses' wife, Zipporah, and Moses' two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. There, at the Mount of God, they meet again in a most joyful reunion!

2. In what way is this reunion at the mountain of God a type (or, a preview) of one of the great blessings that awaits the Christian in heaven? Consider 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (printed below)

...the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (17) After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. (18) Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

Christian, here is displayed before you one of the great joys of heaven: reunion with loved ones who have died in Christ. The calling of God had separated Moses from his family: for their own safety, he had sent Zipporah and his sons back to Midian. But now they are joyfully reunited at the mountain of God. Sometimes the call of God may cause you to have to leave behind home and family, sometimes even your native land. Sooner or later the call of God causes Christian men and women to leave behind family, home, and this present world, to enter the Father's eternal home in glory (cp. John 14:1-3). But the reunion at the mountain of God is a foretaste and preview of the final great reunion that God promises His people in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

3. When you compare Moses' account of Israel'’s experiences (see Exodus 18:8 printed below) with Jethro's response (see Exodus 18:9 printed below), what does Jethro seem to "overlook?"

Moses told his father-in-law all that Jehovah had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had encountered along the way and how Jehovah had delivered them. (Exodus 18:8)

Jethro rejoiced over all the good that Jehovah had done for Israel in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians. (Exodus 18:9)

Jethro has heard of the mighty works of God, but now he receives a first hand report: "Moses told his father-in-law all that Jehovah had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel's sake and about all the hardships they had encountered along the way and how Jehovah had delivered them" (verse 8). Although Moses faithfully related to his father-in-law both the triumphs of the Lord as well as the trials experienced in the wilderness, notice Jethro's response: "Jethro rejoiced over all the good that Jehovah had done for Israel in delivering them from the hand of the Egyptians" (verse 9). Jethro seems to "overlook" the part about "all the hardships" Israel encountered along the way.

4. How would you explain the difference between Moses' complete account of Israel's experiences and Jethro's "selective" rehearsal of that account? Did Jethro, indeed, "overlook" part of Israel's experience, or is there another explanation?

Did Moses down play the trials experienced in the wilderness? Did Jethro simply overlook them? No. Standing at the Mount of God Moses and Jethro could look back and see how all the works of God worked together to finally produce a glorious result. Jethro was led to rejoice for all the goodness of the Lord not because he didn't have the whole story or because he intentionally overlooked parts of it, but precisely because he was given the complete and finished account. What Paul assets with confidence in Romans 8:28 ("we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, those who have been called according to his purpose") Jethro actually was made to see, and thus he was led to rejoice in all the goodness of the Lord.

5. Having heard from an eyewitness the account of the Exodus, what does Jethro now confess (see Exodus 18:10-11 printed below; note, especially, verse 11?) Do you think Jethro had previously doubted this fact?

Jethro said, Blessed be Jehovah, who has delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of Pharaoh, who has delivered the people from the hand of the Egyptians! (11) Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all other gods; indeed, this has been proven by his response to those who treated Israel arrogantly. (Exodus 18:10-11)

Jethro testifies: "Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all other gods" (verse 11a). Prior to this time Jethro no doubt believed this to be true and accepted it as a God-given truth; but now he can testify that he knows this to be true. Jethro goes on to testify: "Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all other gods; indeed, this has been proven by his response to those who treated Israel arrogantly" (verse 11). The Lord irrefutably demonstrated the truth that He and He alone is God when He exerted His great power and acted both to redeem His people and to conquer His enemies. When the Lord acts, then what is accepted by faith becomes known by experience. 6. At the mountain of God Moses and his family are reunited. But what was the reason for their separation from one another?

a. Because God’s calling involved the dangers of confronting the Egyptian government, Moses was compelled to leave his wife and sons behind for the time being. b. Because of their dispute over the circumcision of their young son, Moses and Zipporah found it more peaceable to live apart from each other for the time being. c. Because Zipporah did not want to join her husband in fulfilling God’s calling if it meant leaving her home and family, Moses decided to leave her behind for the time being.

7. According to the commentary, Moses’ reunion with his family at the mountain of God is a type of what blessing (or blessings) God has granted to the Christian?

a. The weekly worship service with fellow believers in the house of God b. The evening meal with family members reunited around the dinner table c. The annual communion service held once a year with all the Christian churches in the community d. The heavenly reunion with loved ones who have died in Christ e. All of the above

8. Moses relates to his father-in-law all the good that the Lord had done for His people in delivering them by means of the Exodus, he also told Jethro about all the hardships Israel encountered along the way. Therefore, when Jethro only mentions the good that the Lord did for His people, it is not because he did not have the complete story; rather, it is because he chose to ignore the hardships Israel encountered and only focus on the blessings they received. True or False

9. When Jethro has heard how the Lord delivered Israel out of their Egyptian bondage, he testifies, “Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all other gods.” Why does Jethro say this?

a. Prior to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt Jethro had been an agnostic, but now he has become convinced that there really is a God who dwells in heaven and who acts in history. b. Prior to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt Jethro worshipped the spirits that supposedly inhabited the rocks and streams in the wilderness, but now he has come to believe that the Lord is mightier than any of those local deities. c. Prior to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt Jethro believed the Lord to be the only true God, but now that belief has become confirmed by the Exodus.

10. By means of the Exodus Jethro came to gain a true knowledge and assurance of who the Lord is. According to the commentary, what full measure of knowledge and understanding awaits the Christian in the kingdom of heaven? Match the passages listed below with the knowledge they promise.

a. At present we see an obscure image in a mirror, but then we will see face to face. At present I know things partially; but then I will know fully, just as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) The Christian shall finally receive a full measure of understanding with regard to…the mysteries of God b. You will be consoled … for you will know that I have done nothing … without just cause, declares the Lord Jehovah. (Ezekiel 14:23) The Christian shall finally receive a full measure of understanding with regard to…the judgments of God c. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:20) The Christian shall finally receive a full measure of understanding with regard to…his relationship with God

Ministry Is Not a One Man Job Exodus 18:13-27

1. What was Moses doing each day and what does Jethro say about this? See Exodus 18:13-14,17-18 (printed below) The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening. (14) When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all the people stand around you from morning until evening? ...(17) Then Moses' father- in-law said to him, What you are doing is not good. (18) You will surely wear yourself out, both you and the people who come to you. The work is too much for you; you cannot do it by yourself alone. (Exodus 18:13-14,17-18)

Consider what Moses was doing: each day he sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning to evening (verse 13). Now listen to Jethro's analysis of this situation: "What you are doing is not good" (verse 17). It may appear to be a noble and heroic effort on the part of Moses to personally minister to all the people of Israel as they had need, but Jethro defines it as "not good." Jethro goes on the explain, "You will surely wear yourself out, both you and the people who come to you. The work is too much for you; you cannot do it by yourself alone." (verse 18). Both Moses and the people would eventually suffer "burn out" if Moses were to continue ministering as he is presently doing.

2. What counsel does Jethro give Moses? See Exodus 18:19-20 (printed below)

Listen to me and I will give you advice, and may God be with you. You be the peoples' representative before God and bring their disputes to God. (20) Teach them the statutes and the laws and show them the way in which they are to walk and the duties they are to perform. (Exodus 18:19-20)

Consider the job description Jethro outlines for Moses: "You be the peoples' representative before God and bring their disputes to God" (verse 19). Jethro is recommending a ministry of prayer, intercession, and seeking the wisdom of God on behalf of the people. He further counsels Moses, "Teach them the statutes and the laws..." (verse 20a). Note: this is the same two-fold pattern of ministry (prayer and Bible teaching) that was implemented by the apostles to set the precedent for the New Testament church (cp. Acts 6:2-4). Moses is also to "show them the way in which they are to walk" (verse 20); that is to say, Moses, as the leader of God's people, must be an example and model for the people (cp. 1 Timothy 4:12).

3. What further counsel does Jethro offer Moses in Exodus 18:21-22 (printed below?)

Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—men who fear God, men of integrity, men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, officials over hundreds, officials over fifties, and officials over tens. (22) Have them serve as judges for the people at all times; let them bring every difficult case to you, but let them decide every small matter by themselves. In this way it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. (Exodus 18:21-22)

Jethro advises Moses to "select capable men from among the people...and appoint them as officials" (verse 21). Jethro counsels Moses to delegate responsibility to able men who will assist him in the ministry. Jethro is speaking of competent men whom he defines as "men who fear God, men of integrity, men who hate dishonest gain"—i.e.; men of principle and integrity.

4. According to Exodus 18:20 (printed below), besides being an example for the people (showing them the way in which they are to walk), what else is Moses to do with regard to the people?

Teach them the statutes and the laws and show them the way in which they are to walk and the duties they are to perform. (Exodus 18:20)

Jethro instructs Moses, Show the people "the duties they are to perform" (verse 20c). The people of Israel were to take an active part in the worship and service of God; they had their duties of ministry to perform. The congregation of the people were not to merely be consumers of a religious service or ministry, they were to actively engage in worship and service to God.

5. How does Jethro's counsel (found in Exodus 18:20 printed above under question #4) apply to the present day (New Testament era) pastor and congregation? Consider Ephesians 4:11-12 (printed below) ...the Lord gave some to be ... pastors and teachers (12) to prepare the saints for the work of ministry for the purpose of building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12)

One of the tasks of the pastor is to prepare the saints (i.e., the people of God) for active service to Christ and to one another. The service for which the pastor/teacher must prepare the people of God is defined as "the work of ministry" (the Greek word translated ministry means humble service to others, the type of service performed by a servant). Thus, by means of the pastor/teacher's ministry, the people of God are being prepared to be more like the Lord Jesus Himself: "whoever desires to be first among you must be your servant, (28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:27-28). By way of illustration: as a Christian layman you must not view yourself as a tourist on a luxury liner, lying on the deck in a lounge chair, absorbing the crew's professional service and enjoying the cruise. On the contrary, you should view yourself as a navy pilot aboard an aircraft carrier, being equipped by the ship's crew for your next mission.

6. Why does Jethro say it is not good for Moses to minister to the whole nation of Israel by himself?

a. It is not good because Moses is not competent to deal with the wide variety of issues that arise. b. It is not good because the work is too overwhelming for one man and Moses will wear himself out. c. It is not good because Moses is acting arrogantly by retaining all the leadership responsibilities for himself.

7. Match the passages listed below with the counsel that was offered to Moses and that is profitable for present day pastors as well.

a. You be the peoples’ representative before God and bring their disputes to God. (Exodus 18:19) Moses is counseled to carry on a ministry of prayer b. Teach them the statutes and the laws … (Exodus18:20a) Moses is counseled to carry on a ministry of the Word c. …show them the way in which they are to walk…. (Exodus 18:20b) Moses is counseled to be an example for the people d. Select capable men from among the people…and appoint them as officials (Exodus 18:21) Moses is counseled to delegate responsibility

8. What are the characteristics of the men Moses should select to assist him in his ministry to the people of Israel?

a. They should be men who possess wealth and influence. b. They should be men who fear God. c. They should be men of integrity. d. They should be men who are dynamic and have achieved success in the world. e. They should be men who possess competent leadership skills.

9. The people of Israel were not to merely be consumers of a religious service or ministry; they were to actively engage in worship and service to God. The same is true of the people of God today. True or False

10. According to the commentary, what will happen when the individual Christian uses his/her spiritual gift? (Answers continued on next page)

a. By using their spiritual gift they will actually be ministering a portion of the multi- faceted grace of God. b. By using their spiritual gift they will gain a greater assurance of their salvation as they earn merit that will be valuable to them on the Judgment Day.

c. By using their spiritual gift they will become useful to Christ as profitable, productive servants in His hands. d. By using their spiritual gift they will become more excited as they become actively involved in the work of Christ and see Him using them.

How Well Do You Know Your God? Exodus 19:1-20:21 1. Of what does the Lord remind Israel in Exodus 19:3-4 (printed below?)

Then Moses went up to God, and Jehovah called to him from the mountain and said, This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and tell the children of Israel: (4) You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. (Exodus 19:3-4)

Here in the isolated place of the wilderness of Sinai, the Lord reminds Israel of what He has done for them. He declares, "You have seen what I did to the Egyptians," namely, the devastating plagues and the collapsing of the Red Sea upon the pursuing Egyptian army. Here was the exertion of Christ's almighty power to redeem His people from the tyranny of Egypt and it's gods. Furthermore, the Lord reminds Israel how He carried them "on eagles' wings." Here is a picture of the Lord's tender compassion: the eagle watches over it’s young by flying under them when it leads them from the nest, so that they will not fall upon the rocks below (Commentaries on the Old Testament, The Pentateuch, Vol.2, Keil and Delitzsch, p.96). Finally the Lord declares, "I brought you to myself." The Lord's whole purpose was to receive them and have them as His own treasured possession (note Ephesians 1:11-14).

2. What is the Lord's purpose and plan for His people? See Exodus 19:5-6 (printed below)

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then out of all the nations you shall be my treasured possession, even though the whole earth is mine. (6) You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the children of Israel. (Exodus 19:5-6)

The Lord not only reminds Israel of what He has done for them, but also reveals the plan He has for them: "You will be for me a kingdom of priests." His divine purpose is not only that they be His subjects over whom He exercises His benevolent reign and bestows His divine protection; but also that they be His own personal servants (priests) who have the privilege of ministering to the Almighty, offering to Him the sacrifices of worship, praise, and devotion. Furthermore, the Lord's purpose for His people is that they be "a holy nation." That is to say, a people who are sacred: set apart for God and set apart to be like God Himself, in truth and purity and righteousness (note1 Peter 2:9-10a).

3. How must Israel prepare themselves to meet their God? See Exodus 19:9-15 (printed below)

Jehovah said to Moses, I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and always put their trust in you. Then Moses told Jehovah what the people had said. (10) Jehovah said to Moses, Go back to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes (11) and be ready by the third day, because on the third day Jehovah will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. (12) You must set boundaries for the people all around the mountain and tell them, Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or even touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. (13) No hand is to be laid on him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows. Whether man or beast, he shall not be permitted to live. Only when the ram's horn sounds a long blast may they ascend the mountain. (14) Then Moses went back down the mountain to the people and sanctified them; and they washed their clothes. (15) Then he said to the people, Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations. (Exodus 19:9- 15)

In anticipation of meeting the Lord and entering into covenant with Him, the people must be "sanctified"— i.e.; purified and consecrated. They had to wash their garments (verse 10)—symbolizing the washing away of their sins and presenting a pure life unto God. They were to abstain from sexual relationships (verse 15) —symbolizing a desire to be dedicated to the Lord and become His holy bride.

4. Describe the way in which the Lord revealed Himself to His people. See Exodus 19:16-18 (printed below)

Then on the third day, when morning dawned, there was thunder and lightning, and a dense cloud was over the mountain, and there was a very loud trumpet blast. All the people who were in the camp trembled. (17) Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. (18) Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because Jehovah descended upon it in fire. The smoke billowed up like smoke from a furnace and the whole mountain trembled violently. (Exodus 19:16-18)

On the morning of the third day, the day appointed for the people to meet God, there was thunder and lightning and a dense cloud covered the mountain. "A very loud trumpet blast" heralded the coming of the King. "Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because Jehovah descended upon it in fire." Here was an awesome display of the majesty of the Lord God the Almighty.

5. When the people tremble in the presence of the Lord God, how does Moses comfort them? See Exodus 20:18-20 (printed below)

When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain covered with smoke, they trembled with fear and stood at a distance. (19) They said to Moses, You speak to us and we will listen. But do not let God speak to us or we will die. (20) Moses said to the people, Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, in order that the fear of him may be always before you, so that you will not sin. (Exodus 20:18-20)

When, with trembling, the people request that Moses communicate the Word of God to them, rather than they being directly exposed to the presence of God, Moses comforts them with these words, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you"-- i.e., the Lord's intention is not to destroy you but rather to determine if you really want a relationship with Him. Then Moses informs the people that God has revealed to them His divine glory "in order that the fear of him may be always before you, so that you will not sin." The Lord desires to instill in His people the grace of godly fear that leads to obedience and blessing. Note Deuteronomy 5:29, "Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commandments always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!" Contrast this with the description of the ungodly given in Romans 3:10,18, "...as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one... (18) There is no fear of God before their eyes." Together with the grace of devoted love for Him, the Lord employs the grace of godly fear to bind us to Himself.

6. In what ways did the Lord express His love for His people?

a. He delivered them from their Egyptian bondage. b. He ignored their sins and did not expect them to change. c. He watched over them during their journey through the wilderness. d. He brought them to Mt. Sinai in order to enter into a covenant with them.

7. The people of Israel are told to prepare to meet their God. Match their acts of preparation with the statements that explain the spiritual significance of each act.

a. This act symbolized the cleansing from sin and presenting a pure life to God. They had to wash their garments. b. This act symbolized a desire to dedicate themselves to the Lord and become His holy bride. They had to abstain from sexual relations. c. This act symbolized the sacredness of the Lord. They had to erect a boundary around Mt. Sinai.

8. When the Lord meets with His people how does He reveal Himself to them? a. The Lord descended upon the mountain in fire. b. The Lord descended upon Moses in the form of a dove. c. The Lord hovered over the mountain in the form of an eagle.

9. Together with the grace of devoted love for Him, the Lord employs the grace of godly fear to bind His people to Himself. True or False 10. According to this lesson, in order for there to be a true and lasting relationship with the Lord, what is necessary for us to have? a. We need to have an appreciation of His love for us. b. We need to have a revelation by which we physically see His majestic splendor. c. We need to have a reverence for His divine sacredness. How to Approach the Lord Exodus 20:22-26

1. What warning does the Lord give His people in Exodus 20:23 (printed below?) Contrast what the Lord says about Himself (see Exodus 20:22 printed below) with what He says about the idols (see Psalm 115:4-7 printed below).

You shall not make any other gods to be beside me; you shall not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold. (Exodus 20:23)

Then Jehovah said to Moses, This is what you shall say to the children of Israel: You yourselves have witnessed that I have spoken to you from heaven. (Exodus 20:22)

... their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. (5) They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; (6) they have ears, but they cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; (7) they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound from their throats. (Psalm 115:4-7)

The Lord strictly warns His people not to make any other gods beside Him. They are not to fashion idols for themselves—"gods of silver or gods of gold." Whereas the Lord as the true and living God personally speaks from heaven (Exodus 20:22), the idols of the world are lifeless frauds—they have the appearance of being persons, but they have no life or being. Furthermore, they are made in the image of man by man (Psalm 115:4), whereas God has created man in His image.

2. What kind of altar were the people to make at those places where the Lord revealed Himself? See Exodus 20:24-25 (printed below)

You shall make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings—your sheep and your oxen. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. (25) If you make an altar of stone for me, you shall not construct it out of hewn stones; for if you use a tool in building it you will defile it. (Exodus 20:24-25)

In the land of Canaan the Lord would come and reveal Himself to Israel; at those places of revelation the people were to erect an altar for the Lord. The altar Israel was to erect on such sites was to be nothing more than a simple mound of earth or a pile of stones. The people are forbidden to construct altars of hewn stone. As the Lord declares in verses 25, if the people use a tool in building the altar they will defile it.

3. What do you think is the reason for the instructions and prohibition concerning the construction of altars given in Exodus 20:24-25 (printed above under question #2?)

The command that Israel was not to contribute to the making of the altar by means of their own craftsmanship or handiwork is emphasizing the fact that we cannot contribute to our salvation. We must approach God based solely on what He has done for us. Expressed in terms of New Testament revelation, the point of the instruction and prohibition is this: a man is received into fellowship with God based upon the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, not the merits offered by the man himself. Note Titus 3:4-5, "...when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, (5) he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

4. Again with regard to the construction of altars, what does the Lord forbid in Exodus 20:26 (printed below?) Why is this forbidden?

And you shall not ascend my altar by steps, so that your nakedness not be exposed upon it. (Exodus 20:26)

The Lord further forbids the construction of steps ascending up to an elevated altar, the reason: "so that your nakedness not be exposed upon it" (verse 26b). From the time of Adam and Eve's transgression in the Garden of Eden, nakedness has become associated with the exposure of our sinful being (cp. Genesis 3:9- 10). Nakedness is self-exposure. Since the time of mankind's rebellion in the Garden of Eden, our self- exposure has been the exposure of a sinful being in the presence of a holy God. 5. In light of the prohibition given in Exodus 20:26 (printed above under question #4) with regard to the construction of altars, what must we acknowledge about ourselves before our holy God?

It is essential that we honestly acknowledge our moral uncleanness before our holy God. Consider the testimony of the Lord Jesus: "Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. (20) These are what make a man 'unclean'..." (Matthew 15:19-20). Contrary to the contemporary emphasis on self-esteem, self-acceptance, and positive self-image, the God-given truth is this: when we approach the Lord we must acknowledge our moral uncleanness—and trust in the perfect provision of Christ the Savior.

6. The pastor of the largest church in San Francisco, a congregation that includes professing Jews, Muslims and Buddhists, maintains that “diversity and tolerance are essential to the church’s survival.” In taking such a position this pastor is in harmony with the biblical teaching as it is found in Exodus 20:22-23 and throughout the rest of the Bible. True or False

7. Contrast what the Bible teaches about the Lord in distinction to what it teaches about the idols of the world by completing the sentences listed below.

a. The Lord is the true and living God, but according to Psalm 135:15-17 the idols of this world are…lifeless b. The Lord made man in His own likeness, but according to Psalm 115:4-7 the idols of the world are…made in man’s image c. When men worship the Lord they are worshipping the true God; but according to 1 Corinthians 10:20 when men worship idols they are…worshipping demons

8. According to the commentary, why did the Lord forbid Israel from constructing an altar out of hewn stones? a. The Lord wanted them to realize that they could not construct an altar with the perfection that alone is worthy of Him. b. The Lord wanted them to be aware that there would not always be an adequate supply of building materials available to construct such an altar. c. The Lord wanted them to understand that they could only approach Him on the basis of His work of grace, not on the basis of any human merit.

9. Listed below are some of the ways in which men seek to “construct” their own approach to God. Match the descriptions with the biblical passages. a. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. (Luke 18:11) Men seek to…favorably compare themselves with notorious sinners b. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself… 12”I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.” (Luke 18:11-12) Men seek to…offer God acts of religious devotion c. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28) Men seek to…limit the demands of God’s law

10. What lessons are we to learn from the instructions the Lord gave to Israel in Exodus 20:22-26?

a. When we approach the Lord we must only do so in the proper religious facility, namely, a church or cathedral. b. When we approach the Lord we must acknowledge that He alone is God. c. When we approach the Lord we must acknowledge our own lack of personal merit. d. When we approach the Lord we must acknowledge our moral uncleanness.

Fulfill Your Covenantal Responsibility Exodus 23:20-33 1. In Exodus 23:20 the Lord tells Israel, "I am sending an angel ahead of you." What will this angel do? What is unique about this angel (see Exodus 23:21 printed below?)

Pay attention to him and obey him; do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgression, because my Name is in him. (Exodus 23:21)

In Exodus 23:20 the Lord declares, "I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared." This angel would serve to guide the people of Israel through their wilderness journey until He had finally brought them into the Promised Land of Canaan. This angel was no mere angel, He was the Angel of the Lord, an Old Testament manifestation of Christ Himself—note that the Lord declares, "My Name is in Him" (verse 21).

2. How are the people of Israel to respond to this angel and why? See Exodus 23:21 (printed above under question #1)

Because this angel has been sent by God, and is in fact Christ the Lord, the people are instructed and warned, "Pay attention to him." They must not disregard the Word of God as it was communicated by the Angel of the Lord nor may they treated Him with contempt. Furthermore, the people are instructed to obey Him. In other words, not only must they reverently listen to Him, they must respond to His instructions and commandments with faith and obedience. Finally, they are warned, "Do not provoke him." That is to say, the people must not rebel against Him, rejecting His divine lordship over their lives. The reason the people are warned to obey Christ and not provoke Him is due to the fact that "he will not pardon your transgression" (verse 21).

3. What does the Lord mean when He informs the people that His angel "will not pardon your transgression?"

"Transgression" has the meaning of willful, stubborn, determined and defiant disobedience without repentance—it is refusal to yield to Christ's lordship. This is something that Christ will not tolerate. Note Luke 19:27, "...those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me." In this passage, by means of a parable, the Lord Jesus expresses His attitude towards defiance against His divine lordship and the adamant refusal to submit to that lordship.

4. The Lord warns His people that when they enter the land of Canaan they must not conform to the practices of the Canaanites. Describe the practices of those pagan people as they are recorded in 2 Kings 21:2-6 (printed below).

Manasseh did evil in the eyes of Jehovah, following the detestable practices of the nations Jehovah had driven out before the Israelites. (3) He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had destroyed; he also erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole, as Ahab king of Israel had done. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. (4) He built altars in the temple of Jehovah, of which Jehovah had said, In Jerusalem I will put my Name. (5) In both courts of the temple of Jehovah, he built altars to all the starry hosts. (6) He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of Jehovah, provoking him to anger. (2 Kings 21:2-6)

We gain some understanding of what the pagan Canaanite worship entailed when we consider 2 Kings 21:1-9, 16-17, a passage that describes how the ungodly Israelite king, Manasseh, followed "the detestable practices of the nations" (who occupied the land of Canaan). Baal and Asherah were the chief god and goddess of a pagan fertility cult. Baal worship apparently had its origin in the belief that every tract of ground owed its productivity to a supernatural being, or baal, that dwelt there (Westminster Dictionary of the Bible, p.53). The pagan view was that nature was inhabited by spirits that had to be appeased (sometimes by infant sacrifices) and pleased (by sexual orgies) in order for it to yield its fruit. We are further informed that Manasseh "bowed down to all the starry host and worshiped them"—a reference to astrology, the belief that the life and circumstances of men are governed by the heavens, and the secrets of the future can be ascertained by the use of astrologers. There was also the practice of consulting mediums and wizards and the use of enchantments (incantations, charms, spells, etc.), all for the purpose of tapping into the supernatural and seeking to harness its power. Note: the passage goes on to say that the reign of Manasseh was also a time of great violence and bloodshed throughout the land (2 Kings 21:16): departure from devotion to the God of heaven inevitably results in a society given over to violence and oppression.

5. How many promises does the Lord make to His people if they are faithful to Him? See Exodus 23:22-23,25-28,30-31 (printed below)

But if you will obey him and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries, (23) for my angel will go ahead of you and bring you in to the land of the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, and I will wipe them out...(25) You shall serve Jehovah your God, and he will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst. (26) None shall miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span. (27) I will send my terror ahead of you and will throw into confusion all the people you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run from you. (28) I will send "the hornet" ahead of you to drive the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites out of your way...(30) Little by little I will drive them out of your way, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land. (31) I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the Euphrates River; for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out of your way (Exodus 23:22-23,25-28,30-31)

In this passage the Lord makes a dozen promises to His people (12 times the Lord declares, "I will do such and such for you.") The dozen promises can be broken down into three great promises: 1) I will guide and lead you to the promised land of Canaan; 2) I will guard you from your enemies and drive them out from before you; 3) I will cause you to enter the land and there enjoy My blessing. All the promises can be summarized as parts of the Lord's one great promise: I will be your God and you shall be My people.

6. Who was the angel whom the Lord sent to go ahead of His people?

a. He was Michael, the archangel and the great protector of God’s people. b. He was Gabriel, the same angel who would announce the coming of the Christ. c. He was an Old Testament manifestation of Christ Himself.

7. With regard to this angel the Lord tells the people of Israel that they must do three things. Match the instructions the Lord gave Israel with the applications those instructions have for our own lives as Christians.

a. The Lord instructs Israel to pay attention to what the angel says. We must reverently listen to God’s Word. b. The Lord instructs Israel to obey the angel. We must put into practice what the Bible teaches. c. The Lord warns Israel not to provoke the angel. We must not defiantly reject Christ’s lordship over us.

8. When the Lord says of this angel, “he will not pardon your transgression,” He is referring to the fact that Christ will not tolerate willful, stubborn, defiant disobedience without repentance—the adamant refusal to submit to Christ’s lordship. True or False

9. The Lord warns His people not to conform to the practices of the Canaanites. According to 2 Kings 21:2-6, what were some of their practices?

a. They worshipped the god and goddess of a fertility cult that required infant sacrifices and sexual orgies. b. They actively resisted the people of Israel when they sought to evangelize them and convert them to the Lord. c. They were devoted to the practice of astrology, believing that the lives of men are governed by the stars. d. They consulted mediums and wizards, thereby tapping into the spiritual powers of darkness. 10. According to the commentary, the twelve promises the Lord makes to His people can be classified into three great promises. Match each of the individual promises listed below with the category to which they belong.

a. I will throw into confusion all the people you encounter. I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand. I will defeat your enemies. b. My angel will bring you into the land of Canaan. I will establish your border from the Red Sea to the Euphrates River. I will give you the Promised Land. c. I will bless your bread and water. I will remove sickness from your midst. I will give you a full life span. I will grant you abundant blessing. The Prerequisite for Fellowship with God Exodus 24:1-11

1. What invitation does the Lord give to Moses and the leaders of Israel in Exodus 24:1 (printed below) and what scene is described in verses 9-11 (printed below?)

Then he said to Moses, Come up to Jehovah—you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel—and worship at a distance. (Exodus 24:1)

Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy elders of Israel went up the mountain, (10) and they saw the God of Israel. Under his feet there was something like a pavement made of sapphire stones, as clear as the sky. (11) He did not lay his hand upon the leaders of the children of Israel; they saw God, and they ate and drank before him. (Exodus 24:9-11)

As Exodus 24 opens, we find the Lord extending an invitation to the people of Israel to come into His presence for worship and fellowship. Moses, Aaron and seventy elders of Israel (as the representatives of the whole nation) are invited to ascend the mountain of God to worship the Lord and be received by Him. At the conclusion of this passage (verses 9-11), we find Moses, Aaron and the seventy elders actually coming into the presence of the Lord. They saw the God of Israel in His glory: under His feet there was bright sapphire and the very clearness of heaven itself. God did not lay His hand upon them; on the contrary, they beheld God and fellowshiped with Him.

2. What occurs between the opening of this passage (the divine invitation to approach God) and the conclusion (where the leaders of Israel fellowship with God?) See Exodus 24:2-8 (printed below)

Moses alone shall approach Jehovah, but the others must not come near; neither may the people go up with him. (3) When Moses came and told the people all Jehovah's words and all the decrees, all the people responded with one voice and said, We will do everything that Jehovah has spoken. (4) Moses then wrote down all the words of Jehovah. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. (5) Then he sent young Israelite men who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed bulls as peace offerings to Jehovah. (6) Moses took half of the blood and put it into bowls, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar. (7) Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it for all the people to hear. They responded, We will do all that Jehovah has spoken; we will be obedient. (8) Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, This is the blood of the covenant that Jehovah has made with you in accordance with all these words. (Exodus 24:2-8)

Between the opening of this passage (with the divine invitation to approach God) and the conclusion (where they actually experience life in the very presence of God), there is described for us the great sacrifice that made this communion with God possible. "Moses came and told the people all Jehovah's words and all the decrees" (verse 3a); "all the people responded with one voice and said, 'We will do everything that Jehovah has spoken.'" (verse 3b) Following the peoples' testimony expressing their willingness to accept God as their covenant Lord there is the description of the great sacrifice that established the covenant relationship.

3. Describe the preparations for the sacrifice that established the covenant as those preparations are recorded in Exodus 24:4-5 (printed below).

Moses then wrote down all the words of Jehovah. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. (5) Then he sent young Israelite men who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed bulls as peace offerings to Jehovah. (Exodus 24:4-5)

Moses now proceeds to write all the word of the Lord—i.e.; he produces a written document of the covenant (verse 4a). Early in the morning he built an altar at the base of the mountain (i.e.; in God's presence) and twelve pillars, representing the twelve tribes of Israel (verse 4b). Moses then instructed the young men who were chosen to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings to the Lord (verse 5). 4. What does Moses do with the blood of the sacrificed animals? See Exodus 24:6-8 (printed below). What do you think is the spiritual significance of this?

Moses took half of the blood and put it into bowls, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar. (7) Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it for all the people to hear. They responded, "We will do all that Jehovah has spoken; we will be obedient." (8) Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that Jehovah has made with you in accordance with all these words." (Exodus 24:6-8)

Moses took the blood of the sacrificed animals and sprinkled half of it on the altar (verse 6). After the people reaffirmed that they would do all that the Lord had spoken, Moses sprinkled the other half of the blood on them (verse 7-8). Then he declared, "This is the blood of the covenant that Jehovah has made with you in accordance with all these words." The blood of the burnt offering sprinkled on both the altar and the people was symbolizing the Lord and the people pledging themselves in commitment to one another on penalty of death.

5. Did the people of Israel keep the covenant (see Exodus 32:7-8 printed below?) How were they spared from suffering the penalty for violating the covenant (see Exodus 32:30-32 printed below?) What lessons must we learn from Israel's experience?

The next day Moses said to the people, You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to Jehovah, perhaps I will be able to make atonement for your sin. (31) So Moses returned to Jehovah and said, Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made for themselves a god of gold. (32) But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written. (Exodus 32:30-32)

The people of Israel made a pledge of themselves to God—it was the only way by which He would receive them into fellowship. But, tragically, they were not faithful to their pledge. Exodus 32 records their breaking of the covenant by the making of the golden calf and worshiping it as a substitute for the Lord Himself. The people were spared only because of the intercession made by Moses on their behalf, as recorded in Exodus 32:30-32. At the foot of Mt. Sinai the Lord made it emphatically clear to the people of Israel that the prerequisite for fellowship with Him is nothing less than the offering up of unreserved devotion to Him—the offering up of our life and soul to Him. But, as the people of Israel came to discover, it is impossible for us to make that necessary sacrifice by ourselves; it can only happen by virtue of the sacrifice of Christ. If you want to live in fellowship with God, you must recognize and accept the required sacrifice offered by Christ: ever depending on His sacrificial death, and once-for-all being joined with Him in His sacrificial death. We must look to Christ in true faith: trusting in His sacrificial death on our behalf for the forgiveness of our sins, and at the same time entrusting ourselves into His hands to become spiritually joined to Him in His death and resurrection.

6. In order to have fellowship with God what did the people of Israel have to do?

a. They had to successfully undergo a period of testing to determine if they were qualified for fellowship with God. b. They had to accept God as their covenant Lord. c. They had to participate in a sacrifice that established the covenant.

7. The blood of the burnt offering sprinkled on both the altar and the people symbolized the Lord and the people pledging themselves to be committed and faithful to one another or else suffer the penalty of death. True or False

8. When the people of Israel broke the covenant by making the golden calf, what happened to them? a. They were condemned by the Lord and left to die in the wilderness without any hope of redemption. b. They were excused because the Lord’s great love overruled His demand that justice must be enacted. c. They were spared because Moses interceded for them and offered to be blotted out in their place.

9. According to the commentary, what lessons must we learn about having fellowship with God from Israel’s experience at Sinai? Complete the sentences listed below. a. In order to live in fellowship with God we must depend on Christ’s perfect obedience. b. In order to live in fellowship with God we must depend on Christ’s sacrificial death. c. In order to live in fellowship with God we must be crucified with Christ.

10. To illustrate a true saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ the lesson used the example of a man being rescued from a fire in a high rise apartment. Match the various parts of the example with the spiritual truths they represent. a. The man in jeopardy from the flames represents…our perilous condition caused by our sins. b. The man’s situation of being helpless and in need of rescue represents…our inability to save ourselves. c. The man allowing the firefighter to enter the apartment to save his possessions represents… our trust in Christ’s substitutionary death. d. The man allowing the firefighter to carry him down the ladder to safety represents…our entrusting ourselves to Christ.

Make Yourself a Fit Sanctuary for the Lord Exodus 24:12-25:9; Exodus 40:1-17,34-38

1. What does the Lord instruct His people to make for Him and why? See Exodus 25:8-9 (printed below)

Have them make a sanctuary for me, so that I may dwell among them. (9) You shall make this tabernacle and all its furnishing exactly like the pattern I will show you. (Exodus 25:8-9)

The Lord instructs His people to make a sanctuary, or tabernacle, for Him. This name (tabernacle) expresses the Lord's desire to live among His people, rather than merely make occasional appearances as He did in the days of Abraham. The great King of glory desires to have His residence with us and to be our royal Neighbor. The sovereign Lord of heaven desires to be with us and be our Friend and Companion. The fact that the Lord's dwelling place takes the form of a tent shows His willingness to completely identify Himself with us (Israel was living in tents, the Lord will do so also.) Here is a tremendous display of condescension and humility motivated by compassion and love (note John 1:14 and Hebrews 2:14a).

2. The tabernacle to be built for the Lord is called "a sanctuary." What is the significance of this?

The term "sanctuary" indicates that it is a holy place because dwelling here is none other than the Holy One Himself: sin is an unacceptable practice within its holy precincts. Furthermore, it is the place of refuge because the Lord who dwells here invites us to find a safe and secure haven under His protective care: the enemies of our soul are not able to enter this sacred place (note Psalm 62:6-8.)

3. What piece of furniture to be housed in the tabernacle is mentioned in Exodus 25:10-11,16-22 (printed below?) Describe its construction and its location in the tabernacle. What do you think is the spiritual significance of this item?

Have them make a chest of acacia wood—two and a half cubits long, a cubit and a half wide, and a cubit and a half high; (11) overlay it with pure gold, both inside and out, and make a gold molding around it... (16) Then put into the ark the Testimony, which I will give you. (17) Make an atonement cover of pure gold—two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. (18) And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. (19) Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other; make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends. (20) The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. (21) Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you. (22) There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commandments for the Israelites. (Exodus 25:10-11, 16-22) note: a cubit equals approximately 18 inches or 0.5 meters

Contained within the tabernacle was the ark of the covenant, as described in Exodus 25:10-11,16-22. This was the focal point of the entire tabernacle: located within the Holy of holies, the ark was the earthly throne of God (the cherubim who adorned the ark are the throne attendants of the Lord). Placed on top of the ark was "an atonement cover," or, "mercy seat" (literally, "the covering") (Exodus 25:17-22). On the annual Day of Atonement the high priest would sprinkle the blood of the sin offering upon the mercy seat (Leviticus 16:15). The tablets of the covenant were contained within the ark and the blood-sprinkled mercy seat served as the cover of the ark. The Lord thus demonstrates His desire for fellowship with His people by providing the means of atonement and reconciliation (note 1 John 2:1-2).

4. What piece of furniture is mentioned in Exodus 30:1-3,6-8 (printed below?) Where was it located? What do you think was its spiritual significance?

Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense. (2) It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high—its horns of one piece with it; (3) overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it... (6) Put the altar in front of the curtain that is before the ark of the Testimony—before the atonement cover that is over the Testimony—where I will meet with you. (7) Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. (8) He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before Jehovah for the generations to come. (Exodus 30:1-3, 6-8)

Another piece of furniture placed in the tabernacle was the altar of incense, described in Exodus 30:1-3, 6-8. This altar was placed immediately in front of the ark of the covenant, with only the curtain separating the two. Every day the priest was to burn incense upon this altar on behalf of the people. The fact that this was done at the hour of prayer (note Luke 1:9-10) shows that the altar with its burning incense was representing the prayers of God's people that are precious to the Lord (note Proverbs 15:8b, "the prayer of the upright is the Lord's delight.")

5. What request did the Lord make of His people in Exodus 25:2 (printed below?) How did the people respond? See Exodus 35:20-29 (printed below)

Tell the children of Israel to bring me an offering. You shall receive the offering for me from every man whose heart makes him willing to give. (Exodus 25:2)

Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses' presence, (21) and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to Jehovah for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. (22) All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to Jehovah. (23) Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or hides of sea cows brought them. (24) Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to Jehovah, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it. (25) Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun— blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. (26) And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. (27) The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breast piece. (28) They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense. (29) All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to Jehovah freewill offerings for all the work Jehovah through Moses had commanded them to do. (Exodus 35:20-29)

For the construction of the tabernacle, the Lord instructs that a free will offering be taken from "every man whose heart makes him willing to give" (Exodus 25:2). The Lord desires to have fellowship with us, but if such fellowship is to actually take place, there must be a reciprocal desire for it on our part. We express that desire by willingly giving ourselves to the Lord; Exodus 35:20-29 describes Israel's response to the Lord's instruction. Four times in this passage (verses 21,22,26,29) it is reported that the people gave willingly, thereby expressing their desire to serve the Lord and have fellowship with Him.

6. Match the descriptions of God’s Old Testament dwelling place with the appropriate names.

a. This name expresses the Lord’s desire to live among His people. The Tabernacle b. This name expresses the Lord’s desire to have fellowship with His people. The Tent of Meeting c. This name bears testimony to the Lord’s covenantal commitment to His people. The Tabernacle of the Testimony d. This name expresses both the holiness of the Lord as well as His being a refuge for His people. The Sanctuary

7. Which of the furnishings listed below was located in the Holy of holies?

a. The Table of Showbread b. The Golden Candlestick c. The Altar of Incense d. The Ark of the Covenant 8. Match the furnishings listed below with their spiritual significance.

a. This article of furniture portrayed the fact that all of life is lived in the presence of God and is under His watchful care. The Table of Showbread b. This article of furniture portrayed the fact that the people of God are to be filled with His Holy Spirit and have His divine presence radiating from their lives. The Golden Candlestick c. This piece of furniture portrayed the fact that the prayers of His people are precious to the Lord. The Altar of Incense

9. Beside the call for the free will offering, the Lord also gave Moses instructions concerning the atonement money. According to the commentary, what was the purpose of the atonement money? a. It would pay for the sins of the people. b. It would be used to pay the workmen for their labor in constructing the tabernacle and making the furniture. c. It would be used for the maintenance of the tabernacle.

10. In the New Testament era we no longer have the tabernacle with all of its furnishings. Now, according to 1 Corinthians 6:19, the Christian’s body is a temple, or sanctuary, for the Holy Spirit. Fill in the blank Jesus Christ: Our Great High Priest Exodus 28:1-5

1. Describe the acts by which Aaron and his sons were consecrated to the priesthood. See Exodus 29:4-7 (printed below)

Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water. (5) Take the garments and dress Aaron with the tunic, the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself and the breastplate. Fasten the ephod on him by its skillfully woven waistband. (6) Put the turban on his head and attach the sacred diadem to the turban. (7) Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head. (Exodus 29:4-7)

Aaron and his sons were brought before the door of the tent of meeting and were washed with water (verse 4); this symbolized their purification from sin and for service to the Lord who is holy. Aaron was then clothed with the sacred garments prepared for the high priest (verses 5-6). The priestly garments represent the glory and the splendor of the priesthood, especially depicted by the robes; the ministry of the priesthood, especially depicted by the ephod and the breastplate; and the spiritual authority of the priesthood, especially depicted by the crown-like turban. Then Aaron was anointed with the holy anointing oil (verse 7); the anointing with the holy oil symbolized the priest being anointed with the Holy Spirit in order to carry out his divinely ordained ministry.

2. Describe the high priest's garment called "the ephod." See Exodus 28:6-14 (printed below)

Make the ephod of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen—the work of a skilled craftsman. (7) It is to have two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners, so it can be fastened. (8) Its skillfully woven waistband is to be like it—of one piece with the ephod and made with gold, and with blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and with finely twisted linen. (9) Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel (10) in the order of their birth—six names on one stone and the remaining six on the other. (11) Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings (12) and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the LORD. (13) Make gold filigree settings (14) and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings. (Exodus 28:6-14)

The ephod was a type of vest, perhaps reaching no lower than the waist, joined only at the shoulders; its main function was to carry the memorial stones and the breastplate. On top of each shoulder piece of the ephod was set an onyx stone (a precious gem stone often pale blue in color). Upon the two onyx stones were engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (six names on each stone), and the stones were encased in gold settings. Verse 12 indicates that the two stones were to be "memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before Jehovah." The spiritual significance of the engraved stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod worn by the high priest: the high priest appeared before the Lord representing in his own person all the Lord's people who are precious to Him and bearing them before the Lord in intercession.

3. Describe the high priest's breastplate. See Exodus 28:15-30 (printed below)

Fashion a breastplate for making decisions—the work of a skilled craftsman. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. (16) It is to be square—a span long and a span wide—and folded double. (17) Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there shall be a ruby, a topaz and a beryl; (18) in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and an emerald; (19) in the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; (20) in the fourth row a chrysolite, an onyx and a jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings. (21) There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes. (22) For the breastplate make braided chains of pure gold, like a rope. (23) Make two gold rings for it and fasten them to two corners of the breastplate. (24) Fasten the two gold chains to the rings at the corners of the breastplate, (25) and the other ends of the chains to the two settings, attaching them to the shoulder pieces of the ephod at the front. (26) Make two gold rings and attach them to the other two corners of the breastplate on the inside edge next to the ephod. (27) Make two more gold rings and attach them to the bottom of the shoulder pieces on the front of the ephod, close to the seam just above the waistband of the ephod. (28) The rings of the breastplate are to be tied to the rings of the ephod with blue cord, connecting it to the waistband, so that the breastplate will not swing out from the ephod. (29) Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastplate of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD. (30) Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastplate, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD. (Exodus 28:15-30)

The breastplate of (covenant) rights was a nine inch by eighteen inch piece of material folded over to form a nine inch by nine inch square pouch attached to the ephod. Note: whereas the NIV translates this item, "a breastplate for making decisions," and the ASV gives the translation, "a breastplate of judgment," a better translation would seem to be: "a breastplate of covenantal rights." The Hebrew word, often translated "judgment," also has the meaning, "rights," which seems to be the sense of the word in this passage. Four rows of precious gemstones (each stone different from the others) were fastened to the breastplate in a gold setting. The Urim and Thummim (literally, "the Lights and the Perfections") were placed inside the breastplate; they were used as instruments of revelation to discern the mind of God (note Numbers 27:21). According to verse 29, Aaron "will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastplate of covenantal rights as a continuing memorial before Jehovah." The spiritual significance of the breastplate of (covenant) rights: the people of God are precious to their high priest (they are next to his heart) and he "reminds" the Lord that they are precious to Him and have covenantal rights before Him.

4. Describe the high priest's robe. See Exodus 28:31-35 (printed below)

Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, (32) with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear. (33) Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. (34) The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. (35) Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die. (Exodus 28:31-35)

Immediately under the ephod Aaron was to wear the high priest's robe. It was woven of blue cloth, without a seam it was sleeveless, having only a hole for the head. Attached to the bottom edge of the robe were blue, purple and scarlet pomegranates alternating with golden bells. The spiritual significance of the high priestly robe: the seamless robe represented the integrity (the undivided devotion of heart to God) that the Lord requires for one to approach His holy throne. The pomegranates represented a life that is fruitful and well-pleasing to God. The sound of the bells heralding both the high priest's approach to the Lord and his return would indicate to the people that he and his offering on their behalf were acceptable to the Lord (the sounding of the bells indicated that the high priest had not been consumed by the Lord's holy presence).

5. Describe the high priest's mitre (or, turban). See Exodus 28:36-38 (printed below)

Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO JEHOVAH. (37) Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. (38) It will be on Aaron's forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron's forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD. (Exodus 28:36-38)

The mitre, or turban, was made of white linen. Attached to the turban by a blue cord was a small plate of pure gold with the inscription, "Holy to Jehovah." The small gold plate, attached to the bottom edge of the mitre, was positioned across Aaron's forehead. Aaron was to always wear this turban with the engraved gold plate, so that he may "bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate...so that they may be acceptable to Jehovah." The spiritual significance of the turban and the engraved gold plate: in his capacity as the Holy One of God, the high priest is able to provide forgiveness and acceptance with God for the Lord's people. 6. Match the things that were done to Aaron in preparing him for his high priestly office with the spiritual significance of those acts. (Answers listed on next page)

a. Aaron was brought before the door of the tent of meeting and was washed with water. This act symbolized…his purification from sin b. The sacred oil was poured out upon Aaron’s head. This act represented…his being anointed with the Holy Spirit c. A portion of the sacrificial ram was placed on Aaron’s hands and then waved before the Lord; another portion was waved before the Lord and presented to Aaron. These acts symbolized…his reward for serving the Lord

7. Just as Aaron was washed with water as a means of cleansing him from sin so that he could serve as a high priest, so Jesus submitted to the waters of baptism in order that He might be purged from sin so that He could serve as our great High Priest. True or False

8. Match the various articles of the high priest’s wardrobe with the spiritual significance of those items. a. This article symbolized the fact that the high priest appeared before the Lord representing in his own person all the Lord’s people and bearing them before the Lord in intercession. The Engraved Stones on the shoulder of the ephod b. This article symbolized the fact that the people of God are precious to the Lord and have covenantal rights before Him. The Breastplate c. This article symbolized the undivided devotion of the high priest unto the Lord and the fact that his offerings were acceptable to the Lord on behalf of the people. The Seamless Robe with the Bells on the fringe

9. What is significant about the fact that throughout his career as high priest Aaron would have to continually offer the same animal sacrifices unto the Lord on behalf of the people? a. This signified that the blood of animals could never make a true atonement for the sins of men; some greater sacrifice would be required. b. This signified the great sinfulness of God’s people; they were continually sinning and therefore were constantly in need of another atoning sacrifice for their sins. c. This signified the Lord’s divine requirement for a perfect sacrifice; until Aaron or his sons could perform the sacrifice with perfection, there would always be the need for the act of sacrifice to be performed again.

10. Aaron’s high priesthood was a temporary representative of the high priestly work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Match the passages listed below with the various aspects of Christ’s high priestly ministry. a. Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. … 4No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” (Hebrews 5:1,4-5) Christ has been consecrated by God. b. We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) Christ is both compassionate and holy. c. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:11-12) Christ’s high priestly work is perfect. Take Sin Seriously Exodus 32:1-35

1. What "dilemma" did the people of Israel face? What course of action did they take? See Exodus 32:1 (printed below)

When the people saw that Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, Come, make us a god who will go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him. (Exodus 32:1) Here is the dilemma that Israel faced: Moses, their leader, had been up on top of Mt. Sinai for forty days. They do not know what has become of him, and they assume the worse: he must be dead. So the question is raised among them, "Now what are we to do? We need a leader, and we need 'a god' who will visibly go before us." In their view they faced a serious dilemma and they were taking necessary action to remedy the situation. So it was that they requested Aaron to make a god who would go before them.

2. What does Aaron do for the people? Do they view their action as a violation of their commitment to Jehovah? See Exodus 32:2-6 (printed below)

Aaron said to them, Break off the earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me. (3) So all the people broke off the gold earrings they were wearing and brought them to Aaron. (4) He took what they handed over to him, and fashioning the gold with a craving tool, he made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf. Then they said, This represents your God, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt! (5) When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf, and made a proclamation, saying, Tomorrow there shall be a feast for Jehovah. (6) So the next day the people rose early and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and then got up to indulge in revelry. (Exodus 32:2-6)

Aaron instructs the people to bring to him their golden jewelry. He then has the gold melted down and fashioned into a golden calf (a young bullock). When the people see the golden calf, they exclaim, "This represents your God, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" (verse 4) The next day the people present their offerings before the golden calf and they "got up to indulge in revelry" (i.e.; a pagan religious orgy). Note: the people did not view themselves as forsaking the Lord to worship another god; they viewed this as an alternative way of worshiping the Lord—although the Lord Himself found it to be a great offense. It was a blatant violation of the second commandment: You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any replica of anything that is in heaven above or that is on the earth beneath or that is in the water below the earth. (Exodus 20:4)

3. Later when Moses confronts Aaron about this incident, how does Aaron respond? See Exodus 32:21-24 (printed below)

Then Moses said to Aaron, What did these people do to you to cause you to bring this great sin upon them? (22) Aaron replied, Do not let my lord's anger burn hot. You know these people, that they are prone to evil. (23) They said to me, Make us a god who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him. (24) So I said to them, Whoever has any gold earrings, let him break them off. So they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf! (Exodus 32:21-24)

When Aaron is confronted by Moses concerning this incident he seeks to pacify Moses and convince him that this is no big deal, it is not something about which to become angry and upset; he urges Moses, "Do not let my lord's anger burn hot" (verse 22a). Aaron is somewhat surprised that Moses does not know that "these people... are prone to evil" (verse 22b). Aaron's argument is, "What else can you expect from these people? They are sinners, they act like sinners, and they always will." Aaron's counsel: accept sinners for what they are, expect them to sin and don't get too upset over it. Aaron furthermore seeks to excuse his sinful conduct by pointing out the coercive demands of the people (verse 23) and presenting his sinful action as something that just happened, something that was beyond his control, something for which he was not responsible and could not really be held accountable (verse 24). 4. How does the Lord react to the peoples' conduct? See Exodus 32:7-10 (printed below) How does Moses react when he witnesses their conduct? See Exodus 32:19 (printed below)

Jehovah said to Moses, Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. (8) They have been quick to depart from the way I commanded them. They have made for themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have worshiped it and offered sacrifices to it and have said, This represents your God, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. (9) Jehovah said to Moses, I have observed these people, they are an obstinate people. (10) Now, therefore, leave me alone so that my anger may burn hot against them and that I may consume them. Then I will make you into a great nation. (Exodus 32:7-10)

As soon as he approached the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing. Then Moses' anger burned hot and he flung the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. (Exodus 32:19)

The Lord defines their conduct as sin—they "have corrupted themselves. They have been quick to depart from the way I commanded them"—and He distances Himself from them, identifying sinful Israel to Moses as "your people" rather than "my people." The Lord exhorts Moses, "leave me alone so that my anger may burn hot against them and that I may consume them," because "they are an obstinate people" (verses 9- 10). The Lord desires to start all over again ("leave me alone so that...I may consume them") and make His faithful servant, Moses, the father of a new nation. When Moses saw for himself as the Lord saw, Moses had the same reaction as the Lord: "As soon as he approached the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing. Then Moses' anger burned hot and he flung the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain." (Exodus 32:19)

5. How does Moses intervene to spare the people from the righteous wrath of the Lord their God? See Exodus 32:11-14,30-32 (printed below)

But Moses earnestly implored Jehovah his God, saying, Jehovah, why does your anger burn hot against your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? (12) Why should the Egyptians be permitted to say, It was with evil intent that he brought them out, so that he might kill them in the mountains and consume them from off the face of the earth? Turn from your fierce anger and do not bring disaster upon your people. (13) Remember Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the sky, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever. (14) So Jehovah relented and did not bring upon his people the disaster he had threatened...(30) The next day Moses said to the people, You have committed a great sin. Now I will go up to Jehovah, perhaps I will be able to make atonement for your sin. (31) So Moses returned to Jehovah and said, Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made for themselves a god of gold. (32) But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written. (Exodus 32:11-14.30-32)

The only thing that stood between the outbreak of the Lord's holy wrath and the people of Israel was the intercession of their mediator. Moses emphasizes that Israel is the Lord's people whom He brought forth out of Egypt (verse 11). In concern for the honor of the Lord's name, Moses pleads with the Lord not to bring disaster upon His people, but to remember His covenant (verses 12-13). The Lord is moved by Moses' intercession; the Lord turned from the calamity He said He would bring upon His people, namely, the annihilation of the entire nation (verse 14). Moses confronts the people with their sin and offers to make atonement on their behalf (verse 30). Moses, in his capacity as mediator, pleads with the Lord to grant the people forgiveness, offering to take their place: "please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written." (verse 32)

6. When the Israelites made the golden calf, what sin (or sins) were they committing? a. They were violating the first commandment that forbids the worship of any god beside the Lord. b. They were violating the second commandment that prohibits the use of images in the worship of the Lord. c. They were confusing the Lord with the pagan gods—the golden calf was associated with the Egyptian cult of Apis (the bull). 7. Match the reactions to sin listed below with the people who expressed them.

a. He did not think the Israelites were doing anything wrong when they made the golden calf. An Israelite b. He minimized responsibility for committing sin, attributing it to peer pressure and being a victim of circumstances. Aaron c. He saw sin from God’s holy perspective and reacted with righteous indignation rather than tolerance. Moses

8. The lesson exhorts us to take sin seriously. Match the reasons why we must do so with the passages that express those reasons.

a. Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong. (Habakkuk 1:13a) See sin as an offense to God’s holiness. b. Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” but do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46) See sin as defiance against God’s lordship. c. God… commands all men everywhere to repent, 31because he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice (Acts 17:30-31) See sin as meriting God’s judgment

9. When the Israelites had sinned by making the golden calf, the only thing that spared them from being consumed by the holy wrath of the Lord was the intercession of their mediator. Fill in the blank

10. Complete the Bible verses listed below that deal with the seriousness of sin and the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

a. Your iniquities have caused a separation between you and your God, and your sins have caused him to hide his face from you. (Isaiah 59:2) b. He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5) c. You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21) d. Whoever conceals his transgressions shall not succeed; but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall obtain mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) The Hope of Reconciliation with God Exodus 33:1-34:9

1. In what ways does the Lord distance Himself from the Israelites because of their sin in making the golden calf? See Exodus 33:1-3 (printed below)

Then Jehovah said to Moses, Leave this place, you and the people you have brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land I pledged to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, promising them, I will give it to your descendants. (2) I will send an angel ahead of you and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. (3) Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up in your midst, or else I might consume you along the way, for you are an obstinate people. (Exodus 33:1-3)

The Lord does not identify them as His people, but rather as "the people whom (Moses) has brought up out of the land of Egypt" (verse 1a). Canaan is identified as the land the Lord promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, not the land the Lord promised to the people of Israel (verse 1b). It is as though the Lord wants nothing to do with these people; He is merely tolerating them in order to fulfill His promise to their faithful forefathers. The Lord declares, "I will not go up in your midst, or else I might consume you along the way, for you are an obstinate people." (verse 3) The Lord is maintaining His distance from them so that their stubborn and rebellious conduct will not incite His holy anger against them.

2. When the people learn that the Lord has distanced Himself from them, what do they do (see Exodus 33:4 printed below?) How does the Lord respond to this (see Exodus 33:5 printed below?)

When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornamental jewelry. (Exodus 33:4)

Jehovah had said to Moses, Tell the children of Israel, You are an obstinate people; if I were to go up in your midst for just one moment, I would consume you. Now then, discard your ornamental jewelry, so that I may know what to do with you. (Exodus 33:5)

When the people heard the distressing report that the Lord had distanced Himself from them they mourned, and no one put on his ornamental jewelry (verse 4). This was an indication of their sorrow and remorse over the fact that their relationship with their God had been broken and they were estranged from Him. In response to the people's action, the Lord issues the command, Now then, discard your ornamental jewelry, so that I may know what to do with you. (verse 5) In other words, the people are not to just take off their ornamental jewelry for a little while, they are to discard it. Why? They are to do so as a way of indicating that their present action is not just a passing expression of sorrow, but a genuine change of heart. Just as the contribution of their ornaments made the golden calf, so now the discarding of those ornaments was tantamount to an act of repentance. In response to the Lord's command, the people of Israel discard their ornamental jewelry from this point on (verse 6).

3. How is the peoples' estrangement from the Lord as well as their remorse expressed by the location of the provisional tabernacle Moses erected and their action whenever Moses visited that tabernacle? See Exodus 33:7-8 (printed below)

Now Moses used to take the tent and set it up outside the camp, at a distance from the camp. He called it "The Tent of Meeting." Anyone who sought Jehovah's counsel would go out to the Tent of Meeting located outside the camp. (9) Whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrance of their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. (Exodus 33:7-8)

Moses pitched this provisional tabernacle "outside the camp, at a distance from the camp" (verse 7), whereas the Lord's tabernacle was supposed to be erected in the very midst of the people (note Exodus 25:8). Whenever Moses would go out to the tent, all the people would arise, stand at the doorway of their tents, and longingly watch Moses as he entered the tent (verse 8). Their action was an indication of their remorse and their desire for a restored relationship with their God. 4. What divine attributes does the Lord (Jehovah) reveal to Moses atop Mt. Sinai? See Exodus 34:6-7 (printed below)

Jehovah passed before him and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God who is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and truth, (7) maintaining his covenant relationship for thousands of generations forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. But by no means will he leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. (Exodus 34:6-7)

Jehovah reveals Himself to Moses as "a God who is merciful and gracious;" a God who is compassionate and who takes pity upon us when we cry out to Him for forgiveness. He reveals Himself to be a God who is "slow to anger;" a God of great patience and long-suffering and restraint. He is a God who is "abounding in lovingkindness and truth;" a God who is full to overflowing with goodness, kindness and love and at the same time is whole-heartedly committed to truth (note Romans 3:25-26). He is a God who maintains "his covenant relationship for thousands of generations;" in His mercy and covenant faithfulness the Lord stands ready to forgive repentant sinners and receive them back into His fellowship. Finally, He reveals Himself to be a God who "by no means will ... leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sins of the fathers to the third and fourth generations"—as Exodus 20:5 indicates, this is referring to "the third and fourth generation of those who hate me;" i.e., here is a generational hatred against the Lord, one that is passed on from father to son. If you reject or abuse the divine mercy of God and the atoning work of Christ you will be confronted with the justice of God and His holy wrath in full measure.

5. Contrast what the Lord Himself has said (see Exodus 33:3b printed below) with the request Moses makes in Exodus 34:8-9 (printed below). Why do you suppose Moses makes this request?

I will not go up in your midst, or else I might consume you along the way, for you are an obstinate people. (Exodus 33:3b)

Moses quickly bowed his head to the ground and worshiped. (9) He said, If I have now found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord travel with us in our midst, for they are an obstinate people. Pardon our iniquity and our sin, and receive us as your inheritance. (Exodus 34:8-9)

In Exodus 33:3 the Lord declared, "I will not go up in your midst, or else I might consume you along the way." But now in Exodus 34:2 there is recorded Moses' prayer, "If I have now found favor in your sight, O Lord, please let the Lord travel with us in our midst, for they are an obstinate people." The Lord's argument presented in Exodus 33:3 is as follows: I cannot tolerate your stiff-necked nature; it will aggravate My righteous indignation and incite My anger against you (note Zechariah 7:12). Moses' counter argument in Exodus 34:9 is this: Only You, O Lord, can change our stiff-necked nature. If You do not come among us and apply Your transforming grace to our hearts, we will be doomed to live and die with our stiff-necked nature.

6. Why does the Lord distance Himself from the people of Israel after they made the golden calf?

a. The Lord distances Himself from the Israelites because they have made it clear that they do not want the Lord to be their God. b. The Lord distances Himself from the Israelites so that their stubborn and rebellious character will not incite His holy anger against them. c. The Lord distances Himself from the Israelites because His divine dignity does not permit Him to condescend to have fellowship with them on an intimate level.

7. How do the people of Israel express their remorse concerning their estrangement from the Lord their God?

a. They requested Aaron to sacrifice a sin offering on their behalf. b. They remove their ornamental jewelry. c. They would longingly watch Moses enter the distant tabernacle. 8. While Moses is atop Mt. Sinai the Lord reveals His attributes to him. Match the descriptions given below with those divine attributes.

a. The Lord takes pity upon us when we cry out to Him for forgiveness. God is merciful and gracious. b. The Lord displays great patience, longsuffering and restraint. God is slow to anger. c. The Lord is committed to justice. God will not leave the guilty unpunished.

9. Moses pleads with the Lord to travel in the midst of Israel precisely because they are an obstinate people. Moses makes this request because he realizes that only the Lord can transform/change the hearts and lives of His people. Fill in the blank

10. The lesson derived from this passage of Exodus teaches us that when we have sinned there is the hope of reconciliation with the Lord. The passages listed below describe the steps necessary to bring about that reconciliation. Match each step with the appropriate passage.

a. He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) We must approach God with a repentant spirit. b. Seek Jehovah while he may be found; call to him while he is near. 7Let the wicked man forsake his way, and let the unrighteous man forsake his thoughts. Let him return to Jehovah, and he will have mercy on him. Let him return to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7) We must be confident that God is gracious. c. I will cleanse you from all your idols. 26I will also give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances and do them. (Ezekiel 36:25-27) We must rely upon God’s transforming grace. FINAL EXAM (STUDENT AND FACILATOR COPIES)

FINAL EXAM ON EXODUS (STUDENT COPY)

1. According to the commentary, we may expect to encounter opposition to our vibrant Christian faith, especially when a society has departed from its Christian roots. Complete the sentences listed below that describe the features of secularism that have replaced biblical Christianity as the predominant religious outlook of the modern Western World.

a. This view does not take into account God’s supremacy and the matter of eternity; rather, it merely confines its perspective to this present world and human history. This is ___ b. Those who hold to this view not only renounce dictatorships and other repressive government agencies, but also reject all other bonds and obligations, such as those relating to marriage, the family, and all social hierarchies. This is ___ c. Those who hold to this view accept one’s own personal opinion and the will of the majority as their standard, instead of the written Word of God. This is ___ the Secular View of Truth

1. the Secular View of Freedom 2. the Secular Mind 3. the Secular View of Truth

2. According to the commentary, in what ways does Moses’ parents serve as role models for Christian parents?

3. How should we answer the question posed by this lesson, “Can God use me?”

4. The passages listed below provide examples of times in which the Christian can confidently cry out to the Lord knowing that He will answer because He is the faithful God. Match the passages with the situations they describe. (Answers listed on next page)

a. Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you will glorify me. (Psalm 50:15) Because the Lord is the faithful God you may call upon Him when you ___ b. No temptation has seduced you except the kind that is experienced by all men. But God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear; on the contrary, along with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13) Because the Lord is the faithful God you may call upon Him when you ___ c. The Lord is faithful, he will establish you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3) Because the Lord is the faithful God you may call upon Him when you ___ d. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you wholly. May your entire soul, spirit and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) Because the Lord is the faithful God you may call upon Him when you ___ 1. are confronted by temptation 2. are harassed by the devil 3. face a crisis 4. fear you may not reach your final heavenly destination

5. This incident recorded in Exodus 4:18-26 points out that it is necessary for us to be obedient to all of God’s commandments, even those which we may think to be minor or insignificant. Match the passages listed below with the reasons they give for rendering obedience even in “the little things.”

a. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is undependable with very little will also be undependable with much. (Luke 16:10) Our conduct with regard to “little things” ___ b. Because you have been faithful (in your present trial) … I in turn will be faithful to keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world in order to test those who live on the earth. (Revelation 3:10) Our conduct with regard to “little things” ___ c. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will give you charge over many things. Enter into the joy of your master. (Matthew 25:21) Our conduct with regard to “little things” ___

1. may open up greater opportunities for service 2. may spare us from more severe demands 3. reveals the principles that govern our lives

6. According to the commentary, when we as Christians feel overwhelmed by the spiritual opposition we face and are tempted to resign from our service for Christ, we should ask the Lord to do for us what He did for Moses and Aaron, namely, give us a divine ______. Fill in the blank

7. Exodus 7:3 tells us that the Lord “hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” What does this mean?

8. The children of Israel were commanded to commemorate the Passover on a yearly basis; in the same way we as Christians must always remember Calvary. Match the passages listed below with the descriptions of those times in our lives when we especially need to remember Calvary.

a. If anyone sins, we have an Advocate who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 2:1b-2a) ___ b. Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature along with its passions and lusts. (Galatians 5:24) ___ c. Far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by means of which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world (Galatians 6:14) ___ d. I delivered to you as of first importance that which I also received, namely, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; 4and that he was buried; and that he has been raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) ___

1. When we feel the guilt of our sins 2. When we encounter the seduction of false teachers 3. When we are swept along by the current of this world 4. When we encounter the lure of temptation 9. Match the passages listed below with the statements that summarize their teaching and reiterate the lessons we as Christians should learn from the way in which the Lord led His people at the time of the Exodus.

a. …we must enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations. (Acts 14:22) We may expect the Lord to lead us along a route that will ___ b. Now for a little while, since it is necessary, you have been brought to grief by all kinds of trials. 7This has happened so that the genuineness of your faith—being of greater value than gold which perishes—having been tested by fire, may be verified, resulting in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7) We may expect the Lord to lead us along a route that will ___ c. The Lord will deliver me out of every evil work and will save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:18) We may expect the Lord to lead us along a route that will ___

1. bring us safely into glory 2. bring honor to His name 3. be circuitous and even dangerous

10. According to the commentary, Exodus 15 presents to us three keys to consistent praise. What are they?

a. Renewing our commitment to the Lord on a daily basis b. Remembering the Lord’s works of grace c. Realizing the Lord’s purpose in bringing hard times d. Recognizing the Lord’s faithful provisions e. Revising our expectations as to what we can expect from the Lord

11. When the children of Israel encountered hard times in the wilderness of Sin, they began to regret their Exodus. The Scriptures provide us with safeguards to prevent us from ever regretting our exodus from sin and the bondage of the devil. Match the passages listed below with the statements that summarize their teaching.

a. I know the plans I have for you, declares Jehovah, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) We must not lose sight of ___ b. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, those who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) We must not lose sight of ___ c. You have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves. (Hebrews 12:5-6a) We must not lose sight of ___

1. God’s good purpose with regard to all things. 2. God’s plans for our future. 3. God’s fatherly love and commitment to us.

12. When you consider the experiences the Israelites have so far undergone along their journey to the Promised Land of Canaan, you find a pattern that is repeated on each occasion. Put the events listed below in their proper order to reveal the pattern. (Answers are found on the next page.)

a. The Israelites are forced to look to the Lord, relying upon His ability, His mercy, and His faithfulness. ___ b. The Israelites encounter a God-ordained trial or ordeal. ___ c. The Israelites become the beneficiaries of the Lord’s all-sufficient provisions that prove to be more than adequate to meet their needs. ___ d. The Israelites discover that their own human resources and abilities are inadequate to meet the challenge. ___ 1. First 2. Second 3. Third 4. Fourth

13. Moses relates to his father-in-law all the good that the Lord had done for His people in delivering them by means of the Exodus, he also told Jethro about all the hardships Israel encountered along the way. Therefore, when Jethro only mentions the good that the Lord did for His people, it is not because he did not have the complete story; rather, it is because he chose to ignore the hardships Israel encountered and only focus on the blessings they received. True or False

14. Match the passages listed below with the counsel that was offered to Moses and that is profitable for present day pastors as well.

a. You be the peoples’ representative before God and bring their disputes to God. (Exodus 18:19) ___ b. Teach them the statutes and the laws … (Exodus18:20a) ___ c. …show them the way in which they are to walk…. (Exodus 18:20b) ___ d. Select capable men from among the people…and appoint them as officials (Exodus 18:21) ___

1. Moses is counseled to be an example for the people 2. Moses is counseled to carry on a ministry of prayer 3. Moses is counseled to delegate responsibility 4. Moses is counseled to carry on a ministry of the Word

15. The people of Israel are told to prepare to meet their God. Match their acts of preparation with the statements that explain the spiritual significance of each act.

a. This act symbolized the cleansing from sin and presenting a pure life to God. ___ b. This act symbolized a desire to dedicate themselves to the Lord and become His holy bride. ___ c. This act symbolized the sacredness of the Lord. ___

1. They had to erect a boundary around Mt. Sinai. 2. They had to wash their garments. 3. They had to abstain from sexual relations.

16. What lessons are we to learn from the instructions the Lord gave to Israel in Exodus 20:22-26?

17. When the Lord says of this angel, “he will not pardon your transgression,” He is referring to the fact that Christ will not tolerate willful, stubborn, defiant disobedience without repentance—the adamant refusal to submit to Christ’s lordship. True or False

18. According to the commentary, what lessons must we learn about having fellowship with God from Israel’s experience at Sinai? Complete the sentences listed below.

a. In order to live in fellowship with God we must depend on Christ’s perfect ___. b. In order to live in fellowship with God we must depend on Christ’s ___ death. c. In order to live in fellowship with God we must be ___ with Christ.

1. crucified 2. obedience 3. sacrificial 19. Match the furnishings listed below with their spiritual significance.

a. This article of furniture portrayed the fact that all of life is lived in the presence of God and is under His watchful care. ___ b. This article of furniture portrayed the fact that the people of God are to be filled with His Holy Spirit and have His divine presence radiating from their lives. ___ c. This piece of furniture portrayed the fact that the prayers of His people are precious to the Lord. ___

1. The Table of Showbread 2. The Altar of Incense 3. The Golden Candlestick

20. Aaron’s high priesthood was a temporary representative of the high priestly work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Match the passages listed below with the various aspects of Christ’s high priestly ministry.

a. Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. … 4No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” (Hebrews 5:1,4-5) ___ b. We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) ___ c. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:11-12) ___

1. Christ is both compassionate and holy. 2. Christ has been consecrated by God. 3. Christ’s high priestly work is perfect.

21. When the Israelites made the golden calf, what sin (or sins) were they committing?

a. They were violating the first commandment that forbids the worship of any god beside the Lord. b. They were violating the second commandment that prohibits the use of images in the worship of the Lord. c. They were confusing the Lord with the pagan gods—the golden calf was associated with the Egyptian cult of Apis (the bull).

22. The lesson derived from this passage of Exodus teaches us that when we have sinned there is the hope of reconciliation with the Lord. The passages listed below describe the steps necessary to bring about that reconciliation. Match each step with the appropriate passage.

a. He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) ___ b. Seek Jehovah while he may be found; call to him while he is near. 7Let the wicked man forsake his way, and let the unrighteous man forsake his thoughts. Let him return to Jehovah, and he will have mercy on him. Let him return to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7) ___ c. I will cleanse you from all your idols. 26I will also give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances and do them. (Ezekiel 36:25-27) ___

1. We must rely upon God’s transforming grace. 2. We must approach God with a repentant spirit. 3. We must be confident that God is gracious. FINAL EXAM ON EXODUS (FACILITATOR’S COPY WITH ANSWERS)

2. According to the commentary, in what ways does Moses’ parents serve as role models for Christian parents?

3. How should we answer the question posed by this lesson, “Can God use me?”

a. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is undependable with very little will also be undependable with much. (Luke 16:10) Our conduct with regard to “little things”…reveals the principles that govern our lives b. Because you have been faithful (in your present trial) … I in turn will be faithful to keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world in order to test those who live on the earth. (Revelation 3:10) Our conduct with regard to “little things”…may spare us from more severe demands c. His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will give you charge over many things. Enter into the joy of your master. (Matthew 25:21) Our conduct with regard to “little things”…may open up greater opportunities for service

7. Exodus 7:3 tells us that the Lord “hardened Pharaoh’s heart.” What does this mean?

9. Match the passages listed below with the statements that summarize their teaching and reiterate the lessons we as Christians should learn from the way in which the Lord led His people at the time of the Exodus. (Answers continued on next page)

10. According to the commentary, Exodus 15 presents to us three keys to consistent praise. What are they?

a. I know the plans I have for you, declares Jehovah, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) We must not lose sight of… God’s plans for our future. b. We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, those who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) We must not lose sight of…God’s good purpose with regard to all things. c. You have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves. (Hebrews 12:5-6a) We must not lose sight of…God’s fatherly love and commitment to us.

14. Match the passages listed below with the counsel that was offered to Moses and that is profitable for present day pastors as well.

16. What lessons are we to learn from the instructions the Lord gave to Israel in Exodus 20:22-26?

18. According to the commentary, what lessons must we learn about having fellowship with God from Israel’s experience at Sinai? Complete the sentences listed below.

a. In order to live in fellowship with God we must depend on Christ’s perfect obedience. b. In order to live in fellowship with God we must depend on Christ’s sacrificial death. c. In order to live in fellowship with God we must be crucified with Christ.

19. Match the furnishings listed below with their spiritual significance.

a. Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. … 4No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” (Hebrews 5:1,4-5) Christ has been consecrated by God. b. We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) Christ is both compassionate and holy. c. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:11-12) Christ’s high priestly work is perfect. 21. When the Israelites made the golden calf, what sin (or sins) were they committing?

a. He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Proverbs 28:13) We must approach God with a repentant spirit.

b. Seek Jehovah while he may be found; call to him while he is near. 7Let the wicked man forsake his way, and let the unrighteous man forsake his thoughts. Let him return to Jehovah, and he will have mercy on him. Let him return to our God, for he will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7) We must be confident that God is gracious. c. I will cleanse you from all your idols. 26I will also give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my ordinances and do them. (Ezekiel 36:25-27) We must rely upon God’s transforming grace. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A BOOK REPORT AND AN ESSAY

A. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING A BOOK REPORT

Write a separate report for each book or article. The reports for each book or article should not be more than two or three pages long each.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL DATA

Title: Author: Pages read: Editor: City of publisher: Year of publication:

REPORT

1. Outline of contents 2. Brief Summary (Write a summary of what the author says, without your own comments) 3. Critical Evaluation (Express your opinion about what the author says. Is it clear,precise, confusing, well-documented, out of context, too simple, too complicated, biblical, too technical? Did you like it? Defend your opinion.) 4. Personal Application to Your Life and Ministry (What impact did this reading have on your life and ministry? Was it helpful? How did it help? Be specific.) 5. Personal questions that come from the reading

B. GUIDELINES FOR WRITING AN ESSAY

By Dr. Richard B. Ramsay

Introduction

An essay is a literary form that analyzes a specific topic in order to inform, explain, persuade, defend an opinion, or to stir interest. It is a more serious style, formal and academic. It is not fiction or comedy. Neither is it poetry, but prose. It should make a contribution to the reader in terms of new concepts or information.

The following guidelines will help you edit an essay:

1. Decide on a unique and specific idea

An essay should express the idea of you, the author, instead of simply repeating the ideas of others. It is not simply a research report, but personal reflection. Of course, you may take into account the ideas of others, but you should utilize these ideas to support your own point, or maybe to make a contrast with your view.

The author should have something in mind that he wants to communicate and focus on one main point. For example, the essay could have the purpose of convincing the reader that Christ is sufficient for our salvation, or that Augustine was the most important theologian of his time, or that Genesis 3 explains all the problems of humanity. The different parts of the essay present evidence or arguments that either support the central idea, illustrate the idea, or show contrasting views. However, the content of the different parts of the essay should not stray away from the main point of the essay as a whole. 2. Do careful research

The student should reflect on the topic that he or she wishes to study, and begin reading and collecting information and quotes. He should write down the bibliographical data for the quote or idea, including author, title, place of publication, publishing company, and year. Use cards, a notebook, or even better, write notes in a computer word processor. Afterwards, organize the notes into groups according to topic. You should begin focusing on what you consider important and discard things that are not related to your topic, even though they may be interesting. Concentrate on a few ideas that are related to the central theme of the essay.

3. Write an appropriate title

The title of the essay should clearly communicate the main theme. It should not be too general, but rather point to a specific topic. For example, if you want to write about the physical consequences of the Fall in Genesis 3, the title should not be, “Man’s Problem,” or “Genesis 3,” but “The Physical Consequences of the Fall According to Genesis 3.” Neither should the title be too specific, pointing only to one aspect of the essay. For example, if the author wishes to write about all the physical consequences of the Fall, the title should not be “Why Women Give Birth in Pain” but rather as mentioned before, “The Physical Consequences of the Fall According to Genesis 3.”

4. Organize your ideas in a good outline

An essay should have at least three main sections: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion. The introduction stirs interest in the essay and explains what it is about. The body is the main development of the theme, and normally has several subdivisions. The conclusion summarizes the argument of the essay and shows what the author considers to be most important.

If the essay is well organized, the ideas are easy to follow. The writer should imagine that he is dialoguing with the reader, anticipating his questions and presenting answers. The reader should be able to follow the thread of thought even with a quick glance at the introduction, the titles of the sections, and the conclusion.

There are various ways to organize an essay. 1) If the purpose of the essay is to inform about something historical, it may be organized in chronological order. 2) If the purpose is to analyze a philosophical concept, the writer may want to first give the historical background, then explain how the concept is expressed in our day, then give a biblical analysis of the thought. 3) If the author wishes to persuade the reader of his point of view of some issue, he may use logical order, first presenting a premise, then a second premise, and the logical conclusion. 4) If the purpose is to arouse interest in a cause, he may present different dimensions of the problem in order of increasing seriousness. 5) Some people like to use illustrations to demonstrate a truth, organizing them to point toward the central idea, like the hands of a clock that meet in the center. 6) If the author wants to present a new idea, he may first show how it is similar to other ideas, then show how it is different from those ideas. 7) One might analyze a event, showing first the causes, then the effects. 8) New information may be presented by giving definitions and classifications. There are many ways to organize an essay, but the writer should decide how to organize it and be consistent with the plan.

Make a good outline to assure good organization. The body of the essay (all but the introduction and conclusion) normally has at least two main divisions, each with at least two subdivisions. If there is only one subdivision, it is not really a subdivision but the main point. The main divisions should contain ideas that are equal in importance, but distinct in content. The subdivisions should contain ideas that are subordinate to the main division, and equal in importance among each other.

The traditional system of numbering is to use roman numbers for the main divisions, capital letters for the subdivisions, numbers for the next subdivisions, and small letters for the next, as follows: The Letter to the Romans

I. Doctrine

A. Sin

1. The wrath of God against sin

2. All men are sinners

B. Justification by faith

C. Sanctification by faith

D. Eternal security

II. Practical exhortations

A. Love

B. Submission to authorities

etc.

The introduction of the essay does not have a number or letter. Neither does the conclusion.

Introduction

II.

III.

Conclusion

Alternative classification systems are acceptable. The student needs to be consistent and not mix classifications systems. For example, the numerical system is also acceptable.

INTRODUCTION

1. 1.1. 1.2 2. 2.1. 2.2. 3. 3.1. 3.1.1. 3.1.2 3.2

CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY

5. Write coherent paragraphs

A paragraph is the key unit of the essay. Review each paragraph to make sure that:

1) All the sentences of the paragraph deal with the same subject.

2) The paragraph has normally from 3-10 sentences. If there is only one sentence, it should become part of another paragraph, or maybe other sentences can be added to complete the paragraph.

3) The central idea of the paragraph is expressed in the first or last sentence (normally).

4) The other sentences contribute to the point of the paragraph, supporting, showing contrast, or giving illustrations.

5) The paragraph is well organized. The paragraphs may follow any of the same organization styles that were mentioned in point 4 regarding the essay as whole.

6) The sentences are clearly readable. Long sentences should be divided into two or more sentences. Avoid incomplete sentences without a main verb.

7) Transition words and phrases are included when there is a change in thought (such as “however,” “furthermore,” and “on the other hand.”) The reader needs to see the relationship between different points. Try reading the paragraph out loud. If it is not smooth, you probably need to modify it.

Do not hesitate to eliminate sentences that are not related to the main theme of the paragraph. They might belong better in another paragraph, they might be material for a whole new paragraph, or they might be completely unnecessary.

6. Use footnotes properly

You must indicate all sources of ideas with footnotes, even if it is not a direct quote. You may use one of the two possible formats. However, you must be consistent within the essay, always using the same format.

A. MLA Style (Modern Language Association)

NOTE: This is the preferred style of MINTS.

This style puts the minimum information in parentheses, and takes advantage of the full information given in the bibliography at the back of the book, article, or essay.

For example, if the book in the bibliography is the following, …

Marcuse, Sybyl. A Survey of Musical Instruments. New York: Harper, 1975. …then within the text, only the author’s name and the page number are necessary. For example, if the quote is taken from page 197, after the quote within the essay there should be a parenthesis as follows:

(Marcuse 197)

If there is more than one book by the same author, a short version of the title should be included, as follows:

(Marcuse, Survey 197)

If the author’s name is mentioned within the essay, only the page number is necessary:

(197)

B. Chicago Manual of Style

This style gives more information in the notes. You should put a number in the text, after the quote or information used, in superscript, as seen here8. Then at the bottom of the page, put the footnote. (The footnotes may also be put at the end of each chapter, or at the end of the book, but we prefer them at the bottom of the page.)

If you do not have full information in the bibliography, use the following pattern:

8 Author [first name, then last name], Title of the book [in italics] (city of publication: publishing company, year) [between parentheses, with a colon between city and publisher, then a coma before the year, just as it appears here], page or pages cited.

Here is an example:

8 Federico García Lorca, Bodas de Sangre (Barcelona: Ayma, S.A., 1971), 95.

On the other hand, if you do have full information in the bibliography, you may simply put the author, title, and page number. The reader can find the rest of the information in the bibliography at the back.

Here is an example:

8 Federico García Lorca, Bodas de Sangre, 95.

7. Include a bibliography

At the end of the essay, you should include a bibliography, listing all the books, articles, and web sites that you used for the essay. The format for the bibliography is slightly different from the footnote. The last name goes first in this case. There are no parentheses and no page number. The author’s last name should not be indented, but if the entry uses more than one line, the other lines are all indented. Look at the following examples.

The list must be in alphabetical order, according to the last names of the authors.

García Lorca, Federico. Bodas de Sangre. Barcelona: Ayma, S.A., 1971.

Marcuse, Sybyl. A Survey of Musical Instruments. New York: Harper, 1975. 8. Resources

Use the following sources for other help with editing and style:

1. Joseph Gibaldi, ed., MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1999. (Currently the 6th edition is the latest.) NOTE: This is the official guideline for MINTS.

Some web sites contain portions of the MLS standards: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/cite5.html http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/p04_c08_o.html

2. The Chicago Manual of Style. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press.)

See online Manual: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html

See the following web site for information about this book and about electronic resources: http://www.docstyles.com/cmsguide.htm

See also the following web site for exercises to improve your grammar and writing style. http://go.hrw.com/hhb/

You may also use the following books for reference:

Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, latest edition.

Kirszner, Laurie G., and Mandell, Stephen, The Holt Handbook. Philadelphia: Harcourt Brace.

9. Essay Evaluation (This section gives guidelines for MINTS directors or professors who grade essays.)

Include the following aspects in the evaluation of an essay.

1. CONTENT Identification of theme/thesis Development of theme/thesis Conclusion to theme/thesis Educational content Theological content 1. STYLE Title page Index Titles References General presentation

2. GRAMMAR Grammar in general Vocabulary Paragraph structure Sentence structure Punctuation 3. VERIFICATION Argumentation Use of resources Quotations Footnotes Bibliography

4. APPLICATION Faithfulness to the Biblical revelation Helpful for obeying the Great Commission Identification of spiritual needs Presentation of Biblical solutions to the spiritual needs that were presented Motivation for future studies

10. Style of Title Page and Table of Contents

TITLE PAGE

TITLE OF THE ESSAY

NAME OF THE AUTHOR

NAME AND CODE OF THE COURSE Name of the Professor

Name of the Educational Institution

Date

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Classical style)

TITLE OF THE ESSAY INTRODUCTION I. A. 1. 2. B. 1. 2. II. A. B.

CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY TABLE OF CONTENTS (Numerical style)

TITLE OF THE ESSAY

INTRODUCTION

1. 1.1. 1.2 2. 2.1. 2.1.1. 2.1.2. 2.2. 3. 3.1. 3.2.

CONCLUSION BIBLIOGRAPHY

A Final Word

There are many ways to write a good essay, and creativity is welcome. However, there are certain guidelines that help you communicate better. Probably the greatest challenge is to make your writing clear and easy to understand. It should be pleasant to read, and not hard work. Read your essay over and over until you are satisfied. The more you work on it, the easier it will be to understand. Have a friend or family member read your essay before you send it in. Also, read the essay aloud to see if the sentences communicate what you want to say and how you want to say it. Your essay should be so good that others want to publish it!