Vol. LXXXIII No. 4 Intermediate Bible Teacher FALL QUARTER September, October, November 2019

Editorials...... 2 Deliverance UNIT I: The Call to Deliverance Sept. 1—A Long, Hard Oppression—Exod. 1:7-22...... 5 Sept. 8—The Birth of —Exod. 2:1-10...... 10 Sept. 15—A Comfortable Exile—Exod. 2:11-25...... 15 Sept. 22—Moses at the Burning Bush—Exod. 3:1-10...... 20

UNIT II: Preparation for Deliverance Sept. 29—“Let My People Go”—Exod. 5:1-9...... 25 Oct. 6—A Plague of Blood—Exod. 7:14-24...... 30 Oct. 13—Pharaoh’s Hardening Heart—Exod. 9:27-35...... 35 Oct. 20—Final Confrontation with Pharaoh—Exod. 10:21-29...... 40 Oct. 27—The —Exod. 12:1-14...... 44

UNIT III: Deliverance Accomplished Nov. 3—Out of Egypt—Exod. 12:29-42...... 48 Nov. 10—Pursuit of the Slaves—Exod. 13:17—14:9...... 52 Nov. 17—Crossing the —Exod. 14:10-22...... 56 Nov. 24—Deliverance from Pharaoh’s Army—Exod. 14:23-31...... 60 Daily Bible Readings...... 64

Editor in Chief: Todd Williams Writer: Carter Corbrey Edited and published quarterly by THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF THE GOSPEL WORKER SOCIETY UNION GOSPEL PRESS DIVISION Rev. W. B. Musselman, Founder Price: $2.50 per quarter* $10.00 per year* *shipping and handling extra ISBN 978-1-59843-803-1 This material is part of the “Christian Life Series,” copyright © 2019 by Union Gospel Press. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without written permission from Union Gospel Press, except as permitted by United States copyright law. Edited and published quarterly by The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division, 2000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44109-5812. Mailing address: P.O. Box 6059, Cleveland, Ohio 44101-1059. Phone: 216-749-2100. www.uniongospelpress.com WRITER’S FORECAST

The thirteen lessons of this quar- prepared him to become the deliv- ter highlight one of the most exciting erer God used to bring Israel out of events in world history. We will study Egypt. the period of Israel’s history from its Lesson 3 covers Moses’ forty-year time in slavery in Egypt to its dramat- sojourn in Midian, a second stage in ic crossing of the Red Sea and the his life where he became a husband destruction of the Egyptian army, as and father and worked as a shepherd God delivered His people and pre- as God further prepared him to lead pared them for their journey to the Israel out of Egypt. Promised Land. In lesson 4 we will join Moses as The overall theme of the quarter is he receives his instructions from God “Deliverance.” The quarter is divided at the burning bush. into three units. In Unit I, titled “The Lesson 5 examines the first meet- Call to Deliverance,” we will look at ing between Moses and Pharaoh, the time and events between Isra- when Moses presents his first re- el’s change in status in Egypt as op- quest for Israel’s release. pressed slaves until Moses’ call to Moses’ first sign from God, the be Israel’s deliverer. The second unit, turning of the Nile River to blood, is “Preparation for Deliverance,” cov- the subject of lesson 6. ers the confrontations between Mo- In lesson 7 we study the harden- ing of Pharaoh’s heart as he refuses ses and Pharaoh leading up to the to let Israel go. Lesson 8 describes Passover and the final plague upon the plague of darkness, while les- Egypt. In the final four lessons in Unit son 9 explores the first Passover III titled “Deliverance Accomplished,” observance on the night of the tenth we will study God’s strategy as Isra- plague. el leaves Egypt but faces Pharaoh’s Lesson 10 looks at Israel’s release army, trapped between the army and from Egypt after the death of Egypt’s the Red Sea. firstborn. God prepares to trap the In lesson 1 we will see how the Egyptian forces as He leads Israel changes in Egypt and Israel result- into the wilderness in lesson 11. ed in Israel’s oppression and slavery Lesson 12 studies the dramatic by Egypt’s pharaohs. We will study parting of the Red Sea and Israel’s Egypt’s attempts to limit Israel’s deliverance from the Egyptian army, population through nefarious means. while lesson 13 explores God’s de- In our second lesson we will see struction of the Egyptian army by the how God used several people to waters of the Red Sea, thus freeing protect Moses at his birth and then Israel forever from Egypt’s control.

PLEASE NOTE: Fundamental, sound doctrine is the objective of The Incorporated Trustees of the Gospel Worker Society, Union Gospel Press Division. The writers are prayerfully selected for their Bible knowledge and yieldedness to the Spirit of Truth, each writing in his own style as enlightened by the Holy Spirit. At best we know in part only. “They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).

2 HISTORY IS MORE EXCITING THAN FICTION Most of us enjoy an exciting novel or movie that has interesting characters, a plot with many twists and turns, despi- cable villains we can despise, and en- gaging heroes who save the day. When the last page is turned or the last scene played out, we like to feel the satisfac- tion that our lives are now richer for the experience. It is far more exciting to come to the pages of and know that we are not reading fiction but actual accounts of history. We can picture the changes taking place in Egypt. Decades from the time the nation would recall Joseph as a na- tional hero, the day arrived when no one demptive plan. The royal daughter, remembered him. Too much time and who might otherwise have obeyed her too many events had passed. Now the father’s evil orders, unknowingly hires Hebrew was viewed as an unwelcome the baby’s own mother to nurture and foreigner who might pose a threat to the teach the child the ways of his people nation’s security. One decision led to until he is old enough to come under another, and suddenly the Jews found her adoptive care. The groundwork of themselves oppressed and enslaved. the child’s future was thus laid properly The treatment of Jews before and in his early years. during World War II reminds us that this Once in the home of his adoptive is not such a far-fetched possibility even mother, the boy gains the education in our own day. and background he will later need in As time continued, however, God be- order to confront his people’s oppres- gan to intervene in dramatic yet imper- sors. ceptible ways. Common individuals be- Once his necessary education in came heroes. Egyptian midwives saved these surroundings was complete, lives from the obscurity of death during God moved him out and placed him childbirth. A Hebrew mother and her in new surroundings where he could family disobey the law, preserving their gain the character and experience of a son alive through an ingenious scheme. husband, father, and shepherd. But his We begin to see a strange turn of road to this point was not an easy one. events as the daughter of the very king He was forced to flee his privileged life who ordered the murder of Hebrew in- because he had committed a murder. fant boys takes pity on one of them and This was not the behavior we would saves him at the river’s edge. Now we expect of a man who would become see the plot of a movie begin to take God’s hero. Nonetheless, God was still shape. However, it is not a movie. It is in control. Moses took the path that real life. God does work in mysterious was the reverse of that of King David, ways. beginning first in the palace and then As He so often does, God ironically moving to the wilderness with his fa- turned evil into good through His re- ther-in-law’s flocks. Intermediate Bible Teacher 3 God spent eighty years preparing ways. For example, in Egyptian mythol- this deliverer to face a foreboding foe, ogy the Nile was believed to be the cir- a powerful nation’s king, one who was culatory system of the god Osiris. How viewed as a god and who acted with the appropriate that it was turned into blood. unquestioned authority of a god. It was if God were saying, in effect, “You Then in the obscurity and solitude of a want blood? OK, I will give you blood.” mountain in the wilderness God caught Likewise the plagues of frogs, lice, flies, his attention by means of a burning cattles, boils, etc., were all directed at bush. In this most unlikely of spots, God specific Egyptian gods and goddesses. called this man to become one of the This strange man and his God contin- most important people in history, one ued to thrust themselves into the king’s who would follow Him and serve as His life by bringing terrible hailstorms, dis- spokesman. ease upon the animals, boils upon the people, and thick darkness that blocked This unlikely spokesman for God re- out the sun. turned to Egypt with a twofold task: to For Pharaoh, there was more than first convince his own people that God enough evidence to prove that this had sent him, and then to confront man’s God was real. The king found Egypt’s powerful king with the same himself weakening, but continued to re- message. As one would expect, the sist and further hardened his heart. He skeptical king did not receive him well. In would not yield or show weakness even fact, he was not about to waste his time in the face of these mighty displays of listening to the self-appointed prophet God’s power. of a God he did not know or recognize. Pharaoh certainly recognized that Fortunately, our hero had been Moses’ God was able to bring destruc- warned in advance what to expect. One tion on Egypt while still protecting Israel. step at a time, he brought one sign after He had seen how Israel experienced no another, presenting God’s instructions effects from the plagues while his own to the king. This man, who had come country was devastated, even to the from the wilderness, with the strange point where Israel had light in Goshen combination of qualities of both a cul- while thick darkness enveloped the rest tured Egyptian and a rustic sheepherder, of Egypt. Were this all a movie, the plot, repeatedly interrupted Pharaoh’s priv- at this point, would begin to stretch ileged life and schedule with the same credibility. demands. Worse yet from Pharaoh’s Yet greater questions still must have perspective, he was able to force his swirled in Pharaoh’s mind. How could agenda with devastating results. Israel’s God kill all the firstborn of Egypt, Through God, Moses defied Egypt’s both man and animal, while preserving gods with humiliating and overwhelm- the lives of the firstborn be- ing displays of power. He changed the cause of the placement of lamb’s blood sacred water of the Nile River, turn- on their doorposts? ing it into blood. He afflicted the peo- How could Israel’s God divide the ple with insects and filled the land and waters of the Red Sea to allow Israel to their homes with repugnant frogs, who pass through to safety and then bring themselves represented Egyptian gods. the walls of water crashing down to However, it is difficult to appreciate a drown the armies of Egypt? Could not god when he hops through your kitchen the god-king of Egypt have prevented and contaminates your food! this? The plagues in fact were judgements Truth is indeed stranger than fiction, of God on the entire Egyptian pantheon proof in itself that the Bible is not fiction. of false gods. God did this in creative It is history. 4 LESSON 1 SEPTEMBER 1, 2019

SCRIPTURE LESSON TEXT EXOD. 1:7 And the children of Israel 15 And the king of Egypt spake to were fruitful, and increased abundant- the Hebrew midwives, of which the ly, and multiplied, and waxed exceed- name of the one was Shiphrah, and ing mighty; and the land was filled with the name of the other Puah: them. 16 And he said, When ye do the 8 Now there arose up a new office of a midwife to the Hebrew king over Egypt, which knew not women, and see them upon the Joseph. stools; if it be a son, then ye shall 9 And he said unto his people, kill him: but if it be a daughter, then Behold, the people of the children of she shall live. Israel are more and mightier than we: 17 But the midwives feared God, 10 Come on, let us deal wise- and did not as the king of Egypt ly with them; lest they multiply, commanded them, but saved the and it come to pass, that, when men children alive. there falleth out any war, they join 18 And the king of Egypt called also unto our enemies, and fight for the midwives, and said unto against us, and so get them up out them, Why have ye done this thing, of the land. and have saved the men children 11 Therefore they did set over alive? them taskmasters to afflict them 19 And the midwives said unto with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew wom- Pharaoh treasure cities, and en are not as the Egyptian women; Raamses. for they are lively, and are delivered 12 But the more they afflicted ere the midwives come in unto them. them, the more they multiplied 20 Therefore God dealt well and grew. And they were grieved with the midwives: and the people because of the children of Israel. multiplied, and waxed very mighty. 13 And the Egyptians made the 21 And it came to pass, because children of Israel to serve with rigour: the midwives feared God, that he 14 And they made their lives bit- made them houses. ter with hard bondage, in morter, 22 And Pharaoh charged all his and in brick, and in all manner of people, saying, Every son that is service in the field: all their ser- born ye shall cast into the river, vice, wherein they made them and every daughter ye shall save serve, was with rigour. alive. NOTES

Intermediate Bible Teacher 5 A Long, Hard Oppression Lesson Text: Exodus 1:7-22

Related Scriptures: Acts 7:17-19; Psalm 105:23-25

TIME: around 1528 b.c. PLACE: Egypt

GOLDEN TEXT—“The Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: and they made their lives bitter with hard bondage” (Exodus 1:13-14). Lesson and Its Truth

A CHANGE IN ISRAEL’S toration that Israel was viewed as a CIRCUMSTANCES—Exod. 1:7-14 problem and a threat (The Old Testa- As we read the concluding chap- ment Explorer, Word). ters of the book of Genesis, we find The Hyksos appear to have been that Israel was a family made up of a Semitic people, a term used to de- seventy people who had found ref- scribe not only the Hebrews but also uge in Egypt during the severe fam- many people of the Near East based ine predicted by Joseph (cf. 46:27). on their language and background as Their time in Egypt was only tem- descendants of Shem. porary, just as God had explained it In Exodus 1:7 Moses used five phrases to emphasize how greatly would be to Abraham (cf. 15:13) and Israel had increased in size during as anticipated by Joseph when he its time in Egypt. While God placed instructed his family to take his re- Joseph in Egypt to save not only the mains back with them to Israel (cf. Egyptians but also the surrounding 50:25-26). peoples during the seven-year fam- Although it was only temporary, a ine, He then used the benefits and sojourn of four hundred years is a advantages of Egypt to build Israel long time. While God used it to build into a nation capable of conquering the people into a nation ready to Canaan when the time was right. conquer the Promised Land, chang- When God warned Abraham that es took place during this period both his descendants would be strangers to Israel and to the host nation of and afflicted for four hundred years Egypt. Dr. Eugene Merrill pointed out in this foreign land (cf. Gen. 15:13), that Israel had settled in Egypt near He also explained that the Canaan- the close of a period when Egypt had ites (Amorites) were not yet ready experienced great power and wealth. for punishment (vs.16). Israel would After this it experienced a time of be God’s instrument of judgment for chaos when foreigners, a people the sinful Canaanites. For this and to known as the Hyksos, controlled the conquer and occupy Canaan, they nation. This was followed by a resur- needed to make up a sizable army. gence of Egypt’s power and glory. It However, this was, obviously, un- was during this time of Egypt’s res- known to the Egyptians. Egypt’s 6