The Version Of Christ

The Rise of Deliverance The Oppression of Israel

In the land of Egypt, the descendants of Jacob, the Israelites, prospered. They grew in number and strength, becoming a formidable population. However, after the death of Joseph and his brothers, a new king rose to power who did not remember Joseph's contributions. Seeing the Israelites' increasing numbers, Pharaoh became afraid. He feared that the Israelites would become too powerful and might join Egypt's enemies in a rebellion. To control them, he enslaved them with harsh labor, forcing them to build cities and work in the fields under brutal conditions.

Despite Pharaoh's attempts to suppress them, the Israelites continued to multiply. Pharaoh, in his desperation, ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill every male child born to Israelite women. However, the midwives feared God and disobeyed Pharaoh, allowing the babies to live. When Pharaoh found out, he commanded all the newborn Hebrew boys to be thrown into the Nile River.

How far will the oppression of God's people go before He intervenes? Can the strength of a nation truly crush the will of God's people?

The Birth of Moses

In the midst of Pharaoh's decree, a Levite woman named Jochebed gave birth to a son. She saw that he was no ordinary child, so she hid him for three months to protect him. When she could no longer hide him, she placed him in a basket and set him afloat on the Nile River, hoping to save his life.

Pharaoh's daughter came to the river to bathe and discovered the basket with the crying child. Moved with compassion, she decided to adopt the boy and raised him as her own, naming him Moses, meaning "drawn out of the water."

Moses grew up in Pharaoh's palace, but his heart was with the Israelites. One day, he witnessed an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. In a fit of anger, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid his body. When Pharaoh learned of the murder, Moses fled to the land of Midian.

How often does God use the most unexpected individuals to accomplish His will? Can the son of an Egyptian princess truly become the deliverer of an enslaved people?

The Burning Bush

While in Midian, Moses lived as a shepherd for his father-in-law, Jethro. One day, as he tended the flock, he came across a bush that was on fire but not consumed by the flames. When he approached, the voice of God spoke from the bush, revealing Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

God told Moses that He had heard the cries of the Israelites in Egypt and had come to deliver them. He commanded Moses to return to Egypt and lead His people out of bondage. Moses, unsure of his own ability, questioned God: "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

God reassured him, saying that He would be with him and give him the power to perform signs and wonders to prove that God had sent him. He also revealed His name to Moses "I AM WHO I AM," signifying God's eternal and unchanging nature.

Why does God call ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary tasks? Does the fear of failure and self-doubt ever hold us back from responding to God's calling?

Moses' Reluctance and God's Assurance

Moses was still hesitant and offered several objections. He questioned what he would say to the Israelites and how they would believe that God had truly sent him. God responded by providing signs: Moses' staff turned into a serpent and then back to a staff, his hand became leprous and was healed, and he could turn water from the Nile into blood.

Even with these signs, Moses continued to make excuses, claiming he was not eloquent enough to speak to Pharaoh. In anger, God appointed Moses' brother Aaron to be his spokesperson. God then instructed Moses to return to Egypt and gather the elders of Israel.

Moses obeyed, and on the way to Egypt, God sought to kill him because he had not yet circumcised his son. Moses' wife, Zipporah, circumcised their son, and God spared Moses' life.

How many times do we make excuses when God calls us to act? Can we trust that God equips us for the task He sets before us, even when we feel unqualified?

Moses' First Confrontation with Pharaoh

Moses and Aaron returned to Egypt and gathered the Israelite elders. They believed Moses' message and worshiped God. However, when Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh, saying, "Let my people go," Pharaoh responded with defiance, refusing to release the Israelites and accusing Moses and Aaron of causing trouble.

In retaliation, Pharaoh made the Israelites' labor even harder. He ordered the taskmasters to stop providing straw for the Israelites to make bricks but demanded they meet the same production quotas. The Israelites, now in greater distress, turned on Moses, blaming him for their suffering.

Why does God sometimes allow our circumstances to worsen before deliverance comes? What is the purpose of facing opposition when following God's will?

God Reassures Moses

Moses, distressed by the Israelites' rejection and Pharaoh's refusal, questioned God about the plan. God reassured him that He would indeed deliver the Israelites and bring judgment upon Pharaoh. God reminded Moses of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and promised to make the Israelites His people.

God instructed Moses to go to Pharaoh again, but Moses expressed doubt, feeling that the Israelites would not listen to him.

When we face setbacks or resistance, can we hold on to God's promises? What does it take to persevere in God's plan when it seems like things are getting worse instead of better?

The First Signs and Pharaoh's Heart Hardened

Moses and Aaron went before Pharaoh once more, and God performed signs through them. Aaron's staff turned into a serpent, and when Pharaoh's magicians did the same, Aaron's staff swallowed theirs. Still, Pharaoh's heart remained hard, and he refused to listen.

God then sent ten plagues upon Egypt to show His power. The first plague turned the Nile into blood, causing the fish to die and making the water undrinkable. Pharaoh, however, remained unyielding, and his heart grew harder.

Why does God allow people's hearts to harden? Is it possible that some circumstances serve to demonstrate His power and sovereignty?

The Plagues Continue

God sent a series of devastating plagues: frogs swarmed Egypt, covering the land, and then gnats and flies plagued the Egyptians. After each plague, Pharaoh promised to let the Israelites go, but then changed his mind once the relief came.

The magicians of Egypt were unable to replicate these plagues, further demonstrating God's power. Yet Pharaoh's heart remained hardened, and he would not let the people go.

Why do people sometimes refuse to see the clear signs of God's power and continue in their stubbornness? What role does free will play in this hardening process?

The Plagues Intensify

The plagues intensified with the death of Egypt's livestock, boils on the Egyptians' bodies, and hail that destroyed crops and killed livestock. Despite the destruction, Pharaoh continued to harden his heart, refusing to let the Israelites go.

How does God's patience manifest when His judgments seem harsh? What can we learn from Pharaoh's repeated refusal to repent and turn to God?

The Final Plagues Announced

God sent locusts to consume what remained of Egypt's crops, and darkness covered the land for three days. Despite the worsening conditions, Pharaoh still refused to release the Israelites. In a final warning, God told Moses that the last plague would be the death of all firstborns in Egypt.

How long will Pharaoh's rebellion last? Can the stubbornness of human hearts ever thwart God's ultimate plan?

God's Love, Power, and Sovereignty is a dominant occurrence in the Exodus of the Israelites from bondage

Through the plagues and Moses' obedience, God reveals His unshakable power and sovereignty over the nations. Despite Pharaoh's hardened heart and the suffering of the Israelites, God's purpose remained unchanged. He loved His people and had a plan for their deliverance. Even when the situation appeared hopeless, God's presence and divine intervention were evident.