Coachlight Bible Study – Exodus Lesson Eight
The Seven “I Wills” of Redemption
Psalm 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psalm 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalm 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.
Psalm 37:30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.
Psalm 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
Luke 6:45 … for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
I John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
I John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
I John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
I John 1:9 If we confess<3670> our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
3670 omologew homologeo hom-ol-og-eh'-o - from a compound of the base of 3674 and 3056; v (From homo and logeo, meaningliterally “To say the same thing”)
confess 17, profess 3, promise 1, give thanks 1, confession is made 1, acknowledgeth 1; 24
1) to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent
2) to concede
2a) not to refuse, to promise
2b) not to deny
2b1) to confess
2b2) declare
2b3) to confess, i.e. to admit or declare one's self guilty of what one is accused of
3) to profess
3a) to declare openly, speak out freely
3b) to profess one's self the worshipper of one
Knowledge of who God is brings faith. The definition of faith is: “believing that God can do what He said He would do”. God can perform His Word because of Who He is. From the beginning of time, God has revealed His light, or enough knowledge of Who He is, to individuals, so that they are able to be used in God’s plan. It is those that agree with God’s Word that are used mightily by God in God’s purpose.
In chapter one of Exodus, we saw an example of God giving the midwives enough knowledge of who He is in the form of awe or fear of God, so that they could obey God instead of the Pharaoh’s murderous decrees.
Exodus 1:17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.
In chapter two, we saw an example of God giving Moses’ parents enough knowledge of God, the Deliverer, so that they saved Moses from certain death, because they knew somehow that Moses was to be used in God’s plan.
Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
The purpose of God’s servant is to exalt God and reflect God’s honor and glory to the world. It sometimes seems that God’s people have the wrong mindset and they somehow imagine that it is God’s purpose to bring honor and glory to them. This wrong mindset is just a vain deterrent from the wisdom and understanding of the Word of God. God is constantly urging His people not to look toward the circumstances in which they are involved, but rather to look toward God, the Deliverer. The great I AM is the One Who ultimately does His work through His own power, at His own time, and is not in need of anything from His people, except their hand and their heart. God did not deliver His people out of the bondage of Egypt because there was anything good found in them, or that they were in someway superior to the Egyptians, but because God heard their groaning, God loved them and God said “I will”.
As God calls Moses to service, God is also providing a great teaching aid to God’s people today. God did not call us because there was anything good found in us, or that we are somehow superior than anyone else, but because He loves us and said, “I will”.
In chapter one of Exodus, we learned about the miraculous guarding of God’s people when they were small in number, and when they were under heavy oppression, as well as their being threatened with complete extinction. This story was actually a continuation in God’s plan to come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians unto a land flowing with milk and honey. Notice the announcement by God that He would come down to deliver them – not Moses. Moses was just the human tool God used in His plan to deliver Israel out of Egypt unto a land flowing with milk and honey. The decree of the Pharaoh for the extinction of every male child of the Israelites parallels the decree later given by Herod before Christ’s birth. Moses has the privilege of being a “type of Christ” because both of them were miraculously saved at birth after a nation wide death sentence.
Moses, however, was not a born deliverer. We learned in chapter two that God gave Moses 40 years of the best education in the finest learning institutions in the word, but this education did not mean that Moses was now a qualified deliverer.
Acts 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
Acts 7:23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
Acts 7:24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:
Acts 7:25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.
Acts 7:26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
Acts 7:27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
Acts 7:28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
Acts 7:29 Then fled Moses at this saying, ….
Yes, Moses had to flee Egypt and experienced another forty years education in the desert of Midian. Here, in the desert, Moses again had the privilege of being a type of Christ in this age as Christ has been rejected by His brethren and is now in the process of preparing His Gentile bride, and will return to earth for His bride and deliver His firstborn out of the last world system unto the Kingdom in the last seven years of this age. In Midian, Moses obtained a Gentile bride after being hated by his brethren, is comforted by his Gentile bride, and then returns to Egypt to deliver his brethren out of the hand of the Egyptians unto a land flowing with milk and honey.
Acts 7:29 …. and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
Acts 7:30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
Moses still had much to learn before he could serve God. So do we. God gave this education to Moses on the mount of God in the form of a burning bush that was not consumed. Moses had to learn that God’s plan would not be dictated by world leaders, the pious and religious, or people of authority, but only by God, Himself. Moses needed to learn Who God Is and for what it was that God was looking. God did not need any strength or power, nor even wisdom from Moses, but only his humble hand and heart.
This, of course, is exactly what God is looking for in this day and age. The teaching of God’s Word is timeless, and is the greatest education one can receive.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
We today, as Moses of yesterday, need to humble ourselves in Midian and learn at the burning bush before God. A puffed up heart of pride will not fit into God’s plan except as a pawn in the scheme of God’s purpose. But a righteous man out of the good treasure of his heart can and will be used of God, and will be exalted in God’s time.
Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
I. Why Does God Deliver Israel?
Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
Exodus 2:24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
Exodus 2:25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect<03045> unto them.
03045 edy yada` yaw-dah' - a primitive root; v;
know 645, known 105, knowledge 19, perceive 18, shew 17, tell 8, wist 7, understand 7, certainly 7, acknowledge 6, acquaintance 6, consider 6, declare 6, teach 5, misc 85; 947
1) to know
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to know
1a1a) to know, learn to know
1a1b) to perceive
1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern
1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish
1a1e) to know by experience
1a1f) to recognize, admit, acknowledge, confess
1a1g) to consider
1a2) to know, be acquainted with
1a3) to know (a person carnally)
1a4) to know how, be skilful in
1a5) to have knowledge, be wise
A. Why is God Coming Down To Deliver Israel?
1. What moved God about Israel was Israel’s hopeless groan to Him
2. God had said He would in His covenant to Abraham
B. God Did Not Deliver Israel Because They Were Somehow Superior To Egyptians
C. God Delivered Israel “Without A Cause”
1. Not because they deserved it
2. It was a free gift
D. Why Does God Deliver Us?
1. Not Because We Are Deserving Or Superior
2. It is a free gift of grace – God’s love brought a Savior – John 3:16
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:24 Being justified freely<1432> by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
1432 dwrean dorean do-reh-an' - accusative case of 1431 as adverb; adj
freely 6, without a cause 1, in vain 1, for nought 1; 9
1) freely, as a gift {Mt 10:8 Ro 3:24 2Co 11:7 2Th 3:8 Re 21:6 22:17}
2) in vain, uselessly {Joh 15:25 Ga 2:21}
II. God Appears To Moses
Exodus 3:1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
Exodus 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
Exodus 3:4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
Exodus 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
A. Moses’ 2nd 40 Year Education Was A Humbling Experience – Preparing Moses
B. The Pre-incarnate Christ, In A Flame, Appeared To Moses
C. The Bush Burning But Not Consumed Is A Picture Of The Nation of Israel
1. In the refining fire of God
2. But not consumed as other nations
3. This nation will be a “people of inheritance”
Deuteronomy 4:20 But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.
D. Moses Had To Learn The Holiness Of God First
1. It wasn’t that the mountain was inherently or permanently holy
2. It was holy ground because the presence of the Holy One was in its midst
3. It was only holy ground when Yahweh theophanized to Moses
4. It only remained holy ground as long as His presence remained there.
E. Moses Was Instructed To Not Get Too Close And Take Off His Shoes
1. An attempt to defile the holy presence would bring Divine Judgment
2. Sacred space is set apart from the profane earth
3. Shoes represent a humbling experience and reverence to the Holy One
4. The act of removing the shoes separates earthly dust from His holy presence
F. This was the same God that Had Appeared to Abraham. Isaac, and Jacob
G. As Moses Took All This In, He Could Not Look Upon God
III. God’s Announcement Of Deliverance
Exodus 3:7 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
Exodus 3:8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
Exodus 3:9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
Exodus 3:10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
A. The Lord Is Coming Down To Deliver His People
1. Out of the hand of the Egyptians
2. Unto a good and large land flowing with milk and honey
B. God Is Sending Moses Unto Pharaoh
C. This Is God’s Formula Of Deliverance – “Out Of” and “In To”
D. We Are Delivered Today With The Same Formula
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
E. We Are Delivered “Out Of” and “IN TO”
1. Delivered out of the death of sin
2. Delivered unto a heavenly position in Christ
IV. Moses’ 1st Excuse – “Who Am I That I Should Go Unto Pharaoh?”
Exodus 3:11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
Exodus 3:12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
A. God Said, “I Will Be With You” – Phrase Hayah Immak
1. Hayah “to be” and the preposition im, meaning “with” denotes accompaniment
a. Accompaniment to protect, to empower, bless, secure success, and bring victory
b. Responding to Moses objection, it is not a question of who Moses is
c. It is all about Who God Is, and God will be with Moses
d. It is not a question of Moses’ fitness to the task, but Who God Is
2. Hayah Immak is the basis of the word play of Hayah aser Hayah following
B. The Sign, After The Deliverance, “Ye Shall Serve God Upon This Mountain”
V. Moses’ 2nd Excuse – “What Is His Name?”
Exodus 3:13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM<01961> THAT I AM<01961 >: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD<03068> God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
01961 hyh hayah haw-yaw - a primitive root [compare 01933]; v;
was, come to pass, came, has been, were happened, become, pertained, better for thee; 75
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ----
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
03068 hwhy Y@hovah yeh-ho-vaw'or Yahweh - from 01961; n pr dei;
LORD 6510, GOD 4, JEHOVAH 4, variant 1; 6519
Jehovah =" the existing One" “He is”
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of 0136:
0136 ynda 'Adonay ad-o-noy' - an emphatic form of 0113; n m;
Lord 431, lord 2, God 1; 434
1) my lord, lord
1a) of men
1b) of God
2) Lord-title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence
A. Moses Was More Concerned About Egypt’s Response Than God Being With him
B. God said, Tell Pharaoh I AM that I AM Sent You
1. I AM is a debate terminating phrase – (A Hebrew phrase Item per Item)
a. Remember Moses’ first excuse was, “Who am I?”
b. God, in effect was answering, It doesn’t matter who you are but Who I AM
c. Then in effect, Moses answered, Then who are You? What is your name?
d. God answers, It doesn’t matter what my name is, I AM Who I AM
2. I AM is assurance to Moses of the Divine presence with him
3. I AM is a further explanation of Yahweh (He is)
4. Verse 14 – say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me
5. Verse 15 – say unto the children of Israel, Yahweh (He is) hath sent me
a. Yhwh is the Hebrew word without vowels
b. This name for God became sacred to Jews after Moses
c. These Jews did not mention this name
d. So no one knows how they originally pronounced it
e. Later, Jews put in the vowels from Adonay – “Lord”
f. The result is either Jehovah or Yahweh
C. I AM Is A New Revelation Of Who God Is
1. In the past God was known as El Shadday – (Almighty Covenant God)
2. Now He would act as Yahweh – (Eternal Redemptive God)
VI. Prophecy Concerning God’s Deliverance
Exodus 3:16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt:
Exodus 3:17 And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.
Exodus 3:18 And they shall hearken to thy voice: and thou shalt come, thou and the elders of Israel, unto the king of Egypt, and ye shall say unto him, The LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with us: and now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.
Exodus 3:19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
Exodus 3:20 And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.
Exodus 3:21 And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty:
Exodus 3:22 But every woman shall borrow<07592> of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth in her house, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: and ye shall put them upon your sons, and upon your daughters; and ye shall spoil the Egyptians.
A. God Commands Moses To Gather Together The Elders Of Israel
B. Tell Them Yahweh Elohim Of Your Fathers Has Sent You
1. To bring them out of the affliction of Egypt
2. Unto a land flowing with milk and honey
C. You And The Elders Will Face Pharaoh
1. Tell him Yahweh Elohim of the Hebrews has meet with you
2. Now let us go three days into the wilderness to sacrifice to the Yahweh Elohim
D. The King will not let you go, not by a mighty hand
E. I Will Stretch Out My Hand
1. I will smite Egypt with all my wonders
2. After that he will let you go
07592 lav sha'al shaw-al' or lav sha'el shaw-ale' - a primitive root; v;
ask 94, enquire 22, desire 9, require 7, borrow 6, salute 4, demand 4, lent 4, request 3, earnestly 2, beg 2, misc 16; 173
1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to ask, ask for, 1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow ; 1a3) to enquire, enquire of
1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle) ; 1a5) to seek
1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully; 1c2) to beg, practise beggary
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to be given on request
1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to
05337 lun natsal naw-tsal' - a primitive root; v;
deliver 179, recover 5, rid 3, escape 2, rescue 2, spoil 2, at all 2, take out 2, misc 16; 213
1) to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to tear oneself away, deliver oneself ; 1a2) to be torn out or away, be delivered
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to strip off, spoil; 1b2) to deliver
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to take away, snatch away; 1c2) to rescue, recover
1c3) to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death); 1c4) to deliver from sin and guilt
F. But Israel Will Not Leave Egypt Empty
1. God will give the Israelites favor (grace)
2. They will receive valuables from Egyptians for the asking
3. A metaphor of a conquering army taking spoils, but by only asking
4. In other words, Egyptians will flood Israel with gifts before Yahweh destroys Egypt
5. Has the concept of a righteous God giving Israel unpaid wages
VII. Moses’ 3rd Excuse – Will Say, Yahweh Appeared Not Unto Thee
Exodus 4:1 And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.
Exodus 4:2 And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.
Exodus 4:3 And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.
Exodus 4:4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand:
Exodus 4:5 That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee.
Exodus 4:6 And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
Exodus 4:7 And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh.
Exodus 4:8 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign.
Exodus 4:9 And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.
A. God Tells Moses That God Wants Moses’ Humble Hand
1. God makes Moses’ rod his badge of authority
2. When Moses casts down the rod it becomes a snake
3. When Moses picks it up by the tail it turns into a rod
B. God Tells Moses That God Wants Moses’ Humble Heart
1. Moses’ bosom represents Moses’ innermost intellect and desires – (Mind)
2. When Moses places his hand into his bosom and retrieves it, it becomes leprous
3. When Moses places his leprous hand into and out of his bosom again, it is healed
C. If Israel Does Not Believe The First Sign, They Will Believe The Second
1. If they don’t believe either, then pour Nile water into sand
2. It will become blood on the dry land
VIII. Moses’ Forth Excuse – I Am Slow Of Speech
Exodus 4:10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
Exodus 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
Exodus 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
A. Moses Tells God That He Is Not A Good Enough Speaker To Do The Job
B. God Tells Moses That It Is Not About Moses, But It Is About God.
IX. Moses Asks God To Send Someone Else
Exodus 4:13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.
Exodus 4:14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
Exodus 4:15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.
Exodus 4:16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.
Exodus 4:17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.
Exodus 4:18 And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
A. The Anger Of The Lord Hadn’t Been Kindled Until Now
B. God Consoled Moses As Moses Thought Moses Was Inadequate
C. But Now Moses Was Saying In Effect That God Was Inadequate
D. God Sends Aaron To Be Moses’ Spokesman
E. I Will Do Wonders With Your Rod In Your Hand
X. Moses Returns To Egypt
Exodus 4:18 And Moses went and returned to Jethro his father in law, and said unto him, Let me go, I pray thee, and return unto my brethren which are in Egypt, and see whether they be yet alive. And Jethro said to Moses, Go in peace.
Exodus 4:19 And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.
Exodus 4:20 And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ass, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
Exodus 4:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go.
Exodus 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Exodus 4:23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
Exodus 4:24 And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.
Exodus 4:25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me.
Exodus 4:26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.
A. This Is Another Example Of Moses’ Heart Not Completely With God’s Plan
B. Notice that the individual Israelite Is Never Called A Son Of God
C. The Nation Is Called God’s Firstborn
D. Moses Does Not Circumcise One Of His Kids
1. The context suggests that Moses thinks he is inadequate to do God’s will
2. Moses is placing too much confidence in the flesh
E. God Instructs Moses By Attempting To Kill Moses
1. Why is God teaching Moses by attempting to kill him?
2. Because Moses still thinks he is called to deliver Israel and he is inadequate
3. God is instructing Moses that while circumcision is the badge of God’s covenant
a. The message of circumcision is placing no confidence in the flesh
b. The message of circumcision is that the flesh has to be cut away
4. Each individual Israelite needs have a new heart (New Creature)
5. Just as we do today:
Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Philippians 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Philippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Philippians 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
F. Zipporah Sensed Moses Heart Condition And Circumcised The Child
G. God “Let Moses Go” After This
XI. Israel Accepts Moses As Deliverer
Exodus 4:27 And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.
Exodus 4:28 And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD who had sent him, and all the signs which he had commanded him.
Exodus 4:29 And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:
Exodus 4:30 And Aaron spake all the words which the LORD had spoken unto Moses, and did the signs in the sight of the people.
Exodus 4:31 And the people believed: and when they heard that the LORD had visited the children of Israel, and that he had looked upon their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshipped.
XII. Pharaoh Rejects Moses By Rejecting The Lord
Exodus 5:1 And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
Exodus 5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
Exodus 5:3 And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.
Exodus 5:4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.
Exodus 5:5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
Exodus 5:6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
Exodus 5:7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
Exodus 5:8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.
Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
Exodus 5:10 And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spake to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.
Exodus 5:11 Go ye, get you straw where ye can find it: yet not ought of your work shall be diminished.
Exodus 5:12 So the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of Egypt to gather stubble instead of straw.
Exodus 5:13 And the taskmasters hasted them, saying, Fulfil your works, your daily tasks, as when there was straw.
Exodus 5:14 And the officers of the children of Israel, which Pharaoh's taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and demanded, Wherefore have ye not fulfilled your task in making brick both yesterday and to day, as heretofore?
XIII. Israel Rejects Moses
Exodus 5:15 Then the officers of the children of Israel came and cried unto Pharaoh, saying, Wherefore dealest thou thus with thy servants?
Exodus 5:16 There is no straw given unto thy servants, and they say to us, Make brick: and, behold, thy servants are beaten; but the fault is in thine own people.
Exodus 5:17 But he said, Ye are idle, ye are idle: therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD.
Exodus 5:18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
Exodus 5:19 And the officers of the children of Israel did see that they were in evil case, after it was said, Ye shall not minish ought from your bricks of your daily task.
Exodus 5:20 And they met Moses and Aaron, who stood in the way, as they came forth from Pharaoh:
Exodus 5:21 And they said unto them, The LORD look upon you, and judge; because ye have made our savour to be abhorred in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to slay us.
XIV. Moses Questions God’s Plan
Exodus 5:22 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me?
Exodus 5:23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.
XV. God Reassures Moses
Exodus 6:1 Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.
Exodus 6:2 And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
Exodus 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
Exodus 6:4 And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
Exodus 6:5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
XVI. The Seven “I Wills” Of Redemption – Then And Now
Exodus 6:6 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
Exodus 6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
Exodus 6:8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.
A. I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians
1. Today the things of this world are a burden to the heart
2. We are instructed not to love the things of this world, to walk in Light
I John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
I John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
I John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
3. God delivers us of our burdens
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
B. I will rid you out of their bondage
1. Today, sin is bondage just as much as Israel in Egypt
Romans 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
2. Today, God rids those who walk after the Spirit of their bondage
C. I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments
1. This is the out stretched hand of Isaiah:
Isaiah 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isaiah 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
2. He died that we might be delivered
D. I will take you to me for a people
1. God has lifted us out of sin
Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Galatians 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
2. Unto sons and heirs
E. I will be to you a God
1. God does not struggle to love His own
2. God loves because it is His nature to love:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
F. I will bring you in unto the land
1. This typifies our position in Christ after deliverance
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2. In the ages to come, God’s Grace will be demonstrated
G. I will give it you for an heritage
Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Ephesians 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
XVII. Moses Reassures Israel – They Harkin Not
Exodus 6:9 And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage.
XVIII. God Re-commissions Moses
Exodus 6:10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exodus 6:11 Go in, speak unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, that he let the children of Israel go out of his land.
Exodus 6:12 And Moses spake before the LORD, saying, Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me, who am of uncircumcised lips?
Exodus 6:13 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, and gave them a charge unto the children of Israel, and unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.
A. Moses Was To Stop Looking At Circumstances Surrounding Him
B. Moses Was Rather to Look To God
C. You See Moses Was Not Going To Do The Work
D. God Was Going To Do The Work Through
1. Moses’ humble hand
2. With Moses’ humble “heart” in the plan
XIX. Moses Objects – Again Too Much Confidence In The Flesh
Exodus 6:28 And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt,
Exodus 6:29 That the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I am the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee.
Exodus 6:30 And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?
XX. God Reassures Moses
Exodus 7:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Exodus 7:2 Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
Exodus 7:3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
Exodus 7:4 But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.
Exodus 7:5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them.
A. God Reassures Moses By Defining the word “Prophet”
1. A prophet is one who speaks God’s word unto the people
2. A prophet is much different from a priest
a. A priest represents the people to God
b. A priest does not speak for God
c. A prophet does not represent the people
3. Moses did not have to represent the people
4. Moses did not have to deliver Israel
B. What Moses And Aaron Needed To Do Was Speak God’s Word
C. God Will Harden Pharaoh’s Heart
D. Pharaoh Will Not Harkin To Moses
E. So Then God Can Lay His Hand Upon Egypt
F. God Is Going To Do The Work
G. Moses Is To Speak The Word
XXI. Moses Is Prepared For God’s Service
Exodus 7:6 And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD commanded them, so did they.
Exodus 7:7 And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
XXII. We Need To Humbly Place No Confidence In The Flesh Today
Matthew 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
Matthew 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
Matthew 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Matthew 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Matthew 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Matthew 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Matthew 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Matthew 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Matthew 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Matthew 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
Matthew 23:11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
It might at first seem contradictory that Moses’ thinking himself to be unfit for the task that God had for him was actually placing “too much confidence in the flesh”.
What Moses was actually doing was looking at the circumstances surrounding him and thinking that God called him to fix the situation by his own power.
God Reassured Moses that all God needed was Moses’ humble hand and heart, because ultimately a man does what is in his heart.
In other words, Moses’ heart needed to agree with God’s Word
Moses needed to speak God’s Word through Aaron. - God would do the delivering.