Central Thought: Believers like soldiers should endure hardship in service.
Hymn: There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus.
Text: Exodus 2:1-25
The book of Exodus is the record of Israel’s deliverance as a nation. Within the protective “womb of Egypt”, the Jewish family of seventy rapidly multiplied. At the right time, accompanied with severe pains, an infant nation numbering between two and three million people was divinely protected, fed and nurtured. Moses therefore was born as a deliverer.
This servant of the Lord was born when an ungodly decree by Pharaoh was given, that every male child born of any Israelite in Egypt should be killed. God helped him to survive that situation and he was brought up in Pharaoh’s house. The circumstances surrounding Moses’ birth and how he was prepared divinely as a deliverer is the basis or focus of this study. It is also to show Christians that the prevailing circumstance of one’s birth is less important if we focus on the Lord for guidance and protection.
Lesson Objectives:
- To know that prevailing circumstances during a person’s birth does not matter much.
- To know that positive actions of parents towards their children is very important.
- To recognize that Christian homes are where children are trained.
- To know that any man divinely supported and directed would make an impact that will stand the test of time.
Question 1.) Discuss the prevailing circumstances when Moses was born.
Exodus 1:11-22
Moses was born in a period when the Israelites were under heavy affliction and life became bitter and increasingly unbearable. According to Dake’s commentary, the seven-fold labor of the Israelites were
- Digging clay for making bricks
- Kneading clay to the proper consistency (i.e. pressing together wet pieces of clay can be very difficult and laborious.
- Taking clay to brick mold
- Forming the bricks
- Drying them in the sun
- Carrying them to their destination
- Building cities out of bricks e.x. Pharaoh’s treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses (Exodus 1:11-14).
In spite of these severe afflictions, the population of the Israelites were increasing and a decree was issued by Pharaoh that all sons of the Hebrew women be killed at point of delivery. It was at this point that Moses was born.
Question 2.) Comment on the actions of his parents.
Exodus 2:1-4, Hebrew 11:23
To the parents, Moses was their second son and third child. They evidently believed God’s word and hid the child for three months. Hebrews 11:23 says “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 kings commandment”. By faith they took him to the river brink and “his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him”. Exodus 2:4. Also, Pharaoh’s daughter had compassion on the child Moses, and took him into Pharaoh’s palace as her son (Exodus 2:5-6, 9). The action of Moses’ parents, his sister and even Pharaoh’s princess were in line with God’s plan for Moses, and indeed for the nation of Israel.
Question 3.) Moses denied himself the comfort and benefits of the King’s court choosing to identify with the suffering of his people (Hebrews 11:24-28). Explain his action and what we can learn from this.
Moses by adoption became a prince of Egypt, with all the associated rights and privileges. As he grew up he realized his parenthood and heritage; he knew he was a Hebrew. He chose to identify with the people of God when it mattered the most, despite the risks involved and the possible threat to his life.
In defending his own people he expected his brethren (Israelites) to acknowledge him as one of their own. He forsook the pleasures of sin, the comfort of the palace and the fame that awaited him in Egypt and found grace in the sight of God.
Question 4.) Moses fled from the presence of Pharaoh. How did this prepare him for the task ahead?
Exodus 2:15-25
He fled from Pharaoh where he was being ministered onto as a Prince by palace servants/guards. In Jethro’s house Moses became a servant. As he served Jethro, he was given Zipporah as wife and God favored him with the revelation of His plan for the nation of Israel. His fleeing from Pharaoh and serving in the household of Jethro was actually preparing him for servanthood under God.
If Moses endured long years of serving before assuming a leadership role, believers today should not be in a hurry to take up a leadership position without adequate preparation and training.
Daily Living Application
The believer should know that God chooses His own and would make all things work together for his good. Therefore parents need to be conscious of the grace of God that follows our children and should belive God for each child while nurturing and training them in the ways of the Lord, so that they would fulfill God’s purpose for their lives.
Memory Verse:
Hebrews 11:24
“By faith Moses when he was come to years refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter”.