Introduction
Although Israel time in Egypt is a distant past, it is a story with relevant spiritual lessons for us to learn. In the period, Exo. 1: 6 - 10 affirms, things started favorably well with the Israelites until a new king Pharoah came and said, “Let us deal shrewdly with them.” At the outset, we see how Pharoah warned the Egyptian birthing nurses (Shiphrah and Puah) to act brutally and kill every Israelite male child. Nonetheless, the tougher the scheming, the greater Israel had increased (Exo. 1: 15 – 22). As the story continues, you`ll be interested to find out how Pharoah wanted to maintain the impression that Israel had lost their freedom and would remain slaves to him (Genesis 7: 8 – 14; 22 - 23).
What contrast have you observed between Pharoah`s attitude and Satan`s in relation to the fall of man since it discloses also that things started favorably well with Adam and Eve until Satan dealt shrewdly with Eve in the garden (Gen. 3: 1 – 15, NLT). What is the significance of the language ‘shrewdly’ in its applicability seeing how it captures Satan`s sharp subtle character and bears resemblance to Pharoah`s character in the way he oppressed Israel, used them for ‘slave labor with heavy burdens to destroy them.
Israel`s exodus is a model for every Christian exodus from the enslaving power of sin because Pharoah attempted with intentions to slow the growth of the Israelites, make them serve and remain slaves to him instead of God. That`s why when the Israelites left Egypt, the news penetrated Canaan that, “The Lord your God is God in heaven above and on earth below” (Josh. 2: 11). In other words, Israel’s freedom describes Christ the redeemer as Lord of those who acknowledge his saving love and power from Satan because after the fall man was confronted by circumstances, he`s powerless to change (Romans 6: 16 – 18).
Satan tries to entice, seduce, deceive, and manipulate to control our minds and influence what we do to slow us down and make us slaves to him instead of Christ. Otherwise, how can we always think and like to speak about Israel slavery in Egypt in our everyday life, neglecting the spiritual implication of the story in ways that makes us forget our origin that we are in Israel and God has planned to rescue Israel, make Israel into a great nation that will worship and glorify him in nature and character through a covenant relationship for the salvation of the world (Exo. 3: 10 – 12, 19: 3 - 6).
Questions
The language of the Fall in Genesis 3: 1 – 11 fails to identify who the serpent was and where he came from, yet the serpent tempted Eve by promising an increased awareness which would make her become more than God.
A. Since the New Testament identifies the serpent with Satan and clarifies where he came from including what will happen in Rev.12: 7 - 10; 20: 2 – 4, 7 – 10, overstate what happened and emphasis the interpretive importance of Genesis 1: 1.
B. Genesis 3: 8 – 13; 22 – 24 explains the fracture of God`s relationship with man. Reading from Genesis 3: 14 – 21, in what way(s) can you say there`s more beyond the physical that the senses cannot detect.
We have learned a great deal about Israel since we know the origin of their deliverance in Exo. 12: 29 – 36 and Exo. 15: 1- 6. Why were the Israelites driven out of Egypt and what is significant about their deliverance that we need to understand concerning God and His character.
A. God showed his power in trying to humble Pharoah (Exo. 3: 19). What can you say as example of God`s ultimate power from the point of the curse that has so much implication to our lives? What`s your response regarding God`s anticipated promise of redemption in Genesis 3: 15.
B. Origins are fundamental but we hardly see and easily ignore the seriousness of the Fall that affects us beyond physical death. Comment on how the Fall demonstrates a pattern in Ephe. 2: 1 – 6.
Colossians 2: 13 – 15 describes the work of Jesus in His people through the cross. List and discuss the different aspects of the work of Jesus in a way that describes a man without Christ.
A. Draw lessons about slavery from Exodus 10: 24 – 28. Describe, perhaps you are surprised how Pharoah pointedly instructs Moses. How is Israel living in oppression but living in the light and hope of future redemption?
B. We read of the subsequent plan to entice and seduce the Israelites into idol worship and sexual immorality in Num. 25: 1 – 3. Using the ungodly attitude of Cain in Genesis 4: 3 – 9, and Jude 11 – 14, justify why these whole problems find blame on Balaam (Num. 31: 16).
What does Galatians 3: 1 tell you, and reading Gal. 2: 4 -5; 15 – 16, 20b – 21, how and what message bewitched the Galatians in every length of the story?
A. In your own words, explain what Paul means by being foolish and discuss how he explains the conflict of belief in Galatians 3: 2 -5 and show today`s Christian community still struggle with bewitching.
B. If from the start, Moses was at the center of God`s will in rescuing Israel, why in your opinion did Moses anticipate resistance from Pharoah and clarify in your own word why he did not expect the people to protest their release from Pharoah Exodus. 3: 11; 4:1.