After the people complain of hunger, God gives manna, a daily bread from heaven. The Lord also gives two commands related to collecting the manna; the Israelites disobey both. There is much for us to learn from in this story: lessons about God's nature and provision, His expectation and desire that we love, obey and
Shortly after being delivered by God through the Red Sea, the Israelites complain when they face their first challenge in the Wilderness: no water to drink. Moses is told to cast a piece of wood into bitter (undrinkable) water, which miraculously becomes sweet. We consider two lessons from this encounter: first, the danger of complaining
First Steps in the Wilderness and a Water Crisis (Exodus 15) View Lesson
First Steps in the Wilderness and a Water Crisis (Exodus 15) View Lesson
The dramatic escape from Egypt takes the Jews by an unusual route: through the midst of the Red Sea. After the Lord divides the sea, the Israelites walk through on dry ground, with a wall of water on each side. The Egyptian army pursues and is drowned when the sea returns. In this lesson we
We have come to the final and most devastating plague of all: death of the firstborn sons. This strikes every household in Egypt: from mighty Pharaoh to the lowliest servant, and even their livestock. The Jews are given detailed instructions regarding what they must do to be spared. Each household must sacrifice an unblemished lamb,
The Final Plague: the Death of the Firstborn (Passover) (Exodus 11:1-13:16) View Lesson
The Final Plague: the Death of the Firstborn (Passover) (Exodus 11:1-13:16) View Lesson
The Lord sends three more devastating plagues on Egypt. In the plague of hail with fire we see God’s mercy toward the Egyptians. Those Egyptians who fear the Lord heed the advance warning, pull their people and livestock indoors, and are protected from destruction. This is followed by a plague of voracious locusts who consume
More Plagues: Hail, Locusts, and Darkness (Exodus 9:13-10:29) View Lesson
More Plagues: Hail, Locusts, and Darkness (Exodus 9:13-10:29) View Lesson
The battle between the Lord and Pharaoh intensifies as Moses brings four more plagues upon Egypt. After the third plague, a miracle the sorcerers cannot duplicate, they tell Pharaoh, "this must be the finger of God." What is the significance of that statement? Also, were the Ten Plagues specifically designed as an assault on specific
More Plagues: Insects and Disease (Exodus 8:12-9:12) View Lesson
More Plagues: Insects and Disease (Exodus 8:12-9:12) View Lesson
Bible scholars, even relatively conservative ones, often struggle with the ten plagues. Were these genuine supernatural miracles, or is it possible that these could be explained by naturally occurring phenomena? Does it matter? In this lesson we wrestle with these questions and look specifically at the first two plagues: blood and frogs. Why did the
Let the Plagues Begin: Blood and Frogs (Exodus 7:14-8:11) View Lesson
Let the Plagues Begin: Blood and Frogs (Exodus 7:14-8:11) View Lesson
When Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to let God’s people go, Pharaoh increases the oppression against the Israelites, and has them flogged when they fail to meet their quotas. The exodus drama provides us with a pattern of our Christian spiritual journey, with Pharaoh a type or representation of Satan. Here we gain insights into
Forty years after fleeing Egypt, while tending sheep, Moses has a pivotal encounter with God. The "Angel of the Lord" speaks to him from a burning bush! From this story we gain rich insights into the character of God. He hears the cries of His people and responds to rescue them. Sometimes He waits until
This lesson covers Moses’ life as a prince in Egypt, from his birth and famous rescue from the Nile River through fleeing Egypt at age forty after murdering an Egyptian. He then helps Midianite strangers, and gains a wife. We consider two key aspects of Moses’ character that are held up in the New Testament,
Birth and Early Life of Moses: the First 40 Years (Exodus 2) View Lesson
Birth and Early Life of Moses: the First 40 Years (Exodus 2) View Lesson