Jun. 30, 2021

THE LIFE OF MOSES

THE DELIVERER

ISRAEL IN EGYPT

Background:

Arrival in Egypt

Genesis 37:3-4 “Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age. Also he made him a tunic of many colors. 4But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.”

So they sold him to a group of traders, who in turn took him to Egypt and sold him to “Potiphar, Pharaoh’s officer, the captain of the bodyguard” Genesis 37:18-36

Joseph was misunderstood and mistreated for a period of time, but then the Lord saw fit to elevate him to a place of high honor in the Egyptian government.

Genesis 41:38-44 “And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?”39Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” 41And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.”

When Moses finally arrived on the scene, the Hebrews were greater in number and power than the Egyptians living around them.

Exodus 1:7-9 “But the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, multiplied and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them. 8Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.”

Slavery In Egypt:

Approximately 350 years after Joseph’s death, a new Pharaoh reigned in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph and his service in the Egyptian government.

Exodus 1:11-14 “Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. 13So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. 14And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.”

God’s Promise:

The Lord gave it to Abraham:

Genesis 15:13-14 “Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.”

Applications:

*Hard times don’t erase God’s promises.

*Harsh treatment doesn’t escape God’s notice.

Hebrews 4:13 “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”

*Heavy tests don’t eclipse God’s concern.

Can you relate to hard times, harsh treatment, and/or heavy tests?