Exodus 5:1-7:6

Things appear to be great at the end of chapter 4. Moses has been called. His concerns have been addressed. Aaron and the elders of Israel are finally on board. But chapter 5 shows us that things often get worse before they get better. Moses & Aaron deliver God's message to Pharaoh, but Pharaoh simply isn't interested in granting their request.

It's tempting, in our contemporary mindset, to view Pharaoh as an atheist mocking the idea of a 'god,' but this was surely not the case. Pharaoh and the Egyptians believed in many gods. His response "Who is the Lord" is a question of whether Lords existed, but which specific Lord was being spoken of. Why should Pharaoh respond to a god whom he had never heard about?

It's curious as to why Moses doesn't, at this point, use the 'tricks up his sleeve' (so to speak). Perhaps God didn't want him to display His power yet. In any case, in the absence of a more convincing argument, Pharaoh increases the workload of the Israelite slaves. These slaves had been building, but the straw to make the bricks had been provided for them by the Egyptian government. From this point on, they would have to gather their own straw while maintaining their brick making quota. Archaeological digs (Naville) confirm that the city of Pithom (Exodus 1:11) does indeed contain buildings with strong brick/straw bases. But the higher up on the buildings you examine, the quality decreases, lending evidence to the historicity of this account.

The Hebrew foremen must have figured Pharaoh was unaware of these impossible demands because they decided to appeal to Pharaoh for help. They realized, however, that Pharaoh himself was behind the increase. At this point they knew they were in real trouble. They couldn't work the workers any harder. They couldn't get help from Pharaoh. No one was left to blame except Moses (5:21).

Moses must have felt like God had tricked him (5:23). Moses had rallied the Israelite community and made a bold request of Pharaoh, but to no avail. Pharaoh said no. The Israelites were now against Moses again? Why had God allowed this? A vital lesson is learned here: Obedience to God doesn't mean life will get easier. On the contrary! It may mean life will get harder.

God reassured Moses that His plan was still in process, but Moses has no confidence because he sees no results (6:12). After being given a genealogy (for historical purposes), we are given some insight into why God is allowing the events to proceed in the manner in which they were. Out of these troubles 2 things would happen: 1) The Israelites would come to a greater understanding that God is God (6:7) and 2) The Egyptians will come to an initial understanding that God is God (7:5). This was a hard process for Aaron and Moses who were 83 and 80 respectively.

Exodus 4

Excuses & Commitments

When God called Moses from the burning bush, he didn't respond with a pledge of allegiance. He, instead, gave a series of excuses.

1. Who am I? (3:11-12)
God's answer to this excuse is not focused on Moses' qualifications, but on God's presence in Moses' life & ministry.

2. Who are you? (3:13-22)
God's answer to this excuse is "I AM WHO I AM." God wants Moses' to tell the people that He is the great God who governed their forefathers. He is present. He will deliver the people to the promised land.

3. Who are they? (4:1-9)
Moses feared that the people would not believe him. God's answers by equipping Moses with 3 signs. First, his rod can become a snake. Second, his hand can become leprous. Both of these signs, instead of being arbitrary, symbolize the plight of the Israelites. They were shepherds (symbolized by the rod), but they were currently overcome by Egypt (symbolized by the snake). God, however, was with them and they would become a rod again. They had been blessed by God (healthy hand), but were currently in exile (leprous). God, however, would restore them. If the elders would not trust Moses after these two signs, judgment would come (as symbolized by the water turning to blood). These signs would also be used to get Pharaoh's attention.

4. I'm not qualified (4:10-12)
Moses says he's never been a capable speaker. This is either a lie (suggested by Acts 7:22) or a reaction to his now older age (he's about 80 at this time). In either case, God's answer is that He is the creator of the mouth and all the senses. Once again, God doesn't talk Moses' up, He teaches Moses to rely on Him.

5. Send someone else (4:13-17)
As a last resort, Moses begs God to simply send someone else for this task. This excuse makes God angry, but he provides Aaron (Moses' brother) to be his voice to Pharaoh. Moses will be as God and Aaron will be as God's prophet.

Having rid himself of all excuses, the journey to his people begins. He receives permission from Jethro to go along with his wife and children. He is warned the Pharaoh's heart will be hardened against Israel to the point where God will return Pharaoh's rejection of Israel (God's first son) with the death of Pharaoh's firstborn son.

Next (4:24-26), we are told a strange story that may seem out of place. God is about to kill Moses. The reason seems to be that Moses had not circumcised his son. Zipporah performs the procedure, but is angry at Moses. The point of this story seems to be that Moses needed to be fully committed to God's law before ministering to God's people. It seems likely that Zipporah turned back and left Moses at this time. This provides an illustration of Jesus' teaching that following God may sometimes result in the loss of family relationships.

Moses & Aaron meet at the mountain of God (Aaron seems to have left Egypt freely or escaped without notice). Upon their reconciliation, they went back to Egypt and the elders of Israel believed and worshiped God.

Habakkuk

Below you will find my notes on Habakkuk in the form of summary of its contents, life applications, and some of my older notes.

SUMMARY

We know basically nothing about Habakkuk the man, except what we read in the first verse of the book bearing his name. His name was Habakkuk and he was a prophet. The book itself seems to be the public record of a private dialogue between Habakkuk and God. Based on the contents of the dialogue, most scholars agree that this oracle was received around the year 610 B.C., just prior to the Babylonian invasion.

Summary of the Text

The book of Habakkuk consists of 3 parts.

First, Habakkuk laments God’s lack of response to his prayers regarding the depravity of God’s people. Why doesn’t God do something about how wicked His people have become? Why hasn’t God’s law created a just society? God responds with a promise of action. He is going to do something. He’s going to judge His people by raising up the Babylonians to come against them.

Second, Habakkuk laments over the content of that promise! How can God use the Babylonians, a people even more wicked, to judge the people of God? It doesn’t make any sense! Again, God responds to Habakkuk’s complaint. God will judge the Babylonians as well. They will not get away with their wickedness either.

Finally, the book closes with a prayer of Habakkuk. The prayer focuses on faith in God. Habakkuk will wait patiently as God orchestrates ultimate justice.

APPLICATIONS

1.     Have you ever felt like God isn’t answering or even listening to your prayers? Have you ever felt that the world is out of control? That’s what Habakkuk was feeling. And he brought those feelings to God.

2.     Sometimes when we feel like prayer isn’t working, it may actually be that we have selective hearing (won’t recognize the answer), or it may be that we don’t like God’s timing (aren’t willing to wait).

3.     Wicked behavior plants the seeds of its own destruction. Babylon became powerful through corruption and, therefore, their power would soon be broken. Justice would ultimately prevail.

4.     Built into this book is Habakkuk’s recognition that “the law is paralyzed” by wickedness. This insight foreshadows the New Testament teaching that the law isn’t capable of saving us.

5.     The New Testament makes much use of Habakkuk 2:4. It is important that we remain faithful to God no matter the status of our prayer requests (see 2:17-18). God has been and will be faithful to us.

OLDER NOTES

Habakkuk’s Observations (1:2-4)
1. Israel is full of injustice/wrong (1:3)
2. Israel is full of violence/conflict (1:3)
3. The Law is limited (1:4)
4. The Wicked are winning (1:4)

Habakkuk’s 1st Complaint (1:2-4)
1. God doesn’t listen to prayers (1:2)
2. God doesn’t save His people (1:2)
3. God is too tolerant of evil (1:3)

God’s 1st Answer (1:5-11)
1. God has a plan of action (1:5)
2. He will raise up the Babylonians (1:6-11)
* Paul quotes this passage in Acts 13:41

Habakkuk’s 2nd Complaint (1:12-2:1)
1. God’s plan goes against His own holiness! (1:12-13a)
2. God’s plan goes against His own people! (1:13b)
3. God’s plan won’t solve the problem! (1:14-17)
* Habakkuk is ready to argue with God (2:1)

God’s 2nd Answer (2:2-20)
1. God will deal with the Babylonians (2:2-5)
2. The oppressed will become the oppressors (2:6-17)
3. Babylonian idols will do them no good (2:18-20)
* Paul quotes 2:4 in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:37-38

Habakkuk’s Prayer (3:1-19)
1. He knows God is capable of great victory (3:1-15)
2. He will be patient while he waits for justice (3:16-18)
3. He will place his faith in the Lord (3:19)

Habakkuk

Habakkuk’s Observations (1:2-4)
1. Israel is full of injustice/wrong (1:3)
2. Israel is full of violence/conflict (1:3)
3. The Law is limited (1:4)
4. The Wicked are winning (1:4)

Habakkuk’s 1st Complaint (1:2-4)
1. God doesn’t listen to prayers (1:2)
2. God doesn’t save His people (1:2)
3. God is too tolerant of evil (1:3)

God’s 1st Answer (1:5-11)
1. God has a plan of action (1:5)
2. He will raise up the Babylonians (1:6-11)
* Paul quotes this passage in Acts 13:41

Habakkuk’s 2nd Complaint (1:12-2:1)
1. God’s plan goes against His own holiness! (1:12-13a)
2. God’s plan goes against His own people! (1:13b)
3. God’s plan won’t solve the problem! (1:14-17)
* Habakkuk is ready to argue with God (2:1)

God’s 2nd Answer (2:2-20)
1. God will deal with the Babylonians (2:2-5)
2. The oppressed will become the oppressors (2:6-17)
3. Babylonian idols will do them no good (2:18-20)
* Paul quotes 2:4 in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:37-38

Habakkuk’s Prayer (3:1-19)
1. He knows God is capable of great victory (3:1-15)
2. He will be patient while he waits for justice (3:16-18)
3. He will place his faith in the Lord (3:19)

Ezekiel 1-3

Probable Chronology of Ezekiel’s Life
622 BC (about) Ezekiel born in Judah
612 BC Babylon defeats Assyria to become world power
612 – 605 BC Ezekiel hears about coming exile from the prophet Jeremiah
605 BC Daniel and others taken captive by Babylon
597 BC King Jehoiachin, Ezekiel (and others) taken captive
593 BC Ezekiel sees visions of God and becomes a prophet
593 – 586 BC Ezekiel predicts Judgment on Jerusalem
586 BC Jerusalem is destroyed by the Babylonians
586 – 571 BC Ezekiel predicts Judgment on Pagans & Restoration of Israel

His Vision
1. A coming storm (high wind, an immense cloud, lighting, brilliant lights) (1:4)
2. A fire with what looked like 4 living creatures (w/4 faces each) in it (1:5-14)
Feature… Symbolic for…
Each had a face like a man Intelligence Luke (Fully man)
Each had a face like a lion Strength Matthew (Lion of Judah)
Each had a face like an ox Service Mark (Suffering Servant)
Each had a face like an eagle Divinity John (Fully God)
3. Wheels on the ground beside each living creature (1:15-21)
4. Four wings attached to each living creature (1:6, 8-9, 11, 22-24)
5. A figure like that of a man and a throne high above the creatures (1:25-28)
* Some people have considered this a record of an extra-terrestrial encounter

His Calling
1. Stand up and listen to the figure on the throne (2:1-2)
2. Deliver a message from God against the rebellious house of Israel (2:3-7)
3. Eat the scroll of lament and mourning and woe (2:8 - 3:3)
4. Speak to your fellow Israelites whether they listen or not (3:4-11)
5. Speak to the exiles at Tel Abib near the Kebar River (3:12-15)

His Responsibility
1. Listen to God (2:2 + 8, 3:22-23)
2. Do not be afraid despite circumstances (2:6)
3. Speak God’s Word with authority whether people listen or not (2:7, 3:11, 16-21)
4. Personally take God’s Word in before ministering (3:1-3)
5. Have a proper anger toward sin, but don’t minister when overwhelmed (3:14-15)
6. Speak only when God tell him to speak (3:24-27)

Ezekiel

Below are my handouts from a survey of Ezekiel

Ezekiel 1-3
Ezekiel 4-7
Ezekiel 8-11
Ezekiel 12-17
Ezekiel 18
Ezekiel 19-24
Ezekiel 25-32
Ezekiel 33-36:15
Ezekiel 36:16-39:29
Ezekiel 40-48

Exodus 2:11-3:22

There is about a 40 year gap b/w Exodus 2:10 and 2:11. From Exodus, we don't know very much about Moses' childhood years except that he grew up as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. We do get some more information, however, from a sermon Stephen preached many centuries later. In Acts 7:21-23 we read that Moses was 1) Educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and 2) was powerful in speech and action. While the former is implied in Exodus, the latter is an interesting contrast from later observations about Moses (ie...his 'who am I' speech at the burning bush). Acts 7:25 offers us 1 more insight into Moses' early mindset. It says that he 'thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them.' It seems, to me, that Moses had a large portion of pride in his life during his time in Egypt. In fact, some have divided Moses' life into 3 sections of 40 years each.

1) 40 years of growing pride
2) 40 years of growing humility
3) 40 years of service to God

So we pick up in Exodus 2:11 at the transition period b/w stages 2 & 3. A perhaps prideful Moses observed an Egyptian beating a Hebrew. Having a passion for his own people (Hebrews 11:24), and after making sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand. The following day Moses learned that news of his act had spread. At this point, Pharaoh and the Egyptians want to kill Moses (for murdering one of their own) and the Jews don't seem to like Moses (probably b/c of his pride or, more likely, because they were slaves and he was not). Moses flees for his life toward Midian.

After helping some women escape the harassment of local shepherds, Moses is invited into the home of Reuel/Jethro. He is given a wife (Zipporah) and they have a child (Gershom). Moses' spends approximately 40 years there. Back in Egypt, the Pharaoh dies. The Israelites continue to cry out for God. We are told that God heard their groaning and remembered His covenant. This sets the stage for God's calling on Moses' to finally be the vessel of deliverance that he had, so many years ago, assumed he was.

Chapters 3, and the remainder of Exodus, describe to us the 3rd stage of Moses' life, his final 40 years. It begins with his encounter with God at the burning bush. Some have speculated, I think quite well, that the bush and the fact that it was burning represented Israel and their persecution respectively. The presence of God communicates that, despite their suffering, God is still with them and remembering His covenant. God promises to deliver the Israelites to a new home, the promised land. He selects Moses to lead this mass exodus, but Moses (now humbled and, perhaps, barely remembering his past dream) asks, "who am I." God's answer is not that Moses is the best man for the job, the most educated, the strongest, or whatnot. God's answer isn't about Moses' qualification at all. It's about God's presence. God will be with him, and that is enough.

Moses asks God His name, assuming the Israelites would be interested in knowing. God replies "I am who I am" which is hardly understandable at first glance. By calling Himself "I AM," God may have been contrasting Himself (the real God) from others (man-made gods). Or, "I AM" could be the only way of describing a God who cannot be described (I AM...). Or, perhaps, "I AM" simply meant that God is present in their crisis. In any case, this is the root for the word "Jehevoah" so God was essentially saying I AM Jehovah. It has, of course, been pointed out that Jesus makes use of this statement in John 8:58 calling Himself "I AM" and, thus, risking his life by stoning.

God promises Moses that the Israeli elders will listen to him (unlike before, the time was apparently now right). They are to ask for a 3 day leave, but Pharaoh will reject their request. God would need to perform signs and wonders before Pharaoh prior to the exodus. Not only will the Israelites gain their freedom, they will also not leave empty handed. They will leave with many riches from the Egyptians themselves.

Exodus

Below are the notes from a series through Exodus

Exodus 1:1-2:10
Exodus 2:11-3:22
Exodus 4
Exodus 5:1-7:6
Exodus 7:7-10:27
Exodus 10:28-13:16
Exodus 13:17-15:21
Exodus 15:22-17:7
Exodus 17:8-18:27
Exodus 19-24
Exodus 25-31
Exodus 32-34
Exodus 35-40

True Unity

Intro:
My message this morning has long been on my heart. We'll be talking together about something that we all want, something that's harder and harder to obtain, something that is the most under-utilized method of evangelism, and the 1 big thing God is waiting for before His return. We'll be talking about unity.

1) We all want unity (Psalm 133:1)
2) Unity is hard to find (Ephesians 4:1-6) (Harder in contemporary church culture)
3) Unity is serious to God (Proverbs 6:16-19)

But before I share what God has laid on my heart, I want to talk about what unity is not.

What true unity is NOT
1) It's not about isolating a group from other views (that's what cults do, truth has the best argument)
2) It's not about ignoring the differences b/w views (ecumenical movement)
3) It's not about 100% agreement on every issue (that's uniformity, no 2 people agree on everything, disagreement is of value, unanimous votes can be scary)

What MUST we agree on
1) That God exists and cares (Hebrews 11:6)
2) That Jesus is Messiah, Son & Lord (John 8:24)
3) That Jesus rose from the dead (Romans 10:9)

Outside of these essentials, there is no reason to divide over doctrinal disagreements. But remember, unity is not primarily about what you believe in your head, but who you follow with your feet.

What is true unity
1) It's found in following Jesus (1 Corinithians 1:10-13, Luke 9:46-50) (vertical unity, not horizontal)
2) It's an attitude of love (Colossians 3:12-17) (disagreements don't break unity, dividing does)
3) It's our great weapon in evangelism (John 17:20-23)

Conclusion
1) In essentials unity
2) In non-essentials liberty
3) In all things charity

2008 Candidates

Hillary Clinton

Edwards

Giuliani


Huckabee


McCain


Barack Obama


Ron Paul


Mitt Romney


Fred Thompson

Exodus 1:1-2:10

How it connects
1. Genesis takes us from 'in the beginning' to 'in Egypt'
2. Genesis predicted they'd arrive in Egypt (15:12-16, 46:2-3)

Why study Exodus
1. Interesting history
2. Moses a leader of great accomplishment
3. We learn of God's nature and laws
4. Foreshadows Christ (Luke 9:31, 1 Cor. 5:7, 10:1-11)

1:1-1:5 pick up where Genesis left off, with the 12 tribes in Egypt. The Israelites were extremely fruitful, just as predicted. They began with about 70 men, but left Egypt with about 600,000 men. This rate of growth is not necessarily miraculous, but certainly shows God's favor. This blessing, however, was a curse in another sense. A new Pharaoh, who didn't remember Joseph, was afraid of the increasing population of Jews. He went through 3 plans to eliminate their numbers:

1. Hard labor: But this had a reverse effect (11-14)
2. Kill the boys at birth: But the midwives wouldn't do it (15-21)
3. Throw boys in the river: Apparently successful (22)

In the beginning of chapter 2, we are told of an exception. One mother (later known to be Jochebed) hid her baby for 3 months before placing him carefully in the river with a floating basket of sorts. The baby was found by Pharaoh's daughter who knew the child was Hebrew, but wanted to keep it. By God's providence, she paid the baby's actual mother to nurse the child, probably for about 3 years, before finally taking him to be her own son. The child was named Moses which means "drawn out of the water." Moses spent the next 40 years of his life as the Pharaoh's daughter.