Bible Stories for Adults

The Birth and Flight of Moses

Exodus 1-2

Next Week - The Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38; Matthew 1:18-25)
Bible Words to Remember:
My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Why did God bring the Israelites to Egypt?
Genesis 46:1-4
How was Israel kept separated from the Egyptians in this populous land?
Genesis 46:31-34
Goshen - Eastern border of Nile delta, First part of Egypt reached by travelers from Canaan
Egyptian capital was likely Tanis, western border of Goshen (where Joseph lived)

What was significant about the quality of the land in Goshen?
Genesis 47:5-6
Why did Pharaoh need someone to take charge of his livestock?
Genesis 47:13-17
How did God provide for the Israelites in Goshen?
Genesis 47:12

What part of God's promise was especially developed in Egypt?
Exodus 1:6-7
How many belonged to the covenant family when Israel moved to Egypt?
Exodus 1:1-5
How many belonged to the covenant family when they left Egypt?
Exodus 12:37-38

What was so extraordinary about the great power that Pharaoh gave Joseph?
Genesis 43:32
Hyksos - Egyptian for foreign kings, Also called "Shepherd Kings"
Disliked by Egyptians - All shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians (Gen 46:34)
Semitic invaders conquered in 1730 BC, ruled over Nile delta to Canaan 150 years
Fine for Hyksos to give power to a fellow Semite; Likely Apepi II of 16th dynasty

Egyptian kings ruled southern Egypt from Thebes during time of Hyksos
1570 BC - Ahmose, first king of 18th dynasty, defeated Hyksos and regained all Egypt
Likely began period of dislike & suspicion for Israelites living in their Goshen
How is this change of ruler described in our story?
Exodus 1:8
New Kingdom period began - Egypt expanded militarily, grew to include Canaan
Lost much control to Hittites under Ikhnaton (Tutankhamon's father-in-law)
New energy & expansion under 19th dynasty with Rameses I and Rameses II (1304 BC)
Height of splendor under Rameses II - many statues, building programs
Great battle with Hittites at Kadesh (1288 BC) weakened both militaries
Rameses II was likely the Pharaoh of the Oppression (when Moses grew up)
Next king, Merneptah, was far weaker and had big troubles with invaders from Phrygia
Costly battle on Egyptian coast, followed by loss of Canaan (for 900 years)
Likely the Pharaoh of the Exodus - too many other problems

How did this new set of kings change life for the Israelites?
Exodus 1:9-11
How well did the Egyptian's plan work to weaken and lessen the Israelites?
Exodus 1:12
How did the Egyptians respond?
Exodus 1:13-14
Were the Israelites being punished or disciplined by God for their sins?
Genesis 46:2-4
What had God told Abraham about his descendants in a foreign country?
Genesis 15:12-14
Why was it important that the Israelites endure hardship in Egypt?
Exodus 3:7-10

Is Christianity a life of freedom or slavery?
Romans 6:15-18
Is a Christian protected from hardship?
Acts 14:22b
How should we, as Christians, view hardship?
Hebrews 12:5-11
Isaiah 1:25-26
Romans 5:3-5
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
What should we remember when we are going through troubles that we don't understand?
Romans 8:28

What new approach did the king (Pharaoh) derive?
Exodus 1:15-16
How well was this plan carried out?
Exodus 1:17-19
How did God respond to the midwives' tactic?
Exodus 1:20-21
What was Pharaoh's third plan?
Exodus 1:22

What tribe was this special baby born into?
Exodus 2:1-2
Who were the members of this family?
Numbers 26:59
What was God's plan for this family?
Micah 6:4
Exodus 28:1-2

How did Jochebed use the Nile to protect Moses from death in the Nile?
Exodus 2:3-4
How did Moses' parents have the courage to disobey Pharaoh's edict?
Hebrews 11:23
What other Hebrew baby was saved from a king's slaughter of Hebrew boys?
Matthew 2:13-16

How was the Nile used to save Moses?
Exodus 2:5-9
How did Moses get his name?
Exodus 2:10
What purpose might God have had for Moses being raised in Pharaoh's house?
Acts 7:20-22
What are other examples of water saving God's people?
Genesis 7:7
Exodus 14:21-22, 27-28
Mark 16:16

What event shows us that Moses was very aware of his Hebrew heritage?
Exodus 2:11-12
Had anyone seen what he had done?
Exodus 2:13-14
What did Moses do when word got out of what he had done?
Exodus 2:15

What did Moses do at the well and how did it lead to a home for him?
Exodus 2:16-20
How did God bless Moses in Midian?
Exodus 2:21-22
What other wives were met at a well?
Genesis 24
Genesis 29

Did Israel's problems get better while Moses was in Midian?
Exodus 2:23
Did God ignore Israel's cries?
Exodus 2:24-25
What did God do about Israel's problems? - Find out after Christmas
What did God do about our problems? - Find out the next 2 weeks