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 = I will make you into a great nation. I will go with you.
How was Israel kept separated from the Egyptians in this populous land?
Genesis 46:31-34 = Settled Goshen, shepherds are detestable to Egyptians
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 = Very lush, the best part of the land
Why did Pharaoh need someone to take charge of his livestock?
Genesis 47:13-17 = Pharaoh owned all livestock & land in exchange for grain
How did God provide for the Israelites in Goshen?
Genesis 47:12 = Joseph provided food although famine was severe

What part of God's promise was especially developed in Egypt?
Exodus 1:6-7 = Israelites multiplied greatly and filled the land
How many belonged to the covenant family when Israel moved to Egypt?
Exodus 1:1-5 = 70 direct descendants (7 means total, complete to Hebrew)
How many belonged to the covenant family when they left Egypt?
Exodus 12:37-38 = 600,000 men plus women, children, servants, herds

What was so extraordinary about the great power that Pharaoh gave Joseph?
Genesis 43:32 = Hebrews were detestable to Egyptians; Why give power to a Hebrew?
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 = A new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power
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 = Forced into slavery to keep in control & from growing
How well did the Egyptian's plan work to weaken and lessen the Israelites?
Exodus 1:12 = The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied & spread
How did the Egyptians respond?
Exodus 1:13-14 = They worked them with hard labor ruthlessly
Were the Israelites being punished or disciplined by God for their sins?
Genesis 46:2-4 = No, God was building and strengthening His chosen nation
What had God told Abraham about his descendants in a foreign country?
Genesis 15:12-14 = Descendants to be enslaved 400 yrs then returned with wealth
Why was it important that the Israelites endure hardship in Egypt?
Exodus 3:7-10 = So they wouldn't be content and want to stay in Egypt

Is Christianity a life of freedom or slavery?
Romans 6:15-18 = Both - Freed from sin to be slaves to righteousness
Is a Christian protected from hardship?
Acts 14:22b = We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God
How should we, as Christians, view hardship?
Hebrews 12:5-11 = As discipline from a loving father
Isaiah 1:25-26 = As purification to build righteousness
Romans 5:3-5 = Rejoice in suffering, it produces perseverance, character, hope
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 = Man's weakness opens way for Christ's power
What should we remember when we are going through troubles that we don't understand?
Romans 8:28 = In all things God works for the good of those who love Him

What new approach did the king (Pharaoh) derive?
Exodus 1:15-16 = Told midwives to kill all Hebrew boys as they are born
How well was this plan carried out?
Exodus 1:17-19 = Midwives didn't follow and gave excuses to Pharaoh
How did God respond to the midwives' tactic?
Exodus 1:20-21 = Israelites grew even more numerous, midwives had kids
What was Pharaoh's third plan?
Exodus 1:22 = Throw all Hebrew baby boys into the Nile

What tribe was this special baby born into?
Exodus 2:1-2 = Levites, Called by God to serve as priests
Who were the members of this family?
Numbers 26:59 = Amram, father; Jochebed, mother; Aaron, Moses, Miriam
What was God's plan for this family?
Micah 6:4 = I sent Moses, Aaron & Miriam to lead you out of Egypt
Exodus 28:1-2 = Aaron was first high priest of Israel

How did Jochebed use the Nile to protect Moses from death in the Nile?
Exodus 2:3-4 = Put him in a basket and floated him down the Nile
How did Moses' parents have the courage to disobey Pharaoh's edict?
Hebrews 11:23 = By faith
What other Hebrew baby was saved from a king's slaughter of Hebrew boys?
Matthew 2:13-16 = Jesus was taken to Egypt to hide from Herod

How was the Nile used to save Moses?
Exodus 2:5-9 = Pharaoh's daughter found Moses and kept him as her own
How did Moses get his name? = Moses in Egyptian means son (Rameses, Thutmose)
Exodus 2:10 = Moses is Hebrew for draw out, P's daughter drew out Moses from water
What purpose might God have had for Moses being raised in Pharaoh's house?
Acts 7:20-22 = Educated in Egyptian wisdom & ways, Powerful in speech & action
What are other examples of water saving God's people?
Genesis 7:7 = Noah & family entered ark to escape waters of flood
Exodus 14:21-22, 27-28 = Israel saved from Egyptians by crossing Red Sea
Mark 16:16 = He who believes & is baptized shall be saved

What event shows us that Moses was very aware of his Hebrew heritage?
Exodus 2:11-12 = He murdered an Egyptian for beating a Hebrew slave
Had anyone seen what he had done?
Exodus 2:13-14 = Hebrews accused him of killing the Egyptian
What did Moses do when word got out of what he had done?
Exodus 2:15 = He ran away to Midian

What did Moses do at the well and how did it lead to a home for him?
Exodus 2:16-20 = Protected 7 sisters from shepherds, Was invited to eat
How did God bless Moses in Midian?
Exodus 2:21-22 = Married Zipporah, Had son Gershom (an alien there)
What other wives were met at a well?
Genesis 24 = Abraham's servant met Rebekah for Isaac's wife
Genesis 29 = Jacob met Rachel

Did Israel's problems get better while Moses was in Midian?
Exodus 2:23 = Israel groaned in their slavery and cried out
Did God ignore Israel's cries?
Exodus 2:24-25 = God heard, remembered His covenant & was concerned
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