Monday Bible Study Life in Christ Bible Church LICBC Headquarters, 154 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Sierra Madre, CA 91024, USA http://www.licbc.org ********************************************************************************************** Systematic expository study of God’s word. Study 2: GOD’S FAVOURED NATION IN EGYPT Exodus 1:1-22 Each book of the bible has a dominant theme and a specific message for God’s people. So does the book of exodus. The book of exodus treats of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and teaches much on our redemption. Redemption is the dominant subject of exodus. “Whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning” (Romans 15:4). The details of our redemption are pictured by the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Israel in Egypt illustrates the place we were in before divine grace saved us. Egypt symbolises the world according to the course of which we all walked in time past. History repeats itself and what is recorded in exodus will be fulfilled in great measure on Israel later. The lot of Israel in the great tribulation will be worse than it was in the days of Moses. A greater tyrant than pharaoh will arise to afflict them. Plagues even more fearful than those sent upon Egypt will yet be poured out upon the world from the vials of God’s wrath. A rich feast is before us in our studies. May God the Holy Spirit sharpen our spiritual appetites so that we may feed upon God’s word in faith and be so nourished thereby that we shall grow in grace and in the knowledge of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ? May the God of all grace anoint our eyes and may the spirit of truth constantly guide us into the rich pasture of the shepherd. 1. ISRAEL IN EGYPT Exodus 1:1-7; Genesis 46:2, 3; Acts 7:11-15; Proverbs 10:7; Luke 10: 20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 9: 27; Psalm 116:15; Acts 6:7. The opening verses of exodus disclose that Jacob and his household came to settle in Egypt. It was a time of great distress from famine in Canaan. It was a crisis-time in the history of the chosen family (Genesis 45:17-28; 46:1-4). It was also a time of great encouragement, of great happiness, blessing and prosperity for the Israelites (exodus 1:5-7). Israel in Egypt began a new era. The people united by common parentage, common faith, and common hope, progressed from being a family to being a nation. With this nation, God entered into covenant and through its faith and experience revealed to the world the one holy God and brought in its redeemer. Egypt is a type of the world. Egypt stands out before us as a type of the world, with her glory as well as her shame. The hope of the ages lay in freeing Israel, not only from Egypt but from what Egypt represents. Israel in Egypt is a type of God’s children in the world. The policy of the new king, a type of the godlessness, selfishness and inhumanity of those who work from a worldly stand point. The frustration of this policy, a type of God’s overruling power. Let us beware of so yielding to the seductions of this evil world, losing our hold on God and His covenant thereby incurring the certainty of forfeiting out eternal birthright and becoming the world’s slaves. 2. ISRAEL IN BONDAGE. Exodus 1:8-14; Acts7:17-19; Isaiah 52;4-6;numbers 22:3-6; Israel; Isaiah 46:9-11; Acts 17:4-8; Galatians 4:29; psalm 76:10;105:23-25. A new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph, forgetting God’s provision for Egypt’s preservation through Joseph. Often a refusal to remember the past results in present rebellion. The new king imagined a problem, exaggerated the problem and then used that as an excuse for oppression. The ruler feared the possibility of Israel joining in war with Egypt’s enemies in a war. Why did God allow such oppression of His people, Israel (Ezekiel 20:7-9). Persecution results in refining and separating us from the world. Oppression, affliction or persecution should cast us back more and more upon God. Suffering ought to refine (Psalm 119:67). “But the more the afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew” this proves how thoroughly vain it is to fight against the purpose of him who hath sworn “my counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasures “(Isaiah 46:10). Pharaoh might purpose to deal “wisely” but the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). Times of severest trials have always proved seasons of blessings to the people of God. When God intervenes for His people; man’s evil designs cannot succeed. 3. ISRAEL IN GOD’S FAVOUR Exodus 1:15-22;Isaiah 30 :1 ;29 :15 ;10 :1 ;33 :1;Daniel3 :18;Acts 5 :29;deutronomy 28 :1,2,8-10. Since Israel multiplied even in bitter bondage, the king decided to strike at the secret of the strength, the male child. To avoid publicity he sought the cooperation of the Hebrew midwives in destroying the male children at birth. The king’s design was to destroy the males and amalgamate the females into the Egyptian population. This plan would end Israel as a nation. Israel had favour with God. The midwives feared god and did not carry out his command. God honoured these midwives and blessed them. Pharaoh later charged all his people to drown the male children. Did that plot succeed? No Joshua, Caleb, and many others were born and preserved during that period. “There is no wisdom, nor understanding nor counsel against the lord” (proverbs 21:30). Suppose pharaoh’s wicked efforts had succeeded what then? The channel through which the promised redeemer was to come would have been destroyed. Satan was defeated; Satan is defeated; Satan will always be defeated. 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