Day #30

Sermon - Audio
Ex 1-3 - Audio
Ex 1-3 - Daily Reading

Daily Insights - Please Comment


The book of Exodus as a chapter in the master story of the Bible.
"The story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt is the paradigm for salvation in the OT. It also sets the pattern for the full and final salvation that God has provided in Israel’s Messiah. Jesus Christ became the new Moses of a greater exodus by going down into Egypt, passing through the waters of baptism, enduring temptation in the wilderness, and going up on the mountain to give people God’s law (see Matthew 2–7). Like Moses, Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant (see Heb. 9:15). Like the Passover lamb or the offering sprinkled on the ark of the covenant, the blood of his sacrifice is the atonement for our sin. Like the tabernacle, he is the dwelling place of God with us (see John 1:14, where the word for “dwell” is the Greek word for tabernacle). Like Aaron the high priest, he brings us into the Most Holy Place, where we can meet with God. If we know Christ, therefore, we can trace the story of the exodus somewhere in the spiritual geography of our own souls. Through the waters of baptism, we have been delivered from our bondage to sin. Now God is guiding us on our pilgrimage through the wilderness, feeding us our daily bread, teaching us his law, receiving our worship, and leading us to his glory in the Promised Land." Literary Study Bible

Exodus 1 in three parts
1. vs 1-7 show Israel's prosperity
2. vs 8-14: prosperity in the face of strong opposition
3. vs 15-21: prosperity has its roots in divine favor

• 1.6: We don't know how long after Joseph a new king come in place. But whatever the timing it is a devastating change for the people of Israel.
• 1.7: "exceedingly numerous" (with extraordinary muchness!) The picture is one of God fulfilling his covenant promise to Abraham that his descendants will be as the sand of the seashore. One person has said, Such is a vivid summary of Yahweh’s miracle of blessing the growth of his people in the 'womb' of Egypt."
• 1.10: Pharaoh seeks to control the growth of the people of Israel. This move puts him in conflict with Yahweh and his covenant promises to Israel. This cannot turn out well for Pharaoh.
• 1.15: Puah means splnedid or glitter. She certainly reflects her name as she does this amazing thing of obey God rather that Pharaoh. Shiphrah means "that does good". The names of the midwives are recorded, the names of the Pharaohs are not, it is a deliberate slight and shows that the one who is important is the one who fears God.
• 1.19: Humor: the midwives lift up Hebrew women while dissing Egyptian women.
• 1.21: Often midwives were woman who could not have children of their own.

Exodus 2

• 2.2: Moses' mother sees that he is a fine child. The word for fine in Hebrew is "tov" which is the same word that is used by God to describe his creation. Moses' mother looked at him with the same joy that God surveyed his completed creation.
• 2.9: The role of women: Pharaoh believed that allowing Hebrew girls to live would keep him safe. However, here three women defy him and keep alive the future leader of Israel.
• 2.9: "Take" Hebrew heilikhi, a very unusual form, which may have been selected to intensify the ironic effect, since the play of language allows the word to signify “here, it is yours” (hei likhi), an unconscious acknowledgment of the true mother. Or perhaps it is unspoken acknowledgment by the princess that she knows exactly what is going on.
• 2.14: The answer to the man's question will be "Yahweh".
• 2.23: Typically a new ruler in Egypt meant a new start for those who were oppressed, but not this time. Moses, however, will benefit as his sentence is ended as we find in Exodus 4.19.
• 2.23-24: God acts for two reasons 1. He hears the cries of his suffering people 2. He remembers his covenant

Exodus 3

• Moses is 80 years old and ready to begin the third part of his life. God has prepared him for the work ahead by being a prince in Egypt (leadership) and a shepherd in the desert (knowledge to keep the people alive in their wanderings).
• 3.2: Fire is often a symbol for God's presence.
• 3.5: In the book of Exodus the people need to learn how to approach a holy God. The tabernacle will be God's way of being with his people and having them approach him.
• 3.6: Moses' reaction reminds us of how easily we come into God's presence in comparison.
• 3.7: The combination of milk and honey provides a highly nutritious diet. Milk, widely regarded in the ancient world as a source of vitality, is rich in protein; the dried date is rich in carbohydrates. Ben Sira (39:26) declared milk and honey to be among the chief necessities of human life. Some Arab tribes are
• known to subsist for months at a time solely on milk and honey. JPS Torah Commentary
• 3.14: No one has been able to completely figure out what this means "I AM WHO I AM", but it represents God's being and faithfulness to his covenant promises. It is connected to his covenant name.