Welcome to the Word of Life Study Series- The birth of a nation! God made an incredible statement in regards to His purpose for Israel, their destiny as a nation for generations to come in Exodus 19:5, as a “Treasured Possession.” In the original Hebrew language, ‘treasured possession’ means a rare jewel, peculiar and special! The nation of Israel were to be unique above all other nations, as God's representatives to the nations. A kingdom of priests infers the unique role as mediators, intercessors and stewards of God’s Holy Covenant. When God spoke of this covenant with Abraham, his descendants were meant to be a blessing to all nations by preaching the gospel message of their time throughout the world; to be a salt and a light as the Church of Jesus Christ is destined for in this dispensation.
1. Israel in Egypt
A period spanning approximately from 1525 BC to 1400 BC. The closing verses of Genesis leave the Israelites enjoying the favor and bounties of Egypt. The opening chapter of Exodus reveals a very different situation. During the long years the descendants of Jacob had lived in Egypt, the original small group had increased in number and in wealth until “the land was filled with them.” Then “there arose up a new king ... which knew not Joseph” (Exodus 1: 8), and who chose to forget Joseph’s past benefits to the nation of Egypt. From a position of royal favor, Joseph’s people were reduced to servant hood.
2. Moses the Deliverer
According to Stephen’s speech recorded in the seventh chapter of Acts, the life of Moses was divided into three periods of 40 years each: (l) 40 years in Egypt as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, Exodus 2: 1-15; Acts 7: 23; (2) 40 years in Midian, Exodus 2: 15-4: 19; Acts 7: 30; and (3) 40 years from Egypt to the crossing of the Jordan, Exodus 4: 20-Deuteronomy 34; Acts 7: 36. Moses was the son of Amram and Jochebed, both of the tribe of Levi, who had two older children, Aaron and Miriam. At the time of Moses’ birth in about 1525 B.C., the Egyptians were attempting to destroy all Hebrew male children as soon as they were born.
3. The Exodus
God predicts that Pharaoh will harden his heart against God and will not let the Hebrew people go. Looks like a show down between God Almighty and the gods of Egypt; supernatural workings will allow all kinds of plagues to descend upon the Egyptians. Yet God’s people were not going to leave Egypt empty handed- let’s say over 400 years of back wages, payback time- Exodus 3:18-22. The next step was to confront Pharaoh. Moses and Aaron made the request that Pharaoh allow the Hebrew people to make a three days’ journey into the wilderness in order to sacrifice to the Lord their God. This first attempt not only failed, but Pharaoh increased the amount of work required of the Israelites- now they had to find their own straw, but still meet the same quota of bricks.