GOD PREPARES A DELIVERER--LESSON 2--by E. L. Bynum

LESSON 2

GOD PREPARES A DELIVERER
——by E. L. Bynum; Revision by Art Davison

Exodus 2:1-25

Memory Verse: Exodus 2:10

Introduction:

Moses is the towering figure of the Old Testament, as Paul was in the New Testament.

"The life of Moses presents a series of striking antitheses (opposites). He was the child of a slave, and the son of a queen. He was born in a hut, and lived in a palace. He inherited poverty, and enjoyed unlimited wealth. He was the leader of armies, and the keeper of flocks. He was the mightiest of warriors, and the meekest of men. He was educated in the court, and dwelt in the desert. He had the wisdom of Egypt, and the faith of a child. He was fitted for the city, and wandered in the wilderness. He was tempted with the pleasures of sin, and endured the hardships of virtue. He was backward in speech, and talked with God. He had the rod of a shepherd, and the power of the Infinite. He was a fugitive from Pharaoh, and an ambassador from heaven. He was the giver of the Law, and the forerunner of grace. He died alone on Mount Moab, and appeared with Christ in Judea. No man assisted at his funeral, yet God buried him." ---Dr. I. M. Haldeman

I. THE EARLY YEARS OF MOSES vv. 1-10

A. His Birth And Providential Concealment, vv. 1-4

1. Amram his father and Jochebed his mother were of the tribe of Levi, v. 1; Exodus 6:20, “And Amram took him Jochebed his father’s sister to wife; and she bare him Aaron and Moses: and the years of the life of Amram were an hundred and thirty and seven years.”

2. Moses a GOODLY {LXX—“Seeing him to be beautiful”} CHILD, v. 2. Acts 7:20, “In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months.”

3. By FAITH they hid Moses for 3 months, v. 2. It was FAITH, NOT the BEAUTY of the child, NOR a mother's love that CAUSED them to HIDE Moses, Hebrews 11:23, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.”

a. They did not fear to hide him, Hebrews 13:6, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

b. They feared the Lord instead, Isaiah 8:13, “Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”

4. The ark prepared, v. 3. They defied the King in order to do the will of God, Acts 5:29, “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”

a. Bulrushes—papyrus, a thick, strong, and tough reed.

b. Slime—the mud of the Nile, which, when hardened, is very tenacious.

c. Pitch—mineral tar, seaworthy in that day, Isaiah 18:2, “That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!”

d. Flags—a general term for sea or river weed.

5. The ARK, the CHILD, and the RIVER, v. 3. This act was contrary to human nature. The natural thing would have been to take him away from the river, since the king had demanded that all the male children be thrown in the river.

6. Miriam's concern for her brother, v. 4; Numbers 26:59, “And the name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.”

B. His Childhood and Providential Training, vv. 5-10.

1. The PROVIDENTIAL finding of the ark {Here we see the SOVEREIGNTY of God}, v. 5. Providential = the care and guidance of God.

a. It was NO ACCIDENT that Pharaoh's daughter came to the river, and saw the ark and asked for it. Jeremiah 10:23, “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”

b. God works HIS PURPOSE in everything, Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

2. Her providential COMPASSION, v. 6. God used the TEARS of the baby to touch the heart of a princess, Romans 11:36, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.”

3. The providential FINDING of A NURSE, vv. 7-8. God used the WORDS of a child to arrange for the baby's mother to raise him.

a. God raised up workers through the birth of babies. We see God working this way through Isaac, Joseph, Samuel, John the Baptist and Jesus.

b. God uses the WEAK THINGS to DEFEAT the MIGHTY, 1 Corinthians 1:25-29.

4. The provision for the MOTHER and CHILD, v. 9.

a. God’s COMPASSION for Israel is seen in this, Ezekiel 16:5-6, “None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born. 6 And when I passed by thee, and saw thee polluted in thine own blood, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live; yea, I said unto thee when thou wast in thy blood, Live.”

b. God CARED for Moses from his mother’s womb, Psalms 22:9-10, “But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts. 10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother’s belly.”

5. His providential ADOPTION, v. 10.

a. This means he would receive ALL the WISDOM and TRAINING of the Egyptians, Acts 7:22, “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.”

b. The Lord TURNED Pharaoh’s orders to His ADVANTAGE, Job 5:13, “He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.”

C. The Typology, vv. 1-10.

1. The ARK a type of Christ. It is the same Hebrew word as the ark of Noah. Though brought to the river (a type of death), he was safe in the ark. So are we safe in Christ.

2. The PITCH in the ark was a type of the Holy Spirit. It was derived from a kind of oil and oil is a symbol of the Spirit.

3. Moses was a type of Christ. Deuteronomy 18:15, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.”

a. Both were Israelites according to the flesh.

b. Both were born when their nation was in bondage, Acts 7:20, “In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months.”

1) In Moses’ time Israel was under the Egyptians, Hebrews 11:23, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s [Pharaoh] commandment.”

2) In Jesus’ time Israel was under the Romans, Luke 2:1, “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus [Roman Emperor], that all the world should be taxed.”

c. Moses was a GOODLY [proper] child, v. 2.

1) Peter declares that Moses was a BEAUTIFUL child, Acts 7:20, “In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months:”

2) What can we say of Him who is the FAIREST of ten thousand? Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

d. The king TRIED to kill them both in infancy:

1) Moses, Exodus 1:22, “And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.”

2) Christ, Matthew 2:16, “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.”

e. Moses was the son of Jochebed, but BECAME the son of Pharaoh's daughter, v. 10. Jesus was the Son of God, but BECAME the son of Mary, Matthew 1:18, “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”

f. Moses spent his CHILDHOOD in Egypt. Jesus spent PART of His early childhood in Egypt, Matthew 2:13, “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”

D. The TRAINING of Moses, Acts 7:22, “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.”

“Wisdom” == “broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters.” ---Greek Lexicon. This means that he learned ENGINEERING, MATHEMATICS, ASTRONOMY, and MILITARY TACTICS.

1. He was TRAINED in all the WISDOM of the Egyptians, which was reckoned very considerable, 1 Kings 4:30, “And Solomon’s wisdom EXCELLED the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.”

2. God ADDED His OWN WISDOM to that which man can provide, 1 Kings 3:28, “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgment.”

3. He was MIGHTY IN WORD and in DEED; this was said of the Lord also, Luke 24:19, “And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:” Mark 6:2, “And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?”

a. Moses learned WARFARE.

b. He was CAREFULLY EDUCATED in the skills he would need TO LEAD Israel.

II. HIS TIME OF DECISION AND FAILURE vv. 11-15

A. By FAITH he cast His lot with Israel, Hebrews 11:24-27:

1. He REFUSED to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, Hebrews 11:24, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter.” Thus he gave up all claims to the Egyptian throne.

2. He CHOSE TO SUFFER affliction with his people, and REFUSED the TEMPORARY PLEASURES of sin. Hebrews 11:25, “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” What character he exhibited in his choice.

3. The SATISFACTION he ENJOYED, Hebrews 11:26, “Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

4. The FAITH he EMPLOYED, Hebrews 11:27, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”

B. Moses ATTEMPTS to Deliver His People, vv. 11-12.

1. At the age of forty he saw the OFT AFFLICTION of his people, v. 11.

a. He spent THE FIRST forty years serving the Egyptians, Acts 7:23, “And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.”

b. He spent the NEXT forty years BEING HUMBLED and TAUGHT by God, Acts 7:30, “And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.”

c. He spent the LAST forty years working for God and leading Israel, Acts 13:18, “And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.”

2. He DEFENDED an oppressed Hebrew, Acts 7:23-24, “And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:”

a. He knew he was a Hebrew and not an Egyptian.

b. This act by Moses was impulsive.

3. He SLEW the Egyptian oppressor. v. 12.

a. He SUPPOSED that his brethren understood that he was their deliverer, Acts 7:25, “For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.”

The Hebrews could not even get along with each other.

b. Moses was here RUNNING AHEAD of God, for the TIME of deliverance was NOT YET come, Genesis 15:16, “But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.”

c. Moses needed to learn HOW GOD WORKS, Zechariah 4:6, “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

4. He was COMPASSIONATE.

a. Moses INTERCEDED MANY TIMES for the Lord’s people, Numbers 21:7, “Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.”

b. It was not until LATER that WE LEARN that Moses was a MEEK man, Numbers 12:3, “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”

4. GOD would have to BE THE ONE to deliver, Exodus 13:3, “And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the LORD brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.”

C. The RESULTS from His Attempt to Deliver, vv. 13-15.

1. He ASSUMED the role of a PEACEMAKER, v. 13; Acts 7:26-28, “And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?”’

2. He was REJECTED by his people, v. 14; Acts 7:35, “This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.”

3. He was FOUND OUT by the king, v. 15.

D. The Typology, vv. 11-15.

1. He came to his OWN people but they RECEIVED HIM NOT. It was so with Christ, John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

2. EARLY in life he KNEW he was to be a deliverer, Acts 7:25, “For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.” At the age of 12, Christ knew His Father's business, Luke 2:49, “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”

3. Moses was NOT ASHAMED of His brethren, Exodus 2:11, “And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.” Nor was Jesus ashamed of His brethren, Hebrews 2:11, “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,”

4. Moses renounced wealth of Egypt to take his place of service with his people, Hebrews 11:24-26, “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.”

a. Christ renounced the wealth of Heaven to take His place of service for the Father, Philippians 2:6-7, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

b. Both were rejected by their brethren, v. 14; John 1:11, “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

III. MOSES WAS IN EXILE FORTY YEARS vv. 15-25

A. Moses Defends the Daughters of Reuel (Jethro), vv. 15-20.

1. Moses defends the oppressed, vv. 15-17. This was a courageous act, and reveals a lot about Moses. This was to have a great impact in giving him a home, and marriage.

2. They declare what Moses had done, vv. 18-19.

3. Reuel desired to meet him, v. 20. He had two names:

a. Reuel means, “friend of God,” and may regarded as his “proper” name.

b. Jethro means “excellence,” is regarded as his “title,” Exodus 3:1, “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.”

B. Moses Marries A Gentile, vv. 21-22.

1. Moses married Zipporah, v. 21.

a. It appears that Moses obtained Zipporah something in the same way that Jacob obtained Rachel; namely, for the performance of certain services, probably keeping of sheep, Exodus 3:1, “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.”

b. Some commentators say that Zipporah is the daughter or granddaughter of Rewel the Midianite, the son of Dedan, the son of Abraham by his wife Keturah.

2. Gershon is born, v. 22.

C. Israel Suffering in Egypt, vv. 23-25.

1. Even a king must die, v. 23.

Is it possible that Moses could have been the new king if he had ignored the plight of the Hebrews? It is clear that this was not God's plan.

a. Later the Lord tells Moses, Exodus 4:19, “And the LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt: for all the men are dead which sought thy life.”

b. Notice the parallel with the Lord Jesus, Matthew 2:19, “But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life.”

2. Israel crying unto the Lord, v. 23.

3. God responds to their groans, vv. 24-26.

D. The Typology, vv. 15-25.

1. From a prince in Egypt, he was HUMBLED and BECAME a SHEPHERD, that he might in the end SAVE his people.

a. Jesus as the PRINCE of heaven HUMBLED HIMSELF, Philippians 2:5-11, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

b. He became the GOOD SHEPHERD to SAVE the sheep, John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

2. Moses and Jesus both sat by a well. v. 15; John 4:4, 6, “And he must needs go through Samaria. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.”

3. Moses HELPED the daughters of Reuel and Jesus HELPED the Samaritan woman, v. 17. John 4:10, “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

4. Moses, rejected by his brethren, takes a Gentile bride, v. 21.

a. Jesus rejected by His brethren is now taking a Gentile bride, Acts 15:14, “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.”

b. The Apostle goes among the Gentiles for this purpose, Acts 18:5-6, “And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.”

c. The Bride is made up of His True churches, Ephesians 5:30-32, “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

STUDY QUESTIONS

I. Name the parents of Moses.

2. Why did they dare to hide Moses?

3. Name the sister of Moses?

4. Was it accidental or providential that Pharaoh's daughter found the ark?

5. What was the ark a type of?

6. What was there about the ark that typified the Holy Spirit?

7. Name as many ways as you can, that Moses was a type of Christ.

8. The river was a type of __________________.

9. Name two passages from the New Testament that throw considerable light upon the life of Moses.

10. State the kind of training Moses received in Egypt.

11. Stephen said that Moses was________ in_______ and in__________.

12. What great word describes Moses reason for siding with Israel?

13. What age was he when he viewed their affliction?

14. What did he do to the Egyptian oppressor?

15. What did he suppose that his brethren would understand?

16. How was he received by his brethren?

17. Where did Moses go and dwell?

18. What was the name and occupation of Moses' father-in-law?

19. What was the name of Moses' wife?

20. To whom did Israel cry for help in their affliction?

21. What was His response?