God Calls the People Out of Egypt Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending June 28, 2009

Purpose: To step out of fear into a robust faith in God who guides, protects and delivers.

Scripture Text: Exodus 14:15-25, 30 (NRSV)

Exodus 14:15-25, 30
(15) Then the Lord said to Moses, Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.(16)But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. (17)Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. (18)And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh,his chariots, and his chariot drivers.’

(19) The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. (20)It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.

(21) Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. (22)The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. (23)The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. (24)At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. (25)He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, ‘Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.’

(30) Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

Suppose you were God, and you wanted to teach the whole world a lesson about your power, your love, your grace and your holiness; what could you possible do that would make an impression for thousands and thousands of years?

This story is a possible fulfillment of just such a plan. First you call a special people to worship you and you call them by faith to go to a land that you will show them. Then through a series of circumstances this whole family ends up in Egypt, and multiplies into a group of diligent, hard working people that know they have a special calling and have practiced circumcision to separate themselves from the rest of the world. One of them was even raised in the court of the most powerful ruler in the entire world. This special tribe of individuals is united by the persecution and the forced labor that is imposed on them. Then the opportunity comes to gain their freedom, but it would mean leaving all that they knew, and the security of being protected from outside forces by a government they despised.

We should understand that God knew exactly who he was dealing with, in Pharaoh. Pharaoh was not impressed by the great I Am, of the Israelites, Pharaoh considered himself a god. It took the “Great I Am” a series of plagues that would make the Egyptian god's seem powerless; from the locust to the boils each was shown as powerless when compared to the “Great I Am”. Finally through obedience and faith, Pharaoh said “go”.

Now what final act would be appropriate for all time, for all the nations of the world both then and now; what amazing and miraculous feet would be next?

It is possible to sense that God actually taunts Pharaoh into changing his mind and start chasing this large multitude of people he had just sent away. Now the tension builds as this large multitude of people find themselves between the most powerful army on earth and the Red Sea. There is no way this comes out with a happy ending or teaches anybody anything, except, be content in whatever circumstance you find yourself. But God has a plan, and this plan involves some faith and trust, on the part of the Israelites. Do you think God would have had any takers if He revealed this plan to this tribe of people before the fact? Here is the plan you go toward the Red Sea, and when you get there you raise your staff and stretch out your hand and I will part the Red Sea so you can all walk across on dry ground, and then I will destroy the entire Egyptian army by letting them drown and I will cause the wheels on the chariots to seize up and they will go around in circles. One other thing I will do is put a pillar of fire between you and the Egyptian army, so that they will know it is the “Great I Am” that is fighting for you, and saving you, from the most powerful army in the world.

This story would be the story of redemption for the Israelites for the next fourteen hundred years, until a new plan would be revealed, whereby everyone could be saved by the same grace and faith experienced by those faithful followers on that historical day.

God's plan for redeeming His people has not changed, it is still His grace and our faith, that he has given each of us, that sets the wheels in motion for us to have a relationship that will cause Him to fight for us,to protect us and to nurture us, when we are obedient to His call, we do not need to yield to fear, but to step out in faith and He will guide, protect, and deliver us, just as He did on “that day”.

What would it take for you to let go and let God have His way in your life? What enemies are chasing you? I love the unbelievers prayer “O'God, if there is a God, save my soul, if I have a soul”. I think that is about where the Israelites were, they did not have a lot of options. Maybe that is where you are? He will fight for you too.

"Pharaoh Ignores God's Call"-Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending June 21, 2009

Purpose: To recognize and accept that God's authority takes precedence over all competing authorities.

Scripture Text: Exodus 5:1-9, 22-23, 6:1 (NRSV)

Exodus 5:1-9, 22-23
(1)Afterwords Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, “Let my people go, so that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.” (2) But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.’ (3)Then they said, ‘The God of the Hebrews has revealed himself to us; let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the Lord our God, or he will fall upon us with pestilence or sword.’ (4)But the king of Egypt said to them, ‘Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Get to your labours!’ (5)Pharaoh continued, ‘Now they are more numerous than the people of the land and yet you want them to stop working!’ (6)That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, as well as their supervisors, (7)‘You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as before; let them go and gather straw for themselves.(8)But you shall require of them the same quantity of bricks as they have made previously; do not diminish it, for they are lazy; that is why they cry, “Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.” (9)Let heavier work be laid on them; then they will labour at it and pay no attention to deceptive words.’

(22)Then Moses turned again to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me? (23)Since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has mistreated this people, and you have done nothing at all to deliver your people.’

Exodus 6:1
(1)Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh: Indeed, by a mighty hand he will let them go; by a mighty hand he will drive them out of his land.’

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

T. S. Eliot wrote these words; “The greatest proof of Christianity for others is not how far a man can logically analyze his reasons for believing, but how far in practice he will stake his life on his belief.” Moses had received a call from God, and he had reluctantly answered that call, but was he really committed to the call? Likewise the children of Israel had received God's message by way of Moses and Aaron that God had seen their plight and was ready to move against the Egyptians. But were they willing to follow the lead of Moses and Aaron and this new revelation of Yahwey, (I Am, the Lord)?

Then there is the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh was a god in his own sight and in the sight of the Egyptians; he was not interested in the god of the Israelite's, regardless of what they called him. He looked at this request for a three day weekend to go out into the desert and offer a sacrifice, as a sign of laziness, nothing more.

The Israelites outnumbered the Egyptians; this problem was originally addressed earlier in Exodus, (where Moses’ birth and the Hebrew midwives actions are recorded). Pharaoh used the same psychology as many parents use, if you are complaining then you are not busy enough, or you have too much time on your hands. The answer is more work, more chores to do. The more they were required to do, the less they could threaten Egypt's sovereignty.

I am not certain Moses was completely honest with the Israelite leaders, when he addressed them. God had told Moses and Aaron he would harden Pharaoh's heart (vs 4:21-23), maybe Moses did not believe that part of the message, or maybe he thought that would be to hard for the Israelites to understand and they would feel defeated before they began. Whatever happened, the Israelites only listened to the good news, and they heard what they wanted to hear (Vs, 4:31).

That brings me back to Moses' call; sometimes the hardship falls on others around the one that has been called. I have often wondered about the pastor's or missionary's spouse, when they are called. Do they just follow in obedience to their spouse? Often we neglect to recognize the hardships that befall a family when a member of that family receives the call from God.

In our text, the hardship falls on the laborers that make the brick. Moses does not seem to waiver in his faith and he has the courage to confront God, still believing, but now is looking for answers. Why God, did you send me? Why did you bring trouble on your people? Why? Why? Why?

Our Purpose statement says “God's authority takes precedence over all competing authorities”. Pharaoh did not understand this. He thought he was equal with this Hebrew God.

The question for all of us to answer is: What competing authorities are we allowing to have authority in our lives? Are we so selfish we think our happiness is what is important? Or is it our security that we try to protect? What rules your life?

An interesting historical and archaeological note: If you Google Bricks of Pithom you will find what archaeologist have discovered in the digs of Egypt. On the bottom layers of walls the bricks they used were full of straw, and as the building rises they found less and less straw, and more stubble, finally on the upper rows there is no evidence of straw in the bricks. It could be scientific proof that the events transpired as written, just a thought.

"Moses and Aaron Respond" Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending June 14, 2009

Purpose: To be Confident that our saying “yes” to God's call will always be accompanied by God's empowering presence.

Scripture Text: Exodus 4:10-16, 27-31 (NRSV)

Exodus 4:10-16,27-31 (10) But Moses said to the Lord, ‘O my Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor even now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.’ (11)Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who gives speech to mortals? Who makes them mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? (12)Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak.’ (13)But he said, ‘O my Lord, please send someone else.’ (14)Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, ‘What of your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak fluently; even now he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you his heart will be glad. (15)You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and will teach you what you shall do. (16) He indeed shall speak for you to the people; he shall serve as a mouth for you, and you shall serve as God for him.

(27) The Lord said to Aaron, ‘Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.’ So he went; and he met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. (28)Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord with which he had sent him, and all the signs with which he had charged him. (29)Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the Israelites. (30)Aaron spoke all the words that the Lord had spoken to Moses, and performed the signs in the sight of the people. (31)The people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had given heed to the Israelites and that he had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshipped.

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

This week's lesson offers some unique insights into the characteristics of God, and we have Moses’ reluctance to thank. The conversation that goes on between Moses and God gives us a slight insight into some of the characteristics of God. The first, to me, is how important relationships are to God. God is interested in the relationship between himself and the Israelites, Moses and the Israelites, and Moses and his brother Aaron.

God does not appear as the overbearing force that some of us were raised with, but rather a conversationalist that is willing to listen and reassure, rather than threaten and impose his will. We see a God that is willing to reason with Moses, hear his doubts and answer his questions. Every reason Moses gives for not responding to God's call, God gives him the assurance that he indeed is qualified and able to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

A lot is made of Moses answering God's call, but I think, little is made of how important Aaron's attitude is in this whole scenario. Because relationships are important to God, he restores Moses and his brother Aaron after 40 years of separation. They are reunited for the purpose of achieving God's desire to reclaim His people out of the hand of the Egyptians. Aaron would not get the glory or the notoriety and he would only hear God's command second hand, God was going to communicate with Moses and Moses would relay God's word to Aaron, Aaron then in turn would relay that message to the Israelites. I think the same can be said of those today that are the ones doing the work, while others get the spotlight. The New Testament tells us we are all given unique gifts, our purpose is to use those gifts in a way that glorifies and magnifies God's power and presence. While it is important to have those that have received a special call from God, it is also important for the Aaron's of the world to accept their position in God's work.

Egypt had served it purpose in helping to maintain the Israelites as a special called people; without Egypt and Joseph's efforts those descendants of Jacob may have been lost. Unfortunately there was now a Pharaoh that did not remember Joseph and his contributions to the Egyptian nation. The new Pharaoh was only interested in these industrious people he used as slaves.

The Israelites responded to the message of God delivered by Aaron, as received from God and Moses. They exercised great faith, and were extremely grateful that God had seen their plight and heard their cries and responded in the same manner we should respond, when we realize God loves us, and has gone to great lengths to show us that love. They bowed down and worshipped. How can we respond any other way? If relationships are important to God, shouldn't we assume they should be important to us?

"God Call's Moses" Sunday School Lesson

International Sunday School Lesson
For Week Ending June 7, 2009

Purpose: To recognize that God calls us, like Moses, to realign our lives to act within God's liberating purposes.

Bible Text: Exodus 3: 1-12 (NRSV)

Background Text: Exodus 2:23-3:12

Exodus 3:1-12
(1): Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb,the mountain of God. (2)There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. (3)Then Moses said, ‘I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.’ (4)When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, ‘Moses, Moses!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ (5)Then he said, ‘Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.’(6)He said further, ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

(7) Then the Lord said, ‘I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings,(8)and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites,the Hivites, and the Jebusites. (9)The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. (10)So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.’ (11)But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?’ (12)He said, I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.’

My Thoughts by Burgess Walter

In the world we live in today, communicating has never been easier, and yet how frustrating to try and get someone to respond to our call at times. Most of us are more interested in our hotels offering free internet access than we are in comfortable beds. We have the technology to be in constant communication, but we also have the ability to completely ignore text messages, e-mails and phone calls. Imagine how Moses must have felt, he left Egypt 40 years ago, he was minding his father-in-law's heard hundreds of miles from any town or city, and yet God was able to make contact.

God's formula has not changed; He challenged Moses where Moses may have been the most vulnerable. Remember he had to flee Egypt because he killed an Egyptian that was causing hardship for Moses’ people and Moses felt empathy for their struggle. God says to Moses in verse seven “I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed I know their suffering”. Now it was time for Moses to respond, he was willing to kill one of the “taskmasters” but would he be willing to go back and lead them out of this terrible situation that had continued to get worse over the past 40 years. The rulers of Egypt had changed since Moses fled; his life was no longer in danger,if he returned.

Notice God says in verse eight "I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians”. God will do the delivering, but God also adds a little more by saying “The cry of the Israelites has now come to me: I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them”. The words seem to almost vindicate Moses for his actions. How is Moses not going to respond to something which is so important to him?

The call of Moses shows us several important things; first, God usually calls us to do things which we are passionate about. This is why when we make suggestions about a project or mission we must be prepared to lead that project or mission. Second we have the same assurance that was given to Moses, “I will be with you”, Emmanuel, God with us. Third, we can not go far enough to escape from God, long before cell phones and e-mails or twitter, God was able to contact Moses and reveal himself and his mission, and Moses, though reluctant at first, responded to God's call.

How often have you tried to run from God? How often have you put him on ignore?