EXODUS –LESSON 10
LEARN: Hebrews 13:5-6
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
READ: Exodus 5:1- 23 for context. We will focus on verses 10-23.
1. What message did the taskmasters deliver to the Hebrews? vv 10, 11
2. What phrase from verse 12, shows that acquiring their own straw was not an easy task?
NOTE: Abundance of straw or stubble could be gathered in the cornfields after harvest; and as there were many harvests, some sort of straw was probably obtainable in the Delta at almost all seasons of the year. To collect it, however, and chop it small, as required for brickmaking, consumed much time, and left too little time for the actual making of bricks. PULPIT COMMENTARY Genesis Exodus p 128
3. How did the taskmasters make the difficulty of fulfilling their task even more grievous for the Hebrews? vv 13, 14
for the workers-
for the Hebrew officers-
4. What did the Israelite officers do to try to alleviate the injustice done to them? v 15
5. In making their complaint to Pharaoh what was the supposition of the officers? v 16
6. How did Pharaoh answer the officers? v 17
7. Seeing the response of Pharaoh, what do we realize about Pharaoh?
8. Though the facts of the matter were presented to Pharaoh, he did not relent. To logically present the truth is no guarantee of an honest and correct response to the facts presented. What is often the case, according to the Scripture, in such situations?
John 3:19, 20
Romans 1:18
II Timothy 4:3
II Peter 3:5
9. We see in verse 2 that Pharaoh hardens his heart, when he refuses to acknowledge Yahweh. Now we see that at this point Pharaoh is again hardening his heart, how is it shown? v 18
NOTE: Pharaoh is evidently pleased with his thought, saying, “Ye are idle.” It seems to him clever, witty, humorous, to charge overworked people with idleness; and equally clever to say to religious people-“Your religion is merely pretence. You do not want to worship. You want a holiday.” We may remark further that hypocrisy and idleness were two sins of the deepest dye, according to Egyptian notions. PULPIT COMMENTARY – Genesis Exodus p 131
10. After presenting their just cause before Pharaoh and getting only injustice from him, what was the conclusion of the officers? v 19
11. What was so desperate about this situation?
12. Who was waiting for the officers as they came out from Pharaoh’s court? v 20
13. Who did the Hebrew officers blame for their dire situation? v 21a
14. What did the officers proclaim was the expected outcome of Moses and Aaron’s interference in their lives? v 21
15. What had the officers forgotten about their very recent past? Exodus 1:11, 12, 14, 16, 22; 3:7, 9; 4: 30, 31
16. Moses and Aaron expected the reproach and scorn of their enemy Pharaoh, but they did not expect as much from their own people whom God had sent them to deliver from their bondage. But such treatment often comes from those whom God’s people expect to be on their side.Find at least two examples from Scripture of the rejection and mistreatment of God’s servants by those that they came to serve.
17. We understand that the nature of people is no different today than it was in the past, so should faithful servants of God be surprised at such treatment?
18. Whether Christians realize it or not, we can partake in such behavior that is damaging to the work of God? Often times, it is because we ourselves are in difficult situations and we seem to want someone to blame ( as in the case of the officers of the Hebrews). Where does thinking that accuses God’s people wrongly come from? James 3:14-16
19. What should be our understanding concerning situations that we find ourselves in ( towards both God’s people and those not yet saved) no matter how difficult the situation? James 3:17, 18
20. What is our hope no matter how difficult things become? Hebrews 13:5
21. How did Moses answer the anger of the people that he and Aaron had come to help when they made accusation against them? vv 22, 23
22. What does Moses teach us by his response?
23. Use the following scriptures to show that is the proper response in such circumstances: Psalm 74:1, 2, Psalm 89:46-49