EXODUS –Lesson 2
Learn: James 1:5-8
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Read: Exodus 2:1-10
1. This incident takes place long after the death of Levi, therefore, using the beginning of the verse as our reference, how should we understand the phrase in verse 1 “a daughter of Levi?”
2. What were the names of this baby’s parents? Exodus 6:20, What was the name of this baby’s older brother?
NOTE: As no difficulty had occurred with respect to the baby’s older brother, we must conclude that the edict to kill all the baby boys took place after Aaron’s birth.
It is interesting that this founder of the Jewish nation (under God’s direction). Its lawgiver, historian, prophet, is introduced to us with out one word to exalt him, to show in any way that he was the foremost man of his age. This is completely contrary to the world’s way of introducing those they think of as great. See the legends attaching to Cyrus, Romulus, Pericles etc.PULPIT COMMENTARY –Exodus p 26
3. What further description is given concerning the baby boy in Acts 7:20?
NOTE: Jochebed would probably have hid the child if he had been sick or weak as well, but still it would have seemed even harder to lose a beautiful and strong baby.
It is an affectation to ignore beauty, and the influence that it gives. Those who possess it should be taught that they are answerable for it, as for other gifts, and are bound to use it to God’s glory. Esther’s example may help them in details of conduct. PULPIT COMMENTARY – Exodus p 26
4. How did Jochebed defy the Pharaoh’s edict? v 2
5. Disobedience to the edict of the king would in Egypt, if detected, have been punished either by death or mutilation. What was the source of the strength of Jochebed and Amram that enabled them to go against the command of Pharaoh? Hebrews 11:23
6. The word “faith” is used much in our world today. Many people believe that it is the “faith” itself that gives results, and that it does not matter what a person is having faith (or trusting) in, just as long as they believe. But in truth, if a person’s faith is not in God, it is futile. What must our faith be in? Hebrews 11:3, 6
7. From the verses in Hebrews we understand that Jochebed’s solution to her dilemma was not an act of desperation, but that she had clear direction. Where did her wisdom concerning what she should do to save her child come from?
8. The Scriptures do not lay out all that Jochebed did in this situation , but what does James 1:5, 6 tell us is needed in order to gain God’s wisdom for every situation in life?
9. James also tells us why the Lord allows grievous trials into our lives such as what came into the lives of Jochebed and Amram. What does James 1:2-4 tell us?
10. Once the baby was laid in his protective basket, what further precaution did his mother take? v 4
11. What was the name of the baby’s sister? Numbers 26:59
12. What happened soon after the baby was placed in his basket? v 5
NOTE: There is nothing improbable in an Egyptian princess bathing in the Nile, at a place reserved for women. (See Wilkinson, ‘Manners and Customs of Ancient Egyptians,’vol.iii.p.389.)The Nile was regarded as sacred by the Egyptians, and its water as health-giving and fructifying (Strab. xv.p.695).Egyptian ladies of high rank are represented on the monuments as attended to the bath by a number of handmaidens.
13. Though Pharaoh had wickedly decreed that all the baby Hebrew boys should be killed, we see at least in the case of this particular baby, something different. What is the word used in verse 6?
14. According to the following verses, how does God regard any person that refuses the evil and chooses the good? Psalm 67:4
15. We hear from some of God’s supposed exclusiveness and favoritism. Scripture does not sanction any such view. Although Pharaoh’s daughter was not a Hebrew, how did God regard her along with every other person? Acts 10:34, 35
16. What follow-up on her right actions towards the baby and his family was necessary for Pharaoh’s daughter in order to gain eternal life? Hebrews 11:6
17. It almost seems as though the sister of the baby had been instructed ahead of time what to do when the princess came. Jochebed had selected the place and time of exposure from a knowledge of the habits and character of the princess. What did the baby’s sister do when the daughter of Pharaoh commented on the baby that she found in the basket? v 7
18. Pharaoh’s daughter quickly agreed with the sister’s suggestion. Jochebed was given the opportunity to nurse her own child by the Pharaoh’s daughter. What proof did the mother have that she was not in disobedience to Pharaoh, so giving her and the child safety? v 9
19. Once the baby was weaned, what did his mother Jochebed do? v 10a
20. Pharaoh’s daughter took the child as her own. What name did she give him and why? v 10
21. The daughter of Pharaoh would have given Moses all the privilege of Egypt, including the best education. What does Acts 7:21 tell us?
NOTE; This “wisdom,” was multiform and manifold. It included orthography, grammar, history, theology, medicine, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and engineering. The hieroglyphical system was probably not taught, and the knowledge of it remained a special privilege of the priest class: but cursive character, known as the hieratic, was generally studied, and all tolerably educated persons could read it and write it. Style was cultivated, the power of expressing thought and relating facts in simple and perspicuous prose was acquired by the greater number. Much attention was paid to letter writing.
His education was practical to fit him to be a leader of his people in great emergency, to deal on equal terms with a powerful monarch, and to guide to a happy conclusion the hazardous enterprise of a great national migration. PULPIT COMMENTARY-Exodus p 25
22. What does Acts 7:22 tell us about the education of Moses?