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T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
SCHOOL
SUNDAY
LESSONS Remembering His covenant, God “ ac knowledged” that these slaves, serving with rigor, were the children of His covenant and therefore the object of His special care. With that acknowl edgment, the first step for their relief began. God is ever faithful and those embraced within His covenant can rely upon His moving for their relief at the proper time and by proper methods. Points and Problems 1. “A new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph“ (Ex. 1:8). This new king not only did not know Joseph in the literal sense but, more to the point in this connection, he did not know him in the sense that he Was favorable to his ideals and to his people. A new dynasty was now reign ing. These kings were native Egyp tians, shepherd haters, and despisers of all foreigners. In Joseph’s day and before, there ruled a foreign dynasty of kings, called the Hyksos or shep herd kings, who in many respects resembled the Israelites. Under them, Israel prospered and multiplied. Now that this regime was overthrown, trouble was in store for Israel. 2. “Behold, the people of the chil dren of Israel are more and mightier than we" (1:9). This thriving condi tion of Israel was due to the blessing of God, who by His gracious provi dences, had wrought wonders among His people. Even a heathen king was amazed. It is always a healthy sign when the blessing of the Lord upon His people is so manifest that the out side world is forced to take notice of it. Such a condition prevailed in the early church as recorded in Acts 2:43. Following God’s working, “ fear came upon every soul.” Great were the re sults. God is just the same today, and when He can find a responsive people, He puts forth His power. 3. “Come on, let us deal wisely with them" (1:10). That is, wisely from the enemy’s standpoint. In Psalm 105:25, the expression translated here as “ deal wisely” is rendered “ deal subtilly.” This suggests that Satan has clever and crafty devices (2 Cor. 2:11) by which, if possible, he^will deceive the very elect and bring to defeat their holy cause. In order to be safe the believer must be arrayed in the whole armour of God. See Ephe sians 6:11.
a freedom-loving spirit. It was the very essence of bitterness, and “ all their service . . . was with rigour.” But God was present, though un seen, watching over His people, and causing them to grow. He intended to glorify His name through them, and the very hardships He permitted became the channels through which His rich blessing reached them. Noth ing occurs to God’s people “ by chance,” and no bitter experience is permitted needlessly.
LESSON FOR J A N U A R Y 6 , 1 9 4 6 God’s Concern for the Oppressed LESSON MATERIAL: Ex. 1:8-14; 2:23-25. GOLDEN TEXT: “ And ha said, certainly I will be with thee” (Ex. 3:12). Outline *nd Exposition I. T he F olly of E gypt {E x . 1:8-10) Under, the blessing of God, the people of Israel multiplied until they “ vr.xcd exceeding mighty” i.i Egypt. Joseph and his generation passed away, and “there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph [a king of a different dynasty from the one under w h i c h Joseph had served].” - This new ruler was either forgetful or ignorant of the service Joseph had rendered Egypt, and became fearful lest the growing number of Israelites endanger his kingdom. Hence, he de cided to "deal wisely with them.” But, as Egypt is a type of the world, its wisdom was foolishness with God (1 Cor. 1:20). The king’s “wise” deal ing took the form of enslaving Israel and laying upon them intolerable burdens, with the hope that their growth would be retarded. He was unaware that his dealings would bring him into conflict with the living God, to whom Israel belonged. n. T he A ffliction of I srael (1:11-14) Taskmasters were set over the Is raelites to “afflict them . . . but the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied . . .” (vs. 11, 12). This is an illustration of the fact that it is by the fires of affliction that God purifies His people and prepares them to fu lfill His purpose. The Egyptians increased the de mands upon Israel and “made their lives bitter with hard bondage . . (vs. 13, 14). The bitterness of slavery, unpaid labor, a n d servitude, from which there seemed no escape were forced upon a people possessed with
Outline and Exposition B. B. S utcliffe
Points and Problems H omer A. K ent
For the Children A llison A rrowood
Lesson material is based upon outlines of Interna tional Sunday School Les sons, copyrighted by the In ternational Council of Reli gious Education; used by permission.
III. T he C oncern of G od (2:23-25)
The death of the king did not change the condition of Israel. His successor followed his policy. Egypt’s oppression of the children of Israel continued until "they cried,” and “ their cry came up unto God.” It is not stated that they called Upon God, but all cries of suffering reach His ear, even the groaning of natural creation. He is moved with compas sion wherever there is pain and need. “ And God remembered his cove nant” with their fathers. It was on the ground of that covenant that Is rael stood, and whatever the people might be or do, the covenant remained unaltered and unchangeable. “ And God had respect unto them.” This word means “to acknowledge.”
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