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THE K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S
the bush did not burn up. So Moses went to look at it. When near, God said, “Take off your shoes, Moses, for this is holy ground.” Moses did so and hid his face for he knew God was talking. God said, “I have heard and seen what a hard time the Jews are haying, and I am going to send you to set them free.” At first Moses was afraid to go, but God promised to go with him, and have Moses’ brother Aaron to help him. Moses took his family and went to Egypt. He met his brother Aaron in Egypt, and they began the'work of freeing the Jews. Next Sunday we will find out what they did. Memory verses: “Whatsoever He saith unto you, do it.” John 2:5; or Ps. 91:15. ate FEBRUARY 3, 1924 Golden Text: “And Pharaoh’s servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God; knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed?” Ex. 10:7. Outline: (1) God’s Command of Pharaoh. (2 ) Pharaoh’s Contempt of Godi (3) Pharaoh’s Cruel Oppression of Israel. In the first fourteen verses of the fifth chapter we have Moses’ request of Pharaoh, and Pharaoh’s refusal. (1) GOD’S COMMAND OF PHARAOH, “Let my people go.” 5:1. God had selected Aaron to be His LESSON mouthpiece. Moses had failed to respond EXPOSITION to God’s call to speak for Him, and . so T. C. Horton Aaron was chosen. The people gave a kindly reception to Moses and Aaron. Moses with his rod proved his call. God claimed Israel as His people,— note ^the .expressions, “My people;” “My son;” “My firstborn.” Where would we have looked for God’s people? In a palace? Among the great? Among the prosperous? Would you have looked among slaves? Where will we find God’s people today? Where did Jesus find them? The fishermen by the sea; the harlot by the well; the beggars by the pool and on the road; the maniac at Gadara! What a strange gathering are they whom He calls “My people.” He is not ashamed to call us brethren. Let us walk carefully, speak gently, look lovingly, for we cannot tell when or where we may hurt one of His little ones. Pharaoh is a type of Satan. God’s ambassadors are authorized to say “Let my people go.” Christ has delivered them out of Satan’s hand. Let them go from the fetters of Egypt to a feast with God. , There is no good time in Egypt, and no bad time with God. (2) PHARAOH’S CONTEMPT OF GOD, “Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice?” 5:2. The same worldly contempt of God is found in every age, and everywhere. Sennacherib sent Rabshekah to say (2 Kings 18:35) “W ho are th e y among; a ll th e g o d s o f th e c oun try , th a t h a v e d eliv ered th e ir cou n tr y o u t o f m in e han d, th a t th e Lo rd sh ou ld d eliv er J e ru sa lem o u t o f m in e h a n d !” and God sent His reply (2 Kings 19:35) f* ca lu e to f i a t n ig h t, th a t th e a n g e l o f th e Lord w e n t ou t, and sm o te In th e cam p o f th e A ssy r ia n s an hund red , fou r se o re and fiv e th ou san d ; and w h en th e y a r o se e a r ly in th e morning;, b eho ld , th e y w e re a ll dead co rp ses.” Again, Sennacherib sent word to Hezekiah (2 Chron. 32:15). Who is God? He who made the world, who com THE NINE PLAGUES Exodus, Chapters 5-10
mands the stars, the Author of all law. He sent the flood and destroyed the world. He sent fire upon Sodom. He broke down the Tower of Babel. He destroyed the Egypt ians. He smote the Philistines. He commands the winds and the waves. (3 ) PHARAOH’S CRUEL OPPRESSION OF ISRAEL, “Let them go and gather straw for themselves.” v. 7. Pharaoh knew that he had no right to oppress Israel. He was selfish, greedy, hard-hearted, wilful and opposed to God and His commands. He was an agnostic. He said, *1 know not God.” He was a fool. He said in his heart and with his lips, “I know Him not. I will not obey Him.” This is always the attitude of the' natural man towards God’s Word and God’s will. God commands men to repent. He requires it. He com mands men to lay down their arms. He commands men to go into all the world and give the Gospel. He commands the church to “Come out from among the world.” He commands Christians to glorify God in their bodies.” Pharaoh is not the only great sinner. Have not all of us said, “Who is this God that I should obey Him?” The controversy of the ages is in this rebellion against the will of God. (Isa. 1:2, 3). This is the'unequal fight. The Plagues. The people turned to Pharaoh, not to the Lord, for relief. “Back to your work” was his reply. The devil is a “burden-bestower” not a “burden-bearer.” Then the people accused Moses and Aaron (vs. 20, 21). ' / 1 a e
The people murmured (5:21-2'3) and God answered (6 :1 -8 ). Note the seven “I w ill’s” of God: ( 1 ) “I am the Lord, and I will bring you out.” 4:6. (2) “I will rid you.” v. 6. (3 ) “I will redeem you” v. 6. (4) “I will take you to me” v. 7. (5) “I will be to you a God” v. 7. (6 ) “I will bring you in” v. 8. (7) “I will give it to you” v. 8. “I am the Lord,”— “I am the Lord in the beginning, and I am the Lord in the end.” (Read v. 9 and get the voice of the peo ple). First Test. The rod and serpent, vs. 10-12. Pharaoh hardened his heart.
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