The ExodusExodus 3-12: Moses’ call, Moses vs. Pharaoh, The Plagues

The LORD Reveals Himself to Moses

God’s sign to Moses that he has called him to this task: v. 12 “But I will be with you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

God gives Moses a sign to confirm that he is calling him to go to Pharaoh and be God’s messenger in front of Pharaoh

Moses Hesitates

Moses hesitates in going.

He asks God, that if he goes to the people of Israel and they ask him “What is his name?” What is he suppose to tell them?

God responds with vv. 14-15

The Name of the LORD

God reveals His name: Yahweh or I AM

This is the covenant name of the LORD.

This is the name we’ll see throughout the Old Testament.

The Hebrews saw this as Holy. In fact, when writing it, they would not put the vowels in the name: YHWH

The Name of the LORD

Within His name, includes His character and nature. Later in the 10 Commandments , we’ll see this again.

The LORD makes a promise to deliver his people from Egypt.

The LORD gives Moses signs

The LORD tells Moses that he will give him favor of the people and that when they leave they will not go out empty.

The LORD knows that this will happen.

Doctrinal point: The Omniscience of God. God knows ALL. God sees this and wills it to happen

The LORD Gives Moses Signs

Moses still seems reluctant to Go.

The Lord gives two signs:Staff turned into a snake

Leprous skin.

If they (The Egyptians) still do not believe, there’s a third sign.

Take water from the Nile, pour it on the ground, it will turn to blood on dry ground.

Moses is still hesitant

After all of this, Moses is still hesitant. He tells the LORD he can’t go because he cannot speak

He tells the LORD: “I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and tongue.”

Moses feels like his insecurities and his weaknesses prevent him from being used by God

Moses is still hesitant

“Slow of speech and tongue”

It’s possible that Moses had some sort of speech impediment, or a slight stutter that he thought would be enough for God not to choose him

God responds: Who made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak”

Being Used by the LORD

We sometimes think our greatest weaknesses are our greatest hindrance from being used by the LORD.

Whether that’s being too young, or too old, whether you are popular or the nerd, or whether you can speak clearly or not.

God uses people for his Glory, he uses weak people to show His greatness

Application for Today

You in this class are supremely loved by God.

He knows your story, He created you, He loves you!

Each one of you can be used of God, no matter what weakness you have. God has used broken, messed up people all throughout Genesis and Exodus for His glory.

Application for Today

We live in a sin-sick world, we are marred by sin, we are dead in our trespasses with no hope of saving ourselves.

But God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ. He saves us from our sins and adopts us as His own.

He wants to use you for His glory and His kingdom.

Application for Today

Will you simply surrender to Him and respond, “Here I am! Use Me!”

Moses leaves Midian

Moses goes back to Jethro, gathers his wife and son and begins the journey back to Egypt.

Aaron meets him in the desert, because God told Moses that Aaron would be Moses’ mouthpiece like he is God’s mouthpiece.

Moses faces off against Pharaoh

Moses returns to Pharaoh to do what the Lord has commanded him to do.

The LORD tells Moses, “I will harden his (Pharaoh’s) heart, so that he will not let the people go. Then you shall say to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.”

The LORD hardens Pharaoh’s heart?

What does it mean by “hardening” of Pharaoh’s heart?

“hardening” means becomes hard or non-receptive.

God is going to harden the heart of Pharaoh to where he is non-receptive of God’s desire for him to let his people go.

Why? Why would God harden his heart?

The LORD will Harden Pharaoh’s heart

In this context, “heart” means “will” God states that he will strengthen Pharaoh’s resolve not to release the Israelites.

Strange as it may seem, God will give Pharaoh the courage to do what Pharaoh has chosen to do from the outset. God does not force Pharaoh to act contrary to his own will. God will display His power over the stubborn hostility of the king so that His people might know that He is the Lord, their deliverer.

Moses and Aaron speak to the People

Moses and Aaron gathers the people and tells the people what the Lord has promised.

The People worship to the promise of the Lord.

Moses and Aaron speak to Pharaoh

Moses and Aaron go and speak to Pharaoh.

“Thus says the LORD,” This phrase is used throughout the OT, especially in the prophets. When the phrase is used, it signals the LORD is speaking on His behalf, not the messenger.

These are the very words of God.

So Moses and Aaron say to Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel…”

Moses and Aaron speak to Pharaoh

Also he signals that He is the God of Israel. What God is doing here is setting up what we will see in the plagues. Who is truly God? Israel’s God or the gods of Egypt.

God tells Pharaoh to let his people go so that they might worship him.

Pharaoh responds, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.”

Pharaoh’s response to the LORD

Why does Pharaoh say this? In the Egyptian culture, Pharaoh was seen as god or divine. So when he says Who is the LORD? Pharaoh sees himself as divine so why would this “god” of the Hebrews have any rule or authority over him.

Moses and Aaron say, “we can’t disobey what God has told us, please let us go.”

Pharaoh again replies and says, “Moses and Aaron, you are keeping them from their work.”

Bricks without Straw

Pharaoh informs the taskmasters to let the people gather straw for themselves, no longer will it be given to them.

The number of bricks they are to make are the same. Pharaoh will not reduce the number.

The foreman (head leader) of the Israelites would be beaten by the taskmaster for not completing the job of enough bricks.

The Israelites Grumble Against Moses and the

LORDThe Israelites complain to the LORD and to his leader Moses.

V. 21

Moses Responds in v. 22

The LORD Promises Deliverance

The LORD responds to Moses’ complaint and the people’s complaint.

Again Moses believes he is not the right man for the job. (Ex. 6:10-13)

Moses and Aaron Go Before Pharaoh Again Ex. 7.

The LORD says that Pharaoh will not listen.

The LORD says I will stretch out my hand against Egypt.

The LORD will judge Egypt and her gods to reveal that he himself is the only God.

These would come through a series of 10 plagues.

God vs. Egypt’s gods