Before: The Birth of Moses | Exodus 1–5 | Day 11 of 238

The book of Exodus begins 350yrs after the arrival of Joseph’s brothers into Egypt and the death of Jacob (Israel); Joseph’s father.

Let’s paint an imaginative picture: Archaeologists placed Joseph’s rule in Egypt at the 12th Dynasty (the Middle Kingdom period of Egyptian history) and placed Moses and Israel’s final years of residence and slavery at the 18th Dynasty (or New Kingdom period). Now you understand how that Joseph meant nothing to the new Egyptian king (Exodus 1:8). Besides it is thought that the new Pharaoh came at a time of political disintegration in Egypt, his people known as the Hyksos (ca. [i.e. around] 1730–1570 B.C.) — foreign invaders who ruled during a period of confusion in Egypt.

As the Lord had foretold Abraham (Gen 15:13), the enslavement and mistreatment of Israel had begun in Egypt. But God was about to punish a strong and fortified Egyptian nation on behalf of His people (Isreal, the nation) (Gen 15:14).

LESSON: Again God through the prosperity of Israel in their time of seeming suffering, let’s us know that it’s not about the circumstances around us — they don’t determine our prosperity, His Word does. He promised Abraham that His offspring would flourish, that was His Word to them, and it took centre stage in their hearts and minds, and became the result of their lives.
Let us be strong in the Lord and in the Word of His grace, and therefore hold on to His Word, for He is faithful that has promised.

Leading up to the compound events that culminated to Moses being taken care of by Pharaoh’s daughter; Moses’ mother, Jochebed, was paid to take care of her own son in his cradle before he grew older (Exodus 2:1–9). I mean what better way to raise your child than to be paid to raise your child — only by God’s design. And God still does the same today. Hallelujah! (He can favour you, beyond your imaginations) Glory to God!

Moses, being Pharaoh’s daughter’s son, grew up with all the special Egyptian privileges belonging to nobility (i.e. reading, writing, arithmetic, learning of languages, archery, horseback riding, etc.), in contrast, his native people (the Israelites) were enslaved. But none of these persuaded Moses to relinquish his native origin. Rather, as the New Testament apprises, his spiritual maturity was such that when he came of age, he “refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter” (Heb 11:24).

He fled Egypt after rescuing an Israelite by killing an Egyptian. When he did this he was 40yrs of age and spent an additional 40yrs in Midian, where he encountered God. God sent him — with instructions, insight and ability — to deliver His people (Israel) from the enslavement of Pharaoh (Exodus 3:7–10).

Moses was to be God’s Instrument to deliver the people of Israel from the hands of Pharaoh. This was as the Lord had foretold Abraham (Gen 15:12–14), to be His covenant kept with Abraham.

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