Our last lesson dealt with the time when the family of Jacob went into Egypt during the time of Joseph. This lesson deals with the time when God raised up a leader to bring them out of Egypt.
Following the death of Joseph, the Israelites (the descendants of Jacob) grew into a mighty nation. They became so numerous that the Egyptians were afraid of them. They made them slaves and even ordered that all the male children be killed so that the nation of Israel would not grow. It is at this point of history we meet Moses, the great deliverer.
Forty Years In Egypt
Moses was the son of Amram and Jochebed. Because they did not want him killed when he was born, they hid him as long as they could. Finally they knew something had to be done. His mother made a basket, put Moses in it and placed it in the river.
The king’s daughter came to the river and saw the basket. When she saw the baby, she wanted to keep him alive. Moses’ sister, Miriam, was hiding to see what would happen to the basket. She suggested to the princess that an Israelite woman be found to help raise the child. When the princess agreed, Miriam ran and got Moses’ own mother to help raise the child.
Forty Years Tending Sheep
When Moses grew up he loved the people of Israel very much. This is shown by the fact that when he saw an Israelite fighting with an Egyptian, he helped the Israelite by killing the Egyptian. Because he had killed an Egyptian he had to flee to another country (called Midian) where he married and had two sons.
One day as Moses was keeping his sheep on Mt. Sinai, God spoke to him out of a burning bush. At first Moses did not think he could do so great a work, but God answered every objection of Moses. So Moses went. with his brother Aaron to speak for him, into Egypt.
The Ten Plagues
The people of Egypt did not want to let the Israelites leave. Because of this, God sent ten plagues upon the Egyptians. The ten plagues were:
- Water Changed to Blood
- Frogs
- Lice
- Flies
- Cattle Disease
- Boils
- Hail
- Locusts
- Darkness
- Death of the Firstborn
When the last plague came, the Egyptians demanded that the Israelites leave. God was with the Israelites and wonderfully provided for them. Shortly after leaving Egypt God caused the Red Sea to open up and allowed the Israelites to cross on dry ground, but destroyed the Egyptians when they tried to cross.
Our next lesson will tell of the events that happened while they were on their way to the land of Canaan.