Moses The Mediator Of The Old Covenant Hebrews 11:23-27

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1 Moses The Mediator Of The Old Covenant Hebrews 11:23-27 Message by Michael J. Barnard October 1, 2017 Teaching Aim: To examine the events surrounding the birth of Moses in order to see God s providence over human actions and history. To realize the transition that took place in Moses life as he moved from prince to fugitive. To understand God was at work in Moses life, even while he was a shepherd in the Midian desert; this helped prepare him to shepherd the flock of Israel. To explore the circumstances surrounding God s calling of Moses into ministry! DIGGING DEEPER INTO GOD S WORD (BIBLE STUDY) Part I: The birth of Moses and the faith of his parents (Exod. 2:1-10) 1. What were the names of Moses parents (vs. 1)? (See Exod. 6:20) What tribe were they in? Why was this a dangerous time for baby boys to be born in Egypt? (See Exod. 1:16) What do we learn about the faith and bravery of Moses parents from Hebrews 11:23? 2. What does the Bible teach us about the baby Moses in verse 2? What is meant by this description? (See Commentaries) Why do you think Moses mother couldn t hide him any longer (vs. 3)? What desperate move did she make in verse 3? What can we learn about Jocebed from this? How did she, at least partially, fulfill Pharaoh s edict from Exod. 1:16? 3. After placing the small ark carrying the baby Moses in to the Nile River, Jocebed made one more strategic move. What was it (vs. 4)? What was the name of Moses sister? (See Exod. 15:20) How old was she at the time? Who was Moses older brother and what was the age difference between the two brothers? (See Exod. 6:20) 4. How do we see the providence of God at work in verses 5 & 6? Who found the baby? Why was this significant? What happened at the precise moment the lid on the ark was opened? How did this affect the Egyptian princess? How did she know the baby was a Hebrew? 5. What are some ways that you ve seen the providence of God at work in your life? Do you remember any key relationships or meetings over the course of your life? 1

2 6. What question did Moses older sister Miriam ask the Egyptian princess in verse 7? What can we learn about the young teen Miriam from this interaction? How did Pharaoh s daughter respond to this kind offer (vs. 8)? What did Miriam do once given permission? 7. What did Pharaoh s daughter tell Jocebed (Moses biological mother) in verse 9? What makes this all the more amazing? How did God reward Jocebed s faith and obedience? 8. What did Moses biological mother do once the child was weaned (vs. 10)? Who named the child Moses? What does the name Moses mean in Egyptian? What does it mean in Hebrew? (See Commentaries) How is the Hebrew a play on words? Part II: Moses flees in fear of Pharaoh to the Midian dessert (Exod. 2:11-25; Acts 7:21-29) 1. What can we learn about the early years and education of Moses from Stephen s speech in Acts 7:21-22? At 40 years old, a change took place in Moses life. What was it? (See Acts 7:23-24) Why do you think Moses became so interested in the Hebrew people at age 40, especially since he was raised in a Hebrew home for only the first 2 or 3 years of his life? (See Exod. 2:11) Is it possible the Egyptians had reminded him that he was only a Hebrew? 2. Moses then killed an Egyptian taskmaster who was mistreating a Hebrew slave, burying the taskmaster in the sand. Why do you think Moses killed him? (See Exod. 1:12) Was this premeditated murder? Or is it possible that the Egyptian was beating the Hebrew to death when Moses intervened and it became a struggle to the death between the 2 of them? 3. According to Acts 7:25, what did Moses realize at the age of 40? Did the Hebrew people realize Moses was to deliver them at this time? (See Acts 7:26-29) What did Moses do as these events led to a hit being put on him by Pharaoh? (See Exod. 2:15) Was this part of God s sovereign plan, or simply Moses reacting in fear? 2

3 4. In what way were the Midianites related to Moses? (See Gen. 25:1-4) What can we learn about Moses early experiences in the Midian desert from Exod. 2:15-17? In what way is the experience of Moses similar to that of Abraham and Jacob? (See Gen. 24:11; 29:2; Exod. 2:21) 5. Who became Moses father-in-law (vs. 18)? What did he do for a profession? What other name is used in the Bible for this man (vs. 3:1)? What is the meaning of each name? 6. According to verses 23-25, what was happening in Egypt to Moses family and the Hebrew people while Moses shepherded in the land of Midian 40 years? What major event took place at the end of the 40 years that was about to change everything? Who was the Pharaoh and what year did he die? (See Commentaries) Part III: God calls Moses into service (Exod. 3:1-15) 1. What do we find Moses doing in Exod. 3:1? Where was he? What is the meaning of the word Horeb? (See Bible footnotes) How high was this mountain? (Hint: Google it) 2. Moses life can be divided into 3 major segments of 40 years each. What are they? Why was it important for Moses to serve as a shepherd for so long (vs. 1)? 3. What unusual sight did Moses see in the desert (vs. 2)? Had he ever seen anything like this before? According to verse 2, who appeared to Moses? What is the meaning of the phrase, The Angel of the LORD? 3

4 4. According to verse 3, Moses turned aside to see this unusual sight. What did the LORD do as soon as Moses began to approach (vs. 4)? Why the repetition of his name? Have you noticed that God seems to call busy people to be His servants? Can you think of anyone else in the Bible that was called by the Lord while on the job? Have you ever allowed busyness to stop you from doing the ministry God has called you to do? What would God tell you? 5. What instruction is Moses given in verse 5? Why? When you come to worship, do you take time to prepare your heart, or do you just casually come in? 6. The Egyptians believed in many Gods and Moses realized the name of God would have to be identified. How did God identify Himself to Moses in verse 6? (See Matt. 22:31-32) What made this name unusual? Why did God visit Moses (vv. 7 & 8)? The Bible is filled with promises from God. What promise did God vow to fulfill in verse 8? 7. For nearly 400 years the Jews had suffered at the hands of the Egyptians. According to verse 9, had God been listening and watching? Why didn t He act? What can we learn from this for our struggles today? 8. What mission did God call Moses to in verse 10? Moses had fled Egypt 40 years earlier running for his life, do you think he had any desire to go back? How did Moses respond to God s call in verse 11? Have you ever tried to back out of God s mission for your life? Why? 9. What promise did God give to Moses in verse 12? How is this promise similar to that found in Rom. 8:31? What sign did God give Moses in order to prove that this promise would be fulfilled? What 2 names in the Bible are used for this mountain? 4

5 10. What did Moses ask God in verse 13? How did God respond (vs. 14)? God s special covenantal name with Israel Yahweh comes from the I AM WHO I AM found in verses 14 &15. What makes this name unusual? How does this name relate to Jesus? (See John 6:35,48,51; 8:12; 9:5; 10:7,9,11,14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). Did the Jews recognize the significance of the I AM statements of Jesus? How did they respond? (See John 8:58-59) 11. Are you willing to sacrifice your comfort today for the sake of Christ and the good of God s people? What call has God placed on your life? Will you follow it? MINER S CORNER ~ Manna to live by! Providence refers to God s superintending activity over human actions and human history, bringing creation to its divinely determined goal! (Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms) When we suffer because of our faith in God and the gospel, we suffer for the sake of Christ! Moses biological parents made a huge impact on his spiritual life in a short period of time! Moses decided to identify with his persecuted people rather than enjoy the luxury of Egypt! At 40 years old, Moses realized God would one day use him to deliver the Hebrews! A personal encounter with the Angel of the LORD changed Moses life forever! God keeps His promises and would fulfill the Abrahamic Covenant using Moses! Moses initially doubted, but If God is with us, who can be against us? 5