THE BOOK OF BIBLE STUDY CHAPTER BY CHAPTER

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1 THE BOOK OF BIBLE STUDY CHAPTER BY CHAPTER

2 READ THE CHAPTER Please say a short prayer and then take 10 minutes to read the chapter. MESSAGE & DEEPER STUDY BLESSINGS, AFFLICTION, AND THE FEAR OF GOD Life can be interesting. There are days when we feel like we are on cloud nine and that everything is perfect. And then there are days when everything that could go wrong does go wrong. These changes in situations sometimes happen so suddenly that we feel overwhelmed and completely confused about what is going on. And, it is in these times, that we wonder, Why God why are all of these things happening?... Well, the book of Exodus starts off with a sequence of events just like this. In the beginning of the chapter it is revealed to us that the children of Israel had increased in number and were abundant, just as God had promised Jacob and his forefathers. They were flourishing. They were blessed. But, almost in the same breath, it is revealed to us that great affliction followed this great period of blessing. Why did this happen? How could God allow this to happen to His own people? This is our focus for this week s study... Blessings...The promise to Abraham partially fulfilled MESSAGE 01 For many years God had been promising to multiply and make his children fruitful. He made the promise to Abraham multiple times to increase his offspring and multiply his seed (Genesis 17:2-8; Genesis 22:17-18). He also made the promise to Isaac in Genesis 26:4. And finally we saw that Jacob was also given the same promise from God regarding his offspring (Genesis 48:4). But, it is not until Exodus chapter 1 that we see the promise starting to be fulfilled. Exodus 1:7 says that they were fruitful, increased abundantly, multiplied and that they waxed exceeding mighty. God came through big time with His promise and He even made them strong. Psalm 105:24 tells us that He made them stronger than their enemies. God always keeps His Word and comes through for His children. What does the Bible say about God keeping His promises? Deuteronomy 7:9 1 Corinthians 1:9 1 Thessalonians 5:24 What does the Bible say about God going above and beyond? Ephesians 3:20 1 Corinthians 2:9 Why are offspring a blessing according to the Word of God? Psalm 127:3

3 Affliction...Intimidation leads to foolish decisions MESSAGE 02 But, as the chapter moves on, we see the fortune of the descendants of Israel take a seemingly horrible turn. A new Pharaoh arose whose main goal was to suppress the children of Israel and make them his slaves. He thought that his decision was wise, but instead of his affliction solving the problem, it actually led to them increasing in number. In other words, he was intimidated by the Israelites and this intimidation led him to make a foolish decision. What is the lesson here? No matter what the world - or the agents of satan - may do to thwart God s plan, it will all come to nought. The Bible says that God s Word will not return unto Him void. So, even affliction can be a blessing to the children of God. What does the Bible say about the wisdom of the world? 1 Corinthians 3:19 1 Corinthians 1:19-20 Psalm 9:15-16 What does affliction bring? Romans 5:3-5 Psalm 34:17-20 James 1:2-4 MESSAGE 03 The fear of God God s Word honored above earthly authority As the wrath of Pharaoh continued to increase, he made a decision to bring the midwives in on his plan of destruction. He ordered them to kill all of the male babies as soon as they came out of their mother s womb. His goal was to stop them from increasing in number by any means necessary even killing innocent children. But, the midwives feared God s Word more than the word of Pharaoh, a mere man. These midwives, had been influenced by the faith of the children of Israel. So much so, that even they had developed a love and reverence for the Words and precepts of God. Even in the midst of the affliction that the children of Israel were experiencing, the blessings that come along with fearing God - or respecting His Word - were revealed. This we too must remember whenever we are afflicted or given any instruction contrary to His Word. What is the fear of God? What does it result in? Psalm 31:19 Proverbs 8:13 Proverbs 16:6 Proverbs 9:10 What does the Bible say about the end result when it comes to the children of God? Romans 8:28

4 WORDS FOR REFLECTION Have you ever experienced a complete turnaround in your life? A time where things went from great to horrible? The book of Exodus starts off with a revelation of the Christian life. The Israelites were God s people. They were blessed and they had received favor from those around them. However, after a time, affliction came. Affliction from a man who didn t fear God. It is the same with the Christian walk. Sometimes we feel blessed beyond measure. Everything seems to go well, when suddenly things change. And it is in these times that one may be tempted to question what God is doing But Exodus chapter 1 reveals to us that even in affliction God s blessings can prevail. Even in affliction, the fear of God will protect His people. Pharaoh, one who did not fear God, attempted to afflict the children of Israel by making them slaves and attempting to kill their children. But his plans were futile because the children of Israel continued to increase in number. And, the very women he had assigned the task of killing the babies, were women who feared God. Translation, the fear of God led them to protect, and not harm, God s chosen people. Today, let us remember that even when affliction comes, God s blessings will still prevail. In every situation fear God and trust His Word. YOUR LETTER TO GOD please write down your response... Exodus chapter 1 taught me... This week, after studying Exodus chapter 1, I ask that You help me to... My commitment...

5 REVIEW QUESTIONS QUESTION ANSWER What are the names of the children of Israel? How many souls came from Jacob? (KJV) What did the new Pharaoh say about the children of Israel? What did Pharaoh begin to do to the children of Israel? The more Pharaoh afflicted the children of Israel, the more they? Who did Pharaoh speak to? (Their names) What did he tell them to do? Why did the midwives not listen to Pharaoh s instruction? How did God treat the midwives? PRACTICAL APPLICATION God always fulfills His Word to His people. Even when afflicted, we are blessed. The fear of God protects God s people. EXTRA RESOURCES QUESTIONS Submit your personal questions.

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