Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Redemption Ex 3-14 The “Plan” Enacted 5:1-23

Initially, Moses suffers a “setback” vv. 1-19 Pharaoh is unmoved by the demands Moses

& Aaron gave v. 2 He also made Israel’s life more difficult

vv. 4, 7-9, 11-14 The people actually blame Moses vv. 20-21

Stories From The O.T. That Build Faith & Devotion

A Story Of Redemption Ex 3-14 The “Plan” Enacted 5:1-23

In despair, Moses takes his complaint to the God who called him vv. 22-23 He didn’t help Israel…it only got worse God did not do as He had promised

God reassures Moses 6:1 cp. 3:19-20


A Story Of Redemption Ex 3-14 Redemption & The Promises 6:5-8

God “remembered” the promises He had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob He was going to deliver Israel with an

“outstretched arm” He would use “great judgments” on Egypt He would bring Israel to her promised land


A Story Of Redemption Ex 3-14 Redemption & The Promises 6:5-8

God “remembered” the promises He had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob EMPHASIS God never lies and always

keeps His promises Heb 6:13-14, 17-19


A Story Of Redemption Ex 3-14 God Deals With Pharaoh 7:1 – 11:8

He tells Moses in advance He was going to “harden Pharaoh’s heart” 7:3

This was so that “…I may multiply My signs and My wonders in all the land of Egypt”

Later, Moses wrote that Pharaoh hardened his own heart 7:22-23 8:15



Who “hardened” who? How could God be solely responsible for

hardening Pharaoh’s heart, only to later punish him for it?

That would not a just & fair God



Who “hardened” who? As a “parallel,” consider Acts 16:14 How did God “open” Lydia’s heart? Did He do it without her own involvement?

(Calvinism)



Who “hardened” who? An “illustrative saying”…

(quaint, but true)





The same sun that melts the butter hardens the clay.

• The “difference maker” is not the sun.

• The “difference maker” is the make-up of that which is exposed to the sun’s heat

• So it is with how we each individually respond to the word of God

• It is the same word to each man or woman




The same sun that melts the butter hardens the clay.

• When we are exposed to His word…

• …and reject it, God will “harden” us (Pharaoh)

• …and accept it, God will “open” us (Lydia)


He sent His plagues 7:14 – 11:8, 12:29-32 The Nile turned to blood 7:14-25 Frogs 8:1-15 Gnats / Lice 8:16-19 Flies / Insects 8:20-32



He sent His plagues 7:14 – 11:8, 12:29-32 Murrain of cattle 9:1-7 Boils 9:8-12 Hail 9:13-35 Locusts 10:1-20



He sent His plagues 7:14 – 11:8, 12:29-32 Darkness 10:21-29 Boils 11:1-8 12:29-32



He sent His plagues 7:14 – 11:8, 12:29-32 These “plagues” were to result in Israel’s

release 3:19-20 6:1 7:2-5 They were also “judgments” against some

of Egypt’s idols 12:12



He sent His plagues 7:14 – 11:8, 12:29-32 “Plagues” as judgments #1 Nile was worshiped #2 Ptha & Heka (frog-head god & goddess) #5 Apis (a sacred bull) #9 Ra (the sun god)



He sent His plagues 7:14 – 11:8, 12:29-32 God also made a clear distinction between

Egypt and the land of Goshen with these “plagues”

Israel was not affected in Plagues 4-10



He sent His plagues 7:14 – 11:8, 12:29-32 Through these plagues, Pharaoh & all Egypt

would realize God has no equal 9:14 Israel would also know God’s redemptive

power through the plagues 6:7 10:2 11:7



He sent His plagues 7:14 – 11:8, 12:29-32 A wicked ruler like Pharaoh was allowed to

remain in power so that God would be glorified when He was finished with the plagues 9:16



Re: the 9th plague… 10:21-29 By this time, Pharaoh has offered many

“compromises” He offers another one v. 24 Moses could have accepted what was the

“best one” yet



Re: the 9th plague… 10:21-29 Moses knew there can be no “compromise”

when it comes to serving God cp. Mt 12:30 “Not a hoof will be left behind” 10:26 Moses is fully committed…unlike his earlier

excuse making 3:11-14 4:1-13


Stories From The Old Testament That Build Faith & Devotion

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