Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION
Our last study of Exodus Chapter 22 revealed that Gods laws are relational and not regimented/mechanical. His commands are out to protect and help us and all that belong to us. We also learnt that justice is balanced with compassion, while holiness is balanced with mercy. Finally, as children of God we are expected to reflect God’s character.
We continue our study today in Chapter 23 where the our learning focus will be on:

• Laws divinely delivered by God to the Israelites through Moses.
• Laws that guide societal norms, rituals and a comprehensive guide for life.

Verses 1-9: Lays the foundation for societal justice, demanding honesty and guiding the treatment of adversaries.

Verse 1: Bearing false witness/aligning with the wicked to pervert justice.
For an example: Someone says something you know it’s false about another, yet you pass same message to others. Similarly, passing information unknown to you that it’s false does not absolve you from guilt. You can’t be guiltless. A common example is the use of social media to spread unfounded messages that may defame another person’s reputation. The Bible warns against this.

Verse 2: Following the crowd to do wrong, underscores individual conscience & moral courage.
This is closely linked to the warning in V1. We are warned to against ignorantly or maliciously supporting evil against the innocent. Choosing to join hands with them is a curse. Popular opinion is not often the right opinion. Jesus in Matt 7:13 admonishes that not to follow popular opinion sheepishly.we

Verse 3: Showing favouritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.
Focus here is on impartial justice. Irrespective of a person’s economic status, you can’t run foul of the law. Ie. If the poor is hungry and chooses to a steal to justify his hungry state, his in violation of the law. If there is a perversion of justice, irrespective of the economic state of the guilty, we can’t allow our emotions to rule in his favour. He is the God of justice.

Verse 4 & 5. Admonishes the Israelites to help their enemies ass or donkey when in when wondering off or under a burden.
This transcends the traditional law of ‘an eye for an eye’. Promotes empathy even to those considered to be foes. Bringing this back home, you are driving on M1 and you see your enemy’s car broke down, stop to help/give him a lift.

Verses 6 &7. Reminds us not to deny the poor of justice or kill the innocent/righteous
Clear cut for fairness and protection of the vulnerable. Our legal system today most often acts in the opposite on the premise that ‘the law is blind’.
Verse 8 Warns against acceptance of bribes & corruption in our society, reminding us that integrity is not a commodity to be traded.

Verse 9. Warns against oppressing a foreigner as the Israelites were themselves foreigners in Egypt.
It warns against oppressing sojourners/foreigners in their land. Note that they at this time of this warning, the Israelites were on their way to the promised land. This calls to mind recent incidents of Xenophobic attacks in some parts of the world. Calls for empathy and understanding of those different from us. The emphasis is to see the world as a global village where we can all relate freely. Always remember your humble beginnings and treat others the way you want to be treated.
Verses 10-19 captures and emphasizes religious laws. Laws regarding rest and festivals:

Verses 10 & 11 Talks of the sabbatical year.
Every 7th year the Israelites were commanded to let their land rest or lie fallow to allow the poor to eat what naturally grows and leave the remains for wildlife. It’s amazing how a land left fallow without being tended will grow food. Just tells how God takes care of our needs without an effort from us. This law helps with sustainable farming, communal living and care for the environment. Again, in those days manure/fertilizers were not applied so leaving the land fallow restores nutrients/rejuvenates it.
Again, taking a day off to rest in a week was recommended for the Israelites, their donkeys and servants. A crucial advice to take a day off to rest and not break down. Resting does not necessarily mean non-activity. Family outing, playing games etc, but not work related. These are therapeutic activities that rejuvenates the body and mind. Working from home is not resting. The Bible says the glory of the youth is their strength. The young because of the strength may choose to be a workaholic, however as you age the physical body and the mind slows down. It is therefore wise to learn to rest from early in life.

Verses 12 - 17. Outlines three major festivals
The feast of unleavened bread (a.k.a. the feast of the Passover), “You shall 15:23 Exkeep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty);” - show of appreciation to God for all he has done and will still do.
• Feast of harvest Ex 23:16 “and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.”
• Feast of Harvest otherwise known as the feast of the Pentecost - celebrated 50 days after Passover.
• Feast of ingathering - also known as the feast of tabernacles.

Ex 23:17 “Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God.”. As a male Jew they were required to attend these feast three times in a year.
• God demands the first of every good thing He gave us. First fruit, first blessings, etc. He Himself gave His first fruit to mankind.
• The feast of in-gathering. The Jews were to gather and offer their 1st fruits to God. Consumption of fat and blood was prohibited. Blood was considered respect for life. Leviticus 17:11A “For the life of the flesh is in the blood,…” fat represented the choosiest party of an animal reserved for God alone.
• In In same verse God warms against boiling a young goat in his mother’s milk. This law seems obscure, but may relate to pagan worship, the law was enacted to prevent Israelis from worshipping their God the idols way.

Verses 20 - 33, Here God promises the Israel an angel to guide them on their journey.
A divine messenger to guide them to the land he has prepared for them. This promise however comes with stern warning: the children of Israel must not defile or rebel against this angel because he carries a divine mandate/authority. Ex 23:21 says “Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him.” - the angel was carrying Gods authority. For as long as the Angel goes before them every enemy on their path will be taken down. Just as when we prayed in the name of Jesus and remain obedient, God promised to take care of our adversaries.
They were promised Guidance in exchange for obedience#. Reward of adherence and the consequences of disobedience.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this thought provoking chapter clearly lays out for the Israelites, Societal justice, Religious observance and Obedience to God’s commands.

Contributor: Ngozi Roberts

INTRODUCTION
In the previous chapter, 21, we discussed about how God continued to instruct the Israelites after the Ten Commandments, focusing on how a holy community should treat one another. The chapter dealt with servanthood, violence, personal injury, and responsibility, showing that God cares deeply about impartiality and self-respect bringing out very interesting key points like, Justice, Human Dignity, and Social Responsibility in God’s Covenant Law.

Some of these concepts are continued in chapter 22, which we are discussing today. Exodus 22 revolves around four major key points: justice, responsibility, compassion, and holiness, showing how God expects His people to treat one another and to honour Him. In our study today we shall be exploring these key points. We shall see how the theme of justice focuses on restitution instead of harsh punishment. The theme of compassion hinges on protection of the vulnerable like the foreigners, widows, orphans and the poor. The theme of holiness emphasising holiness as He has called all to live holy and differently from people of the world while the theme of responsibility admonishes us to be accountable for actions and properties.

Verses 1–4: Theft and Restitution
These verses establish how a thief must repay what was stolen.
Verse 1: “If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.”
If someone steals livestock (like an ox or sheep) and kills or sells it, they must repay multiple times the value (e.g., five oxen for one ox). The purpose is to discourage theft and compensate the victim fully.

Recall: Samuel 12:6 —Fourfold Restitution
Nathan tells David that the man in the parable should repay fourfold for stealing the lamb. Matching exactly Exodus 22:1 —fourfold repayment for theft.

Verse 2: “If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.”
In other words If a thief breaks in at night and is killed, the homeowner is not guilty of bloodshed. This is because it is nighttime which shows the threat is unclear.

Verse 3: “If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.”
But if it happens in daylight, killing the thief is not justified. This shows that the threat is clearer, less deadly in daylight.

Verse 4: “If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double.”
If the stolen animal is found alive, the thief repays double. This is less severe because the property is recoverable.

Recall: Proverbs 6:30–31 —Sevenfold Restitution
A thief who steals out of hunger is still required to repay sevenfold. Therefore, even understandable motives do not remove the need for restitution.
• Ephesians 4:28—Stop Stealing, Start Giving -Paul says: “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather work… so he may have something to share.”
• Luke 19:8 — Zacchaeus Restores Fourfold - Zacchaeus says: “If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”

Verses 5–6: Property Damage
Verse 5: “If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.”
If your animal wanders into someone else’s field and eats their crops, you must repay with the best of your own produce.

Verse 6: “If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.”
If you start a fire and it spreads, you must pay for the damage.

Recall: Luke 16:10–12 —Faithfulness With Another’s Property - Jesus says if you are not faithful with what belongs to someone else, God will not entrust you with your own.

Verses 7–15: Safekeeping, Borrowing, and Responsibility
These verses deal with items entrusted to someone else.
• Verse 7 —If someone gives money or goods for safekeeping and they are stolen, the thief must repay double.
• Verse 8 — If the thief isn’t found, the case goes before God (the judges) to determine if the caretaker is guilty.
• Verse 9—Any dispute over property goes before the judges; the guilty party pays double.
• Verse 10–11 — If an entrusted animal dies or is injured without witnesses, the caretaker swears innocence and is not required to pay.
• Verse 12 —But if the animal was stolen from the caretaker, they must repay.
• Verse 13 — If the animal was killed by a wild beast, the caretaker must show proof (like remains) and is not liable.
• Verse 14–15 — If you borrow something and it is damaged, you must repay—unless the owner was present or it was rented (the rental fee covers the risk).

All emphasis on— Responsibility for Your Neighbours’ Property- as recalled in Deuteronomy 22:1–4 - If someone finds a neighbours’ animal or item, they must take care of it until the owner retrieves it.

Recall: Exodus 21:33–36 —Negligence Requires Restitution
If someone’s negligence causes another person’s loss (like an ox falling into a pit), they must repay.

Recall: Luke 16:10–12 —Faithfulness With Another’s Property - Jesus teaches that if you are not faithful with what belongs to someone else, you cannot be trusted with your own.

Verses 16–17: Seduction and Marriage
“16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.”

• Verse 16 — If a man seduces an unmarried virgin, he must pay the bride price and marry her.
• Verse 17 —If the father refuses the marriage, the man still pays the bride price.

Recall: 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 - Paul teaches that sexual sin harms the body and dishonours God.
1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 - Believers must avoid sexual immorality and honour one another.

Verses 18–20: Holiness Laws
“18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. 19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. 20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed”.

• Verse 18 —Sorcery is forbidden. Israel must avoid occult practices.
• Verse 19 —Bestiality is strictly forbidden.
• Verse 20 —Sacrificing to other gods is a capital offense.

Recall: Galatians 5:19–21 -Witchcraft is listed as a “work of the flesh.”
Acts 19:18–19 - New believers burn their magic books after encountering Christ.

Verses 21–27: Protection of the Vulnerable
These verses show God’s compassion for the oppressed.
• Verse 21 —Do not mistreat foreigners; Israel was once foreigners in Egypt.
• Verse 22–24 — Do not oppress widows or orphans; God promises severe consequences for those who do.
• Verse 25 —If you lend to the poor, do not charge interest.
• Verse 26–27 — If you take a cloak as collateral, return it by sunset—it may be the person’s only blanket. This shows that compassion overrides strict business rules.

Recall: Hebrews 13:2 - Show hospitality to strangers.
Psalm 68:5 - God is “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows.”
James 1:27 - Pure religion cares for widows and orphans.

Verses 28–31: Reverence and Purity
“28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. 29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me. 30 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me. 31 And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs”

• Verse 28 —Do not curse God or the leaders of the people.
• Verse 29–30 — Offer the first fruits and firstborn to God; this symbolizes gratitude and trust.
• Verse 31 — Israel must be holy and avoid eating animals killed by predators. This emphasises on purity laws reinforcing identity.

Recall: Romans 13:1–7 - Submit to governing authorities.
Proverbs 3:9–10 - Honor God with first fruits and He will bless you.
Leviticus 11:44–45 - “Be holy, for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15–16 - Peter repeats the same command to the church.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion Exodus 22 reveals that God’s law is not cold or mechanical —it is deeply relational. Every command protects: People, Property, Purity, Worship, Community trust, The vulnerable. The chapter shows that God cares about how we treat one another, not just how we worship Him.
Justice is balanced with compassion. Holiness is balanced with mercy. Responsibility is balanced with restoration. Therefore, as children of God we must reflect God’s character — in justice, compassion, purity, and integrity - just as Exodus 22 teaches us that true holiness is not only about ceremonies but about how we live, how we love, and how we treat those around us.
May the good Lord help, bless and keep us all in Jesus Name Amen.
Shalom!!!

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION
During last week’s study, we learnt about God giving the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. Following the giving of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20, God begins to explain how His covenant principles are to be lived out in everyday life in Exodus 21. How to put these commands into practice. In this chapter He goes into the specifics concerning the weak, servants, personal injury, family relationships, property rights, etc.

This chapter reveals that God is not only concerned with worship but also with justice, responsibility, compassion, and the value of human life. These laws reflect His holy character and point us toward the perfect righteousness fulfilled in Christ.

1. Dignity and Voluntary Service (Verses 1-6)
“These are the regulations you must present to Israel. 2 “If you buy a Hebrew slave, he may serve for no more than six years. Set him free in the seventh year, and he will owe you nothing for his freedom. 3 If he was single when he became your slave, he shall leave single. But if he was married before he became a slave, then his wife must be freed with him. 4 “If his master gave him a wife while he was a slave and they had sons or daughters, then only the man will be free in the seventh year, but his wife and children will still belong to his master. 5 But the slave may declare, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I don’t want to go free.’ 6 If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life."

Some of the terms we encounter in this chapter may sound offensive in the present dispensation. But back in the Bible days, these were very much acceptable. Human slaves were properties of their masters. However, we see here that God values human dignity and desires willing service rather than forced obedience. (Deuteronomy 15:12-17, Leviticus 25:39-43)

In the same way, in our relationship with God, we should know that He values freedom and dignity, and that genuine obedience to His laws should flow from the love we have for Him.

2. Protection for the Vulnerable (Verses 7-11)
““When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are. 8 If she does not satisfy her owner, he must allow her to be bought back again. But he is not allowed to sell her to foreigners, since he is the one who broke the contract with her. 9 But if the slave’s owner arranges for her to marry his son, he may no longer treat her as a slave but as a daughter. 10 “If a man who has married a slave wife takes another wife for himself, he must not neglect the rights of the first wife to food, clothing, and sexual intimacy. 11 If he fails in any of these three obligations, she may leave as a free woman without making any payment."

God is consistently concerned and protective of those who are vulnerable and powerless. As we see here protecting female servants from neglect, abuse, and unfair treatment. He is the Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows (Deuteronomy 24:17, Psalm 68:5)

Throughout Scripture, God reveals Himself as the defender of the oppressed and neglected.
We should advocate for the vulnerable. God expects justice and compassion in all relationships.We should use our influence to protect rather than exploit.

3. The Sanctity of Human Life (Verses 12-17)
“12 “Anyone who assaults and kills another person must be put to death. 13 But if it was simply an accident permitted by God, I will appoint a place of refuge where the slayer can run for safety. 14 However, if someone deliberately kills another person, then the slayer must be dragged even from my altar and be put to death. 15 “Anyone who strikes father or mother must be put to death. 16 “Kidnappers must be put to death, whether they are caught in possession of their victims or have already sold them as slaves. 17 “Anyone who dishonors father or mother must be put to death.”

These verses address murder, accidental killing, kidnapping, and dishonouring parents. It is from this verse that the death penalty stems from. God establishes the sacred value of life and family relationships. Every human life has value because people are created in God's image. (Genesis 1:26-27, Genesis 9:6)

These days we see a world that has completely gone mad. People placing no value on human lives – mass shootings, stabbings, kidnappings are the order of the day. Not to mention the strong exploiting the weak in the name of “survival” or just for a show of strength. The Bible tells us that in the last days, perilous times will come. 2 Timothy 3:1

4. Personal Responsibility (Verses 18-21)
“18 “Now suppose two men quarrel, and one hits the other with a stone or fist, and the injured person does not die but is confined to bed. 19 If he is later able to walk outside again, even with a crutch, the assailant will not be punished but must compensate his victim for lost wages and provide for his full recovery. 20 “If a man beats his male or female slave with a club and the slave dies as a result, the owner must be punished. 21 But if the slave recovers within a day or two, then the owner shall not be punished, since the slave is his property.

The phrase "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" is what God used to establish proportional justice rather than personal revenge. The principle is accountability for one's actions. God requires people to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions. (Leviticus 24:19-20, Matthew 5:38-39, Romans 12:17-21, Galatians 6:7)

God's justice is fair, measured, and designed to prevent excessive retaliation. But we must realize that actions have consequences, seek reconciliation rather than revenge, and accept responsibility when we have caused harm.

5. The Value of Every Human Life (Verses 22-25)
“22 “Now suppose two men are fighting, and in the process they accidentally strike a pregnant woman so she gives birth prematurely. If no further injury results, the man who struck the woman must pay the amount of compensation the woman’s husband demands and the judges approve. 23 But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, 24 an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, 25 a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.”

God required accountability when injury was caused to a pregnant woman and her unborn child. God's concern extends even to life in the womb. Human life is valuable and worthy of protection and everyone is known by God. (Psalm 139:13-16, Jeremiah 1:5, Luke 1:41- 44)

6. Justice Tempered By Compassion (Verses 26-27)
“26 “If a man hits his male or female slave in the eye and the eye is blinded, he must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And if a man knocks out the tooth of his male or female slave, he must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.”

Authority must always be exercised with justice and compassion. (Micah 6:8, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 4:1). God places limits on authority and protects those under it.

•Leadership should never become oppression. (Mark 10:43-44)
•Treat those under your care fairly. (1 Peter 5:2-3)
•Use authority to serve rather than dominate. (Matthew 20:25-28)

7. Accountability for Negligence (Verses 28-36)
“28 “If an ox gores a man or woman to death, the ox must be stoned, and its flesh may not be eaten. In such a case, however, the owner will not be held liable. 29 But suppose the ox had a reputation for goring, and the owner had been informed but failed to keep it under control. If the ox then kills someone, it must be stoned, and the owner must also be put to death. 30 However, the dead person’s relatives may accept payment to compensate for the loss of life. The owner of the ox may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded. 31 “The same regulation applies if the ox gores a boy or a girl. 32 But if the ox gores a slave, either male or female, the animal’s owner must pay the slave’s owner thirty silver coins, and the ox must be stoned. 33 “Suppose someone digs or uncovers a pit and fails to cover it, and then an ox or a donkey falls into it. 34 The owner of the pit must pay full compensation to the owner of the animal, but then he gets to keep the dead animal. 35 “If someone’s ox injures a neighbor’s ox and the injured ox dies, then the two owners must sell the live ox and divide the price equally between them. They must also divide the dead animal. 36 But if the ox had a reputation for goring, yet its owner failed to keep it under control, he must pay full compensation—a live ox for the dead one—but he may keep the dead ox."

Discussion: How is biblical justice different from personal revenge?
How do we relate this with Matthew 5:38-39?

“38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
control, he must pay full compensation—a live ox for the dead one—but he may keep the dead ox.

Verse 32 of this chapter is a very difficult read because it appears that the only value to a slave's life is thirty silver coins rather than treating the person's death as a matter of justice for the victim. To better explain the context, let’s consider a few points:

(a). This law is regulating an existing social system, not endorsing it. In the ancient Near East, slavery was already a widespread institution. The laws in Exodus often function as regulations that place limits and responsibilities within that society rather than presenting God's ideal for humanity

(b). The payment is compensation for the owner's economic loss. As mentioned earlier, slaves were properties of their masters and the payment was to compensate the owner for the loss of labor and property.

One question worth asking when studying this passage is: "Is this law revealing God's ultimate ideal, or is it God restraining injustice within a fallen social system?"

You will agree that it is the latter and not the former. God holds people accountable not only for intentional wrongdoing but also for negligence. (Romans 14:12)
Love for neighbour includes preventing foreseeable harm. Romans 13:9-10
“9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

• Be a responsible steward of what God has entrusted to you. (1 Corinthians 4:1-2)
• Take reasonable steps to protect others. (Philippians 2:4)
• Consider how your actions affect people around you. (Romans 14:13)

CONCLUSION
Exodus 21 demonstrates that God's holiness is expressed not only in worship but also in the way people relate to one another in everyday life. Throughout the chapter, God reveals His concern for human dignity, the protection of the vulnerable, the sanctity of life, personal responsibility, and justice that is balanced with compassion. These laws were not merely regulations for ancient Israel; they reflected God's heart for a community where people could flourish under His righteous rule. As believers today, we must honor God not only through worship but also through the way we treat others—with integrity compassion, responsibility, and a commitment to justice.

Contributor: Esther Alajiki

INTRODUCTION
This chapter shows the deep love and compassion for humanity, God’s love is boundless but has boundaries true love requires clarity, God desires a fruitful relationship with humanity and this requires responsibility and freedom that can only flourishes within wise limits. Boundaries are not restrictions but for protection of our lives and relationships.

1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. Heavy, Burdensome or Oppressive – boundaries are not meant to weigh us down—but meant to lift us up. Boundaries protects honour and deepens love. God’s commandments are not heavy, they are loving boundaries that lead and protect our freedom. Every command protects us or someone else from being hurt. We often think that boundaries restrict or limit us, but they create safe space for flourishing, prevent chaos and exploitation and demonstrate genuine love.

God’s Love Is Boundless but Has Boundaries, God’s love has no limit in depth, reach, or endurance. God’s love is not permission for sin. His love invites us in, but His holiness shapes how we walk with Him. Love does not remove God’s standards. Instead, love calls us upward into transformation. James 4:8 — “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you"

The 10 commandments can be broken into 2 segments. The 1st Four Commandments: Love Toward God - worship, priority, and trust. The next 6 Commandments: Love Toward Others
Matthew 22:37–40 — Jesus summarizes the entire law in two commands: Love God and love your neighbour. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Romans 13:10 — Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. - Love is the essence of the law

Verse 2: Introduction and Action
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt…”

God introduces Himself as Deliverer before Lawgiver - Relationship precedes rules and obedience is a response to salvation, it should flow from gratitude. Lev 11:45/ 19:36/22:33, Num 15:41, Deut. 4:20, Judges 2:1. God is still bringing out His people from Egypt.

Verses 3-6: Idolatry
3 You shall have no other gods before Me, 4 You shall not make for yourself any idol, or any likeness (form, manifestation) of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth [as an object to worship].
5 You shall not worship them nor serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely mine], visiting
(avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers on the children [that is, calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers], to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing graciousness and steadfast lovingkindness to thousands [of generations] of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Idolatry isn’t just statues—it’s anything that replaces God - misplaced love leads to misplaced life. Your love for God must be unadulterated and non-compromised. He must be #1 in all things and at all times. The effect of idolatry is trans-generational. God does not tolerate the transfer of the honour and worship that is due Him to any other being or object. Isaiah 45:5, Isaiah 43:10, Psalm 18:31.

Verse 7: Reverence for God’s Name
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain [that is, irreverently, in false affirmations or in ways that impugn the character of God]; for the LORD will not hold guiltless nor leave unpunished the one who takes His name in vain [disregarding its reverence and its power].

The name of God must be revered, (No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter; God won’t put up with the irreverent use of his name. MSG) Using the name of God in a casual, frivolous way establishes a mind-set that diminishes and dishonours the omnipotent God. Using the name of God to abuse, manipulate, or deceive invites judgment. Lev 19:12,/ 22:32 /24:16, Deut. 5:11.

Verses 8-11 Why Rest?
Remember the Sabbath (seventh) day to keep it holy (set apart, dedicated to God). 9 Six days you shall labour and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath [a day of rest dedicated] to the LORD your God; on that day you shall not do any work, you or your son, or your daughter, or your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock or the temporary resident (foreigner) who stays within your [city] gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and everything that is in them, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy [that is, set it apart for His purposes]. Also see Gen 2:3, Deut. 5:12-14, Luke 13:10-17.

Verse 12: Honor authority—even when it’s difficult
Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land the Lord your God gives you.

Ephesians 6:1–3 — Honor your parents, God ordained them. This is a relational command for family life, honouring parents will bring stability, blessing, and longevity, both personally and communally, children must respect their role and obey Godly guidance. Children are able to learn obedience to authority, loving others, forgiveness, discipline and faith. This also carries a reward with it, long life, wellness, divine favour and stability. In situations where parents fail, a child must reflect God’s grace. Deut. 5:16 Eph 6:2 Pros 23:22 Mark 7:10

Verse 13: Value life, you cannot create and you must not destroy
You shall not commit murder (unjustified, deliberate homicide)..
Murder is an attack on the image of God, 1 John 3:15 hatred linked to murder. Murder begins in the heart, in anger, hatred, bitterness, and contempt. James 2:11 Luke 18:20, Lev 24:17, Gen 9:6, Matt 5:21-22

Verse 14: Be Faithful in Your Marriage
You shall not commit adultery
Protect covenant faithfulness, God is the 3rd person in a marriage and will judge all unfaithfulness in spite of our culture and philosophies, there is no excuse for adultery not even revenge cheating, adultery brings trauma into lives. It has emotional and spiritual consequences. Malachi 2:13-16 , Hebrews 13:4 Honour marriage, Jesus amplified this commandment in Matt 5:27, 28. Not only is adultery forbidden, but also any act of sexual impurity or unchastity, and any form of pornography or other obscenity. Prov. 6:32. Matt 5:27-28. Heb. 13:4, Mark 10:11-12, Gal 5:19

Verse 15: Stealing
You shall not steal [secretly, openly, fraudulently, or through carelessness].
All forms of stealing are sins from people or places, physical or mental, respect others provision and possession. Eph 4:28, Mark 10:19, Rom 13:8-10, James 5:4

Verse 16: Lying
You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbour (any person).
Be a truth teller and preserver. Are you known for being truthful? John 8:44-47,Eph 4:25, Pro 26:18-19/ 6:16-19, Pro 26:28, Lev 19:12, Deut 5:20.

Verse 17: Covetousness
You shall not covet [that is, selfishly desire and attempt to acquire] your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour. (Don’t set your heart on anything that is your neighbor’s. MSG)
Guard the heart from discontent and envy. Coveting steals present joy and peace. Deut 5:21, Romans 7:7-8.

Verses 18-21: God loves everyone, but intimacy with Him is conditional
Now all the people witnessed the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the smoking mountain; and as they looked, the people were afraid, and they trembled [and moved backward] and stood at a [safe] distance. 19Then they said to Moses, You speak to us and we will listen, but do not let God speak to us or we will die. 20 Moses said to the people, Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him [that is, a profound reverence for Him] will remain with you, so that you do not sin. 21 So the people stood at a [safe] distance, but Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.

Verses 22-26: The Conditions
Then the LORD said to Moses, Thus you shall say to the Israelites, ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven. 23 You shall not make other
gods [to worship] besides Me; gods of silver or gods of gold, you shall not make [these lifeless idols] for yourselves. 24 You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause My Name to be recorded and remembered [through revelation of My divine nature] I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you use a chisel on it, you will profane it. 26 Nor shall you go up to My altar on steps, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.’

Revelation 21:8 - But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

Romans 13:9-10 - For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

CONCLUSION
God’s boundaries are not barriers but they are for our protection. God’s boundaries are expressions of love, not restriction. They guard our purpose, peace, and destiny. Psalm 16:6, Your pleasant path leads me to pleasant places. I’m overwhelmed by the privileges that come with following you!, (The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places) Psalm 119:105, His Word guides our steps, Proverbs 3:5–6, His direction keeps us from destruction not a means of restriction. We respond to God’s limitless love by living within His loving boundaries.
God’s love is boundless in its reach but has boundaries in its requirements. His love welcomes us freely, he loves us personally, transforms us deeply, and guides us safely. His boundless love does not mean boundary less living. He does not change goal posts.
God loves without limits but leads with loving limits.

Contributor: Adewale Abiona

INTRODUCTION
In our previous study, we saw how wise counsel saved Moses from weariness and how delegating assignments helped him serve the people better. There is no point in asking for counsel if you have no intention of considering it. Moses’ obedience to excellent counsel, demonstrated his humble nature and his qualities as a good leader, who sought God’s guidance in his service to the people he was appointed to lead. Moses did not reject Jethro’s advice out of pride or stubbornness but accepted it as a wise and beneficial suggestion.
In today’s, study, we will be considering the Encounter with God and the preparation requirements, needed to meet with the Lord. What was recorded in Exodus 3:2 and verse 12, came alive in this chapter. It shows God’s faithfulness to His promises, even when men are unfaithful.

Verses 1-2
Third month after leaving the land of Egypt, the children of Israel arrived at the desert of Sinai and camped before the mountain. In those three months, they experienced God’s miraculous power (red sea parted, divine supply of strange food and water) and they have come to rely on Him daily for guidance. This is the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s Word to Moses in Exodus 3:12, So He said, “I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”

Sinai was the place where Moses met God at the burning bush Exo. 3:2, this was where God said that the children of Israel will serve Him. Exo. 5:1. This is a special place God has prepared, a holy ground where they will meet and encounter what Moses had experienced.

Reflection: When God called us out of slavery, He called us to come into father and sons’ relationship, where we can truly and fully experience all that is in stock for us.

Verses 3-4

The Lord called Moses from the mountain and gave him instruction for the people. He was to remind them what the Lord did in a specific wording ‘You people saw what I did to the people of Egypt. You saw that I carried you out of Egypt like an eagle and brought you here to me’
God’s special love strength and power was displayed in this statement and His purpose was clear. They were delivered to be with Him. He brought them to His mountain so that they can have fellowship.

Reflection: Revelation 4:11 alludes to that fact that God created this special relationship for us, delivered us from sin and bondage so that we can live for Him alone.

Verses 5-6
He further explains His plan, the kind of bond He wanted to establish with His people.
A bond that is based on trust. Trust is the key ingredient in believing people’s words.
“5 If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

Only if the people knew that this was a call to a higher and very special place in God’s plan, they would indeed have obeyed. We will see later in this study that they deviated from keeping the covenant.

Reflection: God wants to use us as an example and as an instrument to reach the rest of the world. Ephesians 1:15-18 Apostle Paul prayed for our eyes of understanding of the purpose of God’s calling to be opened. So that when we discover the purpose of His calling, we will indeed cherish and treasure the opportunity and cling to the grace bestowed upon us. Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also
1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6 These 2 scriptures describe who God called us to be, and what He intends to accomplish through us.

Verses 7-9
So Moses came and called for the elders of the people and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him. 8Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” So, Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord. 9And the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever.”

Here the people agreed to do all that the Lord required of them.
The people truly and freely agreed with their mouths but not with their hearts. Hence the reason they turned to idol worshipping, when Moses did not return from the mountain on time or as quickly as they expected him. Exo. 32:1.
Moses was the God in their heart while the living God was only on their lips. Lips service to the unseen God but true service to mortal or an image. Matthew 15:8

Reflection: Is our relationship just lips service to God?
Do we just say ‘Yes’ to His will and His way from our mouth not with our heart? Do we seek alternative options when God does respond in line with our own timing?
This is the reality of some believers. Some will not come to God until a pastor, prophet or an apostle is leading. They will not hear the voice of God for themselves and when they come to a gathering, they just want to hear their future from the seer. What about what is written in the Word of God? That is just a book, but what man will say will suit their hearing better.

This was the reason for a new covenant Hebrews 8:8-11
8 But God found fault with the people and said: “The days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 9 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.

Verses 10-15
In preparation to meet with God, Moses gave the following conditions as received from the Lord:
a. Two days of consecration in preparation to meet the Lord on the 3rd day.
b. Put boundaries in place
c. Only at the sound of the trumpet can they come close
d. They must wash their clothes.
e. Abstain from sexual connection with their wives

Reflection:
• Two days of consecrations means to set yourself apart, deliberately as a choice to surrender yourself to God. Two days of this will teach us on how to wait patiently on God’s own timing, Psalm 40:1 and prepared to meet with him on the third day.
• Boundaries not to come near a splendid view that will unfold before them on the 3rd day is to help us put our feelings and emotion under check. 1 Corinthians 9:27; Proverbs 25:28.
• Death as a deterrent to help us make the right choice. Deut. 30:19
• At the trumpet sound is a lesson on following instructions as a demonstration of our love for Him. John 14:15. Obedient is better than sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22.
• Washing clothes signifies cleanliness and holiness. Psalm 24:3-4
• To abstain from sex does not mean that legitimate sexual connection makes you unclean, this was just a special requirement for this occasion, the one that help us to put our desires under control and prioritize our relationship with God, demonstrating our love for Him above all others. 1 Corinthians 10:22-23.

An expedient action is a practical, efficient, or advantageous action taken to achieve a specific goal. It is often a "quick fix" or temporary measure that prioritizes convenience and results over long-term fairness, consistency, or strict moral principles In the New Testament, expediency is often tied to spiritual maturity and love for others.

Verses 16-19
God’s power was in full display. His glory and presence was over the mountain, and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of
the mountain that was completely in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire.

Reflection: We should ask ourselves, what our is experience today, when we come to the gathering place of the elect? As praise goes up, do we draw closer to Him? Do we hear His voice?

Verses 20-22
Then the Lord came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. The Lord again sent him to go down and warn the people, lest they break through the boundaries to gaze at the Lord, and many of them perish. He again demands consecration from the priest who come near the Lord.
Reflection: God’s gracious kindness means that He still comes down into our gathering when our hearts are not fully set to obey or ready to offer Him our best. He will again warn us to obey Him.

Verses 23-25
But Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai; for You warned us, saying, ‘Set bounds around the mountain and consecrate it.’”

Refection: “How can I tell my child not to go near fire and yet he goes? - That is not possible God” was Moses reaction here. But that is just who we are. But His mercy is what we are enjoying according to Lamentations 3:22-23.

CONCLUSION

Coming to God’s presence is a sacred thing and must be treated as such. We can equate coming to church as a meeting place where we gather to meet with God and fellowship with Him. However, the way we conduct ourselves in places of worship nowadays, is far from what God requires. Our preparation is not what this study has highlighted for us.
This is a wakeup call for all of us to turn a new leaf, if we are to experience His power and feel His presence. God is always present, but that is not the experience of many. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20.

Prayer: Ask the Lord for grace to be faithful to your side of the covenant, to do what is required to experience His power and feel His presence every second, every minute, every hour and all the days of your life.

Contributor: Clinton Alex Chollom

INTRODUCTION
In this Chapter, Moses had an encounter with his father-in-law, Jethro, that teaches him a valuable lesson about how to lead God’s people. The Bible is primarily a book about redemption, not leadership. However, since God generally leads His people through others, and since God desires that the leaders of His people be capable and qualified, the Bible does give us both principles of good leadership, as well as specific qualities that leaders should embody. In this Chapter, we see some of both.
In chapter 18 the Lawgiver (Moses) who has previously been the advice giver is the one been advised. He is given advice to organize the elders to assist. Thus, when the Law is fully revealed, a system will be in place to administer it. One very important point from this passage is that a great leader humbly accepts advice from another Godly believer to delegate responsibility. He does not try to do it all himself; God does not want one individual to do it all.

This Chapter highlights severally key lessons which will be discussed in more details.
i. Firstly, it shows the fulfilment of God’s promise to Moses in Exodus 4:27, that he would see his family again after he had done what God commanded him in Egypt.

ii. Secondly, it shows the recognition and worship of the true God by Jethro, a priest of Midian, who was not an Israelite, but a descendant of Abraham through his second wife Keturah (Genesis 25:1–2). This foreshadows the inclusion of the Gentiles in God’s salvation plan, as well as the role of the priests in teaching and mediating God’s law.

iii. Thirdly, it shows the establishment of a judicial system in Israel, based on the principle of delegation and representation. This prepares the way for the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, and the formation of a covenant community under God’s rule.

iv. Fourthly, it shows the wisdom and humility of Moses, who was willing to listen to Jethro’s counsel and to share his authority and responsibility with others. This demonstrates the qualities of a good leader, who seeks God’s guidance and the welfare of the people.

EXEGESIS:
Outline
i. Understanding Delegation.
ii. Jethro brings Moses’ wife and sons back to him (1-6).
iii. Jethro expresses faith in God and offers a sacrifice to Him (7-12).
iv. Jethro observes and counsels Moses on his judicial role (13-23)
v. Moses follows Jethro’s advice and bids him farewell (24-27)

i. Understanding Delegation
Delegation, the act, and the art of entrusting tasks and responsibilities to others, is a fundamental aspect of effective leadership. Delegation when done well is one of the most powerful tools a leader has. It is not just about saving time in fact “research from Gallup shows that leaders who delegate effectively generate 33% more revenue than those who didn’t.” Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself demonstrated profitability as a kingdom trait (Matt 25:14-30).

ii. Jethro brings Moses’ wife and sons back to him (1-6)
“1And Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses’ father-in-law, heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel His people—that the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after he had sent her back, 3with her two sons, of whom the name of one was Gershom (for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land”) 4and the name of the other was Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”); 5and Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, came with his sons and his wife to Moses in the wilderness, where he was encamped at the mountain of God. 6Now he had said to Moses, “I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons with her.”

This section introduces the main characters of the chapter: Jethro, the priest of Midian and Moses’ father-in-law; Zipporah, Moses’ wife; and Gershom and Eliezer, Moses’ sons. Their names reflect their experiences and identities: Jethro means “his excellence” or “his abundance”; Zipporah means “bird” or “sparrow”; Gershom means “a stranger there”; and Eliezer means “my God is help”.

God had declared His purpose to show He was the real God and the Egyptian gods were not. Jethro had heard of what had happened in Egypt. Even at that time, news travelled pretty fast, probably mostly through merchants and traders. Apparently, Moses hadn’t had any contact with Jethro yet, but Jethro took the initiative to seek him out based on the news he had heard. This is clear evidence that God’s purpose was accomplished. People far and wide must have heard what had happened in Egypt. This gave many people the chance to believe who might not have known much about God before.
Jethro brought Moses’ family back to him. There is no record of how Moses’ family went back to Jethro. Very likely Moses sent them back for their safety. Egypt would not have been comfortable or easy at that time. Their lives were constantly threatened. Although Moses needed to be there to accomplish God’s plans, he wanted to protect his family during this time. We don’t know all the backgrounds or reasons for this decision, so it is hard to evaluate.

Question
From the above outline, we see Moses had to leave his family for Egypt to follow his divine calling. Similarly, in our current dispensation, couples in various cases separate most specifically in search for greener pasture. What are the effects of this separation and how can it be remediated when it is not avoidable?

iii. Jethro expresses faith in God and offers a sacrifice to Him (7-12)
7So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law, bowed down, and kissed him. And they asked each other about their well-being, and they went into the tent. 8And Moses told his father-in-law all that the Lord had done to Pharaoh and to the Egyptians for Israel’s sake, all the hardship that had come upon them on the way, and how the Lord had delivered them. 9Then Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the Lord had done for Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians. 10And Jethro said, “Blessed be the Lord, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharaoh, and who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them.” 12Then Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, took a burnt offering and other sacrifices to offer to God. And Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat bread with Moses’ father-in-law before God.

We have to respect the person we receive counsel from. We must be humble and respectful. It is best to ask someone we respect. Moses respected his father-in-law and this was the foundation for the counselling relationship they would have later. Although he was the leader of all Israel, the prophet from God, had seen God in the burning bush, talked with God face to face, relayed God’s messages to people, stood up to and defeated Egypt, he was not prideful. He didn’t ask Jethro to bow to him, but instead honoured him by bowing to Jethro. This is right because the Bible says to honour your parents (Eph 6:1). He approached the relationship not as the greater and not as equals, but as a son.

Moses tells Jethro clearly in detail of what God had done for them. Jethro had heard some about it, but probably just bits and pieces. Also, the source of his news wasn’t nearly as firsthand as Moses, but more like a rumour mill passed on from one to another or people who saw from a distance. Also, the people who shared wouldn’t have shared from a background of belief in God. All these reasons are why Moses needed to tell Jethro directly what had happened.

Notice that Moses gives God all the credit. He doesn’t take it for himself. He said it was what the Lord had done to Pharaoh and that the Lord had delivered them. If Moses wanted credit this would be any place to get it because Jethro wasn’t there or an eyewitness. Moses could have exaggerated his own heroics and played down God’s involvement. But he didn’t. All the credit belonged to God and Moses gave it to Him.
Jethro’s response indicates he is a believer in God. If he wasn’t a complete believer before, he was now. This is yet another example that God’s purpose was accomplished in Egypt.

iv. Jethro observes and counsels Moses on his judicial role (13-23)
13And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” 15And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.” 17So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. 18Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself. 19Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. 20And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. 21Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you. 23If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.”

This outline highlights Jethro’s wisdom and insight into the problem of Moses’ workload and the solution of delegation and representation. Jethro saw that Moses was spending all day judging the people, who came to him to inquire of God. He asked Moses why he was doing this alone, and what the people’s purpose was. Moses explained that he was acting as God’s mediator and judge, and that he was teaching the people God’s statutes and laws. Jethro recognized that this was not good for Moses or the people, and that it would wear them out. He told Moses that the task was too heavy for him, and that he could not do it by himself. He advised Moses to listen to his voice and to do what he said. He said that this would make Moses able to endure, and that the people would go to their place in peace.

Jethro’s advice was to appoint able men from among the people, who feared God, were men of truth, and hated covetousness, to be rulers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. These men would judge the people at all times, and bring the hard cases to Moses, but judge the small matters themselves. Jethro also told Moses to teach the people God’s ordinances and laws, and to show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. Jethro’s advice was based on the principle that God is the ultimate judge and lawgiver, and that Moses and the other judges were His servants and representatives. Jethro also recognized the need for order and organization in society, and the division of labor and responsibility among the leaders. Jethro’s advice was also in line with God’s will and purpose, as he said, “If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace” (Exodus 18:23).

Question
Easier said than done, we all know delegation is an effective leadership skill but often at times relinquishing authority can be difficult. What are some practical ways for emerging leaders to practice this leadership skill effectively without forcing it?

v. Moses follows Jethro’s advice and bids him farewell (24-27)
24So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. 27Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.

Listen to counsel. Here is the climax of the whole story. Moses listened to counsel. This doesn’t mean he sat there and listened and nodded and said “yes, yes, good” and then walk away without changing anything. HE FOLLOWED THE COUNSEL. He did what Jethro suggested. There is no point in asking counsel from others just to say you did it if you didn’t plan to truly consider the counsel. God touched Jethro’s heart to tell Moses for a reason. If somebody comes to you with counsel, be willing to listen and if it seems it is God’s will, follow the counsel even if it is difficult, even if it requires sacrifice, even if it is the opposite of what you wanted to do. Jethro just appears for a little while in this story, but he had a major impact on the future course of Israel and Moses’ life. Counsel is important. Just 10 minutes of counsel or even one sentence could change the course of somebody’s entire life. Therefore, don’t throw it out casually. Think about it. Pray about it. If it is biblical, give it a try.

CONCLUSION
Moses’ obedience and humility demonstrate his qualities as a good leader, who sought God’s guidance and the welfare of the people. Moses did not reject Jethro’s advice out of pride or stubbornness but accepted it as a wise and beneficial suggestion. Moses also did not cling to his authority or power but shared it with others who were qualified and capable. Moses also did not neglect his primary role as God’s prophet and teacher but continued to instruct the people in God’s ways and will.

Contributor: Dolapo Williams

INTRODUCTION
In the last bible study, we looked at “Worship as Our First Response”. In that study, we learnt that worship is more than songs and more a surrender. We were also reminded that in all things, we are to cultivate the act of worship.
This week, we will be looking at God’s provision. Today’s study will remind us to focus on God's provision and protection during "wilderness" seasons. Remember seasons of scarcity are designed to force us out of our comfort zones and into a deeper reliance on God. The lesson of manna is about learning to trust God for daily needs rather than hoarding. God provides "enough" for our current need so rely on Him daily rather than relying on your own efforts.

EXODUS 16: TRUSTING DAILY PROVISIONS.
Verses 1-3:
The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

Think about it, Moses came to get them out of years of slavery! Even though they prayed that God will send a deliverer, when the answer (Moses) came, they rejected what they prayed for! They were fighting the deliverer asking him if “there were no graves in Egypt….”! They had one foot in Egypt (where there were pots of meat and plenty to eat) and one foot on the promise of God. Yet the moment trouble arose, they began longing for the past. Funny how selective they were about the past they remembered (how they sat by meat pots and ate bread to full).

Meanwhile, they have been brought out of Egypt for something greater than food and drinks, they have been brought out to rediscover themselves by reconnecting with God! You will NEVER find you (your identity, your self-esteem) without Him.

Verses 4-5:
Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

God promises miraculous provision in response to the people's grumbling, showing grace despite their lack of faith. The Israelites were to collect only enough for each day. This taught them to trust that God would provide again the next day, preventing anxiety. The primary goal was to see if they would follow instructions, which was a test of their obedience and reliance on God rather than their own efforts. There are so many incidents of grace when it comes to God. He is truly a God of grace and mercy.

Verses 6-16:
So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?”Moses also said, “You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD.” Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the LORD, for he has heard your grumbling.’” While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud. The LORD said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’ That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat. This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Everyone is to gather as much as they need. Take an omer for each person you have in your tent.’”

Moses and Aaron confront the people, clarifying that their complaints are not against human leadership but against God, who delivered them from Egypt. God’s glory appears in the cloud to show His presence and power, acting as both a manifestation of His presence and a sign of imminent divine action. God promises to satisfy their hunger with meat in the evening and bread (manna) in the morning. This provision is designed to teach them that He is "the Lord your God". This provision is also a test to see if the people will follow instructions and live by faith, relying on God daily, rather than accumulated, supply. Gathering manna daily taught the Israelites to trust that God would provide again the next day, rather than relying on hoarding for security—since any excess they stored spoiled. Regardless of how much was gathered, everyone had enough. It directly shows God's provision in the desert, countering their doubt.

Verses 17-20:
The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. Everyone had gathered just as much as they needed. Then Moses said to them, “No one is to keep any of it until morning.” However, some of them paid no attention to Moses; they kept part of it until morning, but it was full of maggots and began to smell. So Moses was angry with them.

The people complained about lack of food, and openly wished for the culinary situation they had back in Egypt. God provided food for them. First came meat. All the meat they could eat. It literally fell from the sky as huge numbers of quail on their migration from one part of the region to another got tired and dropped to the ground in mass just as they happened to be flying over Israel’s encampment. Then came the bread. Once again, God miraculously demonstrated both His ability and His willingness to take care of them.

People who gathered a lot because that’s what they needed had enough. People who gathered just a little because that was all they needed had plenty too. Because God was going to give them enough for each day, they didn’t need to save any of it. This was the point of the test. Did they really trust in God’s character? Did they trust Him enough to do what He said?

Verses 21-30:
Each morning everyone gathered as much as they needed, and when the sun grew hot, it melted away. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. He said to them, “This is what the LORD commanded: ‘Tomorrow is to be a day of Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’” So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it. “Eat it today,” Moses said, “because today is a Sabbath to the LORD. You will not find any of it on the ground today. Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.” Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none. Then the LORD said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? Bear in mind that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.” So the people rested on the seventh day.

God commanded them to gather manna six days a week and rest on the seventh, establishing the Sabbath. The miracle of a "double portion" on the sixth day which did not spoil allowing them to rest on the seventh day. It was not merely about doing "no work," but rather a rest from labour of providing for themselves. When some people disobeyed and went to gather manna on the seventh day, they found nothing. God used this to teach obedience, trust, and to break their reliance on their own labour, encouraging them to rest in His provision.

Verses 31-36:
The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Take an omer of manna and keep it for the generations to come, so they can see the bread I gave you to eat in the wilderness when I brought you out of Egypt.’” So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a jar and put an omer of manna in it. Then place it before the LORD to be kept for the generations to come.” As the LORD commanded Moses, Aaron put the manna with the tablets of the covenant law, so that it might be preserved. The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan. (An omer is one-tenth of an ephah.)

These verses establish a lasting testimony of how God fed Israel in the wilderness for 40 years until they reached the Promised Land, connecting this miraculous sustenance to the sacred ark of the covenant. God commands Moses to have Aaron fill a jar (or omer) with manna and place it inside the Ark of the Covenant ("before the Testimony") to be preserved for future generations. This served as a tangible witness to God's miraculous provision during their wilderness journey. The Israelites ate this manna for 40 years; from the time they entered the wilderness until they reached the borders of Canaan.

EXODUS 17: MANAGING "ROAD RAGE" AND ANXIETY.
Verses 1-4:
The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin, traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarrelled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?” But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” Then Moses cried out to the LORD, “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.”

The Israelites did exactly what God commanded, following the pillar of cloud and fire; yet there was no water to drink. They were in the will of God but in a difficult time. It is possible to be completely in the will of God yet also in a season of great problems. The people focused their complaint against Moses, but Moses understood that their problem was with the LORD. The lack of water wasn’t Moses’ fault. But as the leader, he had to lead them to the answer – and crying out to the LORD was the right way to lead them to the solution.

Verses 5-6:
The LORD answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel.

If God had not stood upon the rock, Moses would have struck it in vain. Means must be used, but only depend on God for success. You shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it: Moses was commanded, in the presence of the LORD, to strike the rock with his rod, and water would gush forth to satisfy the thirst of God’s people. Collaboration with God: While God provides, humans have a responsibility to act such as Moses striking the rock. This was a remarkable miracle. Moses (and everyone else) knew that water does not normally come from rocks in such a way.

Verses 7-11:
And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarrelled and because they tested the LORD saying, “Is the LORD among us or not? The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.

Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill so they could see, so they could be seen, and so that they could pray. Moses supported the battle behind the scenes, busy in prayer. The fate of Israel in battle depended on Moses’ intercession because when he prayed Israel prevailed and when he stopped praying Amalek prevailed. This amazing passage shows us that life or death for Israel depended on the prayers of one man. Moses prayed as we should pray with passion, believing that life and death perhaps eternally depended on prayer.

Verses 12-13:
When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Aaron and Hur came alongside Moses and literally held his hands up in prayer. They helped him and partnered with him in intercession. Their help was successful. Though this was Moses’ work to do, it was more than he could do by himself. Moses alone could not win the battle of prayer. He needed others to come by his side and strengthen him in prayer. Exodus 17, emphasizes the importance of community and support systems (like Aaron and Hur holding up Moses' hands) to maintain victory. We can conclude that many times the people of God are defeated today because they will not pray, or prayer does not support their work. Nevertheless, Joshua had to fight. Praying Moses did not eliminate what Joshua had to do. The battle was won with prayer, but also through normal instruments – the work of the army, led by Joshua.

Verses 14-16:
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the LORD, the LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

And Moses built an altar and called its name, THE-LORD-IS-MY-BANNER: Though Moses knew his prayer was important, he wasn’t foolish enough to think that he won the battle. As an act of worship he built an altar and praised God (returning all glory back to Him). In this chapter, we see examples of God’s power and man’s effort working together. We sometimes are even more aware of the power and the help of God when we work together with Him than we are when God does the work all by Himself.

CONCLUSION
God is teaching us to trust in Him. After all, that they have been through He is still sensitive to the fact that they are not used to a God who will be faithful to them and so, bit by bit, He is trained them to learn to trust in Him. He does the same thing with us, each day. We step out in what faith we have and He, in His compassion and lovingkindness, helps us to grow that faith.

We are being told these stories so that we will know and understand our own tendencies as people. God, in His wisdom and kindness, not only gives us guidelines (commandments) on how to live our lives successfully, but He also gives us examples of what happens when we turn from Him and what happens when we turn to Him. What a loving Father He is!

Contributor: Ayomide Oladipo

INTRODUCTION
In our last study of Exodus chapters 13 and 14, we learnt about 2 significant incidents in the journey of the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt to the Promise Land. In chapter 13 our teacher took us through 3 important concepts; Consecration, Remembrance and God's Guidance. We learnt according to I Corinthians 5:7 “Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us” that we are not living for ourselves but for Christ. Just like the firstborn of Israel were spared from the destruction in Egypt, and they were urged to remember it continually, God is also urging us today to live in the consciousness that it’s no longer us that live but Christ that lives in us. This consciousness gives us an assurance of the presence of God with us. It teaches us that “we are not navigating life alone. God goes before us, even when He leads us the long way, because He knows what we need.”

In chapter 14, we saw the great deliverance of Israel from the hands of the army of Egypt. God parted the Red Sea, lead His children through by His presence and destroyed the Egyptian army in the sea by His great power. This tell us that our God is dependable even in hopeless situations.
In our study today, we will be looking at the response of the children of Israel following the great deliverance at the Red sea.

THE SONG OF SALVATION: WORSHIP AS OUR FIRST RESPONSE
Following the destruction of the army of Egypt, there was a great calm in the camp of the children of Israel. The prophesy Moses gave in Exodus 14:13 “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, standstill, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever.” Has now come to pass.

Israel saw the mighty deliverance of God; this deliverance gave them a deeper revelation of who God is. This knowledge of God became their songs of worship to God.

1. THE PEOPLE THAT DO KNOW THEIR GOD – VERSES 1-8
In “Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. 3 The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name. 4. Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the red sea. 5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 6 Thy right hand, O Lord, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O Lord, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sent forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble. 8 And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as a heap, and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.”

Moses and the children of Israel sang to God. Their songs were not mere songs, they were deep revelations of the different dimensions of God. They acknowledged that it was the Lord that defeated Egypt’s horses and their riders. Israel sang to God knowing they could not have fought the war themselves, this speaks of the Jehovah Nissi dimension of God.

God is not passive about defending His children, our God is a compassionate and merciful God, but when it comes to defending us His children, the Lord is a man of war, Isaiah 59:19 “So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”

God is not a waster, every experience He takes us through, is because there is something about Himself He wants to reveal to us. Daniel 11:32: “And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits.”
As believers when we go through challenging times, we often ask ourselves, ‘why Lord?’, ‘Why me?’, and sometime the devil whispers defeat and discouraging words. We must understand that God’s system of bring His children into more depth with Him is to give them revelations of Himself, and those revelations often come during trying times.

2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18 “16. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perishes, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 18. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

2. DEEP REFLECTION IN WORSHIP - VERSES 9-13
“9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. 10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 11 Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? 12 Thou stretched out thy right hand; the earth swallowed them.13 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation.”

The worship the children of Israel raised to God were deep and very thoughtful. The more they worshiped God;

a) The more they understood (The situation): Worship gave them a new perspective, physically, there was no record of a conversation between the host of Egypt and Israel, but while they worshipped, they caught a revelation of the conversations that pharaoh had with his armies in Exodus 14: 5-8 when they pursued the children of Israel after they had left. The intensity of worship they gave to God produced deeper revelation of what had just happened to them. Prophet Elisha also used this principle as well when the king of Moab came against Israel, Judah, and Edom. Prophet Elisha revealed there would be a miraculous supply of water and victory When the allied army faces a water shortage in the desert.
2 Kings 3: 15-16 “But now bring me a musician. Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, thus says the Lord: Make this valley full of ditches. 17 For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.”

b) Worship exalts God above our circumstances and magnifies the power of God in us. This teaches us that the more we worship the more revelation we get and the more revelation we get the more faith is built in us.

c) The more they knew God and His Power: Vs 11 and 12 shows the children of Israel began to worship God personally, their worship crystalised the power and the greatness of God within them. They attested to the glory and the holiness of God, their worship magnified the Glory of God among them. They also testified of His power, this are revelation about God that worship revelled to them and will revel to us as we engage this mystery in our walk with God.

d) The more they knew God’s character: One of the core characters of God is that He is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger Exodus 34:5; Psalm 103:8. In Vs 13 we saw the children of Israel acknowledge Gods mercy.

3. PROPHESYING IN WORSHIP – VERSES 14-21
“14 The people shall hear and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15 Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O Lord, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased. 17 Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. 18 The Lord shall reign for ever and ever. 19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the Lord brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. 20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. 21 And Miriam answered them, sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”

As the children of Israel worshipped, the spirit of prophesy came upon them. The words that had been spoken were not apparent but prophetic words as they worshipped God. Worship brings us to the holy of holies where revelation knowledge of God is in abundance. Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah as Jehosaphat was worshipping and praying to God when 3 nations came against them and Jahaziel prophesised their victory and how to get the victory - 2 Chronicles 20
As we worship God, we programme our reality through speaking, and we can’t speak accurately unless we see accurately by the Spirit of God. Worship brings and surrounds us with the presence of God.

4. THE WRONG RESPONSE: MURMURING – VERSES 22-27
“22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore, the name of it was called Marah. 24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, what shall we drink? 25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them 26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that heals thee. 27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.”

Three days after the spectacular experience they had at the Red sea, the children of Israel encountered a new challenge that made them to quickly question God. But we could see that God showed them mercy. God was more determined to reveal Himself to them as provider than punishing them for their murmuring.

CONCLUSION
As believers, we must have a settled assurance of God as our Father and a good Father, murmuring shows us there is something about God they we don’t know. Worship is more than songs, it is more than the sound of cymbals and orchestras, worship is a surrender. Our worship to God must go beyond what we feel, it must be rooted in our knowledge of Him. Worship is a weapon of warfare, any situation we find ourselves, our first response must be worship, this immediately invites the presence of God into that situation which become our salvation out of such situation. In all things we must cultivate the act of worship.

Contributor: Tola Ekundayo

INTRODUCTION
In last week’s study of Exodus chapters 11 and 12 we learnt about the final plague and the birth of Israel as a redeemed nation through the Passover. We saw that because of Pharaoh’s persistent stubbornness and refusal to honour God, the Lord declared the death of every firstborn in Egypt while providing a specific way for His people to be spared. We learnt that each Israelite household had to sacrifice a lamb without blemish and apply its blood to their wooden doorposts, serving as a sign for the Lord to "pass over" them and protect them from the impending judgment. At
midnight, the plague struck every Egyptian house, leading a broken Pharaoh to surrender and urge the Israelites to leave immediately after 430 years living in Egypt and many years as slaves.

CHAPTER 13 – SET APART: LIVING AS GOD'S REDEEMED PEOPLE
Exodus 13 follows immediately after the final plague, which is the death of all the firstborn in Egypt. God has dramatically and powerfully redeemed His people from slavery.
The ten plagues have concluded. Pharaoh has finally let Israel go after the death of every firstborn in Egypt. God has just performed the most extraordinary act of redemption in the Old Testament — He passed over the homes marked with the blood of the lamb and spared His people. And after 430 years living in Egypt, Israel begins their journey out of Egypt, God gives instructions, not just for the journey, but for how they are to remember and live as a redeemed people for all generations.
This study explores what it means to be 'set apart', consecrated to God, and how Israel's redemption
in Exodus points us to our own redemption through Jesus Christ.

Now, before Israel takes even one step into the wilderness, God gives them instructions on how to remember, commemorate, and live as a redeemed people. 'My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;' Proverbs 3:1 

1. Consecration of the Firstborn (Verses 1-2)
The word 'consecrate' means to set apart, to make holy, to dedicate exclusively to God. God commands that every firstborn — both human and animal —be consecrated to Him.
Why the firstborn? Because God had spared Israel's firstborn when He struck down Egypt's. The firstborn's life was literally redeemed, bought back, by the blood of the Passover lamb. Their life
now belonged to God.
I Corinthians 6:19-20 “… and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; …”
I Corinthians 5:7 'Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly
are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us'.
This now means that we now belong to God.

2. The Remembrance (Verses 3–16)
The Feast of Unleavened Bread describes the "How-To" remember what God has done for the Israelites from generation to generation. God commands them to physically change their diet and
their surroundings to remember their redemption. Verse 9: "It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the Lord ’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt”.

We often forget God’s work the moment the pressure is off. God commands Israel to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days every year, in the month of Abib. This was not a suggestion —it was a perpetual reminder of who they were and what God had done.
In our world today we can liken or symbolise leaven (yeast) in the Scripture to sin and corruption (1 Cor 5:6 - 8). Removing leaven from their homes was a physical act that pointed to a spiritual reality — that they should leave behind the old life of slavery and sin and see themselves as children of the

Most High God, same thing applies to us today. Romans 8:1.
Being set apart is not just a private, internal experience. It is expressed in community practices, family rhythms, and intentional remembrance. God built remembrance into the calendar of His people.

3. Led by God’s Guidance —The Pillar of Cloud and Fire (Verses 17–22)
The "right way" or the "short way"? Vs17, God intentionally avoids the path of the Philistines. Even though it was closer, He knew they weren't ready for the battle. Trusting God in the journey of life is important because He knows everything. He chose the longer path – not to punish them, but to protect and prepare them for the journey to the Promised Land. When God leads us in the journey, we might begin to think we are being punished when Ge takes us through the long route, sometimes the 'longer route' is an act of grace, not delay however, HIS ways are not our ways (Isa 55:8-9)

Note that God did not abandon them after delivering them from the hands of Pharaoh, HE led them with His presence: the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. God is a constant, visible guide, even when the path is unexpected or we don’t understand it. The Holy Spirit is our guide today. just as the pillar went before Israel, the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. We are never without divine guidance (John 16:13).
Deuteronomy 7:6, For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

As we conclude chapter 13 let us reflect on these three things:
• Consecration — Redemption creates belonging. We are set apart because we have been bought by God with the blood of Jesus Christ.
• Remembrance—We are called to live lives of active, deliberate remembrance. Practice it, talk about it, live the life and reflect it in our community. Let us remember who we are and what God has done.
• God's Guidance — We are not navigating life alone. God goes before us, even when He leads us the long way, because He knows what we need.

CHAPTER 14: RED SEA CROSSING: FAITH IN IMPOSSIBLE PLACES
Chapter14 records one of the most dramatic and defining moments in the history of the Israelites — the crossing of the Red Sea. Trapped between Pharaoh's pursuing army and the waters of the sea, Israel faces what appears to be certain destruction. It is in this impossible place that God performs a miracle that will be remembered and proclaimed from generation to generation and for thousands of years to come. Psalms 46:1 says that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. This chapter is not just a historical account of Israel's deliverance. It is a profound study in the anatomy of faith — what it looks like to trust God when circumstances are overwhelming, when fear takes hold, and when the way forward is completely impossible by human means.

Israel has just left Egypt after years of slavery. They are a nation of former slaves with no training, unorganised, and vulnerable. God deliberately led them toward the Red Sea (not the shorter route), and then instructed Moses to camp by the sea. This looked like a strategic blunder — they were hemmed in or trapped between the mountains, the sea and the Egyptian army. Psalms 18:30 says “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.'

1. The Dead End by Design (Verses 1–9)
Pharaoh, having let them go, has a change of heart. He mobilises his entire chariot army made up of 600 choice chariots plus all the others, and pursues Israel. From a human perspective, Israel is completely trapped: the sea ahead, mountains on each side, and the most powerful military force of the ancient world behind them.
God intentionally led them to a place where they were “hemmed in”. God tells Moses He will harden Pharaoh’s heart (v. 4). Why would God lead His people into a situation that looks like a tactical error? The purpose was not about the survival of the Israelites but it is about God’s glory being known by the Egyptians (and the world).

2. The Crisis: Fear vs Faith — Israel's Response (Verses 10–14)
When Israel saw the Egyptian army, they did two things: they cried out to the Lord, and they complained to Moses. This is not unusual, fear can drive us simultaneously toward God in desperation and away from Him in doubt.
Their complaint is telling: 'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?' (Vs 11, 12). They had already rewritten the story in their minds. In their fear, slavery in Egypt suddenly looked preferable to freedom in the wilderness. Fear distorts memory and perspective.

Moses' response is one of the great declarations of faith, it contains four powerful commands:
1. "Do not be afraid". Fear is acknowledged and directly addressed. God does not dismiss our fear, rather He speaks into it.
2. "Stand still." There are times when faith is not about rushing forward but about holding your position and refusing to retreat in panic.
3. "See the salvation of the Lord." Moses is pointing their eyes away from the Egyptians and toward God. Faith redirects our gaze.
4. "The Lord will fight for you; and you shall hold your peace". This is not about being passive, it is trust. It is the posture of someone who has stopped relying or trusting in his own strength and is waiting for God to act.

Jesus speaks the same Word to us today in John 14:27 'Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

3. God's Command — Move Forward (Verses 15–18)
There is a remarkable tension in the text. Moses has just told Israel to 'be still', and now God tells Moses: 'Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.' There is a time to wait on God in stillness, and there is a time when God says: 'Enough waiting, now act in faith.' The question is not whether to be still or to move. It is being sensitive enough to God to know what He wants you to do in any given moment. Faith isn't just standing still; it is moving toward the water before it parts, even when it makes no human sense.

God's instruction is startling in its specificity: raise your staff, stretch out your hand, and the waters will divide. God gives Moses a clear, concrete action to take, the action itself is utterly insufficient without divine power. A staff stretched over a sea does nothing on its own and makes no sense to us as human being. This is the nature of obedient faith: do what God says, trusting that He will do what only He can do.

God stated the purpose in verses 17–18: 'And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honour over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord , when I have gained honour for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen”.

God is not only rescuing Israel, He is making Himself known. Impossible situations are often the very contexts in which God's glory is most clearly revealed. Our God specialises in impossibilities.
God often waits for us to exhaust our own solutions before He acts, this is not to punish us, but to ensure that when the miracle comes, there is no question about who did it. The glory must be His alone. Isaiah 42:8 says: “I am the Lord, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.'
Ephesians 3:20 says 'Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”

4. The Miracle — God Fights for His People (Verses 19–31)
The angel of God who had been leading Israel, moves to stand behind them, between them and the Egyptian army. The pillar of cloud brings darkness to the Egyptians and light to Israel. God positions Himself as a shield between His people and their enemy.

Then, through the night, God drives back the sea with a strong east wind. The waters divide, and Israel walks through on dry ground —with walls of water standing on their right and left. The very thing that had seemed like an impassable barrier becomes their highway of deliverance. This is a profound move of God: what looks like the end can be the very gateway God uses for His greatest works. The obstacle becomes the road.

When the Egyptians pursue, chaos descends on them. Their chariot wheels are removed, and they cry out in recognition: “Let us flee from the face of Israel, for the Lord fights for them against the Egyptians” Vs 25. But it is too late. The waters return, and the entire Egyptian army is destroyed. Romans 8:31 – What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

CONCLUSION
This chapter talks about three important lessons:
- The Impossible Situation: God deliberately led His people into an “impossible” place. Our hardest moments are not outside His plan.
- Our response to faith: Faith says 'Do not be afraid; stand firm; move forward' — even when we cannot see how God will act.
- His move – The Mighty Deliverance: God fights for His people. He makes a way through the impossible, and He receives all the glory.
The crossing of red sea is not just Israel's story, it is our story today. In Christ, God has led us out of a greater Egypt (sin and death. Romans 8:1 says There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit), and He continues to go before us through every red sea we encounter. The same God who parted the waters is the God who says to us today: “Do not be afraid. Stand still. See the salvation of the

Contributor: Wale Abiona

INTRODUCTION
Last week, we examined how Pharaoh hardened his heart towards God’s instruction over and over again. Although, we read that the Lord said in chapter 10:1b “for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants” we concluded that this was so because of Pharaoh’s own stubbornness, and him having a heart that refused to pay attention unto God.

Romans 1:28 (Paraphrased) “Pharaoh did not think it was important to have a true knowledge of God. So, God left him and allowed him to have his own worthless thinking. And so, he did what he should not do, (kicking against God)".

In today’s study of Exodus chapters 11 and 12, we will see how the character of Pharaoh brought the ultimate trouble to him and the whole community of Egyptians family. They experienced the highest level of loss. We shall also look at how God uses the Passover to protect and deliver His elect from bondage.

In Exodus 5:2, when Pharaoh asked Moses “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go,” you will agree that his words and behaviors show how selfish, depraved, disreputable a person he was, with no inner goodness. Hence, God allowed him to follow the natural inclinations of his heart, lacking any sense of honour for God. Despite all the nine plagues, this man will not listen, not even to his own people who called him to harken and save them in chapter 10:7 Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the Lord their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?”

Random Fact: Today’s study combines both the shortest and longest chapters in the Book of Exodus. Chapter 11, 10 verses, and Chapter 12, 51 verses

EXODUS 11: THE DEATH OF EGYPT'S FIRSTBORN SON DECLARED.
Verses 1-3 God spoke to Moses about what will be the last plague and what the Israelites must do. He said He will cause the Egyptians to be kind to them.

Verses 4-8 Moses told Pharaoh of the impending doom and how the Lord will differentiate between Egypt and Israel, by protecting his elect from experience the death of their first son and redeemed them from Pharoah’s bondage, but he will not listen. He is not a man that bow to superior power easily, it will take the death of his child.

Verses 9-10 We see the sad reality when God told Moses in verse 9 “Pharaoh won’t listen, and this will give me the opportunity of doing mighty miracles to demonstrate my power.”

EXODUS 12: THE PASSOVER (Verses 1-28)
A. God Promised a New Beginning (v1-2)
1. “This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. A new year would now start with the month of their redemption from Egypt

B. Passover instructions for the Hebrew (v3-11)
1. Every household must take a lamb for their family on the 10th day of the month.
2.The lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. John 1:29
3.They were to keep it until the fourteenth day of the month, and they were to kill it attwilight, roast it (not to be eaten raw or boiled in water), and eat the meat with unleavenedbread and bitter herbs. 1Cor. 5:7
4.Take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houseswhere they eat it
5.They must eat it all with no leftover, and whatever remains of it until morning shall beburned with fire.
6.They must eat it in readiness to depart Egypt with a belt on their waist, sandals on theirfeet, and staff in their hand. They are to eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover.’Hebrews 13:14

C. The protection by the blood (v12-13)
12 On the night that you eat the Passover meal, I will travel through the country of Egypt. I will kill every firstborn son and every firstborn male animal. I will punish all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. 13 When you put the blood around the doors of your houses, that will be a sign to show that you live there. When I see the blood on your house, I will pass over you. No trouble will hurt you, when I attack the people of Egypt.
God gave specific instructions on how and they were to apply the blood: This is significant to their protection on the night the angel of death will pass through the land.

D. The institution of Passover and Unleavened Bread as feasts (v14-20)
1.The Israelites were to keep this special meal as an annual memorial.
2.In addition to the special meal, the Israelites were to observe a new feast day, the Feast ofUnleavened Bread, which was to begin the 14th day of the month and end the 21st day ofthe month (7 days total).
3.During the Feast of Unleavened bread, the Israelites were to cleanse their houses of leavenfood (made with yeast) and eat only unleavened food.
4.Moses delivered God’s instructions to the people of Israel, and they obeyed.

E. Moses Guides the People in the First Passover as Instructed for Their Safety (v21-28)
1.Moses called for all the elders of Israel and instructed them.
2.Put the blood on the wood that is round your door and the lintel.
3.Nobody must go out of the door of his house until the morning.
4.The Lord will pass through the country, and he will kill the Egyptians, but when the Lordsees the blood on the wood round the door, he will pass over that house.
5.He will not let the death angel come into your houses. The Lord will not let him kill you.
6.You must obey these rules always, both you and your descendants, for all time.There are specific instruction for us if we want to continue to abide under Gods protection:

a.We must constantly remind ourselves of His sacrifice Luke Chapters 19-20
b.We must purge ourselves of any impurity Psalm 34:3
c.We must remain in His secret place Psalm 91:1
d.We must obey His commands Deuteronomy 30:10-20 Emphasis on verse 16

F. Death of The Firstborn: The 10th Plague (v29-30)
At midnight the Lord struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, and even the firstborn of the livestock. That night Pharaoh, all his servants, and all the Egyptians wailed. Just imagine it for a moment, a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where someone was not dead.
Pharaoh’s stubbornness affected everyone around him.
This is why it is important to pray for good leaders 1 Timothy 2:1-3 and to also stay away from the wicked. Proverbs. 4:14-15. Psalm 1:1; 26:5, 2 Corinthians. 6:17

G. The Exodus (v31-42)
Finally, the Israelites were redeemed by the blood. Following the death of the Egyptians firstborn Pharaoh surrendered. He summonedMoses and Aaron during the night after the death of the firstborn. He tells them to leave Egypt immediately with all the Israelites, their livestock, and their belongings, even asking them to bless him as they go.
The Egyptians, overwhelmed by fear and grief, pressed the Israelites to leave quickly. They gave them silver, gold, and clothing, fulfilling what God had said—that the Israelites would not leave empty-handed.
About 600,000 men, along with women, children, and a mixed group of others, leave Egypt together with large flocks and herds. Because of their urgency, they bake unleavened bread from the dough they brought, since they had no time to prepare provisions.

The mixed group of others would have consisted of possibly other non-Israelite slaves, who took the opportunity to escape, and maybe some Egyptians who chose to align themselves with Israel after witnessing what had happened in Egypt.

So after living in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years exactly they left the land. Verses 40-41 says: “The sons of Jacob and their descendants had lived in Egypt 430 years, and it was on the last day of the 430th year that all of Jehovah’s people left the land. 42 This night was selected by the Lord to bring his people out from the land of Egypt; so the same night was selected as the date of the annual celebration of God’s deliverance.”
I have heard commentaries about God telling Abraham in Genesis 15:13 that his descendants will be strangers, enslaved, and mistreated in a foreign land (Egypt) for 400 years but they were in Egypt for 430 years. This scripture is key to knowing that regardless of anything that may or may not have happened, the Lord selected that night exactly on the 430th year to bring Israel out of Egypt. It was Him who selected it!

H. Rules for the Passover festival (v43-51)
In this last section, the Lord outlines the rules for who may participate in the Passover and emphasizes strict unity in how it must be observed.
Because this ordinance was based on covenant, no foreigner or temporary resident may eat the Passover meal. But, if a servant or outsider living among the Israelites is circumcised, they are then permitted to participate, showing that inclusion is based on covenant commitment. Therefore no uncircumcised person, whether native-born or foreign, is allowed to partake

CONCLUSION
We see specific parallels between the sacrifice of the Passover lamb and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross:
a.The lamb had to be without blemish… Jesus was without sin.
b.The lamb was killed and the blood sprinkled on door post … Jesus was crucified on thecross, redeeming us from sin by His blood. Blood on wooden doorposts, blood on woodencross.
c.The firstborn of the Israelites and anyone who had the blood on the doorposts of their houseswere saved… those who come to God through the blood of Jesus and the sacrifice of thecross will be saved.

As we reflect on these 2 chapters, it is important to bear in mind that it cost God His Son for us to be delivered from the bondage of sin, and He will protect and keep us from falling. However, you have a role to play. You need to follow Christ and obey His instructions. Do not harden your heart as Pharaoh did. Mark 8:36-38 says: “What shall a man give in exchange for his soul. . . .?”

The Redemption power from destruction is a gift from the Lord. Jesus paid the price. His sacrifice places a demand on us to carry our cross daily and follow Him. Luke 9:23. Jesus’ prayer in John 17:12-15 shows how deeply He cares for His own.

If Salvation or Christianity has cost you nothing; and old friends, old habits and disobedience to God are still the same way as they were before coming to Christ, then today is another opportunity to reflect and make amends.

God is able to do just what he said he would do,
He's gonna fulfill every promise to you
Don't give up on God, cause He won't give up on you
He's able

He said in Matthew 11:28-29 “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION
In last week’s study we began to observe how over and over again, Pharaoh hardened his heart towards God. Although God was patient with him, allowing him opportunities to repent and to let Israel go; he decided (himself) not to. This can be seen in 7:13 (Yet Pharaoh’s heart was hardened) 7:22 (so Pharaoh’s heart was hardened), 8:15 (he hardened his heart), 8:19 (But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened), 8:32 (But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also).

today’s study of Exodus chapters 9 and 10, we encounter one of the most devastating realities in Scripture and life: a heart that becomes hardened. Proverbs 28:14 (ESV) says: "Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity”

Interestingly, we see that this incident with Pharaoh was not only about judgment, but also about mercy. Again and again, God sent warnings before sending plagues. He gave opportunities to respond. He even made a distinction between those who will listen and those who will not. Yet Pharaoh was adamant.

In last week study, we saw five instances following 4 different plagues where Pharaoh chose to harden his heart. We will see the same pattern in today’s study as we consider the next five plagues

PART 1: CHAPTER 9
1. VERSES 1–12: THE 5TH & 6TH PLAGUES – SELECTIVE JUDGMENT
• Livestock die (Egypt affected, Israel spared) Verses 1-7
Key Verse: Verse 7: “Pharaoh investigated and found that not even one of the animals of the Israelites had died (NIV). But the heart of Pharaoh became hard, and he did not let the people go. (NKJV)

• Boils afflict Egyptians (Egypt affected, Israel spared) Verses 8-12
Key Verse: Verse 12: But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses.
This was the first time God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. During last week’s study, a pertinent question was asked: “Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart?”

And in answering the question, we referred to our study of Romans 19 a couple of years ago. The fact is this: God did not force Pharaoh’s heart to be hard towards Him and Israel. What He simply did was allow Pharaoh’s heart to pursue its natural inclination. Initially, God did not harden Pharaoh’s heart; he was given the opportunity to choose freely to obey God time and time again. Instead, he and the Egyptians freely rejected God’s command to let Israel go.
1 Samuel 6:6a says to the Israelites: “Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did?”

2. VERSES 13-26: THE 7TH PLAGUE – MERCY IN WARNING
• Plague of hail
Here we see God giving advance warning – a chance for the people to act. Verses 15 & 16 tell us of how God extended the offer of mercy to Pharaoh.
“15 For by now I could have put out My hand and struck you and your people with a pestilence, and you would then have been cut off (obliterated) from the earth. 16 But indeed for this very reason I have allowed you to live, in order to show you My power and in order that My name may be proclaimed throughout all the earth.”

Some Egyptians feared God and protected their servants and livestock from this plague. From this incident, we see that God’s judgment is never without opportunity for repentance.

3. VERSES 27-35: PHARAOH’S DECEPTION
Pharaoh sends for Moses and Aaron and declares: “This time I have sinned… The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.” 28 Pray to the Lord, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer.”

At first glance, this sounds like genuine repentance:
• Pharaoh admitted his sin
• He acknowledged God’s righteousness
• He asked for prayer/intercession

But this was only a crisis-driven confession, not a transformation of heart. Moses was not fooled, however. We see this in his response in verse 30: “I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God.”
This was quickly confirmed in verses 34 & 35: “When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts. 35 So Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not let the Israelites go, just as the Lord had said through Moses.”

We see from these verses that the hardening of heart was by the choice of Pharaoh and his officials – not God.

PART 2: CHAPTER 10
1. VERSES 1-20: THE 8TH PLAGUE – INCREASING CONSEQUENCES
• Pharaoh Exhausts God’s Mercy (Verses 1-6)
As we turn into chapter 10, we see a turn in God’s instruction to Moses. In verse 1, the Bible says: “And the Lord said unto Moses, go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart”

In verse 3, the Lord asks Pharaoh. “How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me?” It was the pride of Pharaoh that prolonged their suffering. This holds true for us even now. Many people prolong their suffering because of pride.
At this point, God had heard enough. Pharaoh and his officials had squandered all the opportunities He gave them to repent because of their pride. And throughout this chapter we see a recurrence of God hardening Pharaoh’s heart. Verse 20 (But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart), Verse 27 (But the Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart).

• The Halfway Obedience Agenda (Verses 7-11)
Pharaoh’s officials plead with him and he summoned Moses and Aaron and presented an alternative to God’s plan. “Go, worship the Lord your God,” he said. “But tell me who will be going.” (Verse 8b), No! Have only the men go and worship the Lord, since that’s what you have been asking for.” (Verse 11a),

• The Plague of Locusts (Verses 12-15)
God sends locusts to devour what remains after the hail destroyed all crops. The more Pharaoh resisted, the more dire were the consequences. Nothing green remained on tree or plant in all the land of Egypt.
Verse 13: The East wind blew at the command of God. Highlighting how God uses natural forces under His control to accomplish His purposes. Wind, insects, land—everything obeys God. What may seem “natural” is actually under divine authority.

• Pharaoh’s Deception Replayed (Verses 16-20)
16 Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you. 17 Now forgive my sin once more and pray to the Lord your God to take this deadly plague away from me.”

It was too late, because now Pharaoh no longer had control of his heart. Verse 20 says: “But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go.”

Galatians 6:7 tells us that God cannot be mocked! He cannot be ridiculed, deceived, or treated with contempt, and Pharaoh was going to reap the consequences of his actions! It was at this point the die was cast and there was no turning back – all 10 plagues must come to pass and all of Egypt’s firstborn must die.

2. VERSES 21–29: THE 9TH PLAGUE – DARKNESS
God sent thick darkness to cover all of Egypt for three days. No one could see anyone else or move about for three days, but Goshen had light

Pharaoh still thought he was wise suggesting this
Verse 24: "Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, “Go, worship the Lord. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind.”

But he was clearly being foolish. Romans 1:22 says: "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools"
Proverbs 29:1 (NIV) says: “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.”

Even though Moses was generous enough trying to explain to Pharaoh why they couldn’t leave without their livestock (verses 25-26), God wasn’t having any of it. The die was cast back in verse 20. So, He made sure Pharoah couldn’t change his mind. Verses 27-29: "27 But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he was not willing to let them go. 28 Pharaoh said to Moses, “Get out of my sight! Make sure you do not appear before me again! The day you see my face you will die.” 29 “Just as you say,” Moses replied. “I will never appear before you again.”

CONCLUSION
A hardened heart doesn’t happen overnight. It develops gradually—through repeated resistance, delayed obedience, and ignored conviction. What begins as a simple “not yet” can eventually become a firm “no.” Pharaoh had multiple chances to humble himself, but each refusal made the next one easier, until his heart became unyielding.

It is very important to note however, that before every act of judgment, there was an opportunity for mercy. God sent warnings. He gave time. He made a way for those willing to listen—even among the Egyptians—to respond and be spared.
That same pattern is present in our lives today. God still speaks. He still warns. He still calls us to humility and surrender. So, the question we must ask ourselves is this:
When God speaks, how will I respond?
• Will I resist, delay, and harden my heart?
• Or will I humble myself, listen, and obey?
Because in the end, it’s not just about Pharaoh’s heart—it’s about ours.

Contributor: Alex Kokobili

INTRODUCTION

Chapters 7 and 8 are a continuation of the previous two (chapters 5 and 6), which deepened our understanding of how God revealed Himself to Moses. The previous chapters showed how Moses encountered God as Yahweh, an encounter that revealed Him as the deliverer, requiring Moses to act as His regent on earth, and one who would lead Israel out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt. Today’s study focuses on deepening our understanding of how God fights our battles, drawing on the display of God’s power in the liberation of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The discussion engages the idea of God’s liberation from the concept of how He does signs, wonders, and miraculous happenings. Moses’ engagement with Pharaoh helps bring this study into context. The example of Moses as a prophet whose assignment can be described as the deliverer was beyond a historical event, but a lesson that is still applicable in our current life experiences.

PART ONE CHAPTER 7
Verses 1-6 (The anointing and obligation for Moses to lead Israel’s liberation)
The discussion starts by pointing to a nuance in how God wanted Moses to take his spiritual posture in confronting Pharaoh over the freedom of Israel from slavery.
Verse 1: So the Lord said to Moses: “See, I have made you as God to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.”

We observe that the chapter starts with SO, signifying “Ze kakh,” (Hebrew) which refers to pointing to something new that has just been revealed or happened. What is this new thing?
This tells us that God released an instant anointing on Moses to act as a God to Pharaoh for the purpose of redeeming His people.
A similarity of an introduction of a person was introduced as anointed, which showed a shift in the functionality of such a person can also be seen in 1 John 2: 27: "Now as for you, the anointing that you received from him resides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you." But as his anointing teaches you about all things, it is true and is not a lie. Just as it has taught you, you reside in him.
“Now” in the New Testament context means “Now or vuv,” referring to instant redemption, or instant arrival. We see similar usage in Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.)
In the case of Moses – Exodus 7: 1, the Bible reintroduced him as one who is anointed for the assignment of liberating Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt.
Why the need for such attention on Moses as the anointed for the assignment, and Aaron, the one who would serve as Moses’s associate?
The anointing on Moses was so powerful that Moses was described as a God to Pharaoh, while Aaron was to be Moses’ prophet (Ex 7:1-2).
The anointing is specific to an assignment, and realized that God is mindful of your limitations, which could be physical, educational, socio-cultural, or even health-related, as it was in the case of Moses. Provided the specific project in life is associated with God’s salvation and deliverance, and we are also willing to take up the task, God will create the channel that will assist us in carrying out the task, such as Aaron, for the fulfilment of the project.
Take note: Moses had already gone through various stages of preparation before God could entrust him as God to Pharaoh. For instance:

A. Moses learnt how to approach royalty while growing up in Pharaoh’s household (See Exodus chapter 2). There was an expected behaviour for kings or royalty in the Bible days in the Old Testament. For instance,
1 Samuel 10: 25 Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home.

B. Moses’ faith in associating himself with the people of Israel and their affliction, rather than being identified as Pharaoh’s son.
Hebrews 11: 24 – 25 Faith enabled Moses to choose God’s will, for although he was raised as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he refused to make that his identity, choosing instead to suffer mistreatment with the people of God. Moses preferred faith’s certainty above the momentary enjoyment of sin’s pleasures.

C. Moses’ faith even while he fled Egypt.
Hebrews 11: 27 Holding faith's promise, Moses abandoned Egypt and had no fear of Pharaoh's rage because he persisted in faith as if he had seen God, who is unseen. That is “By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him, God, who is invisible.”

D. Moses’ life in the land of Midian and spiritual oversight from Jethro, the priest of Midian (Exodus chapter 2). The name Jethro means excellence. Note: The burning bush experience happened while Moses was tending to Jethro’s sheep

E. You will realise that in the future chapter, Exodus 18, that Jethro’s spirituality was revealed. Jethro knew the God of the Hebrews, and so he was not a pagan priest. Jethro understood God as the deliverer of Israel, and it reflected in the names of Moses’ children (V- 11)
In Exodus 18:12, Jethro made a burnt offering to God.
In Exodus 18: 17, Jethro advised Moses to appoint elders over the people of Israel.

Verses 7 – 13. (God’s Instruction To Moses And Aaron, And Signs Required For Pharaoh)

The narrative at this point started with Moses and Aaron visiting Pharaoh despite their old age. Moses was 80, while Aaron was 83 years old.
A. They realized that the miraculous dimension assignment was required as Pharaoh needed to be convinced about God’s supremacy.

B. The power dimension is required, especially for a task that is connected to deliverance, provided the foundation has been laid on the word of God. (1 Corin 4:40 The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk. It is a matter of power.) Power has various dimensions, and we will observe that different levels of power were displayed by Moses in Egypt to convince Pharaoh.

C. To operate in the power of the miraculous, you will need a life that is fully concentrated and plugged into God. Miracles are meant to enhance our faith in God, and not to replace the authority of the word of God or to be idolized.

D. Aaron’s staff was to be put to work immediately. The turning of Aaron’s staff into a serpent, and while the serpent swallowed those whom the magicians of Egypt produced, was quite symbolic in showing the authority of God upon Moses and Aaron’s assignment above the power of the sorcerers of Egypt.

Verses 14 – 25. (God Instructed Moses To Inform Pharaoh About Events To Happen In Egypt If He Refused To Release Israel From Slavery To Freedom).

A. God told Moses that Pharaoh would not listen to him, but Moses was still required to act on the instructions of the almighty God. Are you going to give up on stubborn challenges? Moses never showed any sign of discouragement at this point, realizing the battle ahead would be a stubborn one.

B. Moses had to go and deliver the message to Pharaoh at the specified time and did not argue. This was Moses’ reality. Make up your mind to stop arguing with God’s instruction. Delay no more.
Moses knew about God’s vision for Israel’s liberation: EXODUS 7:16 “And you shall say to him, ‘The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me to you, saying, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me in the wilderness”: (Always say what God says without diluting the word).

SIGNS THAT HAPPENED DURING THE ASSIGNMENT IN EGYPT.
There will always be a sign for each assignment. For example:

C. EXODUS 7: 19 – 21. (Turning of water into blood). This was to cut off the supply of fresh water to nature, marine life, and drinkable water in Egypt.

D. Although the Egyptian magicians tried to replicate the same with water they dug from the side of the Nile, the Lord later further struck the river, and they could not drink the water (V23-24).

PART TWO: CHAPTER 8
Verses 1 – 6. (Frogs In The Rivers And Waterways Of Egypt)
Moses, through Aaron, stretched his rod over the rivers, streams, and ponds and caused frogs to come over the land of Egypt. You will notice a similarity between the first sign, which was turning of water into blood, and now, frogs in the waterways of Egypt.

A. Mythologists would tell that frogs were also symbolic to the Egyptians in terms of the god of fertility. So, you can imagine the agony the Egyptians went through to see the replica of one of the types of their gods everywhere.

B. Frogs also depicted that evil spirits were hovering over the land of Egypt. See, Revelations 16: 13 -14 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

• Verses 7 – 10. Although magicians of Egypt brought out frogs from Egyptian waterways, they failed to overturn the reproach inflicted on the land by God.
• Verse 8. Pharaoh agreed to let Israel go to fulfil God’s purpose, “and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord.” Provided the frogs were taken away.
• Verse 9. Moses offered to pray for Pharaoh so that God would reconsider his judgment over Egypt.
• Verse 10. Moses was obliged to pray for Pharaoh because “And he said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God.”
• Verses 11 - 15. The frogs were to depart from the land of Egypt, but to remain in the RIVER for an extra day. This temporary relief for Pharaoh hardened his heart from repentance.
• Verses 16 – 19. Moses, through Aaron, released lice over the land of Egypt. Yet pharaoh’s heart was hardened.
• Verses 20 – 24. Flies Were Released Over The Land Of Egypt And Corrupted It The Land.

A. Flies are attracted to deadness, bad smells, and odours. (Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause a bottle of perfume to stink.

B. Flies are associated with maggot, which is associated with destruction or humiliation in the Bible (Isaiah 14: 11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, And the sound of your stringed instruments; The maggot is spread under you, And worms cover you.)

C. Flies were not permitted to fly into Goshen (V 22- 23). This was to indicate that a mark of destruction was against the Egyptians, while God displayed His love and redemptive agenda for Israel.
“And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the land. 23 I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be”.

• Verses 25 - 27. Pharaoh agreed to free Israel and told Moses that Israel could go and sacrifice to God only within Egypt, but Moses rejected it. STAY WITH GOD’S PATTERN.

Moses considered it unholy for Israel to sacrifice to God in Egypt because the land had become an abomination to God. This intention was rejected by Moses.

See an example of a similar situation.
Psalm 137: 1- 6 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, And those who plundered us requested mirth, Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? 5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget its skill! 6 If I do not remember you, let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do not exalt Jerusalem above my chief joy.

The word mirth referred to the intention of mockery in an action of the Babylonians towards Israel. That is, singing the song in their land was to mock them, because they knew that the God of Israel would not accept such praise.
So, we now understand that Moses had such a high level of understanding to rebut Pharaoh’s suggestion, as God already specified that Israel would sacrifice to Him outside the land of Egypt in the wilderness.

• Verse. 27. Moses would rather accept a three-day journey with the children of Israel to sacrifice to God, rather than in Egypt, where God had already rejected them.
• Verse. 28. Pharaoh agreed to let the children of Israel go, but did not want them far from him.
• Verse. 29. Moses advised Pharaoh to stop his deception of false promises, realizing that they needed to go to sacrifice to God. YOU NEED TO BE SPIRITUALLY FIRM IN LETTING THE ENEMY KNOW YOUR RIGHT AS A CHILD OF GOD. Moses was spiritually firm and not physically arrogant.

CONCLUSION
The surest form of deliverance is the genuineness of the word of God. While many love the display of God’s anointing and power, they lack the foundation of the word of God, which has power to deliver us from all forms of bondage in life (Psalm 107:20 He sent His word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions. Moses understood the ways of God and was not moved by the signs and wonders in Egypt, despite its significance in facilitating the liberation mandate (Psalm 103: 7 He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel). It is expected that the life of a believer should be filled with signs and wonders, such as healing the sick, ministering the power of salvation to deliver the oppressed and downtrodden in life, and other experiences that affirm the Bible beyond a historical event, but a reality that makes it easy for people to believe that we serve the true and living God.
Having a relationship with God helps us to understand his ways and power. Do not just seek signs and manifestations, but seek God in His entirety, and then you would be able to understand the manifestations of the power of the Holy Spirit and diligently carry out a specific assignment as regards to your life, family, school, the church, or the nation at large, which was seen in the study from the ministry of Moses.

Contributor: Clem Roberts

INTRODUCTION: Literary & Historical Context
Exodus chapter 5–6 sits right after Moses’ call in Exodus chapter 3 and 4. God has revealed His name YAHWEH (YHWH), He promised deliverance and sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh.
Historically, we see that Israel is under a forced labour in Egypt, involved in state building projects. With Pharaoh’s power depending on their oppression. Any threat to this labour supply is a big threat to the purpose and vision of the empire itself.

CHAPTER 5
a. Verses 1 – 5; The First Confrontation
“Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Let my people go… as in seen in chapter 5:1. This is not a polite request; it’s a royal command. In the ancient world, this is a clash between two sovereigns:
• Pharaoh: absolute ruler of Egypt
• YAHWEH: God of Israel, the superior authority
Pharaoh’s response is normal of a King who was never challenged before now:
“Who is the LORD, that I should obey him?” This is not ignorance, it’s defiance. Pharaoh rejects:
• God’s identity
• God’s authority
• God’s relationship with Israel

b. Verses 6–14; Increased Oppression
Pharaoh responds by removing straw but demanding the same brick quota. This is not a mere anger but a systemic cruelty.
• Pharaoh sees worship as laziness
• Disguises oppression as discipline or efficiency

c. Verses 15 – 23; Internal Division and Discouragement
• The Israelite foremen appeal to Pharaoh and fail.
• Then they turn on Moses
• Moses, in turn, turns on God

Exodus chapter 5 ends unresolved. Deliverance that has been promised is yet to be seen.

CHAPTER 6
a. Verses 1 – 8; God Reaffirms His Promise.
• God reintroduces Himself to Moses
• Reminder that He is the who acts decisively to save.

b. Verses 6 – 8; This is one of the most important covenant passages in Scripture:
1. I will bring you out
2. I will deliver you
3. I will redeem you
4. I will take you as my people
5. I will be your God
6. I will bring you to the land
7. I will give it to you as a possession

c. Verse 9; Israel’s Inability to Receive Hope
• They did not listen… because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery”
• Hope sounds unbelievable

d. Verses 10 – 27; The Genealogy
• Grounds Moses and Aaron in real history
• Confirms Aaron’s priestly line
• God’s redemptive work is rooted and intentional.

CONCLUSION
Exodus chapter 5 and 6 teaches us that when God begins deliverance, opposition may intensify, but God’s covenant purpose cannot be delayed or denied. It shows us:
• Show God’s Authority vs. Human Power
• Obedience Does Not Mean Immediate Relief
• God’s Name Is Revealed Through Action
• Salvation Is God-Centred

Contributor: Ngozi Roberts

INTRODUCTION
As we open the book of Exodus, we enter a very different scene from the end of Genesis. The Israelites, who were once welcomed guests in Egypt because of Joseph, have now become a large and growing nation. Their increase becomes a source of fear for a new Pharaoh who knows nothing about Joseph’s legacy.

Exodus chapter 1 shows how quickly favour can turn into suspicion, and how fear can lead to oppression. The Israelites are forced into harsh slavery, yet the more they are mistreated, the more they continue to grow. Even in these dark conditions, God is quietly working behind the scenes.

Chapter 2 shifts the focus to the birth of Moses — the man God will eventually raise up to rescue His people. His early life is a mixture of danger and divine protection: hidden by his mother, discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter, raised with both Hebrew roots and Egyptian privilege, and later driven into exile after defending a fellow Hebrew. By the end of the chapter, the Israelites cry out under the weight of their suffering, and Scripture tells us that God hears them, remembers His covenant, sees their pain, and begins to move toward their deliverance.
Together, these chapters lay the groundwork for the entire story of Exodus — a story of human oppression, God’s compassion, and the emergence of a deliverer whom God will shape and prepare for His purpose.

CHAPTER 1
Verses 1–7: Israel Grows in Egypt
These opening verses list Jacob’s sons and show how their families expanded until the Israelites became a large and thriving nation in Egypt.
Note: God is keeping His promise to Abraham by multiplying his descendants.
Life application: Even when life feels routine or uneventful, God is still quietly fulfilling His promises.

Verse 8: A New Pharaoh Takes Power
A new ruler rises who has no knowledge of Joseph or the history that once gave Israel favour.
Lesson: Human favour is temporary; political and social systems shift quickly, but God’s purposes remain steady.
Life application: Don’t anchor your security in people or positions — they can change overnight.

Verses 9–10: Pharaoh Becomes Afraid
Pharaoh views the Israelites’ growth as a threat and begins to fear their influence.
Lesson: Fear often leads to control, oppression, and harmful decisions.
Life application: When we act out of fear, we can mistreat others. We must guard our hearts and respond with wisdom, not panic.

Verses 11–14: Israel Is Enslaved
Pharaoh forces the Israelites into harsh labour, but their population continues to increase.
• Exodus 1:12: “The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied.”
Lesson: Pressure can produce strength. God’s people often grow the most in adversity.
Life application: Difficult seasons can shape us, strengthen us, and deepen our faith rather than break us.

Verses 15–17: The Midwives Resist Pharaoh
Pharaoh commands the Hebrew midwives to kill newborn boys, but they refuse because they fear God more than the king.
• Exodus 1:17: “The midwives feared God.”
Lesson: Courageous obedience —choosing righteousness even when it’s risky.
Life application: Doing what is right may require standing against pressure, expectations, or authority.

Verses 18–21: God Rewards the Midwives
Because they acted with integrity, God protects the midwives and blesses them with families.
Life application: God honours those who choose righteousness. He sees every act of integrity.

Verse 22: Pharaoh Intensifies His Attack
Pharaoh orders all Egyptians to throw Hebrew baby boys into the Nile.
Lesson: The enemy attempts to destroy Israel’s future — yet God is already preparing Moses, the deliverer.
Life application: Even when evil seems to rise, God’s plan is already in motion ahead of it.

CHAPTER 2
Verses 1–2: The Birth of Moses
A Levite woman gives birth to a son and recognises something special about him.
Lesson: God raises up a deliverer at the darkest moment.
Life application: God often begins His greatest works in hidden, humble places.

Verses 3–4: Moses in the Nile
Unable to hide him any longer, Moses’ mother places him in a basket on the Nile while his sister watches nearby.
• Exodus 2:3: Moses placed in the Nile —the place of danger becomes the place of deliverance.
Lesson: The place of danger becomes the place of God’s protection.
Life application: God can transform threats into pathways for deliverance.

Verses 5–6: Pharaoh’s Daughter Finds Moses
Pharaoh’s daughter discovers the baby and is moved with compassion, choosing to save him.
Lesson: God uses unexpected people — even from the enemy’s household — to accomplish His purposes.
Life application: Help can come from surprising and unlikely places.

Verses 7–9: Moses’ Mother Is Restored to Him
Miriam arranges for Moses’ own mother to nurse him under Pharaoh’s daughter’s authority.
Lesson: God restores what seemed lost.
Life application: God can return blessings we thought were gone forever.

Verse 10: Moses Becomes Pharaoh’s Grandson
Moses grows up in the palace with education, privilege, and influence.
Note: God prepares Moses through both Hebrew heritage and Egyptian training.
Life application: Every part of your background — even the confusing or painful parts —can be used by God for your calling.

Verses 11–12: Moses Acts Impulsively
Seeing a Hebrew being beaten, Moses kills the Egyptian in anger.
Lesson: Moses has a heart for justice, but he lacks God’s timing and direction.
Life application: Good intentions still need God’s guidance.

Verses 13–15: Moses Flees to Midian
When Pharaoh seeks to kill him, Moses escapes into the wilderness.
Lesson: God leads Moses into a season of preparation and humility.
Life application: Sometimes God brings us into quiet, hidden seasons to shape us before using us.

Verses 16–22: Moses Settles in Midian
Moses helps the daughters of Reuel, marries Zipporah, and becomes a shepherd.
Lesson: Shepherding becomes training for leading God’s people.
Life application: God often uses ordinary work to develop extraordinary leaders.

Verses 23–25: God Responds to Israel’s Cry
Israel groans under slavery, and God responds with four powerful actions:
• He hears
• He remembers
• He sees
• He knows
Lesson: God is deeply aware and fully engaged with His people’s suffering.
Life application: God hears your prayers, sees your struggles, remembers His promises, and understands your situation intimately.

SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
Exodus chapters 1 and 2 lay the groundwork for everything that follows in the book. They reveal a world where human authority fails, fear leads to cruelty, and suffering seems overwhelming — yet God is quietly working behind the scenes. He protects Moses, strengthens courageous individuals, and begins preparing a path of rescue long before the people even cry out for help.
These chapters remind us in a very practical way that:
• God is present even when we cannot hear Him
• Difficult seasons do not cancel God’s promises
• Courage and integrity still matter deeply
• God often works through ordinary people
• Every part of our story has purpose
• God hears, remembers, sees, and understands our struggles
• Deliverance often begins before we recognise it

Together, Exodus 1–2 reassure us that God is faithful, attentive, and already moving in ways we may not yet see — bringing hope, protection, and deliverance at just the right time.
God bless us all in Jesus Name, amen

Contributor: Alex Alajiki

INTRODUCTION
We thank God for all the lessons and revelations gotten from our study in the book of Genesis throughout 2025. I believe many of have us had personal revelations and life transforming encounters during those studies.
2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew yourself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This year, we are diving into the second book of the bible; Exodus. I want to encourage us to make a personal commitment to be part of this revelatory journey in this book.

The Book of Exodus
The book’s name, Exodus comes from the Greek word exodus, meaning, "exit" or "departure,” The book provides an account of Israel’s departure from bondage in Egypt and their preparation to inherit the Promised Land as the Lord’s covenant people. Israel’s departure from bondage (Egypt) and journey through the wilderness to the Promised Land can symbolise our salvation and journey through a fallen world and back to the presence of God. As we study this book, we will learn about the Lord’s power to deliver from sin and bondage, which represent Egypt and the grace of God to take us through the journey of life. Col. 1:13-14 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

We will also learn that God’s commandments, ordinances, and covenants can help us to navigate through the challenges of life and prepare us to receive the blessings of eternal life. Deut. 7:9 “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.

Who wrote this book?
Moses, by historical accounts, is the author of the book of Exodus. He was delivered from death by divine intervention at birth and was raised in the royal court of Egypt by Pharaoh’s daughter Heb. 11:25. He left this place of privilege and ran to Midian seeking refuge in the house of Jethro his father-in-law. He was called of God after forty years to
Moses ushered in a dispensation of the go and bring deliverance to the children of Israel. His life, . gospel of Jesus Christ and served as a prophet and a revelator of God’s words ; Jesus Christ. writings, and ministry foreshadowed the coming Messiah“The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your Deut. 18:15 . midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hearFor if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 -John 5:46

Overview of the book of Exodus
Exodus 1–4; The Lord answers Israel’s cries by raising up Moses to deliver them from bondage in Egypt.
Exodus 5–12; Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to set the children of Israel free. Pharaoh refuses, and the Lord sends plagues upon Egypt. The Feast of the Passover is established among Israel to commemorate the passing over of the houses of the Israelites when God smote the firstborn of the Egyptians.
Exodus 13–15; The children of Israel leave Egypt. Pharaoh and his army pursue Israel. The Lord parts the Red Sea for Israel, and Pharaoh’s army is drowned. Israel praises the Lord for their deliverance.
Exodus 16–18; Israel murmurs about the lack of food and water in the wilderness. The Lord sends manna and quail for Israel to eat and commands Moses to bring forth water from a rock. Israel defeats the armies of Amalek. Moses establishes rulers among Israel.
Exodus 19–24; At Mount Sinai the Lord reveals the conditions of His covenant, and Israel covenants to obey the Lord.
Exodus 25–31; Moses receives instructions concerning the construction of the tabernacle, the consecration of priests, and the performance of sacrifices. Moses is given two stone tables containing the Lord’s covenant with Israel.
Exodus 32–34; Israel worships a golden calf. Moses breaks the stone tables and pleads with the Lord for Israel. After the people repent, the Lord makes another covenant with Israel and writes it on two new tables of stone.
Exodus 35–40; Skilled workmen construct the tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord rests upon it.

CONCLUSION
The book of Exodus can be seen as a book pointing to the parallel between the ministry of Moses and that of Jesus Christ. Both were spared from a decree to kill infants, both left Egypt to begin their missions, and both served as mediators between God and man. While Moses delivered Israel from physical slavery in Egypt, Jesus delivered humanity from the spiritual slavery of sin and God’s Judgement. Finally, in Luke 9:30-31, Moses appeared alongside Elijah on a mountain of transfiguration to speak with Jesus.