September 2, 2013
Exodus 1-Part 1
And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Exodus 1:7
LET IT GLOW
Due to the famine, Joseph brought all of his father's family, including his 11 brothers and their families to live in a section of Egypt called the land of Goshen. There they spent the next 400 years, during which time these Hebrew speaking ones of Israel, became slaves to the Egyptians. Jacob and his 12 sons were long gone by this time frame. It would be like comparing our nation and families of the 1600's to our present-day family.
BACKGROUND:
When Greek-speaking Jews translated this book form Hebrew into Greek, they titled it Exodus, meaning literally a way out. this describes the primary movement of chapters 1-14, which culminate in Israel crossing the Red Sea and thus escaping Egyptian bondage. the common designation since that time has been Exodus in Latin and later in English as well. (Liberty Bible Commentary)
In God's timing, the Exodus marked the end of a period of oppression for Abraham's descendants and constituted the beginning of the fulfillment of the covenant promise to Abraham that his descendants would not only reside in the Promised Land, but would also multiply and become a great nation (Gen.12:1-3, 7). The MacArthur Bible Commentary
Who wrote the book of Exodus? Moses was led by the Holy Spirit to write the Pentateuch, first five books of the Bible. In the New Testament our Lord clearly stated that Moses wrote Exodus. (John 5:46-47; Mark 7:10, 12:26)
It remains to be concluded that Exodus was written by Moses during the wilderness wanderings between the Exodus from Egypt itself and the conquest of Canaan forty years later. Solomon began to construct the temple 480 years after Israel had exited Egypt (1 Kings 6:1). Liberty Bible Commentary
What is the theme of this book? I found a variety of ideas concerning the theme: to record God's dealings with His people Israel (Falwell), to establish the theocratic nation in their Promised Land (MacArthur), redemption (Wiersbe).
LET IT GROW
Our book starts out identifying the sons of Jacob, renamed Israel by God. How many were in his family when they went into Egypt? There were 70, with Joseph's family already there. Keep in mind that Jacob, Joseph and his brothers had died by this time.
What does Moses tell us about the new generation of the children of Israel in verse 7?
- They were fruitful,
- they increased abundantly,
- they multiplied,
- they waxed exceeding mighty,
- and the land was filled with them.
The seed of Abraham was no longer an extended family, but a nation. The growth of the nation was phenomenal. It grew from 70 men to 603,550 males, 20 years and older, thus allowing for a total population of about 2 million departing from Egypt. (Num. 1:46) (MacArthur)
Am I spiritually fruitful? Does the Holy Spirit have fruit of the Spirit produced in me?
Is my faith increasing abundantly?
Is my witness multiplying?
How strong am I standing for my faith?
Can I say that the land is filled with converts due to my witnessing?
LET IT GO
Encourage Christians to increase in faith in the Lord Jesus.
Walk by faith and not by sight.
Surrender to the Holy Spirit's producing fruit in me.
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