Lessons in Faith from The Exodus Fultondale church

Lessons in Faith from The Exodus Fultondale church of Christ Sunday night – 2015 -12 -20

Introduction • Many today do not believe in the Biblical account of the Hebrew’s exodus from Egypt • Here is a statement to consider: “Virtually every modern archaeologist who has investigated the story of the Exodus, with very few exceptions, agrees that the way the Bible describes the Exodus is not the way it happened, if it happened at all. ” • Stated by David Wolpe the “rabbi” of Sinai Temple, the largest conservative Jewish congregation in Los Angeles in 2001 • Many stories in the Bible seem far-fetched if the concept of miracles is discarded • Most people today have accepted the naturalistic world view which holds that all explanations must be “scientific” and reproducible

Why does this matter to us? • Jesus believed in the truth of the Old Testament and used them as justification for His teachings • Creation • Institution of marriage • Jonah • The Book of Hebrews points out many parts of the old law that were shadows of the new covenant • Paul and Peter wrote of the truth of various old testament stories using them as proofs for us • Noah’s Flood • Red Sea Crossing • Other stories are mentioned throughout the new testament

The Hebrews in Egypt • Place yourself in Egypt as a Hebrew • Descended from king-like nomads (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) • Close ancestor having saved all Egypt from famine (Joseph) • Originally treated as guests • Now slaves treated harshly by taskmasters • Forced to kill all newborn males • Even after hundreds of years the God of their fathers is remembered so a cry goes up for deliverance

God hears, His people doubt • Moses was already being prepared for his role • God speaks to him at the burning bush • Moses and Aaron speak to Pharaoh • Pharaoh makes the people’s burden harder • The people blame Moses and Aaron – God’s messengers – for the extra labor • Precursor to their frequent doubts and accusations against Moses later in the story

The Plagues (months of agony) • Moses and Aaron then begin the Plagues against Egypt • Nile river water turned to blood for 7 days • Frogs everywhere • Lice everywhere • Until the fourth plague they were duplicated by magicians • Also all Egypt including Goshen was affected until then • After this until the last plague, Goshen was separated and spared the plagues • • • Flies everywhere Death of the cattle Boils on man and beast Hail with fire destroying crops, man, beasts Locusts everywhere Darkness that could be felt for three days

The Final Plague and Flight from Egypt • The final plague – death of the firstborn – is a glimpse into the future death of the Son of God • This time Pharaoh finally lets the people go • The people indefinitely borrow everything from the Egyptians who gladly hurry them out of the country • A mixed multitude goes with the people out of Egypt • God leads the people via pillars of Cloud and Fire • Not by way of the Philistines • If the people see war it is close enough that they could return • By way of the wilderness towards the Red Sea

Long-held tradition cause doubts • Most back-of-your Bible maps place Mt. Sinai in the region between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba • This then causes problems with the placement of the Red Sea crossing and the various points of the journeys in the wilderness • Since archaeological evidence does not fit this location many take this as “proof” that the Bible is not accurate • Taking all of the text and evidence at face value – ignoring tradition – a suitable position for the mount and crossing matches both the Bible and archaeology • Mt. Sinai is most likely “Jebel Al Lawz” (literally – Mountain of Law) on the east of the Gulf of Aqaba

Route to the Red Sea • Pharaoh monitored the progress of the people • Egypt was a very advanced society and had a well established military • Lookout posts/forts were set up on all major highways • God chose to lead the people by an indirect route • By going in the “way of the wilderness” God caused Pharaoh to once again harden his heart and follow the people to bring them back • Pharaoh thought they had trapped themselves in the wilderness and that they would easily be brought back into bondage

Path to the Red Sea

The People Doubt Again, God Wins • Pharaoh and all his army bear down on the people • The people can see the vast army of Egypt and they know the military might of the Egyptians • The people complain to Moses and Aaron about their impending doom at the hand of Pharaoh • Moses says “Stand still… the Lord will fight for you!” • God shields them by the pillar which now stands behind them with the sea before them • Moses raises his rod and the sea parts • The ground is dried by a high wind and the people walk on dry ground through walls of water on each side • Pharaoh’s army perishes in the sea

Journey to Sinai • The people complain after only 3 days due to bitter water • God provides a tree to cleanse the water • The people murmur again due to hunger • God provides manna from heaven (for 40 years) • God also provided quail • Again the people murmur over lack of water at Rephidim • God has Moses strike the rock and water is provided • Amalek fights the people • God gives victory to the former slaves over the nomadic warriors • God speaks to all the people • People cannot handle it, ask that Moses remain the go-between • God makes a covenant, eats with the elders – Aaron as well

Defeat from the Jaws of Victory • Moses is called up to meet with God • He lingers for 40 days • During this time the people become restless • Aaron tasked by the people to “make gods” for them • He fashions a golden calf similar to those in Egypt • They begin to worship God after their own fashion by offering worship to their idol • They have broken the commandments spoken to them directly by God • Aaron has been there with Moses the entire time but bows to the will of the people

The Aftermath • Moses returns from the mountain and punishes the people • Later the people continue toward the Promised Land • 10 spies speak against the Lord and Moses • 2 speak in faith of the ability to conquer with the Lord’s help • Of the about 600, 000 men over the age of 20 only 2 entered the Promised Land • All those who saw the plagues, crossed the Red Sea, viewed the power of God on Sinai, heard God’s voice… DEAD because of unbelief!

What does all this mean for us? • They had God’s physical presence, the manna, the crossing of the Red Sea, the Plagues • HOW COULD THEY TURN SO QUICKLY AGAINST GOD? ? ? • We have the entirety of the revealed word of God • We have massive amounts of evidence to support the truth of God’s existence, His power, and His love • We have a much better system of faith than that of the ancient Hebrews or the Jews • We have much better promises and the help of the Spirit • WE MUST TAKE CARE NOT TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THOSE WHO SAW GOD AND STILL TURNED FROM HIM!