A Final Plague Threatened
11:1 The LORD said to Moses, “Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.
4 So Moses said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, 5 and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. 6 There shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been, nor ever will be again. 7 But not a dog shall growl against any of the people of Israel, either man or beast, that you may know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.’ 8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, you and all the people who follow you.’ And after that I will go out.” And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger. 9 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.”
10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, and the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he did not let the people of Israel go out of his land.
(ESV)
Category: Scripture
10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”1 And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD,2 the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand.3 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. 21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, 22 but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”
Moses Given Powerful Signs
4:1 Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you.’” 2 The LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.” 3 And he said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, “Put out your hand and catch it by the tail”—so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand—5 “that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 Again, the LORD said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.”4 And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous5 like snow. 7 Then God said, “Put your hand back inside your cloak.” So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 “If they will not believe you,” God said, “or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground.”
10 But Moses said to the LORD, “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” 11 Then the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” 13 But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs.”
Moses Returns to Egypt
18 Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, “Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive.” And Jethro said to Moses, “Go in peace.” 19 And the LORD said to Moses in Midian, “Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.” 20 So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. And Moses took the staff of God in his hand.
21 And the LORD said to Moses, “When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, “Let my son go that he may serve me.” If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.’”
Footnotes
[1] 3:14
Or I am what I am, or I will be what I will be
[2] 3:15The word Lord, when spelled with capital letters, stands for the divine name, YHWH, which is here connected with the verb hayah, “to be” in verse 14
[3] 3:19Septuagint, Vulgate; Hebrew go, not by a mighty hand
[4] 4:6Hebrew into your bosom; also verse 7
[5] 4:6Leprosy was a term for several skin diseases; see Leviticus 13 (ESV)
5 All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. 6 Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 7 But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.
Pharaoh Oppresses Israel
8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. 13 So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves 14 and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.
15 Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16 “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. 18 So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 20 So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. 22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews1 you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”
Footnotes
[1] 1:22
Samaritan, Septuagint, Targum; Hebrew lacks to the Hebrews (ESV)
Categories
Going Deeper
Joseph (12.16.23)
The testimony of Joseph is one of my favorites in the Bible. It stands to remind us that while our circumstances can be up and down in this life, God is with us and working all things according to His purpose and our good.
We pick up the testimony of Joseph in Genesis 37, where we read that he has the favor of his father, Jacob. He was given a very special robe of many colors by the parents and given the gift of prophetic dreams. He is blessed and highly favored.
But, things take a terrible turn for Joseph in the latter part of Genesis 37 when his brothers’ hatred and jealousy causes them to distance themselves from him and even plot to kill him. Thankfully, Rueben convinces them to not kill him. Still their anger and resentment propels them to throw him into a pit and then sell him to some traveling gypsies who would then sell him as a slave. Their father is broken when the brothers show him Joseph’s coat and deceive him into thinking that he had been killed by an animal.
In Genesis 39, we read that Joseph ends up in a great situation for a slave. He is sold to Potifer, Captain of Pharaoh’s guard, and he quickly earns Potifer’s trust and is appointed to oversee his entire house. What an amazing turn from such life-altering, horrible events.
But, it doesn’t last long for things to go horribly bad again as Potifer’s wife lusts after Joseph and pursues him to sleep with her. When he tells her no, she screams out that he assaulted and raped her. This means the loss of everything good he had come to know as he is thrown into prison.
Once again, Joseph lands in the worst of situations only to earn the favor of the chief jailor who ends up putting him in charge of the entire jail. Some time goes by and in Genesis 40, we read that Joseph is given the opportunity to interpret the dreams of the chief cupbearer and Pharaoh’s baker. Unfortunately, the baker’s negative interpretation proves true as he dies and the cupbearer’s positive interpretation proves true and he is restored to his position and freedom.
But, after promising Joseph that he will mention him to Pharaoh, he forgets and Joseph spends another 2 years in jail. Wow! This one must have been so hard as his means to freedom are all but sure and then one week turns into two, turns into months and then years. He had every opportunity to start doubting God and just give up. But, he stayed faithful and vigilant which is good because what he was about to do and become nobody could have ever seen coming!
Pharaoh had a dream that was tormenting him and the cupbearer finally remembered Joseph so Pharaoh sent for him. Upon his arrival to stand before the highest power in the land, Joseph accurately interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams.
In Genesis 41,we read that Pharaoh puts Joseph 2nd in charge over all of Egypt to carry out the plan to prepare for the famine. Joseph runs things well in Egypt, even though Egypt worshiped Pharaoh as a god. Joseph was able to still honor and glorify the one true God in heaven with his faithful work and devotion to God.
In Genesis 42, Jacob hears of Egypt selling their grain and sent the boys to buy some.
His brothers come to Egypt and Joseph recognizes them but they don’t recognize him. He calls them spies and throws them in jail. He then says for them to go and get their youngest brother and return to him to prove they are not spies and to buy the grain they need. Jacob is fearful he will lose another son, but lets Benjamin go with reservation. Upon their return, Joseph ends up revealing himself to his brothers. Pharaoh hears of this and provides the means for the entire family to be moved to Egypt. Finally, Jacob and Joseph die and are buried in their homeland in Canaan as requested.
As we read the close of Genesis 50, we read Joseph’s request for them to take his bones to be buried in the Promised Land. Now, this is huge because even though Egypt had blessed Joseph and now his family had great success, this could not compare with the blessing of God. If he would have encouraged the Israelites to stay in Egypt, it would have shown disbelief in the promises of God. Instead, Joseph told the nation to take his bones with them when they left Egypt. He did not want his body to be buried in exile. He wanted to dwell in the Promised Land. This is awesome.
Joseph had faith that God’s promises would prove true as he would bring them out of exile and into the Promised Land.
This is why Joseph is mentioned in the faith hall of fame in Hebrews 11.
Hebrews 11:22 “By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.”
Patriarchs like Joseph are excellent examples of persevering faith for us not only because of how they lived their lives in faith, but also how they died in great faith too. May this be the case for you and me.
As we consider Joseph’s journey through incredible hardship, betrayal, abandonment, false testimony, physical abuse and years in slavery or prison, we also recognize he had some incredible high points of his parents’ love and God’s giftedness, the chance to lead in Potifers house and in jail and, even more significant, being raised to lead the most powerful nation through the worst of times. Joseph was able to make the most of terrible turns. The truth is, Joseph survived and prospered through times we would have likely failed or given up in. Consider- which of these turns would have been the hardest for you?
But, also consider how he relied on God to get him through and never lost his faith.
Our faith is truly strengthened when we don’t see a way out but we still trust in God and don’t lose hope.
The two huge things we learn from Joseph are:
1. Instead of asking WHY, he asked God WHAT SHALL I DO NOW?
Romans 5:1-5 (NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, wehave peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And werejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but wealso rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
2. Trust God who is over all things and has a great plan for your life.
Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Genesis 45:4-8 So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
And finally, the most important verse in Joseph’s testimony:
Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Let us trust in God no matter how bad our circumstances get. He is able and we are never done until we are dead.
Don’t lose hope. Stay the course. Don’t ask God, “Why?” Ask God, “What shall I do now?”
By His grace and for His glory
Joshua “Shepherd” Kirstine
Soldiers For Jesus MC
Chaplain Council
SFJbible.com
Tell of All His Wondrous Works
105:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
4 Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
5 Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,
6 O offspring of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
7 He is the LORD our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 the covenant that he made with Abraham,
his sworn promise to Isaac,
10 which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant,
11 saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan
as your portion for an inheritance.”
12 When they were few in number,
of little account, and sojourners in it,
13 wandering from nation to nation,
from one kingdom to another people,
14 he allowed no one to oppress them;
he rebuked kings on their account,
15 saying, “Touch not my anointed ones,
do my prophets no harm!”
16 When he summoned a famine on the land
and broke all supply1 of bread,
17 he had sent a man ahead of them,
Joseph, who was sold as a slave.
18 His feet were hurt with fetters;
his neck was put in a collar of iron;
19 until what he had said came to pass,
the word of the LORD tested him.
20 The king sent and released him;
the ruler of the peoples set him free;
21 he made him lord of his house
and ruler of all his possessions,
22 to bind2 his princes at his pleasure
and to teach his elders wisdom.(ESV)