Moses is scared that no one would believe him or listen to him, so God gave him tons of cool miracles to perform! When Moses threw down his staff, it turned into a snake. He had to pick it up by the tail in order for it to transform into a staff again. Also, when he put his hand in his cloak, his hand would have leprosy all over it. To reverse it, he just had to put his hand back in his cloak again. If they still didn't believe him, he could take the water from the Nile and pour it on the ground, which would turn into blood!
Even though God equipped Moses with all these miracles to perform, he complained that he wasn't a good speaker. God offered to teach him what to say, but he still didn't want to do it and asked if someone else could do it instead. It is interesting here that God got angry, but he actually acquiesced and suggested that Aaron could speak instead. He still pushes Moses to perform the miracles though.
Moses goes back to his father-in-law and asks permission to leave. Then the Lord says to Moses that he will harden the heart of the Pharaoh and won't let the people go. I don't really understand why God hardened the Pharaoh's heart. Any ideas?
Moses then met up with Aaron, and they performed the miracles. The Israelites believed and worshipped God.
In the next section, Moses asked the Pharaoh to let his people go, but he refused. Instead, he made the Israelites work harder and claimed they were lazy. The Israelites were upset with Moses and didn't listen to them, even after he told them that God will bring them back to the promised land. Moses grew discouraged because his own people wouldn't listen to him, and now God wanted him to deliver a message to the Pharaoh.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Exodus 1-3
The Next Generation
Joseph's generation died, but the Israelites continued to multiply to the point that the new king of Egypt, who did not know Joseph, got scared that they would become too powerful. He made them slave laborers. He also told the midwives to kill all the male babies. The midwives feared God and refused to do so, telling the king that the Israeli women were "too vigorous" and gave birth before the midwives could arrive.
God blessed the Israelites and the midwives, giving them many offspring. Then Pharoah commanded that all Israeli boy babies be thrown into the Nile.
Moses
One Levite woman had a baby boy and hid him for three months. Finally, when she could no longer hide him, she put him the Nile in a basket while her daughter looked on. Pharoah's daughter happened to find the baby and felt sorry for him. The Levite's daughter asked Pharoah whether she wanted someone to nurse the baby. Finally, the boy's own mother became the servant that nursed the baby. Pharoah's daughter named the baby Moses.
One day, after Moses had grown up, he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. He killed the Egyptian. The next day, he saw some Hebrews fighting. When he tried to break it up, they asked him whether he was going to kill them too, like he killed the Egyptian. When Pharaoh found out about this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses escaped to Midian. On his way, he rescued some women from shepherds who were trying to drive the women away from the water well. He ended up meeting the father of the women who gave him one of the daughters, Zipporah, as a bride. They had a son.
Meanwhile, Pharoah had a died. However, the Israelites were still groaning under extreme slavery.
Moses was still in Midian when God called Moses through a burning bush. God told Moses that he saw that the Israelites were suffering. He wanted to send Moses to go free the Israelites. He would free the Israelites and bring them to a land "flowing with milk and honey." Moses did not feel qualified and resisted, but God promised that He would be with Moses. He told Moses he would perform all theses signs and strike the Egyptians so they would finally let the Israelites go. The Israelites would also not leave empty-handed. Instead, the Egyptians would give them their jewels, etc.
Joseph's generation died, but the Israelites continued to multiply to the point that the new king of Egypt, who did not know Joseph, got scared that they would become too powerful. He made them slave laborers. He also told the midwives to kill all the male babies. The midwives feared God and refused to do so, telling the king that the Israeli women were "too vigorous" and gave birth before the midwives could arrive.
God blessed the Israelites and the midwives, giving them many offspring. Then Pharoah commanded that all Israeli boy babies be thrown into the Nile.
Moses
One Levite woman had a baby boy and hid him for three months. Finally, when she could no longer hide him, she put him the Nile in a basket while her daughter looked on. Pharoah's daughter happened to find the baby and felt sorry for him. The Levite's daughter asked Pharoah whether she wanted someone to nurse the baby. Finally, the boy's own mother became the servant that nursed the baby. Pharoah's daughter named the baby Moses.
One day, after Moses had grown up, he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. He killed the Egyptian. The next day, he saw some Hebrews fighting. When he tried to break it up, they asked him whether he was going to kill them too, like he killed the Egyptian. When Pharaoh found out about this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses escaped to Midian. On his way, he rescued some women from shepherds who were trying to drive the women away from the water well. He ended up meeting the father of the women who gave him one of the daughters, Zipporah, as a bride. They had a son.
Meanwhile, Pharoah had a died. However, the Israelites were still groaning under extreme slavery.
Moses was still in Midian when God called Moses through a burning bush. God told Moses that he saw that the Israelites were suffering. He wanted to send Moses to go free the Israelites. He would free the Israelites and bring them to a land "flowing with milk and honey." Moses did not feel qualified and resisted, but God promised that He would be with Moses. He told Moses he would perform all theses signs and strike the Egyptians so they would finally let the Israelites go. The Israelites would also not leave empty-handed. Instead, the Egyptians would give them their jewels, etc.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Genesis 46-50
Israel got God's blessing to go settle in Egypt. God promised to bless Israel and give him many descendants. We then go into the genealogy of Jacob. Jacob and Joseph reunited, and Jacob felt at peace, "ready to die."
Joseph arranged it so that Pharoah allowed his family to stay in Egypt. They were given food, and Pharoah put them in charge of his livestock.
The famine continued until the Egyptians ran out of money. They were still hungry, and began exchanging their livestock for food. Thus Pharoah ended up owning tons and tons of livestock. When they ran out of livestock, they gave their land to Pharoah in exchange for food. Joseph gave the Egyptians seeds and asked them to work the land. He told them they could use the crop that they harvested, as long as they gave 1/5 to Pharoah. All the Egyptians were really grateful for this opportunity to work and live.
When Jacob was about to die, he asked to see and bless Joseph's sons (Mannaseh (older) and Ephraim (younger)). Not surprisingly, Jacob blessed the younger son more, saying that Ephraim's nation would become greater than Manasseh's.
Then Jacob blessed all his sons, predicting what their nations would do in the future. Reuben would no longer excel, Simeon & Levi would be cursed and scattered, Judah would be successful and defeat his enemies, and on and on. He said that Joseph would be a "fruitful vine."
Jacob asked Joseph to swear that he would bury his father outside of Egypt (along with all their other forefathers). Joseph promised he would. When Jacob died, Joseph asked Pharoah for permission to bury his father, and Pharoah let him go.
After Jacob's death, the brothers feared Joseph would retaliate. So, they sent a fake message to Joseph, pretending it was from Jacob asking Joseph to forgive his brothers. Joseph was very moved, and again saw the good that came out of this. He understood God's plan all along and did not hold a grudge against his brothers.
Joseph stayed in Egypt for the rest of his life and died at the age of 110.
Joseph arranged it so that Pharoah allowed his family to stay in Egypt. They were given food, and Pharoah put them in charge of his livestock.
The famine continued until the Egyptians ran out of money. They were still hungry, and began exchanging their livestock for food. Thus Pharoah ended up owning tons and tons of livestock. When they ran out of livestock, they gave their land to Pharoah in exchange for food. Joseph gave the Egyptians seeds and asked them to work the land. He told them they could use the crop that they harvested, as long as they gave 1/5 to Pharoah. All the Egyptians were really grateful for this opportunity to work and live.
When Jacob was about to die, he asked to see and bless Joseph's sons (Mannaseh (older) and Ephraim (younger)). Not surprisingly, Jacob blessed the younger son more, saying that Ephraim's nation would become greater than Manasseh's.
Then Jacob blessed all his sons, predicting what their nations would do in the future. Reuben would no longer excel, Simeon & Levi would be cursed and scattered, Judah would be successful and defeat his enemies, and on and on. He said that Joseph would be a "fruitful vine."
Jacob asked Joseph to swear that he would bury his father outside of Egypt (along with all their other forefathers). Joseph promised he would. When Jacob died, Joseph asked Pharoah for permission to bury his father, and Pharoah let him go.
After Jacob's death, the brothers feared Joseph would retaliate. So, they sent a fake message to Joseph, pretending it was from Jacob asking Joseph to forgive his brothers. Joseph was very moved, and again saw the good that came out of this. He understood God's plan all along and did not hold a grudge against his brothers.
Joseph stayed in Egypt for the rest of his life and died at the age of 110.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Genesis 43-45
arghhh!! bug in Blogger caused me to lost this post. Re-writing it, but it will probably shorter than the original
More questioning followed. "Why did you tell him you had another brother?" Finally, Judah personally vouched for Benjamin's safety. They left again. This time, Joseph was so moved to see them he kept running off to hide and weep before composing himself and coming back and acting all strict.
He prepared a huge meal for them, giving Benjamin the largest portions. He then told his servants to give them as much stuff as they could carry to bring back. He secretly planted a silver cup in Benjamin's bag. Then he told the servant to run after them and accuse them of stealing. Of course, he asked to keep Benjamin as the slave, since Benjamin "stole" the cup.
Judah personally plead with Joseph, telling him that Jacob would DIE if they didn't bring Bejanmin back, since Jacob had already lost Joseph. At this point, Joseph couldn't hold it back any longer. He ordered his servants to leave and revealed himself to his brothers.
Lots of crying, hugging, kissing followed.
They told Pharoah, who was pleased. Pharoah gave them TONS of stuff to bring back, but also told them to bring the whole family to Egypt! He would take good care of them.
When the brothers told Jacob that Joseph was still alive, Jacob was ecstatic and regained lots of spirit.
More questioning followed. "Why did you tell him you had another brother?" Finally, Judah personally vouched for Benjamin's safety. They left again. This time, Joseph was so moved to see them he kept running off to hide and weep before composing himself and coming back and acting all strict.
He prepared a huge meal for them, giving Benjamin the largest portions. He then told his servants to give them as much stuff as they could carry to bring back. He secretly planted a silver cup in Benjamin's bag. Then he told the servant to run after them and accuse them of stealing. Of course, he asked to keep Benjamin as the slave, since Benjamin "stole" the cup.
Judah personally plead with Joseph, telling him that Jacob would DIE if they didn't bring Bejanmin back, since Jacob had already lost Joseph. At this point, Joseph couldn't hold it back any longer. He ordered his servants to leave and revealed himself to his brothers.
Lots of crying, hugging, kissing followed.
They told Pharoah, who was pleased. Pharoah gave them TONS of stuff to bring back, but also told them to bring the whole family to Egypt! He would take good care of them.
When the brothers told Jacob that Joseph was still alive, Jacob was ecstatic and regained lots of spirit.
Genesis 41-42
41
Pharoah then had two dreams that were similar: 7 fat cows/ 7 skinny cows. The 7 skinny cows ate the 7 fat cows. Similarly, 7 stalks of healthy grains and 7 stalks of thin and scorched grains. The thin and scorched grains ate the 7 healthy grains.
Pharoah tried to find people to interpret (magicians, wise men, etc.) but no one could do it. Finally, the cupbearer remember Joseph and told Pharoah about it. Joseph was able to interpret the dreams. He totally attributed the interpretation to God, not himself. Essentially, the dream stood for 7 years of abundance followed by 7 years of famine. Joseph advised Pharoah to collect grains during the years of abundance in preparation for the years of famine.
Pharoah put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt. Joseph married and had 2 kids during this time. When the famine came, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold the grains to the Egyptians, who sold them to outsiders to came looking for food.
42
Joseph's brothers heard that there was food in Egypt and traveled there. They did not recognized Joseph (though Joseph recognized them). Joseph pretended to be strict with them (accusing them of being spies). He demanded to know where the youngest brother was. Finally, he agreed to give them food, but told them they had to come back with the youngest brother.
While on their way back, while opening their sacks, they saw the silver inside that they had used to pay for the grains. They totally freaked out.
When they went back to their father, Jacob, they tried to convince him to let Benjamin come along. Jacob refused, saying he had already lost Joseph. So, they ate up the food, but then needed to go back and get more. Otherwise, they were going to starve. Reuben then personally plead with Jacob, even offering his own sons' lives if he did not bring Benjamin back safely.
Pharoah then had two dreams that were similar: 7 fat cows/ 7 skinny cows. The 7 skinny cows ate the 7 fat cows. Similarly, 7 stalks of healthy grains and 7 stalks of thin and scorched grains. The thin and scorched grains ate the 7 healthy grains.
Pharoah tried to find people to interpret (magicians, wise men, etc.) but no one could do it. Finally, the cupbearer remember Joseph and told Pharoah about it. Joseph was able to interpret the dreams. He totally attributed the interpretation to God, not himself. Essentially, the dream stood for 7 years of abundance followed by 7 years of famine. Joseph advised Pharoah to collect grains during the years of abundance in preparation for the years of famine.
Pharoah put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt. Joseph married and had 2 kids during this time. When the famine came, Joseph opened the storehouses and sold the grains to the Egyptians, who sold them to outsiders to came looking for food.
42
Joseph's brothers heard that there was food in Egypt and traveled there. They did not recognized Joseph (though Joseph recognized them). Joseph pretended to be strict with them (accusing them of being spies). He demanded to know where the youngest brother was. Finally, he agreed to give them food, but told them they had to come back with the youngest brother.
While on their way back, while opening their sacks, they saw the silver inside that they had used to pay for the grains. They totally freaked out.
When they went back to their father, Jacob, they tried to convince him to let Benjamin come along. Jacob refused, saying he had already lost Joseph. So, they ate up the food, but then needed to go back and get more. Otherwise, they were going to starve. Reuben then personally plead with Jacob, even offering his own sons' lives if he did not bring Benjamin back safely.
Genesis 39-40
Genesis 39
An Egyptian named Potiphar purchased Joseph from the Ishmaelites. The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered. Potiphar put Joseph completely in charge of his household since he totally trusted him. Potiphar's wife, however, was attracted to Joseph (because he was HOT!!) and wanted to sleep with him. Joseph kept refusing, in honor of his master. Finally, one day, Potiphar's grabbed Joseph's cloak and then accused him of trying to sleep with her. Potiphar was furious and threw Joseph in prison.
God was with Joseph and soon the warden put Joseph in charge of the entire prison.
Genesis 40
Soon after, a baker and cupbearer also got thrown into prison. One day, each of them had a dream. Joseph interpreted the dreams for them. The cupbearer dreamed there was a vine with three branches, and he was squeezing the grape into Pharoah's cup. Joseph interpreted this to mean that the cupbearer would be released in 3 days to serve the king. Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him, to speak favorably of Joseph in order to get him out of jail.
The baker dreamed there were three baskets of bread. The basket on his head had bread that was being eaten by birds. oseph interpreted this to mean that the baker would be released in 3 days but would be hanged, and the birds would eat at his innards.
Joseph's interpretations came true, but the cupbearer forgot to mention Joseph to Pharoah.
An Egyptian named Potiphar purchased Joseph from the Ishmaelites. The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered. Potiphar put Joseph completely in charge of his household since he totally trusted him. Potiphar's wife, however, was attracted to Joseph (because he was HOT!!) and wanted to sleep with him. Joseph kept refusing, in honor of his master. Finally, one day, Potiphar's grabbed Joseph's cloak and then accused him of trying to sleep with her. Potiphar was furious and threw Joseph in prison.
God was with Joseph and soon the warden put Joseph in charge of the entire prison.
Genesis 40
Soon after, a baker and cupbearer also got thrown into prison. One day, each of them had a dream. Joseph interpreted the dreams for them. The cupbearer dreamed there was a vine with three branches, and he was squeezing the grape into Pharoah's cup. Joseph interpreted this to mean that the cupbearer would be released in 3 days to serve the king. Joseph asked the cupbearer to remember him, to speak favorably of Joseph in order to get him out of jail.
The baker dreamed there were three baskets of bread. The basket on his head had bread that was being eaten by birds. oseph interpreted this to mean that the baker would be released in 3 days but would be hanged, and the birds would eat at his innards.
Joseph's interpretations came true, but the cupbearer forgot to mention Joseph to Pharoah.
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