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FreeWay Foundation            July 8, 2013

 

The years between joseph & moses

(Exodus 1:1-22)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I.  Concentration:  on the period between Genesis and Exodus

            1.  The Israelites remained in Egypt for 430 years, Exodus 12:40-41 . . . from I Kings 6:1,

                 we learn that the Exodus was 480 years before King Solomon's fourth year as king

                 (957 B.C.) which would date the Exodus at 1,437 B.C. (957 + 480).

      Other scholars set the date at 1,270 B.C., or 167 years later.

            2.  During these four centuries, the original 70 men grew to an estimated total population

                 of 2 million (603,550 men plus Levites, women and children, Numbers 1:45-47), vv. 1-6

                 . . . this means that the Israelites' population doubled every generation of 30 years.

            3.  During this period, there was a change in the Egyptian dynasty, and the new Pharaoh

                 did not "KNOW" Joseph . . . failed to respect and abide by the original agreement, v. 8;

                 Genesis 46:6; Acts 7:6 . . . "OPRESSION" (not residency in Egypt) lasted 400 years.

            4.  The new Pharaoh placed the Israelites under bondage and forced them to serve as slaves

                 in his building projects, vv. 11-14.

II.  Meditation:  on Pharaoh's treatment of the Israelites

            1.  Pharaoh feared that the rapidly multiplying Israelites might rebel against him and join

     with his enemies, vv. 7-10.

            2.  Pharaoh set taskmasters over the slaves to afflict them, yet the Egyptians continued to live

                 in "dread of the children of Israel," vv. 11-14.

            3.  Pharaoh commanded the midwives (Shiphrah and Puah) to kill the male Hebrew newborns,

                 but they disobeyed his command, vv. 15-21.

            4.  Pharaoh commanded all the Hebrew parents to throw their infant sons into the Nile River,

     v. 22.

III.  Revelation:  on the spiritual implications in this chapter

            1.  The world is just one generation away from paganism . . . a Pharaoh who did not know

     Joseph changed the Israelites from honored guests into oppressed slaves.

            2.  Satan hates God's people and seeks to put them under spiritual bondage.

            3.  "WE OUGHT TO OBEY GOD RATHER THAN MEN," Acts 5:29.

            4.  The Lord rewards those who obey Him . . . the midwives were given "households for them,"

                 vv. 20-21; Mark 10:29-30.

IV.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to . . .

            1.  Be a faithful witness for the Lord every day.

            2.  Expect Satan's persecution as I serve God, II Timothy 3:12.

            3.  Obey God rather than men, when there is a spiritual conflict.

            4.  Know that the Lord rewards those who faithfully serve and obey Him.

 

 

 

The lord has need

(Mark 11:1-33)

Dr. Curt Scarborough

 

I.  Concentration:  on the contents of this chapter

            1.  Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem riding on a colt of a donkey, to the praise

     of the crowds; He cleansed the temple, vv. 1-11; 15-19.

            2.  Jesus cursed the fig tree; later He told the disciples the meaning of this miracle,

                 vv. 12-14; 20-24.

            3.  Jesus taught the connection between having a forgiving spirit and having one's

                 prayers answered, vv. 25-26.

            4.  Jesus answered the question about the sources of His spiritual authority, vv. 27-33.

II.  Observations:  on the accounts of Jesus riding a donkey's colt in the Gospels

            1.  Matthew 21 – Two disciples sent to Bethphage for donkey and colt.

            2.  Mark 11 – Same as Matthew, except no donkey is mentioned.

            3.  Luke 19 – adds:  "ON WHICH NO ONE HAS EVER SAT,"     V. 30.

            4.  John 12 – "DISCIPLES . . . REMEMBERED THESE THINGS THAT WERE WRITTEN,

     v. 16.

III.  Meditation:  on Zechariah 9:9 (as quoted in Matthew 21:5)

            1.  The Messiah is the King.

            2.  The Messiah is just (sinless).

            3.  The Messiah has salvation . . . He saves His believing followers.

            4.  The Messiah is meek and humble, emphasizing His spiritual mission rather than

     portraying Him as the victorious conqueror.

IV.  Revelation:  on the spiritual implications seen here

            1.  Jesus deliberately identified with His prophesied destiny;

     HE WANTS US TO DISCOVER AND FOLLOW HIS DIVINE DESTINY FOR OUR LIVES.

            2.  Jesus gave His disciples very specific instructions:

      HE ALSO GIVES US DEFINITE ORDER TO OBEY.

            3.  Jesus' plan calls for volunteers and givers;

     HE WANTS US TO SERVE OTHER PERSONS WITH AN OPEN, CHARITABLE HEART.

            4.  Jesus was praised and glorified by the crowd;

     HE DESERVES OUR WORSHIP BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY!

V.  Applications:  as a Christian, I need to . . .

            1.  Be like the GOSPEL WRITERS, who connected their present situation with the Holy

     Scripture.

            2.  Be like the TWO DISCIPLES sent out:  hearing Jesus' specific instructions and

     obeying immediately.

            3.  Be like the OWNER, who responded to the appeal, "THE LORD HAS NEED," and

     freely donated his colt.

            4.  Be like the COLT, lifting Jesus up to the crowd and presenting Him in glory and majesty.

 

PRAYER:  Lord, You are my Kings.  Help me to respond by connecting today's events with Your word,

                 by hearing and obeying Your voice, by giving whatever I have to meet your needs, and by

                 lifting You up as the Savior of the world.  AMEN

           

 

 

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