The Bible Story - Part Two

After being enslaved in Egypt for more than 400 years, God chooses an unlikely candidate to lead his beloved people to freedom and into the Promised Land.

The Bible Story - Part Two

The Exodus

The Israelites grew in number and were in exile in Egypt for about 430 years.  Fearing the growing power of the Israelites (Ex 1: 7) , a new King of Egypt, who knew nothing of Joseph, decided to use the Israelites as slaves.  God heard the cries of his people (Ex 3:7) and chose one man, Moses, to lead them to freedom (Ex 3:10). 

After receiving God’s instructions, Moses asked Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, but Pharaoh denied the request (Ex 5:1, 2).  God then sent ten plagues into the land of Egypt to force Pharaoh to let the Israelites go (Ex 6:1), but after each plague Pharaoh remained stubborn.  The final plague killed all firstborn children, except those of the Israelites (Ex 11:5) who were instructed to put the blood of a lamb on their doors (Ex 12:7).

After plundering the entire nation of its silver and gold jewellery and clothing (the Egyptians gave everything to them) (Ex 12:36), the Israelites left Egypt, following God as a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night (Ex 13:21).  By the time the Israelites came to the Red Sea, Pharaoh had changed his mind and was pursuing them.  God parted the Red Sea (Ex 14:21) and the Israelites escaped.  They came to Mount Sinai where God entered into a covenant with the people to be their God.  Moses was given the Ten Commandments by God (Ex 20:1). 

While at Mount Sinai, God gave further instructions to Moses concerning sacrifices, offerings and worship, ceremonial cleanliness as well as feasts and Holy days.  God’s desire was for his people to be holy.  He required a response of submission and obedience from the people.

After a year had passed at Mount Sinai, God led the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land where they sent out spies (Num 13:2).  The spies reported that while the land was indeed flowing with milk and honey, there were also significant adversaries present (Num 13:27-28).  The people complained against God, Moses and Aaron (Num 14:2).  God then sentenced the Israelites to years of wandering in the desert until that generation of unbelieving adults had died (Num 14:22, 23).

After 40 years in the desert, Moses retold the story (of what had happened) to the new generation of Israelites and reminded them of the commandments and requirements God had given them (Deut 1:3).  Moses then went up Mount Nebo where God allowed him to see the Promised Land, saying that this was the land he had promised to give to Abraham (Deut 34:1).  Moses died without entering the land.

The Promised Land

God appointed Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (Deut 31:3).  When they entered the land, God's 700 year old promise to Abraham was fulfilled.  Jericho’s walls collapsed before Joshua’s army as they took possession of the land (Josh 6:20).  The land was divided up among the twelve tribes.  After the death of Joshua (Josh 24:29), there was no formal leadership except for judges that were called from time to time by God as the need arose.  The judges had several functions: military leadership, spiritual leadership and as judge in case hearings and administering justice in Israel.  However, during the 200 years Israel was governed by judges, there was little law and order.

 

 

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