“And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.  And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power..." I Cor. 2:3-4  

Thank you, precious Lord, for showing us your wisdom in our ignorance and your strength in our weakness. Thank You for using every challenge today to demonstrate your victory tomorrow. We love You!

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I.    Read Exodus 4:1-20.  God has a purpose for Moses and a plan to bring it about, as He does with each of us.

A.     What does Moses now know about himself and his own ability to deliver his people? (Remember where he was before his wilderness experience, according to Acts 7:20-27.)  

B.      1. What is his attitude toward God and His request?  

 

2. God is training Moses to live a life of confident faith before Himself and His people.  In vs. 2-9, how did He show Moses His power and sufficiency?  

 

3. Yet, according to v. 10, in whom does Moses put his trust?  

4. (Personal) As you read God's answer in v. 11, apply this to yourself.  Which part of you do you need to continually affirm as made by Him?  

C.     Personalize v. 12.  

D.      1.   In v. 13, what sin in Moses caused God's anger? (What is Moses really saying?)  

 

2. (Personal) Ask God to search your heart (Psalm 139:23-24) and see if there is a similar sin in your life.  What does He show you?  What can you do about it?

E.     How did God then prepare and equip Moses for His great work?  

 

2.    Read Exodus 4:27-5:23

A.     How did God's people respond to the words and signs of Aaron?  

B.     1.    What was Pharaoh's response to God's request through Aaron and Moses? (vs. 5:2-9)  

 

2. (Personal) Sometimes, as we ask for relief in suffering, it seems as if the pain increases and the battle grows more intense.  When has this happened to you?  What good thing might God want to accomplish in you through such a situation? (Remember some of God's promises such as II Cor. 1:4, 9; 4:17; I Pet. 5:10) What other words of comfort does He give to you?  

C.      1. In their increased suffering, how did "the sons of Israel” react? (v. 5:21)  

2. How did Moses then respond, and what did he do?

3.    Read Exodus 6:1-13

A. What did God promise Moses in v. 1?  

B.      1. How did God identify Himself? (vs. 2-8)

 

2. What words of comfort and encouragement did He speak?

C.      1. In v. 9 we find a phrase which is repeated a number of times in the Old Testament, and which is one of the most sad and tragic statements written concerning God's people.  What is it?  

 

2. Why was it so hard for the people to receive God's words of comfort?  

3. (Personal) When or why might it have been difficult for you to receive His comfort and hope through His Word in your painful circumstances?

D.     How well had Moses understood God's instructions to him concerning His sufficiency and the triumphant outcome of His plan, according to v. 12?  

 

E. How did God then answer Moses in v. 13?

4.    Read II Corinthians 3:4-5

A.      1. What two facts (concerning ourselves and concerning God) must we know with confidence?  

 

2. In which of these facts did Moses lack confidence?

B. Our Lord met Moses personally in order to build into him this confidence which was needed for the work ahead.  What has kept Moses from attaining this assurance?

C.     (Personal) Describe an action or thought process which might interfere with your continually living in the confidence of who you are in Him.

D. As you see God in this lesson, what are the main points you want to remember and appropriate (make part of yourself) so that your life would continually manifest Christ?

5.   Read and enjoy Psalm 16.  What did David do in order to live fully in the joy and peace of His presence?

SUGGESTED HYMN:   Lord, Speak to Me or What a friend we have in Jesus

 Next: Lesson 13: God's Plan for Deliverance