Exodus 17 and 18

Studies in Exodus

TOPIC: Jethro Visits Moses
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 18
MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 27:17

Lesson 18 Exodus 18

INTRODUCTION: In this chapter we come to a parenthesis in the book of Exodus. The events of this chapter actually happened about eleven months later, so this chapter is not in chronological order in the book of Exodus, but this chapter is placed here for a good reason. Chapter 16 told us about the manna, the bread from Heaven, which pictures Christ being smitten on the cross - The Crucifixion. The last part of chapter 17 told us about the war with Amalek, which pictures the battle the Christian has with the old fleshly nature. This battle with the flesh will continue until the Christian is given a brand new body at the second coming of Christ - The Rapture. The story of Jethro’s visit with Moses pictures for us the next prophetical event, in order, after the Tribulation Period - The Millennial Reign. In this chapter we see that JETHRO VISITS MOSES.

I THE VISIT OF JETHRO v 1-12

A. Jethro comes to visit Moses with Moses’ wife and sons v 1-5 JETHRO (v 1) - “excellence” (also called “Reuel” - Exodus 3:1; and “Raguel” - Numbers 10:29) ZIPPORAH (v 2) - “sparrow” GERSHOM (v 3) - “a stranger” ELIEZER (v 4) - “God is my Helper” This was a family reunion for Moses. Moses had apparently sent Zipporah and his two sons home to Jethro’s house after the incident at the inn when Zipporah called Moses a “bloody husband.” (Exodus 4:25-26) Zipporah, being restored to her husband Moses, is a picture of how Israel, the wife of Jehovah, will be restored unto the Lord during the Millennial Reign. (Isaiah 54:4-8; Joel 3:16-17)

NOTE: Notice the time of Jethro’s visit with Moses:
1) it was while Israel was “encamped at the mount of God” (v 5) - This incident occurred just as Israel was about to leave Mount Sinai, and enter the wilderness of Paran. In chapter 17, Israel had not even reached Mount Sinai yet.

2) Israel finally comes to Mount Sinai in the third month after their release from Egyptian captivity. (Exodus 19:1-2) Yet, in Exodus 18:5, we find Jethro coming to visit Moses “where he encamped at the mount of God.” This proves that chapter 18 is not in chronological order in the book of Exodus, but is placed there for its teachings concerning the Millennial Reign.

B. Moses tells Jethro all that God has done for Israel v 6-12 Even though Jethro was a Gentile, he still rejoiced in God’s blessings upon Israel for he also was trusting in the true and living God. Jethro even gave burnt offerings unto the Lord which showed that, like Israel, he also was looking for the Lamb of God Who was only pictured by the sacrifices he was giving. (Hebrews 10:4-5; 9:13-14; 25-28)

II JETHRO’S ADVICE TO MOSES v 13-27

A. Jethro watched as Moses judged all the children of Israel’s matters by himself v 13-18 Jethro was an old man by now and had gained some good Godly wisdom in all his years of serving the Lord. He loved Moses and had great respect for him. Thus, when he saw something that would help Moses, he naturally wanted to pass along his advice. Jethro’s advice was good advice for shortly after Jethro leaves, God instructs Moses also to choose out seventy men to help Moses bear the burden of the people. (Numbers 11:11-17; Deuteronomy 1:9-18; Proverbs 16:31)

B. Jethro advises Moses to select some men out of Israel to help judge the matters of the people v 19-23 Placing judges over certain amounts of people, no doubt, is a picture of the government by which the Lord will rule the earth during the Millennial Reign. (Matthew 25:21; Luke 19:16-19; Revelation 20:4-6)

C. Moses followed the good advice of his father-in-law v 24-27 This court system that Jethro advised, and God commanded, Moses to set up in Israel is still being used as the basis for the judicial system of many nations today. Jethro preferred to return to his own land and to his own people, and so soon left Moses in Mount Sinai.

TEACHERS’ TIP: AS A MAN GROWS OLDER AND WISER, HE TALKS LESS AND SAYS MORE.

NEXT MEMORY VERSE: John 1:17

Exodus 15 and 16

Studies in Exodus

TOPIC: Israel’s Song of Redemption
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 15
MEMORY VERSE: Psalm 106:12

Lesson 15 Exodus 15

INTRODUCTION: In this chapter we have recorded for us the first song of the Bible. It is perhaps the oldest poem still in existence in the world. The children of Israel had just been brought through the Red Sea upon dry ground. They had just seen their enemies, the armies of Egypt, destroyed before their very eyes. Now, with grateful hearts, Moses leads the children of Israel in this song of praise unto the Lord. This is ISRAEL’S SONG OF REDEMPTION.

I THE SONG OF REDEMPTION v 1-21

A. Moses and the children of Israel burst forth with singing v 1-5 This same crowd only a short time before had been standing on the other side of the Red Sea crying out that they wanted to go back into Egyptian bondage. (Exodus 14:11-12) While in Egyptian bondage, there were no joyful songs of praise to sing (Exodus 2:23) but now their sighing has given place to singing. They are no longer concerned only with themselves but now they are excited about the Lord. Two things had brought about this change in them:
1) the blood of the Lamb (Exodus 12:7)
2) the power of the Lord (Exodus 14:30)
The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Lamb) and the transforming power of the Lord still cause the saved to sing the song of the redeemed. (Revelation 15:3; Ephesians 5:19-20; James 5:13)

B. Moses and the children of Israel sang about what the Lord had done v 6-7 The Lord is the only One Who can redeem. But, also, the Lord is just and righteous and brings judgment upon the enemies of His people. (Romans 12:19; Jude 14-15; II Thessalonians 1:7-10)


C. Israel sang about the ease with which the Lord is able to deliver judgment upon the enemy v 8-13 The Egyptians boasted about what they would do when they caught up with Israel (v 9), “. . .I will divide the spoil. . .” But, all God had to do was simply “blow with thy wind” (v 10) and the enemy was destroyed. There is none like the true and living God. (Psalm71:19; Genesis 18:14; Jeremiah 32:17, 27)

D. The testimony of God’s great power would cause other enemies to fear the Lord v 14-19 PALESTINA (v 14) - the area of Palestine-the Promised Land (Isaiah 14:29, 31) EDOM (v 15) - the area of land along the southeast border of Palestine (also called Mount Seir - Ezekiel 35:3; Genesis 36:8) MOAB (v 15) - the area of land east of the Dead Sea (Numbers 22:1) CANAAN (v 15) - the area of the Promised Land west of the Jordan River These nations of people who would later be enemies of Israel heard what God had done to Egypt and feared Israel. (Joshua 2:9-11; I Samuel 4:8)

E. Miriam and the ladies of Israel began to dance and sing praises unto the Lord v 20-21 TIMBREL (v 20) - “a tambourine” Miriam is called a “prophetess” in the sense that she knew the Word of the Lord well enough to be able to teach other ladies. (Acts 21:8-9) This song of praise sung by the shores of the Red Sea by the children of Israel ends just as it began - with “the Lord.” (v 1, 21)

II THE STRIFE AT MARAH v 22-27

A. Moses led the children of Israel for three days in the wilderness where there was no water v 22 SHUR (“wall; fortification”) - Shur was a great defensive wall that kept invaders from the east out of Egypt. (I Samuel 15:7) Egypt had been a land of plenty for Israel and water was there in abundance. But suddenly, for three days they find no water and they grow very thirsty. The picture here is of the Christian who finds that after salvation the world is a dry, barren place and does not satisfy any longer. The only thing that will quench the thirsting of his soul is the Lord. (Psalm 42:1-2; 63:1; John 7:37)
B. Moses led Israel to the bitter waters of Marah and Israel began to complain v 23-25 MARAH - “bitterness” Just three days earlier, the children of Israel were singing praises unto the Lord, but now they have thirsted for three days, and when they finally do find water, it is too bitter to drink. So, they begin to complain against Moses. This experience was not really Moses’ fault. Remember, he is only following the pillar of cloud that is leading them. It is only when the “tree” (a picture of the cross-Galatians 3:13) is cast into the bitter experience that the bitter becomes sweet. (Psalm 107:4-5; Galatians 6:14)

C. God promises the children of Israel His blessings if they will keep His commandments v 26-27 ELIM (v 27) - “trees” - Elim was a beautiful oasis in the wilderness. God always gives the bitter waters of Marah first and then sweetens them by the cross (a tree). Then comes the wells of the pure water (Elim) and the palm trees of shade and refreshment. (I Peter 5:10; II Timothy 2:3)

TEACHERS’ TIP: STORMS MAKE A STRONG TREE; TESTINGS MAKE A STRONG CHRISTIAN.

NEXT MEMORY VERSE: John 6:31





Studies in Exodus

TOPIC: Manna From the Lord
SCRIPTURE: Exodus 16
MEMORY VERSE: John 6:31

Lesson 16 Exodus 16

INTRODUCTION: In this chapter the Lord continues to care for His people whom He has redeemed out of Egyptian bondage. Moses is following the pillar of cloud southeastward along what is called the “Sinai Peninsula.” Soon, they would arrive safe and sound at Mt. Sinai, but in the meantime, the children of Israel needed food. Where would 2 ½ million people find enough food to eat in this desert wilderness? God would have to provide for His people. Since there was no natural food to be found, God miraculously sent the children of Israel food in the form of a bread seed which the Israelites called manna. Here we see MANNA FROM THE LORD.

I MURMURING AGAINST THE LORD v 1-13

A. The children of Israel begin to complain about their lack of food v 1-13 It had only been one month (v 1) since Israel had come out of the land of Egypt. God had opened the Red Sea for Israel, destroyed Pharaoh’s army, and led them every step of the way through the wilderness. Yet, the first time they do not have as much food as they think they ought to have, they begin complaining and murmuring against Moses and Aaron. God had promised that Israel would serve God at Mt. Sinai, so it was not possible for them to starve in the wilderness. (Exodus 3:12; Psalm 106:12-15)

B. God promises to rain down bread from Heaven upon the children of Israel v 4-5 This would be no small miracle, for God would be sending enough food everyday to feed 2 ½ million people. Notice the great provision God was about to make for His people:

1) time and space - If the children of Israel marched five in a rank, a column long enough to accommodate all of them would be 230 miles long, not counting the cattle and flocks. Such a column could not move faster than one mile per hour which means that it would take 230 hours for them to pass any given point. That means that the first man out of camp would leave 10 days before the last man left.
2) camp and space - The children of Israel would require about 500 square miles to make camp. That is an area 60 miles long and 8 miles wide.
3) food - If each person got a minimum of one pound of food per day, that would be over 900 tons of food per day. This is equivalent to two full trainloads every day.
4) cooking the food - To cook the food would require at least 2400 tons of firewood every day. Where did Israel find firewood in the desert? – GOD SUPPLIED THEIR EVERY NEED.
5) water - Using the lowest scale for drinking and cooking - one gallon per person per day - it would take 29 good Persian wells pumping around the clock just to provide that one gallon per person. Since they also had to bathe and water their herds and flocks every day, it would take over 100 wells pumping at full capacity to meet their needs. YET, GOD SUPPLIED EVERY NEED FOR THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. (Philippians 4:19; Psalm 23:1)

C. Moses and Aaron tell Israel of God’s provision for their needs v 6-12 The Lord had heard the “murmurings” of the children of Israel, just as He still hears the complaining of church members today. It was not Moses and Aaron that had led them out into the wilderness, and permitted them to have these problems. It was the Lord Who had done this! When they complained then, they were actually complaining against the Lord. (I Samuel 8:7; Philippians 2:14; Jude 16)

D. God sent quail and bread for Israel to eat in the wilderness v 13 After all of their complaining, Israel did not deserve to have quail and manna, yet God’s grace prevailed and He sends them their desire. THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THE MARVELOUS GRACE OF GOD! (Romans 5:20; II Corinthians 9:8)

II MANNA FROM THE LORD v 14-26

A. The Lord sends “manna” for the children of Israel to eat v 14-22 HOAR FROST (v 14)- “frozen dew” (Job 38:29; Psalm 147:16) MANNA (v 15) - means “what is it?” OMER (v 22) - equal to 5.1 pints NOTICE SOME THINGS ABOUT THIS MANNA:
1) The manna was a supernatural gift (v 15) - “This is the bread which the Lord hath given. . .” Manna was not a product of the earth nor was it manufactured by man. It was a gift from God. This manna is a picture of the Word of God which is “the bread of life.” (Matthew 4:4; John 6:48-51)
2) The manna was gathered in the morning (v 13-14) - “. . .in the morning. . .” Gathering the manna was to be the first act of the day. So, the Word of God which feeds the Christian should be given first place in our busy day. (Matthew 6:33)
3) The manna was obtained by labor (v 16)- “gather of it every man. . .” The manna did not just fall into their mouths. It required them to go out and work to gather it. So, the Word of God requires labor from the Christian in order to feed hungry souls. (I Timothy 5:17; II Thessalonians 3:10)
4) The manna was gathered to be used (v 19-20) - “. . .let no man leave of it until the morning. . .” The truth of the Word of God is not to be hoarded up, but is to be used daily in the Lord’s work. (Acts 2:46-47)

B. Moses instructs the children of Israel about the manna and the Sabbath Day v 23-30 SABBATH (v 25) - “cessation; rest” (the seventh day or Saturday) Six days Israel was to gather in manna, and on the sixth day, God sent them twice as much as on the other days. On this day, they were to gather up twice as much manna, grind it up and make twice as much bread. The extra bread was to be eaten on the Sabbath Day, and on that day there was to be no work done. It was a day of rest. (Exodus 20:8-11; Mark 2:27-28) The Sabbath Day is a picture of Christ Who is the believer’s rest. (Hebrews 4:9-11)

C. The Lord commanded Israel to set aside a daily provision of manna as a testimony for generations to come v 31-36 Manna is described as being small and white, and tasting like “wafers made with honey.” (v 31) The “mixed multitude” despised the manna and continued to complain. (Numbers 11:4-9) These said the manna tasted like “fresh oil.” (Numbers 11:8) The children of Israel ate manna in the wilderness for forty long years until at last they entered the land of Canaan. (Joshua 5:12) God’s provisions will always be there for the Christian until at last he reaches his Heavenly home. (Philippians 1:6; II Timothy 1:12)

TEACHERS’ TIP: THE MORE OF HEAVEN THERE IS IN OUR LIVES, THE LESS OF EARTH WE SHALL COVET.

NEXT MEMORY VERSE: I Corinthians 10:4