From the Ram to the Lamb

Transcription

1 From the Ram to the Lamb PART 2 A fi ve-part Lent study for individuals and small groups by Marjorie Austin

2 FROM THE RAM TO THE LAMB by Marjorie Austin Published by Scripture Union, Queensway, Bletchley, MK2 2EB, UK Marjorie Austin 2009 Permission is given for photocopies of this work to be made for the purpose of study in the setting of small church groups. None of the material can be printed or sold or used in other contexts without permission. This material is published in the context of WordLive (wordlive.org), an online Bible engagement programme produced by Scripture Union. The right of Marjorie Austin to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act Unless otherwise attributed, Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, (NIV), 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton, a division of Hodder Headline Ltd. Marjorie Austin acknowledges with gratitude the help and encouragement received in writing and revising this course, particularly from Geoffrey and Ros; also John, who trained her. Scripture Union is an international Christian charity working with churches in more than 130 countries providing resources to bring the good news about Jesus Christ to children, young people and families and to encourage them to develop spiritually through the Bible and prayer. As well as coordinating a network of volunteers, staff and associates who run holidays, church-based events and school Christian groups, Scripture Union produces a wide range of publications and supports those who use their resources through training programmes.

3 2 Passover Icebreaker Recall a special meal you have had. What was significant about it? Share your memory with the group. The story so far We now move on approximately 600 years to think about Moses (c BC). (To put this in some kind of historical context, Tutankhamen was Pharaoh from about 1333 to 1324 BC.) Abraham s descendents, the Israelites, had escaped famine in Canaan and were living in Egypt and there were now a great many of them; Moses counted 603,550 men aged 20 years and over, able to serve in Israel s army (Numbers 1:45,46). The Israelites had initially been welcome guests but they were now captives, providing slave labour for the Egyptians. Moses was born an Israelite, but he was raised by an Egyptian princess, so he had grown up with Egyptian royalty for playmates and in the classroom (Exodus 2:1 10). Moses saw that the Israelites were being badly treated and one day he killed an Egyptian slave-master who was mistreating an Israelite worker. Moses ran away to escape the consequences of his action (Exodus 2:15) to lead a nomadic life; during this time, he married Zipporah and learned to live off the land a very different lifestyle from the Egyptian court. Meanwhile, the Israelites remained in cruel bondage and they cried out to God for deliverance from their bitter hardships. Read Exodus 3:1 12 Q What was Moses first response to the strange sight of the burning bush? Q How did his attitude change? Q What was Moses commission?

4 Q What reassurance does God give, when Moses feels nervous and unworthy for the task? The story continues Moses went to Pharaoh again and again, but the ruler stubbornly refused to let the Israelites go, in spite of nine plagues which were visited on the Egyptian people: blood, frogs, gnats, flies, death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness. Pharaoh suggested various compromise solutions: Some of you can go. Offer your sacrifices here in Egypt. Go just a little way into the desert to offer your sacrifices. At one point he asked Moses to pray for him. At another, he was determined not to give in to Moses demands. Pharaoh kept changing his mind but Moses was steadfast: God s people must be freed. Read Exodus 11:1 8 Q During the previous nine plagues, the Israelites lives and livestock had been spared. The tenth plague was going to be so terrible that they would need special protection. How was God going to make a distinction (verse 7) between the Israelites and the Egyptians? Read Exodus 12:1 13 Q God gave precise instructions for the preparation of the Israelites last meal in Egypt. How will the lamb s blood protect them? Read Exodus 12:21 42 Q What strikes you about the instructions God gives? 4

5 Q List any similarities you can think of between the life of Moses and the life of Jesus. When you have finished, compare your list with the chart at the end of this session. For reflection The Israelites are to remember this night both the preparations and the reasons for it all once they are free to do so. Though they did forget at times, Passover was celebrated in his day by Jesus with his disciples. Jews continue to celebrate Passover today, more than 3,000 years after the first Passover. Think about the ways in which Christians commemorate what Christ has done for them. Read Exodus 14:1 31, paying particular attention to verses 15 25, and thinking about God s power. Q What reasons are given for this dramatic escape? Q What do the Egyptians finally realise, too late...? (See verse 25.) The story continues The people of God escaped from slavery and bitter oppression to freedom. As they set out to repossess the Promised Land of Canaan, God s presence went with them. They then spent many years in the desert, during which time they: received the Ten Commandments, their framework for living (Exodus 20); set up the tabernacle for sacrifice and worship (Exodus 36 40); established themselves as a separate nation; had their ups and downs! There were times of obedience and disobedience, patience and impatience, trust and grumbling. Read Exodus 33:12 34:6 5

6 Q Moses was having a particularly hard time as leader of a grumbling, disobedient nation. What are the inevitable consequence of the Israelites forgetting God? Q What would distinguish God s people from the other nations? Q What distinguishes Christians from other people today? Q What words are used to describe God s glory? Read Galatians 5:22,23; 2 Corinthians 3:16 18 Q Where is God s glory to be found today? In closing Spend some time praying for leaders of your church, area and nation. Thank God for his presence. Pray for each other that we may recognise his guidance and see his glory, each day. Read or sing together a song or hymn which focuses on the glory of God. One suggestions would be Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One, is here, written by David J Evans (copyright 1986 Thankyou Music). 6

7 Moses Jesus His generation of babies was killed, but he was saved. He was saved by Hebrew women in response to God. He was set apart by God to save his people. Moses tried to avoid the job, but was obedient. The people were in slavery and bondage and fear to Pharaoh and Egypt. Moses did battle with Pharaoh until he had what God had promised. Moses led the people out of slavery and captivity to a good and spacious land. God spoke with Moses face to face, as a man to his friend (Exodus 33:11). Through Moses, God gave the Law the Old Covenant. Through Moses, God provided a means of substitute sacrifice, the Passover lamb, the sacrificial system and at-one-ment with God. God dwelt among his people through the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34). Exodus 33:16: if you (God) don t go with us, what else will distinguish us from all the other people? His generation of babies was killed, but he was saved. He was saved by his parents (Hebrews) in response to God. He was born of God to save all people. In Gethsemane Jesus asked God to take away the cup, but he was obedient. All people were in bondage to sin/satan. Jesus did battle with Satan to gain freedom for all people. Jesus death created an open door, which no one can shut, to lead people from darkness to light. Jesus, Son of God, is a friend of sinners. In Jesus, God fulfilled the Old Covenant and gave us the New Covenant. In Jesus, God provided the one, perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. Jesus dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory (John 1:14) I am with you always. Note: Moses appeared at Jesus transfiguration, showing his importance in God s plan; also showing the importance of the Law, the sacrificial system, atonement, holiness and righteousness. 7