moses runs away exodus 2:11-22

Transcription

1 moses runs away exodus 2:11-22 Moses grew up to be a fine, strong young man. He was a prince of Egypt now, the son of an Egyptian princess. Perhaps someday Moses would become ruler of all Egypt. One day Moses went out to visit the Israelites. He must have known that he was an Israelite, even though he had grown up as an Egyptian. He felt sad as he saw the terrible way these people were treated. While he was watching, he saw an Egyptian knock an Israelite down. Moses looked around. He thought no one was watching. He killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand. Moses went back the next day. This time he saw two Israelites fighting. "Why are you doing this?" Moses said to the one who was wrong. "You shouldn't hit an Israelite brother like that." "Do you think you are our prince and judge?" the man snapped back. "Will you kill me the way you killed the Egyptian yesterday?" Now Moses knew that someone had seen what he had done. He was afraid. Pharaoh soon learned that Moses had killed an Egyptian. He gave orders for Moses to be arrested and killed. Moses ran away to the land of Midian. When he got there, he sat down by a well. That's where he was sitting when seven young women came to water their father's sheep. They were all daughters of Jethro, a priest in Midian. Some shepherds at the well tried to chase the women away. But Moses chased those shepherds away instead. Then he helped the women water their sheep. "How did you get the sheep watered so fast today?" Jethro asked when the women went home. "An Egyptian helped us," they said. Jethro said, "Go back and invite him here for supper." So they did. Jethro invited Moses to live with them. Moses married Jethro's daughter Zipporah. In time they had a baby boy named Gershom, which sounded like a Hebrew word that meant "foreigner." I am a stranger in a foreign land," Moses said.

2 DISCUSSION: Why did Moses run away from Egypt? Who did he meet in Midian? How did Jethro help Moses? What might have happened to Moses if no one had helped him? Do you think Moses was thankful to Jethro? Are you moving to a new place? Or do you know someone that has just moved to your school or neighborhood? You can ask God to help you find a new friend or be a friend to someone new that you meet! Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

3 the b-i-b-l-e... god's book! Your father or mother drives up to a traffic light. It turns red. That means "STOP!" If a driver goes through a red light, someone could be hurt or killed. You are glad for traffic lights, aren't you? They can save your life. Sometimes God's Word is like a red traffic light. It says "STOP! Don't do this or you could get hurt!" That advice is worth more than gold. It's sweeter than honey. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to those who hear them; there is great reward for those who obey them. DISCUSSION: God's words are priceless and sweet. They are precious. They warn us and keep us safe from bad things that will hurt us. That's why we love them. When we listen to God and obey His words, we will be rewarded with good things. Tell God that you are glad for your Bible and His precious words in it! Psalm 19:9-11 Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

4 the burning bush exodus 2:23-4:20 The king who wanted to kill Moses died. Now there was a new pharaoh in Egypt. But Moses' people, the Israelites, were still suffering as slaves. They cried to the Lord, and he heard them. He remembered the promises He had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He had promised to bring their family members back to Canaan someday. Now was the time. Meanwhile, Moses was in Midian. He was taking care of Jethro's sheep one day near Sinai, the mountain of God. Suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to him as a flame in a bush. The bush burned, but it never burned up! Moses had to go over to see what was happening. Then God called to Moses from the burning bush. "Moses!" God said. Moses answered, "Here I am." "Don't come closer. Take off your sandals, for you are on holy ground. I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I have heard the cries of your people in Egypt," God said. "I will take them to a land where plenty of food grows. You will go to Pharaoh and demand that he free my people." Moses was afraid. "I'm not the right person," he protested. "I will be with you," God answered. "I will do all kinds of miracles, and at last Pharaoh will let the people go. The Egyptians will even give your people many gifts." "The Israelite leaders will not believe me," Moses argued. "They will say the Lord never appeared to me." "Throw your shepherd's rod to the ground," God said. When Moses did, the rod became a snake. "Take it by the tail, the Lord said. When Moses did that, it became a rod again. "When the Israelite leaders see that, they will listen to you," God said. "Now put your hand inside your robe." Moses did. And when he took his hand out, it was white with leprosy. "Put it in your robe again," God said. After Moses did that, it was well again. "I will help you do other miracles, too," God promised. "But I'm not a good speaker," Moses argued. "I made your mouth," God said. "I will help you." "Please send someone else," Moses begged.

5 Then God answered, "I will send your brother, Aaron, with you. He is on his way here right now. He is a good speaker. Now go! And take your rod, for you will do miracles with it." Moses went home and told Jethro, "I would like to go back to Egypt." Then Jethro answered, "Go. You have my blessing." So Moses took his wife and children with him back to Egypt. He took his rod too. DISCUSSION: What did Moses see when he was taking care of the sheep? Why did God tell Moses to take off his sandals? God showed Moses two miracles -- what were they? If God spoke to you today, what would you like to hear Him tell you? God doesn't talk to us from burning bushes today. But He does speak to us from His Word, the Bible. When you read your Bible, try to think about what God is saying to you! BURNING DESERT ELDERS HELP HOREB MIDIAN MOSES RESCUE SNAKE STAFF BUSH EGYPT GROUND HOLY ISRAELITES MIRACULOUS PROMISED SANDALS SPEAK WONDERS Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

6 making bricks without straw exodus 4:29-6:1 When Moses and Aaron arrived in Egypt, they first went to see the Israelite leaders. Then they went to Pharaoh. "We have a message from God," they said. "Let my people go into the wilderness. They must worship God there." "Who is this God?" Pharaoh sneered. "I don't know him. I will not let the Israelite people go." That day Pharaoh sent orders to the slave bosses. "The slaves have been making bricks. Now they must also find their own straw to make the bricks," he commanded. "But they must make as many bricks as before. That will teach them not to listen to Moses' and Aaron' lies." Pharaoh's officers passed the orders on. "No more straw!" they said. "Keep making as many bricks as you have been." They whipped the Israelites in charge of the workers when they could not keep up. "More bricks!" they demanded. These work leaders went to see Pharaoh. "Don't treat us this way," they said. But Pharaoh was cruel. "You don't have enough work to do," he said. If you did, you wouldn't want to go into the wilderness to worship God." Now the work leaders were angry with Moses and Aaron. Moses pleaded with God. "Why are you doing this?" he asked. But God knew what He was doing. "Pharaoh will let your people go," He said. DISCUSSION: Who went with Moses to see Pharaoh? How were the slaves treated? How did the Israelite leaders respond to Moses and Aaron? What would you have thought if you were Moses and Aaron? Do you want to help someone know Jesus? That person may yell at you or may not like you. He may even say unkind things to you. But don't let that stop you!

7 the b-i-b-l-e... god's book! Do you really love your mother? You don't want to hurt her, do you? But sometimes our words hurt people we love. Sometimes what we say hurts God. Here is a way not to hurt God. May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you. O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 DISCUSSION: Words can please or hurt. The choice is up to us! But it is sad when our words hurt someone we love very much, someone like God. We want our words to please Him, don't we? Think of some things you have said today. Which do you think would please God? Which do you think would make God sad? Ask God to forgive you for the things that would make Him sad. Try to remember to say things that please God and others you love. Who is the most important person in your country? Is that person a king or queen? Is that person a president or a prime minister? This Bible verse tell about someone much more important. This person knows you and loves you. Here is something this important person wants you to know. For the Lord is king! He rules all the nations.. Psalm 22:28 DISCUSSION: God is king over all other kings on earth. He is bigger and more powerful than all other rulers. If a king or president said something to you, would you listen? Would you think his or her words were important? Would you think you should obey them? What do you think when God says something to you in His Word, the Bible? Do you think this is important? Do you think you should obey what He says? Why?

8 Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

9 the river that turned to blood exodus 7:8-24 Moses and Aaron were having a lot of trouble. The Lord had commanded them to take His people from Egypt. But when Moses and Aaron talked to Pharaoh, he refused to let the Israelites go. He made the Israelite slaves work harder. Now the Israelites were too discouraged to listen to Moses and Aaron. So the Lord told Moses and Aaron to go back to Pharaoh. When Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh, he demanded a miracle. So Aaron threw down his shepherd's rod, and it became a snake. But Pharaoh brought in his magicians, and they did the same thing. Aaron's snake swallowed theirs, but Pharaoh still was not impressed. His heart was hard. So he refused to let the Israelites go. "Go back to Pharaoh again in the morning," the Lord told Moses and Aaron. "Meet him by the Nile River. Tell him that I demand that he let the Israelite slaves go. Tell him that the Nile River will turn to blood when you, Moses, hit it with your rod. When Aaron points his rod toward the other waters of Egypt, they will turn to blood too." Moses and Aaron did what the Lord said. When they did, the water all over Egypt turned to blood. Fish died, and there was a terrible smell. But Pharaoh's Egyptian magicians also turned water into blood. So Pharaoh remained as stubborn and hardhearted as he had been before. He would not listen to Moses and Aaron. Pharaoh went back to his palace. The Egyptians had to dig wells to get water. But still the Israelites remained slaves. Still they worked hard under the hot sun. They were not free yet. DISCUSSION: Whose rod became a snake? Could anyone else do this miracle? How did the Nile River turn to blood? What kind of person was Pharaoh? Pharaoh saw God's miracles, but his heart remained hard and stubborn. We are also proud and stubborn when we see wonderful things from God but don't think they are special.

10 Which of these things is a wonderful work of God: a sunrise, a bird singing, a thunderstorm, a new baby, good food, sleep? Name 3 more wonderful things from God that you see every day. Remember to thank God each day for His wonderful gifts! That will help you remember that they are special! Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

11 Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,

12 ` ` pharaoh learns about god's POwer exodus 8 Moses and Aaron did not go back to Pharaoh for a week. Then God commanded them to see Pharaoh again. "Tell Pharaoh to let my people go or I will send millions of frogs," God said. "They will swarm over the whole land. They will come into the houses of the Egyptian people and even get into bed with them." The Lord also said to Moses, "Tell Aaron to point his shepherds rod toward all the waters of Egypt -- rivers, streams, pools. The frogs will come out of the waters and cover Egypt." So Aaron did. Pharaoh's magicians also caused frogs to come upon the land. The frogs were a terrible problem. Pharaoh told Moses, "Beg God to take the frogs away. I will let your people go to worship." "Tell me when you want them to go," said Moses. "Then I will pray, and the frogs will die at that time." "Tomorrow!" said Pharaoh. So Moses prayed the next day, and God caused the frogs to die. The land was covered with dead frogs. But Pharaoh hardened his heart and grew stubborn again. He went back on his word. He would not let the people go. "Tell Aaron to strike the dust with his rod," God told Moses. "The dust will become tiny bugs. They will cover the land." Moses and Aaron obeyed. The bugs covered the whole land. Pharaoh's magicians tried to do this, but they could not. "This is God's finger at work," the magicians told Pharaoh. But Pharaoh was as hard-hearted and stubborn as ever. He refused to listen. He would not let the Israelites go. Then the Lord told Moses, "Meet Pharaoh as he goes to wash in the river. Tell him to let my people go. If he will not, I will send swarms of flies all over the land. But there will be no flies in Goshen where the Israelites live. This will happen tomorrow."

13 The Lord did what He had said. There were swarms of flies in Pharaoh's palace. There were swarms of flies everywhere. But there were no flies in Goshen. "All right!" Pharaoh said. "Go! But stay in Egypt to worship your God. Don't leave the land." "No," said Moses. "We must make a three-day trip into the wilderness." "All right, go!" said Pharaoh. "Just take these flies away." "I will pray and ask the Lord to take the flies away," said Moses. "But you must not lie to us again. You must not tell us we can go and change your mind." So when Moses prayed, the Lord took the flies away. But then Pharaoh hardened his heart again. He refused to let the people go. DISCUSSION: Name the three terrible plagues mentioned in this story. What was the first plague that the Egyptian magicians could not do? What place did the plague of flies not go? Why do you think Pharaoh kept changing his mind? Is it okay to tell someone you will do something and then change your mind and not do it? Some content taken from the One Year Bible for Children, New Living Translation, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. and V. Gilbert Beers; Some images obtained from the world wide web; other images by Lindy King, Co-Director for Adventurer Ministries, Texas Conference of Seventh day Adventists, created for the Adventurer Read-Through-The Bible Project,