THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREEYEARS
This program of daily devotions is designed to take youthrough the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help yougain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will beconcerned with only the major emphases and context of theScriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted,beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chaptertwenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as itappears. If you miss a day, you may go to the archive below andfind it.
Bruce McGee, Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
We have a great friend in
Bro. Bruce's commentaries forthe books of Genesis through 2Kings are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just mail your request forCOMMENTARY ON (BOOK NAME) to the address above.
EXODUS
CHAPTER 1
First, let me introduce you to the book of Exodus.
Between Genesis 50 and Exodus 1 are 400 years of time.
Although the acceptable date for writing the book of Exodus isnearly the same as the date for the writing of Genesis, thehistoricalcontent of Exodus takes place some 400 years after Jacob's familymoved to Egypt.
Moses, who is given credit for writing the first 5 books of theBible, is the most probable author of Exodus.
Moses died about 1405BC. And thedate of the Exodus from Egypt is probably about 1445BC.
Of course the REAL Author is God (2Pet. 1:21). But Moses is givencreditfor the physical writing of this book along with Genesis,Leviticus. Numbersand Deuteronomy.
Exodus 17:14, 24:34, 24:27 specifically namesMoses as thewriter of this book.
There is a different subject content in the book of Exodus. Whileit isprimarily considered a book of "the law," or Torah,there are many other subjectscovered in this book.
There is: The History of the Hebrew Nation Continued FromGenesis,
The Bondage of Israel,
The Call of Moses,
The Historical Happenings of the Exodus,
The Sinai Law,
The Description of the Tabernacle,
The Israelite Rebellion,
and The Building of the Tabernacle.
1 Now these are the names of the children of Israel,which came into Egypt; every man and his household came withJacob. 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun,and Benjamin, 4 Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 5 And all thesouls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: forJoseph was in Egypt already. 6 And Joseph died, and all hisbrethren, and all that generation. 7 And the children of Israelwere fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, andwaxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
The names of the TRIBES of Israel (Jacob) are given. Again,the number is 70.
Historical info: As Jacob's descendents enter Egypt, it is1875BC and Senusert III wasPharaoh of Egypt.
Note the similarity of the statement in vs. 7 with that of Gen.1:28.
8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knewnot Joseph. 9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people ofthe children of Israel are more and mightier than we: 10 Come on,let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come topass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also untoour enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of theland. 11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflictthem with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasurecities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them,the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved becauseof the children of Israel. 13 And the Egyptians made the childrenof Israel to serve with rigour: 14 And they made their livesbitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in allmanner of service in the field: all their service, wherein theymade them serve, was with rigour. 15 And the king of Egypt spaketo the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one wasShiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: 16 And he said, When yedo the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them uponthe stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it bea daughter, then she shall live. 17 But the midwives feared God,and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved themen children alive. 18 And the king of Egypt called for themidwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, andhave saved the men children alive? 19 And the midwives said untoPharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women;for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come inunto them. 20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and thepeople multiplied, and waxed very mighty. 21 And it came to pass,because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.
When Joseph died, and a new Pharaoh took over, the people ofIsrael began to increasetremendously. Soon, the new Pharaohbecame concerned about their growth and took steps to inhibit it.
His fear was that Israel might become an enemy, or theymight join an enemyand overcome Egypt (vs. 10).
First, they were brought into conscripted labor to build citiesfor Pharaoh (vs. 11).
But the Israelites just grew stronger, and more rapidly.
So the Egyptians made the tasks harder (vs. 11), and"bitterness" was introduced (vs. 14).
Then Pharaoh told the midwives to kill any male children born(vss 15-16).
The midwives, however, were "God-fearing" people, andobeyed God - not men (vs. 17).
PRAISE GOD! The midwives made excuses (which were actually true).They said the Hebrew women were more "lively" thanEgyptian women.
One note here: Hard work makes a person "livelier.
Notice in vss 20-21 how God blessed both the nation and themidwives for their faith.
22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every sonthat is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter yeshall save alive.
Now Pharaoh becomes REALLY angry and commands that all malechildren be killed.
This story somewhat parallels the story of Jesus' birth (Matt.2:16).
Many such parallels exist between Moses and our Lord, Jesus. ForinstanceMoses was sent to deliver (or save) the nation from slavery.
Of course, Moses was sent to deliver them from PHYSICAL slavery;but Jesus cameto deliver ALL MANKIND from the slavery of sin.
The point of this parallel is this: When God gets ready tosave His people,He will work a way; and, no man can stop it!
Please continue to follow along in Bible study with us.