Week 3: Genesis 42-Exodus 14

Reflection:

In this section of the Bible, we are going to run through roughly 400 years of history! Quite a lot is going to happen. We will read about Joseph's encounter with his brothers, their leading to Egypt, the Israelites being persecuted by the Egyptians, Moses being raised up, the people plundering the Egyptians, and escape through the Red Sea.

And though this event is familiar to us because we know the story of Moses, it also is familiar to us because of our readings from last week.

For example, consider what we read in Genesis 12; Abraham's first sister fib. I believe that Moses, the author of the book of Genesis wants us to be prepared for something. In verses 10-20 we read 1) a severe famine brings Abraham to Egypt, 2) concern about persecution from the Egyptians, 3) conflict between the man of God and Pharoah, 4) the Lord afflicting the Egyptians with great plagues, 5) the people of God being essentially forced out of Egypt, and 6) them leaving with great plunder. One reason for why Moses is including this story is likely to highlight the conflict between the seeds and to foreshadow of things to come.

Another example, comes to us in Genesis 15. In that chapter, God established his covenant with Abraham and as the covenant is being sealed, the Lord says in verses 13-14 "Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for 400 hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions." This is the same event that we will be reading about this week.

What a joy it is to know that God's word is sure and will never fail!

Family Discussion Questions

1) How do we deal with the midwives' lie to Pharoah?

2) Why did Pharaoh maintain a hard heart against the Lord?

3) Interesting Chiasm: Exodus 1-15

• A: 1-3: Firstborn son delivered through waters
• B: 4: Firstborn delivered from death (weird story), blood touches the feet, the sons are circumcised
• C: 5-10: Signs and Wonders
• B': 11-13: Firstborn delivered from death, Passover, blood touches the doorposts, Joshua 5, they all have to be circumcised, Ex 12 they need to be circumcised.
• A': 14-15: Israel delivered from the waters of death