Wednesday Bible Study, March 11, 2009
Heritage & Hope
“Israel”
Introduction: You will recall that Karl Marx said, “A people without a heritage are easily persuaded” (Churchill, pg.190). Let’s look at the heritage and hope of Israel. Heritage was very important to Israel and it should be to us. Israel had their hope in God. America’s hope needs to be in God! William Penn, in a letter to Czar Peter the Great of Russia, wrote, “Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants” (Red Sky, pg.172). Israel’s heritage and hope will be our Sunday morning series after Easter as we continue our study “Becoming the Bride”.
I. Israel’s History
A. God called them to be His special people (Gen.12:1-3).
B. God warned of a 400-year enslavement (Gen.15:13-14).
C. God entered into a covenant with Abraham (Gen.15:18).
D. Israel entered Egypt with 70 people (Ex.1:5).
E. God remembered His covenant (Ex.2:24, 6:4).
F. Israel left Egypt 430 years later (Ex.12:40, 41, 51) with 600,000 men (37). {probably over 2 million people}
II. Israel’s Heritage
A. Moses is an Israelite
1. Levi (Ex.1:1)
2. Moses’ birth (Ex.2:1-6). Moses’ genealogy (Ex.6:13-20).
B. The Passover is to be remembered (12:14, 17-18, 24-27, 13:3, 5, 8-10, 14-16). The 10th day of the first month (12:1-3), which is the month of Nisan (Abib) and corresponds to our March / April.
C. Passover involves:
1. a lamb (12:3)
2. a lamb’s blood (12:21-23)
3. a lamb without broken bones (12:46)
D. The Journey
1. Israel’s exodus is a well documented fact. Moses wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so that Israelites would know their heritage and God as their hope!
2. The exodus began at the Passover (12:51)
3. From Ramses to Succoth (12:37)
4. God’s route (13:17-18), from Succoth to Etham (13:20). They camped near Baal Zephon (14:2).
5. From the Red Sea to the Desert of Shur (3 days) (15:22). There they experienced bitter water and pieces of wood.
6. From Elim (15:27) to the Desert of Sin (15 days out of Egypt) (16:1). There they received manna (16:4) and quail (16:13).
7. At Rephidim they got water from a rock at Horeb (17:6) and had war with the Amalekites (17:8). This was something to be remembered (17:14). Therefore God said to Moses “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it…” (Why Joshua? Because he would lead after Moses!)
III. Israel’s Hope
A. God’s Presence (13:21-22)
B. God’s Protection
1. Their fear (14:10-12)
2. God’s fight (14:13)
a. The supernatural separation of people (14:19-20)
b. The supernatural separation of water (21, 22)
c. The supernatural confusion (23-25)
3. The faith (14:15-16)
C. God’s Power (14:30-31)
D. God’s Purpose (14:4)
Churchill said “When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber” (pg.207). We have a strong Christian heritage and an even stronger Christian hope! Let’s make it known this Memorial Day-- invite, invite, invite to hear Dr. Richard Land, President of the Christian Life Commission.