The Yoke of Bondage
Book of Exodus Chapters 1 and 2
Since we have learned again all the good things that come with our salvation provided by our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, we can now look through the eyes of the Old Testament and see example after example of how God deals with not only His people but also the great fear that the world has for God's people.
We should not forget the world is afraid of Christians!
The world is afraid of the Word of God!
It is this fear of God's people that brings persecution, and oppression, and in many cases death.
Satan has only one goal and that is to rid the world of God's people in some sense of victory for himself, but he can never have victory over Jehovah as we have just witnessed in the death, the burial, and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
One of the great lessons in the Bible is the story of Joseph whom his own brothers sold into slavery, but God had another plan.
Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Gen 50:21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
Gen 50:22 And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he, and his father's house: and Joseph lived an hundred and ten years.
We may not ever understand why God allows so much evil to continue to exist, but we must see that God also continues to cause good to come from that evil.
If good were not destined to conquer evil, then it would seem that God could be conquered which would mean there is no God at all!
To be a Christian means that we are to strive to be more like God!
We must endure to draw good out of evil.
This is what the Holy Spirit does and also why the Holy Spirit abides in us after we come to know the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
2Th 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
When we understand these things, we also understand that the Rapture of the Church comes before the years called the Tribulation and the Great Tribulation.
We must always strive to be a part of the "Good" of the Lord and the destruction of the "Evil" of Satan, knowing it is the sin that is evil, and the sinners are the ones we need to reach in the name of Jesus Christ, obeying His command as we learned in the final passage of the Book of Matthew.
In reality we see that not only Joseph had died but all his brothers and the Bible says even all that generation.
In typology this represents the Rapture of the Church and then the Tribulation years as a new Pharoah (a type of the Antichrist) who has so much fear of even those who are lost because he knows the love God has even for the lost, he will bring on extreme persecution.
The people of God are ensnared into bondage.
Egypt in type becomes a picture of the world today which opposes God and enslaves God's people.
The lost are still enslaved in bondage to sin and then death!
The Book of Exodus becomes a great book of deliverance, of salvation, and of deliverance by the hand of a loving God named "I Am", Jehovah.
*****Exo 1:6 And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.
Exo 1:7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
The purpose of the Church is to multiply and grow as one generation ceases to exist and the new generation takes over.
This cannot take place unless we teach the young ones the Word of God as they grow to do the same.
The Church is to always make disciples.
You see God wants a people who love Him and serve Him according to His Word.
God wants a people who will make disciples to go forth throughout the world as the Lord Jesus instructed.
God wanted a people through whom He could send His only Son and release them from the bondage of this world.
God wants a people who can preserve His written but unchanging Word, the Holy Bible.
God wants a people through whom He can demonstrate the truth of life here on earth and the truth of heaven and eternal life.
We know that life and salvation are not of this world.
We must know that life and salvation are Spiritual, and they are eternal.
We must know that these things are secured by "Faith".
Israel would be a "New Race" of people created to carry forth the truth of God.
To do this they, by the hand of the Lord must overcome bondage!
The first theme of the Book of Exodus is "deliverance".
*****Exo 1:8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
Exo 1:9 And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
Exo 1:10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
Today the Church is in more danger from treachery from the outside world and government inspired hatred and cruelty, but we must not forget God's people cannot be defeated by Satan or his followers!
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it".
We see today the open war as the Church who is the enemy to this evil and wicked world battle.
The world is in bondage to sin!
The Church must multiply and stay strong but our strength still remains with our God, the Lord Jesus Christ who cannot be defeated.
Jehovah had proven "faithful" to Abraham who was faithful and the standard for us even today.
Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
God had promised Adam:
Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
God had promised Noah:
Gen 8:15 And God spake unto Noah, saying,
Gen 8:16 Go forth of the ark, thou, and thy wife, and thy sons, and thy sons' wives with thee.
Gen 8:17 Bring forth with thee every living thing that is with thee, of all flesh, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth; that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply upon the earth.
God always does what He says He will do because God is "Faithful"!
What is another promise God has made?
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The fear of God's people first brings enslavement. (Notice even in America our own government is trying to enslave the Church today)
*****Exo 1:11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
Exo 1:12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
Exo 1:13 And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:
Exo 1:14 And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.
Why is it that governments resort to persecution and oppression towards those who disagree with them?
It most always makes things worse, and those governments become totalitarian and usually fail.
Since we can know the ending before the beginning, we know that this Pharoah was destroyed along with his mighty army and Egypt has never really been much of a power in this world since that time period several thousand years ago.
This is why history is being erased.
All Marxist states will eventually fall!
All these things this Pharaoh tried was overcome by God's purpose and the simple fact that Jehovah keeps all His promises!
He could not stop Israel's population growth.
He could not break their spirits.
He could not cause great numbers of them to die using his methods.
How many of the rich in our world today are deliberately trying to stop population growth in every way they can today.
We hear so much about slavery today, but we do not hear about the slaves of Israel.
Israel had lost all freedoms they had while Joseph was still living.
While in slavery it was the Israelites who built the cities of Pithom and Rameses and who knows what else.
This Pharaoh was willing to bring any evil on his mind toward these people when he had no reason at all.
Let us make some comparisons.
Pharaoh was prince of Egypt; Satan is the prince of this world.
Pharaoh oppressed the people of God, Satan also oppresses the people of God
Pharaoh held to people he could rule, Satan clings to the lost people he rules.
Pharaoh enslaved people to do his will, Satan enslaves people to do his will.
This is why the Pharaoh is a type of the Antichrist.
This Pharaoh started what is called today "Abortion at full term".
*****Exo 1:22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.
When governments give out laws that allow certain individuals to murder innocent people it just proves how wicked they are.
These are not doctors they are murders for hire!
Many Muslim countries ok the freedom of its citizens to murder, maim, and persecute anyone who goes against their beliefs in a false god who was a murderer, a rapist, a child molester himself.
But there are other countries that allow the persecution and murder of innocent people.
Even in America persecution is allowed and it will not be long till murder will be considered in the hatred of Christians.
The Egyptian people could take young Israelite male children and drown them without repercussions.
The daughters were saved with the intention of making them slaves and sex slaves.
This type of action is even defended by other governments, or it is not considered when negotiating with those governments.
This law was overcome by true mothers, one of those being the mother of Moses, but there were other mothers who did what they had to preserve the life of their children.
You know what, I serve a God who overcomes persecution!
We must boldly take a stand on all laws that go against the Word of God!
2Ti 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2Pe 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
The birth of Moses.
*****Exo 2:1 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
Exo 2:2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
Exo 2:3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.
Exo 2:4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
Can you just imagine wicked men, hired by Pharaoh, patrolling the streets listening out for crying babies to take and then drown them?
Today in America the sanctity of life is under attack and most people do not even care!
It was this way in Egypt in the time of Moses, but the mother of Moses had a plan.
It is the call of God's people to stand up for our God, our children, and our families!
Moses was delivered because God had a purpose for his life just as God has a purpose for each of His children.
Most will not be called for such a task as Moses, but some will.
The story of Moses is fascinating!
Moses was chosen by God to single-handedly save these people who would be known as Israel.
1) The birth of Moses is a picture of the believer and "saving faith".
2) We know that Moses had to change his way of life, a picture of being "Born Again".
3) We see in Moses the ability to have a close and personal relationship with God.
4) We in Moses how God works through the use of His people.
5) We also see how God will fight for those who trust Him!
We first see a mother doing everything in her power to save the life of her newborn baby.
We should understand that as far social ranking of adults, the female Israelite was at the bottom of the list.
Godly mothers are the foundation of most societies today!
This woman who trusted God had no decent clothes and could not buy replacements; she was a slave.
This woman had no possessions and could not own anything, she was a slave.
The woman had no rank or position, she was just a slave with a loving husband and a God who cared!
All through the Bible we see that God uses this type of woman in places where no one else could do what needed to be done.
You will see in this woman was truly a courageous and righteous woman.
Moses was a goodly child!
Act 7:17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Act 7:18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.
Act 7:19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.
Act 7:20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:
Act 7:21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
Act 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
God had this plan from the beginning.
We should ask ourselves what do we do when our own government deliberately goes against the Word of God?
We should see that God's purpose is far more important than our love for our children.
We should see that God only hears the voice of those who believe in Him!
Deu 5:28 And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.
Deu 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
We see that this precious mother had a plan that began with her complete trust in God.
She made a "watertight ark-like basket"
She placed baby Moses inside that basket and then placed that basket in the reeds of the Nile River.
We should know that the Nile River was worshiped as a god to the Egyptian people.
No doubt she knew something of the schedule and the bathing place where Pharaoh's daughter came to bath.
She knew that Moses could only be saved by some Egyptian official.
Once baby Moses was placed in the River and this princess came to bath, then God took over and caused that ark to float gently right up to this princess of Egypt.
Moses' older sister Miriam was placed close enough to see what happened.
Remember the female children were mostly safe from harm by the Egyptians.
In the midst of all these things we see that it was "faith" that was the power behind the rescue of baby Moses.
No doubt this precious mother had asked many questions in her prayers.
No doubt the Holy Spirit had placed these thoughts into the mind of this mother.
No doubt this mother's "faith" would increase as she saw her prayers being answered in a way she could never have dreamed of.
*****Exo 2:5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
Exo 2:6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.
Exo 2:7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
Exo 2:8 And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother.
When we pray believing we know our prayer reaches into heaven and we know our prayer will be answered.
Sometimes God says yes.
Sometimes God says no.
Sometimes God says wait a little longer.
Sometimes God says, "I did this yesterday".
Sometimes God says "I have a better plan"
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
We will find that this Scripture becomes so true in our life that we just cannot doubt God!
We should understand that no matter what we see on a map of Egypt in the time of Moses, Egypt is a desert.
True Egypt is that narrow strip of land that borders both sides of the Nile River.
The Nile River was the greatest of the false gods of Egypt!
The Nile has always been a river that overflowed in certain seasons and deposits its mud everywhere.
Rain is not something you see in Egypt it is rain from a far country that feeds the River Nile and brings nourishment to Egypt.
The Egyptians look down to all their gods while believers look up to Heaven.
These things are important as we see this Egyptian princess fin the baby Moses.
Even knowing that this was a Hebrew child she looked upon Moses as a gift from her god!
This is why the mother of Moses, Jochebed placed her baby in this strategic location and had Miriam watching.
Jehovah God was in this thing from the start.
Now watch God work:
This princess did not have time to take care of a small child and neither did she know how.
It was God who pinched baby Moses to cause him to cry.
God is always behind the scenes making sure things go His way and His purpose is fulfilled!
Miriam went and got Moses’ mother Jochebed to nurse and care for her own child in the palace of the King, Pharaoh and paid her big wages to do this.
Only the Lord God of Heaven could cause such things to happen!
*****Exo 2:9 And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.
Exo 2:10 And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
God rewards faith!
Jochebed was hired to nurse her own son and got paid big wages to do so.
While Moses was taught the things of God, he was also taught the politics of the world and the workings of the mighty armies.
Act 7:21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
Act 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
Moses was taught "faith" by a mother who had seen the results of her own "faith".
Heb 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Heb 11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
This brings us to another truth for our children.
Pro_22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Why was Moses called Moses?
In many ways Moses was a type of the Christian maybe at the end of the seven years of Tribulation.
Isa 49:22 Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders.
Isa 49:23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.
Isa 49:24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?
Isa 49:25 But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.
Amen
