EXODUS
The Journey to the Promised Land
The Journey is full of parallels for the Christian /Advent Movement to the Promised Land.


Highlights?
The rescue from slavery -- the rescue from the slavery of sin
The Passover blood -- the sacrifice at Calvary
The pursuit of Egyptian Armies -- satanic armies trying to recapture the rescued ones.
The Red Sea -- God is stronger than the satanic armies
Learning more about God at Sinai -- the need to search and study God's Word and law.
(That's just a sample, there are many more parallels)

Moses a "type" of Christ

-- born in time of oppression
-- saved from decrees of death in infancy
-- following God's will in delivering God's people from slavery.

A historical account to encourage us that God is in control, He can solve impossible problems, He is working to save.

For those who wish to study the actual Lesson one, 3rd quarter 2025 go to:
https://www.ssnet.org/lessons/25c/less01.html
The following are added notes.

Background history.

THE PROMISE:
In Genesis 15:18 The LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

TIME DELAY BEFORE PROMISE TO BE FULFILLED
But it would take 400 years (Genesis 14:20 adds 30 years making it 430 years) before they could claim this land.

Genesis 15:13, 14 "Thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance." .
15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites [is] not yet full.

Jewish rabbis have suggested the discrepancy of 400 to 430 years is that God relayed the prophecy concerning the 400 years to Abraham 30 years before Isaac's birth

DEBATES
How long were the Israelites actually in Egypt?
Some say the 430 years began when the promise was made to Abraham when he entered Canaan . This view has Abraham's descents sojourneying approximately 200 years in Canaan, then going to Egypt for the second 200 years.
Some begin the 400 years when Isaac was born
Still others place the 400 years, beginning when Jacob's family entered Egypt, and were there the entire 400 years.

THE QUESTION ARISES because the Bible mentions "to the fourth generation". And though people lived a little longer back then, it still seems unrealistic that four generations cover 400 years. The Bible examples of these four generations are named: all beginning with Jacob's sons.

Moses' father was Amram, his grandfather Kohath, and great grandfather Levi. (Levi-Kohath-Amram-Moses). Grandpa Kohath was among the 72 that came to Egypt. And Moses, we know, was 80 years old when they left Egypt. (Gen. 46:8,11, Exodus 6:18),

We see it again in Korah (a Levite, a cousin of Moses, who rebelled against Moses authority in the wilderness)
Numbers 16:1 Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, (Levi, Kohath, Izhar, Korah)
In the account of Dothan and Abiram, (Reubenites) who joined Korah and rebelled against Moses' authority during the wilderness wanderings, we again encounter the "four" generations. The two were the grandsons of Pallu (Num 26:8,9) who was the son of Rueben. Both Rueben and Pallu were among the 72 who originally came to Egypt. So here we have (Rueben-Pallu-Eliab-Dothan and his bother Abiram)

So the records of the genealogies that lived in Egypt seem to imply that the 430 years must include the time these tribes spent in Canaan before they moved to Egypt, as these four generations don't seem to cover the whole 430 years.
This is noted in the Septuagint (LXX) Genesis 14:20 which reads:
"And the sojourning of the children of Israel, while they sojourned in the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan, was 430 years."


On the other hand, how did Levi, who came to Egypt with just three sons (Gen.46:11) Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, grow into a tribe of 23,000 in just four generations of approximately 200 years? And how did Reuben's tribe grow from 5 to 46,500 in that time? So we have scholars suggesting they were in Egypt the entire 430 years.
They suggest that there really was no people called "Israel" until the "father of Israel" was named Israel (Jacob's name change) and he had children that were recognized as tribes of Israel. Jacob's death bed blessing, 17 years after arriving in Egypt, outlines the tribes of Israel and their future. (Gen. 48)
Exodus is all about Israel in Egypt and their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The words in Genesis 15 sound like they place the 400 years as the years of Egyptian bondage. Genealogies may skip minor members naming only the key ones to establish the line.
Could the phrase "In the fourth generation" have a different meaning -- one directed against the Canaanites whose "cup of iniquity" would be full? Numbers 14:18 "The LORD [is] longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation."


WHY STAY IN EGYPT SO LONG?

1. Genesis 15:16 mentioned the people in Canaan, the Amorites, had not yet filled their cup of iniquity, they still were to be given more time for repentance.


2. They were shepherds and the Egyptians looked upon shepherds as a lower class. In Egypt the Israelites were "different". There wasn't too much mixing, especially after they became slaves, and the Israelites were able to grow as a distinct nation within a nation. In Canaan it would have been easy to so dilute the small group of Israelites with the other inhabitants of the land, that they would have merged with their neighbors and lost their identity and distinct calling.

For some of us, Bible stories come alive when we can see them fit into actual history. Yet the whole story told in Exodus is under heavy criticism by worldly scholars. Though that is not surprising as the world in general is very reluctant to acknowledge Biblical history.

The studies are being done to unravel more information of Egypt's "Middle kingdom" which still holds "mysteries" not really explained. It was a time after the great Pyramid building powerful era had ended and there were power struggles.

There was an invasion by Hyksos (rulers from another land). They came from "Ashur" , (Syria/Lebanon/Northern Palestine) area, the territory of the future Assyrians. According to ancient historians they were quite a warlike people who gained control of the whole Delta Region of Egypt and made Avaris their capital city, (also known as Rameses) located in the area the Bible calls "Goshen".
Today this is an archeological site called Tell el-Dab'a.

These Hyksos introduced chariots and horses and other war devises into Egypt. They basically adopted the Egyptian culture, but also mixed some of their culture in with the Egyptian culture.

The Israelites were not Hyksos themselves, yet also coming from the land of Canaan, it's very likely they enjoyed favorable treatment under Hyksos rule. Remember the Israelites, at the time Joseph first came to Egypt, were not a "nation" yet, only a wealthy family tribe living among the Canaanites. Yet, Joseph was elevated to a very high position, with powers over the Egyptians which would have identified him as part of their regime.

The Hyksos were rulers in Egypt roughly from 1783 BC to 1570 BC when the Egyptian Pharaoh from southern Egypt, Ahmose, managed to regain control of the Egyptian Delta region, reasserting control over Lower Egypt, including Goshen. This would have been a major political upheaval undoubtedly with serious consequences for the Israelites and any remaining Hyksos.

An interesting find in the archeological site, Tell el-Dab'a, was a huge statue of an obviously once important person with a hair style and features indicating his Semite origins. The statue had been intentionally vandalized in ancient times. The tomb lacked a complete skeleton, though there were a few bone fragments and a piece of limestone sarcophagus fragment with the battered statue. This has raised some discussion thinking it may have been Joseph's tomb, since grave robbers usually don't take human remains. The Bible mentions Joseph's bones were carried to the "promised land" during the exodus.

Whoever the statue represents it does suggest that the incoming government highly resented what this statue honored.
The phrase, a pharaoh that "did not know Joseph", may well have carried more meaning than ignorance of his previous existence. More of an intentional, deliberate erasing of a historical figure. To keep "foreigners" from ever taking over again, they enslaved them and made life bitter for them.

What is also interesting is that the archeological site indicts there was a rapid abandonment of the area; a rapid decline in population and eventual desertion of the site.
Indeed it would have been a decline in population, first when the Egyptian king Ahmose I from upper Egypt conquered and drove out the Hyksos, and later when hundreds of thousands of Israelites and a "mixed multitude" which may have included remaining Hyksos who were also marginalized in the restored Egyptian system, suddenly left.

Exodus 12:37-38 recounts: "The Israelites journeyed from Rameses to Succoth with about 600,000 men on foot, besides women and children. And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds."

The northern region of Egypt itself would have received a huge decline in population as the result of the plagues, leaving no one to repopulate the abandoned area.

The findings coming from the archeological site of Tell el-Dab'a, showing its existence and rise under Semitic influence, followed by sudden abandonment, provides some convincing historical evidence for the biblical account found in Exodus.

CHOOSE YE THIS DAY
What would Moses do? He was adopted into the Royal Family in Egypt. Would he succumb to the lure of Egypt and to the pleasures of the court, or would he endure hardship with his embattled people? .

Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
11:25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

What does it mean to choose God? Is it just lip service, a profession, is that enough? Actually it is choosing to surrender our idols, to make God first.
Self has a tendency to get in the way and many cling to cherished desires and ambitions that are not in accord with God's will. They have not turned from their idols to serve the living and true God. It is not necessary to bow down to an image or a stone to serve idols. Whatever takes possession of the heart, commanding its service, that is not part of the Holy Spirit's leading, assumes the form of an idol.

Moses made a choice -- to rise higher in the Egyptian world and possibly gain worldly power and fame, (not guaranteed by any means, and temporary at best)
or following the true God even if it meant affliction in this life.

The Burning Bush

For 40 years Moses lives far away from Egypt and the groanings of slavery.
He isn't a young man anymore, having lived a full four score of years. (80)

The man we see now seems to be a different man, humble, unsure of his abilities, tending sheep. No more royal treatment, or eager self confidence to save Israel. The thoughts regarding his remarkable history seemingly relegated to circumstance. Perhaps his deliverance from Pharaoh's death decree against baby boys, wasn't God's intervention so he could be the deliverer of Israel. Those ideas were now long forgotten or thought of as foolishness.

But now, at the point of accepting his own limitations, Moses was ready to do great things for God in God's power!

God meets him, in a burning bush that is not consumed.
God has not forgotten Israel there in Egyptian bondage.
God has not forgotten Moses, either. It was not a co-incident that Moses was rescued from the Nile River, or that he was trained in the schools of Egypt to be a leader of many people. Nor was it co-incidents that Moses needed further education in the school of God, there among nature and sheep.

"I AM, THAT I AM"

Moses, asks God, -- when the people ask who is the God that sent me, what shall I tell them, what is His name?

God answers "I AM, THAT I AM"
The eternal. I am in the past, I am in the present, I am in the future. I always am.

Yes, that means, God was with us in the past, He is with us now, and will be with us in the future.
He always IS.


Moses four excuses as to why he should be excused from this tremendous task God was asking him to do:
1. I'm no body, "Who am I' (3:11) How could this shepherd just walk up to Pharaoh and demand him to let Israel go?
God's answer -- I'll be there with you (trust Me)

2. The people of Israel don't even know you, and I don't even know your name, what do I say when they ask Who sent me?
God's answer: I AM, THAT I AM He is the ever present all powerful God.

3. But the people probably won't even believe me, what do I do then?
God's answer: I will empower you to do miracles

4. But I haven't spoken the Egyptian language in 40 years, I'm no long fluent in speach.
God's answer: I created your tongue, trust me, I will help you speak, but to make it easier for you I will send your brother Aaron to help you.

Indeed, all Moses hesitations were true, without God the task would be far too great for Moses to accomplish. BUT with God it's whole different situation. Moses was to go to Egypt under God's command and strength, not in his own.

A ROUGH START

So Moses obeys and heads into Egypt, meeting up with Aaron on the way.
The first thing they do is call all the Israelite elders together and tell them God is going to release them in the very near future. Hope blossoms.
Moses next marches right into the palace, stands before Pharaoh and demands that Pharaoh release the Israelites:

"This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says, "Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to Me in the desert."

Pharaoh isn't about to agree:
"WHO IS THIS GOD, that I should obey Him?"
He increases their work load. They must gather their own straw for the bricks.
The slaves are now hard pressed to fulfill their quota, with task masters demanding they make the same amount of bricks as they did when straw was supplied. It's not long before the Israelites start to turn on Moses:
Moses has not delivered them, but instead made life even more difficult -- almost impossible.

The situation does not look good.

How do we deal with tough times, especially when we thought God was going to help us. but things just got worse.

WHO IS THIS GOD

That is an eternal most important question. Who is God to you? How do you understand who God is?

Pharaoh denied God's power and existence. He openly fought against God, even after seeing the power of God.
However, that did not change who God was.
God is unchanging from everlasting to everlasting, He is God!

Human beings have all kinds of thoughts about God, from denying Him altogether, to picturing Him in all manner of ways their imagination leads them or philosophers and theologians present Him.

The question is a personal one -- Who is God to you? Do you know Him? How do you get to know Him?

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ,
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

It's more than intellectual acknowledgment

Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient,
Matt. 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

It is an intimate knowing of the heart and soul

Matt 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

To love someone that completely we must know and trust Him.

Egypt during the time of Moses. There are various time frames debated.

The most common time given for the beginning of the exodus is somewhere in the years just before 1400 BC.
So Moses would have been born around 1485 BC, left Egypt around 1445 and received His mission at the burning bush around 1405.
What was happening in Egypt during these time periods.

While all are not agreed, this story does make quite a bit of sense when connected with the Bible story.




Ahmose I drove out the Hyksos around 1570
Amenhotep I -- ruled about 20 years (enslaved the Israelites)
Thutmose I --pharaoh who ordered babies to be slain, father of Hatshepsut the "princes" who rescued Moses.
Thutmose II -- half brother and husband of Hatshepsut.
Hatshepsut -- When her father Thutmose 1, died, Hatshepsut becomes co-ruler with her half brother/husband Thutmose II. Thutmose II died rather young, he had an infant son known as Thutmose III by a secondary wife, as per his father's wishes Thutmose III was declared pharaoh at the age of two, at that point Hatshepsut was the real power over Egypt, in many ways acting as pharaoh, even declaring herself as pharaoh, and accomplishing building projects.
Thutmose III -- once grown a young man was ambitious to be fully pharaoh and not overshadowed by his stepmother and her adopted son. --When Moses killed an Egyptian this was just the excuse Thutmose III needed, Moses fled, and Hatshepsut herself mysteriously disappeared and later an attempt was made to remove her from official accounts of Egyptian historiography. Thutmose III became quite an ambitious and successful conqueror and ruler.
Amenhotep II (c. 1425?c. 1400) Thought to be the Pharaoh of the Exodus. Like his father Thutmose III he was ambitious and proud of his accomplishments. Descriptions of his character match well with the pharaoh who thought himself god, and needed not to bow to any God of the Hebrews.
Thutmose IV (c. 1400?c. 1390) Though a son of Amenhotep II he was not the crown prince who was to follow Amenhotep II, (in the Bible the 1st born dies during the last plague) Thutmose IV used a dream to prove his legitimacy as pharaoh, in which the Sphinx promised him he would be pharaoh if he cleared away the sand engulfing the Sphinx. This is information is engraved in a granite stele at the foot of the Sphinx.

The defiance of Egypt's pharaoh against the God of heaven and earth shows up in prophecy as symbolic of mankind's rejection of God.

Pharaoh's stubborn, defiant attitude symbolizes worldly powers that operate in opposition to God.
1. Denying God's authority
2. Rejecting the calls to obedient action
3..Creating and/or intensifying oppression against those who want to worship God.
4. Uses their power to keep God's people enslaved in bondage of sin and worldly demands.
5. Underlying all of this is the self centered desire to be "god".

Pharaoh's attitude is often defined as "atheism".
But, some have asked, Pharaoh and the Egyptians still worshipped "gods".
They had quite an elaborate array of priests and rituals for "worship".

BUT -- all their "gods" were "gods" they themselves had fabricated. The dead were esteemed as ascended to godhood. Even the living Pharaohs were esteemed as "gods". And then there were images of worship made by their own hands. Yet don't forget, there was also a powerful being, not human, but a fallen angel who had placed himself fully against God, and his ambition is to keep humanity away from the true God.

Yet, the God of heaven is greater than anything man, or any created being, can fabricate.
He is the Creator and designer of heaven and earth and everything therein.

Notice the difference in Moses response at the burning bush when asked to lead Israel out of Egypt with
Pharaoh's response when asked to let Israel leave Egypt.
Moses at the burning bush answers "Who am I?"
Pharaoh in dismissive contempt says "Who is the Lord?"

The fundamental difference in their attitude is how they perceive themselves -- Moses realizing he is just a man in need of help and strength beyond himself, while Pharaoh sees himself as a divine being who doesn't need God.

Exodus 5 invites us to reflect on our own obedience and need for God in contrast to our selfish desires to do things our own way.

Yet the biggest reason for deliverance is WORSHIP!
Let my people go that they may worship!

Worship God, the very opposite of living in defiance to His will.

The call to worship in the wilderness is a prime example of the broader biblical theme of God leading His people to a place where they will get to know Him, commune with Him, worship Him and find LIFE in Him that far surpasses anything the world can give.