Forging a Nation of God Worshippers

The Story of Moses and Joshua – Part 1

This lesson picks up the story found at the end of the Book of Genesis where Joseph (son of Jacob, now called Israel), found himself in Egypt (through the providence of God) and created a path for the Israelites to survive a famine and grow from a family tribe of approximately 70 people to a nation of over 1 million souls by the time of their Exodus from Egypt.

Initially the Israelites were favorably disposed and, in many cases, held in high esteem while they resided in Egypt. However, things changed, and a new Pharoah came to power and the Israelites were enslaved and forced to build buildings and other infrastructural components in Egypt all the while being severely mistreated. The Lord told Abraham many years prior that this would happen; “Then the Lord said to him, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age. In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.” (Genesis 15:13-16)

During the Israelite’s bondage in Egypt, they cried out to be delivered from this oppression and God heard their cries and answered their prayers. God had plans to deliver His chosen people and the man who would lead them out from Egypt was Moses. This is the story of not just their exodus form Egypt but a formation of a people who would learn to worship their God, the only True God, and witness His mighty power, the likes of which no one has ever seen before.

There will be highs and lows, hills and valleys, victories and defeats, joy and sorrow, rebellion and obedience, blessings, and curses, but in the end, God will deliver them as He said He would. Our primary focus for this lesson is the events leading up to the Exodus from Egypt, and how God delivers the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. It’s a true story and one worth taking the time to seriously contemplate as no other nation, culture or people group has been blessed, protected, or cared for as God has done for the Israelites. He is a Promise Keeping God!