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Forging a Nation of God Worshippers – The Story of Moses and Joshua – Part 2

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We learned from last weeks lesson (Forging a Nation of God Worshippers Part 1) that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would deliver the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage and lead them back to the land He promised Abraham. “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).

This lesson begins with Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and immediately they face their first challenge. The Israelites found themselves stuck between the armies of Pharoah and the Red Sea. While the angel of God held back the armies of Pharoah, the Lord parted the Red Sea allowing the Israelites to cross on dry land. Once the Israelites were safely across, the armies of Pharoah continued their pursuit and found themselves under the judgement of God for their actions against His people. The lesson concludes with Joshua leading the Israelites into the Land of Promise.

The conclusion of our 2-part series will show how God fulfills His promises and displays His power as written in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy:

God Protects – He parts the Red Sea and saves them from the Egyptians

God Provides – He supplies them with nourishment (manna and water)

God Commands – He gives them specific Laws to obey

God Guides – He leads them to the Land of Promise

God Abides – He dwells among them and defines how to properly worship their Creator

God Instructs – He teaches them how to “be right” with God and man

God Chooses – He honors those who honor and obey Him

God Affirms – He blesses and honors Joshua with the task of leading the Israelites to the Land of Promise and Joshua does just as he was instructed.

God’s promise to Joshua: “This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9)

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Forging a Nation of God Worshippers – The Story of Moses and Joshua – Part 1

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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!

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