A Strange Beginning

This is the Bible study page for the study of Exodus 4. Be sure to start with chapter 3, and read through to chapter 4:17. That will provide the entire conversation. The remainder of chapter 4 is very strange. Read that separately, and probably a few times. Make notes and jot down questions, you may have a few questions.

Remember, as you read, you are seeking to understand the character of God better. Think about how He reveals Himself, what He reveals about Himself, and what seems to be important to Him? There are lot of questions we can ask that seem to have no importance to Him, and that may tell you something about Him as well.

Once you have your own questions and notes, go back through with a commentary or two. Revise your notes as you consider the views from commentators. After you have done both your review, and reviewed the views of commentators, go back through with the questions below:

• The protests of Moses continue unabated in chapter 4 (through verse 17). In chapter 3 he protested that he was nobody, and then that he didn't know God's name. Now, in verse 1 of chapter 4, Moses asks what happens if they don't believe him. God answers by providing 3 signs by which the sons of Israel will be convinced. What do you think of the progression/explanation of the signs? Why do you think the last one was thrown in there? And what do you think is the relationship between these signs and the plagues God will use with the Egyptians?
• Moses then complains that he is slow of speech. Literally, he is "heavy of mouth and tongue". What do you think this means? Why do you think Moses brings this up now, when it didn't seem to matter before when he tried to rescue the sons of Israel? He claims he has always been this way, how likely do you think that really is?
• God's response to Moses' problem speaking is that He will make him able to speak. It's not the answer Moses is looking for because of his next complaint. Why do you think that God making Moses able to speak isn't sufficient for Moses? God claims He will be with Moses, and will make him able to speak. What clues do you see as to Moses' deep reluctance to accept this calling from God?
• Moses tells God to send whoever else He would like. God gets angry (literally, His nose becomes hot). Why do you think God becomes angry? Why do you think Moses would say that since God is clearly choosing to send Moses?
• God then accommodates Moses and chooses Aaron to help Moses go before the sons of Israel and Pharaoh. Why do you think this partial acquiescence to Moses achieves God's purpose? What could have been the result had Moses not had the final protest?
• Moses goes to Jethro to request to return to Egypt, and Jethro tells him to "go in peace." Moses then puts his family on the donkey, and takes off. So, if Moses is already on the way, why do you think God again speaks to him about facing Pharaoh and what plague will happen? Why do you think God gives Moses the final plague right here? What purpose do you think verses 21 through 23 serve at this particular spot in the narrative?
• Verse 24 switches back to Moses traveling. He stops along the way, and God sought to kill Moses. God was seeking the death of the one He chose to lead the sons of Israel out of Egypt. And He sought it personally, not through some avenging angel or other agent. Yahweh met Moses seeking to kill him. So, why? Why do you think God, the Great IAM is seeking to kill His chosen deliverer?
• Moses' wife, Zipporah, circumcises her son (one of two?), and "touches" the foreskin to his feet. So, we're not sure who "he" is who gets the foreskin on his feet, but her comment on this business is, "You are a marriage-relation of bloods to me." Egyptians and the sons of Israel both circumcise. Midianites probably don't (it actually never says). What do you think this is for? Why do you think Zipporah circumcises her son, and why do you think she says that to Moses?
• Yahweh relents, and lets Moses live. And there is a cryptic explanation of why Zipporah calls Moses a "marriage-relation of bloods". How do these two things help you understand this short passage? What do you think is happening between Yahweh and this family?
• Yahweh tells Aaron to go out and meet Moses. And he goes out and meets Moses by the Mountain of God (Horeb). How do you think Aaron was able to just wander out of Egypt like that? What does this tell you about how thoroughly the Egyptians were able to control the movements of the sons of Israel? 
• Moses and Aaron assemble the elders of the sons of Israel. Aaron speaks to them, and Moses shows them the signs that God had given him as proof.The response of the people is to worship. Why do you think there's no other detail given here? Did they believe Moses? Did they ask the name of God? How realistic were Moses' protests? Why do you think those things aren't important now? What does that tell you about Moses' protests in the first place?

That should occupy our time in group study. Remember to be seeking what these passages reveal to us of God's character. What is Yahweh like? Does anything about Him bother you? What can you do to address that with Him?

Trying The Patience of God

This is the study page for the Thursday Night Bible Study Group meeting December 5 to study Multiply by Francis Chan.  I'm going to assume you've read Part III, Chapter 1 (or Chapter 7 for consistency).  If you haven't, go back and do that first.  In fact, read it a few times to get a sense of some of Chan's details on who, what, why, and so on.

Next, we're going to study a passage he didn't bring up.  I tried to come up with an example of of the dangers of not doing what he suggests.  Since in these cultures, literacy is not common, specific references in Scripture are difficult.  Instead, I keyed off of what reading the Bible should be to us, hearing from God.  Now that I have plenty of examples of in Scripture.

We're going to look at Exodus 3 and 4 (or parts of each anyway).  This is the conversation at the burning bush.  I think Moses pretty well covers most of our excuses, and finally exhausts God's patience.

Read through Exodus 3:1-17, then 4:1-14.  As a footnote, read 4:24-26.  Read these through several times.  You're looking for peculiarities, but also look at the flow of the conversation.  Consider what is going on with Moses, why he's using the excuses he is.  He's got a lot of issues going on here, but one main one.  Jot down notes and questions as you go through.

After going over the passages a few times, go back through with the questions below:

• If a bush on fire is enough entertainment to divert Moses, does you think that indicates he's bored with his current life, or something like this is truly amazing enough to divert a contented man, or something else?
• What do you think made the ground holy?
• At what point do you think Moses recognizes God and connects Him with his heritage?
• God lays out a lot of detail in His initial description of what He's doing with Moses (v.7-10).  This is pretty much repeated throughout His discussion with Moses.  Moses' first issue is his 'suitability' to go to Pharaoh.  He was raised in Pharaoh's household, so what do you think Moses is questioning here?
•  When Moses asks about his 'suitability', God starts out with, "I will be with you" and gives Moses a sign.  How helpful do you think that particular sign would be in motivating Moses?  When would the sign be confirmed?
• Why do you think God's name would be the second problem Moses points out? What do you think is the assumption in Moses' mind if he wants to know God's name? (it might be helpful to consider his background and current family situation)
• God's answer to Moses' question about His name is not the ordinary deific name.  Consider that God's answer in verse 14 is a little different than in 15.  While there is a possible connection, they are not exactly the same (I'll show you at the group meeting).  What sort of effect do you think this name would have on the elders of Israel?  Is it how they would recognize God?  And if not, how does this solve the problem Moses brought up?
• Moses' third complaint is about his validity before the Israelites.  God answers that with three 'signs'.  So, who are these signs for?  Yet, one is one of the plagues against Egypt.  Why do you think the bloody Nile would be a sign to the Israelites?
• Next Moses' complains that he is not eloquent.  Consider God's answer here.  It isn't like the rest.  What do you think Moses is doing, and what do you think God is doing with His answer?  What I mean by that is why would Moses bring up this particular issue, and why would God answer this particular way?  Assume God knows what's going on in Moses' head even if we don't, so His answer is really the clue to what Moses is getting at.
• Moses literally says, "Excuse me Lord, please send in the hand of you will send."  Imagine some person from another country using broken English were to say this to you.  What do you think they might mean by it?
• God's response to Moses' final question or request is to get angry.  Why?  Considering all that has been involved in this discussion, why do you think now God is angry with Moses?  Also, if you don't think God is all that angry, remember the 'footnote' verses (v. 24-26) I mentioned earlier.
• Now, if God speaks to us primarily through Scripture what do we risk by not being diligent in seeking familiarity with these words?  It's one thing to not do what God has asked us to do well, but to not do it at all, how risky is that for us?
• Go back through the list of complaints of Moses.  How many of these, in some form and/or at some time, have you used to excuse yourself from studying Scripture?

That should keep us busy for an hour.  Remember that this really reinforces the chapter in Multiply, so please read that first.  The main point I'm trying to make will make much more sense if you do.