Monday, June 26, 2017

Moses and the Burning Bush Adult Sunday School Lesson

Uniform Adult Sunday School Lesson
For Sunday July 2, 2017

Purpose: To recognize God’s presence as we partner with God to correct injustice

Bible Lesson: Exodus 3:1-12

Background Scripture: Exodus 3

Key Verses: "Now the Israelites’ cries of injustice have reached me. I’ve seen just how much the Egyptians have oppressed them. So, get going. I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” (Exodus 3:9-10)

Exodus 3:1-12 (CEB)
(1) Moses was taking care of the flock for his father-in-law Jethro, Midian’s priest. He led his flock out to the edge of the desert, and he came to God’s mountain called Horeb. (2) The Lord’s messenger appeared to him in a flame of fire in the middle of a bush. Moses saw that the bush was in flames, but it didn’t burn up. (3) Then Moses said to himself, let me check out this amazing sight and find out why the bush isn’t burning up.

(4) When the Lord saw that he was coming to look, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!”
Moses said, “I’m here.”

(5) Then the Lord said, “Don’t come any closer! Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground.” (6) He continued, “I am the God of your father, Abraham’s God, Isaac’s God, and Jacob’s God.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God. (7) Then the Lord said, “I’ve clearly seen my people oppressed in Egypt. I’ve heard their cry of injustice because of their slave masters. I know about their pain. (8) I’ve come down to rescue them from the Egyptians in order to take them out of that land and bring them to a good and broad land, a land that’s full of milk and honey, a place where the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites all live. (9) Now the Israelites’ cries of injustice have reached me. I’ve seen just how much the Egyptians have oppressed them. (10) So, get going. I’m sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”

(11) But Moses said to God, “Who am I to go to Pharaoh and to bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (12) God said, “I’ll be with you. And this will show you that I’m the one who sent you. After you bring the people out of Egypt, you will come back here and worship God on this mountain.”

Some Thoughts by Burgess Walter

For the past four weeks, we have looked at those that were, “Called To Be Strong.”  This week we begin a new unit entitled “Calling of Prophets” and examine the calls of Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Amos. This week’s lesson examines Moses’ experience with God on Mount Horeb.

As usual a little background is needed to put today’s lesson into the historical setting. Briefly explained, God called Abraham, and a promise was made. Abraham’s grandson was Jacob, Jacob had twelve sons, one of which was Joseph, Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt. Joseph becomes second in command of all of Egypt. A great famine happens, and Joseph in his mercy, brings his father and brothers to Egypt to survive the famine.

The call of Moses takes place approximately 215 years after Joseph was in charge in Egypt.  In Exodus 1:8 we find these sad words, “Now a new king came to power in Egypt who didn’t know Joseph.”  That brings you up to date historically. Assuming you know about Moses’s story up to the point he was chased out of Egypt for killing an Egyptian.  Moses was raised and educated in the house of Pharaoh, he was a prince, prior to killing an Egyptian. Moses goes into the Sinai desert to escape punishment and marries the daughter of Jethro. Jethro was a righteous man and puts Moses in charge of his herd.

That is where our text for this week begins. Moses has plenty of time to contemplate while tending to Jethro’s herd.

God considers Moses the most qualified person to go back into Egypt and bring out the Israelites, that were slaves to the Egyptians.  Moses was qualified both politically and education wise to approach Pharaoh. He did have a speech problem that God would take care of. But most importantly God promised to be with him. God also promised that they would meet again on this very mountain, assuring Moses he would survive whatever the Egyptians might try.

After the death of Joseph, and the new Pharaohs came into power, the Israelites had become a very important work force for the rulers of Egypt. As they were treated worse and worse they cried out to God about their circumstances.  Verse 9 says, “Now the Israelites’ cries of injustice have reached me.”

A couple of things have taken place, the Israelites had multiplied and the Egyptians loved to have slaves. Like us, they cried out to God for deliverance. It may not be on our, time schedule or how we would do it, but we can always count on God to deliver. The promise to Abraham goes back 400 years, but God comes through.

My hymn for this week is “God Lead His Dear Children Along.”



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