God’s Agenda for Moses in Egypt

Sermon 8 in Series

Exodus 3:16–22
[16] Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, [17] and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ [18] And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ [19] But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. [20] So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. [21] And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, [22] but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does God’s revelation to Moses of what will happen in Egypt demonstrate his love and sovereignty? How does the fact that there are Israelite “elders” show his preservation?
2.   What is the message God tells Moses to give to the elders? What does it say about God’s character?
3.   What does it mean to say that every Christian has experienced a personal exodus? Read Colossians 1:13-14 alongside of Ephesians 2:1-10.
4.   What is the significance of Moses referring to God’s “hand” when dealing with Pharaoh? What would this have communicated to God’s people?
5.   Based on this passage, what makes the Exodus so remarkable and glorious? How has it shaped your view of God over the years?
6.   How does the plundering of Egypt described in vv. 21-22 serve as a reminder that God knows and will meet our needs?

References: Exodus 12:37; Genesis 50:24; Colossians 1:13-14; Exodus 5:1-2; 4:21; 2:12; Genesis 39:21; 15:14; Matthew 6:8, 32-33.