10/06/2026
*STORIES OF FAITH FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT*
*3. MOSES*
Our Bible study today is about one of the greatest leaders in history, Moses. He was called and empowered by God to lead God’s people, the Hebrews, from their slavery in Egypt to the border of the land God had promised to Abraham. Sadly, he died before he could enter that promised land. Despite the great role he played in God’s plan we are told ‘Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth’ [Numbers 12:3].
There is so much in the story of Moses that we will need to take two sessions or it.
Nevertheless, we will still need to be selective.
*Born and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter [Exodus 2:1-10]*
Moses was born in Egypt at a very dangerous time. ‘A new Pharaoh, who did not know about Joseph came to power in Egypt’ [Exodus 1:8]. He saw the growing number of Hebrews as a threat and ordered that every Hebrew boy should be thrown into the Nile River at birth.
God, however, has His great purposes and plans. God works through ordinary people like us to fulfil them. Moses’ mother [Jochebed] threw him into the river but in a basket. God used her faith and courage to save this special boy. God used the love, care and courage of his sister, Miriam, to talk to Pharaoh’s daughter about finding somewhere to nurse Moses. God used the tender care and courage of Pharaoh’s daughter to rescue Moses even though her father had ordered the death of Hebrew boys. We see in all these things the gracious and wise work of God.
*Reflect: God’s plans will prevail even in the most difficult circumstances. What does this mean for you in your life?*
*In what ways can we become a part of God’s plans?*
*Called by God [Exodus 3:1-4:17]*
Moses had to leave Egypt when he was 40. He fled to Midian where Jethro welcomed him. He married Jethro’s daughter and looked after Jethro’s sheep in the desert for 40 years. Only then did God call him, at 80, by attracting him to a burning bush not being consumed by the fire. God told him that He had seen His people suffering slavery in Egypt and He was sending Moses to set them free. So, Moses began to make excuses ‘Who am I?’ he asked. ‘They’ll ask me what is your name’. ‘What if they don’t believe me?’ ‘I’m not an eloquent speaker’. God had an answer for each of these objections. Finally, Moses said. ‘Please send someone else’. God then got angry with him. So, Moses went back to Jethro and said, ‘Let me go back to my own people in Egypt’.
*Reflect: What are the things that make us reluctant to do the will of God?*
*What were God’s responses to Moses’ reluctance?*
*What eventually made Moses obey?*
*How does God help us with our reluctance?*
*Is there anything [big or small] God is calling you to do now?*
*Crossing the Red Sea [Exodus 13:17-14:31]*
This is one of the most amazing stories in world history and an illustration of Moses’ incredible courage and faith. After a Moses’ long struggle with Pharaoh which included ten plagues on Egypt, Moses was finally given the go ahead to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. They had hardly left when Pharaoh regretted his decision and sent an enormous force of chariots after them. God led the Israelites to the Red Sea and protected them by placing the pillar of cloud between them and the Egyptians. The Israelites were terrified and complained but Moses told them not to be afraid; to be still and God would fight for them. That night a powerful east wind blew and produced a way for the Israelites to cross. When the Egyptians pursued them, the sea returned and drowned them all. We are told, ‘the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant [14:31].
*Reflect: Moses told the Israelites to be still and to trust the Lord to fight for them. What does this teach us about the way to face crises in our own lives?*
*What does it mean to ‘be still’?*
*Are there not times when we are required to something in these situations?*
*Are there any tough situations where you have to trust God at this time?*
