Lesson Note On THE CALL OF MOSES

WEEK THREE

TOPIC: THE CALL OF MOSES

Objectives:

By the end of this lesson the students should be able to give the detail story below and lesson learned

The Birth of Moses (Exodus 2: 1-24)
The Call of Moses (Exodus 3: 1-24, 4:1-17)
Moses and The Israelite’s Celebrate Freedom (Exodus 15: 1-22)

CONTENT

THE BIRTH OF MOSES

Lesson Note On THE CALL OF MOSES: The lineage of Moses traces back to the tribe of Levi, with his parents, Amiram and Jochebed, also belonging to this tribe. Alongside Moses, they had two other children named Aaron and Miriam. When Moses was born, his mother, Jochebed, recognized his exceptional beauty and hid him for three months. Eventually, unable to conceal him any longer, she placed him in a basket made of bulrushes and positioned him at the river’s edge.

It was at this juncture that the daughter of Pharaoh stumbled upon the infant while bathing. Unaware of the child’s true identity, she enlisted Jochebed to nurse and care for him, unwittingly aiding in his preservation. Later, Moses was returned to the princess once he had grown.

As Moses matured, he witnessed an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew, prompting him to intervene by fatally striking the oppressor. This act of justice, however, forced him to flee to Midian, where he sought refuge in the household of Jethro, the priest of Midian, who would eventually become his father-in-law.

In Midian, Moses encountered seven daughters of Jethro at a well, who were being harassed by shepherds. Displaying courage and gallantry, Moses defended the young women and assisted them in drawing water for their father’s sheep. This noble act earned him the favor of Jethro, who offered Moses hospitality, employment, and eventually, the hand of one of his daughters.

Thus, Moses settled in Midian, taking up the occupation of a shepherd and marrying Zipporah, the daughter of Jethro. Together, they bore a son named Gershom, symbolizing Moses’ experience as a foreigner in a land not his own.

THE CALL OF MOSES EXODUS 3:1-22, 4:1-17

Moses, while tending to the flock of his father-in-law Jethro on Mount Horeb, also known as Sinai, encountered a remarkable event. It was here, amidst the awe-inspiring surroundings referred to as the mountain of God, that an extraordinary manifestation occurred.

One day, as Moses watched over the sheep, he beheld a curious sight: a bush ablaze with fire, yet remaining unconsumed by the flames. Intrigued, Moses approached the burning bush, and it was then that he heard the voice of God calling out to him. In reverence, Moses removed his shoes as instructed, recognizing the sanctity of the ground upon which he stood.

In this divine encounter, God revealed Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, expressing His awareness of the suffering endured by the Israelites under Egyptian oppression. God conveyed His intention to deliver His people from bondage, promising to lead them to a land abundant with blessings—a land flowing with milk and honey, the land of Canaan.

Despite Moses’ initial reluctance, expressing his insecurities about his speaking abilities, God assured him that his brother Aaron would serve as his mouthpiece. Furthermore, God provided Moses with signs to validate his mission, signs that would come to fruition as he led the Israelites towards liberation from their oppressors.

In obedience to God’s command, Moses embarked on the arduous journey of leading the children of Israel out of Egypt, fulfilling the divine promise of freedom from the tyranny of their taskmasters.

MOSES AND HIS PEOPLE CELEBRATE THEIR FREEDOM IN SONGS. EXO. 15 1:22

As God had instructed Moses to go down to Egypt and Speak to Pharaoh to let the Israelites go, Moses did as God had commanded him after various communication and confirmation. But Pharaoh’s mind was hardened and he did not let Israel go, and so he tormented the lives of the Egyptians. A plague according to the Oxford Advanced Learner Dictionary is something that causes pain or trouble to someone over a period of time. It could also mean an infectious disease that kills a lot of people. Below are those plagues took place before pharaoh released the people of Israel to go from the land of Egypt.

River Nile turned to blood for seven days: It started with a river and spread to all its branches such as streams, ponds and pools of water.
Frogs: These frogs came up abundantly and filled their houses, bed chambers, fields etc.
Swarm of flies: The Egyptians were plagued with swarm of flies. These flies could come into houses, stain decorative furniture and make life intolerable for the Egyptians. Many Egyptians were destroyed by being stung to death.
Gnat (Lice):- The dust of the earth in Egypt became lice on man and on beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout.
Boils on man and beast: Moses took a handful of ashes from the furnace and it became small dust in the hand. Also, it provided a painful boil on all man and beast in Egypt.
Locust: This was ushered in by a strong wind that blew all day and all night.
Death of animals: All the Egyptians cattle, Carmels and sheep were killed by a strange ailment but the livestock of the Israelites were preserved.
Heavy hailstone with thunder: These were in form of lightning, hail, thunder and destruction of vegetations.
Three days darkness: This was the most dreadful because the darkness was so thick to the extent that the Egyptians saw not one another, and they could not move from their places for three days.
Death of Egyptian first born: This plague came upon the Egyptians from the first born of Pharaoh that sat on the throne to the first born of the captive that was in danger.

EVALUATION

Discuss the miraculous escape of Moses from the hand of Pharaoh.

How did Moses get to the land of Midian?

Mention five qualities of leadership in Moses

What two lessons can you give to the leaders of churches to learn from Moses.

Lesson Note On THE CALL OF MOSES

Objective Questions:

What was the tribe to which Moses’ parents belonged?
What were the names of Moses’ siblings?
How did Moses’ mother preserve him after his birth?
Who discovered Moses in the basket by the river?
What was Moses’ reaction to witnessing an Egyptian mistreating a Hebrew?
Where did Moses flee to after committing the act of murder?
Who did Moses encounter while sitting by the well in Midian?
What act of defense did Moses perform for the daughters of Jethro?
What occupation did Moses take up in Midian?
Who did Moses marry in Midian?
Where was Moses keeping Jethro’s flock when he encountered the burning bush?
What miraculous sight did Moses behold on Mount Horeb?
What did God instruct Moses to do upon approaching the burning bush?
How did God identify Himself to Moses?
What task did God assign to Moses regarding the Israelites’ bondage?
Who did God appoint as Moses’ interpreter?
What land did God promise to lead the Israelites to?
What was Moses’ concern regarding his ability to speak?
What assurance did God provide to Moses regarding his mission?
What was the ultimate goal of Moses’ leadership as instructed by God?

Theory Questions:

Discuss the significance of Moses’ upbringing within the tribe of Levi and its influence on his later actions and decisions.
Analyze the moral dilemmas faced by Moses, particularly regarding his intervention in conflicts between Egyptians and Hebrews. How did these dilemmas shape his character?
Explore the theme of divine intervention in the story of Moses, focusing on instances such as the burning bush and God’s revelation of His identity.
Evaluate the leadership qualities demonstrated by Moses throughout the narrative, considering factors such as courage, resilience, and humility.
Reflect on the symbolism behind Moses’ encounter with the burning bush and its implications for his subsequent role as a liberator and leader of the Israelites.