Part 1

Part 1

Egypt to Israel

Background

                How did Israel end up in Egypt?

                                Joseph -Sold into slavery

                                Jacob- Living in famine

                                Joseph-Invites whole family to live in Egypt                              

                                What hope did they have-A prophecy given

Gen 15:12-14

12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. 13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. 14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.

deep sleep fell upon Abram- Supernatural sleep

He-God          

four hundred years-How long the people will be enslaved in Egypt

out with great possessions-they will be slaves but they will leave with the treasures of Egypt. 

Even before Abraham had children God knew what would happen to his descendants. 

Where did they live?

Genesis 47:5-12

5 Then Pharaoh spoke to Joseph, saying, “Your father and your brothers have come to you. 6 The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers dwell in the best of the land; let them dwell in the land of Goshen. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock.” 7 Then Joseph brought in his father Jacob and set him before Pharaoh; and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. 8 Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How old are you?” 9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.” 10 So Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and went out from before Pharaoh. 11 And Joseph situated his father and his brothers, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. 12 Then Joseph provided his father, his brothers, and all his father’s household with bread, according to the number in their families.

dwell in the best of the land- seasonal flooding, fertile

make them- Gave them jobs

land of Rameses- this is the same as the land of Goshen, it is the former title of the land

Purpose of the Plagues

  1. Blood- Exo 7:17–19- god of the Nile Hapi
  2. Frogs – Exo 8:3-6  goddess of fertility, water, renewal Heket (head of frog)
  3. Gnats- Exo 8:16-17 god of earth Geb
  4. Flies- Exo 8:24 god of creation Khepri (head of a fly)
  5. Pestilence- Exo 9:3-6 goddess of love and protection Hathor (head of a cow)
  6. Boils- Exo 9:8-10 goddess of medicine Isis
  7. Hail-Exo 9:18-33 goddess of the sky Nut
  8. Locusts- Exo 10:4-15 god of storms and disorder Seth
  9. Darkness- Exo 10:21-23 god of the Sun Ra
  10. Firstborn- Exo 11:4-5 the god Pharaoh and his son

Extrabiblical support Admonitions of Ipuwer

The whole of the society in Egypt from religion, economics, mysticism, set of believes, seat of power were destroyed by these plagues.  Egypt was brought to her knees.  The people had ever reason to hate Israel and wanted them gone.   

The situation Ex 12:31-38

31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the Lord as you have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also.” 33 And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” 34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the Lord had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds—a great deal of livestock.

He-Pharoh

Also take-  they took there animals (they needed to sacrifice and start herds in the promised land

bless me also- typical of the time by priests, this shows that Pharoh knew where the real power was 

urged the people-Whats next?

they had asked- No fighting, not stealing just a question. 

Lord had given the people favor- They had a reason to hate and want to harm, but instead they gave their riches of Egypt away.

Rameses to Succoth- A days trip

six hundred thousand men-  an army 600,000, total Exod 38:26 and Num. 1:46 = 603,550  2 million