Êxodo 1-18 || Bible Project Português ||

Introduction and Background

This section provides an introduction to the book of Exodus and its connection to the previous book, Genesis. It highlights the story of Joseph and his rise to power in Egypt, leading to the enslavement of the Israelites.

The Story of Joseph and His Family in Egypt

• Joseph, the grandson of Abraham, brings his family of 70 people to Egypt during a period of famine.

• He becomes a high-ranking official in Egypt and saves his family from starvation.

• The Pharaoh offers them refuge, but eventually, a new Pharaoh sees the Israelites as a threat and enslaves them.

The Exodus Begins

This section focuses on the beginning of the Exodus story, where Israel has multiplied in numbers but is now enslaved by Pharaoh. It introduces Moses as the central figure who will lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

God's Plan for Redemption

• Despite being enslaved, God chooses Israel as an instrument for restoring His blessings to humanity.

• Pharaoh sees Israel as a threat and subjects them to brutal slavery.

• God hears their cry for help and raises up Moses as their deliverer.

The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

This section explores how Pharaoh's heart is hardened by his own rebellion against God. It sets the stage for the confrontation between God and Pharaoh that will lead to the plagues.

Rebellion Against God's Blessing

• Similar to humanity's rebellion in Genesis, Pharaoh opposes God's blessing by enslaving Israel.

• He even orders all male Hebrew babies to be drowned in the Nile.

• However, Moses is saved when his mother places him in a basket on the river, and he is adopted by Pharaoh's own family.

God Calls Moses to Confront Pharaoh

This section highlights the encounter between God and Moses at the burning bush. God instructs Moses to confront Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites.

The Call of Moses

• God appears to Moses in a burning bush and commissions him to go to Pharaoh.

• Despite knowing that Pharaoh will resist, God promises to bring judgment upon Egypt through a series of plagues.

• The purpose of this confrontation is for God to demonstrate His power over evil and deliver His people.

The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

This section explores the hardening of Pharaoh's heart during the confrontation with Moses. It emphasizes that both Pharaoh and God play a role in this hardening.

Understanding the Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

• In their initial encounters, there is no indication that God directly hardens Pharaoh's heart.

• However, as each plague occurs, it becomes clear that both Pharaoh and God are involved in this hardening process.

• The purpose seems to be for God to give Pharaoh multiple opportunities to choose righteousness before his heart becomes irreversibly hardened.

The Purpose Behind the Plagues

This section delves into the purpose behind the plagues inflicted upon Egypt. It reveals how God uses even Pharaoh's wickedness for His redemptive plan.

Using Evil for Redemption

• As Pharaoh's wickedness reaches its peak, even his advisors consider him insane.

• At this point, God takes control and uses Pharaoh's evil actions for His own purposes.

• Through these plagues, God brings about the redemption of His people while bringing judgment upon Egypt.

The Passover and the Exodus

This section focuses on the final plague, the Passover, which leads to the Israelites' liberation from Egypt. It highlights the significance of the blood of the lamb as a means of salvation.

The Passover and Liberation

• On the night of the Passover, God spares the Israelite firstborns but strikes down those in Egypt.

• The Israelites are instructed to sacrifice an unblemished lamb and use its blood to mark their doorposts.

• This act of faith ensures their safety and marks their liberation from slavery.

Crossing the Red Sea and Song of Redemption

This section recounts how Pharaoh changes his mind after releasing Israel and pursues them for a final battle. It concludes with a song celebrating God's victory over evil.

Crossing the Red Sea

• As Israel crosses safely through the Red Sea, Pharaoh decides to attack but is ultimately destroyed.

• The story ends with a song praising God as King and highlighting His mission to confront evil and rescue those enslaved by it.

Challenges in the Wilderness

This section briefly mentions how challenges arise as Israel journeys through the wilderness towards Mount Sinai. It emphasizes their complaints about hunger and thirst.

Challenges in the Wilderness

• While traveling through the desert towards Mount Sinai, Israel faces hunger and thirst.

• They begin to complain against Moses and God, expressing nostalgia for their time in Egypt.

• Despite their complaints, God graciously provides food (manna) and water for them in response.