As God continues to confront Job with His greatness, Job makes his first feeble answer: “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee” (verse 4)? God then asks Job if he has the abilities and powers of God. God closes this chapter with a description of behemoth as the chief of the ways of God.
To understand the gospel record of Jesus Christ, we must go back before the beginning of time where the Son of God already dwells. This lesson deals with the very important truth that God’s Son did not begin at the time of His birth in a manger. He existed in eternity past and was the Creator of all things.
Balaam is one of the strangest characters in the Bible. On one hand, he is deceitful, greedy, and disobedient and works against God and His people Israel. Yet, on the other hand, God speaks through him as a true prophet and he gives some glorious prophecies concerning the coming of Christ. In the end, he is killed after using Moabite women to seduce the Israelites and is mentioned only in evil terms in the New Testament (2 Peter 2:15; Jude 1:11; Revelation 2:14).<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
God established seven original annual feasts for the children of Israel as described here in Leviticus 23. Two later feasts were recognized in the Bible. The feast of Purim was established in the book of Esther (Esther 9:20-32). The feast of Hanukkah was established during the time between the testaments but was sanctioned by the New Testament where it was called the feast of dedication (John 10:22).
This lesson records the call of Moses to deliver the children of Israel. God often skips many generations of earthly rulers and kingdoms with a verse or a word. However, He takes two entire chapters to tell us of His encounter with Moses at the burning bush. In this lesson, God emphasizes His power as opposed to the ability of man. The bush burns supernaturally. But the power is not in the bush, it is in the God who caused the bush to burn. When God puts His touch on something, any old bush will do. Moses has to learn this lesson about himself. Forty years earlier, he had learned that he could not deliver Israel. Now, he has to learn that God can use him anyway.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
This lesson deals with the importance of doing all things within God’s perfect timing and the troubles brought on by getting out of His timing. It also shows how strife (personified by Midian) works against us, and how God can use it for our benefit.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
This section of the Bible gives a great lesson on hospitality. But, more than that, it deals with fellowship with God. Abraham received the Lord into his home and the Lord felt enough confidence in Abraham to reveal to him what He was getting ready to do.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
The Israelites are delivered from Egypt but they are not yet delivered from the Egyptians. So it often is with us today. We are delivered from the world but the world follows us into the wilderness. In fact, the wilderness time is a time to cast off the remaining vestiges of the world. And sometimes, as with the Israelites, it is a slow and difficult process. Yet, God is always available to conquer the foe—if we will only trust in Him.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
God continues to show His power through the plagues that are falling on the land of Egypt. How long does it take people to listen to the word of the Lord? By plague seven (the hail), some of the Egyptians are beginning to believe the truth of the word of God (see Exodus 9:19-20).
Two miracles have demonstrated the power of God, yet Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and he will not let the people go. Moses once again receives directions to go to Pharaoh and call for the liberty of Israel, but this time his refusal will bring plagues against the land of Egypt and their gods.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
