Scriptural Highlights

• The Lord calls Moses to deliver Israel from bondage.
• The Lord sends plagues upon Egypt.
• The Lord instructs Moses in the preparation of the Passover.
• The children of Israel cross the Red Sea.

A study of this lesson should encourage us to trust the Lord to fulfill his promises, increase appreciation for the Savior's atoning sacrifice, and make the sacrament more meaningful.

The Lord Calls Moses

Jacob to Moses

• As discussed in Lesson 12, the family of Jacob or Israel went to Egypt due to the great famine.
• Even though the remains of Jacob were returned to his homeland, the family of Israel remained in Egypt.
• Exodus 1:7: "And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them."
• The family of Israel remained in Egypt over 400 years, from 1720 to 1290 BC.

A New King In Egypt

1. Exodus 1:8: "Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph."
2. The Israelites had grown to become a large people. The king of Egypt feared that they may at some point join with Egypt's enemies and fight against Egypt.
• The king turned the Israelites into slaves.
• Exodus 1:11: "Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses."
3. Exodus 1:12: "But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew."
• WHAT MIGHT WE LEARN FROM THE AFFLICTIONS OF ISRAEL?
• The time of captivity was a time for building the Israelite nation and preparing it to assume its rightful inheritance.
• Compare the captivity to the Restoration: The foundation of the modern Church was established in the fire of adversity.
• Consider the trials in Kirtland, Independence, Far West, Nauvoo, and even after arriving it Utah.
• The muscle and strength that built and carried the Church into our generation is a result of the growth which came to the Church and its members during those difficult times.
• Our Personal Lives: Adversity is not usually an enjoyable experience, but it is how we grow towards personal perfection. Again, consider the lives of Abraham and Joseph.
• When times get tough, turn to Exodus 1:12 and be grateful for the opportunity to "multiply and grow."
4. The Egyptians were unable to stop the growth of the Hebrew nation through oppression .
• Pharaoh then gave instructions to the Hebrew midwives that all male infants were to be put to death (see Exodus 1:15-22).
• Exodus 1:17: "But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive."
• Exodus 1 seems to indicate that Pharaoh destroyed these male children to inhibit the growth of the Hebrew nation. Ancient Hebrew tradition indicates that there was more to it.
• Josephus and Jonathan ben Uzziel, ancient Jewish writers, recorded that the Pharaoh had a dream wherein he was shown that a man soon to be born would deliver Israel from bondage, and this dream motivated the royal decree to drown the male children.

The Birth and Preservation of Moses

1. We all know the story of the birth of Moses, how he was saved, and raised in the house of Pharaoh, as the son of his daughter.
2. Little is said of the youth of Moses. Stephen, in the New Testament gives us this insight: "And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds" (Acts 7:21-22).
3. "And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian" (Acts 7:23-24).
• When Pharaoh found out about this act of Moses, he sought to slay him.
• "But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian" (Exodus 2:15).
• If you are like me, when you read this Biblical account, pictures fill the mind from that great movie, The Ten Commandments. The movie embellishes this period of time, where the scripture says little.

Moses In Midian

1. In Midian, Moses became acquainted with Reuel (Jethro).
• Jethro was a descendant of Abraham.
2. Moses married Jethro's daughter Zipporah and had two sons.
3. We suppose that it was here that Moses began to be taught the true gospel.
• D&C 84:6 tells us that Moses received the higher priesthood from Jethro.
4. As Moses was tending the flocks of Jethro at Mt. Horeb (Sinai) he was visited by the Lord.
• Exodus 3:2: "And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush:"
• JST Exodus 3:2: "And again, the presence of the Lord appeared unto him, in a flame of fire in the midst of a bush."

The Reluctant Moses

1. Moses call: "Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt" (Exodus 3:9-10).
2. HOW DID MOSES REACT WHEN GOD CALLED HIM TO DELIVER ISRAEL FROM BONDAGE?
• Exodus 3:11: "And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?"
• Exodus 3:13: "And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?"
• Exodus 4:1: "And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee."
• Exodus 4:10: "And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue."
3. HOW DO YOU ACT OR FEEL WHEN YOU RECEIVE A CALLING FROM THE LORD?
4. WHAT PROMISES DID THE LORD MAKE TO MOSES THAT CAN ALSO APPLY TO US IN OUR CALLINGS?
• Exodus 3:12: "And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee."
• Exodus 4:12: "Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say."
• HOW MANY HAVE BEEN ON A MISSION OR INVOLVED IN A TEACHING ASSIGNMENT AND HAVE SEEN THIS PROMISE FULFILLED?
• HOW CAN WE, LIKE MOSES, DEVELOP GREATER TRUST IN THESE PROMISES?
• We need to be like Nephi and "go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded". When we are up and doing the Lord's work, the path seems to be illuminated enough to keep going.
• I am reminded of an experience of my youth. During my teen years, my friends and I always participated in the annual climb up Mt. Timpanogos. Hundreds of people would assemble at Aspen Grove on Friday evening to climb the mountain beginning early Saturday morning. My friends and I always wanted to get ahead of the crowd and be among the first to reach the nearly 12,000 foot summit. So we usually began the climb shortly after midnight and climbed for several hours in the dark. We found that we didn't need to carry flashlights. After a short time on the trail, away from the lights of camp, our eyes adjusted to the dark and we were able to see far enough along the trail to keep climbing upward. By climbing in this manner we found ourselves not far from the summit by sunrise and rewarded with glorious morning vistas.
  
  Doing the work of the Lord is often like this. If we are willing to get on the path and do what we can, the Lord seems to give us enough light to allow us to progress. Nephi was a wonderful example. When his father sent him and his brothers back to Jerusalem for the plates, he didn't know how he was going to get the plates, but he kept trying. Nephi wrote, "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do. Nevertheless I went forth" (1 Nephi 4:6-7). As a result of simply going forth and depending on the spirit, his mission resulted in success. Moses was another example. We need just enough faith to step forward and see where the first step will take us.

The Lord Sends Plagues Upon Egypt

The Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart

1. Moses was commanded to go before Pharaoh and request the release of the Israelites.
• Exodus 4:21: "And the LORD said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand: but I will harden his heart, that he shall not let the people go."
• Moses is commanded to show his wonders before Pharaoh to obtain the release of captive Israel. The Lord says that he "will harden" the heart of Pharaoh. I wondered why the Lord would command Moses to do something and then throw an obstacle in the way.
• JST Exodus 4:21: "And the Lord said unto Moses, When thou goest to return into Egypt, see that thou do all those wonders before Pharaoh, which I have put in thine hand, and I will prosper thee; but Pharaoh will harden his heart, and he will not let the people go."
2. Moses took his wife and his sons and returned to Egypt.
• Moses had remained in Midian for about 40 years. Thus he is 80 years old at this time.
• You may recall from the movie: Moses shows up in Egypt and the woman who wanted to wed him before his departure makes an attempt at seducing him. The movie makes it appear that Moses was gone for a much shorter period. Charlton Heston didn't age 40 years before his return to Egypt.
• Aaron was commanded by the Lord to go into the wilderness and meet Moses. What a joyful reunion this must have been after many years.
3. Exodus 5:1-2: "And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness. And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go."
• As a result of Moses' and Aaron's plea, the work was increased and made more difficult for the Hebrew slaves.
• After Pharaoh increased Israel's burdens, the Lord repeated His promises to Moses. WHAT WERE THESE PROMISES?
• The Lord has established his covenant with this people (6:4).
• The Lord has given them the land of Canaan as an inheritance and he will bring them to it (6:4,8).
• They will be brought out of bondage in Egypt (6:6).
• HOW DID THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL RESPOND WHEN MOSES REMINDED THEM OF THESE PROMISES?
• "...they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage" (6:9).
• WHY DO SOME OF US STOP LISTENING TO THE PROPHETS AND BELIEVING GOD'S PROMISES DURING TIMES OF TRIAL?
• I believe that those who stop listening to the prophets and believing in God's promises stopped doing so when times were good. When times are good, some of us do not exercise our faith and keep the commandments as we should. Thus, when the time of testing or adversity comes, our faith is so weak that it cannot withstand the refiner's fire.
• HOW CAN WE MAINTAIN FAITH IN GOD DURING ADVERSITY?
• Heber C. Kimball once made this statement: "The time will come when no man nor woman will be able to endure on borrowed light. Each will have to be guided by the light within himself. If you do not have it, how can you stand?" ( Life of Heber C. Kimball, p450)
• We should develop our faith and testimony in God and his prophets before we face adversity. When we do so, we have established the patterns that will keep us faithful no matter what conditions we face. If we are filled with light and knowledge from God, we will be prepared to endure the trials ahead.
4. Moses and Aaron return to Pharaoh to plead for the release of Israel.
• To impress Pharaoh with God's power, Aaron threw down his rod and it became a serpent. Pharaoh's magicians did the same, but their serpents were swallowed up by Aaron's.
5. Due to Pharaoh's unwillingness to release the Israelites, the first of the 10 plagues on Egypt took place. The river was smitten for seven days and turned to blood (Exodus 7:20).
6. Some lessons from Moses' encounter with Pharaoh:
• The enthusiasm and righteous zeal of the Lord's servant may have little or no impact upon one who has chosen to remain untouched by spiritual things.
• Agency is an eternal and inviolate principle, and persons may forever choose to do what they will.
• Miracles, signs and wonders confirm the faith of the faithful but have minimal if any effect upon the faithless. Even Pharaoh's magicians were able to perform wonders.
• Joseph Fielding Smith: "It should be remembered that Satan has great knowledge and thereby can exercise authority and to some extent control the elements, when some greater power does not intervene." (Answers to Gospel Questions 1:176-78)
• WHAT EFFECTS DO SIGNS USUALLY HAVE ON THE FAITHLESS?
• The other day I had a discussion with an individual regarding research into Noah's ark and the possibility for uncovering it on Mt. Ararat. He felt that if the ark was uncovered it would have a tremendous effect on the world and increase belief in God. I expressed my belief that there would be few, if any, who would change their beliefs by such a discovery. The source of faith in God is not in signs or academic evidence. I contend that there is now enough hard evidence for the Book of Mormon to absolutely prove its validity. And yet, how many have been moved to join the Church and live a righteous life by hard evidence.
• WHAT EFFECTS DO SIGNS USUALLY HAVE ON THE FAITHFUL?
• D&C 63:9: "But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe."
• WHAT KIND OF CONVERSION OFTEN COMES THROUGH SIGNS ALONE?
• D&C 63:7: "And he that seeketh signs shall see signs, but not unto salvation."
• Consider Laman & Lemuel and the numerous encounters they had. But in the end they were lost.
7. After the river was turned to blood, 8 more plagues were sent upon Egypt.
• Frogs, lice, flies, severe plague upon the cattle, boils, firey hail, locusts, & thick darkness.
• After the last plague, Pharaoh said to Moses: "And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die. And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more." (Exodus 10:28-29)

The Passover

1. WHAT WAS THE TENTH PLAGUE UPON EGYPT?
• Exodus 11:4-5: "And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt: And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts."
2. WHAT INSTRUCTIONS WERE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL GIVEN TO AVOID THE GRIP OF THE ANGEL OF DEATH UPON THE FIRSTBORN?
• Take a lamb without blemish, sacrifice it, and strike it upon the two side posts and upper door post of the houses in which they were eating the sacrificed lamb (12:3-7).
• They were to roast the lamb and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (12:8-9).
• Exodus 12:14: "And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever."
• WHAT IS THE EVENT CALLED?
• Feast of the Passover.
3. WHAT FUTURE EVENT DID THE PASSOVER FORESHADOW?
• The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the firstborn of the Father.
4. HOW DID THE PASSOVER SYMBOLIZE THE ATONEMENT?
   
   

The Passover	The Atonement
The children of Israel were to use a firstborn male lamb without blemish in the Passover (Exodus 12:5).	The Savior is the firstborn Son of God, the Lamb of God without spot or blemish (1 Peter 1:19).
The children of Israel were to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their doorposts to save their firstborn at death (Exodus 12:7, 22-23).	The Savior' blood, which he shed in Gethsemane and on the cross, cleanses the faithful and saves them from spiritual death (Mosiah 4:2).
The children of Israel were to eat unleavened bread (Exodus 12:8, 15-20). Leaven or yeast was seen anciently as a symbol of corruption because it so easily spoiled and turned moldy.	Jesus Christ was the Bread of Life, without corruption or impurity (John 6:35). The removal of leaven also suggested repentance, or the removal of sin from a person's life.
The children of Israel were to eat the Passover meal in haste (Exodus 12:11).	Like the Israelites, we need to respond eagerly and immediately to the deliverance that the Savior offers us.

• The children of Israel demonstrated great faith by placing blood on the doorposts to save the lives of their firstborn.
• HOW DOES THAT FAITH COMPARE WITH THE FAITH WE MUST SHOW IN CHRIST TO SAVE OURSELVES SPIRITUALLY?
• Like the children of Israel, we must do precisely what the Lord has commanded.

The Sacrament

1. Joseph Fielding Smith: "The Passover was a law given...to remind the children of Israel of the coming of Christ who would become the sacrificial Lamb. After he was crucified the law was changed by the Savior himself, and from that time forth the law of the sacrament was instituted. We now observe the law of the sacrament instead of the Passover because the Passover was consummated in full by the death of Jesus Christ." (Answers to Gospel Questions, 5:153-154)
2. Howard W. Hunter: "...the bread and wine, rather than the animals and herbs, [became] emblems of the great Lamb's body and blood, emblems to be eaten and drunk reverently and in remembrance of him forever.
   "In this simple but impressive manner the Savior instituted the ordinance now known as the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. With the suffering of Gethsemane, the sacrifice of Calvary, and the resurrection from a garden tomb, Jesus fulfilled the ancient law and ushered in a new dispensation based on a higher, holier understanding of the law of sacrifice. No more would men be required to offer the firstborn lamb from their flock, because the Firstborn of God had come to offer himself as an 'infinite and eternal sacrifice'." (Ensign, May 1985, p19)
3. WHAT IS OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE SACRAMENT?
• Jeffrey R. Holland: "Do we see [the sacrament] as our passover, this ordinance commemorating our safety and deliverance and redemption?
  "With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions." ( Ensign, Nov. 1995, p68)
4. In his instructions about the Passover, the Lord emphasized the need for parents to teach their children its significance.
• Exodus 12:26-27: "And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped."
• WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT THAT THE ISRAELITE PARENTS TEACH THE CHILDREN OF THE PASSOVER? DO WE TEACH OUR CHILDREN OF THE ATONEMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING THAT GREAT SACRIFICE THROUGH THE SACRAMENT?

The Children of Israel Cross The Red Sea

1. READ EXODUS 12:29-33. The death of the firstborn.
2. Exodus 12:37 says that 600,000 men departed from Ramses.
• The reference to men here means males 20 years and older capable of going to war.
• It is believed that the total size of the Israelite nation leaving Egypt was about 2 million total persons.
• This is a rather awesome migration that is about to occur.
3. READ EXODUS 13:18-21. Israel lead by pillar of cloud & fire.
4. Pharaoh soon changed his mind about letting Israel depart from Egypt.
• This is not a smart man.
• Pharaoh took his army in pursuit of Israel.
• READ EXODUS 14:10-14.
• WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE THE FAITH OF ISRAEL WAS LACKING AFTER HAVING SEEN THE MIRACULOUS EVENT PRECEDING THE EXODUS?
5. As we know Moses led the children of Israel into the Red Sea which parted for them. They were pursued by Pharaoh's army which was drowned.
• REACTION OF THE PEOPLE: "And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses." (Exodus 14:31)

Summary

Just as the Lord fulfilled his promise to deliver the Israelites from bondage, he will fulfill his promises to us. We should increase our appreciation for the Savior's atoning sacrifice and to partake of the sacrament worthily and thoughtfull, keeping the covenant to "always remember him".

Next Lesson

Lesson 14: Exodus 15-20; 32-34.

Additional Reading: Psalm 78:1; 1 Corinthians 10:1-11; D&C 84:19-27