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Thursday, May 7, 2020

Moses, the son of Pharaoh's Daughter, Intermediate - I, Lesson - 6

INTERMEDIATE

AGE: 12 - 13 YEARS

STANDARD/GRADE: VII & VIII

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LESSON – 6

MOSES, THE SON OF PHARAOH’S DAUGHTER

After the death of Joseph, the new Pharaoh who ruled over Egypt did not know about the contributions of Joseph. The Pharaoh felt insecure because of the growth of the Israelites and he wanted to control them through oppression. He forced the Israelites into slavery and made them to do hard labour by building royal store cities. He also ordered the Israelite boy babies be thrown in the Nile River. It was during this time that Moses was born as the son of Amram and Jochebed, an Israelite couple from the priestly tribe of Levi. Moses’ mother cared for him for three months, after that she could not hide him. So, she made a basket out of reeds covered it with pitch to be water-proof, placed the baby in the basket and set it in the Nile River.

Moses saved from the Nile River

The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the Nile. She saw the basket among the reeds. When she opened it, she saw the child crying and she had pity on him and said, ‘This is one of the Hebrews children’. Miriam, the child’s sister asked the Princess whether she could bring a Hebrew woman to nurse the child for her. Pharaoh’s daughter agreed. The girl brought the child’s mother. Pharaoh’s daughter told her to take the child and nurse him for her. She even promised to give her wages for nursing Moses.

Moses, the son of Pharaoh’s daughter

Moses was given an opportunity which many other boy babies of his day didn’t get. When the other Israelite boy babies were thrown into the Nile River and were eaten by the crocodiles, Moses was given a chance to live. Not only that, he was given an opportunity to be brought up as a Prince of the most powerful kingdom of the ancient world, the Kingdom of Egypt. So, for forty years he lived in luxury in the Egyptian Palace and was given the best of Egyptian education and he became mighty in words and deeds.

Moses at Midian

But Moses knew that he was an Israelite and his people were living as slaves in Egypt. When he grew up (40 years of age), he went to see his people and he found them working very hard as slaves. He also saw an Egyptian man ill-treating a Hebrew slave. He couldn’t tolerate it and he killed the Egyptian. Moses was found out and the Pharaoh wanted to kill him. Moses ran away to Midian. There Moses met the seven daughters of a priest of Midian by a well. He was invited to their home and lived there for 40 years as a shepherd.

Moses and the burning bush

Once while Moses was tending to his father-in-law’s flock at Mount Horeb, Moses heard God calling him from a “flame of fire from the midst of a bush”. God told Moses that He had heard the cries of His people and He wanted Moses to deliver them from the Egyptians. God promised to bring them into a Promised Land flowing with milk and honey. But Moses questioned God as to whether He had chosen the right man for the job. He proceeded to tell the Lord that he is not eloquent enough, and that he is too slow of speech and tongue. God told Moses to take his brother Aaron along with him, so that Moses could convey God’s message to Aaron, and Aaron could speak to the Pharaoh.

Moses delivers Israel

Moses was 80 years old and his brother Aaron was 83 when they went to Egypt to rescue their people from the Pharaoh. When Moses and Aaron approached the Pharaoh and told him to let the Israelites go. The Pharaoh refused. God released a full set of 10 powerful judgments against the Egyptians and their gods. The ten plagues were 1. Water turned into Blood 2. Frogs 3. Lice 4. Flies 5. Pestilence on the Livestock 6. Boils 7. Hail 8. Locusts 9.  Darkness 10. Death of All the Firstborn. God told the Israelites to observe a Passover on the day of the last plague, so that the firstborns of the Israelites will be spared the judgement, God was going to bring on the Egyptians. The Israelites did just as God told them and were saved. The Bible says that there was loud crying in Egypt for there was not a household without someone dead. During the night, Pharaoh summoned Moses and told him to leave Egypt.  

Moses leads the Israelites

After the Israelites left Egypt, the Israelites had to cross the red sea. God miraculously made the red sea to part and the Israelites walked in the dry ground in the middle. Moses led Israelites for 40 years through the harsh desert. God gave them a special food called manna from heaven and made water to gush out from a rock. God also did many miracles when they passed through the desert. Moses was unlike any other leader.

Moses, the Greatest Leader

Moses rejected the prestige and the honor and everything that came with being a called as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He threw it all away and identified with the Israelite slaves because they were God’s chosen people and God had a plan for them. God rewarded his decision by giving him many rare privileges which very few men have ever received. He was named as the greatest prophet the world had ever seen who saw God face to face (Deuteronomy 34:10-12). Moses spoke with God directly like a friend not through visions or dreams. He saw the glory of God on Mount Sinai and received the tablets of the Ten Commandments written by God himself. He taught the Israelites the law of God, which are called as the “Law of Moses" even today. Moses died at 120 years of age and he was given the honor of being the only human who was buried by God after his death.

In your life when you have to make decisions, can you forsake worldly pleasures and privileges because of your belief? Will you be ready to choose suffering for the sake of God? Will you be ready to take decision that would have impact on your eternity?

Bible Reference: Exodus 1-12; Acts 7:18-36; Hebrews 11:23-29

Memory Verse: By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter………….. in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. (Hebrews 11: 24-26).

 

ASSESSMENT ACTIVITIES

Fill in the blanks:

1. Moses’ mother was given ………………… for nursing him.

2. Moses was tending flocks at Mount …….………… when he heard God calling him from the burning bush.

3. Moses was …………………… years old when he went to Egypt to rescue the Israelites from the Pharaoh.

4. Moses taught the Israelites the law of God, which are called as …………….. 

Give short answers:

1. How was Moses saved from the Nile River? 

2. Why did the Pharaoh want to kill Moses? 

3. What did God tell Moses from the burning bush? 

4. Why did God ask the Israelites to observe the passover? 

Answer in brief:

1. Why is Moses considered the greatest leader and prophet of Israel?


 

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