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Scripture Reading        : Ex 14

Theme                           : Crossing the Red Sea

God sees before (1–19).

God comes between (19–20).

The pillar that brought light to Israel brought darkness to the enemy. The people of the world are walking in darkness, but God’s people have “the light of life” (John 8:12). The enemy cannot touch you without first encountering God.

God goes ahead (21–25).

He opens the way and does the impossible. The next time you are in a seemingly impossible situation, remember what God did for Israel at the Red Sea. The people of Israel never forgot this victory (Psa. 66:6; 106:9; 136:13–14). Recalling God’s past help can encourage you as you face future challenges in your faith.

God comes behind (26–31).

Praying the Scripture

1. “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” (v. 13). By faith the Jews had marched out of Egypt, and now by faith they would stand still and watch God destroy the Egyptian charioteers. Moses not only told them to stand still, but also to “be still” (v. 14). How easy it would have been to weep, complain, and keep criticizing Moses, but none of those things would have helped them out of their predicament. Unbelief complains, but faith obeys and brings glory to the Lord. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). What is there to complain about when we have the wonderful promise, “The Lord shall fight for you”? (Ex. 14:14) Later in their journey, the Lord would help Joshua and the Jewish army fight their battles (17:8); but this time, God would defeat the Egyptians without Israel’s assistance. Let’s pray that we will be still and know that He is God.
2. The next order came from God to Moses, “Go forward!” (14:15). We are not to be idle and wait but be obedient to God. The fact that Israel was facing the sea was not a problem to God and He told Moses exactly what to do. When Moses lifted up his rod, the waters would part, and Israel would be able to walk across on dry land and escape the Egyptian army. At Moses’ signal, the waters would then flow back, drown the Egyptian soldiers and prevent Israel from returning to Egypt. Let’s pray that we actively obey God instead of passively waiting and idling.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 14:1.

经文：出14 章

主题：穿越红海

神早已看见（1-19）

神知道法老的计划，并确保以色列人不因此受到阻拦。这是预备，意味着“早已看见”。他是耶和华以勒（创22:14），“耶和华将看着办”。不管敌人想要谋算加害你什么，神已经将它处理并告诉你该怎么做。

神在之间（19-20）

那带给以色列光明的柱子，却带给了敌人黑暗。属世的人在黑暗中行走，但神的子民有“生命的光”（约8:12）。如果敌人想要碰你，那他必须先过神这关。

神在前头行（21-25）

祂开辟道路，并行了不可能的事。下一次当你处在一个看似不可能的情况时，请记得神为以色列人在红海所做的一切。以色列人永远没有忘记这场胜利（诗66:6；106:9；136:13-14）。回顾神过去的帮助，可以鼓励你在信心里面对未来的挑战。

神作后盾（26-31）

以赛亚说：“以色列的神必作你们的后盾”（赛52:12）。埃及军队完全的失败了。这话确实没错：“使我们胜了世界的，就是我们的信心”（约一5:4）。

Scripture Reading        : Ex 13

Theme                            : The God who Guides

Remembering.

God wanted Israel to remember what His hand had done for them (vv. 3, 9, 14, 16), lest in the future they forget to trust Him and serve Him. The setting apart of the firstborn would remind them that the firstborn sons of Israel had been redeemed by the Lord. The annual Passover would remind them to keep their lives pure. When you consider that Jesus Christ has redeemed us by His blood, surely we should give ourselves to Him and obey His Word.

Instructing.

The younger generation cannot know the works of the Lord unless the older generation tells them. The Word of God must control our lips (v. 9), our eyes, and our hands (v. 16), and we must share it with others. The Jews took this literally and wore portions of the Law on the forehead and hand, but the Lord was surely speaking in a metaphorical way.

Following.

God frees us from bondage, and He also guides us to the inheritance He has prepared for us. His Word is like that pillar of cloud and fire and He will show us the way if we will trust Him.

Praying the Scripture

1. We usually call this event “the Jewish Passover,” but the Bible calls it “the Lord’s Passover” (vv. 11, 27; Lev. 23:5; Num. 28:16). The observance was more than a celebration, because the feast was kept “unto the Lord” (Ex. 12:48; Num. 9:10, 14). “It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover” (Ex. 12:27). The focus of attention is on the Lord because what occurred that special night was because of Him. At least seventeen times in Exodus 12 “the Lord” is mentioned because He was the one in charge. Let’s pray our familiarity does not breed contempt especially to the Lord our Savior.
2. When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” (Ex 13:17) Israel’s exodus from Egypt wasn’t the end of their experience with God; it was the new beginning. Morrison said, “It took one night to take Israel out of Egypt, but forty years to take Egypt out of Israel.” The person who trusts Jesus Christ is born again into the family of God, but that’s just the beginning of an exciting new adventure that should lead to growth and conquest in sanctification. Let’s pray that we continue to grow and learn to trust Him as the Lord of our pilgrimage.

经文：出13 章

主题：指引的神

记住

神要以色列记得祂为他们做的一切（vv.39，14，16），以免将来他们忘了相信和事奉祂。把长子分别出来是为要提醒他们，以色列的长子已由主赎回。每年的逾越节将提醒他们必须保持圣洁的生活。当你认为耶稣基督已经用他的血救赎自己，那你肯定会要献上自己，听从祂的话语吧。

指示

年轻的一代是无法知道主的作为，上一代的人必须告诉他们。神的话语必须管理我们的嘴唇（9节）、我们的眼睛、我们的手（16节），我们必须与他人分享。犹太人从字面上去理解并在额头和手上穿戴一部分的法律，但是主是用一个隐喻的方式来表达祂的意思。

跟随

神使我们摆脱束缚，祂还带领我们到祂为我们所预备的基业。祂的话语就像是云和火柱，如果我们相信祂，祂必定指引我们的道路。

用经文祷告

1. 我们通常称逾越节为“犹太人的逾越节”，但“圣经”称这为“耶和华的逾越节”（11, 27；利23:5；民28:16）。遵守这节日不仅是为了庆祝，因为这节日是“献给耶和华”的（出12:48；民9:10，14）。 “这是献给耶和华逾越节的祭”（出12:27）。这里的主角是主，因为那特殊的夜晚所发生的一切都是因为祂。在出埃及记12，提到“耶和华” 至少有17次，因为这一切都是因为祂。让我们祈祷我们的熟悉不会变成蔑视，尤其是对耶和华我们的救主。
2. 当法老容百姓去的时候，非利士地的道路虽近，神却不领他们从那里走；因为神说：“恐怕百姓遇见打仗，就后悔而回埃及去。”（出13:17）以色列人从埃及出来并不是他们经历神的结束，而是开始。莫里森说，“使以色列从埃及出来只花了一晚，但使埃及从以色列出去却花了40年的时间”。一个相信耶稣基督重生进入神家的人，只刚开始了一个激动人心的新冒险，这旅途应该导致这个人的成长和成圣。让我们祈祷，我们将继续成长并学会信任我们旅居之行的主。

Scripture Reading        : Ex 11-12

Theme                            : First Passover

Life.

“One more plague!” The words sounded ominous, and they were, for the last plague was death to the firstborn. When you trust in the Lord, it means the difference between light and darkness (10:21–23) and life and death. God made this difference (11:7), and His people must maintain it (Rom. 12:1).

Lamb.

Leaven.

Praying the Scripture

1. The plague of first born was the biggest blow to Pharaoh because Pharaoh who was considered the god of gods in Egypt and his firstborn was supposed to succeed his throne in future. This is divine judgment on Pharaoh, the god of all Egyptian gods. The Lord God said that on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. (Ex 12:12) Let’s pray that we truly can sing like Moses “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? (Ex 15:11)
2. Another reason the Lord punished their male children is because the Egyptians especially Pharaoh gave the order to kill all the male Israelite children earlier. The Bible says, “The LORD will by no means leave the guilty (Nah 1:3) Let’s pray that we confess our sins.
3. Along with the lamb, the Israelites ate bitter herbs and unleavened bread (Ex. 12:14–20, 39; 13:3–7). Bitter herbs would remind them their bitter bondage in Egypt. The unleavened bread was a symbol of purity. Leaven is an image of sin: it’s hidden; it works silently and secretly; it spreads and pollutes; and it causes dough to rise (“puffed up”—1 Cor. 4:18–5:2). Paul admonishes local churches to purge out the sin from their midst and present themselves as an unleavened loaf to the Lord. Let’s pray we do that.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 11:1.

经文：出11-12 章

主题：第一个逾越节

生命

“再使一样的灾殃！”，这话听起来极为不祥，这是指的是最后的灾殃 – 灭长子的灾。当你信主时，这就意味着光明与黑暗的分别（10:21-23）、生命和死亡之间的差异。神创造了这个差异（11:7），而祂的子民必须遵守它（罗12:1）。

羔羊

请注意其中的顺序：“一只羊羔”（12:3）、“那羔羊”（12:4）、“你的羔羊”（12:5）。逾越节代表了耶稣基督为世人的罪而死的画面（约1:29；林前5:6-7）。你是否称祂为“一位救主”、“那位救主”或“我的救主”呢？（路1:47）耶稣是一个无瑕疵、无玷污完美的羔羊，祂以死来拯救我们（彼前1:18-19）。我们得救，不是通过欣赏祂的作为、学习祂的教导，我们得救是因信并以祂的宝血浇灌在我们的心中。这羊羔拯救了犹太人，也为他们的旅途提供食物。 当你默想祂的话，使真理成为你内心的一部分时，你就是在以耶稣基督为“食物”了。

酵

用经文祷告

Scripture Reading        : Ex 9-10

Theme                            : Who Harden whose Heart?

All Moses wanted was Pharaoh’s permission to take the people on a three-day journey to a place where they could worship God. God had differentiated His people and the people of Egypt, just as today He has differentiated the people of God and the people of the world (2 Cor. 6:14–18).

But the world doesn’t want believers to be too radical, so it tries to offer various compromises: “Sacrifice in the land” (8:25); “Don’t go too far away” (8:28); “Don’t take your children” (10:8–11); and “Don’t take your possessions to serve God” (10:24–26). Have you been tempted by any of these compromises lately?

God’s judgments had practically ruined the land, yet Pharaoh would not give in. In so doing, Pharaoh thought he was showing great strength when in fact, God was using him to display His own sovereignty (9:16; see also Rom. 9:17–18). God is greater than any ruler, so we need never fear (Dan. 4:34–37).

Praying the Scripture

1. God gave Pharaoh 24 hours to release the Israelites otherwise all the livestock in the Egyptian fields would be killed by a terrible pestilence. Pharaoh hardened his heart and almost all the Egyptian livestock were killed. Yet the livestock that belonged to the Jews living in the land of Goshen were fine. Do you see the important of separation? Let’s pray that we are willing to be separated for holiness.
2. It is important to notice that this is the first time since the plagues broke out that the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Ex 9:12). During all the previous occasions, Pharaoh hardened his own heart. However the judgment has arrived, Pharaoh has lost the opportunity to repent. Why did the Lord harden Pharaoh’s heart? The Lord Himself said in Exodus 9:15, “For if by now I had put forth My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, you would then have been cut off from the earth. But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. (Ex 9:15-16) Let’s repent while there is still an opportunity. The door will close one day. When judgment comes, it will be too late.
3. Has Pharaoh repented since he confessed, “I have sinned this time; the LORD is the righteous one, and I and my people are the wicked ones?” (Ex 9:27). If so, why Exodus 9:35 said that he sinned again and he did not let the sons of Israel go (Ex 9:35). Let’s pray we truly repented.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 9:1.

经文：出9-10 章

主题：谁使法老的心刚硬？

摩西对法老的要求只是让以色列人去一个离埃及三天路程的地方来敬拜神。法老不肯。神就将自己的子民和埃及的子民分别开来，就像今天他已经把自己的子民，和属世界的子民分别开来一样（林前6:14-18）。但是这世界并不要信徒太过激进或分别太清楚，所以它试图给予各种的妥协：“在这地祭祀”（8:25）、“不要走得很远”（8:28），“留下你们的孩子”（10:8-11）“留下你们的羊群牛群”（10:24-26）。你是否受到这些妥协的诱惑呢？

当神的审判几乎已经毁了埃及地，法老仍然不肯投降。他还要保持自己的尊严，但事实上，神正使用法老来显示神祂的主权（9:16；罗9:17-18）。神超乎所有的国王/统治者，所以我们从来就无需害怕任何政权（但 4:34-37）。

用经文祷告

Scripture Reading        : Ex 7-8

Theme                            : The beginning of the Ten Plagues

If men will not obey His words of warning, God must speak by His works of judgment. When God speaks, there are only two responses: people either obey and submit or disobey and harden their hearts (Heb. 3:7–13). From the human point of view, Pharaoh resisted God’s will and thus hardened his own heart. From the divine point of view, God sent the judgments and therefore caused his heart to harden. The same sun that melts the ice also hardens the clay.

The court magicians were able to imitate Aaron’s miracle. Satan is a counterfeiter, and that is one way he opposes God’s work today (2 Tim. 3:8–9). Some miracles are lying wonders (2 Thess. 2:9–10). Be sure you can tell the difference (1 John 2:18–27; 4:1–6).

The plagues were God’s declaration of war against the false gods of Egypt (12:12). He proclaimed, “I am the Lord” (7:5). They were also a declaration that God had put a difference between the Jews and the Egyptians (8:23).

Praying the Scripture

1. How many times did Pharaoh hardened his own hearts and how many times did the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart? It will be interesting to do a count and notice the sequence. If we know God’s command and refuse to obey, we harden our own hearts. Do you harden your own heart? If we harden our hearts enough times it will become seared (1Ti 4:2) and unable to respond. Let’s pray that we do not harden our hearts and respond to God with obedience.
2. The river of Nile was considered sacred because it provides livelihood for all animals as well as human. The attack on Nile river is the attack on Egyptian god “Hapi.” Similarly frog also represents “Heqt,” the god of fertility. It is interesting Moses asked Pharaoh when he wanted the frog to leave. Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.” So it is done according to the stipulated time. It is beyond doubt that this is the work of the Lord. In the midst of all these, Pharaoh hardened his heart.
3. Again, the plague of dust/gnats was against the Egyptian god “Hathor or set” – the god of desert. The plague of flies was against the healing god “Isis.” Even the magicians conceded to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” (Ex 8:19) Yet Pharaoh still refused to obey the Lord. How many times do we want to harden our hearts before we start to obey? Let’s pray that we obey God at once.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 7:1.

经文：出7-8章

主题：十灾的开始

如果人不听从祂的警告，神就必须开始实施审判。当神说话时，人们只有两种反应：一是顺服，不然就是反抗并使自己的心刚硬（希3:7-13）。从人的角度来看，法老抵挡神的旨意，因此他是在使自己的心刚硬。从神的角度来看，神正在实施审判，因此使法老的心刚硬起来。同一个太阳使冰融化，也使粘土变硬。

法老的术士也能够模仿亚伦的神迹。撒旦是一个伪造者，这也是他今天抵挡神工作的一种方式（2 提3:8-9）。有些异能和神迹只不过是虚假的奇事（帖后 2:9-10）。你要确保自己能够分辨它们（约一2:18-27；4:1-6）。

这十灾是神向埃及的假神宣战（12:12）。他宣称：“我是耶和华”（7:5）。这十灾也是神向全地声明，祂已经把犹太人从埃及人分别出来（8:23）。

用经文祷告

Scripture Reading        : Ex 5-6

Theme                            : Knowing God

When Moses and Aaron began their work in Egypt, their first problem was with Pharaoh (5:1–9). Not only did Pharaoh refuse to let the people leave Egypt but he made their work more difficult. That gave Moses a second problem—his own people, who blamed him for their plight (5:20–21). He had a foretaste of the criticism and rebellion he would experience for the next forty years. Often, the people you help the most will appreciate you the least. Moses’ third problem was with the Lord Himself (5:22–23)! God had promised success but Moses had failed. Even the Jews didn’t believe him!

Praying the Scripture

1. The Egyptians were the most polytheistic people known from the ancient world. Even today, the historians and archeologists are not completely sure the total number of gods they worship. However, most lists include somewhere in the neighborhood of 80 gods including lion, ox, ram, wolf, dog, cat, cobra, frog, locust and other insects. They will have no problem adding one more god to their collection. So when Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice (Ex 5:2), he is despising the Lord “God of the slave.”  So when the Lord sent the ten plagues to judge and destroy the idols/gods of Egyptians (Ex 12:12) He is showing them who the God of this universe is. Ultimately the Egyptians will know the LORD and worship Him (Isa 19:21). Do you have idols in your hearts? The Lord will destroy them one by one.
2. Not only the Pharaoh not know God, Moses and the Israelite also did not truly know him (3:11; 6:3, 7). Do you know the Lord is the mighty great “I AM”? Furthermore, He is the merciful, compassionate and faithful God? Can you list out all the verses that indicate the attribute of God in these beginning chapters of Exodus? Let’s pray that we know God and know him well.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 5:1.

经文：出5-6章

主题：认识神

当摩西和亚伦在埃及开始了他们的工作时，他们遇到的第一个问题就是法老（5:1-9）。法老不但拒绝让犹太人离开埃及，他甚至加重了他们的工作。这带给摩西第二个问题，就是自己的族人，他们责怪摩西使他们的处境更糟糕（5:20-21）。他事先尝到了他在未来40年所要经历的，亦是族人的指责和反抗。这也难怪，因为往往你所给予帮助最多的人，是最不会感激你的。摩西的第三个问题就是主本身！（5:22-23）神应许他会成功，但摩西却失败了。就连犹太人也不相信他！

但神向摩西保证（6:1-8）并要他回到岗位上坚持下去。神并不会立即解决你的每一个问题，祂也不会按照你的时间表来行事。当你认为你已听从神的旨意了，但是还是失败了，这时请思考以赛亚书55:8-9 和耶利米书 29:11。

Scripture Reading        : Ex 4

Theme                             : The “Useless” Man

Forty years before, Moses was sure he could solve his people’s problems; but now that God had called him, he was sure he would fail. He could give no reasons for disobeying God, but he certainly had plenty of excuses. “An excuse is the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie,” observed Billy Sunday. But God gave Moses everything he needed for success. All he had to do was trust the great I AM.

Credentials.

Companion.

God already had Aaron prepared and on his way to meet Moses. While Aaron at times created some problems for Moses, he was still a valued helper in the work. He was the speaker, and Moses was the doer. But in time, Moses himself became a great orator.

Commission.

God spoke to Moses and gave him the instructions and encouragement he needed (vv. 19–23). Before he arrived in Egypt, Moses knew that his work would be difficult and that Pharaoh would oppose him.

Chastening.

Moses was chastened by God and almost died because he had failed to make his child a son of the covenant (Gen. 17:10). How could Moses lead Israel if his own family was not dedicated to God? (See 1 Tim. 3:5.)

Conviction.

Moses was sure nobody would believe him; however, when the elders saw the signs and heard the message, they believed and bowed to worship God.

Praying the Scripture

1. Forty years before, when Moses felt perfectly adequate to solve the problem of his people, God refused him. 40 years later when he felt totally helpless (3:11), God begin to use him. The lesson we can learn is God can use “useless” men to achieve his purpose. Secondly, it’s only when we are humble and not relying on ourselves, that’s the time we are useful to God. Let’s pray that God keeps us humble to achieve big things for Him.
2. In His anger (4:14), God appointed Aaron to be the spokesperson for Moses, but Aaron wasn’t always a help to his brother. It was Aaron who cooperated with the people in making the golden calf (Ex. 32), and Aaron and his sister Miriam were critical of Moses (Num. 12). Let’s pray that we do not insist our will because we do not know the future. God’s will is the best. Let’s accept it, welcome it and embrace it.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 4:1.

经文：出4章

主题：“无用”的人

凭据。

我们献给神什么，祂皆可以使用它们荣耀自己：一杆、一吊索（撒上17:40）、一网（路5:1-11），或一个小午餐（约6:9 ）。即使是什么都没用的手，神也可以使用它！

同伴。

神已经预备好亚伦，而亚伦已在迎接摩西的路上了。虽然有时亚伦带给摩西一些麻烦，但在事工上他仍然是一位得力助手。亚伦是宣讲者，摩西是行事者。假以时日，摩西自己也成为一个伟大的演说家。

任命。

神任命摩西，并给予摩西他所需的指导和鼓励（19-23节）。在他抵达埃及之前，摩西知道这事工是艰难的，而法老也必反抗他。

管教。

神惩罚摩西，甚至差点丧命因为摩西没有让自己的孩子成为立约之子（创17:10）。如果摩西自己的家庭不完全奉献给神，那他要如何带领以色列呢？ （摩前3:5）。

信念。

Scripture Reading        : Ex 3

Theme                            : The Meeting with God

You never know what a day may bring, so keep your eyes and ears open to the leading of the Lord. Childlike curiosity completely changed Moses’ life.

God is faithful.

He called Abraham, cared for Isaac, guided and protected Jacob, and He would be with Moses. He is the God of the individual as well as the nation, and He does not change from generation to generation.

God is concerned and compassionate.

He saw the affliction of His people, and He heard their cries. Then why didn’t He act sooner? Because He was following a perfect timetable (Gen. 15:13–16). You must learn to wait on the Lord. (See Ps. 37.)

God is long-suffering.

Praying the Scripture

1. The Lord ordered Moses to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. Why was the ground holy? It was because God’s presence there. This command prevented Moses from rashly intruding, unprepared, into God’s presence. Do we need to remove our shoes when we come to church? Of course this is not the principle taught here. The principle is that we should come prepared and come with an attitude of fear and reverence to worship God. If we come late, unprepared and if we come with an attitude of a critical spirit, we are in danger of offending God. Let’s pray that every week we come to worship God with an attitude of fear and reverence. It is not man we please but God.
2. God instructed Moses to go to Pharaoh and ask him to let Israelites go, but the king of Egypt will not let them go unless compelled by a mighty hand. (Ex 3:19) When we do the will of the Lord it does not mean we will have no difficulties. We must do it with faith because this is the will of the Lord. In this case, The Lord prophesized that he will have to stretch out His hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders; after that he will let them go. (Ex 3:20) Let’s pray that we are willing to do our part in God’s plan in order that His will be done and His name be glorified.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 3:1.

经文：出3章

主题：与神会面

你永远不知道每一天将带来什么，所以你必须时刻睁大你的眼睛和耳朵，观察主的带领。像孩儿般的好奇心彻底改变了摩西的生命。

神是信实的

神呼召亚伯拉罕、照顾以撒、引导和保护雅各、祂也与摩西同在。祂是个人以及整个国家的神，时代虽然变迁，但祂永不改变。

神富于怜悯之心。

祂看见祂子民的痛苦，也听到他们的呼求。那为什么祂不早点采取行动呢？因为祂有着一个完美的时间表（创15:13-16）。你必须学会​​等待主的时间表。 （见诗37）

神恒忍热切等待

主一一回答摩西所有的反对，并不断向摩西保证并鼓励他。可是摩西却还是说：“我不能！”神答道：“我能！”认识神并顺服神是信心的基础。信心让人看见机会，不信的只看作为障碍。你是否在与神争论，祂要你做的事情呢？

Scripture Reading        : Ex 2

Theme                            : The God who hears

Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed (Exod. 6:20), knew that the times were difficult, but they had faith (Heb. 11:23).

From the very start, Moses was seen to be “no ordinary child” (Acts 7:20), and it was evident that God had a special purpose for him. Believing this to be true, the parents defied Pharaoh’s edict and kept their son alive. This wasn’t easy to do since all the Egyptians were now Pharaoh’s official spies, watching for babies to be drowned (Ex. 1:22). It also took faith for the parents to put their son into the river. God rewarded their faith. Jochebed not only got her son back, but she was paid to take care of him!

When the princess came to the Nile to perform her religious ablutions, she saw the basket, discovered the baby, and heard him cry; and her maternal instincts told her to rescue the child and care for him. God used a baby’s tears to save Moses and He used Miriam’s words to arrange for the baby’s mother to raise the boy and get paid for it! 

Praying the Scripture

1. Moses had a splendid education (Acts 7:22), but he was lacking in faith. He thought he could solve the problem himself. Also, he fought the wrong enemy at the wrong time with the wrong weapon. When you start to look around and ask yourself “Is it safe?” and not “Is it right?” you have stopped living by faith. Sometimes God has to “set us aside” to teach us what we need to know—and to help us forget the way the world does things. Moses’ impulsive deed sent him to the back of the desert for forty years, just as his impulsive words would keep him out of the Promised Land (Num. 20:9–13). An impatient spirit is a dangerous thing. Let’s pray that we learn the spiritual discipline of being patient.
2. God is the God who hears. The people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery went up to God. (Ex 2:23) Do you believe our God is the God who hears our prayers? If so, do you pray? Exodus 2:25 said, “God saw the people of Israel– and God knew.” Yes, God sees where we are and He knows our situations even before we ask. So prayer is not to inform God of our situations but for us to humble ourselves and to submit to Him. Prayer is clear evidence that we do not to rely on ourselves but on God. Let’s do that.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 2:1.

经文：出2章

主题：垂听的神

摩西的父母暗兰和约基别知道时世困难，但他们仍有信心（来11:23）。

从一开始，摩西就已被看作为“不是一个普通的孩子”（徒7:20），神在他身上有一个特殊的旨意，这是显然的。因此，他的父母违抗法老的命令，保存儿子的生命。这是不容易的，因为埃及人已成为法老官吏的间谍，监督着犹太人的男婴被淹死（出1:22）。把自己的儿子放入河中，也是需要信心的。而神最终奖励了他们的信心。约基别不仅得回了她的儿子，她也因照顾他而得到酬报！

当公主来到尼罗河执行她的宗教沐浴时，她看见了蒲草箱，发现在哭泣的婴孩；她的母性本能告诉她自己必须拯救这婴孩并照料他。神用婴儿的眼泪使摩西活下来，也用米利暗的话安排婴孩的母亲照顾孩子并且得到酬报！

公主收养摩西成为自己的儿子，这意味着摩西在这土地上处于有利的位置，并且接受特殊的教育以便将来在政府里服侍（徒7:22）。在埃及文里，摩西的意思是“诞生”或“儿子”，在希伯来文里听起来像“（从水里）取出”的意思。多年以后，他的名字提醒着摩西，那位拯救他并为他在埃及行伟大事的神。而摩西也因着信靠神多次拯救他的族人。

Scripture Reading        : Ex 1

Theme                             : The “Problem” of Blessing

The nation growing.

God promised that the descendants of Abraham would multiply greatly, and they did (Gen. 13:16; 15:5). God keeps His word and accomplishes His purposes in His time. Over the centuries, nations have tried to destroy Israel but have not succeeded. God gave Israel a special promise in Genesis 12:3, and He is keeping it. God’s children today should pray for Israel (Ps. 122:6), share the gospel with them (Rom. 1:16), and minister to them in practical ways (Rom. 15:25–27).

The nation groaning.

God told Abraham that his people would experience suffering (Gen. 15:13–14). It is easy for nations and local churches to forget the heroes of yesterday (Heb. 13:7–8). Although we must not “embalm” the past, we certainly must not forget those who helped to make our future possible.

The new Pharaoh was more concerned about national security than human decency. When people become a means to an end instead of an end in themselves, we are not treating them as God wants us to. Enslaving the men was Egypt’s solution to “the Jewish problem.”

The nation facing distinction.

Praying the Scripture

1. God promised Abraham that He will multiply Abraham’s descendants greatly and it is amazing to watch how God did it. It grew from 70 men (Gen. 46:27) to 603,000 males (Num 1:46), who were 20 years of age and older, thus allowing for a total population of about 2 million departing from Egypt. The seed of Abraham was no longer an extended family, but a nation. The promise that his descendants would be fruitful and multiply (Gen. 35:11, 12) had indeed been fulfilled in Egypt. Do you trust God’s promises? Let’s pray that you do.
2. A new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. (Ex. 1:8) This is probably refers a Hyksos king (1730–1570 b.c.) who arose against Pharaoh during a period of political disintegration after Joseph. The term “arose” signifies “rose against,” which accords well with a foreign seizure of the Egyptian throne. Without Joseph and the blessing of God, Egypt has deteriorated into such a pitiful stage where it was over taken by a foreign king. Without God and His blessing we will be overcome by pride, lust and self-centeredness. Let’s pray that we constantly walk with God and ask God to help us to live in a healthy fear of Him.
3. The midwives feared and obeyed God, not man. And the Lord blessed them. Do you fear God and obey him?

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 1:1.

经文：出1 章

主题：祝福的“问题”

民族的增长

神应许亚伯拉罕的后裔将繁衍，这确实成就了（创13:16; 15:5）。神绝无食言，祂按着自己的时间来完成祂的旨意。几个世纪以来，许多国家试图摧毁以色列，但都没有成功。神在创世记12:3给了以色列一个承诺，至今祂仍然守着。今天神的儿女应该为以色列祷告（诗122:6）、向他们传福音（罗1:16）。

民族的哀声

神已经告诉亚伯拉罕，他的子民必会经历痛苦（创15:13-14）。身为一个国家和教会，我们常常很容易就会忘记过去的英雄（希13:7-8）。虽然我们不应该“停留在”过去，但我们一定不能忘记那些为我们创造未来的人。

比起人类的尊严，新法老更关心的是国家安全而藐视人。他把人看作为达到目的的一种手段，他没有按神要的方式待人。把犹太人当成奴役是埃及对“犹太人问题”的解决方案。

民族面临灭绝

新法老不仅使犹太人成为奴隶，他也计划消灭犹太民族，并指示收生婆把新生男婴都杀掉。然而，收生婆敬畏并顺服神而不是人（徒5:29）。感谢神有这些人勇敢地捍卫这些婴儿！