Sabbath School with Mark Finley | Lesson 1 — Q3 – 2025

Summary

This lesson from the book of Exodus, led by Dr. Yuri Mscala, explores God's miraculous deliverance of His people from oppression in Egypt, emphasizing the faithfulness of individuals like Joseph, the Hebrew midwives, and Moses. Despite facing hardships, the Israelites flourished through God's blessing. The narrative delves into the providential birth of Moses, his education in Egypt, and his eventual calling to lead Israel. It highlights that God can turn curses into blessings and that life's difficulties can be overcome through His grace. The message encourages faithfulness to God, learning from His guidance, and trusting in His timing.

Takeaways

• 😀 God's presence is central to the book of Exodus, and He is depicted as a loving and trustworthy God who delivers His people from oppression.
• 😀 The book of Exodus resonates with the experiences of the oppressed and marginalized, offering hope that God will deliver those who feel abandoned or enslaved.
• 😀 Despite facing oppression in Egypt, the Israelites continued to grow in number, proving that challenges and difficulties do not hinder God's blessing.
• 😀 Joseph's faithfulness to God led to his rise in Egypt, becoming a trusted advisor to Pharaoh, illustrating that God's favor can manifest even in difficult circumstances.
• 😀 The Israelites' migration from 70 people in Genesis to over 600,000 in Exodus highlights God's blessing and the growth of His people.
• 😀 Pharaoh's decree to oppress the Israelites serves as a reminder that evil forces often try to stop God's plan, but God can thwart those plans through acts of faithfulness.
• 😀 The midwives' defiance of Pharaoh's command to kill Hebrew babies demonstrates the importance of faithfulness to God's will, even in the face of powerful opposition.
• 😀 Moses' miraculous birth and adoption by Pharaoh's daughter showcases God's providence, turning what appeared to be a curse into a blessing for Moses and the Israelites.
• 😀 Moses' education in Egypt, funded by Pharaoh's treasury, prepared him with skills and knowledge that would be crucial for leading God's people, even though much of it would later need to be 'unlearned.'
• 😀 Moses' 40 years in the wilderness, tending sheep, were not wasted but were a time of unlearning and learning vital lessons of faith, patience, and trust in God.
• 😀 The life of Moses can be divided into three 40-year periods: 40 years in Egypt, 40 years in the wilderness, and 40 years leading Israel to the Promised Land, illustrating how God's timing and preparation are essential for His purposes.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the lesson from the book of Exodus in the video script?

The main theme of the lesson is about faithfulness to God, overcoming adversity, and trusting in God's providence, especially when going through difficult circumstances. The story of Moses emphasizes that God's timing and plan always prevail.

Why is Moses' early life and upbringing significant in the context of God's plan?

Moses' early life is significant because despite his circumstances, including being born under a death decree, God providentially ensured his survival and raised him in Pharaoh's household. This unique upbringing equipped Moses with knowledge and skills that would later be used in God's mission for Israel.

How did Moses' education in Egypt contribute to God's plan, despite it seeming irrelevant at the time?

Moses’ education in Egypt, which included military strategy, administration, and Egyptian culture, seemed irrelevant to his calling at first. However, it later helped him lead and organize the Israelites, showing that God can use all circumstances for His purpose, even when they seem unrelated to the task at hand.

What was the role of the Hebrew midwives in the story of Moses' birth?

The Hebrew midwives played a crucial role by defying Pharaoh's order to kill all male Hebrew children. They feared God and saved Moses, demonstrating faithfulness and courage to act in alignment with God's will, even against the Pharaoh's authority.

What does the script say about God's providence in Moses' life?

The script emphasizes that God’s providence is evident throughout Moses' life, from his miraculous survival and adoption by Pharaoh's daughter to the circumstances that led to his education. Even though Moses faced challenges, God was continually guiding him, preparing him for his role in the deliverance of Israel.

How does the script explain the concept of God's timing versus human timing?

The script explains that Moses initially thought it was the right time to deliver Israel, but his timing was not aligned with God's. God allowed Moses to go through 40 years in the wilderness to unlearn certain things and develop faith and trust in God, teaching that God's timing is often different from our own.

Why was Moses forced to flee after killing the Egyptian, and what did he learn from the experience?

Moses fled after killing the Egyptian because his action was discovered, and he feared Pharaoh's retaliation. During his time in the wilderness, Moses learned important lessons about patience, trust, and godliness, and he grew spiritually as he learned to lead sheep, which prepared him for his role in leading Israel.

What lesson can be learned from the transformation of Moses' curses into blessings?

The lesson is that when we remain faithful to God, He can turn our curses into blessings. Moses’ life story shows that even negative circumstances, like being raised in Egypt or fleeing into the wilderness, can be used by God to prepare us for His purposes.

What does the script say about God's relationship with the Israelites despite their failures?

The script notes that despite the Israelites’ ups and downs, their disobedience, and their failures, God never abandons them. He continues to work with them, showing His grace and faithfulness, which offers hope for all believers in times of struggle.

What is the spiritual message behind Moses' 40 years in the wilderness?

Moses' 40 years in the wilderness were not a waste of time, but a period of spiritual growth where he learned essential qualities like humility, dependence on God, and leadership. The wilderness experience was vital for shaping Moses into the leader God needed to free Israel.