Topical Bible: Egypt: Israel in Moses Proves his Divine Mission by Miracles

◄ Egypt: Israel in Moses Proves his Divine Mission by Miracles ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, Egypt serves as the backdrop for one of the most significant events in Israel's history: the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery under the leadership of Moses. This period is marked by a series of divine interventions, where Moses, chosen by God, proves his divine mission through miraculous signs and wonders.

The Call of Moses

Moses' divine mission begins with his encounter with God at the burning bush on Mount Horeb. In Exodus 3:10, God commissions Moses, saying, "So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt." Moses, initially hesitant, questions his own ability to lead the Israelites and seeks assurance of his divine calling.

Miraculous Signs

To confirm his mission, God equips Moses with the ability to perform miracles. In Exodus 4:1-9, God provides Moses with three signs to demonstrate His power: turning his staff into a serpent, making his hand leprous and then restoring it, and turning water from the Nile into blood. These signs are intended to convince both the Israelites and Pharaoh of God's authority and Moses' divine appointment.

Confrontation with Pharaoh

Moses and his brother Aaron confront Pharaoh, demanding the release of the Israelites. Pharaoh's heart is hardened, and he refuses to let the people go. In response, God unleashes a series of ten plagues upon Egypt, each demonstrating His supremacy over the Egyptian gods and Pharaoh's impotence. These plagues include turning the Nile to blood, infestations of frogs, gnats, and flies, the death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn (Exodus 7-12).

The Plagues as Divine Judgments

Each plague serves as a direct challenge to the Egyptian pantheon and a demonstration of God's power. For instance, the plague of darkness (Exodus 10:21-23) directly challenges Ra, the sun god, while the death of the firstborn (Exodus 12:29-30) strikes at the heart of Pharaoh's divine status, as he was considered a god-king. These acts of judgment reveal the futility of Egypt's gods and affirm the sovereignty of the God of Israel.

The Passover and Exodus

The final plague, the death of the firstborn, leads to the institution of the Passover, a pivotal event in Israel's history. God instructs the Israelites to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, so the angel of death would pass over their homes (Exodus 12:7, 13). This act of faith and obedience becomes a lasting ordinance for Israel, symbolizing their deliverance and God's protection.

Pharaoh, overwhelmed by the devastation, finally relents and allows the Israelites to leave Egypt. The Exodus marks the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and the beginning of Israel's journey to the Promised Land.

The Parting of the Red Sea

As the Israelites depart, Pharaoh changes his mind and pursues them with his army. In a final miraculous act, God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. When the Egyptians attempt to follow, the waters return, drowning Pharaoh's army (Exodus 14:21-28). This miraculous deliverance cements Moses' role as God's chosen leader and demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His people.

Conclusion

Through these miraculous events, Moses proves his divine mission, affirming God's power and faithfulness. The deliverance from Egypt becomes a foundational narrative for Israel, celebrated throughout their history as a testament to God's salvation and covenantal love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 4:29-31
And Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 7:10
And Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Romance of M. Renan. By Napoleon Roussel.
... the nomadic Semites, that of the 'Beni-Israel' was already ... and attributed to their
great liberator Moses, was even ... any thing in Chaldea and in Egypt." And this ...
/.../the romance of m renan and the christ of the gospels/the romance of m renan.htm

The Historical Books. 1 the New Testament...
... had been prefigured in the institutions of Moses, in the ... Had he written in Egypt,
as Chrysostom thinks, we can ... seed of Abraham and king of Israel, Luke traces ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxix the historical books.htm

Acts XIII
... however, two other Jews appeared in Paphos, claiming to bring additional revelations
from the God of Israel, the same ... When Moses went into Egypt he found ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... of Bethlehem, in the name of Israel, longing after ... the infant Jesus on his journey
to Egypt; and after ... Moses, though revered by the followers of three religions ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

Extracts No. vii.
... They contend that for the plagues in Egypt, the dividing the ... water out of the rock,
feeding Israel forty years ... to them, than they are to the miracles of Moses. ...
/.../ballou/a series of letters in defence of divine revelation/extracts no vii.htm

Perpetuity
... Therefore it is no longer necessary, since Egypt must be ... peoples, and all the people
of Israel, because he ... tradition from Adam was fresh in Noah and in Moses. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section ix perpetuity.htm

What Messiah did the Jews Expect?
... would ride - and this humble estate was only caused by Israel's sin [897] - would
be not only that on which Moses had come back to Egypt, but also that ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v what messiah did.htm

The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
... From Egypt some of them might have passed into ... from whatever cause, the religion
of Moses was once ... and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xi the conversion of.htm

Exposition of Chap. Iii. (ii. 28-32. )
... my work on Egypt and the Books of Moses, p.106 ... The darkness upon the whole land of
Egypt, while there ... and their application to the judgment upon Israel, can be ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/exposition of chap iii ii.htm

Index of Subjects.
... Exodus, the, of Israel from Egypt, a type, [262]192. ... Passover, the, [714]193. "Patience
of Israel, the," [715]205. ... Rod of Moses, the, a type, [771]192. ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /index of subjects.htm