Passage to Study: Exodus 1:1-22, 2:1-10, Hebrews 11:23.
Read with the class: Exodus 2:1-10.
Memorization text: Younger children - Hebrews 11:23a. "By faith Moses, when he was
born, was hid three months by his parents."
Older children - Hebrews 11:23.
OBJECTIVES: To show
1. The importance of obeying God rather than man.
2. That parents that truly love their children will do everything possible to protect them
from things that will lead them to destruction.
3. That the Sunday School teacher also teaches children how to distinguish between what is
right and what is wrong.
4. The importance of Bible teaching in early childhood.
SCENE No. 1. Israelites labouring for the Egyptian taskmasters.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
- Fearful of an Israelite uprising, (Ex.1:9-10), the new king in Egypt who does not know
or appreciate Joseph, decides to "deal wisely" with the children or Israel and
submit them to slavery.
- Pharaoh thinks that in this way, the Israelites will not continue to multiply, and thus
will not endanger his kingdom.
- The Egyptians make the lives of the Israelites "bitter with hard bondage",
obliging them to make bricks and build treasure cities as well as work in the fields.
Cmt. This free labour enriched Egypt, a country considered one of the most advanced
nations of it’s times.
- Impressive structures produced remain until today. Ex. The sphinx and pyramids.
- The hard work imposed upon the Israelites does not produce the desired effect and the
Egyptians are concerned, fearful of the Israelites.
- Pharaoh decides on a new method of reducing the Israelite nation and orders the death of
all male babies as soon as they are born.
- This attempt to eliminate newborn boys is blocked by the God-fearing midwives and by the
"lively" (strong) Israelite mothers. (1:17 y 19).
Apl. It is important to obey God rather than man. God blessed the midwives because
they feared Him.
- The failure to diminish the Israelite population leads Pharaoh to find another way to
kill the newborn boys, and a new decree is announced.
Cns. Often people act foolishly because of unfounded fears. Pharaoh did so.
SCENE No. 2. In a house.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
- A law was published requiring that all the males born to Israelite women be thrown into
the river so they will die.
- It would be easy to see if this order is carried out, as there ought to be no male
babies in any of the Israelite homes.
- After the new law comes into effect, a boy is born to a God-fearing Levite family which
knows and understands God's purposes for Israel.
- Hebrews 11:23 speaks of the faith of Moses' parents in hiding him.
- True parental love is seen in concern for preserving a child's life, knowing that there
are many enemies which would destroy it.
Cmt. The world, the flesh and Satan all work against the preservation of human
life for God’s glory. They want to cause them to perish.
- In later years Moses would recognize the wisdom of his parents in protecting him from
death.
Cns. It is interesting to consider that Moses who wrote the book of Exodus, included
what his parents had done in preserving his life.
Apl. It is wise for the teacher to encourage students to reflect on what their parents
have done especially with regard to seeing them saved early in life. Besides
encouraging the students to reflect on this, the teacher can encourage them to being
appreciative.
Sug. Think of some examples of people known to you who credit their parents with wisdom in
their care and concern for them early in life.
- What ambitions would Jochabed have for Moses and what motivated her to protect him in
such a special way?
- Jochabed realized how difficult it was to continue to hide the child and, recognizing
God's sovereign power, places him in His hands.
Cmt. The principle that she followed in trusting in the sovereign power of God is a
principle which should remain constant throughout life for anyone.
- The whole family was involved in the task of saving the child.
Apl. It is the duty of parents to counsel their children and protect them as much as
possible from the contamination of the world.
- Other members of the family ought to help to protect the younger ones.
- Not only should there be a concern for the family, but students should oppose all that
is harmful for their friends and companions also.
SCENE No. 3. Beside the Nile River.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
- Once again women are used by God to frustrate Pharaoh's evil intentions.
- The mother does all she can to protect the child, then puts the little water-proofed ark
among the bulrushes near the riverbank.
- Once she has done everything possible, she must release the child and commend him to
God's care.
- His sister Miriam waits, hiding nearby, while Pharaoh's daughter draws near.
- It is possible to imagine the feelings of each member of the family as they leave their
little Moses in the river.
- The river is the place of death and from there Moses will be "resurrected".
- It is unlikely that anyone else outside of the family would know about their plan.
Cns. There are times when one trusts God for something special, but keeps it a
secret.
- Miriam shows wisdom and loving care as she controls her nervousness and waits for events
to develop.
- She senses when the exact moment arrives so speaks up and offers to find a nurse for the
child.
- The fact that her suggestion was accepted shows that Miriam did her task well and God
was in control of everything.
SCENE No. 4. Near the river.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
- Jochabed hurries back to receive "her" son Moses.
- Eph. 3:20, 21 is illustrated in this story.
- What would be the instructions given by the princess to Jochabed?
- Later on Jochabed's three children were outstanding in the Lord's service.
- Jochabed must have laid up God's Word in her own heart in her earlier years in order to
teach and influence her children later on.
Cmt. With older students, you can suggested that during their adolescent years, they are
preparing themselves for whenever they themselves might be parents.
- It is important they store up the Word of God in their heart.
- Jochabed would begin at once to teach Moses about the one true God, and about His
covenant with His people Israel, through the promises made to their forefathers, etc.
Apl. Teaching the truth of God ought to start early in life. Jochabed would
not know for how long she might have Moses in her care.
Personal Note:
Dear brothers and sisters, teachers: Yours is the great privilege of being a
"nurse" to your students, teaching them the things of God in their
childhood. |
