Category: Bible Challenge

“So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did what the LORD had commanded them. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent! Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic. They threw down their staffs, which also became serpents! But then Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs. Pharaoh’s heart, however, remained hard. He still refused to listen, just as the LORD had predicted.” v10-13
How were the wise men and sorcerers able to duplicate Moses’ miracles? Some of their feats involved trickery or illusion, and some may have used satanic power since worshiping gods of the underworld was part of their religion. Ironically, whenever they duplicated one of Moses’ plagues, it only made matters worse. If the magicians had been as powerful as God, they would have reversed the plagues, not added to them.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the LORD. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the LORD!’” v6-8
The Israelites where so mad and worked that they refused to listen to Moses when he came to declare Gods message. It is easy to get caught up in the things going on around us and miss the message God is trying to give us. Or better yet, refuse to listen. How receptive am I to the things of God. Is my life so loud that I don’t hear him, or when I do, do I listen intently or refuse to believe what He is saying?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible.

“Then Moses went back to the LORD and protested, ‘Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as your spokesman, he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!’” v22-23
Pharaoh had just increased the Hebrews’ workload, and Moses protested that God had not rescued his people. Moses expected faster results and fewer problems. (ever been there?) When God is at work, suffering, setbacks, and hardship may still occur. In James 1:2-4 we are encouraged to be happy when difficulties come our way. Problems develop our patience and character by teaching us to:
1.) Trust God to do what is best for us
2.) Look for ways to honor God in our present situation
3.) Remember that God will not abandon us
4.) Watch for God’s plan for us

“But Moses protested again, ‘What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The LORD never appeared to you’?’” v1
Excuses, Excuses, Excuses, Moses’ reluctance and fear were caused by overanticipation. He was worried about how the people might respond to him. (fear of rejection) We often build up events in our minds and then panic over what might go wrong. God does not ask us to go where he has not provided the means to help. Go where he leads, trusting him to supply courage, confidence, and resources at the right moment!

The next time an opportunity comes my way, will I make excuses as to why I can’t, or will I trust God to do the impossible?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”’
God answered, ‘I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.’” v11-12
Many people have heard the story of Moses and the burning bush. At a young age it is taught and we are amazed that God talked to Moses in this way. it is radical and awesome!!! But there is more to it than that. God used the burning bush to get Moses attention. This leaves us having to answer this question, “What does God have to do to get my attention?”

For Moses it took a burning bush, for me it takes …..? But when He gets our attention, how do we respond to His message!

Moses made excuses because he felt inadequate for the job God asked him to do. It was natural for him to feel that way. He was inadequate all by himself. But God wasn’t asking Moses to work alone. He offered other resources to help. God often calls us to do tasks that seem too difficult, but he doesn’t ask us to do them alone. God offers us his resources, just as he did to Moses. We should not hide behind our inadequacies, as Moses did, but look beyond ourselves to the great resources available. Then we can allow God to use our unique contributions.

When God does speak to you, which may not happen through a burning bush, do you hear Him? Are you willing to do what He asks and follow where He leads, even if you think it is impossible?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Many years later, when Moses had grown up, he went out to visit his own people, the Hebrews, and he saw how hard they were forced to work. During his visit, he saw an Egyptian beating one of his fellow Hebrews. After looking in all directions to make sure no one was watching, Moses killed the Egyptian and hid the body in the sand.” v11-12
Moses tried to make sure no one was watching before he killed the Egyptian. But as it turned out, someone did see, and Moses had to flee the country. Sometimes we mistakenly think we can get away with doing wrong if no one sees or catches us. Sooner or later, however, doing wrong will catch up with us as it did with Moses. Even if we are not caught in this life, we will still have to face God and his evaluation of actions.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

?Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done. He said to his people, ‘Look, the people of Israel now outnumber us and are stronger than we are. We must make a plan to keep them from growing even more. If we don’t, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country.’
So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves. They appointed brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down with crushing labor. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king.” v1:8-11
New King, New Laws, New Baby! The freedom the Israelites once had with Joseph has now been turned into slavery upon his death. They are being worked over by the eygptians, who are fearful of their ability to out number them. Things seem tense and laws are being passed to kill baby boys. Sounds pretty crazy! Its times like these that we are bale to see God in a big way. He seems to step into our chaos and provide guidance and deliverance. When things get tough, do i remain faithful or faithless? When things are chaotic, do I invite God into the situation, or try to do it on my own?

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Then Jacob called together all his sons and said, “Gather around me, and I will tell you what will happen to each of you in the days to come.” v1
Jacob blessed each of his sons and then made a prediction about each one’s future. The way the men had lived played and important part in Jacob’s blessing and prophecy. Our past also affects our present and future. By sunrise tomorrow, our actions of today will have become part of the past. Yet they will already have begun to shape the future. What actions can you choose or avoid that will positively shape your future?

Taken form the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“Joseph could stand it no longer. There were many people in the room, and he said to his attendants, ‘Out, all of you!’ So he was alone with his brothers when he told them who he was. Then he broke down and wept. He wept so loudly the Egyptians could hear him, and word of it quickly carried to Pharaoh’s palace.” v1-2
Although Joseph’s brothers had wanted to get rid of him, God used even their actions to fulfill his ultimate plan. He had sent Joseph ahead to preserve their lives, save Egypt, and prepare the way for the beginning of the nation of Israel. God is Sovereign. His plans are not dictated by human actions. When others intend evil toward you, remember that God is still in control, “You intended to harm me but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so i could save the lives of many people.” 50:52

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible

“So please, my lord, let me stay here as a slave instead of the boy, and let the boy return with his brothers. 34For how can I return to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see the anguish this would cause my father!”
Joseph wanted to see if his brothers’ attitudes had changed for the better, so he tested the way they treated each other. Judah, the brother who stepped forward with the plan to sell Joseph, now stepped forward to take Benjamin’s punishment so Benjamin could return to their father. This courageous act convinced Joseph that his brothers had dramatically changed for the better.

Taken from the NLT Life Application Study Bible