C.R.E Revsion Kit Chapter 5
The Sinai Covenant: Moses
Describe the background to the call of Moses. Moses was born at a time when a decree had been issued to kill all male babies by
drowning them in river Nile. His mother bore and hid him in a woven basket. When the baby was three months old and could no longer be hidden, his mother took him in a water proof basket, which he placed within the reeds at the bank of river Nile. The baby Moses was miraculously rescued by Pharaoh‟s daughter, who took him to
the palace, where he was nurtured in a noble manner.
The caretaker assigned to him was coincidentally his biological mother: Jacobeth, a
fact hidden even to Pharaoh himself.
Moses received credible education and training as a prince.
Later on, he killed an Egyptian who had confronted an Israelite. Sensing danger, he
fled to the wilderness. Here, he was a shepherd and experienced all the difficulties of
the wilderness.
At that point, Moses received his call in the form of a burning bush.
Describe the call of Moses.
Moses the shepherd was herding the flock of his father-in-law: Jethro, when he
saw a firry bush that was not being consumed.
The mighty scene was near Mount Sinai, also called Horeb.
As he drew near the firry bush, God instructed him to remove the shoes for he was treading on holy ground.
Moses wanted to know the name of God. God revealed himself as the God of the Jewish patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
He commissioned Moses to go back to Egypt and rescue the Israelites from the affliction the Egyptians subjected the Israelites to.
Moses hesitated, claiming that he not only feared Pharaoh, but was also a stammerer and did not know the name of the one who was sending him. God assured Moses of his protection. He gave Moses his brother Aaron to serve as an interpreter. God gave his name as “I am who I am”. He further assured Moses of the terrifying occurrences that would lead to the release of the Israelites.
Still, Moses lamented of the Israelites, who, according to him, would neither believe nor listen to him. God told Moses to use the rod he had in his hand, which would turn into a snake and also place his hand in his pocket, which, on pulling
out, would be affected with leprosy. Moses therefore accepted and took off to
Egypt.
What lessons did Moses learn about God during his call?
God does not give people impossible tasks. God is loving/caring.
God commissions/appoints his people to do his work.
God is mighty.
God‟s nature is unspeakable, thus beyond human understanding.
God responds to people‟s cry.
God‟s choice of a person to discharge his duties is unique. God expects total obedience and faith. God punishes the afflicters of his people. List the ten plagues that were sent to Egypt. The plague of blood, whereby all waters turned into blood.
The plague of frogs;
The plague of gnats;
The plague of flies;
The plague of the death of animals.
The plague of boils.
The plague of hailstorm;
The plague of locusts;
The plague of darkness for three days. Death of Egyptians‟ firstborn sons.
State the attributes of God denoted from the plagues.
God is omnipotent;
God is loving and caring;
God keeps his promises;
God arrests difficult situations;
God is just;
God is peculiar in all ways;
God is forgiving. 68. Describe the Passoveras recorded in Exodus 12:1-30.
God instructed Moses and Aaron to have all the Israelites to choose a lamb or a
young goat for sacrifice. The sacrificial animals were to be one year old and without blemish. The sacrificial animals were to be chosen on the tenth day, but sacrificed on the 14th day. A small family that could not consume the meal was to combine with the neighbour.
The sacrificial animal‟s blood was to be smeared on the two door posts and lintel
of each Israelite‟s house.
This distinguished the Israelites‟ house from the Egyptian, so that the angel of
death would spare them when he killed the firstborn sons of Egyptians.
The animal for sacrifice was to be roasted whole and eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
The Israelites were to dress up before eating in readiness for the journey.
The Israelite women were to ask for jewelry from Egyptian women to compensate for the free labour they had given in Egypt.
The Israelites were to remain indoors until dawn in order to be protected from the Angel of Death.
That night, the Angel of destruction passed over the Israelites‟ households, killing
all firstborn males of the Egyptians. The execution picked up from pharaoh‟s own
son to that of Egyptian slaves.
The firstborn male offsprings of the Egyptian animal also did not escape that
wrath.
State
the significance of each event of the Passover.
Using young animals showed the innocence of the sacrifice.
Using an animal without blemish signified the purity of the sacrifice.
The smearing of blood on the Lintel was a sign of identification of the
Israelite and non-Israelite (Egyptian) house. Roasting of the meat showed the Israelites‟ haste.
The bitter herbs signified the bitter experience of slavery in Egypt.
The unleavened bread was to be used for they had no time to ferment the
dough.
They were to dress up and pack their luggage to show readiness for the
journey.
The Israelite women were to borrow jewelry from Egyptian women to
compensate for the free labour they had given Egypt.
They were to remain indoors until morning to be protected from the angel of
death.
Give reasons why Moses was reluctant/hesitant to take up God’s commission.
He had killed an Egyptian.
The Pharaoh had wanted to kill him.
He was not an eloquent speaker.
He feared that the Israelites would not believe that God sent him.
He feared that the Israelites would not accept him as their leader.
He lacked courage.
He was already settled in median and had a family.
He did not have enough knowledge about Yahweh. Why was the Passover important?
The Jewish Passover was of great importance in that it marked the end of the Israelites‟ tribulations in Egypt.
It also served as a unifying factor, which brought the Israelites close and together.
The Passover brought to the Israelites realization of their true Yahweh, who sticks
to his promises.
It also showed God‟s unwavering love to Israelites, who are the descendants of Abraham.
The Passover was a preliminary event that marked the beginning of the Exodus night, a time the Israelites left Egypt.
The sacrificial lamb is a clear symbol of Jesus: the sacrificial lamb for Christians, who released them from the bondage of sin.
During this time and to the Exodus, Moses was confirmed as the leader of the Israelites.
Why was Pharaoh not willing to release the Israelites?
God had already told Moses that Pharaoh would remain adamant till several terrifying
events would force him to release the Israelites. The Israelites provided cheap labour and, to Pharaoh, releasing them would mean that
a new source of labour had to be sought.
His being hesitant created room for God‟s work and power to be realized by everybody.
Pharaoh was generally arrogant and stubborn and could not be easily lured by
anybody.
Pharaoh considered the Israelites and their possessions as part of his empire. If at all
he could release them, he saw as if he would be parting with his wealth.
Pharaoh failed to understand that he was dealing with Yahweh: the true God, otherwise, he could have immediately released them.
What values/qualities can a Christian learn from the call of Moses?
Humility.
Courage.
Faith.
Love.
Obedience.
Service.
Holiness.
Inquisitive.
Patience.
What made the Pharaoh oppress the Israelites?
It was a fulfillment of God‟s promise to Abraham, “your descendants will be slaves in
a foreign land”.
The Pharaoh did not know Joseph and why he had settled in Egypt.
He oppressed them in order for them to produce cheap labour for his development work.
The Israelites had had prospered and pharaoh though they would overcome the Egyptians.
It was a mode of weakening the power and strength of the Israelites.
The Israelites were tremendously increasing and Pharaoh feared that this would be disastrous to the Egyptians.
What is the Exodus and how did God take care of the Israelites during the Exodus?
An Exodus is a mass movement of people from one place to another. It was this journey out
of Egypt through the harsh wilderness that we call Exodus. During the Exodus, God took care
of the Israelites in various ways as follows:
The crossing of the Red Sea, which God miraculously enabled the Israelites to accomplish when the Egyptians were pursuing them He instructed Moses to use his rod and divide the water. All the Egyptians were drowned.
Provision of water. Moses sought God‟s guidance in a bid to request for
water. God told Moses to throw a tree into the water. The bitter water turned sweet, ready for consumption. This was at a place called Marah. At
Rephidim, God told Moses to strike a rock with his rod and water flowed from it.
God provided manna and quails. Manna came each morning while quails came in large flocks.
God provided security from the hostile desert communities, especially theAmalekites. Joshua led the Israelites against the Amalekites while Moses held his hands up.
God guided the Israelites throughout the weary journey in the wilderness. During the day, a cloud guided them while a pillar of fire gave them direction at night.
God commissioned Moses to rule, govern and administer the Israelites through the wilderness.
Click here to post comments
Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Jobs in Kenya.
