(Gospel Doctrine Lesson – Sherwood Hills Ward)
April 11, 2010
Exodus 1–3; Exodus 5–6; Exodus 11–14
Objective
To remember to:
(1) trust the Lord to fulfill his promises - application
(2) make the Sacrament more meaningful in our lives - principle
(3) increase our appreciation for the Savior’s atoning sacrifice - doctrine
QUESTION: What doctrine if understood would help us remember the Lord's love for us and how He keep his promises of blessings without number?
Background
Summary of the Scripture Reading:
a. Exodus 1–3. The children of Israel are made slaves by the Egyptians (Exodus 1:1–14). Pharaoh orders that all sons born to the Israelites be killed (Exodus 1:15–22). Moses is born and is raised by Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:1–10). Moses kills an Egyptian and flees to Midian, where he marries Zipporah (Exodus 2:11–22). The Lord appears to Moses at the burning bush and calls him to deliver Israel from bondage (Exodus 3:1–22; note that in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible, the phrase “the angel of the Lord” in Exodus 3:2 is changed to “the presence of the Lord”).
b. Exodus 5–6. Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh to free Israel, but Pharaoh refuses and places greater burdens on the people (Exodus 5:1–23). The Lord promises to fulfill the covenant he made with Abraham (Exodus 6:1–8). (Note: Chapters 7–10 tell of Moses approaching Pharaoh many more times, asking him to free Israel. Despite many signs, wonders, and plagues, Pharaoh refuses. In the Joseph Smith Translation of these chapters, the phrase “the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart” is changed to “Pharaoh hardened his heart.”)
c. Exodus 11–13. The Lord promises to send one more plague on Egypt in which the firstborn in every home will die (Exodus 11:1–10). The Lord instructs Moses in the preparation of the Passover, which will protect Israel from the plague (Exodus 12:1–20). The firstborn in Egypt are killed (Exodus 12:29–30). Pharaoh tells Moses to take his people from Egypt, and the Israelites leave (Exodus 12:31–42). Moses tells the children of Israel to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the future as a memorial of their deliverance (Exodus 13:1–16). The Lord goes before the camp of Israel in a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:17–22). (Note that the titles “Feast of the Passover” and “Feast of Unleavened Bread” are often used synonymously; the Passover is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.)
d. Exodus 14. Pharaoh and his army pursue the children of Israel (Exodus 14:1–9). The people are afraid, and Moses appeals to the Lord for help (Exodus 14:10–18). The children of Israel are delivered from the army and cross the Red Sea on dry ground; Pharaoh’s men pursue them and are drowned (Exodus 14:19–31).
Attention Activity
Ask: Have you ever been rescued from a dangerous situation. Please share your experience and tell how you felt toward the ones who rescued you.
This lesson is about one of the most dramatic rescues that has ever occurred—the deliverance of the children of Israel from the plague of death and from Egyptian slavery. In many ways this rescue symbolizes an even greater rescue—our deliverance from sin and death through the Savior’s atoning sacrifice.
Scripture Application
How do these scriptures apply to daily life? Think of experiences that relate to the scriptural principles.
After Jacob and his family moved to Egypt, the Israelites lived there for 430 years. During that time, a Pharaoh arose who enslaved them and imposed heavy burdens on them. As Joseph had prophesied, the Lord raised up Moses to deliver the children of Israel (2 Nephi 3:10).
1. The Lord calls Moses to deliver Israel from bondage.
Brief overview of Exodus 1 and Exodus 2; and discussion of Exodus 3.
1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
2 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
How did the Lord call Moses to deliver Israel from bondage?
5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
7 ¶ And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
What did the Lord tell Moses while calling him?
What can we learn about the Lord from his calling of Moses? (The Lord knows his people, is merciful to them, wants to bless them, and keeps his promises to them.)
What did Moses say when the Lord called him to deliver Israel?
What is a prophet?
Read: D&C 8:
1 Oliver Cowdery, verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive a knowledge concerning the engravings of old records, which are ancient, which contain those parts of my scripture of which has been spoken by the manifestation of my Spirit.
2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.
3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.
How then does revelation work for prophets and for us?
Read: Book of Mormon 8:35 –“ I speak unto you as if ye were present and yet ye are not. But behold, Jesus Christ hath shown you unto me, and I know your doing.”
What did the Living prophets “see” as they prepared those talks?
In what ways did Moses feel inadequate? What assurances did the Lord give him?
Read Exodus 3:11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
(See Exodus 3:12; Exodus 4:11–12.)
3:12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
4:11 And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?
12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
How do you feel when you receive a calling from the Lord? Why might some feelings of inadequacy be good? How has the Lord helped you in callings for which you felt inadequate?
What did Moses sacrifice by accepting the call to lead his people? (See Hebrews 11:24–26.)
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
What do we sacrifice by accepting calls to serve the Lord? Why is it important that we be willing to sacrifice for the Lord?
Imagine you are the children of Israel living in Egypt. For generations they have been taught that they are God’s covenant people and that he will fulfill the promises he made to Abraham. Yet now they are slaves, living in oppression and bondage.
What can we learn from this circumstance that can help us when we experience adversity?
(God does not forget us in our adversity, as he showed by calling Moses and eventually delivering Israel. But usually he does not deliver us from trials immediately. No matter how long the trial, we should continue to pray to him, trusting that he loves us and will have all things work together for our good if we obey him. See D&C 90:24; D&C 98:3; Mosiah 24:14–15.)
How have you received comfort and help from the Lord during times of adversity?
2. The Lord sends plagues upon Egypt.
Discuss Exodus 5–6. You may also want to give a brief overview of Exodus 7–10, explaining that Moses approached Pharaoh many times and asked him to free Israel. Despite signs, wonders, and plagues, Pharaoh refused. Class time is not used to review the individual signs, wonders, and plagues.
How did Pharaoh respond the first time Moses and Aaron asked him to let the children of Israel go? (See Exodus 5:1–9.) How did the children of Israel respond to this trial? (See Exodus 5:15–21.) How did Moses respond to it? (See Exodus 5:22–23.) What can we learn from this account?
(One thing we can learn is the need for patience in adversity. The Lord will fulfill his promises, though he may not do so at the time or in the way we expect.)
After Pharaoh increased Israel’s burdens, the Lord repeated His promises to Moses. What were these promises? (See Exodus 6:4–8.) How did the children of Israel respond when Moses reminded them of these promises? (See Exodus 6:9.) Why do some of us stop listening to the prophets and believing God’s promises during times of trial? How can we maintain faith in God during adversity?
How did Moses respond when the Lord asked him to go before Pharaoh a second time to request Israel’s freedom? (See Exodus 6:10–12.)
Note that we also may sometimes feel reluctant to do what the Lord asks because of fear or because we do not think it is possible. How has the Lord helped you when you have felt doubt or fear?
3. The Lord instructs Moses in the preparation of the Passover.
Discuss Exodus 11–13.
What was the purpose of the first Passover? (See Exodus 12:12–13, Exodus 12:22–23.) Why did the Lord want Israel to continue to keep the Feast of the Passover in future years? (See Exodus 12:24–27, Exodus 12:42; Exodus 13:1–10.)
Note that in addition to reminding Israel that God had protected them from the plague of death and delivered them from the Egyptians, the Passover also symbolized an important future event.
What was this event? (The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, which delivers us from sin and death. See 1 Corinthians 5:7.) How did the Passover symbolize the Atonement?
NOTE: the following similarities between the Passover and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ:
a. The children of Israel were to use a firstborn male lamb without blemish in the Passover (Exodus 12:5). The Savior is the firstborn Son of God, the Lamb of God without spot or blemish (1 Peter 1:19).
b. The children of Israel were to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their doorposts to save their firstborn from death (Exodus 12:7, Exodus 12:22–23). The Savior’s blood, which he shed in Gethsemane and on the cross, cleanses the faithful and saves them from spiritual death (Mosiah 4:2).
c. The children of Israel were to eat unleavened bread (Exodus 12:8, Exodus 12:15–20). “Leaven, or yeast, was seen anciently as a symbol of corruption because it so easily spoiled and turned moldy. … For the Israelites, eating the unleavened bread symbolized that they were partaking of the bread which had no corruption or impurity, namely, the Bread of Life, who is Jesus Christ (see John 6:35)” (Old Testament Student Manual: Genesis–2 Samuel [1981], 119). The removal of leaven also suggested repentance, or the removal of sin from a person’s life.
d. The children of Israel were to eat the Passover meal in haste (Exodus 12:11). Like the Israelites, we need to respond eagerly and immediately to the deliverance that the Savior offers us.
Note: At the Last Supper, the Savior instituted the sacrament in place of the Passover (Matthew 26:19, Matthew 26:26–28).
Quote Number one: Elder Howard W. Hunter taught that at the Passover meal that is now known as the Last Supper, “the bread and wine, rather than the animals and herbs, [became] emblems of the great Lamb’s body and blood, emblems to be eaten and drunk reverently and in remembrance of him forever.
“In this simple but impressive manner the Savior instituted the ordinance now known as the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. With the suffering of Gethsemane, the sacrifice of Calvary, and the resurrection from a garden tomb, Jesus fulfilled the ancient law and ushered in a new dispensation based on a higher, holier understanding of the law of sacrifice. No more would men be required to offer the firstborn lamb from their flock, because the Firstborn of God had come to offer himself as an ‘infinite and eternal sacrifice’ ” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1985, 22; or Ensign, May 1985, 19).
Quote Number Two: Elder Howard W. Hunter said that just as the Passover was a covenant of protection for ancient Israel, the sacrament is a “new covenant of safety” for us (in Conference Report, Apr. 1974, 24; or Ensign, May 1974, 18).
How is the sacrament a covenant of safety for us?
(The sacrament reminds us of the Savior’s atoning sacrifice, which brings eternal safety by freeing us from the bonds of sin and death. The covenants we renew as we partake of the sacrament also help provide us eternal safety.)
Quote Number Three: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland asked:
“Do we see [the sacrament] as our passover, remembrance of our safety and deliverance and redemption?
“With so very much at stake, this ordinance commemorating our escape from the angel of darkness should be taken more seriously than it sometimes is. It should be a powerful, reverent, reflective moment. It should encourage spiritual feelings and impressions” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1995, 89; or Ensign, Nov. 1995, 68).
Note: In his instructions about the Passover, the Lord emphasized the need for parents to teach their children its significance (Exodus 12:26–27; Exodus 13:8, 14).
Why was it important that Israelite parents do this? How might this apply to our day?
(Like ancient Israel, we should teach our children the significance of the sacrament and other ordinances that remind us of the Lord’s hand in delivering us from sin and death.)
4. The children of Israel cross the Red Sea.
Discuss Exodus 14.
Note: After Pharaoh let the children of Israel leave Egypt, he turned against them and sent his army after them (Exodus 14:5–9).
What did the children of Israel do when they saw the advancing army? (See Exodus 14:10–12.) What did Moses tell the children of Israel when their faith faltered? (See Exodus 14:13–14.) How can we develop faith that is strong enough to sustain us when we are filled with fear?
How did the Lord save the children of Israel from the advancing Egyptian army? (See Exodus 14:21–31.) How can this story help us in times of trial?
Conclusion
I testify that just as the Lord fulfilled his promise to deliver the Israelites from bondage, he will fulfill his promises to us.
I challenge each of us to increase our appreciation for the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and to partake of the sacrament worthily and thoughtfully, keeping the covenant to “always remember him” (D&C 20:77).
Additional Thoughts
1. Satan counterfeits God’s power
• What did Pharaoh do when Moses and Aaron were showing him signs of God’s power? (See Exodus 7:8–12, Exodus 7:17–22.) What can we learn about Satan from these verses?
• What are some ways Satan counterfeits God’s power and blessings today? What gifts has the Lord given us to help us discern between good and evil? How can we increase our ability to discern between good and evil?
2. The plagues
• Why did the Lord send the plagues upon Egypt? (See Exodus 7:5, Exodus 7:17; Exodus 8:10; Exodus 9:14, 29; Exodus 10:2; Exodus 14:4.) What was Pharaoh’s reaction to the plagues? (See, for example, Exodus 8:8, Exodus 8:15, Exodus 8:25, Exodus 8:28, 32.) Why didn’t the plagues harm the children of Israel? (See Exodus 9:4–6, Exodus 9:23–26; Exodus 10:22–23; Exodus 11:4–7.)
3. The Passover is a symbol of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, you may want to obtain for a family home evening, the following items to illustrate the symbols of the Passover:
a. Pictures of a lamb and a door.
b. Tortillas, crackers, or matzoth (to represent flat, unleavened bread).
c. Horseradish or romaine lettuce (for bitter herbs).
d. A pair of shoes or sandals (the Israelites ate the meal with their shoes on, symbolizing the haste with which they left Egypt).
4. “All were baptized … in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:2)
You may want to read 1 Corinthians 10:1–4, where Paul teaches that the children of Israel were baptized in the cloud and in the sea. Explaining the significance of this, Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “[Paul] is saying that even as Israel, when they passed through the Red Sea, fled from the worldliness of Egypt, so their Christian descendants, through baptism, are to forsake the lusts of the flesh and live godly lives” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 3 vols. [1966–73], 2:355).
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