QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON

EXODUS.

INTRODUCTION.

What is remarkable about the book of Exodus ?

It has been called the book of "the smoking fire and burning lamp," because the sufferings of Israel in Egypt, and their deliverance (set forth under that image to Abraham), are here described.

What makes this book so instructive to us? The histories in it may be compared to beautiful types or images, describing the love of God to sinners, and the way of his blessing by faith.

What does Paul say of the dealings of God with Israel, recorded in this book?

"These things happened unto them for ensamples (or types), and they are written for our admonition."-1 Cor. x. 11.

Note.-Great care should be takan to read all the references given in connection with the subjects referred to in this little book.

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How may the book of Exodus be divided? Into three parts; the first reaching to the fifteenth chapter, which describes the rescue of Israel from Egypt; the second, Israel's journey in the wilderness, as far as Sinai; and the third, the events which took place there. Does it contain all the Commandments given from Sinai?

No. They occupy all Leviticus, and a large part of the book of Numbers, and the leading ones repeated by Moses on the other side of Jordan, when they were on the borders of Canaan form the largest part of the book of Deuteronomy.

CHAP. I.

What is said of the children of Israel after the death of Joseph and his brethren?

"And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them."

Did they continue to enjoy peace?

No. As the time of the promise drew

nigh for their departure from Egypt, and the fulfilment of the promise to Abraham, another king arose, who knew not Joseph.Acts vii. 17, 18.

What alarmed this new king?

The great increase of Israel; and he said unto his people, "Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they join our enemies, and fight against us.

What did he do to them?

He set over them task-masters to afflict them with their burdens; and they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.

What remarkable result had their afflictions ?

"The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew; and they were grieved because of the children of Israel."

What does sanctified affliction do for God's people?

It makes them fruitful in all graces: Jesus says of those who bear fruit, "The father

purgeth them that they may bring forth more fruit."

What other means did the king of Egypt take to reduce their numbers?

He commanded them to kill all the male children.

Who were Shiphrah and Puah ?

Israelitish midwives, who feared God, and who refrained to take part in the murder of the male infants.

How did God reward their faithfulness?

He built for them houses, or established their families.

To whom then did Pharaoh give the office of killing all the infant sons of Israel?

Pharaoh charged all the people, saying, "Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive."

CHAP. II.

Who was born about this time?

"Moses was born and was exceeding fair, and his mother saw that he was a goodly child."-Acts vii. 20. Ex. ii. 2.

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How was it his parents kept him from the destruction of the other infants?

"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.”—Heb. xi. 23.

What did they find after three months?

That he could no longer be hid, and his mother prepared an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it by the flags in the river's brink.

What became of him?

Pharaoh's daughter took him and nourished him for her own son.

Who did she employ as his nurse, while an infant?

The child's mother; who "took the child and nursed it; and the child grew, and she brought it to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son."

Why did she call him Moses?

"Because she said, I drew him out of the water."