Lesson 17: Moses, The Third Forty Years  
 
Introduction:  Moses spent the previous forty years separated from his 
people as a shepherd in the land of Midian. God called Moses miracu-
lously through the burning bush to lead his people out of Egypt and 
into the promised land.  Despite many trials, Moses endured to lead 
God's people out of Egypt, bring down God's law for the Israelites
from Mount Sinai, and guide them through the wilderness.  In the end, 
we see that even a great servant such as Moses is subject to the 
righteous judgment of God. 
 
 
I. Exodus From Egypt 
 
	A. Moses appeared before Pharaoh (Ex. 7:1-13). 
	B. Plagues (Ex. 7:14-12:30) 
	C. Institution of the passover feast (Ex. 12:3-11) 
	D. The pillar of cloud and fire for guidance (Ex. 13:21) 
	E. Crossing the Red Sea and the drowning of the Egyptians 
	   (Ex. 14:21, 28) 
 
	Principles: 
		1. God is all-powerful. 
		2. God cares for His children. 
		3. God establishes ways for us to remember our deliver-
		   ance (1 Cor. 11:26). 
		4. God guides us. 
		5. God will destroy those who oppose Him 
		   (2 Thes. 1:8,9). 
		6. Some people give up at the first sign of resistance 
		   (Ex. 14). 
 
 
II. Law Of God Established 
 
	A. Moses went up on the mount. 
	B. Civil, judicial, and ceremonial laws were given. 
		1. Ten commandments (Ex. 20:1-17) 
		3. Other laws (Ex. 21; Lev. 27; Num. 34-36; 
		   Deut. 12-28) 
	C. Establishment of the tabernacle (Ex. 25-27) 
 
	Principles: 
		1. God has given a lawgiver (Heb. 10:9). 
		2. God has established a law for us to follow. 
 

III. The Rebellion 
 
	A.  Aaron submitted to the people's desire (Ex. 32:1-6). 
	B.  God's anger and Moses intercession (Ex. 32:7-14) 
	C.  Moses' reaction to the people's idolatry (Ex. 32:19-35) 
 
	Principles: 
		1. We can be tempted to forsake God (1 Pet. 5:8). 
		2. We will be punished for disobedience. 
		3. We always have a way to escape temptation 
		   (1 Cor. 10:13). 
 
 
IV. Wandering In The Wilderness 
 
	A. The twelve spies were sent to search the land 
	   (Num. 13:1-25). 
		1. Their report (Num. 13:26-33) 
		2. Faith of Joshua and Caleb (Num. 14:6-10) 
	B. God's anger at the Israelites' lack of faith 
	   (Num. 14:11,12) 
	C. Moses' intercession and God's punishment (Num. 14:13-39) 
 
	Principles: 
		1. God has reserved a great promised land for us 
		   (Jn. 14:2). 
		2. We must have faith to follow (Mt. 21:21). 
		3. We will miss the joy of heaven if we are not 
		   faithful (2 Tim. 4:7,8). 
 
 
V.      Moses' Disobedience 
 
	A.  Moses rebuked the people and struck the rock (Num. 20:11). 
	B.  God punished Moses (Num. 20:12; Deut. 34:1-5). 
 
	Principles: 
		1. We must do things God's way (2 Tim. 2:5). 
		2. God is not a respecter of persons. 
		3. God is just. 

Questions: 
 
 1. Name the plagues. 
 2. What is a New Testament antitype of the lamb's blood applied to 
    the doorframe during the passover? 
 3. What serves as our "pillar of cloud and fire" today? 
 4. Are Christians to follow the Law of Moses?  Give reasons for 
    your answer. 
 5. Who is our lawgiver?
 6. Do we have a tabernacle today? 
 7. Moses was angry at the idolatry of the people.  Was His anger 
    wrong?  Give other examples of righteous anger. 
 8. What was the basic problem the Israelites had upon hearing of the 
    giants in the land of Canaan? 
 9. Do we have giants in our land today (spritually speaking)?  How do 
    we overcome them? 
10. Why would God punish Moses, a great man, for such a seemingly small 
    indiscretion?  Does this mean that God is unfair?