
Lesson 1.Oppression: The Background and the Birth of Moses | 1.7 Questions | EXODUS | LIVING FAITH
05.07.2025 – Exodus Chapter 30 | BELIEVE HIS PROPHETS
July 5, 2025
DAILY BIBLE READING
Exodus 30 – God Is a God of Order and Intimacy
Holiness, Responsibility, and the Invitation to Maintain God’s Presence
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Bible Text – Exodus 30 (KJV)
1 And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.
2 A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.
3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
4 And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal.
5 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
6 And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.
8 And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations.
9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.
10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the Lord.
11 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
12 When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them.
13 This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the Lord.
14 Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord.
15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls.
16 And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls.
17 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
19 For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat:
20 When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the Lord:
21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even to him and to his seed throughout their generations.
22 Moreover the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:
25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.
26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,
27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,
28 And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.
29 And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.
30 And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
31 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations.
32 Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.
33 Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.
34 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
35 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:
36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.
37 And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the Lord.
38 Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.
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Introduction
In Exodus 30 we find ourselves in the heart of the tabernacle’s description—the holy place where God desires to dwell among His people. But this text is far more than a set of building instructions. It’s a theological mirror that reveals the depths of God’s heart: His holiness, His nearness—and His invitation to fellowship.
Every element carries symbolism: an altar for incense, a bronze basin, the sacred anointing oil, and the special incense blend. Nothing is accidental; everything points beyond itself to a holy God who seeks to meet people—but on His terms.
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Commentary
1.The Altar of Incense (Verse 1–10)
The golden incense altar was small, yet its significance was immense. Morning and evening Aaron was to offer incense—an image of ongoing prayer (cf. Rev. 8:3–4). This was not optional but a daily, deliberate habit before the Lord.
No foreign incense was allowed—a reminder that we must approach God not according to our own tastes but in reverence and purity.
2.The Head Tax (Verse 11–16)
The “atonement offering” of half a shekel was not a charitable donation but an expression of responsibility and belonging. Every person counted, yet no one could buy their way out with extra wealth.
A powerful message: rich and poor stand equal before God—salvation is not a transaction but pure grace.
3.The Bronze Basin (Verse 17–21)
Before a priest served, he had to wash. A clear sign that pure service before God demands inner cleansing. God is holy—and any ministry in His presence requires personal purity.
This points us to spiritual cleansing through God’s Word (cf. John 15:3; Eph. 5:26).
4.The Holy Anointing Oil (Verse 22–33)
This oil was unique—carefully crafted, consecrated exclusively for the tabernacle. It was never to be used for ordinary purposes.
Anointing symbolizes calling and separation. Serving God means belonging wholly to Him, reserved for His service.
5.The Sacred Incense Blend (Verse 34–38)
Likewise, this incense was holy, representing prayer and worship as a pleasing fragrance to God. Private imitation was forbidden.
It’s not about empty ritual but genuine devotion. God desires a pure heart, not religious formality.
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Summary
Exodus 30 vividly portrays God’s holiness alongside His closeness and care. He gives precise instructions for worship—rich in meaning, depth, and consequence. Every detail underscores that God desires fellowship with us—but on holy ground. Prayer, purity, obedience, responsibility: these all belong to a life lived in God’s presence.
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Message for Us Today
We too are called to serve God—not by external rituals, but through a life set apart. God invites you into His holy people, which also means being cleansed, consecrated, and meeting Him daily.
Though we no longer live under the law, its spirit still teaches us:
God is holy.
And He wants to dwell in you.
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Reflection Questions
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What “foreign fragrances” sneak into your life that aren’t pleasing to God?
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Do you pray daily, like the morning and evening incense, or only occasionally?
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Are you willing to be cleansed before you serve?
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Have you grasped that you are holy—set apart for God’s presence?
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June 28 – July 05, 2025
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING
Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 14
Destruction of Sodom
Read online here
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Introduction
Sodom was beautiful, wealthy, and cultured—yet it was lost in guilt, sin, and ultimately in God’s judgment.
The story of Lot and the destruction of Sodom is more than a historical event.
It is a warning, an invitation, and a mirror for our own time.
Amid prosperity, pleasure, and religious indifference, we still hear God’s voice today:
“Flee for your life! Don’t look back.” (Genesis 19:17)
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Commentary
1. The Allure of Sodom – Outward Wealth, Inward Decay
Sodom was “like the garden of the Lord” (Genesis 13:10)—fertile, beautiful, and convenient. But:
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Abundance led to pride.
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Idleness corrupted character.
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Wealth fueled selfishness and moral decay.
Sodom was prosperous—but spiritually dead.
2. God’s Warning – Grace Before Judgment
God sent angels to rescue Lot.
Lot was righteous, but hesitant.
His family was attached to comfort and possessions.
God’s grace is real—but it has a window of opportunity.
3. Lot’s Wife – A Heart in Sodom
She was on the path of rescue, but her heart looked back.
One last glance cost her life.
It’s not about where your feet are—but where your heart is.
4. The Consequences of Wrong Choices
Lot’s descendants (the Moabites and Ammonites) became enemies of God.
One wrong step led generations into ruin.
Personal decisions can have consequences that span generations.
5. The Contrast: Abraham and Lot
Abraham lived by faith as a stranger and pilgrim.
Lot sought comfort—and nearly lost everything.
Faith chooses what is eternal, even when it is hard today.
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Summary
The downfall of Sodom is:
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a testimony to God’s patience—but also His justice,
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a mirror of today’s moral condition,
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a call to repentance,
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a reminder: wealth without God is dangerous,
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a warning: do not delay when God calls!
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Message for Us Today
We live in a world like Sodom—marked by prosperity, selfishness, and moral relativism.
God’s grace still calls today—not to condemn, but to save.
Don’t delay when God calls—the time of grace is limited.
Your choices affect your family, your descendants, and your eternity.
Seek the better homeland—the city whose builder and maker is God.
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Reflection Question
Where is my “Sodom”? Where do I choose comfort over obedience?
Do I hesitate like Lot—even though I know God’s voice?
Is my heart more attached to possessions, career, and security—or to God’s will?
Do I live like Abraham—a guest in this world, waiting for the heavenly?
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/05-07-2025-exodus-chapter-30-believe-his-prophets/
05.07.25 | God, Search My Heart | HEART ANCHOR | Youth Devotional
05.07.25 | God, Search My Heart | HEARTANCHOR
Watch over your inner life – for from it, life is shaped
Psalm 139:23–24
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Bible Text
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
— Psalm 139:23–24
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Introduction
Many prayers are safe.
“Lord, bless me.”
“Help me with my exam.”
“Protect my family.”
Such requests are good – but they don’t challenge us.
Psalm 139:23–24 is different.
This prayer is bold – almost dangerous. Why?
Because you’re asking God to uncover your inner self.
Not what others see – but what even you might try to ignore.
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Devotion – A Prayer That Changes Everything
David speaks these words at the end of a song about God’s closeness.
He knows: God sees everything. Every thought. Every motive. Every hidden corner of our hearts.
But instead of running from that, David says:
“Search me… test me… lead me!”
He’s essentially saying:
“Show me what’s wrong in me – and change it.”
That takes humility. And courage.
Because if we’re honest, we often hold onto harmful things – simply because they feel familiar.
But God is calling you to a better way.
Ellen White wrote:
“When Christ abides in the heart, the thought of His sacrifice will check every unholy emotion.”
(Early Writings, p. 94)
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Story – The Buried Mirror
A teenager named Elias had an old, scratched mirror in his room. He didn’t like it much. Every time he looked into it, he saw pimples, tired eyes, and mess.
One day, he took the mirror and shoved it up in the attic – “out of sight, out of mind.”
But something was missing.
Without the mirror, he couldn’t really get ready. No final check before heading out. No honest reflection of what was really going on.
A good friend told him:
“You can hide from it, but you won’t change. The mirror only shows what’s already there – and what can be changed.”
Elias brought the mirror back.
He cleaned it.
He began looking into it honestly – not with self-hate, but with a desire to grow.
God’s truth is like that mirror.
It doesn’t just show you what is – it also reveals what can be.
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Thoughts – What Does This Mean for You?
Asking God to search your heart doesn’t mean you have to be perfect.
It means you want to be real.
You’re tired of playing a role. Tired of hiding.
Jesus says:
“The truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
It starts with the courage to be honest.
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Reflections for Today
Stand in front of God’s mirror:
Read Psalm 139:23–24 slowly tonight – and truly ask God to search your heart.
Write down what moves you:
Are there thoughts, feelings, or habits that aren’t good for you? Write them down honestly.
Ask for change – not from pressure, but from trust:
God doesn’t want to shame you – He wants to restore you.
Trust the process:
Inner change is a journey. But it starts with one honest step.
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Prayer
Lord,
you see my heart – more clearly than I ever could.
You know my fears, my hidden thoughts, my weaknesses.
Search me. Show me what’s not good in me – what keeps me from you.
And let me feel your love as you do – the love that lifts, not condemns.
Help me be honest with myself. And transform me from the inside out.
Lead me on your path – the path of life.
Amen.
Source: https://fulfilleddesire.net/05-07-25-god-search-my-heart-heart-anchor-youth-devotional/
Lesson 1.Oppression: The Background and the Birth of Moses | 1.6 Summary | EXODUS | LIVING FAITH

Lesson 1: Oppression – The Background and the Birth of Moses
1.6 Summary
God’s Plan in the Shadow of Oppression
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Introduction – When Blessing Turns
What happens when times of blessing turn into suffering? When what once brought security suddenly becomes a threat? Israel’s story in Egypt begins with growth and blessing—but in this lesson, it ends in chains and tears. Yet in the midst of darkness and oppression, God’s plan begins to shine. Lesson 1 of the book of Exodus shows that God is never inactive—even when He seems hidden.
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Bible Study: Exodus 1–2
1.1 God’s People in Egypt – From Blessing to Oppression
Bible Text: Exodus 1:1–7
Commentary:
What begins with blessing—a growing lineage of Jacob in Egypt—soon becomes a threat in the eyes of the new king. These verses show how outward blessings can lull us into a false sense of security, while political and social realities can suddenly shift.
Spiritual Insight: God’s blessing does not always mean protection from hardship, but His presence remains—even when the outer circumstances turn hostile.
Application: Never take blessing for granted—see it as a calling to trust in God’s faithfulness, even when times change.
1.2 Historical Background – God’s Faithfulness in History
Bible Text: Exodus 1:8–14
Commentary:
A new Pharaoh does not know Joseph—this shows how short-lived human gratitude is. Power shifts often bring instability, and Israel’s blessing becomes a burden to Egypt. Enslavement begins.
Spiritual Insight: Even through political upheavals, God remains sovereign. His faithfulness does not end when people forget Him.
Application: Don’t rely on political stability or human recognition—rely on God’s faithfulness through all ages.
1.3 The Hebrew Midwives – Courage to Stand for Truth
Bible Text: Exodus 1:15–21
Commentary:
Two ordinary women—Shiphrah and Puah—bravely defy the most powerful man in the world. They obey God rather than man. Their disobedience to the king saves lives.
Spiritual Insight: God honors quiet, courageous obedience. Their names were remembered—the Pharaoh remained nameless.
Application: When you face a choice between covering up injustice or standing for truth—remember the midwives. God honors faithfulness, not power.
1.4 Moses Is Born – A Child of Hope
Bible Text: Exodus 2:1–10
Commentary:
In the midst of fear and murder, Moses is born—a “good” child (Hebrew: tov), chosen by God. Through divine providence, he is raised in the house of his enemy. The irony of God’s sovereignty.
Spiritual Insight: God protects, guides, and works even when everything seems lost.
Application: God’s plan often starts quietly, in hidden ways. Be faithful in what seems small—it may be the beginning of something great.
1.5 Change of Plans – When Plans Fail
Bible Text: Exodus 2:11–25
Commentary:
Moses uses violence to fight injustice—and fails. From the palace, he falls into the wilderness. But this “fall” is not the end; it’s God’s school. His real preparation begins in Midian.
Spiritual Insight: God doesn’t reject us for our failures—He uses them to shape us.
Application: Maybe you made a wrong choice. Maybe your path looks different than you planned. But God is greater—He can turn your detour into His direction.
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Spiritual Principles
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God’s faithfulness endures—even in times of oppression.
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God often works in hidden ways—in history and in our personal lives.
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Civil courage rooted in faith has eternal value.
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God’s plans exceed our failures and brokenness.
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He prepares deliverers long before we see them.
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Application for Daily Life
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Trust God’s plan—even when you don’t understand it. Blessings can turn into trials, but that doesn’t mean God has left you.
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Be ready to stand against injustice. You don’t need to be a hero—quiet faithfulness can change history.
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Don’t see your detours as defeats but as preparation. God even uses our failures.
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God’s timing is often hidden, but never random. Hold on—He is working.
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Conclusion
This lesson shows that God remains active—even when everything seems lost. He works in the hearts of brave people, preserves life, and writes history with individuals who trust Him. Where humans enslave, God begins to deliver. Where hope dies, He sparks new hope.
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Thought of the Day
“When you think your path has ended, it might be that God is just beginning His story in you.”
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Illustration: “The Boy in the Container”
The sun burned mercilessly on the rusty metal walls of the camp. In one corner, between old shipping containers, lived people without names—refugees from war zones, stateless, forgotten. They had washed up in Europe like driftwood no one wanted to pick up.
Elina was 28, a nurse working for a humanitarian organization. Her job took her daily to the camp on the edge of the city—a place most residents only knew from the news and preferred to forget. Elina was different. She couldn’t ignore the suffering. It haunted her in dreams, called to her like a voice from the wilderness.
One Tuesday morning, she discovered something she would never forget.
Behind an abandoned washroom, she heard a faint whimpering. She followed the sound and found a little boy, barely a year old. He was naked, malnourished, his skin covered in insect bites. Next to him was a note: “His name is Yamin. I cannot keep him. Please save him.”
Elina didn’t hesitate. She wrapped him in her jacket, took him to the medical tent, and later reported him to the authorities—reluctantly, knowing what that meant: bureaucracy, endless procedures, an uncertain future. Children like Yamin often vanished into institutions, their stories buried in files.
But something inside her said: “This child is not an accident.”
A Whisper in the Heart
Weeks passed, and Elina cared for him like her own child. She knew his looks, his fears, his little hands clinging to her. Yamin didn’t speak, but his eyes told stories—of a world that had rejected him.
She often thought of Moses. Hidden in the reeds. Protected by God, though all boys were to be killed. Was Yamin such a child—hidden, yet chosen?
Elina felt she couldn’t let him go.
But resistance came. From child services. From the organization. From friends. “You can’t save every child.” – “This is not your responsibility.” – “Are you willing to risk your career for a boy without a passport?”
But at night, when everything was still, she heard a quiet but firm voice in her heart: “Do not be afraid. I am with you.”
In the Wilderness
A year later, everything had changed. Elina had lost her job after publicly advocating for more rights for children in the camp. She had endured lawsuits, hostility. But she had been allowed to keep Yamin—officially as a foster mother, unofficially as his entire world.
They now lived in a small apartment, far from the camp. Life was not easy. Money was tight, the future uncertain. But Elina had peace. She knew she was on the right path—even if it felt like a wilderness.
Yamin began to speak. First just words—then full sentences. At age three, he surprised her one evening, saying: “Mama, God sent me to you.”
She wept. For a long time. And for the first time, she understood: It wasn’t about saving the world. It was about being faithful—to one child. And God would take care of the rest.
A Quiet Deliverer
Many years later, people would read about Yamin. As a lawyer for children’s rights, a voice for the voiceless, a man with a story no one expected.
In interviews, he often said: “I’m not here by luck. Someone refused to give up on me. And God carried me.”
But the true hero of his story was rarely mentioned. She now lived quietly, volunteering at a small clinic. Her name was Elina. And once, in the shadows of the world, she had saved a child—like a Hebrew midwife, quietly and faithfully.
Final Thought
God’s story often doesn’t begin with trumpets, but with a quiet decision in a broken heart. In the faithfulness of a woman. In the courage of an ordinary person. In a container child nobody wanted—except God.
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Lesson 1: Oppression: The Background and the Birth of Moses
1.7 Questions
Introduction: When Blessing Becomes Trial
Answers to the Questions
Question 1: Why did the Hebrews live in Egypt and suffer for so long?
Spiritual Principles
Application for Daily Life
Conclusion
Thought of the Day
Illustration: “Waiting Behind Glass”