Dear Sabbath School Net Family,

Maurice and I have presented these challenges before – encouraging everyone to read through the entire book we are studying in the Sabbath School quarterly. With this quarter’s lesson on Exodus, I encourage everyone to read the whole book of Exodus. Many of us have read it before, but there are different ways to approach it that may help you gain fresh insights and new perspectives. For example, you may want to read a different translation than the one you are accustomed to using. After all, every translation has its strengths and weaknesses, including the KJV.

Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com

Another idea is to look for different themes in Exodus. For example, the most obvious is the Gospel and plan of salvation that we find throughout the book. In Exodus 12, we see the shadow of the cross. Now, I am not going to tell you where else we find the Gospel in the book of Exodus; I am going to let you read it for yourself.

Okay, I will give you one more example. In Exodus 15 the children of Israel find an oasis of water, but it tastes bitter. Moses is instructed to place a tree in the water, and suddenly it becomes sweet. Could the tree possibly represent the cross that takes the bitterness out of our lives and makes our lives sweet? 

Another theme I would like to suggest watching for as you study Exodus is the theme of discipleship. Moses was a disciple of the Lord. In Exodus 18, Moses learns from his father-in-law about how to make more disciples instead of trying to do everything himself. In Matthew 28 Jesus taught His disciples to make more disciples. In Exodus 32 Aaron gives us a good example of how not to disciple. Aaron and the golden calf give us an example of how the most popular leader is not necessarily the best leader. Speaking of Exodus 32 I just thought of another glimpse of the Gospel that Moses gives us. But I have given away too much already. I will let you discover that one for yourself. 

Enjoy reading and studying, my friends! Be sure and share what you discover in comments below or  under various lessons. 

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/a-challenge-to-explore-exodus/

Daily Lesson for Tuesday 1st of July 2025

One cannot understand the book of Exodus without presupposing the teachings of Genesis. The Jews moved to Egypt, and, after a time of great prosperity and peace, they were enslaved.

But God did not abandon His people to their problems, even though it may sometimes have seemed so. No doubt many of the Hebrew people despaired of their plight. Yet, in the time of distress, God comes to help with His mighty hand. Our Lord encourages His followers: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (Psalms 50:15, NKJV).

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

No pharaoh has a name in the book of Exodus. They carry the title of “Pharaoh” only, which means “king.” The Egyptians believed that the pharaoh was a god on earth, the son of the god Ra (or Osiris or Horus). Ra was considered the highest Egyptian deity, the sun god himself.

Yet despite all his power, this “god” was not able to force the midwives to go contrary to their convictions. In fact, in contrast to the nameless pharaoh, the two midwives are named, Shiphrah and Puah (Exodus 1:15); they are highly esteemed because they feared the Lord. Pharaoh’s wicked command had no effect on them because they respected God more than the orders of an earthly ruler (see also Acts 5:29). Thus, God blessed them with their own large families. What a powerful testimony to faithfulness. These women, regardless of how little they knew of theology, knew not only what was right but chose to do what was right.

When Pharaoh saw that his plot had failed, he commanded the Egyptians to kill all the male babies born to the Hebrews. They were to throw them into the Nile River, probably as an offering to Hapi, the god of the Nile, and also a god of fertility. (This is the first recorded time that Jews are to be killed only because they are Jews.) The purpose of the death decree was to subdue the Hebrews, to annihilate all male descendants, and to assimilate the women into the Egyptian nation, thus ending the threat that Pharaoh believed the Hebrews posed to his nation.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/25c-01-the-hebrew-midwives/

Exodus points us to a wonderful conclusion with the Israelites being bound for the Promised Land, hence our theme hymn for the quarter being 
We Are Bound For The Promised Land – Hymn 620.
Welcome to the 3^rd quarter of Bible studies, with this one being in the book of Exodus. Our Sabbath afternoon introduction to these studies gives us the theme hymn also.

 Sunday continues with an overview of Exodus with the positive ending showing “God’s spectacular victory” just as we are able to claim now:
Hymn 608 – Faith Is The Victory. In this story we also see “God’s peaceful and comforting presence in the tabernacle” which is the total opposite to what happened in the slavery time in Egypt: 
Wonderful Peace – Hymn 466. The day’s study concludes with “God is still sovereign and will save His people: 
Hymn 85 – Eternal Father, Strong To Save.

We are reminded on Monday that “no matter how bad things seem, God is always there, and we can trust Him”: 
Hymn 279 – Only Trust Him.

The midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, remained faithful to God at the risk of their own lives, just as we are encouraged to be faithful in 
Hymn 602 – O Brother, Be Faithful.

Wednesday reminds again that 
We Are Bound For The Promised Land – Hymn 620.

Thursday concludes with the fact that Israel was called to “witness to a world steeped in idolatry”, and we are called today to 
Go, Preach My Gospel – Hymn 378.

The last wonderful words in this weeks’ study say “That grace is our only hope”: 
Hymn 109 – Marvellous Grace.

Please continue to search the scriptures this week to be blessed, and to bless others.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/1-oppression-the-background-and-the-birth-of-moses-singing-with-inspiration/