PERIOD III.

FROM THE DEATH OF JOSEPH TO THE DEATH OF MOSES.

B.C. 1597-B.C. 1451. 146 YEARS.

Lesson 17. Bondage of Israel.

The Egyptians oppressed the Israelites and made them slaves. They also destroyed the male infants. The parents of Moses hid him for three months: they then placed him in an ark of bulrushes on the river. The daughter of the king found him, and brought him up. God appointed Moses to demand the release of the Israelites from bondage. Aaron

was the brother of Moses.

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Heb. xi. 24, 25.

Lesson 18. The Plagues.

God sent plagues on Egypt. He turned the waters into blood-he covered the land with frogs-he sent lice on man and beast-he sent swarms of flies-a murrain on the cattle-boils on man and beast-he sent hail, rain, and fire-he sent locusts and then a thick darkness. He then threatened to destroy all the first-born.

"He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen. They showed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham." Psalm cv. 26-35.

Lesson 19. The Departure.

God smote the first-born of the Egyptians. The Israelites had killed a lamb by God's command, and sprinkled its blood on the sides of their doors. When the angel of God saw it, he passed over their houses and smote the Egyptians. In the night Pharaoh arose, and told the Israelites to depart, with their flocks and herds.

"He smote also all the first-born in their land, the chief of all their strength." Psalm cv. 36. "Through faith" Moses "kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the first-born should touch them." Heb. xi. 28.

Lesson 20. Pharaoh's Host Drowned.

God led the Israelites, by day in a pillar of cloud, and by night in a

pillar of fire. sued them.

The Egyptians purThe waters of the Red

sea divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground. The Egyptians followed them with their chariots and horses; the waters returned, and they were drowned.

"He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night." Psalm cv. 39.

"By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land; which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned." Heb. xi. 29.

Lesson 21. The Bitter Water. The Manna.

At Marah the Israelites murmured because the waters were bitter. The Lord told Moses to make them sweet by casting a tree into them.

In the wilderness they murmured for bread, and God sent them manna. At Horeb they murmured for water. God told Moses to smite the rock; he did so, and water came out.

He

"He satisfied them with the bread of heaven. opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river." Psalm cv. 40, 41.

Lesson 22. The Delivery of the Law.

The Ten Commandments were delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai. They teach our duty to God, and our duty to one another. The people were round the mount, but were not allowed to touch it. The Commandments were delivered to Moses amid thunders and lightnings.

They were written on two tables of stone.

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Matt. xxii. 37-39.

Lesson 23. The Golden Calf worshipped.

While Moses was on the mount, the people caused Aaron to make