Aaron's Rod Bursts Into a Tree

By Mary Vee
Numbers 17

Eleazar's Thoughts

Uncle Moses came out of the Tabernacle this morning and spoke with my dad.  Since I'm a priest in training, Dad invited me to many of their talks. 

The wrinkles on Uncle Moses' forehead pushed down. I wondered what deep thoughts he had. The people had rebelled against God, Moses, and now several men wanted my dad's job. Uncle Moses sighed. "Aaron, God has decided to show the people who He chose as head priest. He's tired of their complaining."

Dad groaned. "Not anything bad, is it?"

Uncle Moses shook his head. "No. The Lord wants us to call the people--"  He stopped and turned to me. "Eleazar, gather the people in the meeting place while I tell Aaron the Lord's instructions."

I raced down the hill to each family leader. "Go to the meeting place. Uncle Moses has a message."  Surprisingly, the families hurried. Maybe they're finally willing to listen to him.

Uncle Moses's eyes drooped; he hadn't slept well. "The Lord asks each family to bring their rod."  The eleven leaders pushed through the crowd and held out their almond rods to him. 

"Now write your name on it." Each man wrote his name then set their rod on the ground. 

Uncle Moses turned to Aaron, "You need to write your name for the tribe of Levi on your rod and put it here, too." Dad did as Uncle Moses asked then stepped back.

"The rods will be taken into the inner part of the Tabernacle and laid in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Tomorrow morning they will be brought out to you. The rod with blossoms will belong to the man God has chosen as head of the priesthood."

We all watched Uncle Moses scoop up the twelve family rods, including Dad's, and carry them into the Tabernacle.  When he came out empty handed, everyone returned to their chores.

The next morning, the whole camp met Uncle Moses at the meeting place. We watched him get the rods from the Tabernacle.  It was easy to see one had blossoms, but no one knew who it belonged to. The family leaders whispered, "I think it's my rod." "No, that's my rod."

Uncle Moses set the rods on the ground.  He picked up the one that had blossomed, turned it sideways and read the name. "Aaron."

The family leaders must not have believed him. They rushed forward to see the rod. They turned the rod up and down and side to side then read the name "Aaron."

Each man shuffled through the pile of rods and found his own. They felt along the wood of their rod to confirm it was truly theirs.

One man shouted. "Moses sneaked into the Tabernacle to switched Aaron's rod for this one."

I knew it wasn't true. Uncle Moses rolled his eyes. "Look again. Tell me what you see."

The leaders looked closer. "Oh, there's blossoms here and fruit over here.  No branch has blossoms AND fruit at the same time. Moses couldn't have found a rod like this. Only the Lord could make a branch with both blossoms and fruit. God has chosen Aaron as priest."

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Here is a freebie for you--do you want to know more about the rods in this story?

R. K. Harrison wrote, "Why the Levites chose an almond branch is uncertain; it may have constituted an unofficial tribal emblem. The almond is one of the earliest trees to blossom after winter, and its beautiful clusters of white flowers, which precede the growth of the leaves, is a welcome harbinger of spring. It blooms in Palestine about the beginning of February, and there as elsewhere it brings joy in the promise of new life," p. 244   Exegetical Commentary on Numbers, Copywrite 1992, Baker Book House Company, P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

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1. What did God want the leaders to do?

2. Why did He ask the leaders to do that?

3. Whose job did the leaders want?

4. What happened to Aaron's rod?
5. How did the leaders know for sure that God changed Aaron's rod?
6. What did you learn from this story?

Thank you Pastor Kaufman for helping me with today's research. :)

Korah fights Moses

By Mary Vee
Numbers 16:1-16

Moses Thoughts

Aaron and I came out of the Tabernacle and found a group of men standing there.  They looked angry, really angry.

Korah, one of the Levites stepped toward me. I knew right away he didn't have anything good to say. He didn't even wait for me to ask what was going on before blurting his message. "You take too much upon yourselves." From the look on his face, I knew he didn't care about the amount of work Aaron or I did. He had nothing but mischief in mind.

Korah glanced back at the leaders with him.  They gave him a nod and signaled him to keep talking. Korah straightened his shoulders. "Moses, haven't your realized the whole congregation is holy?  All of us. Every member of the children of Israel. You can see the Lord is among us. So, why are you setting Aaron and yourself above us as though God made the both of you the special ones?"

My heart stopped for a moment. I couldn't believe he had the nerve to talk that way. Didn't he realize the Lord heard him? I dropped to the ground and kept my face low. God could punish him and any one standing around him.

"Korah, tomorrow morning the Lord will show you and the entire camp who belongs to Him and which one is holy. He will have that person come near to Him. You and all that are with you must take a golden container. Put incense in the container and set it on fire as you stand before God. At that time, the Lord will show you who He has chosen as the holy one."

My muscles tightened with anger. How dare he challenge the Lord? I stood and glared at Korah. "You take too much on yourself, you sons of Levi!"

He shrugged his shoulders and gave me a smug look. 

That was it. I'd had it with Korah's attitude. "Listen to me, you sons of Levi: Is it such a small thing to you that the God of Israel separated you from everyone else in the camp and brought you closer to Himself? He chose you to do the work of the tabernacle and to serve the people instead of any other group. He brought you and all your families near to Himself.

"But that wasn't good enough, was it?  Now you want the priesthood, too?  You, Korah, and these men with you have come together against the Lord, Himself.  And why do you pick on Aaron, the high priest?"

I called Korah's partners Dathan and Abiram to come forward. They shouted, "We won't come. We won't listen to you."

I squeezed my staff tighter with anger. I could not allow any more disrespect.  "Lord, do not accept their offerings to you. I haven't taken anything from them, nor have I hurt them."

I had one last message for that evil man. "Korah, you and these men with you must be present before the Lord tomorrow. Aaron will stand before the Lord as well. Then you will see who the Lord has chosen."

I snapped my staff into my hand and stomped away to my tent.

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1. What did Korah want to do?
2. Why was that wrong?
3. Why did Moses fall to the ground?
4. What was the Lord going to do the next day?
5. Why was Moses angry?
6. When is it OK to be angry? (if you are not sure of this or any other answer, please ask your parents, pastor, or email me.)

Mutiny in the Desert

By Mary Vee
Numbers 12:1-10

Miriam's Thoughts

Many of my friends gobbled the quail as though they'd never eat again. Unfortunately that's exactly what happened. Each one of them suffered from a plague and died. They shouldn't have grumbled against the Lord.  I miss them. I miss the laughing and singing and joking we did together to pass the time. 

The Lord led us to northeast to Hazeroth the day after the plague ended. I walked alone. I did a lot of thinking on that walk. My brother Moses had married an Ethiopian woman. This had bothered me for a long time, but during my thinking time, it made me angry. How could he marry her? Why not marry an Israelite?


I didn't realize I had been grumbling out loud until Aaron came up to me. "What are you mad about?"


"Mad? Oh, nothing."

Aaron smiled his goofy smile. "Come on. Tell."

"Well, if you must know. I don't think Moses should have married that Ethiopian woman."


He nodded and did one of his usual grunts when he's unhappy. "I don't like it either. He isn't the only one the Lord speaks to. We're important, too!"


Well, we complained about Moses for the rest of the journey to Hazeroth. It didn't make me feel better; in fact, I became angrier. A crowd of people gathered near Aaron and me. Soon they grumbled against Moses as well.


When we arrived at Hazeroth, our people set up camp, including the Tabernacle. I didn't feel like eating dinner--I didn't sleep well that night either.

The next morning, the Lord called Moses, Aaron, and me to the Tabernacle. He had never done that before.  My hands grew sweaty and my heart raced. Had we displeased the Lord? As we stood outside the Tabernacle the Lord came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the doorway. He called Aaron and me.   We looked at each other with wide eyes. I bit my lower lip and stepped forward.


The Lord spoke, "Moses is faithful above all others. I speak to prophets among you in dreams, but to Moses I speak face to face. Even plainly, and not with mysteries. He sees the form of the Lord. You should have been afraid to speak against My servant Moses."


I couldn't speak.  How did He know what we said? My hands trembled. I looked at Aaron then at my hands.  My skin had turned white--completely white. I had leprosy!


I--I will write more next time.


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1. What happened to some of Miriam's friends?
2. What was Miriam angry about?
3. Who did she tell?
4. What did they decided to do?
5. Who heard what they talked about?
6. What did the Lord do?
7. What did you learn?

The Tabernacle-pt.3 Aaron's Special Clothes

By Mary Vee
Exodus 38:9-39:31

Bezalel-
chosen by God
and given wisdom and understanding in every kind of workmanship

My work on the tabernacle has lasted several months. I've never enjoyed a project more.  

Each time I held gold or acacia wood in my hands, I wondered: what would God help me make?  Well, I knew what the furniture was supposed to be, but I didn't know what it would look like in the end.

When I started making the cherubim, you know--the angels on the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, I had no idea they would be such a work of art.  I look at my hands and laugh because God used these hands of mine to make the magnificent furniture for His Tabernacle.

Moses seemed quite pleased with my work.  He peeked into my shop each day to look at the progress. After finishing the Altar, the last piece of furniture, Moses told me to make the Court of the Tabernacle.  Oh, yes! This would keep me busy for quite a while. 

I trained workers to help me make sixty pillars, the curtains, and basically everything needed to form the Court.  We set the completed pieces in organized piles for the day Moses would let us put the Tabernacle together.  This part of the project lasted quite awhile.

Moses called me to his tent after a messenger reported we'd finished the Court.  "Bezalel, your work surpasses my imagination.  The Lord truly has blessed your hands and mind."


I never thought I'd receive such a compliment.  "Thank you, Moses."

"And now, I have another project.  You are to make the priestly garments.  Start with my brother Aaron's garments since he is the high priest."  

He gave me the Lord's instructions and had me repeat the information until I understood.  No wonder this garment would belong to the high priest.  Look at this picture!


I gathered fine woven linen, blue, purple and scarlet thread. Next, the workers and I beat gold into thin sheets and cut it into threads.  We took all the threads and wove a fancy design into an apron called an ephod to be worn over the main garment.  We added special jewels, engraved with each tribe's name and set in gold. 

Next we made a breastplate to go over the apron with the same design and a blue robe with a binding strong enough to keep it from tearing. We made pomegranates and bells to hand from the hem of the blue robe. Last we made the white tunic to wear under the blue robe and a turban for the priest's head.


When we finished the Lord's instructions I looked at our work.  This  garment would make even the Pharaoh jealous. 


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1. Who was the high priest?
2. What is another word for the apron the priest wore?
3. Who did God want to make the priest's clothes?
4. What all did the priest need to wear?

Temptation: The Golden Calf part 1

By Mary Vee
Exodus 32


Aaron

My brother, Moses, left over a month ago.  In truth, I don't know when he's coming back.  Before he went up the mountain he told the children of Israel to wait for him. He instructed them to come to  Hur and me with their problems.

Life in camp went well for a while. But of late the people have grown impatient.  Yesterday a group of men asked when Moses would return.  How would I know?

This morning a larger group of men gathered. To quiet them down I agreed to hear their dispute. One stepped forward. "Moses hasn't returned."

I nodded. "Yes. I noticed."


He rolled his eyes. "When is he coming back?"

I shrugged. "When he finishes his meeting with the Lord."

Another pushed forward. "Maybe he's not coming back!" 

The other men in the group yelled "Yeah. What are we suppose to do if he doesn't return?" 

I didn't have answers for their questions. More men gathered from the camp to join in the yelling.  I couldn't think. I wanted them to stop yelling before someone got hurt. 


The first man turned to the group and shouted, "We need a god that we can see. What do you say? We should make gods who will go before us. Who's with me?"


The rest of the men joined in the shouting.  I looked back at the mountain and wondered if Moses would ever come back.  What if he didn't?  How long should we wait? 


The leader of the men waved his arm to quiet the group.  He turned to me. "Look Aaron, your brother, Moses, did a great job leading us out of Egypt and we're thankful not to be slaves. But think back to the riches the Egyptians had--remember?  They had gods they could see.  It'd be a lot easier to obey a god we could see.  What do you say?"


The group cheered at his idea.  I didn't know what to do.  Hur didn't either.  Maybe if they had a god they could see, they'd obey the commandments given to us.  So I agreed. "Bring me the earrings worn by your wives and children."


By the afternoon they'd brought plenty of gold to make a rather large calf. I used an engraving tool to shape the calf and set it on a table.  "This is your god, O Israel that brought you out of Egypt."


The next day I built an altar in front of the new god and told the people, "Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord."  The people rose early, something they hadn't done in a while, and brought sacrifices to the god. They ate and drank in celebration.  


Everyone seemed happy.  Maybe this was the right thing to do.  


Maybe Moses would never come back.


I wonder if I made the right choice.


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Aaron did not make the right choice.  He allowed the people to take control.  Moses placed Aaron and Hur in charge, but Aaron let the people lead.


1. Who had not returned from the mountain yet?
2. Who was in charge of the Israelites at this time? (2 people)
3. What did the people want and why?
4. What did Aaron decide to do?

5. How does this story apply to your life?

The Powerful Amalekites

By Mary Vee
Exodus 17:8-13


Today's story is told from Aaron's (Moses' brother) point of view.

Keeping track of a younger brother can be difficult at times.  God asked me to help Moses speak to Pharaoh back when we lived in Egypt, and now I help Moses by telling our people, the children of Israel, what God wants us to do. 

I get tired watching Moses. He gets up early every morning to spend time alone with God, I'm not sure when he's up, but it's before the donkeys bray.  When I stepped outside my tent this morning, I noticed guards speaking with him.  I thought there might be a problem. Maybe he needed my help. "Moses, what's going on?"

"Amalek's army is near. The spies report Amalek is prepared for battle. I've sent for Joshua."


I knew I shouldn't have slept in this morning. 

Joshua arrived a few minutes later. Moses pointed to the other side of the valley, "Amalek has an army prepared for battle. Choose some men for battle. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of that hill over there with the rod of God in my hand."


Throughout the day the whole camp chattered about the up coming battle.  We all knew Joshua was the best choice to lead our army, but Amalek's army had tall, mighty warriors. Would we win or would the Amalikites force us to be slaves?


No one slept in the next morning. Joshua marched the army toward the valley while Hur and I walked with Moses to the top of a hill overlooking the valley. We watched for a few minutes as the armies came together.  Our soldiers looked like boys fighting giants. I honestly didn't know what would happen.


Moses gripped his rod and pounded it on the ground. "Our men are falling to those Amelikites already. We need God's help."  He raised his rod into the air like he did the day the Red Sea waters parted.  We looked back at the armies and saw the Amelikites draw back a little.  Our soldiers ran forward and attacked with power.


After a while, Moses's arms grew tired. "God is with us in this battle." He lowered his rod and set it in his lap.  Hur rubbed Moses's shoulders and laughed.  "The Amelikites will never win this battle.  God is fighting for us. Maybe you should rest."  

Moses and I nodded to each other. "God blessed our army."  We scanned the battlefield again expecting to see Joshua and our soldiers winning.  But they weren't.  Moses quickly pushed the rod of God in the air.  "Look, our soldiers are winning! I need to keep the rod of God raised." 

Every time Moses' arms sagged the Joshua and our army lost ground.  I found a rock nearby and rolled it near Moses. "Here, sit down.  That should help."


Moses plopped down on the rock. "My arms are sore, Aaron." Sweat poured down his forehead and his eyes showed his pain.


I ran to his side. "Hur, stand on that side and hold up his arm. I'll stand on this side." We hurried to support Moses' arms and stayed beside him, holding up his arms the entire day. When the sun set, the battle was over. The Amalikites lost..


We climbed down the hill to join the army back at camp.  Our families kindled fires and brought out instruments to celebrate.  I watched the people sing and dance in praise to God and realized what God did for us today. Who are we but a small nation with an untrained army?  Yet God used our soldiers, His chosen prophet, and a rod raised in the air to win a battle. 

We would not have won without God.


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  1.  Who attacked the Israelites?
  2.  Who did Moses ask to lead the soldiers?
  3.  Where did Moses go to watch the battle? Who went with him?
  4.  What did God want Moses to do to help the Israelites win?
  5.  Could Moses do this by himself?  If not, who helped?

Second Plague

by Mary Vee
Exodus 8:1-15


Aaron stayed up late waiting for Moses to come back.  As one of the family members snored he noticed the door open.  Aaron held his finger to his lips and motioned Moses to the corner of the house where they usually met.

Aaron leaned close. "What did God say?"

Moses took a sip of water. "He wants us to go to Pharaoh and tell him to let His people go that we may serve Him.  If Pharaoh refuses, we are to tell him that God will send frogs.  The frogs will come out of the river and go into their houses, into their bedrooms, on their beds, in their servant's houses, on the people, in their ovens, and in their bowls."

"Frogs everywhere?"

"Except here."

Aaron smiled. "Lets get some sleep.  Things are going to be hopping around here tomorrow."

The next morning Aaron and Moses got up early and went to the palace.  Pharaoh raised his hand to allow them to approach.  "What do you want this time, Moses?"

Aaron took a step forward. "We bring a message from the Lord.  He says, 'Let my people go that they may serve me. If you refuse, I will God will smite the land with frogs."

Pharaoh shook his head. "I'm not going to let my slaves go, not today, or any other day."

Moses sighed and gave Aaron a signal to go ahead.  Aaron stretched his hand with the rod over the waters of Egypt. As he did frogs leaped out of the water toward the houses.  Thousands of frogs leaped toward the Egyptian homes and into everything.  The people screamed and cried out for the frogs to stop.

Pharaoh called for his magicians.  "Moses made the frogs come out of the water.  What will you do?"

The magicians gathered together. "We will do the same, Pharaoh."

Pharaoh watched the magicians make frogs to come on the land.  Pharaoh laughed.  "Moses has tried to trick me again. But you have shown me I don't need to pay attention to him."

After some time Pharaoh grew tired of the frogs.  He called for Moses.

Moses and Aaron brought the rod with them to hear what Pharaoh had to say.  Pharaoh paced from the window to his chair.  He kicked a frog off of his sandal.  "Shoo!"  He continued toward the window.  A frog jumped from the window edge into Pharaoh's face.  "All right, Moses. Go to the Lord and ask Him to take the frogs away from me and my people. After you do, I will let the people go that they may sacrifice to the Lord."

Moses nodded.  "When would you like me to ask the Lord?"

"Tomorrow."

Aaron waited for a signal from Moses then said, "It will be done as you have asked. This way you will know that there is no one like the Lord our God.  The frogs will leave the land. There will only be frogs in the river."

That night Moses spoke with the Lord about the frogs.  He asked the Lord to remove the frogs.  The next day the frogs in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields died. All of Egypt stank from the dead frogs.

When Pharaoh heard the news, he sent a message to Moses.  "I change my mind.  You will remain as slaves in Egypt."

That night at Moses and Aaron's meeting,  Aaron rolled his eyes. "Let me get this straight, Pharaoh's magicians could make frogs come on the land, but he asked us to go before the Lord to have the frogs removed instead of having his magicians do the job."

"That's right. You and I both know those magicians can't do what only God can do."

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I don't think I would have wanted to be in Egypt at this time.  Frog stew, frog soap, frog bread, frog dishes, sandals, and beds--too many frogs!

1. How did God punish Pharaoh?
2. What came out of the river?
3. What did the magicians do?
4. Who did Pharaoh ask for help to make the frogs go away?

First Plague

By Mary Vee
Exodus 7: 14-25

Moses came back to his home late that night.  Aaron waited up for him.  When Moses' shadow drifted by the window, Aaron ran outside.

"Moses, wait. Did God speak with you?"

"Yes, let's go inside where we can talk in private."

Moses closed the door behind him. He held his finger to his mouth.  "Let's not wake anyone."

Aaron nodded.

After settling in a corner of the house away from the family, Aaron whispered, "So, what did He say?"

"He wants us to go to Pharaoh in the morning."

"To the palace?  Will he agree to meet with us after he kicked us out recently?"

"Listen, Aaron. God said to go to the river with the rod which He turned into a serpent. You are to tell Pharaoh to let God's people go that we may serve Him in the wilderness."

Aaron stroke his beard.  "He'll say no."

"I know.  God said he would.  You are to say to Pharaoh these words from God, 'By this you will know that I am Lord.' Then tell him God said he would strike the river waters with the rod in your hand and turn them to blood.  All the fish will die and the river will stink.  The Egyptians won't be able to drink from it."

"Do you think Pharaoh will let us go after that?"

Moses sighed.  "No."

The next morning Aaron and Moses got up early.  They grabbed the rod and walked down to the river.

A servant pointed toward Aaron and Moses.  Pharaoh turned and shook his head.  "Why are you here, Moses?"

Aaron cleared his throat.  "We have a message from God. By this message, you will know that He is Lord.  He will strike the river waters with this rod in my hand and turn them to blood."

Pharaoh laughed.  "You must be kidding me.  Go to your work, both of you."

Moses lifted his rod the hit the waters.  Pharaoh gasped as the droplets turned to blood.  The fish died and the river stank.  Pharaoh jumped back a few steps and stared up stream.  All the water had turned to blood.

News came to Pharaoh throughout the morning. "The ponds, pools, and wells have blood instead of water in them.  Even water in the buckets have turned to blood.  What should we do?"

Pharaoh called for his magicians.  "You have seen what Moses did to our water?  What do you have to say about this?"

"Oh great Pharaoh. Watch as we turn this water which we dug up from the ground into blood."

Pharaoh nodded.  "Just as I thought. Moses is playing a trick on me."

Seven nights later Aaron met for their nightly talk. "Moses, how long will God keep blood flowing downstream?"

"I don't know. Perhaps God will speak to me tomorrow with the next instructions.  In the mean time, we wait patiently."

"If Pharaoh's magician's turned the water into blood, why didn't he ask them to turn all the blood back into water."

"Maybe he did ask.  The point is--they couldn't, my dear brother, they are not God."

"Moses." Aaron leaned closer and whispered softer.  "I've never lived anywhere but here.  What is it like?"

Moses smiled. "Peaceful."

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The first plague that God strikes Egypt with is turning the water into blood.

1. Did the Egyptians go seven days without water to drink?
2. If not, how did they get water?
3. Why didn't Pharaoh believe God did the miracle?
4. Do you think Pharaoh will let God's people go?

God is With You When Life Gets Tough

By Mary Vee
Exodus 5:1-13

Moses stopped at the door before Pharaoh's court.  The guard reached for the handle and opened the door.

Moses wiped sweat from his brow. "Are you ready, Aaron?"

"As ready as I ever will be, Moses."

The guard nodded to them and pushed them forward.  They stopped at the place marked.  Pharaoh turned from his work.  He folded his arms and scowled.  "What is your business?"

Moses looked at Aaron then at Pharaoh.  "Thus says the Lord God of Israel: 'Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.'"

Pharaoh stared at the two men for a moment then shook his head.  "Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice and let Israel go?  I don't know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go."

Moses and Aaron stood firm.  "The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Please, let us go three days journey into the desert and sacrifice to the Lord our God, lest He punish us with pestilence or the sword."

Pharaoh stepped toward the window.  "Why do you take the people from their work?  Get back to your labor.  I see all those Israelites stitting around.  You have grown to a large number."  He laughed.  "You think you can let them rest from their labor? Get out.  Get out, now."

As Moses and Aaron turned to leave, Pharaoh called for his commander.  "Tell the taskmasters to stop giving the people straw to make bricks.  Let them gather straw for themselves.  And watch those Israelites closely, for they are not to make one less brick than their quota. They are nothing more than lazy.  Their cries to go sacrifice to their God is nothing more than a way to get out of work."

Moses and Aaron returned to the Israelite camp.   Moments later the taskmasters gathered the people.  "Listen, you lazy people of Israel.  Pharaoh has commanded that you will not be given straw any longer.  You will find your own straw to make bricks.  And know this--you will make the same number of bricks as before. Go, hurry, for your next quota is nearly due."

The Israelites hurried to find any pieces of straw they could.  They looked in every field and gathered stubbs of straw.  They tripped and spilled the pieces.  Friends and family helped each other, but no one could get enough straw to make the bricks in time.  Although Moses and Aaron helped, the Israelites scowled and grumbled against them. 

"Be patient. God is with us.  He didn't say this would be easy.  Please be patient."

One young father raised his fist.  "What do you know Moses?  You haven't lived here."

"No, I haven't, but God has been with you.  He said he will set you free, and He will.  Be patient."

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When problems arise, it is hard to believe God is standing beside you, helping. Usually we don't notice until after the problem has been resolved.  Think back to a time when God helped you. Use this to help you remember that God will always be with you even when you have problems.

What did Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh?
What did Pharaoh answer?
What problem did the Israelites have?

God Heard Their Prayers

By Mary Vee
Exodus 4:29-31

Moses hadn't seen his brother, Aaron, in many years.  As they walked to Egypt, Aaron told Moses about their mother, father, and sister.  He also talked about the difficult days.


"Our people are dying, Moses. The Egyptian takmasters beat us until we can't work, then they beat us for not working.  The old people are sick, the children have no one to care for them.  The Egyptians force us to work from the moment the sun rises to sunset.  We're hungry, tired, and sick."

Moses's heart pounded.  "We must rescue them.  God gave me these instructions:  We gather the elders and tell them God has heard to their cries and has sent us to help.  When they ask for proof we will show them signs from God.  After they give approval we go with the elders before Pharaoh."

Aaron slapped his brother on the back.  "Thank you for coming for us.  Together we will do as God says in order to rescue our people."

Aaron led Moses to the Israelite camp.  Messengers ran to gather the elders in the meeting place.  Once they all arrived, Aaron stood. "This is my brother, Moses."  He gazed at the men.  No one said anything.  "God has heard your cries for help.  He will rescue."  Aaron waved to Moses to stand by him.  "God sent Moses to free us from slavery."

A few elders looked toward the ground, some mocked them, others shook their heads.  Aaron cleared his throat.  "I realize this is difficult for you to understand, but you must have faith.  Look, God has given Moses a sign to show you.  Call all the people together and let us show you what God can do."

The head elder looked at Moses then Aaron.  "All right. Send a messenger to gather the people."

Aaron and Moses stepped outside to the place where the people gathered.  The head elder raised his hands to quiet the people then nodded to Aaron. 

Aaron stepped to the front of the group. "We have come to show you that God has heard your cry for help.  My brother Moses has been sent here by God.  We don't expect you to believe our words.  We have come to show you proof that God has sent help.  Aaron nodded to Moses.

Moses tipped his staff then threw it on the ground.  As quick as lightening, the staff turned into a serpent.  The people shrieked back. Before the serpent came close to any of the people, Moses grabbed it by the tail.  The elders eyes grew wide as they witnessed the serpent turn back into Moses's staff.

One elder sat back in his seat.  "I see your proof and am willing to listen."

A few other elders squinted their eyes and folded their arms.  "We are not yet convinced."  People from the crowd did the same.

Aaron nodded to Moses.  "Go ahead. Show them the other sign from God."  Moses put his hand into his tunic. He held it there for a moment before drawing it out for the others to see.  Aaron gasped.  "Leprosy! Moses--" The people backed away again. 

Moses smiled and put his hand back inside his tunic.  The people watched closely as he drew his hand back out toward them.  He bent his fingers and turned his hand in all directions to let them see. 

The people smiled. A few wept.  "At last. God has heard our prayers. Thank you, God."  Without any signal the people bowed their heads and worshipped God.

The head elder stepped forward.  "What instructions has God given for us?"

Aaron glanced at Moses then back at the elder. "God speaks to Moses.  Moses then tells me what is to be done.  Now that you believe, we are to gather the elders and go before Pharaoh."

The head elder turned to the others and then back to Aaron and Moses. "We will do as God has said."

Moses was pleased with the elder's answer.  At last he had a chance to help his people find freedom.  That night, as he slept under the stars, he noticed the life in the the dark sky.  "Thank you God, for giving your people life while they live in the darkness of slavery."

*****
What signs did Moses show the elders?
What instruction did God give to the elders?
Who did God give permission to help Moses?

Moses Returns to Egypt

By Mary Vee
Exodus 4: 18-27

Every once in a while, the sheep cooperate. 

I had taken them to the other side of the desert to feast on fresh pasture, found a burning bush, heard a voice, which turned out to be God's voice, and led the flock back home.

After closing the gate to the sheep pen, I ran to Jethro to tell him my news.  Even though I married his daughter, Zipporah, he remained the head of the family. 

"Jethro, I need to speak with you."

"Ah, Moses, back so soon from tending the sheep?"

"Yes, well, I have been thinking about the Israelites in Egypt."
"I see. And what have you decided?"

Here came the difficult part.  Will he let me take my sons and his daughter back to Egypt?  "I would like to see whether they are still alive."

He studied my face.  I hated waiting for him to say something, anything--how about one word?

He walked close to me then put his hand on my shoulder. "Go in peace."

"Really?  I can take Zippora and the boys with me?"

"I understand your desires to see your people.  You have given me many years of sincere service.  Now you need to see your family."

That went better than I thought.  Now I get to tell Zipporah the news.

"Zipporah."

"Yes, my husband."

"I spoke with your father a few moments ago."

"About what?"

"About taking you and the boys to see my family in Egypt. He gave his blessing."

"Moses, I don't understand some of the things you do, but I will do as you wish.  I'll prepare for the journey at once."

That night, God spoke with me again.  He said, "Return to Egypt. Don't be afraid; all the men who tried to kill you have died." He reminded me to do all the wonders he taught me before Pharaoh.  The next day my family and I left our home and set out for Egypt.

Several days later we came to a mountain. I helped set up the camp while Zipporah made supper.  The boys play in the trees until Zipporah called them to eat.  Shortly after I sat at the table I heard rustling leaves off to the left.  I turned and saw a man.  "Who are you?"

"My name is Aaron.  I'm looking for my brother Moses."

"Aaron?  Is it really you?"

"Moses?"

****************

Moses must have had a difficult time finding the courage to speak to his father-in-law about going to Egypt.  Do you remember from the last story Moses said he had a problem speaking to others?  We don't know if Moses stuttered, or what his speech problem really was, but we do know he felt awkward about speaking to Pharaoh in Egypt.  God gave him the strength and the words to say to Jethro. 

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Why did Moses want to go to Egypt?
Who did Moses take with him to Egypt?
Who did Moses meet on his journey to Egypt?