Solomon-An Unusual Wedding Gift

By Mary Vee
I Kings 3 and 9

From Pharaoh, King of Egypt's Scrolls

I am very happy to announce the marriage of my daughter to the new king of Israel. 

Solomon, the new king, sitting on the throne of his father, David, came to me requesting an alliance. I didn't need my advisers to tell me this was a great idea. Israel will serve as a protector from any country wishing to attack from the east and armies attacking by land from the north. Yes. This was a good idea.

As part of the alliance I agreed to give my daughter in marriage to Solomon. This will seal our agreement.

The wedding was held here, in the palace. All the fine, Egyptian foods and performers showed off the greatness of Egypt. I've never seen my daughter so happy. And, I must admit, Solomon is a handsome young man. 

After the wedding, Solomon took his bride back to the City of David, her new home. He said she would live there until the palace, Temple of the Lord, and wall around Jerusalem were built. I am confident he will take great care of my daughter. 

Now for a wedding gift. Let's see. I need something that would please Solomon. Something he needs. Hmmm. I called in my advisers and asked for suggestions. 

"You could send him gold, wheat and nuts," one said.

"No. He has all the food he needs."

"Or, Great Pharaoh, you could conquer one of the Canaanite inhabited cities," another said.

"Yes. A perfect idea. The Israelites have not conquered all the cities in their land. My army can go in to a Canaanite inhabited city, burn it to the ground, and turn it over to Solomon. Yes this will be my gift. We will attack Gezer. Go, put this plan in motion right away."

Days later, my captain came to the throne room. "Great Pharaoh, Gezer has been conquered and burned to the ground as you ordered."

"Good, call the scribe." 

I sent a note to Solomon and my daughter announcing my gift. And now, the two will be happy and our alliance complete.

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1. _________________ was the new king of Israel.
2. The new king married _____________________ 
3. Solomon wanted an _______________________ with Egypt.
4. Pharaoh wanted an alliance to _______________ Egypt from _____________
5. Pharaoh gave Solomon and his wife what gift?

Now here is your thinking question. Do you think Solomon, king of Israel should have made an alliance with Egypt? Why or why not? This is a great family discussion question or one to have with your church. 

God's Plan, the First Step to Freedom

By Mary Vee
Exodus 7:8-13

Aaron glanced at the guard then back at Moses.  "Well, here we are again, Moses. Do you think Pharaoh will listen this time?"

Moses rolled his eyes. "There's only one way we could have seen Pharaoh. It certainly wasn't anything we did.  God is with us. Now, do you remember everything I told you?"

Aaron nodded.

The door suddenly opened. A servant stepped into the hall. "Pharaoh will see them now, although I can't understand why."

The guard laughed.  "Pharaoh is playing with them.  He knows they can't do anything." He pushed Moses and Aaron into the room then toward the front.

Pharaoh nodded to the brothers, giving them permission to speak.

Moses gave his brother a signal to go ahead. Aaron stood straight and looked into Pharaoh's eyes. "God has commanded you to send the children of Israel out of this land." 

Pharaoh's laugh echoed in the room. "Who is this God who thinks He can order me?  And who are you to deliver such a message?" He folded his arms and walked a few steps toward an advisor, whispered a few words then walked back. "Show me a miracle."

Moses turned to Aaron, "Take your rod and throw it on the ground before Pharaoh and let it become a serpent."

Aaron leaned over toward his brother. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. This is what God said to do."

Aaron threw his rod on the ground before Pharaoh.  It bounced once then slithered to the left then slid to the right. Servants from all around the room jumped back and huddled near the wall.  A guard leaped in front of Pharaoh as the serpent raised itself.  The serpant slid it's head side to side.

"Move aside, guard." Pharaoh clapped his hand twice.  "Magicians, sorcerers turn your rods into serpents."

A group of men moved toward the front of the room. They smiled at one another and said a few strange words then threw their rods on the ground before Pharaoh.  A moment later each rod turned into a serpent slithering to the left and right.

Pharaoh laughed.  "My magicians can do what you do?  I'm not im-"

Before he finished his sentence, the serpent from Aaron's rod swallowed the serpents from the magician's rods. Pharaoh squinted his eyes and glared at his magicians.  "You have disappointed me."

Moses told Aaron to pick the serpent up by the tail.  Aaron blinked twice. "Really?" 

"Yes, this is what God said to do."

Aaron scooped up the serpent's tail and found his rod stiff in his hand.  The guards, servants, and magicians burst into chatter. 

Pharaoh paced before the crowd.  "Silence!"  He raised his hands. "You--Moses and Aaron--will leave my presence.  I will not let the children of Israel go."

Once outside Pharaoh's palace Aaron turned to Moses. "Well, that didn't go very well."

Moses smiled and slapped his brother on the back.  "True, but God knew this would happen.  He has a  plan to show everyone in Egypt who He really is. The next step in his plan will take place tomorrow morning."

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Moses understands now that God's plan to help the children of Israel will take time.

Find the answers to these questions in today's story:

1. Who visited Pharaoh?
2. What did Pharaoh ask them to do?
3. What miracle did Moses and Aaron do in God's name?
4. Who else did this same miracle?
5. What did Aaron's serpent do to the other serpents?
6. Did Pharaoh listen to Moses and Aaron?
7. What lesson did Moses learn?

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?

Moving to a New Home

By Mary Vee
Genesis 46:30-47:12

"The air smells sweet for the first time since I've been in Egypt."  Joseph turned his head to listen. "There, can you hear them?  I've haven't heard the birds sing like that before."

One of the guards furrowed his brows. "Are you well, my lord?"

"Yes. Yes of course. In fact I'll race you to the palace!" Joseph glanced at the guard's frown, cleared his throat, and resumed walking as a governor of Egypt should.  How can I hold my head regally and keep a serious look on my face when all I want to do is laugh, sing, and dance? He glances back at his father and  the five brothers chosen to go with him before Pharaoh and laughed.

No matter how hard he tried to be serious, his heart leapt, smiles burst on his face, songs rang in his soul, and his feet bounced.  Joseph's memory flashed back to the day before when he rode his chariot over to Goshen and met his father.  He hadn't seen him in over twenty years. He cried. His dad cried. They hugged and laughed, then cried some more.

The doors opened before Joseph as he approached Pharaoh's chamber.

Pharaoh signaled Joseph to approach.  "Ahh, Zaphnath-Paaneah what need have you?"

Joseph forced himself to be serious. He took a deep breath and bowed before Pharaoh. "My father and my brothers have arrived in Goshen.  They brought all their possessions. Here are five of my brothers." Joseph signaled the guard to escort his brothers before Pharaoh.

Pharaoh nodded approval. "What is your occupation?"

"We are shepherds.  The pastures have dried leaving our herds without food. The famine is severe in Canaan.  With your permission, may we live near here in the land of Goshen?"

Pharaoh tipped his head as though thinking.  He turned to Joseph. "Zaphnath-Paaneah, your father and brothers have come to you."  He raised his arms wide. "The land of Egypt is before you. Have your father and brothers live in the best of the land."

The brother's eyebrows jump high.  They looked at Joseph.

They don't believe Pharaoh.  Joseph smiled and nodded to his brothers.

Pharaoh lowered his arms. "If your family chooses Goshen, then they may live there. And if you know any competent men among them, then make them chief herdsmen over my livestock."

Joseph held back a chuckle when his brother's jaws fell open.  He nodded again to let them know Pharaoh was serious.

Joseph bowed again. "My father is here."

Pharaoh signaled approval for Jacob to be presented.  "How old are you?"

Jacob bowed as best he could. "I am 130 years old.  My days have been short compared to my fathers and I've seen many troubling times."

Jacob took a deep breath. "If I may give you a blessing, Pharaoh?"

Pharaoh nodded his approval.

"May the Lord God bring blessings upon you and your family and Egypt."  Jacob's feeble arm fell back to his side.  Joseph ran to his side.

Pharaoh raised his hands. "Go and help your family settle in Goshen making sure they have everything needed."

Many families in the world didn't have food or other things they needed during this time.  Pharaoh didn't let all of them move to Egypt.  Why did he let an old man like Jacob and his sons move there?  Why did he command all their needs to be met?  What had Joseph done that impressed the Pharaoh?