5:2 Moses could be forgiven for thinking that Israel would not believe him because they did not believe that he was the deliverer when he slew the Egyptian 40 years earlier - see Acts 7:25.

Chapter 6 - Genesis 15:16 said that Israel would 'come out' in the fourth generation. The exodus was a fulfilment of those words so we should not be surprised to realise that Moses was the fourth generation
1 Levi
2 Kohath
3 Amram
4 Moses

5:21 Israel was to be an evil savour – smell – to the Egyptians. Whilst this is poetic language the consequences of Egypt’s attitude was an actual ‘stink’ in their river (7:18, 8:14)

6:23 ‘Elisheba’ is the Hebrew for Elizabeth – so we see Zechariah’s wife (Luke 1:23) was named after Aaron’s wife.

The Lord God could have brought the Israelites out of Egypt straight away. But He chose not to. He worked through Moses and Aaron, and told them to ask Pharaoh’s permission. This was done for a reason. Moses had to be honoured in Israel’s sight, and Pharaoh had to be seen to be evil. Israel had to be taught to hate Egypt, and all it stood for. All of this speaks to us today, as we see the world shaping up as the Prophets said it would before we can go to our Promised land.

Exo 6:12,30 Moses had not been circumcised. He considered this to be an obstacle. But God didn’t.

It is a common thing for a group of people to view another group as inferior to such an extent that they are quite happy to hurt them, and feel no conscience as a result.  This has happened time after time throughout history.  The Eqyptians attitude to the Israelites is just one example.  Each of us could list countless others. We can see it in others.  Let us be absolutely sure that there is no group of people we view this way, and that we show willingness to preach to all.  Let us remember that with God there is no respect of persons.

5:13-14 The taskmasters were Egyptians and the officers were Jews.  This meant that the  officers had an impossible job. They had to answer to their Egyptian taskmasters but live with the Jews who they had to make do the work.

5:2 Where Pharaoh says here that he does not "know" the LORD, this is the same word as 1:8 where the Pharaoh of that time does not "know" Joseph. It is implies relationship cp John 17:3

5:21 Just because God sends us to do something doesn't mean He smoothes the path for us.

6:15 It is interesting that it is specifically mentioned here that Simeon had a Caananite wife. And yet he was the one, together with Levi, who took the lead against Shechem in the matter of Dinah Gen 34:25 It obviously wasn't a problem for him to intermarry with the "locals".

5:1 The record states matter-of-factly that Moses and Aaron went before Pharaoh. Imagine Moses' fear and trepidation at stepping back into court -- he had run away, afraid that his murder would be discovered, albeit forty years' earlier. Would this fact be thrown in his face? Would anyone remember?

5:2 "I will not let Israel go." Sin is so much like Pharaoh, stubborn, refusing to let go, not wanting to recognise reality. There is a part of Pharaoh in all of us. Rom 7:24-25 "Oh wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me ...? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Pharaohs were considered gods.  No wonder this one did not know (recognize) Yahweh, a foreign god (5:2).

Moses requested a three-day journey for safety reasons (5:3).  Some of the animals that the Israelites wished to sacrifice were considered sacred by the Egyptians.  Moses was concerned with the reaction of the Egyptians to their sacrificing (Exo 8:25,26).  Also, the journey from Goshen to Sinai took three days (Exo 3:18).

The word redeem in 6:6 is ga'al which is also translated redeemer and (near) kinsman.  The responsibility of a ga'al, under the Law, was to make sure of the perpetuation of the nation (Deut 25:5,6).  Boaz acted as a ga'al to Ruth (Ruth 4:8-10).  Here, in v.6, Yahweh promises to make sure that His nation will continue.

The world chooses its leaders according to eloquent speech and stature.  But, Yahweh often chooses worldly-weak individuals through whom to express His power (1Cor 1:27).  Moses (6:12) and Paul (2Cor 10:10) are excellent examples.

5:22-23 Whereas Moses had been willing to go to Pharaoh he, because things are not going smoothly he beings to question God. Thus we see that at this time Moses did not fully understand that the deliverance of Israel would be a consequence of the destruction of Egypt. Likewise our deliverance from sin has a cost. It is destruction of sinful thoughts in ourselves. Gal 5:24

6:4    In speaking of the land which was sworn to Abraham Isaac and Jacob God is actually quoting the words of Joseph - Gen 50:24 - to Moses as an evidence that He is going to keep His word.

5:2 The disdainful ‘who is the Lord?’ is in the mind of the king of Assyria who pitted himself against God in the days of Hezekiah. Both Pharaoh and the king of Assyria suffered the same fate. It seems that such an affront to the God of Israel seals the fate of the blasphemer.

59:1 The historical narrative of the events which prompted this Psalm – 1Sam 19:11-17 – tell us nothing of David’s thoughts. This Psalm records a prayer that he uttered at that time.

59v.8 - The concept of God's derisive laughter seems odd to us, but we need to try to strip away our human thinking about the motivation for such an outburst from God's righteous reasoning. It is a common idea - Ps.2:4, 37:13, Prov.1:26.

Psalm 59 - When it is realised that this Psalm relates to the events of 1 Samuel 19:11 the use of the word 'evening :6, 14 takes on quite a specific significance for this was the time when Saul's servants were around David's house seeking to catch him.

58:1-2 David is criticising a group of individuals who appear to be giving right judgement but in reality are deceitful. This is a great danger that we should avoid. It is so easy to say things to please men but in reality we have another agenda.

59:16 In speaking about singing in the morning we can see that this Psalm was written after David had time to reflect on the way in which God had delivered him from those who compassed the house to kill him.

Psalm 58 - The superscription and proper beginning of this Psalm begins "Altaschith, Michtam of David, " - Al-taschith means "do not destroy."

Psalm 58:11 - "Verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth" - Or, 'Truly there is a God that judges in the earth.'  In other words, the course of things demonstrates that the affairs of the world are not left to chance, to fate, or to mere physical laws. There are results of human conduct which show that there is a "Mind" that presides over all; that there is One who has a purpose and plan of his own; that there is One who "administers" government, ultimately rewarding the good, and punishing the wicked. There is a clear proof of divine interposition in those affairs, and a clear proof that, on the whole, and in the final result, that interposition is favourable to righteousness and opposed to sin. No man, in other words, can take the "facts" which occur on the earth, and explain them satisfactorily, except on the supposition that there is a God. A further interesting thought, revolves around the fact that the word "God" is in the plural, "Gods" or 'Elohim' - not in the sense of a Trinity, but confirming what the apostle Paul reveals in 1 Corinthians 6:2 - that we shall administer the affairs that the angels now minister, in the age to come - Hebrews 2:5.

Psalm 59 - The superscription and proper beginning of this Psalm begins "Altaschith, Michtam of David, when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him" - 1 Samuel 19:10-12.

v11 - "slay them not" - This appears to contradict v13, "consume them in wrath" - but the problem disappears when it is realised that the word "slay" should be rendered "pity." Like Jesus, David was continually hounded by those who wished to see him dead - though a man after God's own heart, many of his countrymen would not see the desirableness of having this one reign over them. If Christ, or David, were walking among us today - would we be of those who support them... or would we be among those who hound them?? I wonder!

58:4 Describing the adder as ‘deaf’ is rather like the way that Jeremiah (8:17) speaks of adders not being able to be charmed. Now this is not a general comment about adders. Rather what is being described is men who will not listen to God’s instruction – they are like a snake which a charmer cannot control – unpredictable!

59:3-4 David can speak freely about the way that he is being pursued even though he has not done anything wrong even though he is a sinner because he is speaking precisely about the way that Saul was trying to kill him. David had done nothing worth of death. Saul’s obsession was evil and baseless and David knew this.

Psalm 58  We have in this Psalm a description of the wicked, and a prayer for their removal from the earth.

Psalm 59  Written by David , probably on the occasion when Saul sent men to execute him.  1Sam 19:11

Psa 59:13  God ruleth unto the ends of the earth.  Exo 9:14  Josh 4:24  1Sam 17:46

58:6      The analogy with a snake that could not be charmed by a snake charmer is most apt to describe the mind of the flesh. When we are bent on sin we do not listen to wisdom – even though we know we are doing wrong.

ch.10 - A key word in this chapter is 'righteousness' As you read the chapter underline the word and it's related words. This will help you to understand the structure of the chapter.

In asking the question 11:1 'Hath God cast off His people …' Paul is pre empting a gentile who might wish to dismiss the Jew on the basis of what Paul has demonstrated that the Old Testament says about them.

Romans 11 - The apostle having spoken of the calling of the Gentiles, and given a hint of the perverseness of the Jews in slighting the Gospel, proceeds in this chapter to treat of their rejection; in which he shows, that it was not universal, and then points at the end and design of God in the casting them off; and exhorts the Gentiles not to insult them, but to learn to be humble and cautious by what was done to them. He foretells the conversion of the Jews in the latter day, which will be general, so that their rejection is not final; and highlights the whole dispensation of God, both with respect to Jews and Gentiles, into the unsearchable wisdom and sovereign will of God.

v22 - What a blessing it is to know that the God who has called us to become part of His Divine Family here on earth, is so perfectly balanced in all that He is and does. No wonder Paul's breath is taken away in v33-36 as he considers our God and sums up this brilliant exposition of Israel's part in God's supreme purpose.

The Golden Thread:- God's purpose and character are bound up in His great name of Yahweh Elohim of Israel [He who will become the Mighty Ones of those who have power over God]. Because God is a Father first to His children, He hears the prayers of those who He deems the righteous and those who are His by calling - first the nation in Exodus 6:5, then the man of God in Psalm 59:16, and finally the chosen in Romans 11:26.

10:9 ‘believe in thine heart’ echoes the way that Philip spoke to the Ethiopian (Acts 8:37) – whilst Romans explains the gospel in a very powerfully reasoned way we must not forget that unless the message impacts upon our emotions it is of no value.

11:11 Gentiles – non Jews – should appreciate that the Gospel has it’s basis and origins in the Jewish faith. Our status in Christ, then, is a consequence of Israel’s failure to accept His offer. We must be  not ‘highminded’ in this position (Rom 11:20)

Sincerity is no guarantor of truth (10:2,3).  How often do we see religious people who exude enthusiasm but who are astray from the Truth?  Let us make sure of our foundations by consulting the Word.
 
10:9,13 and other similar verses taken alone are used by some to suggest that baptism is not necessary for salvation.  There is a danger in taking verses in isolation to prove a point.  Scripture should be qualified with scripture until a full understanding is revealed.  While belief is necessary for salvation, the scripture says that baptism is also necessary (Mark 16:16).

10:3-6   The repeated use of the word ‘righteousness’ high lights the key point of this area of this chapter.

10:2-4 - As Michael Parry suggested, it takes more than zeal to be saved. It takes knowledge/understanding of God's word, a wise application of that understanding plus grace. v2 zeal Grk. zelos (2205) means heat, (figuratively) zeal (in a favorable sense 'ardor' while in an unfavorable sense 'jealousy' or 'malice'), fervent mind, emulation, envy (-ing), indignation, jealousy, zeal, etc. Hos 4:6 notes my people perish for lack of knowledge. v3 notes they did not submit to God's righteousness and tried to establish their own and we are reminded of this in Prov 12:15; Matt 15:7-9; Eph 2:8-9 notes that it is by grace we are saved; John 4:24 informs that it is not merely worshipping in truth that saves but that we must worship in the proper spirit (the spirit of love 1Cor 13:2-8). v4 we have the end result of the Law with it pointing toward Christ who came to fulfill the Law and the prophets (Matt 5:17) and through his righteousness, the grace facilitated by his sacrifice, and God's mercy, followers have a hope.

10:6-8 The repeated use of Deut 32:12-14 by Paul shows that a life of faith was required of those who correctly understood the law of Moses.

11:2     ‘In asserting that God hath not cast off His people’ Paul quotes Lev 26:44which was spoken against the background of punishment from God.

Value, cost and paid-for gifts

We're so used to the fact that our salvation is a gift from God, that maybe we don't stop and think about the price that was paid for that gift. In everyday life we're used to receiving gifts from others, and we realise that they have paid their own money to buy the gift for us. So the gift has value in our eyes tho it cost us nothing. But if we go to a shop which is giving away free products, we're inclined to turn our nose up, thinking "it must be cheap / of no value". So value is different to cost, and often there's no relationship between the two. That's the way it is for us. Everlasting life is a free gift - it costs us nothing - but it cost God, Jesus, and Israel a great deal. So life in Christ isn't free, but it is a paid-for gift. Someone else paid. See (Rom 11:11-12, 15, 18, 19, 30). We ought therefore to value Israel's contribution all the more, and not boast against them (11:17-21).

Are The Jews A Special People?

"Because of unbelief they were broken off"...(Rom 11:20) vs "God hath not cast away his people"...(Rom 11:2).

Israel, in Old Testament times, was a nation apart, called to be a special people for the Lord (Deut 7:6-8). The Jews, though often displeasing God, were still beloved for the father's sakes (Rom 11:28). The Divine selection of Israel was always conditional; they would remain His people only if they kept His covenant (Exo 19:5-6;Deut 28:11,63). After rejecting the Son of God, the Jews would be scattered throughout the world after Jerusalem was sacked in 70 AD but there was always the promise of an eventual messianic restoration upon Christ's return (Luke 21:24,31).

The Jews, for the most part, have rejected Christ. Are they still the special people of God? The consistent message from the New Testament is natural descent counts for nothing in God's sight - Jews and Gentiles are now on equal footing with chosen people now applying to true believers in Christ (John 6:63;Rom 11:13-14,17-20; 2:28-29;10:11-12,21;Hos 1:10;Rom 9:24-27;1Pet 2:9-10). Hagar is the natural seed of Abraham (i.e. the nation of Israel) while Sarah is the spiritual seed (i.e. true believers in Christ be they Jew or Gentile - Gal 4:21-31). God rejects His people when don't obey, though He pleads for them - ultimately there will be rescue and a millenial kingdom with Jerusalem as the world capital (Hos 9:17;14:1,4-5;Rom 11:25-27;Zech 12:10;Isa 2:2-5).

Mostly gleaned from Balancing The Book: A Study Of Biblical Paradoxes  by Len Richardson, pps 74-79.