Moses is reintroduced as a humbled, obscure shepherd when God appears in the burning bush, revealing His holiness, awareness of suffering, and redemptive plan. Calling Moses despite his inadequacy, God promises His presence, reveals His name, and demonstrates that deliverance will come through divine power, not human strength, for His glory.

Tracing Levi’s lineage, the narrative highlights Moses’ origins, the meaning of “good” (ṭôḇ), and his family’s risky concealment of him. Set within ancient abandonment themes, Moses is providentially rescued by Pharaoh’s daughter, raised by his mother, later rejects injustice, flees to Midian, and awaits God’s faithful, though delayed, deliverance.

Exodus opens as a continuation of Genesis, tracing Jacob’s descendants in Egypt as they multiply under God’s blessing. Egypt’s power and a new king’s fear lead to oppression. Despite suffering, Israel grows. Faithful midwives defy Pharaoh, preserving life, while adversity strengthens identity and advances God’s purposes.

Arnold, Clinton E. 2011. Matthew, Mark, Luke: Volume One. Edited by Clinton E. Arnold. N.p.: Zondervan. Barker, Kenneth L., and John R. Kohlenberger. 2004. Expositor’s Bible Commentary: New Testament. N.p.: Zondervan. Bostock, John, Henry T. Riley, and HG Bohn. n.d. “Myrrh.” Wikipedia. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrrh. “Boswellia.” n.d. Wikipedia. Accessed March 5, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boswellia. “Calvary.” n.d. […]

Matthew, traditionally attributed to Matthew the tax collector, was written for Greek-speaking Jews to present Jesus as Messiah fulfilling Scripture. Blending biography and teaching, it emphasizes discipleship, fulfillment of prophecy, God’s concern for the marginalized, and Christ’s enduring authority and mission. Written likely mid-first century, it targets Hellenistic Jewish Christians.