In Egypt, But Not of Egypt

May 10 – 16, 2026

Key Text

“Then I said to them, ‘Each of you, throw away the abominations which are before his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.’ ” Ezekiel 20:7

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 331–335; Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, 1100, 1101

Introduction

“God designed to magnify His name through His chosen people, by showing the vast difference existing between the righteous and the wicked, the servants of God and the worshipers of idols.” The Signs of the Times, May 19, 1881

Sunday

1 GOD’S NAME BROUGHT TO EGYPT

1.a. How was Joseph instrumental in bringing the name and knowledge of God to Egypt? Genesis 41:16, 28, 32, 38, 39; Psalm 105:17, 22

Note: “Not to the people of Egypt alone, but to all the nations connected with that powerful kingdom, God manifested Himself through Joseph. He desired to make him a light bearer to all peoples, and He placed him next the throne of the world’s greatest empire, that the heavenly illumination might extend far and near. By his wisdom and justice, by the purity and benevolence of his daily life, by his devotion to the interests of the people—and that people a nation of idolaters—Joseph was a representative of Christ. In their benefactor, to whom all Egypt turned with gratitude and praise, that heathen people, and through them all the nations with which they were connected, were to behold the love of their Creator and Redeemer.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, 219, 220

1.b. How influential did Joseph become in Egypt? Genesis 45:8, 9; Psalm 105:20, 21. What was the secret of his prosperity? Psalm 1:1–3

Note: “At the time when he was called to the court of Pharaoh, Egypt was the greatest of nations. In civilization, art, learning, she was unequaled. Through a period of utmost difficulty and danger, Joseph administered the affairs of the kingdom; and this he did in a manner that won the confidence of the king and the people.” Education, 53

Monday

2 ISRAEL IN EGYPT—A SEPARATE PEOPLE

2.a. Though Joseph could have obtained for his brothers high positions in the Egyptian government, what did he advise and why? Genesis 47:2–6

Note: “Joseph, true to the worship of Jehovah, sought to save his brothers from the temptations to which they would be exposed at a heathen court; therefore he counseled them, when questioned by the king, to tell him frankly their occupation. The sons of Jacob followed this counsel, being careful also to state that they had come to sojourn in the land, not to become permanent dwellers there, thus reserving the right to depart if they chose.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 233

“Under Joseph’s fostering care, and the favor of the king who was then ruling, they [the Israelites] had spread rapidly over the land. But they had kept themselves a distinct race, having nothing in common with the Egyptians in customs or religion.” Ibid., 242

2.b. Instead of learning to worship the God of Israel, why did the Egyptians come to fear and hate the descendants of Joseph? Exodus 1:8–10; Psalm 105:23–25, 38

Tuesday

3 AT THE ROYAL COURT

3.a. Describe the conflict between light and darkness at the court of Egypt in the days of Moses. Hebrews 11:24–26

Note: “By the laws of Egypt all who occupied the throne of the Pharaohs must become members of the priestly caste; and Moses, as the heir apparent, was to be initiated into the mysteries of the national religion. This duty was committed to the priests. But while he was an ardent and untiring student, he could not be induced to participate in the worship of the gods. He was threatened with the loss of the crown, and warned that he would be disowned by the princess should he persist in his adherence to the Hebrew faith. But he was unshaken in his determination to render homage to none save the one God, the Maker of heaven and earth. He reasoned with priests and worshipers, showing the folly of their superstitious veneration of senseless objects. None could refute his arguments or change his purpose, yet for the time his firmness was tolerated on account of his high position and the favor with which he was regarded by both the king and the people.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 245

3.b. When the time came for Israel to be delivered from bondage, how did Pharaoh lift up his heart against Heaven? Exodus 5:2. What warning should we take from the king’s rebellion?

Note: “By rejecting light from heaven, he [Pharaoh] became hard and unimpressible. The providence of God was revealing His power, and these manifestations, unacknowledged, were the means of hardening Pharaoh’s heart against greater light. Those who exalt their own ideas above the plainly specified will of God, are saying as did Pharaoh, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice?’ Every rejection of light hardens the heart and darkens the understanding; and thus men find it more and more difficult to distinguish between right and wrong, and they become bolder in resisting the will of God.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, 1100

Wednesday

4 TRUE AND FALSE MIRACLES

4.a. What miracles did Satan work through his agents in Moses’ time, and for what specific purposes? Exodus 7:11, 12, 22; 8:7. Describe the resisters of truth today. 2 Timothy 3:1–8

Note: “He [the prince of evil] well knew that Moses, in breaking the yoke of bondage from off the children of Israel, prefigured Christ, who was to break the reign of sin over the human family. He knew that when Christ should appear, mighty miracles would be wrought as an evidence to the world that God had sent Him. Satan trembled for his power. By counterfeiting the work of God through Moses, he hoped not only to prevent the deliverance of Israel, but to exert an influence through future ages to destroy faith in the miracles of Christ. Satan is constantly seeking to counterfeit the work of Christ and to establish his own power and claims. He leads men to account for the miracles of Christ by making them appear to be the result of human skill and power.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 264, 265

4.b. In the working of miracles, how did God show His superior power? Exodus 8:8, 16–19. What was the purpose of His powerful manifestations? Exodus 7:5; 9:16; Psalm 106:8

Note: “When the Egyptians, from the king upon his throne down to the lowliest servant, were afflicted, and their firstborn were slain, then there was wailing throughout all Egypt. Then Pharaoh remembered his proud boast, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.’ He humbled himself and went with his counselors and his rulers to Goshen in haste, and bowed before Moses and Aaron, and bid them go and serve their God. …

“There was quite a large number of the Egyptians who were led to acknowledge, by the manifestations of the signs and wonders shown in Egypt, that the God of the Hebrews was the only true God. They entreated to be permitted to come to the houses of the Israelites with their families, upon that fearful night when the angel of God should slay the firstborn of the Egyptians. They were convinced that their gods whom they had worshiped were without knowledge, and had no power to save or to destroy. And they pledged themselves to henceforth choose the God of Israel as their God. They decided to leave Egypt, and go with the children of Israel to worship their God. The Israelites welcomed the believing Egyptians to their houses.” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, 1101

Thursday

5 A WARNING FROM ISRAEL’S HISTORY

5.a. How did the Israelites repeatedly fall into the snares of Satan? Acts 7:39–43; Numbers 25:1–3

Note: “This people whom God had chosen, he [Satan] would wrench away, in the very face of Heaven. By leading them into idolatry, he would destroy the efficacy of all worship; for how can man be elevated by adoring what is no higher than himself and may be symbolized by his own handiwork? If men could become so blinded to the power, the majesty, and the glory of the infinite God as to represent Him by a graven image, or even by a beast or reptile; if they could so forget their own divine relationship, formed in the image of their Maker as to bow down to these revolting and senseless objects—then the way was open for foul license; the evil passions of the heart would be unrestrained, and Satan would have full sway.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 334, 335

5.b. In what ways does the history of Israel’s sojourn in Egypt teach us about God’s mercy? Ezekiel 20:7; Romans 15:4

Note: “Though the Egyptians had so long rejected the knowledge of God, the Lord still gave them opportunity for repentance. In the days of Joseph, Egypt had been an asylum for Israel; God had been honored in the kindness shown His people; and now the long-suffering One, slow to anger, and full of compassion, gave each judgment time to do its work; the Egyptians, cursed through the very objects they had worshiped, had evidence of the power of Jehovah, and all who would, might submit to God and escape His judgments. The bigotry and stubbornness of the king resulted in spreading the knowledge of God, and bringing many of the Egyptians to give themselves to His service.

“It was because the Israelites were so disposed to connect themselves with the heathen and imitate their idolatry that God had permitted them to go down into Egypt, where the influence of Joseph was widely felt, and where circumstances were favorable for them to remain a distinct people. Here also the gross idolatry of the Egyptians and their cruelty and oppression during the latter part of the Hebrew sojourn should have inspired in them an abhorrence of idolatry, and should have led them to flee for refuge to the God of their fathers.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 333

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

How and why was God able to use Joseph in Egypt?
How did Joseph reveal his faith in God’s plan for His people?
Explain the contrast between Moses’ exemplary firmness and Pharaoh’s stubbornness.
State the difference between God’s miracles and Satan’s.
What should the experience of Israel in Egypt teach us all?