Congregation Bible Study for the Week of September 28–October 4, 2026

Chapter 10: He Made the Best Decision

1. What archaeological discoveries show that the Israelites were slaves in Egypt, as the Bible indicates? (w20.03 30).

Comment 1: Evidence has been found of many Semitic settlements in northern Egypt. This agrees with the account that Jacob’s family settled in Goshen and that the Israelites became numerous there.

Comment 2: A papyrus from the Middle Kingdom contains a list of slaves who worked in a house in southern Egypt. More than 40 of those names are Semitic, indicating that there was a considerable number of Semitic slaves in the country.

Comment 3: Some names on that list resemble Issachar, Asher, and Shiphrah. Although this does not by itself prove the identity of each slave, that detail harmonizes remarkably with the names found in the Bible.

Comment 4: Archaeological evidence shows that Egypt attracted migrants from Semitic peoples of Western Asia during a period that fits the time of the patriarchs. Therefore, it supports the circumstances described in Genesis regarding the arrival of the Israelites in Egypt.

Comment 5: These discoveries strengthen our confidence in the Bible record. Although some critics may call it a myth, the accounts about slavery in Egypt have a solid historical basis.

2. What things did Moses likely learn from his parents? And what might he have learned later, when he was “instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians”? (Acts 7:22; w02 6/15 p. 10 pars. 2-5).

Acts 7:22 — So Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. In fact, he was powerful in his words and deeds.

Comment 1: His parents surely used the time they had with him to teach him that he was a Hebrew and to instill Jehovah’s ways in him. The faith and love of righteousness that they planted in his heart must have deeply influenced his later decisions.

Comment 2: When he returned to Pharaoh’s daughter, he received an education that could prepare him to hold government positions. He likely learned mathematics, geometry, architecture, construction, and other arts and sciences.

Comment 3: The royal family may also have wanted him to learn the Egyptian religion. Thus, Moses had to decide to whom he would be loyal—to everything pagan Egypt offered or to Jehovah and his Hebrew brothers.

Comment 4: Life at the court offered wealth, luxury, and power, but it also presented moral dangers. His case teaches us that a good education or a prominent position need not distance us from Jehovah if we keep our priorities clear.

Comment 5: Moses became powerful in words and deeds, but he did not allow his privileges to change his identity. He continued to view the suffering Israelites as his brothers, revealing the influence of the teaching he received as a child.

3. What did the Egyptians usually do with the bodies of their dead? How must they have felt on learning that Moses had killed the Egyptian and had merely hidden the body? (it “Egypt”).

Comment 1: The Egyptians embalmed their dead because they believed that the body had to be preserved so that the soul could return and use it. The tomb was viewed as the home of the deceased.

Comment 2: They placed jewelry, clothing, furniture, and food in the tombs for the supposed future use of the dead person. They also included spells and incantations that they believed would protect him from wicked spirits.

Comment 3: Therefore, hiding a corpse in the sand must have seemed especially offensive to them. It was not how they treated the dead and did not agree with their religious ideas about well-being after death.

Comment 4: The account helps us understand why Moses’ situation became so dangerous. The news reached Pharaoh, who wanted to kill him without hearing him out, and Moses had to leave Egypt.

Comment 5: This also emphasizes that Moses acted hastily. He wanted to help a mistreated Hebrew, but the result showed that courage needs to be accompanied by self-control, mildness, and confidence in Jehovah’s timing.

4. Moses fled to Midian. What did the Israelites and the Midianites have in common? (it “Midian, Midianites” No. 2 pars. 1, 2).

Comment 1: The Midianites descended from Midian, Abraham’s son. The Israelites also descended from Abraham, so both peoples shared a common ancestor.

Comment 2: The Midianite language was probably very similar to Hebrew because of that common origin. This could help explain the linguistic closeness between the two peoples.

Comment 3: The material indicates that the descendants of Ishmael and Midian may have had very similar customs. It is even possible that their peoples became united through marriages among their members.

Comment 4: The Midianites are sometimes called Ishmaelites. This does not change their origin, but it shows that there was, in some cases, a close relationship or similarities between these groups descended from Abraham.

Comment 5: Knowing that Midian had these links with Abraham’s family adds context to Moses’ flight. Jehovah allowed him to find refuge there, although he would have to live for decades as an alien resident.

How can Moses’ example help you to exercise self-control?

Comment 1: Moses became indignant when he saw a Hebrew slave being mistreated. However, he acted hastily and killed the Egyptian. His experience reminds us that feeling indignant over an injustice does not authorize us to lose control.

Comment 2: Before acting under pressure, we can stop and think about whether our reaction will reflect Jehovah’s viewpoint. Moses was courageous, but he still needed to develop mildness.

Comment 3: The next day he tried to stop a fight between two Hebrews, but his secret was already known. An impulsive action can bring consequences we did not foresee and make a situation even more complicated.

Comment 4: Moses thought that God would use him to deliver Israel, but Jehovah had a different timetable. Waiting on Jehovah helps us avoid getting ahead of him or trying to resolve matters our own way.

Comment 5: Jehovah did not discard Moses because of his mistake. During the years in Midian, Moses was able to improve. This encourages us: We can recognize a wrong reaction, learn from it, and cultivate greater self-control.

Moses had the courage to set worthwhile goals in life. What can young people learn from his example?

Comment 1: Moses could have chosen prestige, riches, and pleasures at the Egyptian court. But he decided to support Jehovah’s people. Young people can ask themselves what goals will show that Jehovah occupies first place in their life.

Comment 2: Moses’ education and abilities were valuable, but he did not make them the center of his life. Young people can make good use of their education without allowing personal ambitions to distance them from Jehovah.

Comment 3: Moses chose to be mistreated with God’s people rather than enjoy temporary pleasures. His example teaches us to value lasting blessings above advantages that last only a short time.

Comment 4: Setting worthwhile goals takes courage because it may involve giving up a prestigious career or other attractive opportunities. Moses left behind comforts and an important position to do what he considered right.

Comment 5: We also learn that having worthwhile goals does not mean relying too much on ourselves. Moses needed preparation and mildness. Young people can seek Jehovah’s guidance and allow themselves to be molded by him.

In what other ways can you imitate the courage Moses showed in this account?

Comment 1: We can imitate Moses by identifying ourselves without shame with Jehovah’s people. He did not allow his position in the royal family to make him forget that the Israelites were his brothers.

Comment 2: It takes courage to reject advantages that could weaken us spiritually. Moses left Egypt’s wealth, comforts, and prestige because he did not want those things to distance him from Jehovah.

Comment 3: We also show courage when we make changes after making a mistake. Moses fled to an unfamiliar region and accepted life as an alien resident. He did not cling to the life he had lost.

Comment 4: His account encourages us to stand up for what is right, but to do so in the right way. Christian courage is not impulsive action; it includes waiting for Jehovah’s direction and cultivating mildness.

Comment 5: We can have the courage to continue serving Jehovah even when others do not immediately understand our decisions. The Israelites did not understand what Moses intended to do, but he did not go back to seek Egypt’s approval.

What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

Comment 1: Jehovah sees the good qualities of his servants, but he also knows what they need to improve. Moses was courageous and capable, although he was not yet prepared to deliver Israel.

Comment 2: Jehovah has perfect timing. Moses thought that the Israelites would understand that God would save them through him, but Jehovah would not act yet. His purpose is neither early nor late.

Comment 3: The account shows that Jehovah highly values mildness. Moses’ abilities, strength, and education were not enough; he had to learn to become the kind of man Jehovah could use.

Comment 4: Jehovah did not set Moses aside because of his hasty action. He allowed him to spend years in Midian, a period that would help prepare him for the work he would later carry out.

Comment 5: We also see that Jehovah does not lose sight of his suffering people. Although deliverance did not come when Moses expected it, Jehovah kept the Israelites in mind and would fulfill his purpose at the proper time.

How does this account relate to Jehovah’s purpose and the main theme of the Bible?

Comment 1: Jehovah had allowed Jacob’s family to settle in Egypt, but the Israelites became slaves. Moses’ situation was part of the process that would lead to the deliverance of that people.

Comment 2: Moses wanted to help his brothers, but he learned that deliverance would not be achieved by human initiative or at the time he chose. Jehovah would direct events according to his purpose.

Comment 3: Moses’ preparation shows that Jehovah can equip imperfect people to fulfill an important assignment. First, he had to mold Moses before using him to bring Israel out of Egypt.

Comment 4: The account highlights that Jehovah maintains his relationship with his people even when they suffer oppression. The Israelites were God’s people, and Jehovah would not allow slavery to frustrate his purpose.

Comment 5: It also highlights a theme that runs through the Bible: trusting in Jehovah and putting his will above personal advantages. Moses left an attractive life in Egypt because he wanted to be on the side of God’s people.

When Moses is resurrected, what would I like to ask him about the early stages of his life?

Comment 1: I might ask him what he remembered of the teaching he received from Amram and Jochebed. It would be very encouraging to know how they kept Jehovah’s ways in such an important place in his heart.

Comment 2: Perhaps I would ask him what it was like to live at the Egyptian court while still feeling like a brother to the oppressed Hebrews. His answer could help us value loyalty to Jehovah in difficult environments.

Comment 3: I could also ask him what he learned during his long journey and his first experiences as an alien resident in Midian. The account simply says that he left much behind without knowing what awaited him.

Comment 4: It would be interesting to ask him when he clearly understood that he had gotten ahead of Jehovah’s timetable. That experience can teach us much about patience, humility, and confidence in divine direction.

Comment 5: Perhaps I would ask him how he managed to improve after such a serious mistake. His life demonstrates that Jehovah can continue using anyone who accepts his discipline and allows himself to be prepared to serve Him.