Exodus 1:6 Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died….
I’m feeling a bit unmoored this morning. I assume it has to do with the time of year, my mental and physical exhaustion, and the fact that my nine week journey through Genesis has come to an end. I imagine the Israelites were feeling a bit unmoored themselves. Joseph and his whole generation had died. The pharaoh who thought so highly of Joseph was no longer in power. The new pharaoh was not kind to the Israelites.
Exodus 1:7 …but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.
So what can we learn from this first chapter of Exodus? Perhaps perseverance, the importance of keeping on, of staying focused, even when times are tough. Perhaps about the sovereignty of God, even when circumstances are difficult. Perhaps about the fact that God can, will, and does use those who will stand up to authority and do what is right in God’s eyes.
Exodus 1:8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.
Lord, Thank You for this day, this scripture, this reminder that You are at work, even if we feel unmoored. Thank You for the reminder of the importance of perseverance and focus, of standing up for what is right, even if it is not popular. Draw us closer. Give us strength. Help us to fix our eyes on You. Amen.
Exodus 1:17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.