Tag: Egypt

Big

Re: Verse reading—Exodus 1:8-2:10 (day three) 
“The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do.”

The saving of the lives of babies in the midst of a campaign of genocide was dangerous work in the face of the absolute power of the Pharaoh.  But these women came to the task with courage and not a little savvy.  Did they make it up as they went?  They might have felt like it at times.  Here’s what we can know: Given the existence of two powers—God and Pharaoh—one of the powers had to give, and the midwives understood that it wouldn’t be God.  With that large thought firmly in mind, they proceeded to work out what that would mean for how they lived from day to day.  We would do well to think as big.

In Season and Out

Re: Verse reading–Exodus 1:8-22, 2:1-10 (day one) 
“Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt.”—1:8.

When Jacob’s family came to Egypt, they were in an advantageous position.  Joseph (son/brother/uncle to the clan) was in a place of power.  They enjoyed protection and favor.  200 years later, the situation rapidly changed.  With the rise of a new dynasty in Egypt, the Israelites fell from favor.  American Christians may feel a similar shift in play.  A few years ago, our faith was appreciated/protected, even by those who disagreed.  Today the winds of suspicion and criticism have blown in with chilling effect.  But God is not hindered.  Despite Egyptian opposition, He patiently and powerfully accomplishes His purposes.  Protects His people, plans the way forward, asks for their trust.  “Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season.”–2 Timothy 4:2.  Times change.  God doesn’t.  When it is popular, and when it isn’t, He calls us to trust  and obey Him.

The Gospel Message

RE Verse reading–Ezekiel 10:18-19, 11:22-23; 40:1-2; 43:1-9  (day four) 
At least two things permeate this passage…the glory of God and His promise of hope.  Ezekiel’s visions are of the indescribable majesty and glory of the Lord.  Israel’s disobedience has separated them from God’s glory.  It was Ezekiel’s job to deliver God’s message to His people.  If Israel would put away their harlotry and repent of their iniquities, God would dwell among them forever.  This was 25 years into their captivity of 70 years…it was the beginning of Passover.  Passover was a celebration of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt.  Here He was promising to do it again.  All Israel had to do was repent and turn from their disobedience and God would live among them forever.  Forgiveness from sin, eternal life…what a promise.  Don’t you wish we could have a promise like that?

Unanswered prayer

Re: Verse reading–Ezekiel 20:1-32 (day one) 
“Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them. . .’I will not let you inquire of me.’ ” (v 3)  In the seventh year of their exile, a strange and sad moment comes for the leaders of Judah in Babylon.  After much adversity they are ready for spiritual help, only to find that God is unwilling to communicate with them.  So long as the idols of Egypt are still secretly in their homes (see v 7), and so long as they remain resistant to the faithful participation in the covenant sign of Sabbath, He will be fiercely silent.  Most of forget that repentance from sin is part of the faith equation.  “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,  and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”  (Isaiah 59:2)  Why should God face us until we are willing to face ourselves and our sin?

All the saints

“Be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints”.  (Ephesians 6:18)  Let’s do something together this morning.  Knowing that real prayer is never self-centered, let’s pray for the people of Egypt, specifically our brothers and sisters in Christ. ( There are many).  What do they need today?  Ask God to supply bread, water, jobs.  “Give us.”  Who do they hate/resent?  Ask God to forgive them and teach them to forgive so that they can be instruments of His peace. “Forgive us.” What do they fear?  Ask God to lead them and deliver them. “Lead us.” If Jesus has commissioned us to “go into all the world”,  part of our obedience is to pray for the people in it.  Somewhere in Egypt there is a teenage boy/girl whose future and outlook is being shaped by the events of the past few weeks.  Will you pray for him/her this morning?  Will you pray for Egyptian families and pastors and churches?  They are part of us.

Strong shoulders

Christians are optimistic people.  When we pray, “Thy kingdom come”, we are imagining (just as Jesus did)  a time in the not-so-distant future when the government of the world will be Christ. ( A kingdom is a very effective, efficient style of government when the king is good and wise.  The ancients knew this. ) It is always a shock, to those of us who love democracy, to realize that it is only a temporary fix– a necessary safeguard for now, but not eternal.  Isaiah said “The government will be upon His shoulder”. (Isaiah 9:6)  HE will bring protection and freedom, law and order.   The upheaval in Egypt the past 3 weeks is a reminder of the longing of the human heart for good government. It is also a reminder of our sad history finding it.  I wonder whether you really believe the kingdom will come?  I wonder if it fills you with hope?