January 30 - Exodus 1-3: Moses is Chosen to Lead the Israelites Out of Bondage

Today’s Reading: Exodus 1-3

The Message

English Standard Version

Today starts Exodus, the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt to prepare for their entry into Canaan. Almost all of it will be easy to read. The last few chapters will be harder to get through. But as always, I will be leading us through with thoughts on how each day's reading contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

Four hundred years later there was a xenophobic Pharaoh. He put the Israelites into bondage. They still prospered. So the king tried male infanticide. God blessed the midwives because they would not kill.
Pharaoh's daughter found a baby in the Nile. She named him "Pulled-Out" (Moses). Raised (secretly) by his Hebrew mother in Pharaoh's house, Moses identified with the Israelites. At forty, he killed an Egyptian beating an Israelite. Scared, he fled to the wilderness of Midian.
The Israelites groaned for God to relieve their suffering. So God called Moses to say that "I-AM-WHO-I-AM" wanted His people out of Egypt.

Thought to Guide Your Reading

God chose Moses to lead the people long before he called Moses to lead the people.

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

The Egyptians remembered Joseph for 400 years.

As the final footnote to Genesis, Exodus reminds us how Joseph saved the nation of Egypt. The people remembered him (and his God) for 400 years. It took that long for them to wonder why these Israelites were in their nation. When we unswervingly obey God, people will remember us for generations.

God blessed the midwives for deceiving Pharaoh and not killing the Israelites.

God blessed them with houses and families—even though they lied to the king. However, they were not rewarded because they deceived the king. They were rewarded because they protected innocent life. Deception is only acceptable when it promotes God's interest, not your own.

Moses was born to be the leader of the Exodus.

There is no luck in Moses leading the people out of Egypt. He was special from birth. He was raised as an Israelite in the highest house of Egypt during a time the king wanted all Israelite males killed at birth. He was willing to protect God's people. He fled his country when his own people rejected him. He protected innocent women from bullies. He never forgot his God, no matter where he went. Moses was chosen by God long before he was called by God.

God heard the cry of His people and saved them.

God wanted to help the people escape their captivity because he loved them and heard their cry. Jews continue to use this reason for honoring and serving God today. When we call out to God to relieve our suffering, God will respond.

God reminded the people that he was the God of the Promise.

This God was the God of their common ancestors, Abraham, his son Isaac, and the namesake of the nation Jacob/Israel. What is significant about this is that they are the ones who received the promise from God. So God is reminding the people that they are being saved by the same God who promised them a nation, land, and prophesied that they would become a blessing to the nations. What God do you serve?

The Egyptians would give the Israelites gold, silver, jewelry, and extra clothes.

This would serve as both punishment for enslaving the Israelites and how Israel would finance the years in the wilderness. Even though God uses bad situations for His good, the ones doing evil will still be punished. Even God's punishments help others.

What did you see reading this passage? Questions? Comments? Leave a comment in the section below or on the Sonoma Mountain Parkway Church of Christ Facebook page.

If you missed a reading or want to go to a specific date, type the link as follows: http://grahambates.blogspot.com/2013/mm/dd.html That will take you to the reading for that day. Enjoy!