Exodus 1:8 – 2:10
Romans 12:1-8
“Faithful Resistance”
I’ve found it quite interesting to reflect on the stories from the Book of Genesis this summer. We’ve read about Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar; and about Isaac and Ishmael. We have followed Isaac’s line, meeting Rebecca and their children Jacob and Esau. Jacob married Leah and worked for many years to marry Rachel as well. Altogether, they had 12 sons, including Joseph who was Abraham’s favourite, but hated by his brothers.
Last Sunday, we heard the story in which Joseph, now in a powerful position in Egypt, receives his family during a terrible famine and helps them, leading to the whole family’s move to Egypt.
As the Book of Exodus begins, the deaths of Joseph and his brothers are noted, but of course their descendants continue to live among the Egyptians. Verse 7 describes their presence this way: “The Israelites were fruitful and prolific; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.”
So when a new king rises over Egypt who has no memory of Joseph or respect for him and his family, the situation of the Israelites begins to change. Over the course of likely 3 or 4 hundred years, the … Read more »