A daily, 32-day Lenten Devotional Series by Rev. Dave Brown
The extended family totaled 70 people when they arrived. After that generation died, we are told “the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly. They multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.”
As the generations passed, the growth in the population of Israelites concerned Pharaoh. “Behold the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. Come, let us deal shrewdly with them lest they multiply and if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from our land.”
The Egyptians’ shrewd dealings came in the form of slavery under taskmasters set over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. Store cities were built by these oppressed people. Perhaps the great pyramids themselves were the work of the Israelite slaves. The harsh treatment was intended to decimate the numbers of Israelites, but it did not succeed. Thus, harsher measures were put in place including male infanticide.
At some point the question would certainly rise to the surface: How did we get here? This would be followed by its constructive corollary: How do we get out? The answer to the first question was embarrassing to say the least. They were there because at the core of the family of origin was a sinful set of brothers who took advantage of Joseph. They were following the selfishness of their father Jacob, who had tricked his brother out of birthright and blessing in an earlier generation.
The only positive concerning their arrival in Egypt was the presence of Joseph, a brother who matured through the ups and downs of life in Egypt. By the time the 11 brothers arrived, Joseph’s attitude reflected his relationship with God. When they sought to manipulate Joseph one more time, Joseph said: “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Gen. 50:19-20)
400 years later the people of Israel left Egypt to cross the wilderness on a journey to the promised land. The Book of Numbers lists over 600,000 people in its census. They all got out and began the journey across the wilderness. How did they get out? That’s the great story before us in the book of Exodus.
Reflections: Before leaving this story, perhaps you will find it helpful to ask yourself these two questions:
How did we get here? and,
How do we get out?
These questions will force you to search through your own life and your family of origin for clues to your present dilemma. They might help you consider the promises of God, for evidences of his willingness to extend grace to you.