READING: Genesis 49-50, Matthew 15:29-16:12
It’s hard for me to fathom how much the world has changed in just my lifetime. Particularly, I think about the change of political leaders around the world. Vietnam, China, and the Soviet bloc come to mind. The changes have often been dramatic, sometimes freeing people a bit and sometimes deepening bondages. Dictators come and go. Cries for democracy ring loud, though they don’t always lead to such change. In more orderly societies, leaders change with the normal order of elections and corresponding transfers of power. Change, it seems, is part of the political world.
Change took place in Egypt, too, in the ancient world. Pharoah had been supportive of Joseph and his family. He had given them land and blessings, and they flourished under his rule. Then, “A new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt” (Exo. 1:8). With the change of power came dramatic changes for the Hebrews. No longer were they favored; indeed, they became slaves whose lives were “bitter with difficult labor in brick and mortar and in all kinds of fieldwork” (Exod. 1:14). Change brought anguish to their world.
At the same time, though, their God had not changed. He still had a plan, and that plan included raising up a leader who would eventually lead His people out of bondage. God gave Moses life, protected him from Pharoah’s evil edict to kill all male babies, and orchestrated events so he would be raised by Pharoah’s daughter. All the changes in Egypt could not get in the way of the plans of an unchanging God.
No matter what changes around us, God is still in control. Disciples live out this truth by reading God’s Word and trusting Him even when change brings pain.
Prayer: “God, I want to trust You even when changes make life more difficult. Help me.”
Tomorrow’s reading: Exodus 5-7, Matthew 17:14-18:9