READING: Exodus 1:1–2:25, 1 Chronicles 6:1-3a, Exodus 3:1–4:17
Human beings apart from a relationship with God who is love can be incredibly evil—sometimes more than we could easily consider. The new king of Egypt who “knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done” (Exo 1:8) certainly exhibited that tendency. Out of fear of the God-blessed, growing Hebrew population, he led the Egyptians first to enslave the people. God, though, increased the people anyway. Next, the king ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill any baby boys born to Hebrew women. The Hebrew midwives, however, feared God more than the king—and they allowed the Hebrew boys to live. The Israelites continued to grow in number. Then, the king ordered all the people to toss all the Hebrew boys into the Nile River. Of course, Moses’ mother protected him, and Pharaoh’s daughter found him in the reeds and drew him from the water.
God was working His plan—but that fact does not diminish the evil of the king. Fearing the growth of the Hebrews and wanting to protect his power and economy, the king progressively became even more evil, eventually involving all the people in destruction of the baby boys. God, though, would guard the survival of His people simply because He is a promise-keeping, covenant-faithful God. I thank God that He still is.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you ever struggle trusting the promises of God?
TODAY’S PRAYER: “Lord, I praise You for watching over Your people and accomplishing Your plan even in the midst of evil.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Exodus 4:18-7:13
