ESOCS Devotional 22 May 2022
TEXT: EXODUS 1:1-22
MEMORY VERSE: “The midwives, however feared God and did not what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.” Exodus 1:17 NIV.
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
The story of Joseph in Egypt is very familiar to us. This is especially as it concerns his upright conduct in the house of Potiphar (Gen. 39). Even in prison, he was of great service to fellow in-mates (Gen. 40). Eventually, following the extension of his dream interpretation services to Pharaoh, he was raised to the height of political influence and reputation. This did not only favour his immediate family, but the entire Hebrew people in Egypt.
But when the Pharaoh that did not know Joseph emerged, the story changed. The Hebrew people became objects of hateand persecution, to outright slavery (Ex. 1:8-14). As a matter of fact, when evil men seek to raise their wicked plots against the innocent, they will invent slanderous accusations against their targets of attack. Israel was innocent; butbecause Pharaoh felt threatened by their rapid population growth, he came up with all sorts of wicked measures againstthem. This includes the killing of every male child delivered by the Hebrew women.
But the Egyptian midwives feared God, and would not consent to Pharaoh’s wicked instructions. Apart from the proposed killing of every male child, all sorts of measures were also put in place to reduce the Israelites to nothing. Yes!The condition of Egypt’s wickedness should normally hinder the Hebrew people. But the more cruelty by Egypt, the more Israel grew and developed. Little wonder Psalms 34:19 states that though the afflictions of the righteous may be many, the Lord delivers them from all. This is because God has no pleasure in wickedness, nor does He condone evil in any form (Psalms 5:4).
The midwives who honoured God were richly blessed. But the rest of Egypt were severely punished. Certainly, evilshall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate (Psalms 34:21).
- When the wicked rises against you in innocence, do you take up your arms, or lift it up in prayers for God’sintervention?
- O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongs, show your power. Rescue me from the hands of the wicked.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 26:3-19; Ephesians 1:15-23; 4:17-32
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ESOCS Devotional 22 May 2022
