Monday 8 July 2024
Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. (v. 8)
Background
We start this week looking at Exodus chapter 1. Here we see a new king with new ideas coming to power in Egypt. We are reminded that Joseph, all his brothers, and all that generation have died and yet the Israelites who came into Egypt have been fruitful, multiplying greatly. The land was now filled with them. Over 400 years there has been phenomenal growth. What started with a father and 12 sons, and then 70 relatives, now counted over 2 million men, women and children. The Pharaoh decided that something must be done. He feared the Israelites were a threat, for if war were to break out, they might fight against the Egyptians. Pharaoh decided to force them into slavery; to build such cities as the Pharaoh required in the hope that their energy and any resistance would literally be beaten out of them.
We sometimes don't see change coming. We think things will be as they always were and perhaps, for the Israelites, they expected their relationship with the Egyptians to continue to be one that was fruitful for them. Yet when change comes, it can turn our world upside down. The things we rely on, the people we thought we knew, can change in a heartbeat. Division can rise from fear and while we hope to return to the better days now gone, we are often faced with the difficulty of a new reality.
The fundamental truth that comes from the book of Exodus is that God is a redeemer, that God loves to rescue God's people from trouble and relieve their distress.
To Ponder:
- Are you in distress? Are you in trouble? Do you feel the burden of life? Do you feel that things are on top of you?
Prayer
As we put our faith in God, we pray that despite all that is happening around us we will find that God redeems. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Mark Carrick
Mark is a presbyter in the Derbyshire North East Circuit, and is currently the minister of Central, Barlborough and Clowne churches. His passion is for ministry within the community and growing disciples within the Church. Mark has now served four years in the Methodist Church and is preparing to become Superintendent in 2025.