Highlights In Today's Reading:
Moses was the distinguished lawgiver and a type of Christ. Both were endangered in infancy. Both were deliverers and mediators.
After the death of Joseph, the once-privileged Israelites were reduced to bitter slavery. The severity of their oppression became obvious when Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every (Israelite) son that is born ye shall cast into the river (1:22). It may have appeared that God had forsaken His people. But, centuries earlier, God had foretold their slavery to Abraham, saying: Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And . . . afterward shall they come out with great substance (Gen. 15:13-14).
This promise of deliverance began to be fulfilled when Amram's wife . . . Jochebed, the daughter of Levi (Num. 26:59) bare a son. . . . And when she could not longer hide him (from Pharaoh's death decree), she took for him an ark . . . and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink (Ex. 2:2-3).
This is an example of how a mother's faith saved the child who was to become the great lawgiver.
Through the miracles God said He would perform through Moses (4:30), the people were convinced that God would use him to lead them to the promised land.
No change had yet actually taken place in their condition. They had only been assured by Moses and Aaron that God had not forgotten them during their four hundred years. Although their suffering was still just as intense, they bowed their heads and worshipped (4:31). To the unbelieving heart this worship would seem presumptuous, for the words were spoken by Aaron after centuries of slavery in Egypt.
Some Christians are unwilling to worship God because they assume God has forgotten them in their trial and left them in misery. When we are suffering hardships, we should not lose sight of the God of Abraham and Moses. When impossible situations develop, trust Him to fulfill His promises.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Rom. 8:35-39).
Thought for Today:
When situations seem hopeless, it is more than comforting to remember that our God cares about us and knows how to deliver us (II Pet. 2:9).
Christ Revealed:
As the I AM THAT I AM who commissioned Moses (Ex. 3:13-14; compare Heb. 13:8). Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily (Truly, truly), I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am (John 8:58).
Word Studies:
2:3 flags =reeds; 2:18 Reuel =Jethro; 2:23 bondage =severe oppression; 2:25 had respect unto =was concerned about; 3:18 hearken =believe and obey; 3:22 spoil =take the best of their valuables; 4:10 slow tongue =not qualified; 4:16 to thee instead of a mouth =your spokesman.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka Broadcasts for the week sponsored by Jim & Jocelyn Madden • Staff: Tammy Davis • Government Officials: Rep. Elijah Cummings (MD), Rep. Kay Granger (TX), Rep. Michael Michaud (ME), Gov. Martin O'Malley (MD), and Rep. Charlie Wilson (OH) • Country: United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, & Wales) (59.4 million) off the coast of western Europe • Major languages: English and Welsh • Religious freedom • 55% Anglican; 16% Catholic; 6% Other Protestant; 2% Muslim; .9% Sikh; .8% Hindu; .6% Jewish; .2% Buddhist;10.5% Other; 5% Unaffiliated • Prayer Suggestion: Pray and rejoice in the Lord for all His spiritual blessings (Is. 61:10).
Optional Reading: Matthew 18
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 4:17