Exodus 1 - Oppression and God's Hand

As we get updated on the story of Joseph and his family we see that the Israelites are becoming the great nation that God foretold, however a king has come to power who did not know about how Joseph saved the Egyptians from extinction. In his ignorance he treats the Israelites as threats to his rule and sets about enslaving them before they overcome him. 

God was even in the midst of oppression blessing his people with fruitfulness.  Look at verse 12.  Even though labor was hard, they still were multiplying- the one thing that the king feared the most. At that point the oppression became ruthless. 

There is no evidence that the Jews were in any way hostile toward the people, but remember from our study in Joseph's time there was innate animosity toward the Hebrew people. I am sure this reality fed the kings next move... Kill the baby boys. 

The midwives tasked with this duty were god fearing women and did not comply with the law of the land. They lied to the king and escaped punishment because God was with them and blessed them. Additionally God gave them children of their own.  Pharaoh had to take the command to the people to kill every baby boy. There was no escaping the terror and oppression these people faced. 

We live in a time in history where terrorist threats are present where because of our God there are elements that would see us perish. Even in times such as these God sees the oppression of his people and is not distant. 

In the financial realm there are circumstances that may come to us that are not a result of anything we have done. We may have an employer who is threatened or bitter and causes misery in the workplace. We may have our lives turned upside down due to some change that has come about unexpectedly. 

I think of my own sister who was involved in an auto accident and had her back broken. Her life was changed in an instant and the rest of her life has been dominated by this event that now renders her in frequent pain and has impacted her ability to be gainfully employed. She may not have been able to foresee her condition but God in his wisdom can use every situation to bring himself glory. 

I also think of a friend of mine who is confined to his bed unable to even sit on his own. Though weak and frail he looks to God for his relief. His dear wife labors night and day providing for his care isolated from her daily routines. In this, God strengthens her daily and encourages her heart to hang in there just one more day. In this God gets the glory. 

Our times of oppression though perhaps not a result of our poor planning (sometimes they are) are opportunities for us to look godward and increase our faith and dependence on our maker. There are some situations that all our might cannot change,but it is precisely those situations where God shines most brightly. Our responsibility is to faithfully obey God and not let this time be our excuse for unbelief or for sinning against God. 

It may be the enemy at work in the oppression but if you are a child of God there is one thing you can take to the bank is that God will get the glory for the deliverance. If you are in a place of oppression today, don't give into depression but look to our deliverer to move on our behalf to rescue us. 

This time of oppression may be the greatest opportunity of your lifetime to demonstrate the difference your faith makes to unbelievers. Put on the full armor of God, strengthen your faith- not in yourself but in the one who created this entire world. No issue is too large for the Master. Place yourself in His hands and see Him at work in your life!  

Take courage dear Christian your deliverance is nearer today than ever before. May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.