Christ Had to Die – Part 18

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Approximately 430 years pass between the close of Genesis and the opening of the book of Exodus. The chosen family has grown from 70 to now in the millions, and all this through God’s protection in the land of Goshen. They were shepherds, and because the Egyptians disliked shepherds they were able to incubate under the protection of Pharaoh–for a time. And so, the canvas of the biblical storyline begins to reveal a splendid display of color through a wicked and merciless oppression. The people of God–the Israelites–now find themselves in a place of oppression. Whereas the former Pharaoh protected them and allowed them to flourish, a new Pharaoh rose to power who did not appreciate this people group’s expansion. In fact, his wicked rule went so far as to infanticide. Check this out:


“Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “Every son who is born you are to cast into the Nile, and every daughter you are to keep alive.”
Exodus 1:22


Incredible. A systemic cleansing of a people group through the elimination of the little boys. The issue with this approach goes well beyond its unthinkable and heartless manner, but to the very heart of God. There is absolutely nothing that Pharaoh could have done to prevent the promise of God from coming to pass. In fact, the midwives who were delivering the Israelite babies disobeyed this edict handed down by Pharaoh, and they did it out of their fear (reverential awe)…


“…the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty.”
Exodus 1:17,20


 God’s protection for His people despite their circumstances continued through midwives all the way to an unassuming Levite family. A little boy was placed in the Nile River, but this time within a tiny wicker basket. He was sent down the river under the watchful eye of his big sister until he reached the intended destination–the daughter of Pharaoh’s bathing area. To their delight Pharaoh’s daughter plucked him from the water, and…


“…she saw the child, and behold, the boy was crying. And she had pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women that she may nurse the child for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go ahead.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him.”
Exodus 2:6-9


The plan of redemption begins. God’s redeemer of His people will serve as a type of what Christ will ultimately fulfill. It’s important at this point to draw some general observations as to the outworking of God’s provision after 4 centuries of a promise made…

  1. The chosen people–Israelites–substantially grew from 70 to over 2 million under the protection of God. Their occupation was despised by their protectors, and so they incubated unharmed in the land of Goshen.
  2. A new Pharaoh arose who didn’t appreciate the Israelite growth, and therefore instituted a systemic infanticide cleansing–death by drowning of all newborn males in the Nile river.
  3. The midwives feared God and disobeyed the edict of infanticide.
  4. An unassuming family sends their 3 month old boy into the river, but within a flotation device hoping against hope that the women in Pharaoh’s court will rescue him from the water.
  5. The very daughter of Pharaoh picks him up embraces him as her own.
  6. The child is given the name Moses, and his mother is called in to be his nurse while he grows up in the very house of Pharaoh.

Application question: Can God use seemingly unthinkably difficult situations to bring about His purposes? For many of this question is hard to answer, especially when you’re in the middle of some pretty hard stuff.

What if? But, what if we took heart in the fact that God broke down the dividing wall, and now through your faith in the person and work of Christ you are embraced as one of His sons or daughters? What if everyday you reminded yourself of the fact that God will make good on His promise to you for good. While that doesn’t mean comfortable or easy, it still means good.

God, give us the grace to remember this promise. Amen.

— October 28, 2016