Exodus 1 – Exodus 3

“Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.”
Exodus 1:8

We end the story of Joseph . . . to begin the story of Moses. Unlike Genesis, where we hear story after story, spanning from one generation to another, the story of Moses stretches out over the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Now we are in this for the long haul! So stick with me!!

Sometimes Moses’ story will move quickly, as we see in the first three chapters. Sometimes, it will seem to drag on, as we will see in the forty years in the wilderness. Yet, the entire story tells of how the people of Ancient Israel became a strong and mighty nation as they will eventually inherit the Promised Land.

For now, we begin with a baby, born in the midst of tense political times, when Pharaoh had ordered all of the male Hebrew infants killed or tossed into the river. If you paid close attention, Moses’ mother, followed the rules that Pharaoh had enacted, she just happen to place little baby Moses in basket as she tossed him in. Smart woman! Then to do so, when she knew he would be recovered, adopted, and that her services would be needed to tend to the child. Now she was being paid by Pharaoh’s daughter, to raise her own child. Very smart woman!

That wisdom, and mental security, wasn’t all passed on to Moses, at least not in these first few chapters. He kills someone. He runs way. He questions God’s identity, and as we move into tomorrow’s reading, doubts the authority that God has given him. What a leader! At lease that brings hope to me, if God can use Moses, despite his flaws, than God can keep using me.

On to tomorrow’s reading, Exodus 4 – 6.

Peace,
Pastor Bailey