January 22 – 28, 2017

This week’s reading marks the end of an important era in Bible history as both Joseph and Jacob pass away. However, before his death, Jacob blesses his sons, and  in this blessing we glimpse the role Judah’s lineage will play in God’s plan:

You are a lion’s club, O Judah;
you return from the prey, my son.
Like a lion he crousches and lies down,
like a lioness-who dares to rouse him?
The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs
and the obedience of the nations is his.
Genesis 48:1-7 (NIV)

As the nation of Israel grows among the Egyptians, their sheer numbers become a threat to the new Pharaoh. In response, he forces them into slavery, and initiates a systematic killing of Hebrew baby boys as they are born.

It is in this context that we are introduced to Moses, who will eventually lead Israel out of bondage, a shadow (precursor) of the role that Jesus will play in leading His people out of sin.

Consider the events of Moses’ early life: Rescued from the Nile river by Pharaoh’s daughter, as a young man he is guilty of killing an Egyptian and then covering up his misdeed. Discovered, he flees Egypt, marries the daughter of a priest, and works as a shepherd near Horeb (the mountain of God). Then, Moses meets God in a burning bush (that is not consumed by fire), and it is there that he becomes aware of God’s plan for his life – to rescue God’s people from the oppression of Pharaoh.

Though Moses will look for excuses to resist God’s plan, he will mature into a forceful and courageous leader, and eventually lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt. It is in this story, however, that we are made fully aware of the inherent weakness that exists in people.

As witnesses of the power and authority of God (the ten plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, the miraculous provision of food and water), one would think that the faith of Israel would be rock-solid and unwavering. Instead, we see the Israelites falter, complain, and shrink in fear at every turn. Their lack of faith appears almost incomprehensible, but the story of the Exodus is a story that prefigures every Christian’s walk out of sin and the enormous difficulties we face in placing our faith in God.

As we consider our own faith and response to God’s calling, how often – in the very presence of God through His spirit – do we find ourselves falling short, as did the Israelites? Despite the powerful presence of God leading them to a land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and despite His provision for their needs, the Israelites complained and rebelled over and over.

Sound familiar?

Perhaps the most notable reading this week is the story of the Passover feast, implemented by God as a reminder of His power in rescuing Israel from the oppression of a hard-hearted Pharaoh. Ultimately, God punishes Pharaoh with the death of every first born of his nation, but spares each and every household of Israel who sacrifices an unblemished lamb and eats a small meal of unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

These actions will prefigure not only the annual Israelite celebration of the Passover feast, but will eventually find relevance in the sacrifice of Jesus himself and the celebration of the Lord’s Supper by the church established by Jesus.