The Sovereign Hand of the Lord
Exodus 2:3-4: "The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank."
In Exodus 1, Pharaoh commanded the midwives to kill all the Hebrew male babies. When that did not work, he commanded "all his people" to cast the male babies into the Nile. The hardness of Pharaoh's heart was evidenced in these extreme measures.
It was into this world that Moses was born. God made it clear that he was set apart; he was special. In God's sovereignty, not only would the life of Moses be spared, but Moses would be raised in Pharaoh's home. What incredible irony can be seen here. Moses, the one who would be used by the Lord to set his people free, was saved from death and given protection in Pharaoh's palace. In this palace, Moses would be raised with the best Egypt could give - the best education, training, and opportunities.
In a time of great oppression, God made a way for Moses. Not only did he make a way, but he displayed his authority over Pharaoh. Pharaoh became an instrument in God's hand to protect, raise, and train the one who would lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt.
In his sovereignty, the Lord can use evil rulers in the world to work out his plans and purposes. There is none above him! While the nation of Israel saw oppression, pain, and abuse, God saw Moses and the plan for Israel's salvation. Their time of bondage would soon come to an end, and judgement would come upon Pharaoh and his armies.
Reflection:
Do you see the sovereign hand and work of the Lord, even in your greatest pain and affliction? Do you believe that he is working all things according to his plan and purpose?
In Exodus 1, Pharaoh commanded the midwives to kill all the Hebrew male babies. When that did not work, he commanded "all his people" to cast the male babies into the Nile. The hardness of Pharaoh's heart was evidenced in these extreme measures.
It was into this world that Moses was born. God made it clear that he was set apart; he was special. In God's sovereignty, not only would the life of Moses be spared, but Moses would be raised in Pharaoh's home. What incredible irony can be seen here. Moses, the one who would be used by the Lord to set his people free, was saved from death and given protection in Pharaoh's palace. In this palace, Moses would be raised with the best Egypt could give - the best education, training, and opportunities.
In a time of great oppression, God made a way for Moses. Not only did he make a way, but he displayed his authority over Pharaoh. Pharaoh became an instrument in God's hand to protect, raise, and train the one who would lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt.
In his sovereignty, the Lord can use evil rulers in the world to work out his plans and purposes. There is none above him! While the nation of Israel saw oppression, pain, and abuse, God saw Moses and the plan for Israel's salvation. Their time of bondage would soon come to an end, and judgement would come upon Pharaoh and his armies.
Reflection:
Do you see the sovereign hand and work of the Lord, even in your greatest pain and affliction? Do you believe that he is working all things according to his plan and purpose?
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