Bible in 365 Days

Exodus 1-3

Exodus 1

The first word of Exodus, "Now," might with equal accuracy be rendered "And." Either word serves to suggest continuity. The story of Genesis is taken up in Exodus. It begins by recording the prolific and rapid growth of the sons of Jacob in Egypt. They "were fruitful . . . increased abundantly . . . multiplied . . . waxed exceeding mighty . . . the land was filled with them." The progress of God is seen. After the fathers, the children, and the program of God is carried forward. Jacob and his sons lived in their children. Their faults were perpetuated through long generations. It is equally true that the underlying principle of faith continued, and though failure often occurred, seeming to overwhelm faith, the vital principle was never lost.

In the account of the enslavement and oppression of these people, human and divine elements are equally apparent. The policy of the new Pharaoh was politically selfish. He attempted to stay the growth and break the power of the people. How little he understood the infinite Force against which he was setting himself. All the sufferings endured by these people gained for them that strength which even today makes them a people who cannot be destroyed. Luxury ever tends to weakness in national life, while suffering stiffens and strengthens the national character.

Exodus 2

Here begins the story of Moses. When Pharaoh was beginning to take active steps to oppress the people, God brought to birth the man who was to break Egypt's power. A mother's love is seen scheming for the life of her child. The New Testament tells us that what she did, she did by faith. Was anything more unimportant, judged by all human standards, than the startled cry of a baby? Yet that cry opened the gate of a woman's heart and admitted to the center of Egyptian life the coming deliverer.

Between verses ten and eleven about forty years elapsed. During this period Moses had become learned in all the learning of the Egyptians. At man's estate the forces and fires of his own people flamed in him and the passion to deliver them was born in his heart. This passion was right, but the action was premature. Disappointed, he cut his connection with the court and fled to the wilderness in a mixture of fear and faith. The fear was incidental and transient. The faith was fundamental and abiding.

Again forty years passed. The hour of crisis arrived. The king of Egypt died. In time, despots always do. The children of Israel sighed and cried. Their cry went up into the ears of God. Note the phrases, "And God heard...

...and God remembered...and God saw...and God took knowledge." These statements do not reveal any awakening or change in the attitude of God. They simply declare what had been perpetually true. Children of faith in every hour of darkness may comfort themselves by knowing that God is not unmindful and that He never forgets His covenant.

Exodus 3

At last the actual call of God came to Moses. It found him fulfilling a daily duty, keeping the sheep of his father-in-law. There can be no doubt that in the silent solitudes of the wilderness he had meditated on the condition of his people. Forty years, however, changes any man. The fiery impetuosity which characterized him at forty had matured into self-restraint and meekness at eighty.

In the mysterious fire manifestation God said to His servant certain things which lie at the foundation of all that is to follow. "I have seen...I have heard...I know...I am come...I will send thee." Small wonder that Moses answered, "Who am I?" Does it seem strange that when God had spoken of Himself Moses should be conscious of himself? It is not strange. The light of the divine glory ever reveals man to himself. Hence the cry, 'Who am I?" The answer was immediate and full of grace, "Certainly I will be with thee."

The second difficulty immediately presented itself to Moses. He thought of the people to whom he was being sent and inquired, 'Whom shall I say has sent me?'' In order to act with authority, he was conscious that he himself must know God better. The answer was threefold: first, for himself, "I AM THAT I AM"; second, for Israel, "the God of your fathers"; finally, for Pharaoh, "Jehovah, the God of the Hebrews." To Moses' commission for leadership there was a direct communication of His secret. To the people a Name was given that reminded them of a covenant which could not be broken. Pharaoh could know God only through the chosen people. Thus the difficulties of Moses were recognized but set in the light of a great divine revelation.