Mysty Pfeffer
My small ladies group is beginning the study of “Exodus: God of Deliverance” by Jen Wilkin. It is a solid study, and if you want to participate, you can. There is an affordable deal by Lifeway to purchase a book and video rental for only $24.99—considering the cost of studies these days, you can’t beat that offer!
Jen’s method of study is straightforward and comprehensive too. I like that “God of Deliverance” focuses on the attributes of God and how I can draw closer to Him through his word.
Exodus 1-2:10 is our passage to read and study this week.
As the first week of our Exodus study, “God of Deliverance” begins, we see the names of the twelve tribes. Jacob’s sons who left Canaan during the famine to live in Goshen. They are shepherds under the rule of their brother Joseph, second only to Pharaoh, in Egypt. However, Joseph’s heroic acts of saving Egypt has long been forgotten, by the new king of Egypt.
An interesting turn of events leads Pharaoh to deal harshly with the Israelites. He is threatened by their large numbers and chooses to work them harshly. The scripture says, “mercilessly”. God sees and he hears their groaning. So, he begins His intervention.
Surprisingly, as Wilkin points out, God’s plan to free Israel begins with five women deliverers. Let that sink in a moment. God’s plan for redemption is seen through the heart of a mother, a sister, an unbelieving King’s daughter, and women who devote their lives to delivering babies.
God’s Plan
Throughout the text we see God is fulfilling the promise of Israel’s fruitfulness as they continue multiplying. Despite their oppression, they keep producing babies. The threat of their numbers and their proximity to the border makes Pharaoh uneasy, so he commands the deaths of all the newborn boys.
The girls are no threat.
Infanticide is a common practice throughout history and continues today. The bottom line behind this evil atrocity is a lack of value for human life.
As Christians, standing for the life of the innocent is something we are all called to do. It is also something Shiphrah, and Puah, the midwives, take seriously before God Almighty.
I am keeping in mind, God’s plan for Israel’s spiritual redemption is greater than their physical redemption at this point, but I still mourn the loss of so many innocent children…then and now.
In reading Exodus 1-2:10 this week we’ll see the repeated language of fruitfulness as spoken in Gen 1:28, 9:1, 17:2, 6, 22:17, 26:4, 28:14, 35:11, 48:4.
As Jen Wilkin always points out in her studies, “What aspect of God’s character has this week’s passage of Exodus shown you more clearly?
Enjoy your 1st week of study time, as God’s word accomplishes its purpose!
