Mysty PfefferA Prince Becomes a Fugitive
The passage of scripture for this week’s study is Exodus 2:11-3:22.
I pray our hearts and minds are open to what God wants to show us this week as He establishes a leader for Israel. To begin with, we see an adopted son show a particular affiliation with the people of his birth. Although Moses grew up in the house of Pharaoh, he knows he’s a Hebrew.
He comes to the defense of a Hebrew slave being beaten by an Egyptian. However, his efforts are rejected, and he flees the country. The corresponding next we read alongside Exodus this week is Stephan’s account of Moses’ history in Acts 7:17-36. Please take a moment to relish the extra details he offers.
Meanwhile, Moses camps out by a well in a land far away and meets his future wife, Zipporah. We learn from Acts that he is around 40 when he arrives, and he stays there to shepherd Jethro’s flocks for around forty years. The text says,
After a long time, the king of Egypt died, and the Israelites groaned because of their difficult labor, and they cried out; and their cry for help ascended to God because of their difficult labor.
A Covenant Perfected
The God of Deliverance heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Wilkin has us look up definitions throughout her studies. I love to do this because it takes me down a delightful rabbit trail and into a deeper understanding of God and His word!
So, according to ancient Hebrew sources, the covenant was an agreement that worked like a Suzerain/Vassal treaty. The lesser/weaker vassal pledges fidelity to the more powerful Suzerain. The vassal shows his loyalty through giving part of his crops and lending his services, while the Suzerain offers his protection. The ancient Hebrews established this covenant with the sacrifice of animals and dividing them into halves. The two parties walked together between the divided animals to seal the treaty. If the parties failed in their part of the agreement, the understanding was, what was done to the animals would happen to them.
Now, take another rabbit trail with me to Genesis chapter 15. Please read the entire chapter—-I promise it will be worth your time! God, Himself, makes the covenant with Abram! But, in this covenant, Abram is asleep; only God, in the form of the smoking fire pot and flaming torch, appears between the divided animals. Therefore, the price of not meeting the demands of the covenant fall on God. The beauty of a better covenant is fulfilled when the Word became flesh and dwelt among men in the form of Jesus!
The Promise is for Us Too!
Yes, my sweet friend, God hears, he remembers, and he has delivered a way. Not only for oppressed Israel but for you and me. We have no way of meeting the requirements of righteousness in our flesh. However, all we must do is place our faith in Jesus, and his righteous blood covers us. He walked through that covenant long ago as Abram slept. He also perfected it years later when he took the wrath of God upon himself for all eternity. Praise and glory to God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I pray you have a wonderful week studying our Mighty God of Deliverance! Please don’t forget, it is in your workbook and personal time with God that you grow spiritually. Look for the link in Week 1 to get your book, written by Jen Wilkin and offered through Lifeway. God bless you!
You can find more encouragement for your week with Bold Faith!
