Prepare: Lord, help me 'listen' to You as I come to Your Word.
Read: Exodus 1:1-22
Today is a special day for people in Chennai and the surrounding areas. After celebrating Pongal, a few days ago (Makar Sankranthi), they throng picninc spots and places of interest to spend this day with their families and friends. Everywhere there is a sense of joy and belonging.
Today's passage tells us how methodically this family bond was put under great strain among the Hebrews. In many of the Asian countries, female foeti are terminated within the mother's wombs and the practice of frmale infanticide is rampant. The book of Exodus begins with a similar sad story, where male children of the Hebrews were forced to be put to death to wipe off their race.
What do we learn from a passage like this?
1) The dark side of human nature: Prejudice leads to fear, fear to hatred, hatred to cruelty, cruelty of prejudice. The cycle goes on and on. Pharaoh devised a cunning and cruel plan to subdue the Hebrews as slaves.
2) The saving grace of God: Man proposes but God disposes. He did so in Egypt to save the male infants of the Hebrews. His grace is still at work today.
3) The courage of the God-fearing: Just two women who enjoyed no power and authority; but they feared God and were courageous to work along with Him.
God is looking for such people who are willing to work along with Him to do wonders. Are we such people?
Respond: Help me to stand for Your cause O Lord, that I may always love people as You love them.
Read: Exodus 1:1-22
Today is a special day for people in Chennai and the surrounding areas. After celebrating Pongal, a few days ago (Makar Sankranthi), they throng picninc spots and places of interest to spend this day with their families and friends. Everywhere there is a sense of joy and belonging.
Today's passage tells us how methodically this family bond was put under great strain among the Hebrews. In many of the Asian countries, female foeti are terminated within the mother's wombs and the practice of frmale infanticide is rampant. The book of Exodus begins with a similar sad story, where male children of the Hebrews were forced to be put to death to wipe off their race.
What do we learn from a passage like this?
1) The dark side of human nature: Prejudice leads to fear, fear to hatred, hatred to cruelty, cruelty of prejudice. The cycle goes on and on. Pharaoh devised a cunning and cruel plan to subdue the Hebrews as slaves.
2) The saving grace of God: Man proposes but God disposes. He did so in Egypt to save the male infants of the Hebrews. His grace is still at work today.
3) The courage of the God-fearing: Just two women who enjoyed no power and authority; but they feared God and were courageous to work along with Him.
God is looking for such people who are willing to work along with Him to do wonders. Are we such people?
Respond: Help me to stand for Your cause O Lord, that I may always love people as You love them.
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