S132P1 – Patterns in Exodus: a jealous world
Exo. 1:8-10
Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.”
It had been at least a generation since Joseph had gained favored in the eyes of an Egyptian king and risen in that world. His favor was evident, and his family also enjoyed the fruits of that favor. The picture was rosey for Israel, and the nation grew in number and power in Egypt. Then, a new ruler who had no connection to Joseph, and who clearly had no affinity for the Israelites, decided that their favor was too great. Those people were more numerous than his. They also had more strength in their numbers. The only difference was that Israel was not in power in that land, and the king wanted to keep it that way. It would not be the last time that others would be provoked to jealousy by God’s favor over his chosen people.
Wars happen for all kinds of reasons. Ultimately, whatever the impetus for strife, it all boils down to power and control. That is certainly the case particularly when we are discussing the institution of slavery. Egypt noticed that Israel was growing in strength and numbers, but it was not. We know that the reason for their prosperity was the blessing of God. Those in power in Egypt could have pursued the reason behind that favor. They could have been provoked to curiosity instead of jealousy. They could have inquired into the source of Israel’s blessing. Instead, they chose to try and stop it through force. In the process, Egypt would heap on itself anything but a blessing.
This is a tactic of spiritual warfare that God’s people will face, and we see the pattern in the Old Testament over the generations. When the Lord shows favor on a person or group, those who work against the work of God might try to swoop in and quash that favor. God makes them fruitful, but their enemies want to keep their numbers low. God gives them power, but their enemies want to weaken them. Eventually, the will of God wins out. We need to rest on that hope, because our enemies will try to rob us of the Lord’s blessings as well. Father, prepare us to defend our favor and blessings from those who try to take them from us, to trust that your will will prevail.