October 1, 2020

The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham.  From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt.  After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance.  God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance. 

Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.

Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.

Exodus 1

Israel Increases Greatly in Egypt

1 These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. 5 All the descendants of Jacob were seventy persons; Joseph was already in Egypt. 6 Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation. 7 But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.

Pharaoh Oppresses Israel

8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel. 13 So they ruthlessly made the people of Israel work as slaves 14 and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves.

15 Then the king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other Puah, 16 “When you serve as midwife to the Hebrew women and see them on the birthstool, if it is a son, you shall kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but let the male children live. 18 So the king of Egypt called the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this, and let the male children live?” 19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not like the Egyptian women, for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife comes to them.” 20 So God dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families. 22 Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.”

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Reflection:

  • What do verses 1-7 say to us about small beginnings?
  • What does verse 8 have to say about relying too heavily on past spiritual victories?
  • How do we see God’s presence and work even during suffering and persecution?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to trust and believe you even when difficulties arise in my life.  Even when I don’t understand, help me to have faith that you are at work.  Don’t allow me to be content with past spiritual successes. Every day is a new day with you Lord! In Jesus’ name, amen.

9 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-October 1st”

  1. Father,

    Thank you for the Holy Spirit that lives inside me. As I walk this side of glory, what fruit of the spirit will I share today?

    Father, in Galatians 5:22-23 you list nine fruits. Help me to focus on all: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

    Father, help me to choose one of the fruits to give to all I interact with this day. Which one will each need? Help me, Father, to share your love with everyone. Help me to share the joy I have found in serving you. May others see your peace and patience shining in my life. Help me to be kind to all.

    Help me Father to understand your goodness. May I be faithful to you.

    Father, you have been so gentle with me, thank you. Shine your gentleness through me so others can see you.

    As I work, interact with others, as I drive, when I shop, Father, in all that I do may I focus on self-control and to remember to share the fruit of you spirit with your creation today.

    Bowed in reverence, in the name of Jesus Chris, do I lift this prayer.

    Amen

  2. I appreciate Pastor Scott Riling writing such a thought-provoking and heart-stirring devotional this morning to help us encounter God’s Word and to position us for a day of joining God in His activity!

    Thank You, Heavenly Father, for being our Deliverer and our Sustainer! We love You, Lord! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

  3. Pharaoh’s decree to kill all male Israelite babies is shocking and horrifying to think about.

    It’s heartbreaking to see such low regard for human life, and to know that still in our land we “cast to the Nile” millions of babies a year in the form of abortion. It is a sin problem that has existed since the fall of man. The only solution is righteousness.

    1. AMEN and HALLELUJAH!!!! Stephen thank you for your words on the problem our future children have when they are aborted and not given the chance to live or be adopted. Amen

    2. Steven thank you for writing about abortion. In the Bible history of Israel God judged nations very harhly for offering their first born in idol worship.
      I will let you decide if we are being judged by God for millions of babies aborted.

  5. “But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them (v. 7).”

    What a great reminder that God’s blessing is fruitfulness, increase, multiplication, growth, strength and filling the land. God loves us so much, that he wants more of us to love, for us to love him in return and love each other. God doesn’t want to destroy us, he wants to build us up! Unfortunately though, we destroy ourselves and each other. As a father I completely understand this. I want nothing less than the best for and from my kids. I may get angry, set consequences and even punish them, but I will never stop being their father, or stop loving them.

    It’s interesting to consider, that Israel’s hard work as slaves did not weaken, but strengthened them instead. This hard work strengthened them physically, and probably emotionally and spiritually too. Having to depend on God to provide because they had nothing else but the physical labor demanded upon them.

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