Exiting Egypt Chapter One Part 5

Exiting Egypt: Chapter One –

A People Who Refused to Die

By Dennis Lee Part 5 of 5

Exodus 1:1-22

The last word that helps to put us in the story is the word Commitment

In his desire to deplete and discourage the Jews, the king instructed the midwives to kill all the baby boys as they were delivered from the womb.

As we look at these midwives, the question that the text reveals was if they were Hebrews or Egyptians. The Hebrew literally reads, “to the midwives, the Hebrews” However, others read it as being “to the midwives of the Hebrews.” Further, the names also appear to be not only Hebrew but also a variation of Egyptian names.

But in truth neither really matters. What we find is that whether they were Hebrews or Egyptians, they feared God. What they made is a commitment to life and to follow the Lord rather than following man. Look at what the Bible says about this type of commitment, and whom we should really fear.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Mt. 10:28 NKJV)

The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me? (Heb. 13:6 NKJV)

These midwives fear the Lord, more than they feared this king, and as a result of their commitment, God blessed them; He gave to them their own families. What the midwives learned is an important lesson for us as well, and that is those who put their trust in God and make that ultimate commitment can depend upon the power of God to see them through. And so the last lesson of this chapter is that Commitment Leads To Blessings

When we make that commitment to fully follow after God and to follow His ways for our lives then God will give to us the power to see us through. He gave that power to the midwives who stood up to the power of the King knowing that the power of God is greater.

Further, did the midwives lie? I’m not so sure. Did they lie or merely state what happens when they are not there. They more than likely simply commented on what was true without giving all the details.

But I really don’t want to leave us with just these four words, as powerful as they are in our lives. There is a phrase that caught my attention, and which prompted the title of this evening’s message, “A People Who Refused to Die,” which is found in verses 6-7. It begins with the statement that Joseph died, as did all of his brothers as well as that entire generation that came into Egypt, but their children were fruitful and multiplied.

The picture is of life and death, or in this instance, death and life. No one lives forever, but God’s promises outlive our lives and God blessings transfer even to the next generation. God’s blessings and covenant didn’t stop with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God’s promise outlived them to their future generations even to our own day.

Still we have this quandary. Death waits us all. And so, with this understanding of death’s inevitability, it should spur us toward a greater understanding of not only whom we are but also what we need to be about. And so, with this in mind, let me give all of us a spiritual exercise as to what we can do that has great potential to help change our lives. And that is to find some quite time every day and ask yourself,

• What have I done during the past month that will make a difference in my life or the life of someone else?

• If I die tonight, what would those who know me remember the most about me?

• If I know I was going to die by the end of the week, what would I want to do for the next seven days?

Now, this is not to make us preoccupied with death, that is somewhat morbid, but it is to take death seriously, which is a mark of wisdom.

What this does is make the life we live a choice for the Lord or for the world. Life is precious, so what we do between living today and dying tomorrow is the question.

The Hebrew midwives give to us our greatest example. The king commanded them to kill all baby boys as they were birthed. The midwives faithfulness to God gave them the strength to refuse. Now, they had no guarantee of the outcome, they could have lost their lives, but they acted out of their commitment to God and by faith believed, and that belief and faith were rewarded.

The Jews through their faith in the Living God and in His covenant made with their father, Abraham, gave them the confidence and certainty to face death, refusing to just roll over and die.

And so, are we such a people?

Are we a people who just roll over and die when times get hard and difficult?

Or will we choose to make a difference and live for the Lord?

When we make that kind of commitment, I believe that God will reward our faithfulness for living for Him in this world that is not our own.