#131 Tides Exodus 1

Now these are the names of the children of Israel who came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob:

2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah,

3 Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin,

4 Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher.

5 And all the souls who came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls, for Joseph was in Egypt already.

6 And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.

7 And the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.

8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph.

9 And he said unto his people, “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.

10 Come on, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply and it come to pass, when there befalleth any war, that they join also unto our enemies and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.”

11 Therefore they set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.

12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew; and they were grieved because of the children of Israel. Exodus 1:1-12 KJ21

When Jacob passed, his sons feared the wrath of Joseph, but were met with forgiveness. Joseph has now passed, and the Hebrews are multiplying quickly in the land of Egypt. The new Pharaoh did not know Joseph and felt no tie to the children of Israel. Their prosperity is troublesome to him; his thoughts become vain, and he imagines that they intend him harm. The thing Joseph's brothers feared of him for unrighteous deeds, they did not receive. Here, for the "sin" of prosperity, their children will be despised and treated as public enemy #1. How quickly the blessings of God insight violence in the witnesses. Envy is a sad thing, it is so petty that we cannot express honest delight when our neighbor is doing well. When a good man is promoted we try to find every reason to play him down, but when the wicked rise to power, we say, it figures, that doesn't surprise me. Well, Egypt is not the promise land, and it was nice place to visit, but we should keep our hearts towards home. 

14 For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come.15 With Jesus' help, let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of his name. 16 Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God. 17 Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. 18 Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. 19 I especially need your prayers right now so that I can come back to you soon. 20 And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:14-20