June 10 SOAP Devotional

June 10, 2009
Read Exodus 1
To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=2&chapter=1&version=31

Scripture- Exodus 1:15-17- The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.

Observations- The book of Exodus is written from the perspective that the reader is already familiar with the book of Genesis. An important trend is continued from Genesis to Exodus regarding how God is portrayed. Genesis begins with God as the central participant in the story; a change occurs through out the book as God gradually retreats from the center of the stage and adopts the role of an off-stage director. This is most evident when Joseph takes the stage. He doesn’t have a direct encounter with God, like his ancestors did, but God controls his destiny as well as that of his wider family without revealing Himself directly. This chapter conveys the impression that God no longer reveals Himself in person. God offers His providential care, as shown in the story of the two midwives and the remarkable increase of the Israelites. These two midwives risk their lives by directly disobeying the king’s orders. Their fear of God was greater than their fear of the king and any consequences that might come from disobeying him (the king).

Application- There are times in our lives when we are faced with difficult choices. We know that to do what is before us will compromise our faithfulness to God. These situations are never easy. Like these two midwives, there are often people who have authority over us that do not share our faith commitment. They often don’t think twice before giving us orders to do things that are outside of God’s ethical and/or moral standards. While our lives might not be in danger if we disobey, our livelihood might be. We have to remember that no matter who may or may not see us, God sees everything and is a rewarder of those who choose to do right, even if it comes at great personal cost. This doesn’t mean that we have to be obnoxious about it, but our quiet, faithful obedience to God’s will is a witness to others. Many times there are people watching us just to see if we will live like we say we believe. What will they see in us?

God Is With You!
Pastor Matt