Journey through Exodus

Journey through Exodus

Mike Newberry

ISBN 979-8-88616-435-0 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88616-436-7 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Mike Newberry

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Table of Contents

About the Author

Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob. (Exodus 1:1)

One book I read talked about how important it was to understand the Bible's many figures, types, and pictures. This first devotional will be focused on the title of the book and its meaning. Exodus means a departure, an exit, a way out, or going out. We are going to apply this word to God's faithfulness in providing a way out.

Why is this important? Why do we need an exodus or a way out? Why? Because we are always rebelling, getting in a mess, getting lost, and all turned around. Man, in his nature, is that of a rebel. God is our Creator; his way is the best way. But man, being a rebel, has gone his own way. If you talked to a shepherd, you would hear him talk of all the times he has had to rescue the sheep from some predicament they had gotten themselves into. Isaiah said it perfectly when he said, All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way (Isaiah 53:6). This writer said this:

God always saves his people. He has always saved them when they were in trouble. Therefore, the implication for us is clear: God will always save and deliver us. God cares and will help us no matter what the circumstances are…

Even if the situation is terrifying and hopeless—even if we are helpless—God will deliver and save us through the circumstances.¹

What is our job? Our job is to see it, to recognize it. We need to see that we're in a mess. We need to see that we need someone to rescue us. Then, secondly, our job is obedience. When we see the predicament we're in, we have to take God's exit. There is only one way out.

The first thing I want us to see is the figures and types of Egypt, and God's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. Egyptian slavery is a picture of our bondage to sin and death. When talking to people, after sharing John 3:16, I'll ask them, why? Why did God send his Son? Why did Jesus leave heaven and come down here? I then take them to Romans 3:23: We all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Then I tell them that at one time we were all in the same sinking ship. That's why God gave his Son. That's why Jesus came. We need a Savior. We needed a way out.

Folks, God is faithful; he always provides a way out. But there's another way God shows his love. Remember, man's a rebel. Rather than man willingly accepting the truth, willingly accepting God's exodus, man continues all his futile efforts to get himself out of his predicament. So, yes, Jesus came to be our Savior. But God knew that man wouldn't immediately accept his way out. Following Jesus's ascension back into heaven, he sent the Holy Spirit. Why? To woo us. To chase us. To keep bringing the Cross back into our awareness. I've heard it said, and I've said it myself: The Holy Spirit will either take you to heaven, or he'll chase you to hell. If you go to hell, you'll have to run over the Cross.

This same writer quoted earlier said this: God will deliver us from the very depths of sin and death, no matter how terrible they may be. But this is not all: God will also deliver us through all the crises and trials of life no matter how painful they may be.² There is a great promise from God, and this promise actually has the word exit in it. I'm talking about 1 Corinthians 10:13: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

You might be thinking, "Brother Mike, I didn't see the word exit anywhere." Take note of the word escape. I've given you a word study, along with your devotional. Do you see it? Do you see the word in the definition? But look even closer at the word. The word is built on two words: the first is the origin, and the second is your foot.

What is the exit? It's the first step in God's direction, and it's all the steps after that. I like to tell people in teaching this that in every one of our trials, there is a door that says, Exit. We can take that door anytime we want. If the trial is getting too much. If you are beginning to feel you can't take much more. I wish I could tell you that door will lead you out of the temptation. If I did, all of you would know I was lying. Escape from the trial is what we want. But that might be the last thing God wants. God may want you to stay in the trial. But he knows that we are but dust; he knows that the way can be too much for us at times. What does he do? He gives us a door. A door we can walk through at any time—day or night and any hour of the day or night. This door will lead you into his presence. The welcome mat is out, and you can stay as long as you need. The more we walk through the door, the more fresh energy and wisdom we get. And with that fresh supply, we find the ability to not give up or give out halfway through the valley, but we walk all the way through it and come out on the other side better.

Finally, we find application to a way out of this life and into heaven. Through Jesus, death is not an enemy to be feared, but death is but a doorway, an exit.

Word Study

Escape

Greek word: ek-basis

This is a dual word. The first part, ek, means origin, the point whence motion or action proceeds. The second part of the word, basis, means to walk, a pace, or the foot.

The word is defined as an exit, an end, and a way to escape.

1. Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob. 2. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3. Issacher, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4. Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 5. And all the souls that 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. (Exodus 1:1–7)

We have heard it said that in the old days, a man's word was his bond and that many a deal was settled on an honest man's handshake. We know that in these modern days, very few are willing to let it all end at a handshake. In these modern days, lawyers, contracts, red tape, paperwork, and the courts are all involved. Why? Many an honest man went broke because of a dishonest man's handshake.

How many are willing to bank on nothing more than a promise made? Maybe if the stakes aren't too high. But the higher the stakes, the more we want to involve lawyers and contracts.

It has been pointed out how the ways of the world and the Christian life are going in opposite directions. There are many reasons for this. But one reason would be our thoughts to this point. The Christian life is believing the promises of another. But it's even more than that; it is banking the highest stakes on nothing more than those promises.

When the Bible began to tell the stories of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, was there a promise that kept being repeated? Abraham and Sarah were childless and old, but God told them that their descendants would outnumber the stars. Isaac and Rebekah had the twins: Esau and Jacob; but they were also told how large their family would be. When we come to Jacob, we can begin to see an increase in family size, but it's still far short of the sands of the seashore. But what do we find in these opening verses of Exodus? And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Sounds like promise made, promise kept.

What does it take to live a faithful Christian life? To move, to live, to decide, to act, to react all based on nothing more than God's promises. This is one place out of so many more where we find God fulfilling exactly what he had promised. Can we read this and believe him? Can we read this and believe the promises he has made to us? What do we find happening here that can help us?

First is to turn enough pages. I have often asked the church, what will the passing of time do? Prove that God kept his promises, and prove the rightness of all those who are believing him. What do we have to do? Keep turning the pages of the calendar. Keep rebuking our own unbelief. Is it not true? All we have to do is turn enough pages in the Bible. The same will be true for you and me. Faith has to keep telling us that weeping will endure for the night and joy will come in the morning. And upon waking upon one of those mornings, faith will be right. Wait on the Lord.

Second is to be willing to begin small. We're told that seventy souls entered Egypt. Later we're told that Israel's fighting men numbered six hundred thousand. This has caused some to guess the population numbered around two million.

Third, remain a separate people. One writer I read talked about why God removed them to Egypt. Upon reading the stories of Genesis, one finds Israel's family getting more and more tied up in the ways of the Canaanites. Israel's family was too small to occupy the whole land of Palestine. God moved them to a place where they could grow into a nation. God chose Egypt because it says that the Egyptians saw the Israelites as an abomination, so there wasn't much of a chance for too much intermingling. Joseph put them in Goshen for this purpose, to keep them separate.

Some people might feel they have a legitimate complaint that God has not kept his promise. What is always the threat to spoil God's plans? Sin! What is always the thing needed to be done to get things back on track? Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing.

God can be nothing but faithful. God's faithfulness will never be the problem. Ours, on the other hand, is always in need of maintenance.

Fourth, trust God's power. God told Abraham, I will bless you, and you will outnumber the stars. And here we are.

I can't tell you how many times I've told people to find a promise from God applicable to their circumstances, stand on that promise, believe it, memorize it, recite it. It's just a matter of time before God has to keep his word.

How comforting is this to the children of God today. Unto us are given exceeding great and precious promises, and these are the promises of him who can not lie. Rest, then, with implicit confidence on the sure Word—forever settled in heaven—of the Lord our God.³

Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. (Exodus 1:8)

We cannot imagine any scenario where our land could forget such people as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or Billy Graham. Their contributions were just too important. How could we come upon such a verse as the one before us?

Without Joseph's wisdom and foresight, think of how many people who could have died and how many entire civilizations that could not have survived. Is there something to be learned here? Is there a warning here of what could happen?

There is a tremendous lesson to be learned in verse eight. I have often wondered why movements today which specialize in reaching children have not used this verse.

It should be used. There is a continual responsibility of teaching the Word of God to each generation. If we neglect to teach the Bible, the time will come when it will be forgotten.⁴

I read a story of a Coca-Cola executive telling someone that a percentage of every bottle sold is spent on advertisements. When the person scoffed, the executive asked when was the last time we saw a can of Arbuckle coffee. The executive said that this company did not see the need to advertise.

I want to point out how our verse speaks well of Joseph and how it speaks not well of Egypt.

How is it that even today, after not hundreds but thousands of years, we know of past rulers in Egypt? Answer: the pyramids. How is it that enough time went by that Joseph could be forgotten? Because there was no pyramid built where his remains were put and his name placed upon it. As Joseph aged, can we imagine how other rulers would have questioned Joseph about the need to begin construction of his pyramid?

Joseph, you're not as young as you used to be. Don't you think you should begin building your pyramid? I've just about got mine built. Do you plan to live forever?

I'm not going to build myself a pyramid.

What! Why not?

I'm not going to be buried in Egypt. I am an Israelite. I believe in Jehovah God, the Creator of everything. My God is not going to leave his people in Egypt. He will come and lead them out, and back to the land of Canaan. I plan on going with them. And there in Canaan, I will be buried.

Doesn't this speak about how Joseph raised his children? We can imagine how Manasseh and Ephraim were raised in privilege, wealth, royalty, and plenty. We can imagine how their extended family all lived in Goshen, but they lived in the capital city.

In today's modern world, it is not uncommon to see a person of high rank and position, upon their retirement, to either choose their replacement or let one of their children inherit the position. Why don't we see this here in Joseph's story? I can see how Joseph again and again drilling into the hearts of his children and grandchildren the importance of the Israelites over the Egyptians. I can imagine how his wishes concerning his bones would have first been communicated to his family along with all the reasons. All of this was so to the point that within a few generations, Joseph's family were completely identified with the Israelites in Goshen. Joseph was forgotten in the capital city because no family was there to herald his story. But he was not forgotten in Goshen, he was not forgotten hundreds of years later in Canaan, he's not forgotten by the church today, and most importantly, he was not forgotten in heaven.

That last thought leads me to this one. Where is it that we want to be remembered? Sad is the person who might be remembered in the annals of world history but before God hears, Depart from me. I don't know you.

The best and the most useful and acceptable services done to men are seldom remembered… Therefore our great care should be to serve God, and please him… If we work for men only, our works, at furthest, will die with us; if for God, they will follow us.⁵

What does this say about Egypt? It shouldn't be a surprise that a godly man was forgotten for in just a few more pages we will hear them say, Who is the Lord, that I should obey him?

If it could be researched of the contributions made by Christians to society's betterment, over those of unbelievers, whose would prove higher? Things really haven't changed all that much. How many good men and women have been, and are being, forgotten? But don't lose heart. Books will one day be opened in heaven, and contributions great and small will be recognized and rewarded. The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. How many that day will be surprised that the Great God witnessed what was to them a small good deed? God, help us to never stop seeking and seizing every opportunity to serve our God and his kingdom.

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, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. 11. Therefore they did 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. 13. And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor: 14. And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigor. (Exodus 1:9–14)

Much of what we read, especially in the Old Testament, are in symbols, pictures, and types. Hebrews 10:1, referring to these pictures and types, says that they were a shadow. Being able to recognize something as a biblical picture or type and then being able to connect the dots and see what real truth it is pointing to is what enables us to arrive at a correct theology.

I want to talk about three things and refer to them as biblical types and then connect the dots and help us see what real truth they are pointing us to.

Egypt. Egypt is a picture of the world. Just as we see people enslaved in Egypt, the world enslaves people to the bondage of sin and death.

Egyptian bondage. This is a picture of being lost in sin.

Pharaoh. Pharaoh is a picture of Satan. Satan seeks to keep men, women, boys, and girls in bondage. One book I was studying made these connections.

Pharaoh was the prince of Egypt; Satan is the prince of this world… Pharaoh oppressed people; Satan oppresses people… Pharaoh held the people of Egypt under his rule; Satan holds the people of the world under his rule… Pharaoh enslaved people to do his will; Satan enslaves people to do his will, that is, to sin.⁶

The first thing I notice as I see these biblical types, and the truth they speak to, is how there was a period of time when Israel felt at ease in Egypt. Satan is a liar, and he is a deceiver. Oh, how he wants people to stay and stay and stay and stay until he has his hooks in them so deep that he has them enslaved. We are told that there are pleasures of sin for a season. How do I combat this and stay free from sin's enslavement? I am to reckon myself to be dead to sin. This is from Romans 6:11. The word reckon sounds like an Oklahoma word. Well, I reckon. When one studies this Bible word, we find its meanings include to take inventory, estimate, conclude, suppose, and think on." When I do this, what conclusions do I come to? Sin cannot satisfy. It promises to, but it can't do what it promises. Only God can truly satisfy. So when sin tempts, I will not be deceived, and I will not believe its lies.

The second thing I note is the taskmasters. Eventually, the life of a sinner is hard. Eventually, the experience of a sinner is no longer fun. Eventually, the taste of sin becomes bitter. I want you to notice several words in the passage and note how it applies to a sinful life. Note the word afflict in verse 11. Can you picture the taskmaster with a whip in hand? Note the word burdens in verse 11. The weight of sin grows heavier and heavier. Note the word grieved in verse 12. Oh, the heartache sin has caused. Oh, the heartbreak sin has caused. Oh, the tears shed as a result of sin's grief. Note the word rigor in verse 13. Listen to what this writer said about this word: Note the word rigor or ruthless. It means a fierce, back-breaking, crushing labor, a labor so harsh it literally breaks the body down.⁷ Oh, the toll sin takes.

I have good news! Heaven's hero came; he came to set us free. He took the burden and grief upon himself. The weight of sin he bore. The punishment for sin he suffered. The price for sin he paid. The important thing to know and believe is that he took it all and he paid it all. When sin was done, he was a bloodied, mangled corpse.

Judgment examined the price paid. Upon thorough examination, judgment declared itself satisfied. With judgment satisfied and justice no longer in the way mercy came a running.⁸

To those suffering under the bondage of sin, hear this good news! You can go free. The Son has set you free, and when the Son sets you free, you are free, indeed.

To all those set free, why don't you sing this great hymn Jesus Paid It All?

Jesus Paid It All

First stanza

I hear the Savior say, Thy strength indeed is small, child of weakness, watch and pray, find in me thine all in all.

Second stanza

Lord, now indeed I find thy power, and thine alone, can change the leper's spots and melt the heart of stone.

Third stanza

For nothing good have I whereby thy grace to claim; I'll wash my garments white in the blood of Calvary's Lamb.

Fourth stanza

And when, before the throne, I stand in him complete, Jesus died my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat.

Chorus

Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe; sin had left a crimson stain, he washed it white as snow.

(Words: Elvina M. Hall)

15. And the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: 16. And he said, When ye do the office of the midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. 17. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. 18. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? 19. And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. 20. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. 21. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. 22. And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive. (Exodus 1:15–22)

I want to preach a series of sermons someday on all the unsung heroes in the Bible. I have pointed out how some characters of the Bible are given pages for their story, while so many others are given mere lines, and then so many more just mere words. We have heard of the major and minor prophets. This division is not over importance or worth, but some are deemed minor due to the brevity of their books. How many people in God's kingdom are unsung heroes? If we begin to mention some names, we would recognize them due to their ministry TV programs or their large churches or their successful ministries or their books. If these more well-known servants of God are truly servants of God, they would quickly admit that the unknown workers and laborers in Christianity are the backbone of God's ongoing work. So to all the unsung heroes, take heart, and don't get weary in your well doing because God sees all. I like to remind myself sometimes that the one who hands out the blessings is watching.

What do we see? Once a group of people turns away from God, it is impossible for there to be an improvement. Now I know some are going to object to that last statement; and they'll point to financial, political, power, and position as proof. Up is a direction that only God can take someone. How does one spot what is truly up and what is truly down? To me, it is seen in our attitude and treatment of the weakest and most vulnerable.

It was strange that they did not rather pick quarrels with the grown men, against whom they might perhaps find some occasion: to be thus bloody towards the infants, whom all must own as innocent, was a sin which they had no cloak for.⁹

What did we see earlier in Exodus 1:9–14? A decision is made showing the loss of respect for human life, the loss of the sanctity of human life. Now what do we see? It's definitely not up! What a slippery slope this is! Once these kinds of decisions are made, oh, how the bottom falls out, and how quickly we plummet to the depths of depravity. It's the taking of life when a baby is killed in the womb. But who would have thought that someone would suggest a baby being completely delivered, now a separate human life breathing on its own, be allowed to be laid on a table and allowed to slowly die? If you don't know what I'm talking about, a politician on the campaign trail once made just such a suggestion. Even though he used words like humane, it did not take away the horror of realizing how far our society has gone down!

Satan is not hard to spot. Second Corinthians 2:11 is a scripture I've come to appreciate. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. Do we not see in this verse an ability that could lead to much victory? If we could walk into a situation and spot him, wouldn't that be helpful? How many people have fallen into Satan's holes and pits because they did not see him and did not see what he was doing? If I could discern events, discern words spoken and acts done, to be either good or evil in nature, wouldn't that lead to better decisions? Most definitely, yes! If I could say, Satan! There you are. I see you. I see what you're up to. I see what you're trying to do. In the name of Jesus, I'm going to resist you. Oh, if only.

How hard is it to see Satan in this decision made by Pharaoh? How hard is it to see Satan in the same decisions being made today? Just think, what would have happened if this had succeeded?

It is not difficult to peer behind the scenes and behold one who was seeking to use Pharaoh as an instrument with which to accomplish his fiendish design.

Surely we can discover here an out-breaking of the Serpent's enmity against the Seed of woman. Suppose this effort had succeeded, what then? Why, the channel through which the promised Redeemer was to come had been destroyed.

If all the male children of the Hebrews were destroyed there had been no David, and if no David, no David's son.¹⁰

Do we not see how Pharaoh's plan was foiled and also how Satan's evil was repulsed? How? Through the faithfulness of unsung heroes. Some commentators said that these two named midwives were actually the Egyptian government's heads over this work. It makes sense. If Israel's population is somewhere around two million, how could two cover it? These two were to take the king's orders and communicate it to all their subordinates. But they refused. Why? Because they feared God. Some have suggested that the answer to the killing of babies is the killing of abortion doctors or the blowing up of abortion clinics. But you'll never become an unsung hero or receive the blessings of the Heavenly Father if that's the route you take. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. If man's laws come in conflict with God's laws, we must obey God.

Who else was an unsung hero? We'll get more into it in the next chapter, but Moses's mother was an unsung hero. She took the principle of obeying God rather than man and made it into action. Isn't this what we do in the living of our Christian lives? When life puts us in certain situations, we take what we believe as Christians, and it becomes the fuel for our decisions and behavior. She said no to Pharaoh's law. She said, Let the chips fall where they may, but I won't kill this boy. Her faithfulness, as we know, is what led Israel out of Egypt.

One writer I was reading finished up this section with these words. The sanctity of life is under lethal attack. As the flood of public opinion swells, the believer must fight with all his might to stay above the evil tide. Will you stand up for life?¹¹

And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses. (Exodus 1:21)

I want to come back to the thought of being an unsung hero. Some might desire recognition; we might feel some jealousy upon realizing how some of God's servants are named and known.

Being a pastor, I am aware of those in the church who have positions, who are more readily seen and heard. We recognize the importance of these positions and the work these people do. But I would believe there is not a leader whom the Holy Spirit is inspiring who would not recognize the greater amount of work done by the so many who are behind the curtains. I want to say something here that I said last time. The unknown workers and laborers in Christianity are the backbone of God's ongoing work. Thank God for all the unsung heroes. Your day of recognition is coming. Your day of shining and being appreciated is coming. This appreciation won't be a pat on the back or a plaque or a certificate. No! It will be the Well done from Jesus himself. I hope I've encouraged the unsung heroes. But let me get to the reason I've come here today.

One of the truths that motivate me to faithful labor is the belief that God will bless faithfulness. Jesus is coming, the Bible says, bringing rewards with him. I hope to receive a crown of reward in heaven. I believe there are blessings we receive on this side for faithfulness. Why serve God? Because no one can do what he can. Because no one can give what he can. I've told the church on many occasions that we can't think of it like we might about so many other things.

If I can't find what I'm looking for at Dollar General, I'll go to Walmart and get it.

There are things that only God can give. Those things that come from his hand only are truly what makes life worthwhile.

Sometimes we might see a poster about a lost item or a lost pet, and on the bottom, it says, Reward. The greater we esteem the reward being offered, the greater will be our effort in finding and returning the lost item or pet. If it says, Reward: $5 gift card to McDonald's. We might blow it off. But if it says, Reward: $500. We might put on our shoes and go out hunting.

What do we find here is the reward from God for the midwives' fear of God? He made them houses. Hopefully we are seeing the value of what God can give. Hopefully we are seeing what God deems a worthy reward.

Are there gifts more valuable than money? We've heard of items valued as priceless. A healthy home. Healthy relationships. Solid marriages. Children who exhibit character, who are learning how to make better and better decisions. I believe these are true treasures. Only a fool would choose something that glitters over this. Only a fool, if given the choice of this or silver and gold, would choose silver and gold.

Maybe someone is thinking, I serve God. I love Jesus. But I still have trouble and turmoil in my home.

A big part of being able to claim what God is giving is being able to follow the biblical guidelines that govern the maintaining of the gift. I found a verse I'd like to share with you. Ecclesiastes 12:11 says, The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. Words of the wise. The real debate is, what is the source of these words? God has given us a Bible, and it is full of wise words about the healthy maintenance of so many subjects—subjects that when we get them right, our quality of life goes up. Look at the progression.

Goads. A goad was a farmer's tool. It was a long piece of wood sharpened to a point at the end. When the ox would rebel against the yoke or would stray to the right or left from the row, the farmer would use the goad to get the ox back in line. If I'm going to the Word studying the guidelines, what do they do when I get them wrong?

We might want to complain that it's all negative, that it's all shame, that it's all condemnation. But I would think that when I'm getting it right, I'm enjoying the fruit.

Nail. When does it stop being a goad? Once I've learned how good it is to get it right, it becomes something stable, like a nail driven into a piece of wood.

Weapon. Go to Judges 3:31. Note what Shamgar did with an ox goad. When the goad becomes a nail, that's when it becomes a weapon.

1. And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5. And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. 6. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children. 7. Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? 8. And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother. 9. And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. 10. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. (Exodus 2:1–10)

How often do we find in the Bible the promise of deliverance but following the promise is the image of a helpless baby? Let me give you a few examples.

Samson. We find Israel suffering under the rule of the Philistines. As God has done numerous times in the book of Judges, he anoints a man or woman to lead his people to victory. Where the story of Samson differs is it begins with a promise to a man and woman that they would have a baby and that baby would grow up to be that deliverer. Do you think the Philistines feared a pregnant woman? No. Do you think they feared a tiny baby? Again, no.

This speaks to us of all the possibilities and potential in every pregnancy. This speaks to us of all the possibilities and potential in every baby. Every mom and dad needs to see the amazing potential in their sons and daughters. Upon seeing the potential, plead with God for the wisdom in raising those precious children so that every ounce of the potential is fully realized. Who would have thought upon seeing Samson as a helpless baby that he would become the strongest man? In our moments of frustration while raising our kids, frustration brought on by their childish ways, may we think of the endless possibilities of their future.

Samuel. We are told that prior to Samuel's arrival, Israel was suffering under the weak leadership of Eli and the sinful leadership of Hophni and Phinehas, Eli's sons. We are told that people grew weary and tired, and how it all affected their enthusiasm for worship. For all the details, I encourage you to read 1 Samuel 2–4. I can imagine how the people prayed to God, complained to God, and cried out to God. What was his answer? A baby.

Jesus. The greatest of all bondage and suffering was and is sin. We would think that such a great and grand deliverer would come with much fanfare. But, no, the Savior came, the one who now sits on heaven's throne; he came as a helpless infant.

We wonder where the greatness of these leaders was planted, watered, nurtured, and encouraged. Of course, we know it's all God's work, it's all God's doing. Every baby has God-given power and potential. And it is the responsibility of all God's creations to seek him upon their arrival at the age of accountability. But, oh, how so many by the vision and faith of parents can have that power and potential hurried along.

Hebrews 11:23 says, By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

The mention of Hebrews 11 will cause us to think of God's Hall of Fame. Here we find before the faith of Moses personally is the faith of his parents. Notice how it's worded. They are honored for their faith because of what they saw. What do we need to see? We need to see the power and potential in every child. Who knows the greatness that lies somewhere inside your son or daughter? What great thing did Moses's mom and dad do to be mentioned in God's Hall of Fame? They conceived, gave birth, loved, prayed for, and raised a child. Who knows what moms and dads won't be honored in God's kingdom because they raised a child?

I know our story talks more about Mom. Stephen, in Acts 7:20, gives mention of Dad. We know God can give birth to greatness in someone no matter the circumstances. If you're a single mom or a single dad, don't cut God short. God can overcome any obstacles. But why make him? How much more greatness can he achieve with less obstacles? Parenting is hard to begin with. Mom and Dad, be a team.

Here's the blessing of having the whole story. What was the undoing of Pharaoh? It was the birth of a baby.

What is the answer to the great needs of the land? What is the answer to the great needs of the church? What is the answer to the great needs of the kingdom? If you want the answer to these questions, go to the living room, where your sons and daughters, your grandsons and granddaughters might be playing; and by faith, see the greatness God has placed within them.

1. And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. 2. And The woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. 3. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink. 4. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. 5. And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it. 6. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children. 7. Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee? 8. And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother. 9. And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it. 10. And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water. (Exodus 2:1–10)

I made a comment in the last Bible study about how Moses's parents made it into God's Hall of Fame. Go back to Hebrews 11:23. Wow! How many times have we thought we have no chance of joining a group like the ones we find in Hebrews 11? What did Moses's mom and dad do to get in? They just raised a child. Hey! We've all got a shot. Doesn't this raise the job of parenting up a notch or two? I want to point out today how to live by faith as moms and dads, and grandmas and grandpas.

The scriptures record that they saw Moses as a goodly or proper child. We know at that time that this did not take place until the child was actually born. Thank God for modern medicine. We can actually see the miracle happening month after month. Even though our verses begin with this sight, I want to begin our journey of faith by pointing out that they defied the king. Pharaoh had given the order for the killing of all male babies, but it says that Moses's parents did not fear the king. Isn't this the first step, in today's world, of a parent's journey of faith? I learned that the words goodly in Exodus and proper in Hebrews can refer to Moses's actual physical appearance, or they can mean that the child was precious in God's sight. Listen to this. After hearing it, isn't this the first thought godly parents have of the child growing in the womb?

When she looked at Moses, God gave her a sense that her child was special. He was a gift, a very special gift from God. His life was important to God; therefore, she had to be courageous and do the righteous thing: she had to save her child's life. God's purpose for the child was far more important than even her love. Thus, she wanted to save the child not only because she loved him, but also because he was a special gift from God.¹²

What is the first step of faith for parents? I stand in defiance of society's opinion. I stand in defiance of the laws of man. I declare every child, no matter the circumstances of their conception, to be the special creations, special gifts from God.

Now comes our actual sight. So many parents have the perspective of seeing the adults that once were babies. We are seeing the contributions to society that they give. We are seeing the next generation. We are seeing the wise choices and decisions that they are making.

But then there are some parents who are just seeing a tiny helpless baby keeping them awake night after night. They are just seeing the toddler now jabbering and walking. They are seeing the grade-school-age child and running here and there to witness their ball games, plays, and recitals. They are seeing the adolescent drive off in the family vehicle for a night of fun with their friends. No matter what stage of parenting we are in, keep letting God bring back to your mind and heart, the gift their life is to you and will be to the world.

What's the next step in the journey of faith? I want us to hone in on the idea that they placed Moses in an ark. Several writers I read pointed out that this is the same word used for Noah's ark. What's the significance?

The Hebrew word used for the small ark-like basket is the same word used for Noah's ark. In fact, these are the only two times that the word is used in the Bible. This fact suggests the following picture