Genesis 50 presents the death of Israel and of Joseph. The nation is moving into an era beyond the patriarchs, and just as we see in Joshua/Judges, the next era seems to lack the same passion and leadership as the previous. Yet, at the end of these thing, we see the promise that Egypt is not the Israelites home, for they bury Jacob in Machpelah, and promise to carry Joseph's bones out as well.
Exodus 1 begins to show how the Lord controls the hearts of men. The previous Pharaoh treated Israel with blessing. However, this blessing causes Israel to grow quickly, a threat to the new Pharaoh. Therefore, he looks to enslave them.
Exodus 2 covers about 40 years quite quickly. We see God providing for His children by sparing the life of Moses, but by even allowing him and education of privilege. However, Moses thinks a secret sin will not find him out, but is not even able to hide it for a day. Therefore, he flees. Yet God uses this to bring Moses his wife.
Exodus 3 begins the calling of Moses to return. Moses resists on every front, yet the Lord does not sway. Though He grows angry with Moses, He does not execute judgement upon him.
Exodus 4 continues with more excuses and more resistance. God presents Moses with an answer after answer to his ability to serve. However, He reminds Moses that he is not qualified to go before Pharaoh on account of God without His covenant relationship. Therefore, Moses nearly dies (and his sons) for he has not circumcised them yet. His wife, however, circumcises the boys...as she must have known of God's covenant with Abraham.
Exodus 5 presents the initial resistance to Moses. From the perspective of the Israelites, Moses seems to be only stirring up trouble for them, yet God is setting the table to perform all that He said to Moses that He would give Israel.
Matthew 17 presents Jesus in His glory. However, Peter does not see that a tent for Moses, Elijah and Jesus does not place Jesus in authority as He is due! Therefore, a voice from heaven reminds them that He is the Son of God. He also displays His authority in that He casts out a demon which the disciples could not. Again, drawing them to the issue that faith if critical.
Matthew 18 describes such faith, that it must be a like a child. To truly see Christ in glory means we abandon our attempts to bring glory upon ourself. Jesus then explains to the disciples that such faith must be dependent upon forgiveness and should see fellow men as in need of one another. We will need to hold one another lovingly accountable.
It's amazing to see how God is using the circumstances in Exodus to accomplish His will. He is not just steering the circumstances, but the heart as well. In Matthew 17-18, we see that God is still fulfilling the same function. Bring events to be, but also the response to those events.
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