Contemplative Bible Reading

Exodus 1:8-10 (New Living Translation)

8 Eventually, a new king came to power in Egypt who knew nothing about Joseph or what he had done. 9 He said to his people, “Look, the people of Israel now outnumber us and are stronger than we are. 10 We must make a plan to keep them from growing even more. If we don’t, and if war breaks out, they will join our enemies and fight against us. Then they will escape from the country.”

While the Israelites lived in Egypt (led there by Joseph), they prospered. God blessed them, they were fruitful, they multiplied.

Generations pass, and a new king rules Egypt. He has a “problem.” There are multitudes of Hebrews living in Egypt. These Hebrews continue to multiply. Simple demographics warn him of a future of an Egypt populated and controlled by Hebrews.

There are several dangers. One of the more difficult to notice is the last sentence in the verses above, “Then they will escape from the country.” The Hebrews will leave Egypt.

Problem solved, right? Wrong.

The new king recognized the value that the Hebrews brought Egypt. They were healthy, and they created wealth. The people of God brought God’s blessings into Egypt.

If the people of God left, what would be left? The king recognized that the absence of God was not good for him and his kingdom.

Erase God from our current land and culture? Think about it a while before acting.