February 17

February 17.

Moses & his Childhood -- The faith of Moses' parents & Moses flees Egypt.

Today's Readings:

Reading 1: Exodus 2

Reading 2: Acts 7:17-29

Reading 3: Hebrews 11:23-26

The exiled Israelites have become a nation enslaved by fear and earthly power, but God is preparing a plan for His covenant to be fulfilled. That plan starts small (we have seen, and will continue to see, that God's biggest plans have the smallest beginnings). A baby in a basket in the River Nile becomes a prince in Egypt and learns all their ways and customs. What faith Moses' parents displayed to trust God with their son, and it was that faith that opened the door to God's plan.

As we read the rest of the chapter, and the explanations in Acts 7 and Hebrews 11, we see how faith continues to be the thread in this story, just as it was for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. That's because this story is part of God's One Story - to form a people of faith who will be His in eternity.

Early in Moses' story, we see a young man who thinks he can demonstrate God's priorities in his own strength and with his own wisdom (that is also a pattern that is becoming familiar in the stories we have read). But God takes him into a desert place where his priorities and his faith can be formed and refocused. And while that is happening, the suffering of the Hebrews increases, preparing them for what God is about to do.

In our lives we often see such a cycle: immaturity leads to hardship and suffering, which helps us to learn and grow closer to God, whose plan is served by the lessons we learn. And in the end, God's plan wins, whatever the ungodly circumstances around it!

Have a great day!

Mark.