Ex. 1-3
One thing that stands out to me in these chapters is the courage of the Hebrew midwives. Technically, they lied to Pharaoh, but it says that “God dealt well” with them because of what they did. Notice that the ninth commandment does not say “Thou shall not lie”, but, rather, “Thou shall not bear false witness.” Again, I am not talking about situational ethics here, but I am talking about motives and attitudes. This goes along with what Jesus reprimanded the religious leaders for – they focused on the letter of the law (even using it to their own advantage) rather than on the command of God (love God, love others). In any case, I pray I would have the courage of the Hebrew midwives to do what is right before God even when it is risky or difficult.
Another thing I like here is Exodus 2:25 – “God saw the people of Israel – and God knew.” Other translations say “had respect”, “had compassion”, “took notice”, or, from The Message, “understood.” God doesn’t just see our problems and circumstances – God knows them; He understands our needs. Jesus, in His short life, suffered everything we suffer and more – He knows. I think we all find comfort in knowing that somebody else has been where we are and truly understands what we are going through because they, too, have faced it (hence, the success of programs such as AA). How awesome is it that no matter what we are facing, we can find that somebody in God.
Matt. 24:1-28
“And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matt 24:12-13) Courage. Trust. Faith. We will need them all. But that comment about the love of many growing cold makes me think of the current situation in our world. It is so easy to look around and see what is going on and to fall into anger, bitterness, and…hate. It is a good thing to hate evil, no? But this clearly warns that we should not let lawlessness freeze our love. I could think a good, long while about that, because that is hard and in some ways complex. What does it really mean for our love to grow cold? Love for whom or of what? I’m not at all sure that this is just referring to losing faith in God because of all that is going on – I very much think it is much more than that. Faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love – Jesus did not say faith grows cold. Perhaps this is why we are told to guard both our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.