What lessons can we learn from Israel's experience under a new king in Egypt? Verse in Focus: Acts 7:18 “Then another king, who did not know Joseph, arose over Egypt.” Historical Backdrop: From Joseph to Bondage • Joseph’s favor had preserved Egypt (Genesis 41), yet within a few generations collective memory faded (Exodus 1:8). • Israel’s numbers exploded—exactly as God promised Abraham (Genesis 12:2; 15:5). • The new Pharaoh felt threatened, so he enslaved and oppressed God’s people (Exodus 1:11-14). Lesson 1: Earthly Power Is Temporary • One dynasty welcomes Israel; the next enslaves them. Thrones shift, but the LORD “reigns forever” (Psalm 93:1-2). • Daniel 2:21 reminds us that God “removes kings and establishes them.” Trust the unchanging King above every human ruler. Lesson 2: Spiritual Amnesia Breeds Oppression • Pharaoh “did not know Joseph”—he ignored history and God’s providence. • Psalm 105:24-25 shows God’s hand even in this: “He made them stronger than their foes, whose hearts He turned to hate His people.” • Forgetting God’s work often leads cultures to fear and mistreat His people. Stay watchful; keep His deeds in remembrance (Deuteronomy 8:2). Lesson 3: Suffering Does Not Nullify God’s Promises • Israel’s slavery looked like a dead end, yet it fulfilled Genesis 15:13—God had already foretold the trial and the eventual deliverance. • Romans 8:28 stands firm: “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him.” He never loses track of His covenant. Lesson 4: Growth Often Comes Through Pressure • “The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and grew” (Exodus 1:12). • James 1:2-4 echoes the pattern: trials refine faith into maturity. Practical takeaway: seasons of strain can actually advance God’s purposes in us and through us. Lesson 5: God Raises Deliverers in His Timing • Even while Pharaoh tightened his grip, Moses was being born (Acts 7:19-20). • Exodus 3:7 shows God’s perfect timing: “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people.” Expectant patience allows us to wait confidently for the deliverance God is already preparing. Lesson 6: Our Identity Must Stand Firm Regardless of Culture • Israel remained distinct: they kept their language, traditions, and covenant sign of circumcision. • Believers today are called “a chosen people, a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). • Galatians 3:29 connects us to the same promise. Cultural pressure never negates spiritual identity. Putting It Together in Personal Application • Remember God’s past faithfulness; rehearse it often. • Anchor your hope in God’s unchanging sovereignty rather than shifting political climates. • View hardships as arenas for growth, not signs of abandonment (1 Peter 1:6-7). • Wait expectantly—God is always at work behind the scenes, raising up rescuers and accomplishing His redemptive plan. |
    |