B. During the days of Adversity Exodus 1:8-14, haraoh was afraid the
Israelites were becoming so numerous that they would organize and threaten
his kingdom, so he made them slaves and oppressed them to kill their spirit
and stop their growth. Slavery was an ancient practice used by almost all
nations to employ conquered people, Although Israel was not conquered nation, but the people were foreigners and thus
lacked the rights of native Egyptians.
There were levels of slavery in Egypt. Some slaves worked long hours in mud
pits while others were skilled carpenters, craftsmen. Regardless of their
skill or level, all slaves were watched closely by ruthless slave in masters,
supervisors whose assignment was to keep the slaves working as fast as
possible. There were specialists at making a slave’s life miserable.
The Egyptians tried to wear down the
Hebrew people by forcing them into slavery and mistreating them. Instead,
the Hebrews multiplied and grew stronger. When we are burdened or
mistreated, we may feel defeated.
But our burdens can make us stronger and develop qualities in us
that will prepare us for the future. We cannot be over-comers without
troubles to overcome. Be true to God in the hard times because even the
worst situations can make us better people.
Over the
centuries God’s people often testify to the truth of this paradox: the
more adversity, the more blessing. V.12 - the more they were
oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread. Paul knew that “in
all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). It is God’s way with His people.
C. During the days of More Adversity Exodus 1:15-22: God’s blessing upon Israel, the king of Egypt came up with another
plan. He ordered Hebrew midwives to kill male babies as they were
delivered. In a patriarchal society family lineage continued through sons.
So the elimination of males would surely stunt Israelite population growth
and thus the blessing of God.
God-fearing midwives, however, undermined the
king’s plan. They “did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do”
because God’s approval was more important to them than his (v. 17). They
knew that the God of Israel loved children, because
they were signs of His blessing. Since the dawn of creation God had
commanded humans to, “Be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28).
As a reward
for honoring God’s values, the midwives received God’s blessing. “He gave
them families of their own” (v. 21). In addition, God continued to bless
the community of Israel “and the people
increased and became even more numerous” (v. 20). Once again, as wickedness
pressed in, God’s blessing broke out.
POINT: A popular hymn entitled “Count Your
Blessings” challenges God’s people to recount their blessings even in
life’s most difficult times. When we do, the song says we will be surprised
at what God has done. When we pause to take notice, we will see that God has
been blessing our lives, in the bad times as well as the good. The great
heart of God always seems to find a way to bless those He loves.
Think about those who
might be considered oppressed. In what ways can
God work through your life to be a blessing to them?
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B. 當不幸之時期:出埃及記1:8-14
以色列人口眾多,法老甚怕萬一他們組織起來威脅他的國,故強破以色列人作奴隸,多方壓迫,阻止以色列人口增長。古代,各國使用奴隸,來對待被征服的民族,以色列人雖然不是被征服的民族,卻是外族人,享受不到埃及公民的各種權力。
埃及有多種奴隸,有些在泥坑中長時間工作、有些精於技藝的便做木工、雕刻。不管他們屬哪一類的奴工,監督很嚴厲,催促以色列人盡快完工。督工們慣於折磨奴隸。
埃及人強迫以色列人作奴隸,虐待以色列人,想使其喪志,人丁減少,可是恰恰相反,以色列人口激增,並且強大起來。我們受到重壓苦待時,也可能覺得很喪心,但是重擔使我們更堅強,產生力量,使我們能面對未來。沒有苦難來磨鍊,就不能真正成為得勝者。身處艱難困苦中,我們對上帝仍要忠心,因為既使是最悲慘的處境,上帝也能朔造我們,成全我們。
幾百年來 上帝的子民經常見證這個似非而是的真實議論:愈受苦難、愈受祝福。如上述 “只是越發苦害他們、他們越發多起來、越發蔓延.” (v. 12). 保羅也說過,“我們曉得萬事都互相效力、叫愛 神的人得益處.. (羅馬書 8:28),那是上帝與祂的百姓之關係方式。
C. 當更不幸之時期:出1:15-22 以色列蒙受上帝的祝福,但埃及王出一個主意,命令希伯來的兩個收生婆 臨盆時、就把男嬰殺掉。在早期的社會家庭繼續傳承是男孩,所以限制男性的出生、就阻礙以色列人口增加,但還是成長是上帝的祝福。
17節說,“但是收生婆敬畏 神、不照埃及王的吩咐行、竟存留男孩的性命。”因為上帝的旨意本是 重於王的吩咐。她們知道以色列人的神愛小孩,因他們滿受祝福的。神賜福他們、對他們說、“要生養眾多、遍滿地面..” (創世記 1:28) 。
收生婆因為敬畏 神、 神便祝福她們叫他們成立家室(21節)。除此之外,上帝繼續祝福以色列,以色列人多起來、極其強盛(20節)。再叮嚀,邪惡的心進來,上帝的祝福就出去。
重點: 一則普遍的讚美詩說,“數算你的幸福 (或祝福)“。這支歌勉勵上帝的子民重算在最困難中上帝的祝福。當我們重算,如歌中所說的你將驚喜上帝的作為。當我們寫下來記錄,您將會看到上帝祝福我們的生活和生存無論是好景或逆境。上帝的心總是用祂的愛來祝福我們的。
想一想那些也許被壓迫的人! 用何方式使上帝透過您的生活行態使其得福呢?
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