Genesis 45:25-28 ESV
Genesis 37:33 (Jacob was led to believe his son Joseph was killed by wild animals)
Genesis 41:41-44 (Joseph rises to power in Egypt)
Exodus 12:40-41 (Children of Israel in Egypt)
Exodus 2:2-10 (Baby Moses placed in a basket and raised in Pharaoh’s court)
Exodus 2:11 to 3:15 (God calls Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt)
Deuteronomy 1:21 ESV
I Kings 19:11-13 (Still small voice of God)
It’s remarkable to me that numerous times in scripture the people of God left their homeland and traveled to a distant place that they knew nothing about. They couldn’t review the land using their cellular phone. They couldn’t even call ahead to see where they could stay along the way. Their journey would have required great faith.
Each time, they didn’t know exactly where they were going, but God knew. God went ahead of them and had a plan.
When Jacob packed up to move to Egypt he went because God told him to pack up and go.
In Genesis 45:25-28 we are told, “So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. And they told him, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Jacob was an old man and he was living in Canaan. He thought his beloved son Joseph had been killed by wild animals (Genesis 37:33). Because there was a great famine in the land of Canaan, Jacob sent his sons there for food and provisions. Much to their surprise their brother Joseph had risen to the office of Governor of Egypt (Genesis 41:41-44). When Jacob was told that his son Joseph was alive and living in Egypt where there was food, he left Canaan to go to live in Egypt.
The children of Israel remain in Egypt for 430 years (Exodus 12:40-41). They had become slaves to the Egyptians and God raised up one of their own to lead them out of Egyptian bondage. Moses was raised in Pharaoh’s household after he was found in a basket as a baby (Exodus 2:2-10). God called Moses to lead the people out of Egypt to a land filled with milk and honey (Exodus 2:11 to Exodus 3:15).
This is what Moses told the people in Deuteronomy 1:21, “See, the Lord your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
Leading the children out of Egypt was not a job Moses wanted.
As we read the story of Israel leaving Canaan was not what they chose. They left their homeland because of a famine. They went to Egypt because God led them to Egypt.
They stayed in Egypt for as long as God wanted them there. When it was time for them to leave Egypt to go to a new land, God raised up Moses to lead them out of Egypt.
So you might ask why waiting for God’s leading was vitally important to the children of Israel?
It’s because God had a plan…call it a long term plan for Israel. God knew exactly what they needed and what they would need in the future. God can see ahead…
Waiting for God to reveal the plan is vitally important even to us today.
I’ve witnessed that in my own life many times. When I was younger I was more inclined to make up my own plan. While I did pray, if some time lapsed I would start filling in the gaps myself. I don’t know that I thought that God forgot, but when I would get impatient and tired of waiting I started taking charge.
But here’s the thing…God let me take charge. God didn’t intervene. I do believe that God protected me from harm, but looking back now I think even though God knew there was a better way I was able to move forward with my made up plan.
In my case God led me with dreams, visions, and words sent at the right time. The problem my younger self had was that I didn’t want to wait to see how it played out. I thought God needed my help.
In time I learned to wait and listen for the still small voice of God (I Kings 19:11-13). That kind of listening required patience and silence. Learning to listen took time and faith. I waited and believed God would speak. God did and does speak.
Waiting for Israel when they were in Egypt was difficult as well. The children of Israel were being beaten and persecuted in Egypt and they prayed. Israel waited on God. While they were praying and waiting they didn’t know that the man who would lead them was already in Egypt. Moses was born of the Tribe of Levi (Exodus 6:25-27) but he was raised as a son in Pharaoh’s Palace. The answer the children of Israel waited and prayed for was living in Egypt right ‘under their nose.’
God had a plan. God took care of every detail.
When the time was right, Moses stepped up and led them out of Egypt. When the time was right…it all became clear.
It’s no different for you as you pray and wait. In God’s time it will all be clear.
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Wait and Pray
Whatever you face, Know God has a plan. For now…wait and pray.
In God, Deborah
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