Discover biblical wisdom on standing firm in faith, showing compassion to the vulnerable, and living as people of life in a world that often chooses death. This timeless message from Exodus speaks directly to our modern struggles and reminds us that God's plan for life always prevails against the forces of destruction.
The first chapters of Exodus masterfully employ language from Genesis to portray God as the living God, creator and sustainer of life. The very first word in Exodus in Hebrew is "and," demonstrating a continuation from Genesis.
In Exodus 1:5, we see the first connection with the phrase "all the descendants of Jacob were 70 persons." The Hebrew word used here is "nephesh" (souls) - the same word used to describe the living beings God created in Genesis. These people are God's own creation, fashioned by the life-giver.
Creation Language
The people of Israel were "fruitful," "increased," "multiplied," and "filled the land" - language lifted directly from Genesis 1:21 and 1:28.
Snake in the Garden
Just as the serpent was cunning in Genesis, Pharaoh "deals shrewdly" with God's people, mirroring the snake's deception.
Continuing Creation
Despite the fall, God's command to be fruitful and multiply did not change - we were designed to be people of abundant life.
Pharaoh: The Snake in Egypt's Garden
Just as things were looking good for the Israelites, "there arose a new king over Egypt who did not know Joseph." This new Pharaoh represents the snake in the garden, dealing "shrewdly" with God's people.
Pharaoh's greatest fear was that the Israelites would "escape from the land" - ironically foreshadowing exactly what would happen. His attempts to control God's people mirror the curses from Genesis: hard labor (curse on the ground) and interference with childbirth.
Enslavement
Pharaoh set taskmasters over the Israelites to afflict them with heavy burdens, making their lives bitter with hard service.
Population Control
When enslavement failed to stop their growth, Pharaoh ordered Hebrew midwives to kill all male babies at birth.
Infanticide
Finally, Pharaoh commanded all Egyptians to throw Hebrew sons into the Nile, while letting daughters live.
Six Women Who Feared God
Where Eve was led astray, we meet six women who fear God and proclaim life in the face of death. These women become "snake crushers" in their own right, preserving life despite Pharaoh's deadly decrees.
Shiphrah & Puah
Hebrew midwives who refused to kill male babies, telling Pharaoh that Hebrew women were "vigorous" (literally "women of life") and gave birth before midwives arrived.
Moses' Mother
A daughter of Levi who saw her son was "good" (echoing God's creation language) and placed him in a "teva" (ark) among the reeds - the same word used for Noah's ark.
Miriam
Moses' sister who bravely watched over him and approached Pharaoh's daughter to suggest a Hebrew nurse (their own mother) for the baby.
Pharaoh's Daughter & Servant
Who defied her father's decree by rescuing Moses from the Nile and even paying his mother wages to nurse him - subverting both death and slavery.
Moses: Rescued from the Waters
The story of Moses' rescue contains beautiful symbolism that foreshadows his future role. He was placed among the "reeds" (suph) and later would lead Israel through the "Sea of Reeds" (Yam Suph, traditionally translated as Red Sea).
Just as Moses was rescued from watery judgment, he would later lead God's people through waters of judgment. And the one who tried to drown Hebrew boys would see his own army drowned in those same waters.
Placed in an Ark
Moses was hidden in a "teva" (ark) covered with pitch - the same word used for Noah's ark
Rescued from Waters
Pharaoh's daughter drew him from the Nile, naming him Moses ("drawn out")
Became a Deliverer
The rescued baby grew to lead Israel through the Sea of Reeds to freedom
Jesus: The Ultimate Snake Crusher
While Moses and the six women were remarkable snake crushers, none compare to Jesus. Mary, like Moses' mother, had to hide her son from a wicked king trying to kill Hebrew boys - ironically finding refuge in Egypt.
Jesus willingly entered the waters of destruction, bearing the weight of sin that enslaved us. Though it seemed the snake had won when he died, Jesus crushed the serpent's head by rising to life again.
Eternal Victory
Jesus will return to destroy death itself
Resurrection Power
He conquered death and offers new life
Sacrificial Death
He willingly entered waters of judgment
Living as Snake Crushers Today
While we await Christ's return, we're not alone. We join with generations of snake crushers who have gone before us, imaging God on earth with their passionate fight for life.
Proclaim Resurrection
Join with the women of Exodus when we gather to proclaim Christ's victory over death
Speak Life
Join with Shiphrah and Puah when we boldly proclaim words of life to a dying culture
Nurture Families
Join with Moses' mother when we bravely raise children according to the fear of God
Show Compassion
Join with Pharaoh's daughter when we have compassion on the helpless and value their lives
Our Hope: The Life Everlasting
Moses understood that crossing the Red Sea wasn't the end of the journey. There was still wilderness ahead before reaching the promised land. Yet he sang in faith about what was to come.
In Exodus 15:17, Moses sang: "You will bring them in and plant them on your own mountain, the place, O Lord, which you have made for your abode, the sanctuary, O Lord, which your hands have established. The Lord will reign forever and ever."
We join with all who have come before us when we pray as Jesus taught: "Father, may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." And we can pray with confidence because we know it will happen - heaven will come to earth and life everlasting will be ushered in.