LENT: Exodus 1

 Lenten devotions: Exodus 1 (please read the chapter before reading this devotion)

Today we are entering the time of Lent. There are many things that can be said about this, so I decided to do something ir-regular. The time of Lent is 40 days, so I thought why won’t we go through a book of the Bible that has 40 chapters, taking one chapter a day as a source of devotional meditation. So, here we are, the first chapter.

The first chapter of Exodus begins with a great statement concerning Israel, and almost immediate escalation of tension between the Egyptian rulers and the sons of Jacob. God blessed people of Israel abundantly: Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them (Exodus 1:6-7). As a response pharaoh at first came up with a tough plan, attempting to suppress them, but it didn’t help – “the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied” (Exodus 1:12). Then pharaoh came up with a wicked plan – murdering the newly born baby boys (Exodus 1:15-16). Sad times…

When we go into the period of “wilderness” in our lives – being it a literal wilderness experience or pressures of loss, betrayal, or grief, the first and foremost concern is a preservation of live. In the wilderness one needs to stay hydrated, fed with some food, being protected from scorching sun or pouring rain etc. It is the time of test for life itself.

In the story of Israel in Egypt God provided godly midwives who protected the lives of the boys even under a threat of death (it is not states explicitly, but we can only imagine what would this pharaoh do for the disobedience, knowing that he was ready to murder the most vulnerable – newborn babies). It looks like the sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob couldn’t protect themselves, they needed an outside intervention.

The attack on the basics of life was the first temptation of Jesus: is you are the Son of God – turn these stones into bread (and be fed and comfy)… Yet, Jesus’ response points to the One outside of us, God Himself, Who extends His care for us through His Word and the true Bread – The Sacrament of the Altar.