We hear so much about “minorities” these days, we tend to think of them as a twentieth century problem. The descendants of Jacob, however, were a minority in the Land of Egypt. As they began to multiply, their status changed from invited honored guests (Genesis 47:6) to a threat to Egypt. As is usual with most minorities, their customs, life style and manner of worship were peculiar to themselves. The children of Israel, had no beautiful buildings like the idol temples of Egypt, nor did they join the people of their host country in worshiping the Sun god, the Nile River, or any of the many gods revered in Egypt.
The Egyptians eyed their increasing numbers with apprehension, and tried to solve the problem by making them slave laborers and destroying at birth their male children. For a time, this state of affairs prevailed, but then things began to change. Moses and Aaron, at God’s behest, demanded that Pharaoh let them go, and when Pharaoh refused, all manner of plagues came to make life in Egypt miserable. The object of the plagues became more pointed when God sent the plagues on Egypt but not on the Land of Goshen, which was part of the country where the Israelites lived. (Exodus 8:22).
God Planned Ahead
We all know how the plagues followed each other until, when all the first-born of Egypt were killed, Pharoah and all the people panicked and practically thrust the Israelites out of Egypt, fearing “lest we be all dead men” (Exodus 12:33).
Then a strange thing happened. The people borrowed jewelery, silver, gold, and raiment from the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35, 36). This was done “at the word of Moses,” but what a strange thing to do! Of what use would these luxuries be to a group of wanderers in a desert land? Perhaps they thought they would soon reach their destination and could use them. We don’t know. God, however, knew they would have use for them and provided amply for the materials used to build the Tabernacle. The Israelites knew nothing at this time about a tabernacle or what would be required to build it.
Was God accomplishing a two-fold purpose by providing for the materials needed to build the tabernacle, and at the same time making the Egyptians pay for the forced, slave labor, on the principle that “the laborer is worthy of his hire ?”
When Rebecca and Isaac became the parents of twin boys, Esau and Jacob, Esau was the first born and favorite son of Isaac, but God’s purpose was established in Jacob. In Romans 9:10-13 we read that before their birth God said “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated (liked less)”. This appears to be just plain discrimination for no reason at all, but God knew exactly what kind of men they would become even before they had “done any good or evil.” Jacob was far from perfect and he had much to learn, but he was teachable.
Paul Goes to Rome
Paul wanted to go to Rome (Acts 19: 21) and God had much work for him to do there, but, after his imprisonment at Jerusalem the prospects of getting to Rome seemed slim. Even after he had appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11) and was on board ship bound to Rome, everything seemed to be against him. He faced the prospect of shipwreck and drowning; then the soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners lest they escape (Acts 27:42) when the ship was stranded, but at long last Paul arrived in Rome as God had assured him while he was still on the ship.
Most children know about Noah building an ark. This seemed a strange occupation and must have caused his friends and neighbors much amusement at Noah’s expense, but he persisted and eventually was glad he did. God not only knew long beforehand about the coming flood, but He knew how many people the ark would have to accommodate. If one hundred and fifty five people had heeded Noah’s warning, the dimensions of the ark would have had to be changed.
Many more instances could be given, but they would all tell the same story. “God knows the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46: 9-10).
It is quite clear from the Scriptures that God knew beforehand what would happen in the future, and provide for it, but how does that help us today?
God’s Foresight
God does not change (Malachi 3: 6). Even as He provided the material to build the Tabernacle in the wilderness, so He will provide for those who trust Him. God knows what things we require, even before we ask Him for them (Matthew 6: 31-32). This takes care of our material needs, but how about our problems? “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him and delivereth them” (Psalm 34: 7). God will test us “but will not suffer you to be tempted (tested) above that ye are able, but will, with the temptation also make a way of escape” . . . (1 Cor. 10: 13). The way of escape will always be there. It may not be the thing we want to do, and it may not be easy, but if we are willing to go God’s way, instead of expecting Him to come our way, He will do for us what we can not do for ourselves.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One