Joseph invited his father Jacob to go down into Egypt with his family and possessions. God had to reassure Jacob that he would come back to the land of promise. Although he was glad to see his long-lost son whom he thought to be dead, he was not too willing to relocate. However, with God’s reassurance, he went.
There was a population explosion. There were Hebrew people everywhere.
Pharaoh saw the multiplication of these Hebrews and he thought of a means to control the birth rate. He gave them brutally hard task masters so that they would be too exhausted and debilitated to engage in expanding their families. But God strengthened them, so his plan did not work. Instead, they multiplied more and more.
The midwives were then instructed to kill the males. But male infanticide did not work either. So he instructed the police to kill all the boys in their homes.
Cries had gone up to God in heaven earlier than this, but God did not do anything until the prophesied 400 years had expired. Then He provided a deliverer in the person of Moses. He was not thrown in the river to die as was planned, but was rescued by God’s mysterious hand of Providence. The cry of the baby was meant to touch the heart of the princess — the hand of Providence at work again.
Moses’ first 40 years
Though Moses was dressed as an Egyptian, he was a Hebrew at heart. At the age of 40, after being educated in the house of Pharaoh, he was equipped with many abilities. But he killed an Egyptian and had to run away to Midian.
Moses’ second 40 years
Moses needed to learn how to shepherd God’s people. He learned by being a shepherd of sheep, so he could acquire “pastoral” skills. He had to learn to exercise patience — as we all do. God himself waits on time and acts at the time of His choice.
Moses’ last 40 years
At last, Moses was mature and ready. Human planning would never have waited that long, but God is wiser than men. God was now going to use Moses to deliver His people, which He did eventually after many encounters and pleadings with Pharaoh. The hand of Providence worked marvelously through Moses’ life to deliver His people.
Moses had three great qualities that God worked for years to develop in His great servant. They were in fact His own holy qualities.
Moses was always accessible to his people.
He was never aloof, haughty or domineering.
Moses was deeply sensitive. He was moved by human need and suffering. His “bowels of compassion” were constantly evident.
Moses was kind. Kindness is not natural. Moses was kind because he came to see that God is kind, even to the unworthy.
He learned to put himself out for people, and truly “serve” them. One thinks of “leaders” and “servants.” But Moses combined both in one great heart.
As the prophet greater than Moses, Jesus was accessible, sensitive and kind. And he showed by his life that his Heavenly Father is accessible. Once you are baptized you have open access to the Father. He showed that has So let us remember these things and see to it that we also develop the traits of accessibility, sensitivity and kindness. Then we will be totally and ultimately delivered.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One