God’s Hand in Human History
- jacarroll71
- Jan 19, 2016
- 2 min read
Today’s reading: Genesis 49:1-Exodus 1:22
We finish Genesis and begin Exodus today. Genesis has taken us from Creation and the Fall of Man through the life of Joseph. Along the way, we met Noah who obeyed God and saved life in the flood. Then came the incident of the Tower of Babel and the divisions of humanity by languages. God later called a man named Abram and made a covenant with him that would result in blessing for all the families of the earth. Abram, renamed Abraham, was tested and proved faithful as he waited on God to fulfill His promises. We traced the life of Abraham’s son, Isaac, his son, Jacob (or Israel), and his twelve sons, particularly Joseph.
Now in Exodus, the story jumps ahead about 400 years. Israel’s descendants, sometimes called Hebrews, were still in Egypt, but now they are not prosperous and comfortable. They are enslaved. We will pick up the story of a baby named Moses as we see God’s hand in human history.
I was challenged in today’s reading to walk by faith because God rules over all things in the small and great details of life. Faith is an essential element of the believer’s life. Scripture reinforces and enlightens our faith, but it doesn’t eliminate it. We never know so much that we can dispense with faith. But faith is in God who revealed Himself in His Word and constantly reassures us of His power and presence in every situation.
As you read this book of Exodus, you can expect the first 20 chapters to be narrative in a readable and fast moving style similar to Genesis. After chapter 20, the rest of the book reports on the details of God’s law for the ancient Israelites as they live and worship Him. Beware that you may find this a bit slower going, but it is worth it and in Cover to Cover I will show you how every daily reading has gems of truth and wisdom that immediately apply to our lives.
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[For more reflections on these passages see the January 19 readings in Cover to Cover: Through the Bible in 365 days].
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