Slices
Prepare
Reflect on situations where it might be appropriate to follow the apostle Peter’s dictum: ‘We must obey God rather than human beings!’ (Acts 5:29).
Bible passage
The Israelites oppressed
1 These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: 2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah; 3 Issachar, Zebulun and Benjamin; 4 Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher. 5 The descendants of Jacob numbered seventy in all; Joseph was already in Egypt.
6 Now Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation died, 7 but the Israelites were exceedingly fruitful; they multiplied greatly, increased in numbers and became so numerous that the land was filled with them.
8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 ‘Look,’ he said to his people, ‘the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.’
11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labour, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlessly. 14 They made their lives bitter with harsh labour in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labour, the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.
15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 ‘When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.’ 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. 18 Then the king of Egypt summoned the midwives and asked them, ‘Why have you done this? Why have you let the boys live?’
19 The midwives answered Pharaoh, ‘Hebrew women are not like Egyptian women; they are vigorous and give birth before the midwives arrive.’
20 So God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. 21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.
22 Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people: ‘Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile, but let every girl live.’
Explore
In Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem holocaust memorial museum an avenue of trees commemorates people who resisted Nazi pressure to rescue Jews from the holocaust. One of them is dedicated to Oskar Schindler, hero of Schindler’s List, the German industrialist who saved many Jews from the gas chambers.* Today we read of others who defied the commands of a despot to secure the safety of the children of Israel.
At the end of the book of Genesis, a grateful pharaoh welcomed Joseph’s extended family, the children of Israel (Genesis 47:1–12). As the years pass, the descendants of these economic migrants increase in number. When a new pharaoh (probably from a new dynasty) assumes the throne (v 8), he views the immigrant community not as a blessing but as a potential threat. Does this portrayal of an immigrant community sound familiar?
To keep the Israelite community under control, Pharaoh first enslaves them (v 11), then tries to stem its growth by killing newborn boys (v 22). Two midwives defy Pharaoh and let the boys live. When questioned, they say that Israelite women have especially short labour. When is it acceptable to be less than truthful to the authorities? Much to the frustration of historians, the name of this pharaoh is not recorded, but Shiphrah and Puah, the disobedient midwives, are remembered by name.
Respond
Against which injustices should you act? Pray for persecuted minorities.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Joshua 20–22; Psalm 39
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Mission Partner Schools Christian Worker Project in Oswestry as they celebrate 25 years of ministry. They hope to welcome three new trustees at their AGM next month. Also pray for It’s Your Move workshops taking place this term in 11 primary schools.
Bless a Year 6 child with a copy of It’s Your Move
Approximately 650,000 Year 6 children across the UK will begin preparing for their move to secondary school over the coming months. It’s Your Move is a brilliant guide that helps to smooth the transition. Filled with top tips, advice, and Bible-based reflections, this little book has become a backpack essential over the last 24 years!
Could you bless a child with a copy of It’s Your Move?
