Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Thursday January 17, 2008 and today we are completing our studies on the book of Genesis and begining our studies on the book of Exodus. Please read, Genesis 49-50 & Exodus 1. In today's lesson we will read and learn about Jacob's prophecies; the deaths of Jacob and Joseph; and the Hebrews are oppressed in the land of Egypt.

Just prior to his death, Jacob foretold an amazing prophetic future of each tribe. "And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father." (Genesis 49:1-2). Although he was not the firstborn, Judah was destined to continue the Abrahamic Covenant with its promise of the Messiah. "Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." (49:9-10). Judah emerged as the powerful leader of Israel and one who was feared by his enemies as a lion. Added to this, he was to hold the sceptre of legislative control over the other tribes until Shiloh come. Shiloh means "Peacemaker," and is commonly accepted to be a name or title for the Messiah.

Throughout the Scripture, God reveals His wonderful plan of salvation through Christ our Savior, and as we look forward to His glorious return our hearts are thrilled.

Following the death of Jacob, Genesis comes to a close on a note of impending bondage as it also records the death of Joseph. "So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt." (50:26)

The Book of Exodus:
The book of Exodus was written by Moses to the people of Israel. There are 40 chapters contained in the book and the purpose of it is to record the deliverance of Israel from slavery and to document their purpose for existence as a nation. The word Exodus means, a going out; a departure or emigration, usually of a large number of people.

After Joseph's death, the prestige the Israelites had enjoyed in Egypt gradually disappeared. There arose up a new king over Egypt who felt no obligation to the descendants of Joseph. He was fearful of the Israelites' growing numbers and tried to afflict them as a means to slow down their growth only to have they multiply even more. "And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel." (Exodus 1:7-12).

Desperate for an answer to his dilemma, Pharaoh demanded of the Hebrew midwives if a woman bares a son they are to kill them. "And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive." (1:15-17).

Sometime after this horrifying edict was issued the birth of Moses took place. If it had not been for Pharaoh's cruel edict, Moses would never have been rescued by Pharaoh's daughter and given all the advantages of the world's greatest empire of that time. God was preparing Moses, although he was unaware, to lead the Israelites to the promised land.

We too may face suffering where we seem to be under the control of a situation where we are as powerless as the Israelites were. It could be that death has left us without a parent or spouse. We may feel defeated following the breakup of our family or have received a terminal diagnosis from a doctor. We all will face many unforeseen sorrows. Still, every Christian can say, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39).

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed as the Shiloh (Messiah) who would come through the tribe of Judah.

Today's Psalm: (55:22)
"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

Today's prayer:
Dear Lord,
In the maze of life's events where we're often a passenger on the rollercoaster of life's ups and downs, may we never lose sight of You, Jesus. You are the unseen but ever-present Shepherd who protects, guides and tenderly comforts us in all our trouble. Thank You, Lord, that when change is constantly about us, You remain steadfast, faithful, and dependable. You are the Anchor that keeps us grounded in the unseen but eternal truths we build our lives upon. Keep us faithful and help us to always believe that through trials and suffering You have great plans in store for us. In your mighty name, Jesus, I pray......Amen.

Have a wonderful day/night. Has the week flown by or is it me?
God Bless,
Christina

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