Re-Creation
8 Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 He said to his people, "Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and more powerful than we. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase and, in the event of war, join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land." (Exodus 1:8-10)
Generations after Joseph gained prominence in Egypt through his service in the midst of oppression, eventually ensuring that the people of Egypt and beyond could survive during a famine, a new king chose to ignore history and perpetuate fear and violence. This king instructed midwives to kill any boy born to Hebrew women, but at least two midwives resisted, and - when questioned - used the king's own biases as an excuse. Shiphrah and Puah stated that the Hebrew women were different and delivered too quickly for them to intervene. The king then instructed all Egyptian people to throw any Hebrew-born boy into the Nile river.
At this time a Hebrew couple from the priestly tribe of Levi conceived and bore a son. Echoing the creation story, the mother, Jochebed, looked and saw that the baby was good. She could not bring herself to kill her child. After hiding her baby boy for three months, Jochebed made a little ark for him and set him gently among the reeds in the waters that were supposed to bring him death. His sister, Miriam, watched from the shore. When Pharaoh's daughter came there to bathe, she saw the basket and had her attendants deliver it to her. Pulling him from the basket, she named him Moses. Though she knew the child was a Hebrew boy, and she knew her father's edict, she had mercy and agreed when his sister offered to get a Hebrew woman to nurse him. Miriam, of course, brought Jochebed who was then paid to nurse and rear her own child until he was weaned.
We can rest assured that the God who used the hands and hearts of women of different ethnicities and social standings to bring salvation to oppressed people didn't forget those who were not pulled to safety. The effects of sin on the good world God created are,in fact, the catalyst for God's continual re-creation, continual offer of salvation.
In the midst of chaos we must look for the light as we look to the Light.
6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. 8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. (Psalm 138:6-8)
