My husband is generally a great listener. But on some occasions, I will catch him preoccupied while I am talking with him. I see that glazed look in his eyes and ask, “Did you hear me?” He dutifully repeats what I just said, but I know he really wasn’t listening. Listening is more than hearing. In today’s Scripture passage, God heard, saw and knew what was happening to the Israelites in Egypt. “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel — and God knew.”
Four hundred years had passed since Jacob’s family of 70 came to Egypt. Now, Jacob’s family had multiplied in the millions! The local Egyptians were fearful that these strong Hebrews could wage war on them, so they made their lives bitter with hard service. Still the Hebrews continued to increase in number, so Pharaoh commanded the midwives to kill all male babies. During this time, a Levite couple hid their newborn son among the reeds of the Nile River. This child, Moses, was found by Pharaoh’s daughter and she raised this Hebrew child in Pharaoh’s palace. As a young man, Moses, killed an Egyptian, then fled for his life to Midian. The king of Egypt died. The Israelites cried out to God for help. They wanted to be rescued from slavery.
Lord, you see everything that is happening in my life. You hear my cry for help. Nothing that is happening surprises you because you know. Help me to wait for you to rescue me.
Robin Copeland
Extended Scripture: Exodus 1–2
