Exodus 1:1-71Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob. 2Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, 3Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, 4Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. 5And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already. 6And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. 7And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. (Exodus 1:1‑7)
“Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt;... Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan, and Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. And... Joseph was in Egypt already.” This is an important list, the stock from which all the nation of Israel sprang.
When the eleven sons and their families lived in Egypt under the shelter of Joseph all things were favorable to them. Goshen was lush and green and in its fertility their herds multiplied into great numbers. They themselves thrived until they eventually became more numerous than their Egyptian neighbors along the Nile. With such prosperity, enjoyed year after year, it would have been difficult to persuade them that hard times lay before them. Yet this was what God had told Abraham many years previously: “Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them... and afterward shall they come out with great substance.” Genesis 15:13,1413And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. (Genesis 15:13‑14). This was not forgotten by Joseph, and his message to his people as he departed was: “God will surely visit you.” But, being in favor with the king and the people of the land, one of their own number being second ruler in the kingdom, doubtless they little thought of being brought into disfavor, much less of ever being made slaves.
Much that is parallel with those days in Goshen is presently about us. The world goes on its way, enjoying such wealth, prosperity and liberties as were never known bore. Warned of coming judgment by God’s faithful witnesses there is, for the most part, indifference o; disbelief in the warning: “He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained.” Acts 17:3131Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31).
Dear reader, have you heeded the warning, “Flee from the wrath to come,” and laid hold of the salvation that is available to all who in faith turn to Christ as Saviour.
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Hebrews 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3). All about you may dull the sense of urgency in so important a matter. It may seem that circumstances are most bright and care-free and there is no need to be concerned about the morrow. But so it was in the days of Noah when disaster fell. Self-indulgence, wicked pleasure, and forgetfulness of God marked the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah just before God’s judgment fell upon them. This world will soon fall under a more terrible judgment and it will then be too late to accept God’s salvation. Hearken to the words of the Lord Jesus: “He that heareth My Word and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24).
ML 03/17/1968