Introduction

The story of Exodus is, above all, a message of God’s enduring faithfulness and providential care, even amidst the darkest times of persecution and suffering. The Israelites, once esteemed due to the salvation of Egyptian civilization that came about through the God of Joseph, suddenly confronted a reality that dramatically changed with his passing. A new Pharaoh ascends, indifferent to Joseph’s legacy and the covenant people, and thrusts the Israelites into severe bondage.

Today, as we gather together, we find ourselves at a critical turning point, much like the one faced by the Israelites in Egypt. There was a time when Christianity held a central, almost revered role in the public square, much like the Israelites in the days of Joseph. The Christian faith influenced laws, shaped culture, and was a guiding star for moral and ethical discussions. Yet, just as the sands shifted in Egypt with the rise of a new Pharaoh "who did not know Joseph," we have witnessed a dramatic transformation in how Christianity is perceived and received in our society. We've moved from a position of favor to facing increasing marginalization and scrutiny.

The debate about whether or not America is, or ever was, a Christian nation tends to boil down to semantics. However, it is undeniable that throughout its history, the Christian faith has had a profoundly positive impact on American society and culture, influencing foundational ideals, social reforms, education, and charity. The moral and ethical values central to American identities, such as individual freedom, unalienable rights, the pursuit of equality of opportunity, the protestant work ethic, and the sanctity of human life, are all deeply rooted in Christian thought. 

Education in the United States is largely a blessing of the Christian faith, with many of the earliest institutions of higher learning established by religious groups motivated to cultivate both the mind and moral character. Similarly, in the realm of charity and philanthropy, Christian organizations and churches have long been at the forefront, providing essential services such as feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and international aid efforts driven by the Christian call to serve others.

Christian teachings have shaped public discourse and policy on issues ranging from the sanctity of life to environmental stewardship, while Christian communities have contributed significantly to community building and the provision of social services, including health care, through the establishment of hospitals and clinics. I could go on and on, but my point is this. Like Joseph and the Israelites, Christians have, on the whole, been a great blessing to our nation. Unfortunately, we seem to be continuing down a path of cultural amnesia, where we want to keep the blessings and benefits of cultural Christianity while denying where these benefits originated. 

The new Pharaoh, driven by fear, sought to suppress the burgeoning Israelite population. Today, fear—fear of absolute truths, fear of moral judgments, fear of the Christian message to repent and believe—motivates many to push our faith to the margins, to dilute our influence, to silence our voice in the public arena. But let us remember that the story of the Israelites did not end in despair. Amid their affliction, God was at work, preparing a deliverer in Moses, setting the stage for a miraculous display of His power and faithfulness.  

From the beginning of the book of Exodus, we are introduced to individuals of remarkable courage and faith, such as the Hebrew midwives who, fearing God above the Pharaoh, defy his orders to kill the Hebrew newborns and the mother of Moses, who trusted God with her child amid a cruel and unjust world. Through these events, God prepares to unveil His plan of salvation and deliverance, not only for the Israelites but as a foreshadowing of the ultimate deliverance through Christ. This is our assurance that our current trials and tribulations are not the end of our story. Just as God was with the Israelites, He is with us, working all things together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.

Therefore, let us not lose heart. Let us stand firm in our faith, hope, and love, even when faced with persecution. Let us be inspired by the courage of the Hebrew midwives, who feared God more than Pharaoh, and the faith of Moses' mother, who trusted God's protection over her son even when the future seemed grim. We are called not to a spirit of fear but to be agents of hope and grace in a suffering world. The story of Exodus beckons us to remember that in the midst of our trials and tribulations, God’s providence is always at work, often in ways unseen.

The Faithfulness of God Amidst Persecution (Exodus 1:7-14)

In Exodus 1:7-14, we witness the Hebrew people's remarkable growth into a great nation despite the harsh oppression of Pharaoh, who wished to suppress their growth out of a misplaced fear that the Hebrews would one day turn against him. This incredible growth of the Hebrew people amidst adversity is a powerful testimony to God's unwavering promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their offspring would thrive and someday become a great nation. 

This passage also exemplifies how God can use evil for good in line with his faithfulness and sovereignty, even amidst persecution. As Joseph, a man who underwent great persecution at the hand of his brothers, testified at the end of Genesis: 

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good..." (Genesis 50:20a, ESV.)

This growth of God’s people under oppression also mirrors the early Christians in Acts, where the persecution of the early Christians served to strengthen the church and expand its geographic and cultural reach. In the Book of Acts, the early Christian church faced significant persecution, starting with the stoning of Stephen and continuing through the efforts of Saul of Tarsus (later the Apostle Paul) to destroy the church. He entered house after house to drag off believers for imprisonment. Yet, through this period of intense persecution, the church grew, spreading beyond Jerusalem into Judea, Samaria, and eventually to the ends of the earth. The scattering of the believers served to disperse the seeds of the Gospel further, as those who were scattered preached the word wherever they went. Listen to how God's Word speaks about the first wave of Christian persecution: 

"And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word." (Acts 8:1b-4, ESV) 

None of this surprised God, Jesus Himself foretold the persecution His followers would face, linking it to the broader narrative of God's people facing adversity yet prevailing by divine will. In John 15:20, He reminded His disciples, 

"Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours." (John 15:20, ESV)

Despite persecution, God's people in both Old and New Testaments have grown and fulfilled His purposes. The Israelites' story of growth under oppression foreshadows the expansion of the early church and shows God's sovereignty and providence in ensuring the flourishing of His people against all odds.

Just as God was with the Israelites in their suffering, He is with us in our struggles, working behind the scenes in ways we might not always understand. The Israelites' growth, despite Pharaoh's attempts to suppress them, underscores that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human plans or persecution. 

Therefore, let us hold fast to the promise of God's unchanging faithfulness, trusting that He will fulfill His promises to us as He did with the Israelites. In every circumstance, God's faithfulness remains a beacon of hope, guiding us through the darkest times and leading us into His great plans for our future.

The Courage and Faith of the Midwives (Exodus 1:15-21)

In Exodus 1:15-21, we see Pharaoh, driven by fear of the Israelites' burgeoning numbers, issuing a heinous decree: all newborn Hebrew males are to be slain at birth. This edict is not just a genocidal act of pure evil but also stands as a direct assault on God’s covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—promises that their descendants would grow into a great nation.

At this time, the Egyptians saw the Pharaoh as a god living among men, so defying a direct order from the Pharaoh was a severe offense. This put Shiphrah and Puah, the Hebrew midwives, at the dangerous crossroads of fear and faith. Their decision to defy Pharaoh's orders is nothing short of heroic. It’s a decision steeped in the fear of God, a profound respect and awe for His commandments and promises, rather than in the fear of man’s potential retribution. Their actions underscore a vital scriptural principle. As Peter and the apostles declared amid their own era of persecution in the first century: 

“We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29b, ESV). 

Now, we must be careful when applying this truth to our lives. This is not an example of disobedience to human authority out of a policy disagreement or differing perspectives. Instead, this is about a higher obedience to divine authority, an obedience that God honors and blesses. Romans 13:1-7 encourages believers to submit to governing authorities, recognizing them as God’s servants for our good. 

"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore, one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed." (Romans 13:1-7, ESV). 

These words were written by the Apostle Paul, a man who spent much of his life in prison for preaching the gospel. Does that mean Paul was a hypocrite? Certainly not. As much as possible, we should submit to our governing authorities. However, this submission is not unconditional. 

As Peter and John demonstrated in Acts 4:19-20, when commanded not to tell others about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the commands of God outweigh any of man's decrees:

 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20, ESV). 

I commend to you this morning that Christians should aim to be model citizens in all aspects. However, if our loyalty to our country or its government ever demands us to commit a sin against God, we must acknowledge that our ultimate and superior loyalty is to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Shiphrah and Puah’s act of defiance was blessed by God, leading to the multiplication of the Israelite people and the preservation of Moses, who would become God’s instrument of deliverance. Their story vividly illustrates the truth of Proverbs 29:25: 

"The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” (Proverbs 29:25, ESV). 

The midwives' unwavering courage and faith serve as a powerful reminder to us all. They challenge us to reflect on the moments in our lives when we must choose between following human laws or divine mandates. Their story calls us to examine our own allegiances and determine to whom or what we ultimately submit. Above all, they inspire us to fear God and to trust in His providence, even when it means facing persecution or loss. 

In a world increasingly characterized by a culture of death, where the value of life is often measured by convenience, utility, or subjective quality, the Christian call to be voices of life resonates with profound urgency. 

I am reminded of the words of Stanley Hauerwas, a prominent theologian who once said, 

"If in a hundred years Christians are identified as people who do not kill their children or the elderly, we will have done well." - Stanley Hauerwas

The Christian faith is intrinsically pro-life, rooted in the belief that every human being is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and that life is a sacred gift to be cherished and protected. This belief finds its foundation in Scripture. Psalms 139:13-16 speaks to the intricate care and attention God pays to each person even before birth, affirming the value of life from its earliest stages. Likewise, Leviticus 19:32 emphasizes the importance of treating the elderly with respect and honor, highlighting the value of life at every age. Whether the person is a fetus or a centenarian, a citizen or a foreigner, healthy or sick, able-bodied or disabled, Christian or pagan, black or white, straight or gay, or whatever distinctions we may draw to measure a person's value and worth - we as bible believing Christians, ought to stand up and declare that their lives matter. 

In a culture that often champions autonomy over accountability, choice over responsibility, and individual preference over communal well-being, Christians are called to stand counter-culturally as advocates for life. This advocacy involves more than just opposition to practices that directly end life, such as abortion and euthanasia; it extends to supporting policies and initiatives that care for the vulnerable, the poor, and the marginalized, recognizing the interconnectedness of all life issues. 

As voices of life, it is not enough to simply speak out against injustices. Imagine if the midwives had complained about Pharaoh's culture of death but never did anything to stand against it. Like the midwives, we must also actively participate in creating a culture that values and supports life at all stages. While we may disagree on the best way to achieve this, I encourage you to be actively involved in your efforts. Actions speak louder than words, and it is those who are willing to take risks and get involved who ultimately make the changes that save lives. In essence, as Christians, we are called to embody a holistic ethic of life that demonstrates the love, compassion, and justice of Christ.

The Birth and Preservation of Moses (Exodus 2:1-10)

Like the Hebrew Midwives, Moses' mother is another unsung hero in this account, who chose to hide her son in direct defiance of Pharaoh. In the face of Pharaoh's decree for the death of every Hebrew male infant, she chose to protect Moses, placing him in a basket on the Nile. This act of defiance against the powers of oppression and death echoes throughout Scripture, highlighting a recurring theme of God's intervention and salvation through faith-filled actions. 

Moses' journey from the Nile to the palace of Pharaoh, and eventually to the liberator of Israel, serves as a poignant foreshadowing of Christ. Both were born into perilous times where forces sought their early demise—Moses, at the hands of Pharaoh, and Jesus, at the command of King Herod. Yet, both were preserved through divine intervention. Moses' basket on the Nile and Jesus' flight to Egypt are testaments to God's protective hand over His chosen deliverers.

Moreover, Moses' role as a deliverer, leading the Israelites out of physical bondage in Egypt, prefigures Christ's mission to liberate humanity from the bondage of sin and death. Just as Moses was raised within the very system of oppression he was destined to overthrow; Christ entered into the world He came to save, fully embracing human nature while remaining sinless. Both figures, through their God-appointed missions, demonstrate the extraordinary ways God works behind the scenes to orchestrate His redemption plan. Just as Moses' story is one of deliverance and faith in God's promises, so too is the story of Christ—one that fulfills all promises and brings about the ultimate deliverance.

The truth that was applicable in the days of Moses, during Christ's time on earth, and in the Early Church is still relevant today. Faithfulness to God will come at a cost in this life, but the trials and persecution we face can be opportunities for growth and trust in God's sovereignty. We can be confident that He is working everything out for our good. Therefore, let us be encouraged by these accounts, embrace our role in God's ongoing redemption story, and trust in His unfailing providence and protection. No matter what the world throws our way, we can rest in the knowledge that God is faithful and will be with us every step of the way. 

Conclusion: 

In closing, let us remember that our God is a God of deliverance. He brought the Israelites out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and He has brought us out of the domain of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son. As we face the challenges and sufferings of this life, may we do so with the assurance that in Christ, our ultimate deliverance is already secured. Let us go forth in faith, hope, and love, living as testimonies of God’s enduring faithfulness and His power to save.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word, which has inspired us to trust in your sovereign plan. May the Holy Spirit guide us to be agents of hope, grace, and life in every sphere of influence you have given us. Help us remember that You are working on all things for good. Keep us steadfast in faith, rooted in love, and unwavering in hope as we await the ultimate deliverance found in Christ Jesus. Amen.