The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-01-02

DEVOTIONAL READING+Psalms 2.
ADDITIONAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ssh
81: Hebrews 1881.
The book from which the next eight
lessons are taken is a continuation Of
h story of the chosen people. Its
central theme is redemption-the de-
liverance of Israel from bondage and
their separation unto God. The ques-
ton of relationship from Egyptian
bondage is a type of II own redemp-
ton from sins bondage Il Corinthians
$50. Pharaoh represents the devil.
and Egypt the world.
1. The Increase of the Chosen Seed
$50.
After Joscph's death Israel quickly
grew into q nation. This increase was
the fultillment of Genesis 35:11, which
promise was repeated to Jacob Just be-
fore going into Egypt Genesis 4G :3).
If it be the problem Of how u little com.
pany of seventy persons could become
an host of six hundred thousand men
In so short Il time, let us remember
that God promised it, and all difficult
ties will vanish. There is a time com
ing when there shall be another amaZ-
Ing increase in Israel [lIZekiel 3G:lO,
II, 81, So; 1926.
u. A New Dynasty Il $50.
Joscph's elevation in Egypt was dur
ing the reign Of the IIyksos kings. Be
ing of Semitic origin they We're not
hostile to the Hebrews, but when there
arose up a new king which knew not
Joseph" ". 81 the amazing growth of
the lSruelites excited his envy and
fear wv. 8, 10Y. This fear was two
fold: (1) In cas- of war they might
join the enemy and fight against them.
(2) Lest they should remove FROM the
land, thus cutting off Il vital source OF
revenuc and exposing to danger the
eastern border of the land.
Ill. Measures to Check the Growth
Of Israel (1:11-22).
These measures place on exhibition
the folly of worldly wisdom u Corin-
thiuns 3:10). Their fatal mistake was
that they left God out Of their calcuIa-
NlOllS. COu llNu p1''illlSCN lIfll lSli tt.l
should he great in numbers and mighty
in power. He who plans against God
shall miserably fail and shall be shown
to be Il fool.
1. Cruel Taskmasters wv. l1-l4).
They were placed under heavy bur
owe them who forced them to labor
in building treasure cities and all man
ner of service in the field. This meas.
ure was Intellectual, for the more they
afflicted them, the more they multi
piled and grew" This rapid growth
heapcd upon them.
.. Murder of Male Infants by the
Midwives wv. 1J-2l). This measure
also miscarried, as the midwiveS
feared God and chose to obey him. Be
cause they refused to destroy Gods
people he gave them homes and chill
dren and the joys thereof.
3. Drowning of Male Children in the
River (v. 22). In order to make this
measure effective all the people were
charged with the responsibility of cast
ing the Hebrew male children into the
river. This maAdute seems to have
been given shortly before Moses was
born. This plan likewise was fOiled.
and the very child who when Il man
upset his throne, q sheltered and
nurtu:cd in his own palace.
~. The Birth and Education Of
Moses (2:1-S).
The measure which vas designed to
destroy the Hebrew menace. also
brought to Pharaoh's palace and edu-
Gated there the very man who after
ward shattered the Egyptian power
aad set free the cnSIaved people. The
faith Of Moses parents caused them to
ignore the command of the king and
hide him for three months (Hebrews
II :23). Faith in God is the untidote
for fear (Psalms 27:1). His mother
discerned in him a proper child. or u
child fair to God (Acts 7:2O), and be-
lieved him to be the delivercr Of his
people. She no doubt instilled this
truth in his mind from his childhood.
Perhaps led by the story of Nouh's ark
she made an ark Of bulrushes and
placed Moses in it and left 1t at the
place where Pharaoh's daughter would
be attracted when she came down to
battle. Miriam. his sister, was placed
where she could watch the affair. She
| came with a suggestion at the oppor-
tune moment as to q nurse for the
baby. Education ut his mothers knee
gave character. ond education at the
Egyptian court qualified him to be the
historian and lawgiver Of his people.