The Vineyard- August 28, 2016

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Pray for God to speak to you through the reading of His word. 

Read Exodus 1:1-22

God’s Story Continues

-          Exodus begins with a connection back to Genesis, and a reference to Jacob, his sons, and his descendants. 

-          Despite the passage of time, God wants us to understand that the same God that created Israel, would redeem Israel. 

-          Similarly, the same God who created us has acted to redeem us. 

-          Do you trust that God created you for a purpose, and has acted to redeem you so that you can fulfill that purpose?

Fear of Losing Control

-          Pharaoh sets out on a murderous, destructive path, because he is motivated by fear of losing control. 

-          Pharaoh sees the Israelites as threats, which causes him to treat them brutally. 

-          Earlier in Genesis, humanity tries to construct the Tower of Babel in an attempt to gain control, to reach the same height as God.

-          Here, we see Pharaoh resort to brutality to maintain the control he senses himself and his nation losing over the Israelites. 

-          Have you ever allowed fear of losing control to cause you to mistreat others?

-          Passages to Consider: Genesis 11:3

Controlling Fear

-          Pharaoh is controlled by his fear of losing control, while the Hebrew midwives are controlled by their fear of the Lord. 

-          Pharaoh, despite his power is never named.  Meanwhile, the Hebrew midwives are mentioned by name, despite having seemingly normal jobs. 

-          Fear of the world causes us to focus on ourselves, our own survival, our own success, but fear of the Lord motivates us to do the right thing. 

-          It wasn’t easy for the Hebrew midwives to go against Pharaoh- he could have them killed!  And yet, they feared God more than they feared man, and that helped them do the right thing even when it wasn’t convenient. 

-          What fear controls you?  What fear motivates you?  Is it a fear of the world, a fear of being left out, a fear of being mocked?  Or is it a fear of disappointing God, and going against his will?

Praise God for being our creator and our redeemer. 

Pray that we will rise above the fear of losing control. 

Pray for a healthy fear of the Lord, to guide you into obedience and his divine will.