Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Exodus 1 before reading the devotional below.
Today we begin an exploration of the book of Exodus, one chapter a day for the next forty days. The story of Exodus is a story of freedom. As we go through this series, ask yourself what these stories reveal about the character of God and our understanding of freedom.
To sum up this first chapter of Exodus: seasons change. Sometimes situations that are working out well for you shift, and you find yourself kicked back down to the bottom after you had enjoyed a nice run of victory. In the book of Genesis, Joseph rose to triumph and leadership in Egypt after going through a lot of family struggles. The names of his brothers (important foundational knowledge in order to understand Israel’s history), are listed here in Exodus 1 and it is a story of the good times. Verse 8 reveals that eventually Joseph’s victory was forgotten, and a new era of oppression took over.
Here’s your freedom for today: God does not forget your victories. Although the powerful leaders in Egypt forgot the victory of Joseph, God didn’t. He was paying attention. He heard the cries of his people and was preparing his rescue long before they even asked. Real freedom comes when we let God rescue us instead of trying to cling to what once was. The only way to step into the new places God wants to take us is to get ready to move. Egypt was no longer the place God’s people could prosper. They needed a new land and a new victory that only God could bring. If you need a new victory today, cry out to God and be open to new places he may bring you.