MARCH 23-29: DELIVERERS
Come Follow Me “I Have Remembered My Covenant” Exodus 1-6
Egypt was a good place for the Israelites to be. Until it wasn’t. A contract had been made between Joseph and Pharaoh to give the family of Israel a place to live. Generations later, Joseph and the contract forgotten, Israel was seen as a growing nuisance to be dealt with. Oh, my heart aches that this sounds all too familiar even today.
The book of Exodus begins with deliverers, Shiphrah and Puah. Not familiar with their names? They are midwives. Ordered by the king to not let the Hebrew male babies live from childbirth, it was an order they could not follow, as they were believers of God.
Then Jochabed delivers a son in birth, delivers from death by keeping him hidden. She sends him in faith with a prayer that God will deliver him to a safe place. The baby’s sister Miriam watches closely, witnesses the Egyptian princess Bithiah (traditional name used by some Jews). Miriam then delivers a wet-nurse for the baby - his own mother - that Bithiah employs for his care.
This is shown beautifully in the beginning musical minutes of ‘The Prince of Egypt’.
Deliver Us/ Prince of Egypt - Musical Moments
The theme of ‘deliverers’ continue as Moses flees Egypt and finds himself in the land of Midian. He delivers the daughters of Jethro from thieves trying to steal their flock. Jethro gives to Moses his daughter Zipporah, and tradition teaches he also gives, or delivers, the priesthood to Moses.
Then one day Moses is guided to a sacred place on a mountain, where God delivers a message and a mission: ‘Deliver.’
There is so much empty space in this story overview. Reality is that life is lived in the empty spaces. Between the problems and salvation comes long times of prayer and waiting, an action of faith; pray and wait, act on faith - repeat and repeat.
‘‘Why, God, why do ya always gotta take your time?’ … I know you think if you were Him you’d have rescued you by now.’
Better Yet - Leanna Crawford
In our living and searching comes discovery of the sacred: moments that open to a glimpse of the divine. These moments - tender mercies - guiding light - are blessed gifts that we can seek and find. ‘Think a sacred song … and in that very hour your heart and mind will open to let the spirit in.’
Think A Sacred Song - Marlene Summers Merkling
Somewhere in these times we, too, are blessed to be deliverers. Even the smallest of us can deliver someone from sadness, loneliness, or despair. Combining efforts small or grand we deliver the desperate from hunger, disease, tragedy or crisis. In our efforts, windows are opened to bring in the divine, hand in hand to deliver.
‘My deliverer is coming. My deliverer is standing by. I will never doubt His promise!’
My Deliverer - Rich Mullins
By using our hands, both receiver and giver are delivered.