The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Exodus 1:7-10; 15-20, “But the sons of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly, and multiplied, and became exceedingly mighty, so that the land was filled with them.
8 Now a new king arose over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.
9 He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the sons of Israel are more and mightier than we.
10 “Come, let us deal wisely with them, or else they will multiply and in the event of war, they will also join themselves to those who hate us, and fight against us and depart from the land.”

15 Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives…
16 and he said, “When you are helping the Hebrew women to give birth…, if it is a son, then you shall put him to death; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.”
17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live.
18 So the king of Egypt called for the midwives and said to them, “Why have you done this thing, and let the boys live?”
19 The midwives said to Pharaoh, “Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are vigorous and give birth before the midwife can get to them.”
20 So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty.”

Were you ever in a situation that left you not knowing which way to turn? One person is telling you to do one thing; another is telling you to do something completely different. How do you resolve such a quandary? It seems that you’re destined to upset someone, either way you go.

I won’t pretend that Christians never face such situations. Indeed we do! But when situations like this arise, we pray, inquiring of the LORD’s will. In the situation with the midwives, they did as they believed the LORD would have them to do: they simply “feared God.” One meaning of “fear” ( ????? yare) is “reverence.” Thus, it can be said that these midwives “reverenced the LORD” rather than the king of Egypt. Thus, God was pleased with the midwives, and they prospered due to His pleasure.

Whenever we face a trying situation, putting the LORD first is always the right thing to do. Remember that phrase: “What Would Jesus Do?” Pharaoh didn’t change his mind. In fact, his fury cost the lives of many Egyptian children. But the midwives’ dedication was exceedingly rewarded through the subsequent birth of Moses, who would ultimately lead the people of Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.

Are you facing a difficult situation today? Are you caught between “right and wrong”? Just pray earnestly to the LORD. He specializes in giving His people the right answers to difficult situations –and just at the right time!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom