Acts 7:17-22
17 “But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18 until there arose over Egypt another king who did not know Joseph. 19 He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, so that they would not be kept alive. 20 At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God's sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father's house, 21 and when he was exposed, Pharaoh's daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds.
Reflection
Stephen has traced the story from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to Joseph, a man who was rejected by his brothers but eventually exalted by God as the ruler over Egypt (Acts 7:8–10). Because of Joseph’s powerful role in Egypt during a terrible famine, the entire Israelite family found themselves in Egypt under his care (vv. 11–16). In time, however, the growing Israelite people fell out of favor with the Egyptian leadership (vv. 18–19), so God gave them a new leader named Moses, who was “mighty in his words and deeds” (v. 22).
God has a history of providing leaders like Joseph and Moses to rescue his people from danger. Ultimately, God has provided the ultimate Leader and Savior by sending his Son to rescue us from the power and influence of Satan, sin, and death. Jesus is the true and better Joseph; he is the true and better Moses who delivers the people of God from the most oppressive and dangerous threats of all time.
1 John 2:12-17
12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Reflection
John warmly speaks to the various levels of spiritual maturity in his audience— “children,” “fathers,” “young men” (1 John 2:12–14) and provides a summary of the gospel realities they enjoy in Christ: forgiveness (v. 12), fellowship with God (vv. 13–14), and victory over the “evil one” (vv. 13–14). John then returns to the implications of gospel transformation (vv. 15–17). He calls us to turn away from worldliness (described in terms of evil desires, materialism, and pride; v. 16) both because the world is passing away (v. 17) and because of our love for God (v. 15).
Psalm 105:16-22
16 When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, 17 he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 18 His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; 19 until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him. 20 The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free; 21 he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions, 22 to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom.
God carefully crafted history, using people like Joseph and Moses to prepare Israel for the deliverance that would ultimately come through King Jesus. Pray that you and your church would live transformed lives this week that reflect the magnitude of your deliverance and the greatness of your Deliverer.