A lot of images come to mind from my childhood Sunday School books. There is Joseph whose brothers are jealous of him and the beautiful robe his father has given him (Genesis 37:3-4). The brothers decide to kill Joseph, but one of them suggests they make a bit of money from the deal, so they sell him to some passers-by (Genesis 38:28). The buyers take Joseph to Egypt where he has all kinds of experiences and works his way into the Pharaoh’s favor (Genesis 41:39). Famine breaks out in Joseph’s home country and his brothers come to Egypt looking for help (Genesis 42:3). Although the brothers do not recognize the grown-up Joseph (now in charge of Pharaoh’s affairs), he reveals himself to them (Genesis 45:4). Joseph’s entire family—sixty-six men and their wives—move to Egypt (Genesis 46:26). They should live happily ever after, right?
Now comes our focal text: Exodus 1:1-2:10. Joseph’s family has continued to multiply and soon their very presence is seen as a threat to the native Egyptians. The powerful authorities make slaves out of the Israelites and if that was not enough the king says that all newborn Israelite boys are to be killed (Exodus 1:22). Then comes the heart-stirring story of the birth of Moses (Exodus 2:2). The baby Moses is saved by the Pharaoh’s daughter (Exodus 2:5-6). Whew! All of that and the story is not yet over!
Throughout this unfolding account, individuals are given freedom. They do not always make good choices with that freedom. Joseph’s father was free to do as he wished and he gave special favors to one son and not the others. (Bad choice.) The brothers are free to relate to Joseph; they sell him. (Better than killing him.) Joseph is offered sex by his master’s wife; he declines. (Good choice.) He is free to deny his brothers; he accepts them. (Good choice.) Pharaoh was free to kill Hebrew boy babies. (Bad choice.) Pharaoh’s daughter was free to rescue Moses. (Good choice.)
We cherish freedom, but we do not always do well with it. Through no fault of their own, the Israelites are put into slavery. Their freedom is taken away. Life’s journey sometimes puts upon us burdens we would not choose. What a risky thing for God to give human beings freedom! Present decisions can shape today and the tomorrows. But do you want to give up your free will? Where is freedom missing in your life?
What Someone Else Has Said: Walter Klaiber and Manfred Marquardt (Living Grace, Abingdon) write: “...free will (that is, a will that has been freed by God’s grace!”)
”Prayer: As you prepare this lesson, let your prayer begin: “Open my heart to Your love so my freedom may be used lovingly...”
