These People Are Different (Encore)
Exodus 1: 9-11 (KJV)
And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel [are] more and mightier than we: Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and [so] get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Ramses.
We know, from the last chapters of the book of Genesis, which immediately precede this passage, that Joseph had saved the Egyptian nation from starvation. He was honored among the people and revered by the pharaohs.
The family of Joseph had come to Egypt. They had settled in, and as far as we know, from this account, they were industrious and unoffending. After a couple of generations, however, Joseph and what he had done for the nation had been forgotten. The children of Jacob had become numerous among the Egyptians. But they were different. They had different habits and rituals. They worshiped a different God.
What might’ve happened had the leaders of the Egyptian nation looked upon these people and said, “Let’s make these folks are friends.“? Unfortunately for everyone, they took a very different path. They let their suspicions, their ignorance, and their fears overcome their better natures. These people were different. If war comes, they will betray us. Let us oppressed them now while we have the chance.
And so they did. Can we draw any conclusions from that ancient story about our world today? Do we allow the fact that some people are different to dominate our thinking, to arouse our suspicions, to lead us into believing they need to be oppressed or put down?
This passage calls us to examine our own attitudes and actions toward people who are not like us. Despite our enlightenment from the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, too often we react like the Egyptians of old.
Today we should call upon God to help us formulate attitudes of love, caring, and compassion that will replace our attitudes of suspicion and fear.
The Egyptian leaders, in trying to protect their nation, gave in to their hate and fear. In doing so, they ultimately brought plagues, tragedies, and destruction to their land.
What if they had chosen love instead of hate?
Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.
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