How many of the decisions that we make are guided by fear? Whether it’s fear of sickness, missing out on the next big thing, or general social pressure, fear can play a prominent role in our lives. The questions that we must ask are: What are we fearful of? What is our fear driving us towards?
We are beginning a brand new series through the book of Exodus called “God With Us,” where we’ll be following the story of God’s people out from under slavery to the Egyptians to their communion with God. Exodus 1 begins by describing the state of the Israelites and the Egyptians.
There are three words that describe this state: fruitful, forgetful, and fearful. In accordance with God’s promise to Abraham, the Israelites have been fruitful in the land and have become larger and numerous. Yet, despite the growth, the Israelites have been forgetful of their traditions and teachings. Combine that with a new Pharaoh who’s forgotten all about Joseph, all of sudden, the stakes are very high. Pharaoh sees the numerous Israelites and is fearful, prompting him to command the death of baby Hebrew boys. Yet, the Hebrew midwives, who were more fearful of God, disobeyed in order to protect the boys.
This opening scene of Exodus illustrates one of the realities of following God: When fear of earthly power collides with fear of God, only one fear leads to life. Only fear, trust, and dependence leads to life, as will be seen time-and-time-again in Exodus.
Dinner Table Conversations:
Adult & Teen Table Talk:
- The Israelites were fruitful, but they had also become forgetful. Why do you think forgetting God’s faithfulness can make us more vulnerable to fear?
- Pharaoh and the Hebrew midwives were both motivated by fear, but they feared different things. What was the difference, and how did it affect their actions?
Sermon Title: Fruitful, Forgetful, Fearful
Sermon Series: God With Us: Exodus
Sermon Passage: Exodus 1:1-21
Closing Scripture: Luke 4:5-8
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