God who gives victory

God who gives victory

Exodus 1:12 “But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.”

          In the above passage we read the people of Israel multiplied and grew. The more they were afflicted, the more they grew. This is the basic principle in the Bible where we can understand how the Lord intervenes and multiplies his people when they are afflicted. The Lord God gave victory to the afflicted people of Israel by being with them. The Lord knew all the pains and sufferings of the Israelites. The Lord suppressed the hands of Egyptians who tried to affect the growth of Israelites. In the verse, we read the word ‘but’ describes how the Lord stood with them and gave victory. Same way the Lord had looked upon our afflictions last year and he will give us a victory and proliferation this year. Today, let us meditate on how the hands of the Lord led the Israelites victoriously.

Increase

Exodus 1:6-7 ‘And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.

And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.’

            We see the Israelites migrated to Egypt believing in the words of Joseph. He promised them a good life and an abundance. When father Jacob died, the people had only Joseph as their support. Joseph took care of them and acted as their pillar of support in the land of Egypt. They were completely dependent on Joseph. When Joseph died, they were filled with fear concerning their future. The death of Joseph afflicted them. Their sole hope was cut off. During this situation, we read in verse 7 the Lord of Victory blessed them and they increased. In a time when they should have withered down, the Lord enabled them to multiply abundantly.

We read in Habakkuk 3:17-18 ‘Although the fig tree shall not blossom neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.’ As recorded in this verse, prophet Habakkuk rejoiced in the Lord in all circumstances. The Lord trained the prophet in the previous chapter on living by faith. We read in Habakkuk 2:4 ‘but the just shall live by his faith.’ We the children of God must rejoice in the Lord in all kinds of situations. When we do so, the Lord God will give us new blessings. The Lord will give us the blessing of filling the land like how the people of Israelites increased and filled the land.

Overcome

Exodus 1:8-10 “Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.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.”

            Here we see a new King arose up over Egypt after the passing of Joseph. The King was not aware of Joseph and was wondering about the increasing population of Israel. For this cause, he disliked the Israelites and stood against them. He saw the Israelites as their enemy and he dealt tactfully with them. The Lord not only purposed to increase the people of Israel but also wanted them to overcome oppositions. No matter how many conspire against us, even if it be a king that rise up against us, the Lord God will destroy them. As recorded in Exodus 14:14 ‘The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.’ The battle of the Lord helped the Israelites to overcome the wise plans of Pharaoh.

We read in Exodus 14:17 ‘And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.’ This verse we see the Lord clearly explains in detail about the plans of Pharaoh. In Exodus 14:25 ‘And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.’ The Egyptians confessed themselves by witnessing the battle of the Lord. They proclaimed the name of the Lord and fled to their place. In the end, the Egyptians who conspired against the people of God fell into the trap that God had for them. We see the Lord brought Judgment on the Gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12) and enabled Israelites to overcome them. Even in our lives, the hands of the Lord will take away all the traps in our lives and he will protect our families. The Lord will battle for us and make us overcome all evil snares in our lives.

Honor

Exodus 1:12 ‘But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.’

            We see the Lord gives them honor for all their afflictions. When we are continuously afflicted or face oppositions, we should understand that the Lord will honor us. The people grieved at the children of Israel by witnessing their increase. In the lines of Mr.Rajagopalachari (First Governor General of India 1951-52 and Chief Minister of Madras 1952-53) said, ‘Christians are like bugs, leave them alone, if you squash them, they will multiply.’ We the children of God should be confident that we will be recompensed for our afflictions and we will be honored. Amen.