Inspire 21-Day Devotional: Illuminating God's Wordਨਮੂਨਾ

WEEK 3, DAY 3: WHERE DID THE BIBLE COME FROM?

Egypt

God is real and not silent. One of the unique aspects of the God of the Bible is that He reveals himself. And not just to one or two select individuals, but to many people at many times and in various places throughout history. One of the most remarkable accounts of God’s revelation to his people occurs not in the land of Israel, but Egypt. And it came in response to his people’s cry for help.

The land of Egypt is much more than home to the Great Pyramids. It is home to one of God’s greatest revelations. The Egyptian empire plays a prominent role in the last part of Genesis and the first part of Exodus. Through a series of events that you have to read to believe, Abraham’s descendants—the Israelites—end up in Egypt. (If you aren’t familiar with this story, reading Genesis 37–50 is well worth your time!) The book of Exodus continues the story of the Israelites in Egypt. After hundreds of years of living in the fertile region of the Nile Delta called Goshen, the Israelites have multiplied to the point that “the land was filled with them” (1:7). A new Pharaoh rises to power who forgets Joseph’s contributions to Egypt and who enslaves the Israelites, subjecting them to hard labor.

True to his promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:13), God raises up Moses to deliver his people from Egypt. But how would God raise up a fugitive (Moses had fled from Egypt to Midian in fear for his life) to deliver his people from the mightiest empire on earth at that time? By revealing his power and presence. After calling Moses in a burning bush, God led him to speak His words to Pharaoh. The demand was simple: let his people go. When Pharaoh balked at this demand, God began to send plagues on the land of Egypt. The plagues—ten in all—systematically revealed that Yahweh, the God of Israel, was superior to the false gods of ancient Egypt. The last and most severe plague—the death of every firstborn in Egypt—served as the climax of God’s revelation. For those who heeded God’s word and applied the blood the slaughtered lamb to their doorpost, death would “pass over” their house; those who did not listen were not spared—Pharaoh included.

As He did in Egypt—the land of slavery—God still reveals himself to those in bondage to sin today. What is needed for God to act? Only a sincere cry for help. All who cry out to him will be comforted, even saved, by the blood of the one of whom the Passover lamb was but a shadow—Jesus Christ.

Artifact: Merneptah Stele

The Merneptah Stele was discovered in Luxor (ancient Thebes), Egypt and dates to the reign of Pharaoh Merneptah in the late 13th century BC. It is inscribed with hieroglyphics and commemorates the military victories of Merneptah’s reign. Significantly, the last three lines of the stele mention his military campaign into Canaan. These lines recount the following:

“Canaan is plundered; Ashkelon has been overcome; Gezer has been seized; Yeno’am is made non-existent; Israel is laid waste, his seed is no more.”

This mention of Israel is the oldest known mention of “Israel” in any artifact, and for this reason the stele is also known as the Israel Stele. A facsimile of the Merneptah Stele is located on the fourth floor of the Museum of the Bible.

Q1. What are the main themes or ideas of the Scripture passage?

Q2. What does this devotional tell me about who God is?

Q3. How does this devotional challenge or encourage me?

Q4. What specific action can I take to live out this teaching?

Q5. Who should I share this with for encouragement or accountability?