Exodus 1, 13 – 14
Something to read
The Egyptians became ruthless in imposing tasks on the Israelites, and made their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick and in every kind of field labour. They were ruthless in all the tasks that they imposed on them.
New Revised Standard Version
To read the King James Version, click here
Something to think about
The more oppressive the regime, the more the number of the Israelites grew. Years ago I remember being taught that this slave economy must have been healthier. This cannot be proved, but maybe, just maybe, the ruling Egyptian classes were very inbred with all the limitations this imposes.
Is there a lesson here for the Church? Namely, the more we look inward the less strong we become? Do we spend too much time moaning about what is to become of us and not enough time seeking ways of welcoming those from outside our own circle?
Something to do
Many people look at the same areas of their chosen websites. Today, do something different. Visit the Christian Aid website, and visit a section that you’ve never seen before.
Or, if someone’s birthday is coming up, think about giving them a virtual gift rather than a physical one, such as chickens for families in Bolivia, or wages for a teacher for displaced children in Haiti. Visit CHristian Aid's gifts website www.presentaid.org
Something to pray
Forgive us for when our thoughts stay in the box. Help us to think and pray out of the box, to know that our petty squabbles pale into insignificance when compared to people and places in poverty, conflict or hardship of any kind.
Today’s contributors are the Rev Michael Jackson, a retired URC minister, and his son Andy Jackson, Digital Content Manager for Christian Aid.