From Sojourners to Slaves

GOLDEN TEXT: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” —Hebrews 13:2

GENESIS 47:1-6; EXODUS 1:8-14

THE nation of Israel has, in many respects, been the key nation of history. It was the only nation God acknowledged as belonging to him. Abraham was the progenitor of the Israelites, and God promised that through his seed all the nations of the earth would be blessed. (Gen. 12:3; 22:18) In Galatians 3:16 we are informed that Jesus, who was a natural descendant of Abraham, was the “Seed” of promise, the One through whom the blessings of life were to be made available to all people. Associated with Jesus as the faith seed of Abraham will be his footstep followers from among both Jews and Gentiles.

But the natural descendants of Abraham, his earthly seed, also have an important role in the plan of God; those, that is, who prove worthy of being used by him. In the past there were many of these. Isaac was one, Jacob another, and all the prophets of Israel, together with many others. Our lesson today begins with Jacob’s arrival in the land of Egypt, having been preceded there by his beloved son Joseph.

We all remember the circumstances which took Joseph to Egypt; that he had been taken there by slave traders to whom he had been sold by his jealous brethren. He became a slave in Pharaoh’s household, and due to false charges brought against him he was placed in prison. However, God overruled this experience for his good, for he was released and was given charge over Egypt’s food supplies during the years of famine which, by the Lord’s help, he had correctly predicted.

Indeed, Joseph became second only to Pharaoh as ruler in Egypt, and in due course, under the Lord’s direction, he was able to send for his aged father and the remaining members of the family. Up to this point God was dealing with the children of Abraham as individuals. They were not yet recognized by him as a nation. This was in the Patriarchal Age of the divine plan.

As the lesson indicates, Pharaoh welcomed Joseph’s father and brethren into Egypt, and directed that he should be apportioned the best of the land, which was Goshen in the land of Rameses. (Gen. 47:11; Exod. 12:37) They prospered there, but actually this was not the land which God had promised to Abraham. They were but sojourners in a foreign land, so God permitted circumstances to develop which made them long to get out of this land.

Meanwhile Jacob died. Before he died he bestowed blessings upon all his sons; and it was at his death that God began to deal with the Hebrew people as a group, or nation. Time went by, and Joseph also died. He indicated his faith in the promise made to Abraham concerning the land of Canaan by directing that his body be embalmed and taken with the Israelites when they departed from Egypt.

The Pharaoh who appreciated Joseph so much because of his wise counsel and just ministration of government also died. The Israelites increased in number so rapidly that the new ruler who knew not Joseph became apprehensive.

Oppressive measures were used, with the hope of slowing down the birth rate, but they failed. Then an edict went out that all the male children born to the Israelites should be destroyed. Whenever possible this edict was disobeyed. But the oppression of the Hebrew people continued and increased—all of which was by divine providence, with the object of causing them to long for deliverance. They had, indeed, become a nation of slaves. But this situation was not to continue forever. Future lessons will remind us of the wonderful manner in which they were delivered.

The Golden Text has no direct bearing on the lesson. When Paul admonished that we should not be forgetful “to entertain strangers,” for “some had entertained angels unawares,” he was referring to Abraham and Lot. Abraham entertained three “strangers” who visited him to renew the promise that Sarah would bear a son. Abraham entertained these strangers in a very bountiful manner, directing that a sumptuous meal should be prepared for them.—Gen. 18:1-8,13,17,22,33; 19:1-3

They told him that within the year the promised son would be born to Sarah. But Abraham learned that these strangers were in reality angels whom the Lord had sent, and who had materialized as men in order to be able to communicate with the patriarch. It was a wonderful experience for Abraham.

QUESTIONS

Who is the faith seed of Abraham through whom all nations will be blessed?

Relate the circumstances which took Jacob to Egypt.

How were the Israelites faring in Egypt when God’s time came for their deliverance?

Who was it that entertained angels unawares?

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