Read Exodus 1:8-14
Verse 8-14 -
The land of Egypt became to Israel a house of bondage. The place
where we have been happy, may soon become the place of our
affliction; and that may prove the greatest cross to us, of which we
said, This same shall comfort us. Cease from man, and say not of any
place on this side heaven, This is my rest. All that knew Joseph,
loved him, and were kind to his brethren for his sake; but the best
and most useful services a man does to others, are soon forgotten
after his death. Our great care should be, to serve God, and to
please him who is not unrighteous, whatever men are, to forget our
work and labour of love. The offence of Israel is, that he prospers.
There is no sight more hateful to a wicked man than the prosperity
of the righteous. The Egyptians feared lest the children of Israel
should join their enemies, and get them up out of the land.
Wickedness is ever cowardly and unjust; it makes a man fear, where
no fear is, and flee, when no one pursues him. And human wisdom
often is foolishness, and very sinful. God's people had task-masters
set over them, not only to burden them, but to afflict them with
their burdens. They not only made them serve for Pharaoh's profit,
but so that their lives became bitter. The Israelites wonderfully
increased. Christianity spread most when it was persecuted: the
blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church. They that take
counsel against the Lord and his Israel, do but imagine a vain
thing, and create greater vexation to themselves.
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