This week we’re looking at the theme of slavery in Egypt. You can read the story in Exodus 1. You can read it here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%201&version=NIV
This week we’ve considered what slavery looks like in our world today. We’ve thought about why people are enslaved and why people are slave masters.
I want us to remember that the Israelites never really complained about the work they were doing as slaves. It is when the work got harsher or the conditions/slave masters were harsher that they groaned. Some slaves throughout history were treated like family and respected. But many more were mistreated and harmed in some way. Their slave masters had evil intentions. When others are around those kind of slave masters, it can be difficult to stand up to them or help the slave have some breathing room or justice.
In our world today, aside from what modern slavery is defined as or looks like, there are many who are oppressed because of systems that were created long ago and never updated to reflect how society has changed. Things like our laws, criminal systems, education, historical stories and more. Hindsight gives us more information than we had and if we don’t use hindsight to change what is in place, then nothing will ever change and those have been oppressed in the past and those who are oppressed still today, will continue to be oppressed as well as the generations that come after them. This is where our voices and actions are important, especially in these very changing times. It's not about standing up for people, but standing with - as we have not lived their stories. We can stand with them to show those in power that we are one of them, but more importantly that we support those who are being oppressed.
I wonder if you have had a time in your life where you acted like the midwives – maybe giving false information with the intention of saving someone or something from harm. And if so, how difficult that may have been. For those midwives, they had a fear of those in power. They saw the abuse and cruelty they could do to others. They did not want to suffer the same fate. And yet, maybe they knew that those with power did not quite understand childbirth and the job they had in its entirety and used this to their advantage. Maybe they chose to use the great unknowns or differences between the Egyptians and Israelites in their favour. But most assuredly, their respect and awe for God was a key player in all of this. If they did not trust in God’s protection, there would be even more unknowns in how things may unfold for them. What are your thoughts?
Sometimes searching out for a song is a blessing. I haven’t heard or seen this one and can feel it’s power – a reminder that those who oppressed have had a long journey already and I wonder if the journey will ever end.
“Stand Up” by Cynthia Erivo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn19xvfoXvk
A prayer for us today:
God who loves all of Your creation, help us to also do the same. To embrace our fears and differences so we can talk about what makes us unique and special. So we can talk about what is also similar about us. Help us to stand with each other when one of us is being harmed. Help us to stand with each other when someone is abusing their power. And help us, forever in our days O God, to live our lives for you. Continue to be in our hearts, minds and souls for all our days to come. Amen.
This week we’ve considered what slavery looks like in our world today. We’ve thought about why people are enslaved and why people are slave masters.
I want us to remember that the Israelites never really complained about the work they were doing as slaves. It is when the work got harsher or the conditions/slave masters were harsher that they groaned. Some slaves throughout history were treated like family and respected. But many more were mistreated and harmed in some way. Their slave masters had evil intentions. When others are around those kind of slave masters, it can be difficult to stand up to them or help the slave have some breathing room or justice.
In our world today, aside from what modern slavery is defined as or looks like, there are many who are oppressed because of systems that were created long ago and never updated to reflect how society has changed. Things like our laws, criminal systems, education, historical stories and more. Hindsight gives us more information than we had and if we don’t use hindsight to change what is in place, then nothing will ever change and those have been oppressed in the past and those who are oppressed still today, will continue to be oppressed as well as the generations that come after them. This is where our voices and actions are important, especially in these very changing times. It's not about standing up for people, but standing with - as we have not lived their stories. We can stand with them to show those in power that we are one of them, but more importantly that we support those who are being oppressed.
I wonder if you have had a time in your life where you acted like the midwives – maybe giving false information with the intention of saving someone or something from harm. And if so, how difficult that may have been. For those midwives, they had a fear of those in power. They saw the abuse and cruelty they could do to others. They did not want to suffer the same fate. And yet, maybe they knew that those with power did not quite understand childbirth and the job they had in its entirety and used this to their advantage. Maybe they chose to use the great unknowns or differences between the Egyptians and Israelites in their favour. But most assuredly, their respect and awe for God was a key player in all of this. If they did not trust in God’s protection, there would be even more unknowns in how things may unfold for them. What are your thoughts?
Sometimes searching out for a song is a blessing. I haven’t heard or seen this one and can feel it’s power – a reminder that those who oppressed have had a long journey already and I wonder if the journey will ever end.
“Stand Up” by Cynthia Erivo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn19xvfoXvk
A prayer for us today:
God who loves all of Your creation, help us to also do the same. To embrace our fears and differences so we can talk about what makes us unique and special. So we can talk about what is also similar about us. Help us to stand with each other when one of us is being harmed. Help us to stand with each other when someone is abusing their power. And help us, forever in our days O God, to live our lives for you. Continue to be in our hearts, minds and souls for all our days to come. Amen.